Ok, it is hot out these days... Ok, I really don't have much to write about, hence I will resort to a weather related entry. We had a mild summer last year... this year is more my style. The heat seems to be effecting the number of people at training rides... this sort of motivates me... maybe this can be my advantage. I really have trouble dragging myself out for a training ride if it is cold, but never seem to back down from a heat advisory type ride. You don't have to push yourself very hard for it to get very hard.
Maybe I can be good in the heat this year... not sure, but if I am than I still will need a little luck, as the weather will have to cooperate. I hope the weather for the State Road Race is hot and miserable, for example. I will then hope I can suffer just that little bit longer than some of the other competitors... maybe not, but races of attrition always seem to leave me feeling satisfied... regardless of my result.
The thermometer on my bike read 108 degrees as I pedalled across portions of my lunch break ride today... I held back a lot... my left brain was a bit over-protective for my tastes, but I guess I should thank it, as I really was asking for trouble.
I lost count, but I have been asked if I was riding RAGBRAI about 20 times already this month... those who don't ride bikes don't understand that the recreational cycling culture is different from that of the competitive cyclist. I used to get a bit thrown off with comments like "I can't believe you aren't riding RAGBRAI"... but I realize this is an innocent comment. I tell a RAGBRAI lie and say I will probably catch the last day or two heading into Davenport...
In fact, the contrary is quite true. I had a hoped to do a team training ride in West Branch on Saturday, over the State Road Race loop, but then realized it would be overtaken by RAGBRAI that day. Dang. Maybe I can try it on Sunday... My mom is on RAGBRAI, and I am impressed that she is able to make it across the state year after year, and have a great attititude about it.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
2011 Monson and Sons Pro/1/2 Road Race(BikesBluesBBQ)
This is always a pleasant race weekend and worth the extra effort necessary to attend. Currently, I am enjoying training much more than racing, but I imagine that will change depending on the nature of the challenge. 2011 Monson & Sons Race Weekend Results (Pro/1/2).
The American Equity Team had some nice results at the road race, with everyone except me placing in the money (Great job guys!). I never really got to get off the bench, so-to-speak, which left me feeling a little empty as I headed for the car immediately after the event, and raced back to hang out with my son. After some insightful reflection, which included analyzing the results, I feel content with the experience and already preparing for the next event.
PRO/1/2 CRITERIUM
This event has grown over the years and is even starting to attract some domestic Pros. While this is inspiring to some, my initial thoughts were something to the effect of "What did I get myself in to this time?" as I heard about some of the guys who I'd be racing against. That's all she wrote for my race... once I psyche myself out, it's all over. Luckily, I can hide from my SELF if the race circumstances are just right. Flat 8 corner crits against regional pros are not one of those race circumstances. Dang.
Great event, and well attended/organized. Teammate Paul Deninger was the star of the day for American Equity, with a very impressive 12th place finish (and a Bronze Medal!). I also enjoyed watching 2 fellow Iowa riders from Bikes2You/WOB take on the Pros (Nick Frey,Zirbel, Brandt, Lemieux, etc.) as they made the breakaway and held on to the end taking the Gold and Silver Iowa State Crit Medals. Last year's winner Brandon Krawczyk made the podium as well.
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| 2011 American Equity Team at the Surf Ballroom before the start of the Road Race - Chad Bishop, Paul Deninger, Carson Christen, JJ Bailey, Lou Waugaman, Jeff Bradley, & Matt Zimmer |
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| Rolling out to start the Men's Pro/1/2 event. The day was a bit dreary, as we headed off on our 81 mile journey, but riders were excited to realize the experience. |
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| Rounding one of the corners. There wasn't much wind, so not too much concern each time we changed directions. There was a small crash during the first turn, due to the wet roads early on, but otherwise smooth sailing. |
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| The 'Early Morning Breakaway'... This move doesn't usually work, but seems to be a given in most road races. Sometime after this one was caught, Domestic Pro Tom Zirbel rolled out on a solo breakaway that the group let dangle until the end of the race. His perspective is captured on his blog... very interesting. I agree with him that the field was a bit timid, which made the race mostly uneventful ("Waiting and reacting rather than racing"). I think the group mentality for some of us, was to respect the strength of the Pros, therefore "waiting" for them to make the moves. |
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| I truly do love road racing and the people you meet. I personally know everyone in this picture and can say that they are great people. This picture includes a nice cluster of Iowa riders from American Equity, Mercy-Specialized, Atlas, and Bikes2You/World of Bikes. |
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| The finishing stretch started out just how I like it, with lots of strung out attacks and single file groups forming. I got a good feeling about where I was going to end up, as I seemed to have a lot left in the tank. Unfortunately, the group ended up hitting the brakes and this wall of riders formed. I quickly found myself on the wrong side of the pack. I pedalled through, however, looking for any holes in the field that I could use to advance my result, which ended up being 25th out 56. |
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| UCI Domestic Pro Gregg Brandt of Kenda/5-Hour Energy won the sprint, with Iowa Pro Nick Frey (Jamis Sutter Home) coming in third. Jeff Bradley (American Equity) represented our team well with a 5th place finish. |
The American Equity Team had some nice results at the road race, with everyone except me placing in the money (Great job guys!). I never really got to get off the bench, so-to-speak, which left me feeling a little empty as I headed for the car immediately after the event, and raced back to hang out with my son. After some insightful reflection, which included analyzing the results, I feel content with the experience and already preparing for the next event.
PRO/1/2 CRITERIUM
This event has grown over the years and is even starting to attract some domestic Pros. While this is inspiring to some, my initial thoughts were something to the effect of "What did I get myself in to this time?" as I heard about some of the guys who I'd be racing against. That's all she wrote for my race... once I psyche myself out, it's all over. Luckily, I can hide from my SELF if the race circumstances are just right. Flat 8 corner crits against regional pros are not one of those race circumstances. Dang.
Great event, and well attended/organized. Teammate Paul Deninger was the star of the day for American Equity, with a very impressive 12th place finish (and a Bronze Medal!). I also enjoyed watching 2 fellow Iowa riders from Bikes2You/WOB take on the Pros (Nick Frey,Zirbel, Brandt, Lemieux, etc.) as they made the breakaway and held on to the end taking the Gold and Silver Iowa State Crit Medals. Last year's winner Brandon Krawczyk made the podium as well.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Chasing the Dragon
It is part of human behavior to actively seek pleasurable sensations. In fact, those with addictive personalities can become obsessed with the act of trying to match the euphoria of their greatest "high". This situation can present itself in bike racing as well. I do line up for races hoping to achieve a result that evokes a rewarding feeling that equals or transcends those that I have experienced in the past. The problem is that you reach a ceiling at some point, and it becomes harder and harder to get "high".
So, once you win a race at a certain level, you have to accomplish something even greater the next time to get that same feeling. I am envious of the days when I had some much more to accomplish, therefore getting "high" was so much easier. Simply finishing with the group, or getting a nice result in my age group was very satisfying. As success builds, competitive cyclists upgrade to aspire to a greater achievment. Chasing the Dragon becomes futile at some point.
Well, I have sort of gotten to the point where I need to re-program my pleasure principles, to allow me an opportunity to derive more pleasure from the races I enter. To this end, I have also decided to cultivate new sources of pleasure (i.e. my career, family, relationships, etc.).
Anyway, examining this concept is an attempt to process my experiences at the 2011 Bikes, Blues, & BBQ weekend in Clear Lake, Iowa. I will post a report of the Pro 1,2 races which ended up being very well attended this year, after I get access to the photos and results. In the meantime, off to enjoy some of life's simple pleasures.
So, once you win a race at a certain level, you have to accomplish something even greater the next time to get that same feeling. I am envious of the days when I had some much more to accomplish, therefore getting "high" was so much easier. Simply finishing with the group, or getting a nice result in my age group was very satisfying. As success builds, competitive cyclists upgrade to aspire to a greater achievment. Chasing the Dragon becomes futile at some point.
Well, I have sort of gotten to the point where I need to re-program my pleasure principles, to allow me an opportunity to derive more pleasure from the races I enter. To this end, I have also decided to cultivate new sources of pleasure (i.e. my career, family, relationships, etc.).
Anyway, examining this concept is an attempt to process my experiences at the 2011 Bikes, Blues, & BBQ weekend in Clear Lake, Iowa. I will post a report of the Pro 1,2 races which ended up being very well attended this year, after I get access to the photos and results. In the meantime, off to enjoy some of life's simple pleasures.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The Alpha Dog
The last two training rides I have done have been odd. Guys were bickering, going their own routes, dropping off, arguing about routes/tactics, etc.. At first I thought it was the heat, then I realized that the 'alpha dog' was missing from each ride. The group training rides I have participated in always have some sort of unspoken leader. When that leader is not in attendance, the group isn't as cohesive. Communication and group decision making becomes more important.
Groups rely on leaders for a variety of reasons. Teams that have a designated leader or two seem to function better, in my opinion. It clarifies each rider's roles and helps solidify team tactics and goals.
This situation isn't all bad, it helps me appreciate the finer aspects of riding alone. You don't have to second guess when you are going to turn, you don't have to worry about hurting someone's feelings, you don't have to worry about defending your own ego, etc. You just ride... It helps to be introverted, as I am, when riding alone. I can have great conversations with myself. I theorize that extroverted personality types probably tend to ride more in groups and/or use headphones when riding alone.
I'm heading up to the BBQ Bike & Blues this weekend in Clear Lake, Iowa. This will be a great weekend regardless of the results. American Equity, however, should be rolling in near full force, so I am quite certain we will accomplish some sort of favorable team outcome.
Groups rely on leaders for a variety of reasons. Teams that have a designated leader or two seem to function better, in my opinion. It clarifies each rider's roles and helps solidify team tactics and goals.
This situation isn't all bad, it helps me appreciate the finer aspects of riding alone. You don't have to second guess when you are going to turn, you don't have to worry about hurting someone's feelings, you don't have to worry about defending your own ego, etc. You just ride... It helps to be introverted, as I am, when riding alone. I can have great conversations with myself. I theorize that extroverted personality types probably tend to ride more in groups and/or use headphones when riding alone.
I'm heading up to the BBQ Bike & Blues this weekend in Clear Lake, Iowa. This will be a great weekend regardless of the results. American Equity, however, should be rolling in near full force, so I am quite certain we will accomplish some sort of favorable team outcome.
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