I'm a cat 4 now. Neato. Now I can ride to Opus with the Birchwood/Crossniacs guy. I forget the name...
Hooray! Now I don't need to get to Ken Woods a few hours before the rest of my team. That's rad!
Still doing the same race tomorrow though...
Hey, Do I get a new license now, or just a sticker? and how do I make that happen?
Friday, April 18, 2008
Durand is tomorrow.
And I'm nervous about it. First road race of the season. 4/5 race. Get to race with Jake, so that's pretty awesome. Should be fun. Should suit me better than the Crit on Tuesday did.
Got a new saddle earlier this week. No more constant creaking. That is also awesome. Except I put some Tenacious oil down the rails and now it doesn't squeak anymore, so it wasn't really necessary.
Yeah. Durand. Come say hi. Hills. Uphill finish. Wind. Should be fun!
Got a new saddle earlier this week. No more constant creaking. That is also awesome. Except I put some Tenacious oil down the rails and now it doesn't squeak anymore, so it wasn't really necessary.
Yeah. Durand. Come say hi. Hills. Uphill finish. Wind. Should be fun!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
I didn't win.
But I did get second.
Cat 5 race. 30 minutes. 9 laps. really windy uphill to a cross/headwind (i think...hard to tell) sprint.
First (sprint lap) got lead out by a LSC (i think...) rider from a ways. He took first. I got second.
everyone (myself included) basically sat up after the line and cooled it until we came back around a few more laps later (basically, only the sprint laps were "fast", and only the last 1/4 of it-maybe that's because the first half is downhill?)
Lots of heavy breathing very early in the race. Especially on the hill. I think that some training helped with my fitness.
I sat out in the wind too often. I was more worried about being boxed in than being in the wind. It happens. I felt strong enough.
Nobody was working with anyone else, at least as far as I noticed. It was kind of surprising.
Same guy won the last two sprint laps. (not me...) He was nowhere to be seen on the first lap, though. So he ended with 10 points. I ended with 9. Second place across the board.
yeah. It was fun. I learned a bit. Stay out of the wind, and don't try to up the pace alone. easy. easier said than done, at least. Also, don't need to try to sprint from too far out...most (maybe myself included) can't hold the sprint that long and fade at the line...
No big secrets. Nothing super notable. I'll be doing some things differently if I do another Opus. Most primarily not time trialing the whole way to Minnetonka!
Cat 5 race. 30 minutes. 9 laps. really windy uphill to a cross/headwind (i think...hard to tell) sprint.
First (sprint lap) got lead out by a LSC (i think...) rider from a ways. He took first. I got second.
everyone (myself included) basically sat up after the line and cooled it until we came back around a few more laps later (basically, only the sprint laps were "fast", and only the last 1/4 of it-maybe that's because the first half is downhill?)
Lots of heavy breathing very early in the race. Especially on the hill. I think that some training helped with my fitness.
I sat out in the wind too often. I was more worried about being boxed in than being in the wind. It happens. I felt strong enough.
Nobody was working with anyone else, at least as far as I noticed. It was kind of surprising.
Same guy won the last two sprint laps. (not me...) He was nowhere to be seen on the first lap, though. So he ended with 10 points. I ended with 9. Second place across the board.
yeah. It was fun. I learned a bit. Stay out of the wind, and don't try to up the pace alone. easy. easier said than done, at least. Also, don't need to try to sprint from too far out...most (maybe myself included) can't hold the sprint that long and fade at the line...
No big secrets. Nothing super notable. I'll be doing some things differently if I do another Opus. Most primarily not time trialing the whole way to Minnetonka!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
On getting rubbed out.
Rabobank got a glimpse of the future at Cross Worlds this year. Sadly, it certainly was NOT Sven Nys. Forgive the comparison, but he's basically the Merckx of Cross. Minus the world championships.
Nys is moving on to Landbouwkrediet. Effective Jan 1 09. That's a long time right now. Strangely enough, that would mean that he would ride almost all season with Rabobank, and then finish it (Worlds) with the new team (that was hard enough to spell the first time).
Is Lars Boom the Future of cyclocross? Rabobank must think so, in my opinion. I can't say that I don't agree. Sven is getting "a bit long in the tooth." I wonder if this is the first step towards retirement.
I'm not sure. Maybe he should join Tristan, Page, and Marko at Planet Bike. That'd be more interesting.
I also hope I still see his name on the roster for the odd early season classics (and semi-classics.) It's always interesting to see him off the front and then back out the back...Makes me smile.
http://www.velonews.com/article/74695/nys-signs-with-landbouwkrediet
Nys is moving on to Landbouwkrediet. Effective Jan 1 09. That's a long time right now. Strangely enough, that would mean that he would ride almost all season with Rabobank, and then finish it (Worlds) with the new team (that was hard enough to spell the first time).
Is Lars Boom the Future of cyclocross? Rabobank must think so, in my opinion. I can't say that I don't agree. Sven is getting "a bit long in the tooth." I wonder if this is the first step towards retirement.
I'm not sure. Maybe he should join Tristan, Page, and Marko at Planet Bike. That'd be more interesting.
I also hope I still see his name on the roster for the odd early season classics (and semi-classics.) It's always interesting to see him off the front and then back out the back...Makes me smile.
http://www.velonews.com/article/74695/nys-signs-with-landbouwkrediet
Sneaking up on me
Well. Tonight is the first race of the season. Finally. Gettinge excited. Tonight will let me know where I'm at for Durand on Saturday. Never done a crit before. Hope to hang. Love to win. We'll see. Maybe if I win they'll let me do the 4 race, too. That'd be rad. I'd give it a shot.
I hope this isn't too confusing. I'm not too familiar with races that aren't decided at the finish. We'll see how it goes. Wish me luck!
I hope this isn't too confusing. I'm not too familiar with races that aren't decided at the finish. We'll see how it goes. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
rest of classics...
So, I missed a handful, but it's time to throw out the picks..
Roubaix. Going with Flecha. He's earned it. That said, I also like Gusev (too bad he can't race...) So I have to give Hoste the second slot, and the outside shot to Cavendish. So there.
Amstel Gold? Shleck, the younger one will put in a solid performance, but I'm looking at Rebellin to get crafty and take it. Or Valverde...He's been too quiet this year.
TOG? I'm going with Stevic. That is all.
Fleche Wallone? Jens on the break? of course, but he won't take it. I'll go with Bernard Kohl. (WHAT?!?!)
Leige? Cunego. Or the elder Schleck.
That's enough for now...
Roubaix. Going with Flecha. He's earned it. That said, I also like Gusev (too bad he can't race...) So I have to give Hoste the second slot, and the outside shot to Cavendish. So there.
Amstel Gold? Shleck, the younger one will put in a solid performance, but I'm looking at Rebellin to get crafty and take it. Or Valverde...He's been too quiet this year.
TOG? I'm going with Stevic. That is all.
Fleche Wallone? Jens on the break? of course, but he won't take it. I'll go with Bernard Kohl. (WHAT?!?!)
Leige? Cunego. Or the elder Schleck.
That's enough for now...
Oh, and I'm famous.
How about it. Not quite what I do, but it works.
Yep. Narcissism. I love it. Shaved legs, to me, is like a game face. It's the same reason I'll keep my hair short, and probably shave (face) for road season as well. It's all a part of meaning business.
For real.
Oh, and this is the first time I've been in the paper regarding bike stuff since I was like 8!
Usually when I'm in the paper, it's because I've done something stupid. So, this is an improvement!
Stupid Cubs.
If it weren't for the third game of the season against the Cubs, the Brewers would not only be undefeated, BUT ALSO have the best record in baseball, rather than being tied with Baltimore for that status.
Yeah, It's early...But a lot of people were touting the Cubs as the team to beat in the NL Central. Bunch of fools they were. Seems like the Cubs are the (easy) team to beat in the NL Central. Ok, maybe it isn't THAT bad...I mean, they're no Detroit!
But yeah. It's baseball season. It's about time.
Brewers in town in end of June. Who's coming with me?
Yeah, It's early...But a lot of people were touting the Cubs as the team to beat in the NL Central. Bunch of fools they were. Seems like the Cubs are the (easy) team to beat in the NL Central. Ok, maybe it isn't THAT bad...I mean, they're no Detroit!
But yeah. It's baseball season. It's about time.
Brewers in town in end of June. Who's coming with me?
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Not what I wanted...
It was brought to my attention that my last post was all of rude, cocky, and dismissive.
I meant none of these things. I have no grey area. All or nothing with me. Last weekend I felt like total shit. This weekend went MUCH better. I'm very happy about that. It's about time.
I don't mean to discredit my teammates. If not for them, I wouldn't have even gotten out in the first place. Nor would I have been motivated to work so hard had they not been on my wheel. I can't thank them enough. I love my team, and my teammates. They are all amazing. Tim's form is coming around spectacularly. Matt is always strong as hell. Spencer caught us in afton. He almost BEAT us to afton. Enough said.
I really worked hard today. It felt great. I'm super happy that today went the way it did.
I didn't mean to be a dick at all. I'm sorry if anyone took it as such.
It's hard to show emotions on the internet. It's the major drawback. Blogs need smileys.
Let's put it this way. Tim beat me at all sorts of the town line sprints today. The only ones I got where the ones that I was alone for...
Yeah, I don't know what else to say. I'm sorry if I hurt any feelings. I really hope I didn't. Also, I hope I didn't come across as an ass.
I meant none of these things. I have no grey area. All or nothing with me. Last weekend I felt like total shit. This weekend went MUCH better. I'm very happy about that. It's about time.
I don't mean to discredit my teammates. If not for them, I wouldn't have even gotten out in the first place. Nor would I have been motivated to work so hard had they not been on my wheel. I can't thank them enough. I love my team, and my teammates. They are all amazing. Tim's form is coming around spectacularly. Matt is always strong as hell. Spencer caught us in afton. He almost BEAT us to afton. Enough said.
I really worked hard today. It felt great. I'm super happy that today went the way it did.
I didn't mean to be a dick at all. I'm sorry if anyone took it as such.
It's hard to show emotions on the internet. It's the major drawback. Blogs need smileys.
Let's put it this way. Tim beat me at all sorts of the town line sprints today. The only ones I got where the ones that I was alone for...
Yeah, I don't know what else to say. I'm sorry if I hurt any feelings. I really hope I didn't. Also, I hope I didn't come across as an ass.
Excuse me, Mister... You dropped your hammer.
Yeah, Good times. Felt really good on the ride today. Little Guy, Super Rookie and myself set out to afton at about 9:20. Rode a more northerly route and scoped out some super secret super rookie hill training spots. I heard it was a group ride, but as soon as we hit bailey, I didn't see much of my group...every now and then a flash of yellow or red as a wheel overlapped mine. Save for the heavy breathing and the color flashes, I wouldn't have known anyone was back there! (kidding boys! Durand is coming up, gotta get on forms!)
Yeah. Pretty hot pace to Afton. Guys teamed up against me on nature terrace valley creek whatever road...Good efforts by both Tim and Matt. Was able to counter what they had, and then hold them off to the Bean. Where we stumbled across a large number of woodies. Both B and H-wood riders out there. A couple GP guys as well. Went in to pee, came back out, and SPENCER is out there! CRAZY! I guess he left shortly after us and took a shortcut that put him where we were maybe 5 minutes after us! It was pretty cool. So, our numbers went up on the return trip.
Took a top secret detour and found another more fun hill and section of road. Good call Rookie! 80th out to military and back in. Rode with a guy currently riding for Nature Valley (forget his name, for the moment), for a bit down 80th and 70th streets. That was fun. Watched Tim and Matt hold each others helmets while they removed hats. That was classic. Also classic, was the Super Rookie practicing his victory celebrations. Just you wait until he wins a race. It's gonna be good.
Today was mostly a long day of hard tempo riding. Very fun. Worth it. Wanted to go longer, but did not have the food, nor the cash to keep it up. I'm satisfied.
Flanders tomorrow. My money is on Gusev. Not a lot of it, though. Too bad I have to work. Hopefully I get to watch some coverage beforehand.
Oh, and Big Matt...I want a rematch. 2 out of 3!
Yeah. Pretty hot pace to Afton. Guys teamed up against me on nature terrace valley creek whatever road...Good efforts by both Tim and Matt. Was able to counter what they had, and then hold them off to the Bean. Where we stumbled across a large number of woodies. Both B and H-wood riders out there. A couple GP guys as well. Went in to pee, came back out, and SPENCER is out there! CRAZY! I guess he left shortly after us and took a shortcut that put him where we were maybe 5 minutes after us! It was pretty cool. So, our numbers went up on the return trip.
Took a top secret detour and found another more fun hill and section of road. Good call Rookie! 80th out to military and back in. Rode with a guy currently riding for Nature Valley (forget his name, for the moment), for a bit down 80th and 70th streets. That was fun. Watched Tim and Matt hold each others helmets while they removed hats. That was classic. Also classic, was the Super Rookie practicing his victory celebrations. Just you wait until he wins a race. It's gonna be good.
Today was mostly a long day of hard tempo riding. Very fun. Worth it. Wanted to go longer, but did not have the food, nor the cash to keep it up. I'm satisfied.
Flanders tomorrow. My money is on Gusev. Not a lot of it, though. Too bad I have to work. Hopefully I get to watch some coverage beforehand.
Oh, and Big Matt...I want a rematch. 2 out of 3!
death or jail? do drugs? pick one.
So, another cyclist dead. No, no local accidents. Former/current pro, ex teammate of Marco Pantani, Valentino Fois found dead at home by his mother. Dabbled in cocaine, and was on some sort of suspension for stealing computers (reportedly while drunk)...Maybe not a savory type, but it still sucks when peoples lives go to shit.
Or, you could go to jail. Ala Tammy Thomas. Another cyclist gone down the narrow path away from redemption. 3 counts of perjury. Thats what drugs do for you. Way to go! (Bonds is probably next)...Do we really need a jury to prove that he did steriods?
I mean, HELLO!
could do the same for Clemes, Canseco, Sosa, etc.
OH, and the Brewers are 3-1 after CRUSHING the Giants 13-4 yesterday. So much for the cubs being the team to beat in the NL Central.
Or, you could go to jail. Ala Tammy Thomas. Another cyclist gone down the narrow path away from redemption. 3 counts of perjury. Thats what drugs do for you. Way to go! (Bonds is probably next)...Do we really need a jury to prove that he did steriods?
I mean, HELLO!
could do the same for Clemes, Canseco, Sosa, etc.
OH, and the Brewers are 3-1 after CRUSHING the Giants 13-4 yesterday. So much for the cubs being the team to beat in the NL Central.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Naomi Campbell.
She got arrested for spitting on, and then punching a cop. On an airplane. This about a year after throwing a phone at her housekeeper over a messed up pair of jeans.
Good for her. Gotta love a spirited lady.
Good for her. Gotta love a spirited lady.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
last weekend and kickball.
Last weekend. rode hard with team on saturday. Big Matt is a monster. Got my legs ripped off out to afton. barely hung on. it sucked. in the best way possible.
Sunday, felt better. recovery out to wayzata and around the lake. Few random attacks thrown in for some speedwork. It was great.
So, that means I finished with over 550 miles in March. With 2 weeks off for (and to recover from) getting a part removed from my midsection.
Hooray!
Also. Is there any interest for every other wednesday kickball games? Starting the 16th of this month at Powderhorn at 6pm? Come, Bring some eats and drinks, play a game or two of kickball (depending on turnout and how smoothly this runs). Is there a better park anyone can think of?
Rotate the Wednesdays around Black Dog, so all of our TT buddies can come hang out and play a bit.
How does that sound? Feed me back!
Also...along with the last point. Now is the official (albeit probably unseen) challenge extended FROM Grumpy's/LGR TO Grandstay in a game of kickball. You may have us beaten on the bike, but lets bring it to the field!
That is all.
Ride tonight. 31 miles through St. Paul. Grannys night out, from the Hiawatha Cyclery site. 5:15pm ish tonight. Call me if you wanna meet up. or email. either way.
-jason
Sunday, felt better. recovery out to wayzata and around the lake. Few random attacks thrown in for some speedwork. It was great.
So, that means I finished with over 550 miles in March. With 2 weeks off for (and to recover from) getting a part removed from my midsection.
Hooray!
Also. Is there any interest for every other wednesday kickball games? Starting the 16th of this month at Powderhorn at 6pm? Come, Bring some eats and drinks, play a game or two of kickball (depending on turnout and how smoothly this runs). Is there a better park anyone can think of?
Rotate the Wednesdays around Black Dog, so all of our TT buddies can come hang out and play a bit.
How does that sound? Feed me back!
Also...along with the last point. Now is the official (albeit probably unseen) challenge extended FROM Grumpy's/LGR TO Grandstay in a game of kickball. You may have us beaten on the bike, but lets bring it to the field!
That is all.
Ride tonight. 31 miles through St. Paul. Grannys night out, from the Hiawatha Cyclery site. 5:15pm ish tonight. Call me if you wanna meet up. or email. either way.
-jason
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