The end is near, the last race of the winter season will be held March 1st, in Cedar Falls Iowa. I was sitting in first place to win the Gold Medal in the Cat 3 division, but Shawn Loomis busted out his season best last weekend by posting a 5:13.7 result.
After 7 of 8 races:
1) Shawn Loomis - 5:14.5
2) Chad Bishop - 5:18.2
3) Chris Reed - 6:34
Hmm, considering Mr. Loomis will most likely opt to attend this last race and improve his average of 3 best races, winning the Gold is not looking to be probable.
That doesn't mean that the day will be devoid of intensity. I may still be able to win the Cat 1,2,3 event (winning the battle, if not the war), or perhaps just have fun leap frogging over Tracy Thompson's current Cat 2 Series average of 5:17.9, or maybe even just strive to set a new PR (which is currently 5:17.5).
Optionally, I could end up realizing my roller fitness 'peaked' in January, and post a time that doesn't even improve my current series average.
Well, that is my world at the moment...I will post the results of that series, maybe a podium photo as a way to officially mark the end of winter blogging and the beginning of the 2009 spring racing season.
IOWA STATE CRIT CHAMPS
Speaking of 2009 racing, I just found the details of this year's State Crit:
http://hba-racing-team.blogspot.com/
Wow! $7500 prize list, this is going to be a huge event compared to the version in Pella.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Time Trial Check
Watching the Tour of California Time Trial stage inspired me to dust off my TT bike and see if I could do any aero-position modifications. No, unfortunately I don't have access to a wind tunnel, so all I can really do is take photos for analysis purposes... I moved the seat up a bit from last year as high as it will go and still allow me adequate leg reach, and the handle bars are as low as they will go. I was noticing that the ToC Time Trialers all seemed to have their arms at a 90 degree angle to the bike, so I believe I have accomplished this. Also, my knees are tucked nicely behind my elbows, nearly making contact. I have some room to slide the aero bars and/or seat forward/backward, but this seems to be the best fit I can accomplish with this particular bike set-up. If there are any TT/aero types reading this, any positive or constructive comments would be helpful.
I need a skinsuit of some sort. The one pictured is cheap, and seems to cause some friction issues. This 'skinsuit situation' has been troubling me since I bought the bike. Not being in a large enough team to have a teamkit skinsuit option, I have scoured the internet to find a non-team specific skinsuit... I haven't had any luck. Any advice would be appreciated. 
At this point, I am thinking about joining the Century Bike Club, which is a bike club that rides in New York's Central park, just because I like the color scheme of their skinsuit (blue, white with a bit of yellow). I wonder if I can join a more regional team just as a TT/Cyclocross rider (blue color scheme preferred).
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Stimulating my economy...
The stars aligned perfectly to motivate the purchase of the latest acquistion to my bicycle collection.... the RACE BIKE...I am excited to have a top of the line Trek Madone 6.5 Pro that features a 'Red' Carbon Frame and Botrager/Shimano Components. I was immediately interested in the 2009 Project One line up when I noticed they had this stock color scheme that perfectly matched my racing kit.
Also exciting is that my old Madone 5.0 now takes on it's newest role as a Training/Rain/Winter bike. I believe with this acquisition (should arrive in a few weeks) I will now have every necessary bike:
- Road Racing Bike
- Road Training/Rain Bike
- Cyclocross Bike
- Mountain Bike
- Time Trial Bike
- Recreational/Bar Bike
I can only imagine someone will probably try and steal it, just like what happened to Lance's Time Trial bike at the Tour of California... Maybe I will have to store it in my basement vault for awhile, until it cools off a bit.
It took several years and thousands of dollars, but the collection will be complete. Now all I need to acquire is a LIFE. Still chasing...
Thursday, February 12, 2009
update just for the sake of updating
Give me a break, it is winter in Iowa... I am struggling to think about what to write, however, I would like to keep this blog alive, as I believe it can be the Hub of Iowa/Illinois Cat 3 racing this year, since I plan to be wherever the action is at, race-wise most of the season.
So, I will put up this update that is basically about nothing... you might want to refrain from reading any more, as this will be time spent that you can never get back.
KENT PARK... Ok, registration is officially open. That sort of gives a bit of a spark to the training. I am glad that I get to start just that much sooner in the order of dismissal, jumping up to the Cat 3 group, having raced Cat 4 last year. I may even be able to catch the Cat 1/2 group before they get to the first hill, assuming I unleash everything I have from the start.
ROLLER RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS...With just 2 more races left, I am still in first place for the cat 3 series. That would be a great way to start 2009. I will most likely have to bust out something miraculous at the final race to secure the Gold, because the second place competitor, Shawn Loomis, is 'looming' right behind and most likely plans on doing everything possible to win the series.
DIRTY ROAD SERIES... I find myself thinking about my cross bike from time to time. I usually don't ride it until September, but it is going to earn it's keep in my garage earlier this year, as I plan on doing at least one of these gravel/road 50 mile races. I wonder who will show up... Is this the new series of early season 'tune-up' races to get everyone ready for the unofficial spring opener at Kent Park?
So, I will put up this update that is basically about nothing... you might want to refrain from reading any more, as this will be time spent that you can never get back.
KENT PARK... Ok, registration is officially open. That sort of gives a bit of a spark to the training. I am glad that I get to start just that much sooner in the order of dismissal, jumping up to the Cat 3 group, having raced Cat 4 last year. I may even be able to catch the Cat 1/2 group before they get to the first hill, assuming I unleash everything I have from the start.
ROLLER RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS...With just 2 more races left, I am still in first place for the cat 3 series. That would be a great way to start 2009. I will most likely have to bust out something miraculous at the final race to secure the Gold, because the second place competitor, Shawn Loomis, is 'looming' right behind and most likely plans on doing everything possible to win the series.
DIRTY ROAD SERIES... I find myself thinking about my cross bike from time to time. I usually don't ride it until September, but it is going to earn it's keep in my garage earlier this year, as I plan on doing at least one of these gravel/road 50 mile races. I wonder who will show up... Is this the new series of early season 'tune-up' races to get everyone ready for the unofficial spring opener at Kent Park?
Friday, February 6, 2009
'Riding Dirty'
Ok... reality is setting in... I am getting way to anxious trying to figure out a way to be in good race shape by the time the spring racing season begins if I don't do a handful of 'training races' in March.
In my desperation, I have officially decided to do at least one of the upcoming 'Dirty Road Races' in Mitchellville, IA. This is a 3 race series (march 7th, 14th, 21st) that is 50 miles in total length, with 30 of those miles on gravel, and 20 miles on the road. I believe, then, that my trusty $600 cyclocross bike is going to get to see some pre-season action, in addition to it's post-season duties.
Now I realize how lucky I had it back in the glory days of DICE cycling and Two Bee Racing, as I could race in eastern Iowa beginning February through March. On the other hand, despite the 2 hour drive, this cyclingupdate.com road race series seems pretty challenging and a perfect training opportunity.
Also of note, I am now a tester for Trek Bicycles. (I have signed an agreement that states I won't disclose details about the products I am testing, so this part of the blog will self-delete in 5 seconds...) My cousin engineers bontrager components, so I get some cool gear from time to time. This also explains why none of my wheels have stickers on them... they are straight from the engineering dept. He has a cool job... when he says he is going for a ride with Steve and Keith... he actually means Steve HED and Keith BONTRAGER. Anyway, it is good motivation to get some outdoor miles in, because he wants me to report back by march 1st.
In my desperation, I have officially decided to do at least one of the upcoming 'Dirty Road Races' in Mitchellville, IA. This is a 3 race series (march 7th, 14th, 21st) that is 50 miles in total length, with 30 of those miles on gravel, and 20 miles on the road. I believe, then, that my trusty $600 cyclocross bike is going to get to see some pre-season action, in addition to it's post-season duties.
Now I realize how lucky I had it back in the glory days of DICE cycling and Two Bee Racing, as I could race in eastern Iowa beginning February through March. On the other hand, despite the 2 hour drive, this cyclingupdate.com road race series seems pretty challenging and a perfect training opportunity.
Also of note, I am now a tester for Trek Bicycles. (I have signed an agreement that states I won't disclose details about the products I am testing, so this part of the blog will self-delete in 5 seconds...) My cousin engineers bontrager components, so I get some cool gear from time to time. This also explains why none of my wheels have stickers on them... they are straight from the engineering dept. He has a cool job... when he says he is going for a ride with Steve and Keith... he actually means Steve HED and Keith BONTRAGER. Anyway, it is good motivation to get some outdoor miles in, because he wants me to report back by march 1st.
I am having fun building bikes on TREK's Project One web site... Below is a picture of my 'dream machine' that perfectly matches my team's race kit...
Monday, February 2, 2009
February... Time for race training?
Well, as we made it through the dead month of January, we are now just that little bit closer to the first race of 2009. In celebration of this fact, I motivated myself to go on a group ride February 1st and got in a 2.5 hour ride... good solid mileage that will be used to set up a base for my fitness building. Later in the day I had a superbowl party at my house, so I easily replaced the calories with chicken wings and cheese dip.
Unfortunately, the first race for me this year isn't until KENT PARK, march 29th. Two Bee Racing and DICE cycling used to offer 3 or four races in late february and march (Prairie Rude Days, Scott County Park, etc.) Yeah, it was cold, but what better way to train for a race than by racing. For various reasons those great pre-season races are no longer available.
Kent Park is a good race, but it is goofy, at best. It is a mass start, but each category starts about 15-20 seconds after the previous. So a 'greyhound' type start. The Cat 3's will sprint to the group of cat 1/2's, the cat 4's and Masters will sprint as well.
You don't really win anything (pie or beer) within your race category, so everyone is basically trying to finish as high as possible overall. If you think about it, the Cat 1/2's, who start first, are actually given a sort of 'handicap' because they can start much slower, having been given a substantial head start on the rest of the field that has to unload an all out sprint for the first mile or two to catch up (if they can). Maybe, I could be so bold as to suggest we all start at the same time? No worries, I like the race either way, as it is the unofficial 'spring opener' in Iowa.
I am still in roller training for one last race March 1st, but hope to get outside from time to time. Right now things are still on track for another great year, but way too early to tell.
Unfortunately, the first race for me this year isn't until KENT PARK, march 29th. Two Bee Racing and DICE cycling used to offer 3 or four races in late february and march (Prairie Rude Days, Scott County Park, etc.) Yeah, it was cold, but what better way to train for a race than by racing. For various reasons those great pre-season races are no longer available.
Kent Park is a good race, but it is goofy, at best. It is a mass start, but each category starts about 15-20 seconds after the previous. So a 'greyhound' type start. The Cat 3's will sprint to the group of cat 1/2's, the cat 4's and Masters will sprint as well.
You don't really win anything (pie or beer) within your race category, so everyone is basically trying to finish as high as possible overall. If you think about it, the Cat 1/2's, who start first, are actually given a sort of 'handicap' because they can start much slower, having been given a substantial head start on the rest of the field that has to unload an all out sprint for the first mile or two to catch up (if they can). Maybe, I could be so bold as to suggest we all start at the same time? No worries, I like the race either way, as it is the unofficial 'spring opener' in Iowa.
I am still in roller training for one last race March 1st, but hope to get outside from time to time. Right now things are still on track for another great year, but way too early to tell.
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