When a fan lets you down.

...heartbroken, bewildered, downtrodden, frustrated... what the hell was going on?   I stepped onto my indoor bike rollers for one of my high aerobic tempo workouts, and couldn't get past the first 5 minutes.  Confused, I wondered if I had finally reached an overtrained state.  Maybe I had been riding high on a fitness peak that was now over... maybe I was catching a cold...  not sure, but this was troubling... I started to reconsider my race calendar and even wondered if maybe I should back off on my cycling a bit by re-prioritizing my life, as this sort of let down wasn't enjoyable...

I decided to try another workout with shorter intervals... crap, I couldn't hang with my previous speed benchmarks for this one either...  I went up stairs, leaving the pain cave behind... and did a 'last chance' workout on my poser upright stationary bike.  What a let down.

Alas, the next day, I decided to try again... I couldn't let it end like that... As I started the warm-up I just happened to notice that the fan door on my Krietler Roller Killer Headwind system was opened slightly more than where I usually have it (which means more 'wind' resistance)... Ha!  My fan door was open during the last workout... it wasn't me that sucked, it was my fan!  My confidence rebounded, but then I became a little embarrassed that I let myself mope around for 24 hours, having misdiagnosed the situation completely. 

- Roller Racing -
Well, nothing really noteworthy is happening within the indoor time trial scene as of yet.  I did go up to Cedar Rapids and entered another race that is part of the roller race series.  I need to compete in at least three races in order to qualify for the roller race championship series.  Not many people are really showing up to race against as far as Cat 1,2,3's go, but I still enjoy having some winter races to look forward to and find it rewarding to battle against Greg Harper's killer headwind/fly-wheel roller set-up.

Thanks to the diligent record keeping/results uploading of the Iowa Bike Racing Association and event organizers, I can enjoy being currently ranked number 1 in the nation as a Category 2 Individual Time Trialist.  I am the only one with results in 2011 but I can still have fun atop the USA Cycling leaderboard while it lasts.  In fact, all the Iowa racers who have competed in a roller race are 'leading the nation' right now. I hung on for 22nd out of 425 Category 2 racers in 2010... maybe I can get a few more points and crack the top 10 for 2011.  They award state/national championships with more points, so those interested in their national ranking would want to make sure to participate in those events.

Me and Vern Rotert (race organizer) during the awards podium of the Cedar Rapids roller Time Trial, that took place at  Hall's Bike Museum.

Velosport Iowa Racing is having a roller race Sunday, February 6th at the Trek store in Davenport that will be noteworthy.  There should be several guys from the American Equity Race Team in attendance, as well as plenty of club members.  Lou Waugaman is poised to do something 'special' on the rollers.   Should be a good time socializing, racing/training prior to the Super Bowl later that day.

2011 Bishop/American Equity Racing Calendar

This schedule is a work in progress and I retain the right to change my mind as desired but I thought it might be of interest to share how my ideal racing season might pan out this year.

Rolling Pressure

My legs didn't quite want to cooperate with what needed to be done in order to get the fastest time of the day at the Harper's Cycling Indoor Roller TT that I participated in on Saturday, but I did end up getting a first place finish in the Cat 1,2,3 division.  Ok, I was the only one who entered, but when it comes to rollers, showing up is a huge part of the accomplishment.

Travis Jass and Simon Carl (both Cat 4's) posted very strong times of 5:13 and 5:10 respectively, prior to my attempt.  Between those two numbers and the current season benchmark of 5:08.5, I had a lot of numbers floating through my head as I began to pedal.  I thought about all the cat 1,2,3's in Iowa that weren't here and/or choose to ignore roller racing all together and I was a little envious of their sage wisdom with respect to ego defense.  The bar had been set at 5:10.2 for the day... man that was going to take something special.

Well, I posted a 5:16.9, which is a very respectable time, just hard for me to completely be thrilled with, considering that I have posted faster times in previous seasons and even earlier this year.  I really just overshot my limit on that particular day by aiming for too ambitious of a result, and ended up holding on for dear life, as my cadence slipped gradually throughout the effort.
 
I am quite certain I will be able to improve my 3 race average throughout the season as my results usually improve as spring approaches.  I will tweak my training plan just a bit to acknowledge that there is some room for improvement.  I hope to shave off a few seconds at the next event that happens this Saturday up in Cedar Rapids.  I will at least have 'fun' trying.

Pre-Season Racing has begun



Lou wins first Roller Race of season.

Greg Harper spins it out.

 

The 2011 DMOS Valley West Wipeout Roller Indoor Time Trial occured last Sunday.  So, the bar has been set by fellow teammate Lou Waugaman (American Equity Cycling) who won the event with an impressive time of 5:08.5.  Having never raced on rollers before, he spent time finding the right gear, getting balanced, etc, so I imagine he will improve upon this powerful mark Feb. 6th at the Velosport/American Equity Race  (Davenport Trek Store).



Also of note, Greg Harper set the bar for the 40+ category by winning with a time of 5:51.3 and Simon Carl (DMOS) won the Category 4 race by beating roller strongman Travis Jass with a time of 5:13.4. 



In other news, Tony Nichols just joined up with the American Equity racing team for 2011.  He is a strong Cat 2 and very accomplished as a cyclocross racer.

The Harper's Cycling Roller Race is this weekend.  I hope to swing on over and test my pre-season fitness.  Come on by and join the folks in my hometown of Muscatine.

Iowa's Indoor TT Scene

If you are a bike racer in Iowa looking for a little motivation to fuel your winter training efforts, participation in the 2011 Al Kreitler Memorial Killer 2-Mile Roller Races might be just what you are looking for.

Each race features a $260 prize list and an opportunity to keep in touch with your fellow cycling acquaintances while evaluating your training efforts based on your finish time...


A picture from the 2009 Harper's Cycling Roller Race that includes John Sulzberger (left) and myself.


There are 7 races this year:
Jan.9th - Valley West Des Moines Wipeout - Valley West Mall
Jan.15th Sat. - Harper’s Cycling & Fitness Rollerhead 2 Miles - Muscatine, IA
Jan. 22nd - Rollin’ the Rapids - Gold Pointe Fitness Club, Cedar Rapids
Jan. 23rd. - Fort Dodge Tri Sport Rock & Roller Race - Shimkat Motor Company
Feb. 6th - Velosport/American Equity - Davenport Trek Store
Feb.12th. - Bickel's Killer 2-mile Roller Race - West Burlington, IA
Feb.27th - Ames Assault Roller Race - Bike World of Ames

In addition to a shot at winning a few bucks, you also get your name entered into a drawing for a set of Krietler Rollers after you enter 4 races.  At the end of the year, medals are awarded as this is part of the Iowa State Championships Series.  These medals serve as points for the IBRA's team competition that compiles results from all of the various racing disciplines throughout the year.

If you want to take a look at the top end of the results, Bike World of Ames has a great Roller Race Page that compiles stats and gearing charts.

 
I will be racing a few of these as my schedule allows.  The first race of the series is unique in that it takes place in the Valley West Mall in Des Moines.  You can get your shopping done between races and enjoy confusing passers-by who have no idea what you are doing nor why you are doing it...

2009 Valley West Wipeout - West Des Moines, Iowa