We went down to Moab to do a big ride on Saturday with Aaron and Keith. The weather was good--a bit windy and not as warm as I like, but nothing to complain about. It was probably pretty nice for those who may have been doing the 100 mile "group ride" around Moab. Personally I am looking forward to riding in a sleeveless jersey. Then things are good.
Keith had done this with us before. He was excited to know what to expect. He carried a pretty even pace throughout the day. It was the first time we hosted Aaron on the ride. I think he enjoyed it.
We started from town around 9:30 am. We headed North over the bike bridge and up the old highway to Bar M. We hit Bar B, but skipped Circle O and Rockin A. Continuing on Bar M, we did Sovereign out and back. And then had lunch at the Shell station. Moving on we went up the Gemini Bridges road, but veered off to Gold Bar, Golden Spike and Poison Spider. The road return was a nice even pace. We rode for approximately 6:50. I fueled pretty consistently and felt good the whole time. I was tired by the time we got back, but not completely spent. It was great to be down in Moab and doing a big ride.
Aaron brought his camera and I am hoping he sends some pictures.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
In Transition
So Chris and I have sold/are selling our road bikes. Because we do not do any road racing there is little need to have nice, light bikes for the road. Instead we figures we would build up cross bikes. This makes sense for us.
So Chris essentially took over my Lemond. This would allow me to get a lighter bike and even the playing field when we ride. The problem is, we sold a bike with his wheels on them and have yet to purchase another set. Granted we have a plethora of 29 inch or 700 cc wheels, but we haven't figured out how to distribute them all yet.
I did get a lighter cross frame. And it seems like it would be really nice, but we cannot find a set of cranks to work with it. We tried a set of Coda's we had lying around. The crank arms either hit the chain stay or with spacers the frond derailleur would not extend over the big chain ring. We then decided to try the Dura Ace set I had on my road bike. These were too narrow. Same thing with the Bontragers from the Lemond. So I have the potential for a super nice bike, but we cannot seem to get it together.
This has not been so much of an issue yet. But now is getting to the time when doing a little road biking is ideal. It is convenient to go out when we only have an hour or so. The canyon roads are melting and drying out, but still closed to cars making them ideal for riding and breaking up the monotony of the one available dirt trail. But I am stuck in transition and not getting anywhere too quickly. (Sigh!)
So Chris essentially took over my Lemond. This would allow me to get a lighter bike and even the playing field when we ride. The problem is, we sold a bike with his wheels on them and have yet to purchase another set. Granted we have a plethora of 29 inch or 700 cc wheels, but we haven't figured out how to distribute them all yet.
I did get a lighter cross frame. And it seems like it would be really nice, but we cannot find a set of cranks to work with it. We tried a set of Coda's we had lying around. The crank arms either hit the chain stay or with spacers the frond derailleur would not extend over the big chain ring. We then decided to try the Dura Ace set I had on my road bike. These were too narrow. Same thing with the Bontragers from the Lemond. So I have the potential for a super nice bike, but we cannot seem to get it together.
This has not been so much of an issue yet. But now is getting to the time when doing a little road biking is ideal. It is convenient to go out when we only have an hour or so. The canyon roads are melting and drying out, but still closed to cars making them ideal for riding and breaking up the monotony of the one available dirt trail. But I am stuck in transition and not getting anywhere too quickly. (Sigh!)
Monday, March 15, 2010
Fat But Fit
I got my VO2 Max tested again at Peak Fitness & Performance* again. My take away is that I am fit, but fat. This was not really a surprise though. It was apparent based on the picture below which was taken during the Zen ride last week after the race. The nice thing about this is under my control. Additionally losing some body fat will ultimately make me more fit. So I have been working on losing my winter weight. This usually happens somewhat naturally as the season progresses.But I do need to start watching my diet.
Aaron also asked if I had ever had a muscle biopsy to see what muscle type I have. My anaerobic threshold was calculated at 144 bpm. Based on this he believes I have a high percentage of type 2 (fast twitch) fibers. It would be interesting to find out.
A fat KC
*Aaron from Peak is sponsoring some members of the Mad Dog Team and providing training advice. We were lucky enough to be selected to work with him. I am excited for this opportunity. I have heard great things about Aaron's training.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Moab 2010 Take 1
We finally went to Moab. We have been watching their weather all winter long. While I have it on good authority that it NEVER snows in Moab, the white stuff that had been on the ground there finally vanished as if it melted. With the rise in temperature, we decided to make our way down. We got there around 9:30 this morning.
We started riding towards Sovereign. We took the old highway up to the Brand Trails. We rode Bar M out to Bar B, then caught Rockin' A and Circle O. We jumped back on Bar M to Nine Mile Canyon and then to Sovereign. While neither one of us felt great, we could not help but sport the "sovereign grin". It just felt good to be in Moab and have the sun peak out.
It was apparent that Sovereign got used a lot during the winter. While none of it was really bad, there was remnants of frequent motorcycle use. Ironically though we did not see many users out today. Maybe a handful of mountain bikers and a little less motorcycles.
We refueled at the car and filled our water bottles as we headed through town to Amasa Back. As we pulled into the parking lot, we noticed the clouds had rolled in. We hoped to sneak in some more riding before the rain. We got close to the top when we hit some moisture. We turned around and it was dry the rest of the time. In retrospect maybe we should have continued? We did return to the car just in time to see some BASE jumpers though. We love to watch them jump--and hear there chutes open in the canyon. It sounds so cool.
Chris telling Tex he has to stay
We started riding towards Sovereign. We took the old highway up to the Brand Trails. We rode Bar M out to Bar B, then caught Rockin' A and Circle O. We jumped back on Bar M to Nine Mile Canyon and then to Sovereign. While neither one of us felt great, we could not help but sport the "sovereign grin". It just felt good to be in Moab and have the sun peak out.
It was apparent that Sovereign got used a lot during the winter. While none of it was really bad, there was remnants of frequent motorcycle use. Ironically though we did not see many users out today. Maybe a handful of mountain bikers and a little less motorcycles.
Chris refueling while Tex watches
We refueled at the car and filled our water bottles as we headed through town to Amasa Back. As we pulled into the parking lot, we noticed the clouds had rolled in. We hoped to sneak in some more riding before the rain. We got close to the top when we hit some moisture. We turned around and it was dry the rest of the time. In retrospect maybe we should have continued? We did return to the car just in time to see some BASE jumpers though. We love to watch them jump--and hear there chutes open in the canyon. It sounds so cool.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
2010 ICUP #1: Results and Pictures
Race results are posted on the ICUP site.
I am telling Chad that he can get a spare tire out of our car for his bike.
Just out on course
Cresting a hill
Chris on the course
He is passing people
On a wet, almost dreary, yet enjoyable Church Rocks ride
Sunday, March 07, 2010
2010 ICUP #1
The Red Rock Rampage was this weekend. The first race of the season is always exciting. Not only is there the enjoyment of racing again after a long winter, but also seeing all the race friends again.
My race MO is to start off hard, usually towards the front and try to hold on. Last year at this race, I slowed and got caught towards the end. This year my primary goal was to race the whole time. I did not want to get lulled into a rhythm.
Starting off there was eight of us on the line. That does not sound like very many, but for the Women's Pro category it is a large field. Before the first single track section, I was in seventh place. I spent the whole first lap freaking out and trying to gain places. As I came through the start finish, I realized that I had not taken a drink yet. So I did not pick up a new bottle.
My second lap, I made a concentrated effort to drink. I had made up some positions, but Sarah Kaufmann was always close by. I finished my bottle and dumped it as I finished my lap. I then bobbled my pick up and ended up with no bottle. I did not have time, because Sarah was right there, to pick it up. I continued on.
My third lap was all nervousness. I knew I had to push, but having only one bottle their was a great potential for cramping. I lucked out. I did not cramp and was able to hold my position.
As we were waiting for awards to start. I was talking to Lynda. She was admiring the wear on the tread of my front tire. It was a perfectly worn (probably from a year or more of riding) Maxxis Crossmark.She pushes on it and asks, "what is this?" I look down as she is pointing out all these bulges. Hmm...I had not noticed those.I showed to Chris as he was talking to Bart. Bart concluded that my tires were herniating due to excess PSI.
Luckily we just got a new Maxxis order from Keith and so we had lots of spare tires and tubes with us. We threw on an Ardent with a tube and headed to Zen for a recovery ride. It was delightful. We timed it perfectly. Just as we were finishing the wind picked up.
We also rode Church Rocks with every body else down in St. George. We saw just about everyone out there. It is the best, and safest--mud free, trail to ride after a rain. We made it a bit less than half way out on Prospector before we turned around due to mud. Chris, Noah, and I went up this climb and were waiting for Brad, Bill, Dwight, and Lynda to join us. We look down and they had already turned around. We headed back and then did another turn on Church Rocks, where we saw more people we know.
It was a good weekend.
My race MO is to start off hard, usually towards the front and try to hold on. Last year at this race, I slowed and got caught towards the end. This year my primary goal was to race the whole time. I did not want to get lulled into a rhythm.
Starting off there was eight of us on the line. That does not sound like very many, but for the Women's Pro category it is a large field. Before the first single track section, I was in seventh place. I spent the whole first lap freaking out and trying to gain places. As I came through the start finish, I realized that I had not taken a drink yet. So I did not pick up a new bottle.
My second lap, I made a concentrated effort to drink. I had made up some positions, but Sarah Kaufmann was always close by. I finished my bottle and dumped it as I finished my lap. I then bobbled my pick up and ended up with no bottle. I did not have time, because Sarah was right there, to pick it up. I continued on.
My third lap was all nervousness. I knew I had to push, but having only one bottle their was a great potential for cramping. I lucked out. I did not cramp and was able to hold my position.
As we were waiting for awards to start. I was talking to Lynda. She was admiring the wear on the tread of my front tire. It was a perfectly worn (probably from a year or more of riding) Maxxis Crossmark.She pushes on it and asks, "what is this?" I look down as she is pointing out all these bulges. Hmm...I had not noticed those.I showed to Chris as he was talking to Bart. Bart concluded that my tires were herniating due to excess PSI.
See the bulge on the tread just to the left of the center tread
Luckily we just got a new Maxxis order from Keith and so we had lots of spare tires and tubes with us. We threw on an Ardent with a tube and headed to Zen for a recovery ride. It was delightful. We timed it perfectly. Just as we were finishing the wind picked up.
We also rode Church Rocks with every body else down in St. George. We saw just about everyone out there. It is the best, and safest--mud free, trail to ride after a rain. We made it a bit less than half way out on Prospector before we turned around due to mud. Chris, Noah, and I went up this climb and were waiting for Brad, Bill, Dwight, and Lynda to join us. We look down and they had already turned around. We headed back and then did another turn on Church Rocks, where we saw more people we know.
It was a good weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)