Well. I've been a slacker.

On this blog, anyway. Too much shit to do, too little time. Here's 2011 season in a nutshell;

  I really liked the new MAC format; single 45+ cat. Sure there were some fast m*therf*ckers out there but there aren't any sandbaggers so even though at the beginning of the season when I wasn't doing so well and getting lapped by a few guys, they were legitimately there and not some 35y/o who should have been sacking up and racing the 3's. Wound up doing some new races and most of them were great; Town hall cross in Bethlehem comes to mind. Great course even though I managed to go down 4! times. Sadly missed Ed Sander but got to race that weekend anyway (I think it was the same weekend). Got all of my wheels/tires set up and got really brave and started going with lower and lower tire pressures until I am pretty comfortable now with running them that low; makes a huge difference in cornering and smoothness on bumpy stuff. Speaking of cornering; between the lower tire pressures and my new BMC (which I absolutely LOVE) my bike handling has improved.
 
  Really nice to have a new HUP Mid Atlantic rider, a woman no less, Kim Z who rocked it. 2nd place for the series! I'm looking forward to next year because Killingsworth is back in the pack, so more HUPs at races=better races. Also got to meet some of my DC HUP brothers. Looking forward to seeing them next year.
 

  Started riding stronger at the end of the year and had good outings at Phelps (another 1st race for me and I loved it) and Limestone Cross (1st time again). Managed to beat Strickland so I won our personal little battle; 1 road and 1 cross win for me, 1 cross win for him. Now it's chill time, maybe get the mtb out of the cobwebs and rideable, and start riding/training again. Peace out everyone and here's to a safe, prosperous New Year and miles of smiles on the road and trails!

DCCX

It took some doing, but thanks to the help ofa RBR /FB "friend", I got into the Master's 3/4 race. Had to get up at 5:45 am, but this race is worth losing sleep over. Beautiful cool fall morning, temps in the high 30's, climbing as I drove. By the time I hit DC it was 50ish. Didn't get as good a warmup as i would have liked but felt OK. Didn't hurry to the start; got to pre-ride a big section of the course. Similar to before but with some changes. I had rider #725 which meant I started DFL. Can't complain since I didn't even expect to get in. Was chatting with some riders an dbefore you knew it, the race had started; so much for the hole shot. Avoided 3? crashes in the start and started picking my way through the field. The course was dry but the ground was soft so i was glad I used my Fangos, which i had dialed in just right. Felt really good and had 2 guys in my sight with 2 laps to go. Got past 1 with 2 to go and aimed for the next. Had guys cheering at the last set of barriers before the finish line (saw 2 other HUPsters there in the 4 race-might have been on eof them) and despite bobbling the off-camber U-turn on the hill on the next to last lap and dropping my chain on the last lap, I passed the final guy and stayed in front while passing 1 more guy on the finish straight. 79th out of 93. Felt like I passed more, but still my best race of the year. Thanks to Joe Mallis for the foto.

Granogue, Day 1 Masters 45+

Another great day in the Mid Atlantic. Breezy, clear, temps climbing into the low 60's. And WTF?? No mud? Granogue and no mud??
I got a nice warm up but pushed my time too much; ended up getting to the start too late and was in the last friggin row. Ugghh. 60+ riders went off; I gained a few places up the paved uphill start, into some twisties in the woods. This is a section that rewards bike handling. Thanks to a good choice of tires, I was able to corner really well. However, there was 1 180 around a tree that had sand on the outside line; definately the wrong line to take. Up a steep run up, and up through some paved/gravel climbing, onto some off camber long sweepers that you could carry a decent amount of speed through if you took the right line. I found myself battling with 2 of my cross-results nemesis. I'd pass Louis on the climbs and he'd gain time on the run up on the back side of the course; I can't run for sh*t this year. Gustavo managed to just stay ahead of both of us. I THOUGHT I passed Louis for good with about 2 laps to go when I did a bone-headed move and took the wide line in the sand on that aforementioned 180. I was able to get around him again but wound up finishing right behind him and Gustavo. They have our results effed up so i really don't know exactly where I placed; they have me DFL but I know that I wasn't. Anyway, this is probably the best course in the Mid Atlantic. And there was beer and BBQ at the end

Town Hall Cross in Bethlehem, PA

It was an absolutely gorgeous day in a really pretty section of PA. 11 am start. I'm kinda liking that. Masters 45+ (35 and 55 in a combined field). I hadn't done this race before so I didn't know what to expect. Turns out there is s fair amount of altitude change, hence the "St Lukes (a Hospital that sponsors the race) staircase", a section of switchbacks up a sizeable hill with a steep kick up at the end. Then a long, twisting decent into a flattish area. Got a good warm up, felt pretty good. Pre-rode most of the course and found that the only way I could get my rear derailer into the largest cog was to hold my lever in. Not good, but workable. We had a staggered start, 35's going off 1st, 45 's a minute later, and then the 55's. i got a front row startingb position and got the best start of my life, right up the hill. Lost a few stops initially and then gained a few back by the top; I was in the 1st 10 to crest the hill. I rode it all of the laps (lots of cheers for the hooligans at the top, heckling/cheering the racers on). The decent allowed you to recover, but was tricky; I wiped out 3 times (2x at the same turn. Yea, really) on it and once in the gravel. Not good. I think I didn't have enough air in my front tire, plus I should've brought my Rhino front tire; I likely would have stayed upright 3 of those times. Short laps, we did 7 (leaders anyway-I did 6). I felt pretty good and really don't know where I placed; had to bolt because I needed to get back home and go to work. And with that in mind, why is it that the only time I get a beer hand up is when I have to work that day and have to politely decline? This was a really nice course an I'll make sure I do it as often as possible.

BCA Challenge in Fort Ritchie, MD

 I did BCA challenge at Fort Ritchie MD. Right over the PA/MD border. October came in with a bang; 48f when I arrived, drizzle, and plenty of mud. WTF was I thinking for buying file treads this year?? But I digress...
Anyway, it's a small race and I had heard that the course tended to be not very "creative". Well, due to conditions, it was a tough slog. A paved start into some long grass and packed dirt; a bit of mud but very rideable. Up a small incline, over 2 barriers placed on either side of a tree (ala "the tree" @ Charm City) and over to a pretty technical "S" turn on the side of a hill. I ran it the 1st time through (due to congestion-picked up some places by doing so) and rode it afterward. Some more grass and then a paved section over to a decent climb and then a steep drop down, U turn, and back up. Had to run up that. Wished I had put my cleats in my shoes. Back down and then off to a really hard mudddy section of the course. Had it been dry it would have been fast but as it was there were long sections where running was the best option. Another small "S" turn on a hill that was easier/faster to run and a small run up and back down through some twisties and the start line. We did 4 laps in the Masters 3/4. I felt decent but I am not a mudder, although I must say that my new BMC is much better handling than my Empella was; I was able to take lines and pass through slop that others were having more trouble in. Had 3 guys in front of me for a good deal of the race. Caught 2 with about 2 laps to go but couldn't get the 3rd guy. I really don't know where I placed but it was a decent race. But some sun would be appreciated. Soon. That, and I need to get my rear Rhino repaired because having 1 up front ROCKED. My Fango rear did OK but I'm thinking with the Rhino I could have rode some stuff I had to run through.

Charm City Day 2. Lessons in how NOT to prepare for a cross race.

1) Spend the entire day before the race driving/riding in a car and going to a museum.
2) Don't ride the day before
3) Eat steak and sushi (which was awesome-freshly rolled-yum) the night before
4) Forget to set your alarm so that you wake up 40 minutes late (thanks to my wife for getting me up then or it would have been worse.

 This ensures that you will not have enough time to warm up and you will feel even worse than you normally do during the 1st 2 laps.

 Got a 10ish minute warm up, had some nice woman re-pin me since I was an idiot and put it on the wrong side. Got to the start and decided not to peg it at the beginning since I didn't really warm up. Got stuck at the back, then had someone go down in the mud bog in front of me, dropped my chain and promptly lost about a dozen places. Kept slipping back and on the next time through the bog decided I saw " a good line", got 2/3 of the way through and stopped immediately, doing a stylish endo. Kevin Dillard was there but was changing the card in his camera and missed capturing it. I did provide entertainment. I started feeling better and started passing some riders but got caught by the leaders with about 1/4 of a lap to go. A mercy killing I'd call it. Had guys beat me who have never even come close. Yay! 52 out of 59ish finishers. Guess this one willl be dropped from my cross-results.com points. I hope.
 On a positive note, Heidi V was at the reg desk and signed me in; always nice to see her and while watching the next race saw another cute Hupster named Kimberly so now I have another racer to root for.  Got to see some friends I hadn't seen since last cross season, had a good bison taco and a nice Belgian white from Du Claw brewery, so it wasn't a complete wash-out.
 I'm not racing next weekend but will be doing BCA the following Saturday. too bad; I was feeling good in training.
 

Nittany Day 1

Spits of rain on the way there. Appropriate for the weather we've been having. No rain and a few peeks of sunshine for the race. Got there early enough to ride a lap before the 4's went out. Mostly dry but 4 sections of mud; 2 were very easy to ride, 2 you were better off running. Or walking (on the last lap. They really sap the strength from your legs). Slightly different course from last year but the new BMC was great. I ran a Rhino front on the warm up lap and a Fango rear (rear Rhino needs repair). Got a good warm up, and headed over. Decided to switch to a Fango in front as well since it seemed that the Rhino was losing air. Nice thing about splitting the Masters up is the fields are smaller. No monster 100+ rider fields. Got a good start but was dying by the middle of the 2nd lap. Watched riders go around but then with about 1.5 laps to go I started feeling better. Picked up a few riders and almost caught Bill Strickland; I lost any chance of catching him in the last long mud pit. 41 out of 50 and I stayed on the  same lap as the leaders. The bike is an improvement over the Empella; stiffer and quicker handleing. I PROBABLY went out too hard, but I really didn't ride much the week before and it takes a while till I feel fast again after doing my plyo training. Hoping for  abetter race at Charm. All in all I'm pretty satisfied; I'm not  great mudder but I handlesd it pretty well. Photo courteousy of my bud Joe Mallis.

2 more days!

Nittany Cross @ Trexlertown. Should be soggy but since it's pretty flat I doubt traction will be an issue. Still, I'm expecting NOT to use the file treads. Probably won't even bring them. I took it easy this week (by choice AND because of all of the rain we've been having). Did 2 sessions of 45 min each on the spin bike. Hopefully I'll be able to ride a short ride tomorrow; otherwise, it's spin time again. Bike is ready, most of my stuff is packed. My favorite time of the year! Cross, football, soccer, and beer :-)

Time for some serious training.

I've been doing 6 weeks of base plyometrics, and starting today I started them in ernest. I'll also be doing intervals on the bike (mini-blocks, 2 days in a row) and hopefully a fast group ride on the weekends. I've reged for my 1st 2 races of the season, Nittany on Sept 10 and Charm City (2nd day) on the 18th. I'm thinking of doing 2 days at Charm City; short drive and great race/venue. I'm feeling pretty good and fit. Like to drop a couple of pounds but that should happen as I increase my training. I'll try to get out to the park and do some skill training as well; my bike is done (Yay!) and all I really need to do is glue 2 pr of tubies. I'll actually have 3 sets this year as opposed to the 1 last year so I should be ready for just about any condition. Can't wait!

My 1st race as a non-sucking racer.

Ha. My 1st race of the year, Emrick Blvd crit in Bethlehem, PA. 45+ guys pre-reged and another 40 or so signed up day of. Huge group with names I noticed who are really fast. I get there at the reg table and there is Rod of World Cup hammerfest fame. Ex pro. Yippee. I am not anticipating a good result. Well, it'a running a little late but only by 10-15 minutes, so I got a decent enough warm up. Nice thing about crits is you don't have to warm up as much as say, cross. The whistle blows and we're off. A flattish course with 2 90 degree turns and 2 sweepers with a slight incline coming up to the start/finish line. I felt good, staying with the pack, moving with the surges that come when they'd pull in a break. At 1/2 point (12 laps) I'm still with the pack and feeling good. I'm thinking I'll be OK. With about 4 to go we ramp it up to catch a break. Everyone (more or less) is together. I'm still feeling OK. 2 laps to go and we slow a bit, then with 1 to go down goes the hammer. I stayed with the main group and finishesd in the pack. I was not expecting that. Not sure of my placing but it really doesn't matter; I wasn't dfl (or close) and I felt pretty strong. Happy with my 1st race of the year. Nice to see Bill Strickland a former Hupster. Maybe I'm getting my prep for cross right?

I love where I live.

While it might not be a picturesque as some states or get as much notoriety as others for the riding, I thing PA, central PA in particular, is just about perfect for the avg cyclist and racer. I can almost always find a route that has little traffic and lots of choices of terrain; head out one way (Northern York Co area ) and there are lots of steep climbs, rollers, and just beautiful country. Head out towards Cumberland County and you can ride up the valleys for some flatter terrain or go in either direction out of the valley for some climbs, some several miles long. All riding distance from my front door. During the summer the racer can find crits, road races, and mtb races all within an hour to 2 hrs drive. Fall? Cross races every weekend at similar distances. And regarding motorists; by and large most are fairly respectful and often will let you go through at intersections. Now if we could just buy beer at your local Sheetz/Hess/Rutters/mini market, life would be just about perfect. The link is an example of howm easy it is to find a suitable route to kill your legs on.
Steigerwalt hollow sufferfest

Well. Time to rethink the training plan.

Maybe it's the weather (if you live in the Mid Atlantic you know what I mean). Maybe it's because I had that nasty virus that holds on for what seems to be forever. But my training is way off. Had less than 200 miles in March when last year I had over 400.  That means there's NO WAY IN HELL I'm going to be doing any races any time soon. So. On to plan B.  Ramp up the miles now and do a race in Mid to late May and work from there. Finally have all my bikes functioning properly. Have all the stuff I need (well, except for a few small items) for my new cross rig. I'm feeling like I want to do a few more road races instead of crits; just do better at them it seems. Still, I do love the fast pace of crits. It's on the bike tomorrow and time to up the mileage.  Another reason I'm leaning towards road races is this;
http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=12173
I REALLY want to do this race. It's just insane enough to be fun.

New toy!

Brand spanking new BMC CX02 stolen from e-bay. I made the 1st and only bid. Kinda how I got the Bonfire. Anyway, it feels really light and it's the complete opposite of the Bonfire; all (or mostly) white, as opposed to black, in keeping with my new positive attitude. I'll be posting pics when she's finished. Anyone want a slightly used 56 cm Empella Bonfire frame/fork?

Reflections on a tooth extraction.

   Yea. 51 yrs old and I needed 2 of my wisdom teeth pulled; 1 simple extraction, the lower one "the hard way". General anestesia. Vicodin. Whoopie! Was told that at this age (actually, any age over teens) can be horrible. Oh well.
   Got hooked up to the monitors. BP 116/68, heartbeat about 58-60bpm. Bet they don't see THAT too often. Turns out another gentleman, around my age was having the same thing done as well. Cyclist, too. His stats were apparantly similar (from what the nurse said). Nice nurse/anesthetist got my IV started after consulting with me as to where; she knows what I do and works for the same health system as me. That's all I can remember untill I woke up in recovery with an ice-pack on the jaw and gauze in my mouth. Sam brought me home nd I just wanted to lay down. Aftyer a bit I started feeling decent. They had me alternate 1 vicodin and 3 advil every 3 hrs for the pain. Last took vicodin at about 10 pm and went to sleep. Woke up at 630 freaking am! I NEVER sleep that long in 1 stretch. Took the 3 advil. I'm now down to 2 of them every 4 hrs and I may cut back more. Worked a bit on my bike. If I feel at least as good as this I'm going to ride with Rabbit and crew tomorrow.
   NOT the worst experience of my life, for sure. Guess cycling and staying in great shape has many benefits.

Winter bonus miles.

I love riding in the winter; no pressure, no intervals; avg speed is insignificant. Just being out there is the thing. I like to think of these rides as bonus miles. Sure, it's easy to go downstairs and hop on the trainer or spinning bike or rollers (and I am not above this) but it just isn't the same. Nothing works you like actually being on the bike, outdoors, in the weather. Lungs fill up with the fresh cold air; you feel alive. This is riding for the pure joy of it and there are no expectations. Add into the factor of an old steel fixie, and you are experiencing cycling as it was intended.

Well kids. This is it.

The new improved bloggie, along with the new, improved me. More news to come, but for now it's weights, running, pilates, and some fixed gear riding or time on the spin bike. And hopefully some skiing. All work and no play makes NVdK an unhappy boy!