Ten Goals for 2009

1. Winter Fun
I am planning to take a little time off the bike to work on some other projects. I need to make some improvements around the home, but I also want to focus on my series of films called Vicious Valentines.

2. Running
I decided to cross train for a few months and chill out in the off-season. Last year I rode a lot in winter, and it isn't that fun so I thought I would mix it up. Or at least, instead of jumping on the trainer just go for a run.

I would love to do the Ronker's Trail Running Series, the Heart Mini marathon and perhaps be part of a 4 person team for the Flying Pig.

3. Grease Monkey
I would like to better understand bicycle mechanics and how to maintain and repair my bikes better.

4. More Group Rides
I really enjoyed the few I had with Joe, Rachel, Rebecca, Tony, Matt, Julie and members of the BioWheels team.

5. Road Racing
I might jump into the Cat 5's in a few races and get a feel for some sloppy road racing.

6. Tour of Scioto River Valley
This ride will happen May 9-10 with 100 miles of rolling hills each day. It is from Columbus to Portsmouth.

For the second year I will probably NOT do this ride. Something always comes up on the same day! Instead I will probably support THE-MTB-CX-GIRL on her quest to do a solo 12-hour mountain bike race.

But, I may train for this to get some early season form. In the future I would love to do this with a friend. It would also be cool to do the Ride Across Iowa with my friend Matt. Maybe 2010!

7. Young's Dairy Bike Tour
This is a charity July 25-26 that is about 83 miles per day. I could make it a four day cyclocation and ride up there and back.

8. CORA Harbin Park Time Trial Series
I really want to gain off-road skills in low pressure environment.

9. Mountain Bike Races
If I feel my skills are sufficient I wouldn't mind doing a few races off-road. Also, I want to support Bridget in her Endurance races and maybe we can turn a few of these weekends into some fun camping trips.

10. OVCX and CapCity Cross Series
September - December, aiming for more top-10 finishes in Men's C/ Category 4 Races. I may race in the B's in the Capcity to make life easier on Bridget and I — don't need to be at races so early and I get to race longer. I missed a lot of races this year and I hope I get to do almost every race next year.

Every gram counts

Inspired by a documentary about the cyclist from Texas who need not be named...I have been thinking about some goodies to lighten up the superfly. Sure, at 23 lbs. she is mighty light but I believe with some research and careful selection of weight loss vs. coin I think I can get her down below 22 lbs.

In addition to the weight of the bike I'll be watching what I eat. Not starving myself but thinking carefully about what I SHOULD be eating. Drinking season, both in regards to fatty Starbucks beverages and adult beverages is now over.

Madone Flavor of the Day

Part two. Isn't she pretty?

Get out the Calculator!

As a typical boy (aside from the excessive body hair and the ability to speak in tongues) raised in the United States I was very into sports like Baseball, Basketball and Football. And since many of the sports in the US are tedious and difficult to watch I became fascinated with statistics.

So it is mildly interesting to look back and see what you have done — as well as to think about what I wish to accomplish in the new year.

2007
Cycling: 1139mi (began cycling in July), 189.27mi/mo avg, 262mi/mo max, longest ride 52.5mi (avg 16.36 mph)
Running: 432mi, 36mi/mo avg, longest run 8.3mi.

2008
Cycling: 3563mi 296mi/mo avg, 478mi/mo max, longest ride 71.5mi. (avg 17.09 mph)
Running: 73.67mi, 6.1mi/mo avg,longest run 6.4mi.

These numbers are somewhat impressive compared to the once overweight fatass that sat on the couch all the time, but extremely unimpressive compared to all my new acquaintances who bury my ass on every ride. This weird line of thought was inspired by my Nike+ log-in screen that displayed my rather unimpressive year as a runner.

Madone Flavor of the Day

Here is my most recent creation.

Current Training Regiment

This is how I'm getting on with my training...

Christmas

Dear Santa,

Please bring me this.

Inspiration for 2009

An old webisode of the Two Johns' Podcast referenced this film from France, it is called Le Vélo de Ghislain Lambert. John G mentioned he had watched it while in France. The cinematography is stunning and I really love this era of cycling. I just purchased a used copy off Amazon, so Merry early Christmas to me!

UPDATE: My copy has arrived! There is only one problem...Amazon's description of the movie said there were English subtitles and unfortunately there are none! So I am using every ounce of my high school French to keep up, which is difficult because the visuals are so stunning and there are many thick accents, some belonging to cyclists that are Italian, etc.

I do love the film. It is a bittersweet story that is far from a Hollywood tale. While filled with many comedic moments it uses your laughter to draw you into a character that is very real and not always a good guy.

What Bridget has been up to

Here is what I have been up too:

1) Looking for jobs in Graphic Design that do not exist right now. Trying to decide between going back to school or sticking it out. Starting a freelance gig on monday.

2) Running. A lot. Trail running is fun. I love to be able to just throw on some clothes and go. Still in love with my Montrail /Continental Divide™ GTX/ running shoes. Wish I could afford a new pair now as I have put a lot of miles on my current pair. No other shoe I have ever tried has kept my feet completely dry in the slush and snow. Man, I wish they made a cyclocross shoe.

3) Perfecting the chocolate chip cookie.

4) Reading the Omnivore's Dilemma. Certainly a good read for those interested in nutrition, farming, slow food, etc.

5) Dreaming of a Seven Cycles cyclocross frame. Dreaming of dry mountain bike trails and those warm summer days.

What Bridget has been up to

Here is what I have been up too:

1) Looking for jobs in Graphic Design that do not exist right now. Trying to decide between going back to school or sticking it out. Starting a freelance gig on monday.

2) Running. A lot. Trail running is fun. I love to be able to just throw on some clothes and go. Still in love with my Montrail /Continental Divide™ GTX/ running shoes. Wish I could afford a new pair now as I have put a lot of miles on my current pair. No other shoe I have ever tried has kept my feet completely dry in the slush and snow. Man, I wish they made a cyclocross shoe.

3) Perfecting the chocolate chip cookie.

4) Reading the Omnivore's Dilemma. Certainly a good read for those interested in nutrition, farming, slow food, etc.

5) Dreaming of a Seven Cycles cyclocross frame. Dreaming of dry mountain bike trails and those warm summer days.

Coach + Power Meter = Faster

Here is a great excerpt from a VeloNews article (I couldn't agree more!):

Having a coach helps: This is another no-brainer, but it was all new to me. The obvious benefit is the guidance of someone smarter than you — and I expected that. But the unexpected part was the motivation that came from the relationship. Even if your mom, dad, wife, kids, friends and dog don’t give a bleep about how you did in the Wednesday night office park crit, your coach will. This may sound corny, but it really meant something to me. We all need fans.

Power meters also really help: I know they’re a serious investment, especially when you’d rather get a new pair of Zipps — or just spend your money on something besides bike shit. But denying their usefulness is like longing for the days when phones had cords. Used properly, power meters can help maximize training time, provide data that a coach can use to design future workouts, and give you a very specific indication of what you’re doing on the bike. Ten years from now, they’ll be as common as water bottle cages.

Both investments have been great for me. If anyone needs a great coach shoot me an email (male athletes only! :0))

Coach + Power Meter = Faster

Here is a great excerpt from a VeloNews article (I couldn't agree more!):

Having a coach helps: This is another no-brainer, but it was all new to me. The obvious benefit is the guidance of someone smarter than you — and I expected that. But the unexpected part was the motivation that came from the relationship. Even if your mom, dad, wife, kids, friends and dog don’t give a bleep about how you did in the Wednesday night office park crit, your coach will. This may sound corny, but it really meant something to me. We all need fans.

Power meters also really help: I know they’re a serious investment, especially when you’d rather get a new pair of Zipps — or just spend your money on something besides bike shit. But denying their usefulness is like longing for the days when phones had cords. Used properly, power meters can help maximize training time, provide data that a coach can use to design future workouts, and give you a very specific indication of what you’re doing on the bike. Ten years from now, they’ll be as common as water bottle cages.

Both investments have been great for me. If anyone needs a great coach shoot me an email (male athletes only! :0))

CX Wrap-up

My season came to a close at the final Cap City race. When the weather gets cold I loose my motivation to race. I still like riding in the cold I just can't seem to muster up the motivation to push myself really hard. So, my season ended in my worst finish of the season 6/10. I made a pretty big mistake by not warming up enough and although I got the early "holeshot" my legs quickly filled with junk and I was spun off the back. Ouch. The rest of the race I rode like a big baby. My season overall went pretty good, I would have liked to have had a win but I'll take the upgrade as it will set me up to get even faster and stronger next year.

Big time kudos to Andy J for really putting together an awesome series. Putting on races is a somewhat thankless job and involves a lot of labor so thanks again Andy.

So, fast forward to 2009 and I am setting up my evil, secret, training plan. My plan for next year though is to travel a little more and hit some more 12 Hour / Marathon races. I seem to enjoy those races the most. In the meantime, my new powertap computer came back, (thanks Saris) and I'll be running and working the very neglected core muscles.

CX Wrap-up

My season came to a close at the final Cap City race. When the weather gets cold I loose my motivation to race. I still like riding in the cold I just can't seem to muster up the motivation to push myself really hard. So, my season ended in my worst finish of the season 6/10. I made a pretty big mistake by not warming up enough and although I got the early "holeshot" my legs quickly filled with junk and I was spun off the back. Ouch. The rest of the race I rode like a big baby. My season overall went pretty good, I would have liked to have had a win but I'll take the upgrade as it will set me up to get even faster and stronger next year.

Big time kudos to Andy J for really putting together an awesome series. Putting on races is a somewhat thankless job and involves a lot of labor so thanks again Andy.

So, fast forward to 2009 and I am setting up my evil, secret, training plan. My plan for next year though is to travel a little more and hit some more 12 Hour / Marathon races. I seem to enjoy those races the most. In the meantime, my new powertap computer came back, (thanks Saris) and I'll be running and working the very neglected core muscles.

Recuperación a Caribe

Bridget and I ended our Cyclocross season early to join family for a little recovery time in Cozumel, Mexico. The weather was really beautiful, averaging between 70 to 80 fahrenheit with the perfect amount of humidity.

It is a quirky little tourist island across from Cancun. I really wanted to rent a bike and ride around the island, which would make a really fun day trip and you could stop at some archaeological sites, fresh coconut stands and restaurants. It would also be fun to check out the back streets of downtown San Miguel. But we relaxed instead. Perhaps next time!