Indiana Banana Training Camp 2014

Bjet and I are heading to Brown County for a family training camp weekend sometime soon. I have been sick for the past month and I can't wait to get back on the bike! Brown County has a plethora of options. For MTB there is obviously Brown County trails but also Nebo Ridge. If it's wet we will hit the fire roads of Hoosier National Forest. And if it's really bad we could hit the Columbus Architectural Tour and the bike trails. So last year I rode 500+ miles in January alone. This year I have barely ridden over 500 miles total. It's time to turn this year around!

Thinking about 2014 Goals

Goal: have fun, race hard(ish), chill with friends

This year I want to live a bit more of a balanced life. Catch up on some home improvement projects and make more art and posters. In years past I would pride myself on riding in poor conditions because it made me tougher when races were in poor condition, but this year I am going to use more common sense!

I plan to race less, maybe take more weekend trips, fun ones where I can still ride my bike.

In years past I was worried if I let off the gas on training that I would regret not being my optimal self. I was fueled by improvement, it seemed like I was constantly making gains.

Last year I started having less fun. I would feel stressed if I didnt get in the training ride i wanted. This year I say F it! Have fun, don't stress.

I do have fun on those days when I feel like the fastest version of myself. So I will plan an abbreviated 4 training rides per week, although I may ride everyday, these four focused rides should keep me in decent shape. I will blog about this more later.

So, here's the list:
• TOPO trail runs
• Death March
• Heart Mini Half
• Kings Short Track
• Mohican
• E/I TTs
• Xtrerra races, TOPO and Dino
• TriState 6 Hours (solo, but maybe co-ed duo if life is busy)
• Maybe JB 6 Hour
• 5-10 CX races at most, maybe focus on Ohio CX Cup...

I am going to focus less on series, race my bike when I want to and not race when I would rather do my own thing. If the weather is bad, or I dislike a course, I won't go.

I hope I can get this list down to 15-20 races. Race less, save some money, go on some more weekend trips.

Looking forward to having fun with you in 2014!

Biometrics in 2014

I thought I would have my blood screened and do an assessment of my cholesterol so I could get numbers/data. I've been a bit naughty and my biometrics have gotten worse. I have also been exercising less, so maybe that lack of exercise has contributed to higher cholesterol. Also, I've been vegetarian and a diet with cheese and eggs is not the best idea—those things are full of cholesterol.

So if you workplace provides a health screening I would suggest getting one and just seeing your numbers. I'm doing this to make sure I live a long, healthy life.

1/4/2014
Weight: 146 lb
Height: 68 in
Waist: 33.25 in

BMI: -- kg/m2

Body Fat %: 12.69

Body WT: 18.52 lb

Lean %: 87.31%

Lean WT: 127.48

Hydration: 3.67

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Blood Pressure: 109 systolic / 69 diastolic mmHg

Pulse: 50

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Total Cholesterol: 267 mg/dl
HDL: 100 mg/dl (good cholesterol)
LDL: 143 mg/dl (bad cholesterol)
Triglycerides: 118 mg/dl
TC/HDL Ratio: 2.0% (should be under 3.5%)

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Blood Glucose: 80 mg/dl


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6/11/2014
Weight: 147 lb
Height: 68 in
BMI: 22.5 kg/m2

Body Fat %: 13.9

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Blood Pressure: 114 systolic / 69 diastolic mmHg

Pulse: 61

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Total Cholesterol: 192 mg/dl
HDL: 80 mg/dl (good cholesterol)
LDL: 98 mg/dl (bad cholesterol)
Triglycerides: 71 mg/dl
TC/HDL Ratio: 2.4% (should be under 3.5%)

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Blood Glucose: 90 mg/dl

A bike without a chain is not a bike by any other name

I was at Armleder Park last evening doing VO2 max intervals. Well, started my second interval I ripped my chain straight off! Usually I have a toolkit with chain tool and an extra SRAM quick link but I had left it at home.

I had to push/scoot my bike five miles home. Geesh, my legs are sore.

Kit ADD

Dang, rode into work at like 5:45 am because I am slammed. But got some ADD and/or inspiration and came up with a cute Ohio logo... Then a kit. Okay, back to work.

And your safe!

Last week I was trying to crush that off-camber downhill on the backside of Kings... That didn't end up well. Rear brake froze up, slid and hit the deck...

The Cincy Bike Racers' Dining Guide, part 1

Cross is here! But more importantly, lovely day trips to cool MidWest cities. So, I've been meaning to write up a tourism guide for a couple years. But, you know, I want to write up something comprehensive but I always run short on time.

Here is a rough start:

Cincinnati:

Dilly Deli: Okay food, some hearty comfort classics. But a great beer selection. Perfect for post-time trial discussions with certain teammates who look like the love child of Kid Rock and Axl Rose.

Columbus:

North Market: a fun selection of food stalls for everyone. Plus Jeni's (support the peeps who support bike racing!).

Surly Girl Saloon:

Adams County:

Cruiser's Diner in Seaman: Perfect for a stop back after the Frankenbike 50!

Blake Soda Fountain in West Union: a nostalgic bite after a log training ride in Shawnee Forest.

Portsmouth Brewery: Pizza plus BEER!

So here are some things I want to try or have been to in:

Bloomington/Columbus/Nashville, Indiana:

Papa's Grill: good grub and good beer selection after a jaunt to Brown County.

Backwoods Brewery: they have pizza and grub and beer and just down the street from Brown County, located in Nashville.

Upland Brewery: super solid beer and pub food.

Soma: solid coffeehouse on way to Bloomingcross

Scholars Inn Bakehouse: Kind of like a local Panera, good for breaky

New places I want to try:

The Bloomington Brewpub at Lennie's: http://www.bloomingtonbrew.com/brewpub/

I've been to the Runcible Spoon in the past, I would like to go back.

The Irish Lion, bought a pint glass there but would like to try it!

http://www.urbanspoon.com/t/94/2/Bloomington/Vegan-Friendly-restaurants?last_filter=tag

http://www.happycow.net/north_america/usa/indiana/bloomington/