Speed work.

I'm a skinny boy.  Built to climb hills and tuck in behind larger riders.  Given that predilection, that's what I've done.  Playing to one's strengths in a race is a no-brainer, but doing so in training is a big mistake for many riders.  It's so easy to do.

Take your average group ride.  Friendly start, lots of chatting.  First hill:  the skinny climber on a carbon Italianissimo moves to the front and glances back at his cohorts, looking for a challenge.  On the flat 5k to the county line, however, you'll find that same svelte kid tucked in and wheezing behind Bruce, the 6'2" 250 pounder on a steelie who's barely breaking a sweat.  Hyperbole?

We like what we like, and we often like things because we're decent at them, or someone told us we looked good doing it.  This year, my preparation is about not looking nice.  It's about doing those things that are slow, painful, and essentially necessary to cast a bright light on the hidden side of my fitness equation.

Tonight was big-ring-smashing along our beloved City Loop.  20 miles at 21mph.  I hit the targets but with some difficulty.  Flat land speed is not my forte'.  Put me on an incline and I could probably be heard to say "the steeper the better."  So, it's time to work on the flat land speed.  Breakaways require this.  Steady state power output at a speed faster than those behind you.

The stats:
Distance:   20.6 miles
Avg:          21.2 mph
Avg. HR:    159
Max HR:     182
Temp:       36 degrees

Next up:  A night ride at Salem Lake (off road) followed by a 40 mile speed work ride on Saturday.

Breaking the seal.

Tomorrow, Barry and I (plus maybe, just maybe Mark Hekman) are heading to Greensboro, NC for a strange duathlon called the Toilet Bowl.  With all of the rain we've had, I suspect we will look rather akin to things found in a sewage facility by the time we're done.  1.5mi run, 10 mi of singletrack, 1.5mi run.  The best part?  Prizes are awarded lottery-style at the end.  Who cares how fast you go?!

More updates after we get back.  Should be super fun and a great way to start the competitive side of our 2011 season.

Out with the old, Part II...

I've been a road cyclist for about 6 years now.  When I got my first road bike, a Trek 2200, I bought the cheapest cyclocomputer I could find:  A Cateye Mity 8.  Basically, this thing could tell you your speed, your average, and your distance, and that was it.  Truly, what more does a cyclist really need?

GPS and ANT+ wireless compatability.  That's what.

I bid adieu to the wonderful, tough, relentless wedge of Asian plastic below (still on the original battery, believe it or not):

12,730 miles of friendship

I welcome, with open arms, a new piece of technology that will surely distract, befuddle and dilute my cycling experience, turning it into a simple algorithm of coordinates and trajectories.

Ok, not really.  The nerd in me loves geography, data, and reflection.  Bring on the numbers!

The ANT+ compatability means that I could add a power meter at some point in the future, but that's not in the plans right now.  Truly, there are many aspects of my riding that I can improve that don't require the detail of watts.  

But it will be nice to know latitude and ambient temperature.

Here's a look:

A clean slate.

Out with the old...

Here lies my pair of Pearil Izumi Cyclone gloves.  I have loved them, and they have saved my digits on many a cold winter night ride.  As I'm fortunate to have received some new PI gloves for Christmas, these have to go.  Note the electrical tape on the first fingers...too much downshifting to easier gears, I'm afraid.

Symbol.

On the shortest day of the year, I take time to salute my trusty NiteRider light.  She has guided me across darkened streets, muddy trails, but most often along our beloved city loop alone or in a frenetic nocturnal paceline.

It is also the day that registration opens for the 2011 Tour of the Battenkill.  That said, I am signed up.  So is Barry.  Maybe Mark Hekman will jump into the fray next?  I think he should. 

With many short days ahead, the light and I will again enter into our winter bond:  For me, she will cast light upon steel grates, potholes, animal carcasses, and the rear end of the rider I'm following.  For her, I will pedal hard to ensure a frosty breeze keeps her metal heatsinks cool.  She's low maintenance.

And when the sun again lingers late into the evening and I can put her away for awhile, I will remember her glow as it was on these cold winter nights.  But, as Mr. Frost has written, "I have miles to go before I sleep" and it will be many weeks before this old girl gets a rest.

Redux.

Tomorrow, registration opens for the 2011 Tour of the Battenkill.  Like a moth to the flame, I will return to upstate NY in April for one of the most unique, large-scale bike races in the U.S. 

This also means that training must commence.  The 2011 course is slightly different, and measurably harder than the 2010 edition due to some rerouting around construction near the town of Greenwich, NY. Barry, Porter and I are confirmed for Pirate Race Productions, and we hope to hook up with Frank Yeager from Richmond Velo Sports.  All in all, this is going to be a heckuva time.

Despite not finishing the race last year (broken shifter cable at mile 42, remember?), I enjoyed the journey immensely.  For 2011, now that I know what to expect, I can tweak the training, set-up the bike, and even eat more effectively than last year.  Truly, just crossing the line would be a thrilling feeling, and I fully plan to do that with my teammates this year.

Now that we're back to where we were just about a year ago, I'll suggest you read that fateful original post.  Great to see that Barry, who made a foreshadowing comment, is now committed.

Winter Training.

Barry, Porter and I hit the roads of Surry and Wilkes Counties for a gnarly spin Porter likes to call "The Beast of the Brushies."  He's referring to the Brushy Mountains, of course.  Read about them here.

Anyway, the summary is that winter training is upon us.  It's forecast to be a cold winter in NC, which means daddy needs some sweet new gloves and a balaclava. 

Barry, as usual, nailed the write-up and it's on his blog.  Check it!