Tonight, I am more excited than I've ever been on Christmas Eve growing up as a kid. Why? Michael, Crash, Chugg, and I are going to attempt our very first century ride tomorrow on New Year's Day! The weather forecast is very promising. So right after work today I headed straight to Gregg's Cycles: 1 extra H20 bottle & cage = $11. 1 warm headliner = $15. 1 set biking gloves = $30 (Goodbye old running gloves). 1 set toe covers = $20 (lost left cover last Sat). 1 pair bad-ass padded underwear = $25 (size XXXL). Price of properly gearing out for 100 miles? Priceless...
While at the bike shop, I came up with an amazing training tip for Chris from Ventoux. Normally I would never, ever volunteer such valuable information to the competition, but seeing that I didn't get him anything for Christmas, and that he probably didn't take advantage of the training lead I gave him yesterday, I will reveal my training secret. Chris, you need to march down to your local bike shop, and purchase a kiddie trailer. Next, you need to take your 115 lb dog, Sammy, and place him in the trailer. Finally, you need to ride around Eugene pulling Sammy. You do that, and you will be competitive on the flat stages of the Tour de Mukilteo. In fact, you could cross train with Jay, and take turns riding in the trailer. Hey, the secrets out, now it's up to you to take advantage...
How does one prepare for a century ride? I dunno, but you'd better believe I am already documenting my preparations now. Appetizers: 2 Grolsch 16 oz beers (the ones with the cool caps). Ore Ida Crispy Crowns and onion rings, and a bacon burger. Let's see how far that takes me. Actually, I'm more anxious for my post-ride meal. Chili Dogs!!! I believe behind every great marathon training run or long bike ride, a post-meal is at the core of the motivation. It's a long-standing Davis Family tradition to have chili on New Years Day, and Crash and I are NOT about to break tradition. In fact, Crash gets to spend the night inside the house tonight. Finally, I will be conducting a taste test tomorrow of my gels. I have GU, PowerBar Gel, Hammer Gel, and old reliable Promax bars. Don't worry, I'll report back after tomorrow's ride. Wish us luck!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Pensees
To my homey Pascal. I will describe my LSD ride ala Pascal-style...
P1: Crash truly loved the 61 miler with Chugg & Gerald.
P2: To my homey Chris from Ventroux. It is currently 4:16 pm, 12/30/07. I will grant you the next 7 hrs and 44 mins to get a leg up on training for the Tour de Mukilteo. After that, you will only be competing for 2nd place this year. That head start also applies for everyone else competing this upcoming year. Crash Davis & I start tomorrow.
P3: Great route yesterday. Totally amazing. Only one shortfall. No hills! Next ride incorporates Forest Park & Glenwood Ave. Next ride after that; North Everett & Legion Park!
P4: MVR (most valuable rider) - Susie Ro. $20 bill in Gerald's back pocket.
P5: I almost bonked on the ride home. MVR gave me two gels that saved my life.
P6: By April 1st, Michael, Chugg, Crash, and I will have the century ride figured out and then some.
P7: This morning, I woke up feeling as though I just got back from visiting the most luxurious spa. Is this how the other half lives?
P8: I can't wait for my next ride!!!
P1: Crash truly loved the 61 miler with Chugg & Gerald.
P2: To my homey Chris from Ventroux. It is currently 4:16 pm, 12/30/07. I will grant you the next 7 hrs and 44 mins to get a leg up on training for the Tour de Mukilteo. After that, you will only be competing for 2nd place this year. That head start also applies for everyone else competing this upcoming year. Crash Davis & I start tomorrow.
P3: Great route yesterday. Totally amazing. Only one shortfall. No hills! Next ride incorporates Forest Park & Glenwood Ave. Next ride after that; North Everett & Legion Park!
P4: MVR (most valuable rider) - Susie Ro. $20 bill in Gerald's back pocket.
P5: I almost bonked on the ride home. MVR gave me two gels that saved my life.
P6: By April 1st, Michael, Chugg, Crash, and I will have the century ride figured out and then some.
P7: This morning, I woke up feeling as though I just got back from visiting the most luxurious spa. Is this how the other half lives?
P8: I can't wait for my next ride!!!
Long Slow Distance
Brian, Suzie, and I took Crash, Gerald and Chugg (respectively) out for a longer ride yesterday. This is the first time Suzie has been able to join up (when we didn't get beaten back by a snowstorm) and we did great. The intent was to begin our LSD rides and begin exploring the Centennial Trail that travels north from Snohomish. We left my place at around 8am (and 34°, yikes) and headed south out along the Lowell-Larimer Rd, then angled back north to Snohomish on Springetti Rd. Here's a picture of TGOR at the top of Springetti
I certainly don't tire of the scenery out here, even on a dismally gray day like this the countryside is refreshing.
Once in Snohomish we poked around until we found the Centennial Trailhead and began blazing our path north. Despite the annoying, and sometimes difficult, zigzag riders are forced to take at the roadblocks the trail designers threw up at intersections, we make quick progress. So quick that we just kept going. And going. Long Slow turned into Longer, and a little Slower. For we had to be a bit wary on the stretch between Machias and Lake Stevens, there was still quite a bit of snow on the trail from a storm or two ago. Finally we turned around to head home, but only because we ran out of trail. Yep, we took it all the way to the northern terminus up in Arlington.
The return trip quickly began to reveal that none of us had intended to travel quite this far this day. We all got hungry. Real Hungry. But Suz (and Gerald R.) were the MVPs of the day, for they had stashed away a $20 bill. Enough for everyone to enjoy a cookie or a bagel, enough to fill the tanks enough to get us home. While eating outside the espresso stand we saw the Snohomish Bicycling Club riders making their way through town. Geared out in blue Bicycle Centres Jerseys they looked to be just making their way toward the trailhead. Brian and I have talked about joining one of those rides, maybe in one of the upcoming weeks.
So, there is a lumberyard in Snohomish that likes to boast of their safety. Or rather lack of it. The number on this sign is usually below 10! The highest I've ever seen it climb is 36, which was just the other day when I passed here on a ride. As we approached it today I thought it might be up in the 40's now, but NOPE. This warranted a picture with Crash (who needs to make this his photo in his blogger profile now).
As we pass here and write of our ride in this vicinity we'll have to try to keep track of the safe stints here for you.
Once we had a little something in our bellies we began the last stretch of the ride home, up Riverview Rd and then Homeacres Rd on Ebey Island until we reach Hwy 2 and home to Everett. I really love this stretch: it's beautiful, amazing views of the river, the valley, and the mountains to the east (which were lit up like a beer commercial today!). Plus it's fast, the road is primarily long flat stretches where you can just pound out the miles. Sometimes it's hard to believe that it's virtually in my backyard, literally no more than 5 mins from my front door.
All told, we rode for 60 miles round trip. I think that's the longest ride I've ever been a part of. And I'm ready for more. I hear Monday and Tuesday are both going to be clear weather-wise. If it's not icy tomorrow I'll commute to work, otherwise I'll car my bike in and just limit the day to a lunchtime ride with Crash and work on the climbs. I think I have plans at gramma/grampa's house on Tuesday, but I'll see if I can't get in at least 20-30 miles in the morning.
I certainly don't tire of the scenery out here, even on a dismally gray day like this the countryside is refreshing.
Once in Snohomish we poked around until we found the Centennial Trailhead and began blazing our path north. Despite the annoying, and sometimes difficult, zigzag riders are forced to take at the roadblocks the trail designers threw up at intersections, we make quick progress. So quick that we just kept going. And going. Long Slow turned into Longer, and a little Slower. For we had to be a bit wary on the stretch between Machias and Lake Stevens, there was still quite a bit of snow on the trail from a storm or two ago. Finally we turned around to head home, but only because we ran out of trail. Yep, we took it all the way to the northern terminus up in Arlington.
The return trip quickly began to reveal that none of us had intended to travel quite this far this day. We all got hungry. Real Hungry. But Suz (and Gerald R.) were the MVPs of the day, for they had stashed away a $20 bill. Enough for everyone to enjoy a cookie or a bagel, enough to fill the tanks enough to get us home. While eating outside the espresso stand we saw the Snohomish Bicycling Club riders making their way through town. Geared out in blue Bicycle Centres Jerseys they looked to be just making their way toward the trailhead. Brian and I have talked about joining one of those rides, maybe in one of the upcoming weeks.
So, there is a lumberyard in Snohomish that likes to boast of their safety. Or rather lack of it. The number on this sign is usually below 10! The highest I've ever seen it climb is 36, which was just the other day when I passed here on a ride. As we approached it today I thought it might be up in the 40's now, but NOPE. This warranted a picture with Crash (who needs to make this his photo in his blogger profile now).
As we pass here and write of our ride in this vicinity we'll have to try to keep track of the safe stints here for you.Once we had a little something in our bellies we began the last stretch of the ride home, up Riverview Rd and then Homeacres Rd on Ebey Island until we reach Hwy 2 and home to Everett. I really love this stretch: it's beautiful, amazing views of the river, the valley, and the mountains to the east (which were lit up like a beer commercial today!). Plus it's fast, the road is primarily long flat stretches where you can just pound out the miles. Sometimes it's hard to believe that it's virtually in my backyard, literally no more than 5 mins from my front door.
All told, we rode for 60 miles round trip. I think that's the longest ride I've ever been a part of. And I'm ready for more. I hear Monday and Tuesday are both going to be clear weather-wise. If it's not icy tomorrow I'll commute to work, otherwise I'll car my bike in and just limit the day to a lunchtime ride with Crash and work on the climbs. I think I have plans at gramma/grampa's house on Tuesday, but I'll see if I can't get in at least 20-30 miles in the morning.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Erik the Bike PT
I am posting on my first ever blog because I owe a big one to Brian, who helped pace me at not 1 but 2 marathons in the past month, getting me into the Marathon Maniacs. But enough about running.
Have always wanted to ride since seeing pelotons of sleek, speedy types zooming by me on Sheridan Ave. Have always been intimidated by "bike snobs" who look you up and down and try to push an overpriced old lady city bike on you, because you clearly don't look like a cyclist. Went on Burke Gilman with Brian on my visit to Seattle last year, and decided f- it, I needed to get a road bike.
This is the story of my love-hate relationship with Gerald. I was introduced to Mr. Rizzer in the fancy bike store in the building where I used to live. My first ever road bike, carbon frame with racing geometry, no "granny gear", along with the chamois shorts and neon clearly elevates my already sturdy poser grade, but whatever, life's too short to skimp on gear. First time out, had to stop because I couldn't figure out the gear shifts (my last bike 15 yrs ago didn't have shifters on the handlebars). Second time out, derailed the gear and couldn't get it back on. Third time out, blew a tire and it took me an hour to figure out there was a massive hole and not just my inability to pump it correctly. Getting pitiful looks from the guys at the bike shop.
Finally start riding in Evanston, IL. Freedom, light as air until you hit 3 miles of straight pot hole hell. Plus horrible traffic, no hills. Time to move to Seattle, where people can run all year and bike on smooth, bike-friendly paths with actual interesting scenery. Finally able to ride 30+ miles without getting a brain cramp to avoid stoplights and potholes, though I still manage to fall (going 1 mph at an uphill stop). But now severe neck pain on any ride >90 min. Friend and coworker Lily Jung (also a maniac and 2 time finisher of STP) advised me to see Erik Moen, bike PT extraordinaire, and even wrote me a referral.
Erik is a cyclist/ triathlete and Physical Trainer who does bike fittings in his office in Kenmore (bikept.com). I bring Mr. Rizzer in, he gets put on a stand. Erik takes measurements of my angles riding (shoulder, hip, knee) using a giant protractor. He dangles a silver pendulum looking thing from my knee to see where it hovers over my foot. He measures the various segments of my bike frame, stem, seatpost, and even my shoes. Like an engineer. He determines that my seat is too far back/ tilted, putting strain on my shoulders from overreaching, and I need a new non-offset seatpost. He adjusted the bolts on my shoes and the position of the brakes on the rams horn to be closer together. I ordered the seatpost and today he fit the seat on it, using a bubble level and various rulers/ protractors. I rode on it without touching the handlebars, which is supposedly a test to see if your seat tilt is right. At least in the shop, these small changes made a huge difference. Will see how it translates on the road tomorrow, my first ride on the roads of Washington state.
He also did some E-stim for my back spasm (stupidly bent over carrying a heavy backpack and felt a "pop" when I stood up yesterday, haven't been able to straighten up since) which had an immediate effect loosening my back. Was prone on a massage table and these electrodes were stuck on my back and electric current run through them. It was like a massage from the inside, felt like someone was rubbing my back with buzzing pencil erasers. Highly recommend.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate. I am glad for the privilege of suffering on a new steep ride; the only reasons to get up in the morning.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
welcome to the convergence zone
This weather is a tremendous buzzkill. Snow is pretty and all, but it's less than conducive to cycling. While not quite as roused up and focused on a training regimen as Bri, I am excited to get into better shape and show these hills just what I can bring.
But the meteorologists say I likely won't have a chance to get back out there until we build high pressure...next week. We havn't been able to take Crash and Chugg out for a ride in few weeks, and Chugg still hasn't been introduced to Marge B. (don't worry, these nicknames are a little strange and confusing to me too).
We closed the office down early on Christmas Eve though, I was off an hour and a half early. And there was weather break, the streets were wet still but the sun was out. I couldn't not get out for a ride. I rode out to Snohomish and back, took the Lowell-Larimer Rd out and Ebey Island on the way back (on the maps, from my house:bright red out: green back). I was a little slower than I wanted while in the red, but there was a fair amount of traffic too. Once I hit the green I didn't hardly see another car until I hit Hwy2. And I was flying! I hit Homeacres road and shifted up into a fairly difficult gear but I was holding a nice 90+ rpm cadence. I just steeled myself and wasn't going to downshift or slow my rpm until I hit the hwy. And I didn't. I was cruising at 21-22 mph the whole of that last 4 or 5 miles. That boosted my avg speed for the trip to 17.4 mph. Not bad, I'm pleased with myself at any rate.
I had a chance to try out my new Hind booties on that ride too. I am a fan. While they are a little difficult to don, and looka little a lot dorky, my toes were not too cold or numb at all.
Last week i rode the Goat Trail solo a few more times. I do enjoy that ride. On Friday I went bottom to top in 12 minutes.
Now I just need to get to the point where the sight of St. Andy doesn't just quash my confidence. I don't enjoy that climb.
yet.
I just need some better weather.
But the meteorologists say I likely won't have a chance to get back out there until we build high pressure...next week. We havn't been able to take Crash and Chugg out for a ride in few weeks, and Chugg still hasn't been introduced to Marge B. (don't worry, these nicknames are a little strange and confusing to me too).
We closed the office down early on Christmas Eve though, I was off an hour and a half early. And there was weather break, the streets were wet still but the sun was out. I couldn't not get out for a ride. I rode out to Snohomish and back, took the Lowell-Larimer Rd out and Ebey Island on the way back (on the maps, from my house:bright red out: green back). I was a little slower than I wanted while in the red, but there was a fair amount of traffic too. Once I hit the green I didn't hardly see another car until I hit Hwy2. And I was flying! I hit Homeacres road and shifted up into a fairly difficult gear but I was holding a nice 90+ rpm cadence. I just steeled myself and wasn't going to downshift or slow my rpm until I hit the hwy. And I didn't. I was cruising at 21-22 mph the whole of that last 4 or 5 miles. That boosted my avg speed for the trip to 17.4 mph. Not bad, I'm pleased with myself at any rate.
I had a chance to try out my new Hind booties on that ride too. I am a fan. While they are a little difficult to don, and look
Last week i rode the Goat Trail solo a few more times. I do enjoy that ride. On Friday I went bottom to top in 12 minutes.
Now I just need to get to the point where the sight of St. Andy doesn't just quash my confidence. I don't enjoy that climb.
yet.
I just need some better weather.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Training Update
Conditioning for the Davis Cup continues apace. I have not been on the bike in 6 days. I have taken several pitifully short runs. I have been drinking several bottles of local wine, eating lots of cookies, and contemplating my belly button. I think the repeated use of the hot tub should help preserve my level of conditioning, its got all kinds of jets and stuff. Just a general note, if you find a duffel bag full of money, I can think of worse places to settle down than the Mendocino area.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
weekend update
That bag of chips has continued to haunt me. I think you know what I mean.
Last night for dinner I had three carrots, two celery sticks, two bell peppers. and some hummus. Maybe I can use that fiber to counter any lingering after effects. Yikes.
Weather has been dismal so far this week. Since this weekend's flubs the weatherman's predictions have been spot on. Hopefully we get some breaks the rest of the week. Don't need much, just window of a few hours. Cross your fingers.
Last night for dinner I had three carrots, two celery sticks, two bell peppers. and some hummus. Maybe I can use that fiber to counter any lingering after effects. Yikes.
Weather has been dismal so far this week. Since this weekend's flubs the weatherman's predictions have been spot on. Hopefully we get some breaks the rest of the week. Don't need much, just window of a few hours. Cross your fingers.
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