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The Progression

Popped the first saddle sore of the year the other day. Feels like I'm riding on a cloud now(or the Orbea Orca). Who knew jabbing your genitals with a needle could feel so satisfying.

Coach Luc is in the process of killing me slowly. I started the first real serious training of the year. Mixing in intervals, and longer rides along with some racing. Its all a mixed bag and its one of those things it will either kill me or make me stronger. Keep checking that resting HR.

Tuesday I hopped into some intervals which I did on some pretty nice rolling terrain. The legs were still stiff from the car, and I was still tired from the travel but it woke me up a bit. Wednesday was a great ride topping in at 5.5 hours. I've learned the hard way that the winds change like clockwork here in Tucson. For some reason I cant seem to learn from this as I usually have a killer headwind up the 45minute climb to start the ride, then another even worse headwind all the way home.

After some relaxing and putting the feet up I headed out for a great 6 hours the next day. First 6 hour ride of the year over some killer hills. Once again I hit the headwind up the Mission climb, and had it all the way home...this one was a bastard though. After 6 hours, 6 bottles, a muffin, 2bars, an apple and a can of POP I was pretty much swearing it this stupid headwind.

In that ride I threw in the Madera climb which I haven't done fully yet this year. All of the riding I've been doing has been on like 2-5% climbs, but Madera averages probably 6-9% then ramps up to a crazy 20%(according to the Garmin).

(Run to the Hills)
Going up it I was hurting like crazy as I haven't really don't anything that steep yet this year. Yikes!

Today was an easier day where I plotted along and saw Bill the foot doctor to pick up my new insoles. Of course I forgot the new Mavic Pedals with Dave in California, so it'll be awhile before I pop on my new shoes.

Tomorrow is my first race of the year. A Crit in Yuma Arizona(yes, same place as the movie) then followed by a 112Mile road race on Sunday. First time ever I will plop down that new pro licence. I'm scared shitless.

A Big Post. The Tour of California Road Trip

Wow. The past few days have been crazy. I haven't been able to check my mail since Thursday as we've been on the run the whole time. On Thursday Josh and I headed to California for some Expo/training camp at the Tour of California.

We didn't arrive until late and didn't get to sleep until way past my usual bedtime. The event lifestyle, of course, had us up super early to catch the continental breakfast before heading to the race sight to set up some tents and stuff for Orbea and LandRover.

On the first day(stage 6 day of the TT) we got to ride a SUPER nice loop in Solvang. We hopped into the journalists ride and it was fun to chat with the guys who put out the literature that keeps us all up to date in the cycling world. It was especially neat to ride with Zapata Espanosa(sp?) the legendary MTB journalist who I've been reading since I picked up my first MTB mag in 1999.

That was also the first day on the new bike. We get a training bike, Race bike and TT bike, and the night before I hastily set up the training riggus at 11:30 at night. On the ride I definitely noticed things I had to change but for the most part the bike was great! Honestly the Orbea Orca is probably the best bike I've ever ridden. Its so so so stiff, but still rides great and is such an unique looking bike. I am very very pleased with it.

The training bikes get Sram Rival, and the race bikes get Force. Its been taking time to get use to the rival, but its breaking in and so are these fingers which have ONLY used Shimano. we've been experimenting with the new S60 and S80 wheels and both are very solid. The S80s are little hard to handle in some situations for obvious reasons, but they definitely have their place and would be deadly on a flat stage.

The ride in Solvang was probably the nicest ride I've ever done. This place is amazing. Everything from the little Dutch town, to the roads, to the community. I think I might look to go there next year to train as opposed to Tucson. It really is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

When I think about the trip I think about being stuck in traffic. With long transfers often in rush hour time, many many hours were spent being stuck in traffic multiple times of the day around LA and southern California. Its just how it is down there I guess.

The next day the boys and I headed up a monster 10mile climb in Pasedino(I think) The ride itself wasn't super long but crazy intense as most of us just ended up attacking each other all the time. Originally the team had 4 guys there, me, Evan Elkin(who headed home the day after we got there) Josh of course, and Carson Miller.

We climbed to the top with me hitting the wall about 6 miles in, then the boys attacked the shit out of me and I was left to struggle up the last little bit. It was all in good fun though and the legs

felt decent for not having any intensity in the legs.

Later that day we worked the LiveStrong booth. We probably gave away a million bracelets and got quite a bit of money I think. Its one of those things where people just walk by throw money at you and take a bracelet. Toward the end of the stage it becomes INSANE.

Later that night we had a photo shoot for Orbea and Land Rover for some advertising. It was SO PRO as we went to the studio and got all kitted up. It was pretty sweet. More on that later.

Another long transfer with a late night and an early morning and we headed toward San Diago(or the whales vagina as it translates) and we did another great ride under cloudy skies. Instead of one giant mountain we climbed a lot of little(meaning like 3-5km) hills and worked in part of the race course. We climbed up part of MT. Polamar which is super super nice and which had thousands of spectators all along the way. It was really great to see these courses and the people.

I started to modify the Orca to get the new girl the way I want her, and on this ride it really started to feel comfortable. We again attacked the shit out of each other with the 130pounders usually taking the crest of the climb. It was great to have someone to chase for a change.

This was the last stage and after the ride and some hanging out Josh and I hit the road. The drive proved to be a long one and I didn't hit the hay until 3am this morning. Needless to say I'm so cooked as I write this.

Although we didn't put in the big miles this week, the rides we definitely great. We had a solid 3 days of short rides which were crazy intense. Not only did I get to see beautiful amazing parts of California, but also met my teammates, directors, and all the great people at Orbea.

Hats off to Eric, and Dave the team director as he probably only got an average of 4 hours of sleep a night keeping the operations going, even volunteering to sleep on the floor. If I'm cooked after 3 days this guy must be a Zombie. So many behind the scenes thing that have to be taken care of. Thanks Man!

Being my first time at the Tour of California it was interesting to see bike racing on such a grand scale. Thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people were at the event at each stage. It really was amazing to see so many people at a bike race on North American soil.

We today I'm tieing up loose ends and having a coffee shop day. All of the traveling, transfers, and intensity leave me wanted to simply do nothing.

This post is Un-edited

I went to the foot doctor to get set up with some insoles. As I mentioned the guy has worked with pretty much every US Pro team since Motorola, so he knew his stuff. It was funny because before looking at my feet he put me and my bike on the trainer and looked at my pedalling style. Right away he noticed quite a few wonky things.

So I hopped off my bike and sat down the bench leaving a giant bagbalm stain that I tired to clean off after, but with no luck.

He started taking all different kinds of measurmets of my feet, and leg ligaments and found a number of crazy stuff.

For years I knew something was wrong, but I just tried to ignore it. This year the problem with my left leg was especially bad. In times when trying to put the pedal to the metal it felt like my leg just couldn't go the place where I wanted it to go. There was just no way I could push the pedal down comfortably. Not to mention I was getting crazy saddle sores for years.

I suspected one leg was longer than the other for years, and after a number of tests and measurements the Doc confirmed it. All this time the damn Left leg was 4mm shorter than the right.

So, with all the measurements I should be getting my new orthopedics next week. Among getting my feet molded(the left foot was SUPER messed up too) the doc also made some suggestions on my position. Some after looking at myself in the mirror just made sense, and in turn are a good thing.

Other things he did were:

-4mm shim on the Left cleat

-After a bunch of measurement moved my left cleat 5degrees(which is huge)

-moved both cleats back to the furthest position possible.

I found it interesting that he said most cycling shoes are sooooooo far behind the times. In a sport soaked in tradition where every company copies every other company it was funny how some of the things he was saying made sense. 95% of shoes on the market are designed with bad ergonomics in that it is impossible to put your cleats as far back to attain optimal force for the foot.

Anyway. So I rode home and didn't really notice much, but on the next day I felt a huge difference. Honestly the way I'm set up now(with old shoes and NO orthopedics yet) I have never been as comfortable on a bike in my life. It feels like when I need to push down, my leg has the ability to go where it needs to.

I've been having a couple great days. Tuesday was a solid 5.5 hours and another 170km ride. Then yesterday I did my intervals in the evening up MT. Lemmon. It felt great to get up that mountain first time of the year.

I did my drivers class yesterday morning. I had to be there at 7:30, and of course forgot the ticket so I had to bike home again to get it. Everyone in the class thought it was ridiculous/funny that I had to take the drivers class when I don't even own a car. Ridiculous.

Did you know that 1/8 drivers in Tucson have guns in their cars at all times?! Ridiculous.

There were 2 distinct groups that had a prejudice against them that I noticed in the class. One was cyclists. and the other were males 18-25. A lot of people on the class ragged on these groups when the time to vent came about.

With this in mind I looked around the class of 50 and at least 85% of the class were over 45. Many were over 60. If the 18-25 year olds were such bad drivers wouldn't the numbers of the class reflect that?

So, I'm typing this in a frantic while waiting for Josh to arrive. Today we head to California!

Over and Out.

Flat Feet

Stress is a big part of being an athlete. Life is dictated by stress at all different levels. Stress on the body is what makes the body strong. 6 hour rides stress a body in a way to recover and become stronger as a result.

Interval training stresses the body in a different way in which has a similar effect. The body adapts, and becomes stronger.

The mind is no different. A strong mind in many ways has been stressed to a point where the mind in tern becomes strong. Look at Svein Tuft for example.

As I get older an the world becomes harsher and harsher(I know I'm in a bubble compared to most lives) and the innocence of my youth starts to fade away, problems, big and small arise. I'm realizing that throughout life there will always be problems big and small, and instead of dwelling on them, one must learn to let the big and small stuff remain(as there will always be problems) but not to dwell on them.

Anyone who really knows me knows that I am my own worst enemy in a lot of ways. My head when strong and clear cannot be beat. When its full of clutter I tend to be less calm, less 'happy' and more irritable. I think a real goal which I work on daily is to push much of the small stuff aside, and simple work on the bigger picture, as most problems seem to eventually work themselves out.

I had a very productive morning, being the last day of a rest week. I scheduled an appointment for a driving school to get rid of the ticket, which was luckily 5km away. $200 bones, is better than $260 bones(the ticket price). So on Wednesday hopefully I will walk out of the class a better driver, despite that fact I was on a bike(?!), and with one of the minor problems out of my mind.

I've also scheduled a Orthopedics appointment with a specialist in town. I've been having some weird problems since the Guadeloupe crash on my left hip which I've been going to physio for all winter. Corina did wonders and diagnosed the problem, but I want to make sure the 'power to the pedal' is as good as I can make it before turning the pedals as that leg I assume will always be a little wonky.

I was referred from a bike shop to this Orthopedics guy who is apparently 'THE MAN' when it comes to things like this. I hesitantly asked about what he did, and his former clients over the phone, and he replied....."Well, I've done every PRO team in the US since Motorola." hmmm good enough for me.

He cut me a special poor bike racers deal, and the price wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

I'm heading there today, so I'll give the play by play.

Over and Out.

Fill'er Up

I've always heard the saying "Rest as hard as you train." Being a rest week I've taken full advantage of that.

Monday and Tuesday I simply did coffee shop rides that accumulated for about 3 hours of riding in total, mostly in casual clothes. Not only did the legs need a break, but also the head did.

Wednesday I hopped back into action with the old guy ride which is usually a chill effort for about 3 hours. The best part of the ride is that it kicks your ass to get out of bed at 7, to be at the ride by 8:30. This means that all the training is mostly done by noon, where you happen to roll into the coffee shop after the ride, to hang out and chat with all the crew. It really is a good spin to the mid-week hump. Then you have the rest of the day to do what-ever. Its great!

I might try to incorporate the Wednesday ride into a double-day next week.

Yesterday was a decent 4 hour ride starting off with Josh and coffee time. We chatted about our plans and the upcoming California trip while trying to avoid being shit on by the thousands of birds that hover around the Starbucks looking for treats. Josh wasn't so lucky as one of them got a direct hit.

It is impossible to efficiently carry enough water in the dessert for a 3+hour ride. When you get into the 5-6 hour rides a cyclist has to find a water source somewhere. This leads to stopping by the odd gas station to fill up on Gatorade, sometimes multiple times on a ride.

Because we rely on these pit stops so much, you start to develop a routine. One gas station in the middle of the dessert in particular I HATE going to. Its the one with the RoadRunner on the sign(every cyclist in Tucson knows it).

Of the probably 5 times I've gone there this year, there has been an employee there to make my experience terrible. Usually as I roll in, even before I get off my bike someone is there to yell at me from across the parking lot not to lean my bike against the wall....or the bench...or the plant, and definitely not to take it inside. Its one thing to say it in a nice way, but these people are just being bastards about it. Even when going to the counter to pay for your purchases, they usually treat you as if you stole their first born. Isn't there some saying somewhere that you should be nice to people who are your customers?

So, the past few rides I've been stocking up a little bit earlier, or waiting a little bit longer to avoid this place which has a prime location.

Yesterday while on the ride I was pleasantly surprised when I rolled up to the GasCity on Houton(first time being there), and promptly leaned my bike against a wood pile. A friendly employee saw me and in a super friendly way said "You can take your bike inside if you want."

I was kind of taken aback by his friendly-ness and smiled at him, while I walked my bike inside and leaned it gently against a wall.

Huh, thanks GasCity employee for being a nice guy.

Laundry Day

The past few days were the last of the long days for this build period . I was pretty happy with my form after the 170km ride, but it appeared I went a little bit too far into the power reserves.

After a coffee shop day on Friday, I mounted the steed again for 4 hours on Saturday, everything was going great until I hit the wall at about 2 hours. Not even a Dr. Pepper could bring these legs back. I attributed the 'body bonk' to going a bit too hard on Thursday, and not eating enough on Friday. As a cyclist your always walking the edge between loosing weight and simply not eating enough calories to fuel a 4-6hour ride.

So, I cut back the 4 hour ride, and headed home after 3 hours. When the body needs rest its hard to argue with it.

That night I had a beer, and bit more desert, and headed out Sunday morning for the big final 5 hours. Everything went fine. I did loose some power the last hour, but I attributed it to FREEZING cold that has hit Tucson, and the rain which has been flying periodically the past few days.

(ahhhh that sucks)

I was starting to hit the wall, but luckily in anticipation of a bonk I bought a package of 4 Mr.Christie cookies, which definitely got me home. Those things are pretty much rocket fuel. hah

Well, today is beer and pizza day combined with a coffee shop day. I'm about to roll into town and do some errands along with fill my body with caffeine. Ahhhh yes, the perfect way to start a rest week.

The big miles start again next week.

Two More

Life is moving along.

Its turns out I mismatched the numbers wrong when figuring out the price of the right-hand-turn-ticket, and it is actually $290American. This thing is a nightmare hanging over my head. I called a friendly from the league of American Bicyclists, and she said she might get the court to wave the ticket if I take a 9 hour bicycle safely class. She said she needed a hand teaching the class as well. The other option is to pay $200 for a drivers safety class. Hmmmm.

Its funny because everyone I talk to seems to think the ticket is the most outrageous thing ever. The woman at the League of American Bicyclists was told about it and never heard of anything so ridiculous.

I called the court today to try to move the court date up, as I might be in California, and I gave her a briefing of what the ticket was about and she thought it was the most ridiculous thing in the history of man as well. It seem everyone does but the cop who issued it.

Moving on......

Riding has been going pretty good. the weather has been great in the low-eighties. I got 4.5 hours of Tuesday super chill, then I changed the pace and went out with an older group of great guys for a good 3 hours on Wednesday. The conversation was great, and the coffee shop run was a relaxer. We counted the amount of people at the table and between Pro cyclists, and snowbirds there were more Canadians than Americans. Hah

Thursday was an INSANE ride. I went out with one of Chloe's friends, Nick, who is heading off to Belgium in a few weeks. We did a pretty good out and back to the town of Mammoth, which has a killer climb. By the end of the day we had 170km in just over 5 hours, with over 1800m of climbing. I was pretty cooked, but luckily today is a rest day and a quick cruse to the coffee shop to loosen up the legs is in order.

(The old HR moniter had a blip on the decent I think)

Busy Police

After a day off on Thursday to let the rash heal a bit with the help of the magic(an expensive) creme JF recommended, I was back on the road on Friday. After 4 hours on Friday I realized that the chaffing was mostly due to worn out(I think) chamois, so I devised a steady balance of

making riding bearable.

(I've been trying ot eat actual food as its cheaper, and better for you)

First off I cover the chamois with 2 kinds of chamois creme in different areas(different kinds of chaffing). The front part must have at least 1/8cup (no joke). After the ride I make sure to use the magic creme before I go to bed.

It stinks like fish, and stains the hell outta clothes, but it manages to heal the rash enough that I can stand riding. I love how I give daily updates on a rash on the blog. hah

So another seemingly successful week this week. 4 hours on Friday, 3 on Saturday, and the big push of 5 hours, 160km on Sunday. Nothing too killer, but it had a good amount of climbing.

I just got some pics of the new race rigs, hopefully I can mount the new steed soon.

Lock up your daughters, and put bars on your windows folks as Ryan Taylor from Canada is coming to town. This outlaw has been known to turn RIGHT on a RED light....without stopping in the middle of the remote desert. The devil works through him folks. The police in Tucson seem to have this character under wraps with his Right hand turning fiasco......$135 dollar fine.

That's right...I'm going to say it again....$135 fine for turning RIGHT on a RED light, without stopping...oh...on a bicycle.

Idiots.