Vacation is sort of over

Well, I'm just finishing up a 5 day vacation. Man it was so nice. In that time I was able to think pretty clearly about what my goals are for this season. They are, admittedly, modest goals that have more to do with getting a few monkeys off my back than achieving greatness. But, all told, I also want to have fun on a bike again at a few races.

#1. It really goes without saying--I need to get below 190 pounds again before I even contemplate racing my bike.

#2. I'm a Cat 4 now. If all goes according to plan and I lose the weight that I'm intending to lose, I do believe I'd like to finish Snake Alley, after 6 tries at it over the years. If I don't finish it, well, at least I gave it another go and there is always next year . . . .

#3. Quad Cities Crit. I did OK there in the Masters race in 2003, and I'd like to do even better since its the type of course that really suits me.

#4. Keeping it local: aside from a burning desire to get up to Quad Cities and maybe a few of the Labor Day weekend races, I don't intend to travel much at all. If that means 8-12 races this year, that fine by me.

#5. Cross train--I don't have the time or the interest to keep up a 100% cycling specific workout regimen--which means that I'll be running 5ks and doing trail runs, etc.

#6. If I'm not having fun during the road season, there is always cyclocross, and hopefully I won't herniate discs in my neck which just destroyed any hopes for cx racing this season.

#7. The most important event of the year is Butthead's and Greenbean's Halloween Cyclocross Extravaganza Race. My sights are set on once again winning this important event.

Vacation is sort of over

Well, I'm just finishing up a 5 day vacation. Man it was so nice. In that time I was able to think pretty clearly about what my goals are for this season. They are, admittedly, modest goals that have more to do with getting a few monkeys off my back than achieving greatness. But, all told, I also want to have fun on a bike again at a few races.

#1. It really goes without saying--I need to get below 190 pounds again before I even contemplate racing my bike.

#2. I'm a Cat 4 now. If all goes according to plan and I lose the weight that I'm intending to lose, I do believe I'd like to finish Snake Alley, after 6 tries at it over the years. If I don't finish it, well, at least I gave it another go and there is always next year . . . .

#3. Quad Cities Crit. I did OK there in the Masters race in 2003, and I'd like to do even better since its the type of course that really suits me.

#4. Keeping it local: aside from a burning desire to get up to Quad Cities and maybe a few of the Labor Day weekend races, I don't intend to travel much at all. If that means 8-12 races this year, that fine by me.

#5. Cross train--I don't have the time or the interest to keep up a 100% cycling specific workout regimen--which means that I'll be running 5ks and doing trail runs, etc.

#6. If I'm not having fun during the road season, there is always cyclocross, and hopefully I won't herniate discs in my neck which just destroyed any hopes for cx racing this season.

#7. The most important event of the year is Butthead's and Greenbean's Halloween Cyclocross Extravaganza Race. My sights are set on once again winning this important event.

Ok, I'm convinced

Sda convinced me. Riding the trainer in December IS a bad idea, for me at least. I tend to get burnout really easily, anyway, wanting to saw my bike in half at various times during the summer. What a great recipe for hating the bike in late June and July. I won't ride the trainer until February at the earliest. In fact, I've designated him as my coach for this coming season.

Feb 18 - 24, 2008

Monday: off
Tue: trainer ride in the morning (40 minutes)
Wed: weights
Thur: trainer ride in the morning (40-50 minutes)
Fri: off
Sat: group ride -- 2 - 3 hours
Sun: shorter solo ride or weight room

Ok, I'm convinced

Sda convinced me. Riding the trainer in December IS a bad idea, for me at least. I tend to get burnout really easily, anyway, wanting to saw my bike in half at various times during the summer. What a great recipe for hating the bike in late June and July. I won't ride the trainer until February at the earliest. In fact, I've designated him as my coach for this coming season.

Feb 18 - 24, 2008

Monday: off
Tue: trainer ride in the morning (40 minutes)
Wed: weights
Thur: trainer ride in the morning (40-50 minutes)
Fri: off
Sat: group ride -- 2 - 3 hours
Sun: shorter solo ride or weight room

Trainer rides

I haven't done much on the bike at all since mid-August, but that changed today as I did a 40 minute trainer ride in the basement. I put the old fixed gear on the trainer. In some ways I like that bike better than the carbon/aluminum combo I have rigged for my regular road bike currently. There is nothing like Italian steel bikes. There's also something I really like about 58 cm bikes as opposed to the somewhat compact 56 cm frame I currently have. I mean, since I don't race much anymore, comfort seems more important. You can really stretch out more with a 58 cm top tube, and there isn't nearly as much vertical raise as I'm currently dealing with with the longer head tube. I may actually buy a 57-58 cm next time I get a bike . . . . . .

Prozenberger and the Reverend have me sold on trainer rides for efficiency.

Speaking of the Prozenbergers, I'd like to give them a shout-out and congrats on the exciting news of a future sibling for Dillon in the works!

Trainer rides

I haven't done much on the bike at all since mid-August, but that changed today as I did a 40 minute trainer ride in the basement. I put the old fixed gear on the trainer. In some ways I like that bike better than the carbon/aluminum combo I have rigged for my regular road bike currently. There is nothing like Italian steel bikes. There's also something I really like about 58 cm bikes as opposed to the somewhat compact 56 cm frame I currently have. I mean, since I don't race much anymore, comfort seems more important. You can really stretch out more with a 58 cm top tube, and there isn't nearly as much vertical raise as I'm currently dealing with with the longer head tube. I may actually buy a 57-58 cm next time I get a bike . . . . . .

Prozenberger and the Reverend have me sold on trainer rides for efficiency.

Speaking of the Prozenbergers, I'd like to give them a shout-out and congrats on the exciting news of a future sibling for Dillon in the works!