Took a quick ride on the towpath to unwind the legs from racing the last 2 days. Left from Rockside and went north to Harvard; the path's really nice since they've added bridges over the 2 busy intersections. Turned around and went south a bit past Rt 82. It was starting to get dark and the bugs were beginning to wake up. I had decided not to grab my glasses - I won't do that again... I hope we get some rain soon, the path is really dusty. Might be good for a run though.
Stats:
Time: 1:42:52
HR: 134avg 168max
Dist: 27.1mi
Speed 15.8mph avg 26.3max
Cad. Avg: 94 Max 118
Ascent: 140ft
KCal: 750
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Twin Sizzler
I raced the Twin Sizzler in Medina, OH for the first time today. It was a really fun race, but I was a little out of my realm as I had no idea what to expect from the course. I should have mapped it out last night on google, because the map on the event website was no where near being to scale.
Both SBR and Spin did a good job of working the front and the lead group stayed together for the whole race. Dave took a flier off the front with around 1km to go. Had I known that we were that close to the finish, I wouldn't have made a feeble attempt at sitting up and trying to block...
Coming out of what would be the last set of turns I was sitting at about 15-20th. I look up the road and wonder, gee why are all those people standing up there cheering?? I was able to sprint into the top 10-12 (I think) - it was definitely a mass finish. The volunteers at the finish line were basically looking for the racers to tell them what the finish order was. I will certainly be more prepared come next year's race!
I've added info on 2008's Twin Sizzler race here [including a Google MAP]:
http://cyclonecross.blogspot.com/2008/06/next-scheduled-race-in-neo.html
On a more positive note, I grabbed 4th place at the Westlake world championships last night. I'd had a hunch that the BIG DOGS would be resting up for the races today. And I was correct. Matt Weeks and a rider from RGF had a solid break away with 6 or so laps to go. About 800m from the start of the final lap, Stefan Kadar (RGF) and Justin Piccorelli (Spin) jumped. I waited back briefly waiting for Tris or one of the A&F guys to leap to the chase. When no one else responded, I quickly bridged and hung just a bit back to catch breath and settle the HR. We continued to work and build our gap all the way to the finish. With 200m to go Stefan was 1st, Justin 2nd, and I was 3rd. Stefan got a good jump and I wasn't able to catch him.
I'm still waiting on my Thomson Masterpiece seat post to arrive. The Selle Italia SLR saddle I just upgraded to, was exactly 1/2 the weight of my 270g Fizik saddle. The bike is now sitting around 16.75lbs. I just need to upgrade the 105 crank and the Ksyrium Elite rear wheel, and I might be able to drop the weight close to or below 16lbs.
Both SBR and Spin did a good job of working the front and the lead group stayed together for the whole race. Dave took a flier off the front with around 1km to go. Had I known that we were that close to the finish, I wouldn't have made a feeble attempt at sitting up and trying to block...
Coming out of what would be the last set of turns I was sitting at about 15-20th. I look up the road and wonder, gee why are all those people standing up there cheering?? I was able to sprint into the top 10-12 (I think) - it was definitely a mass finish. The volunteers at the finish line were basically looking for the racers to tell them what the finish order was. I will certainly be more prepared come next year's race!
I've added info on 2008's Twin Sizzler race here [including a Google MAP]:
http://cyclonecross.blogspot.com/2008/06/next-scheduled-race-in-neo.html
On a more positive note, I grabbed 4th place at the Westlake world championships last night. I'd had a hunch that the BIG DOGS would be resting up for the races today. And I was correct. Matt Weeks and a rider from RGF had a solid break away with 6 or so laps to go. About 800m from the start of the final lap, Stefan Kadar (RGF) and Justin Piccorelli (Spin) jumped. I waited back briefly waiting for Tris or one of the A&F guys to leap to the chase. When no one else responded, I quickly bridged and hung just a bit back to catch breath and settle the HR. We continued to work and build our gap all the way to the finish. With 200m to go Stefan was 1st, Justin 2nd, and I was 3rd. Stefan got a good jump and I wasn't able to catch him.
I'm still waiting on my Thomson Masterpiece seat post to arrive. The Selle Italia SLR saddle I just upgraded to, was exactly 1/2 the weight of my 270g Fizik saddle. The bike is now sitting around 16.75lbs. I just need to upgrade the 105 crank and the Ksyrium Elite rear wheel, and I might be able to drop the weight close to or below 16lbs.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
40mi MS150 training ride
Got up on time and fiddled around getting ready. I roll out at 8:40am; needing to be at the Canal Visitor Center at 9am sharp. I take it easy warming up until I get on Rockside, and then I hit the jets and get serious about making the start time.
Fortunately it's pretty much all down hill from Parma to Valley View. I have no problems keeping it above 20mph for an average speed. The CX bike rolls down the road a lot better on Conti Gator Skins then on Ritchie Speedmax Pro CX tires (imagine that). I see Christine at the corner of Rockside and Rt21 with 2 bikes on her car - hmmm. Right after turning onto Canal, I pass 3-4 guys going the other way on the Sunday Spin ride (I think).
Rolling into the parking lot, I'm there in under 20 mins and have plenty of time since Murray had to go home for his helmet. I hadn't gotten time to send out the reminder email, so there were only 6 of us: Murray, Christine, Allan, Linda, Khantie(sp) and me.
The ride goes well. No mechanicals, although Murray and Christine had some shifting problems. The eatery we went to last year wasn't open either on the way out or back, so ended up going to Starbucks instead.
We ran across a young couple who were 2 weeks into a bike tour from Chicago to Upper Maine. They were well loaded and with the head wind had to work pretty hard. The guy had just graduated college and the gal was DEFINATELY hard core as she was pulling up until the last time we saw them.
We passed Shaker Cycles on the way back and I met Mitch who gave my Cannondale CX a not so nice critique. I didn't talk to him long enough to explain that the bike was full Ultegra before yesterday, since we had to get going.
On the way back we rode behind Steel Yard Commons. Really nice to have a bike path back there, and Jennings road was repaved almost all the way back to Harvard.
I had another Ernesto sighting on the tow path just north of the rail road bridge. By the time I decided to try turning around to catch him and chat for a bit, he was long gone. Or had it been only a dream???
Once back to the parking lot, I debate riding the towpath and checking out the 'scenery', but it's been a long ride and I decide to head home instead. There will be plenty of riding later this week.
Fortunately it's pretty much all down hill from Parma to Valley View. I have no problems keeping it above 20mph for an average speed. The CX bike rolls down the road a lot better on Conti Gator Skins then on Ritchie Speedmax Pro CX tires (imagine that). I see Christine at the corner of Rockside and Rt21 with 2 bikes on her car - hmmm. Right after turning onto Canal, I pass 3-4 guys going the other way on the Sunday Spin ride (I think).
Rolling into the parking lot, I'm there in under 20 mins and have plenty of time since Murray had to go home for his helmet. I hadn't gotten time to send out the reminder email, so there were only 6 of us: Murray, Christine, Allan, Linda, Khantie(sp) and me.
The ride goes well. No mechanicals, although Murray and Christine had some shifting problems. The eatery we went to last year wasn't open either on the way out or back, so ended up going to Starbucks instead.
We ran across a young couple who were 2 weeks into a bike tour from Chicago to Upper Maine. They were well loaded and with the head wind had to work pretty hard. The guy had just graduated college and the gal was DEFINATELY hard core as she was pulling up until the last time we saw them.
We passed Shaker Cycles on the way back and I met Mitch who gave my Cannondale CX a not so nice critique. I didn't talk to him long enough to explain that the bike was full Ultegra before yesterday, since we had to get going.
On the way back we rode behind Steel Yard Commons. Really nice to have a bike path back there, and Jennings road was repaved almost all the way back to Harvard.
I had another Ernesto sighting on the tow path just north of the rail road bridge. By the time I decided to try turning around to catch him and chat for a bit, he was long gone. Or had it been only a dream???
Once back to the parking lot, I debate riding the towpath and checking out the 'scenery', but it's been a long ride and I decide to head home instead. There will be plenty of riding later this week.
Bike work...
It's funny how things just cascade in these situations. I finally got around to measuring the chain on my CX bike. It was definately at the replacement stage with a measurement of 12 1/8th inches. I should have checked it and replaced it sooner, although the cassette and chainrings still look good.
The question at this point became, do I slap another 9sp chain on there? I've been intending to change over to 10sp for my CX bike. This doesn't really help me with compatability with my 10sp road bike, since my CX has disc breaks and 135mm hub spacing. In thinking about it after the fact, I didn't really have a compelling reason to go 10sp. But hey, why not...
And while I'm going 10sp, I also want to swap my handlebar and stem from my road bike to my CX. On friday night I get started. Cambria Bike Outfitters was kind enough to sent me out a spankin new EA70 stem for 49.95 shipped off eBay. I am still extremely bitter with Performance Bike for reneging on the EA90 stem I ordered from them (they refunded my the cost of the stem, but not the tax they charged on it).
I pull the tape and shifters off of my current FSA bar, pull the stem off the fork and slap the set on the scale; 320g. I mount the EA70 stem to the EC90 Equipe carbon bar and weigh it; 240g. I'm hoping the stiffness will be OK. The bar and stem aren't OS, hence the weight savings. The Easton parts go on the road bike and the tape goes back on OK. I torque everything to spec and it feels really solid.
On Sat at about 4pm I decide it's time to work on the CX bike, as I need to have it rideable by 7:30-8pm for the Century Cycles night ride. Rear derailuer comes off since it looks pretty ragged and in need of some cleaning and lube. Rear shift and break cables look reusable. Tape, shifters, bar, and stem come off.
I'd like to remove the bar top brakes at some point, but they'll stay on for now so I can reuse the cables. Bar and stem from road bike go on, and the reach is really good. I had been feeling pretty cramped on the 40cm bar and stem that was about 1/2 the length of the 120mm that I've moved to. I decide to use the old 105 shifter from my road bike and save the new Ultegra shifter for a Frankenbike project (more to come). The 105 RD, 105 25-12 cassette, and hardly worn Shimano 10sp chain from my road bike find their places on the CX.
I get everything back together and adjusted OK and realize that my roll of bar tape is over at Rick's. Oh well, that's what gloves are for... I head out to the night ride and like the last one realize I won't make it to Lock 29 in time.
This time I drive to an park at the Canal Visitor's Center instead of at Rockside. I run into and chat with a friend from work briefly and then am on my way. I figure if the ride is going north, I'll run into them really soon. If their going south, I've got some major catch up to do...
Turns out that they went south and I finally caught everyone at the Botzum Station, where they had stopped. After about 5 minutes about 10 of us proceeded to ride further south to Portage trail. We turned around to head back firing up our lights. A brief detour down Ira and to past Hale farm(?) and then back to the towpath.
Back at Peninsula, Brett, Cheryl, a guy from the RR Century store and I grab a bite at the Lizard. Afterward we part ways and I ride back to my car; getting there at 12am sharp and 58mi round trip.
9am start time for a Team Mellen MS150 training ride and more biking fun.
The question at this point became, do I slap another 9sp chain on there? I've been intending to change over to 10sp for my CX bike. This doesn't really help me with compatability with my 10sp road bike, since my CX has disc breaks and 135mm hub spacing. In thinking about it after the fact, I didn't really have a compelling reason to go 10sp. But hey, why not...
And while I'm going 10sp, I also want to swap my handlebar and stem from my road bike to my CX. On friday night I get started. Cambria Bike Outfitters was kind enough to sent me out a spankin new EA70 stem for 49.95 shipped off eBay. I am still extremely bitter with Performance Bike for reneging on the EA90 stem I ordered from them (they refunded my the cost of the stem, but not the tax they charged on it).
I pull the tape and shifters off of my current FSA bar, pull the stem off the fork and slap the set on the scale; 320g. I mount the EA70 stem to the EC90 Equipe carbon bar and weigh it; 240g. I'm hoping the stiffness will be OK. The bar and stem aren't OS, hence the weight savings. The Easton parts go on the road bike and the tape goes back on OK. I torque everything to spec and it feels really solid.
On Sat at about 4pm I decide it's time to work on the CX bike, as I need to have it rideable by 7:30-8pm for the Century Cycles night ride. Rear derailuer comes off since it looks pretty ragged and in need of some cleaning and lube. Rear shift and break cables look reusable. Tape, shifters, bar, and stem come off.
I'd like to remove the bar top brakes at some point, but they'll stay on for now so I can reuse the cables. Bar and stem from road bike go on, and the reach is really good. I had been feeling pretty cramped on the 40cm bar and stem that was about 1/2 the length of the 120mm that I've moved to. I decide to use the old 105 shifter from my road bike and save the new Ultegra shifter for a Frankenbike project (more to come). The 105 RD, 105 25-12 cassette, and hardly worn Shimano 10sp chain from my road bike find their places on the CX.
I get everything back together and adjusted OK and realize that my roll of bar tape is over at Rick's. Oh well, that's what gloves are for... I head out to the night ride and like the last one realize I won't make it to Lock 29 in time.
This time I drive to an park at the Canal Visitor's Center instead of at Rockside. I run into and chat with a friend from work briefly and then am on my way. I figure if the ride is going north, I'll run into them really soon. If their going south, I've got some major catch up to do...
Turns out that they went south and I finally caught everyone at the Botzum Station, where they had stopped. After about 5 minutes about 10 of us proceeded to ride further south to Portage trail. We turned around to head back firing up our lights. A brief detour down Ira and to past Hale farm(?) and then back to the towpath.
Back at Peninsula, Brett, Cheryl, a guy from the RR Century store and I grab a bite at the Lizard. Afterward we part ways and I ride back to my car; getting there at 12am sharp and 58mi round trip.
9am start time for a Team Mellen MS150 training ride and more biking fun.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Bike Authority rocks!
Having a race tomorrow meant that I had to get the rear shifter cable fixed on my bike ASAP. I called up BA this morning and they said it should be a quick repair to fix the cable and to bring the bike on in.
After looking at the 105 shifter, they noticed that the the cable end which had broken off was stuck in the shifter. They offered to swap out the shifter and I told them that I actually had a spare set of dura ace 10 speed shifters, brakes, and bar tape. Since they were doing the work anyways, they slapped the new stuff on there. While I was there a pair of speedplay X-1 pedals caught my eye. I'd been thinking about getting another pair of carbon soled Sidi's and knew it would be more cost effective to get another set of pedals, instead of just buying a 2nd pair of cleats. The Ti speed plays were in last year's packaging and were $25 less than this year's; a deal too good to pass up.
On another positive note, once I took a look at the 105 shifter at home, I was able to poke the old cable end out from being stuck. It helped that the shifter was no longer on the bike and I was really able to fiddle with it. I'll be looking to use the 105's to upgrade my CX bike to 10 speed later this year.
I almost wish I would have taken in the chichi Easton carbon bar that I have in and had them slap that on too. The only problem there is it's 26mm and I would have had to buy a new stem. Stupid Performance Bike really screwed me over by not sending out the stem I attempted to order from them...
Check out this link for about 20 pic's of me sitting on the front of the pack at RATL: http://huskyphoto.homeip.net/events/cycling/070505/RATL/index.php
I'll be working a little smarter tomorrow and will post results.
After looking at the 105 shifter, they noticed that the the cable end which had broken off was stuck in the shifter. They offered to swap out the shifter and I told them that I actually had a spare set of dura ace 10 speed shifters, brakes, and bar tape. Since they were doing the work anyways, they slapped the new stuff on there. While I was there a pair of speedplay X-1 pedals caught my eye. I'd been thinking about getting another pair of carbon soled Sidi's and knew it would be more cost effective to get another set of pedals, instead of just buying a 2nd pair of cleats. The Ti speed plays were in last year's packaging and were $25 less than this year's; a deal too good to pass up.
On another positive note, once I took a look at the 105 shifter at home, I was able to poke the old cable end out from being stuck. It helped that the shifter was no longer on the bike and I was really able to fiddle with it. I'll be looking to use the 105's to upgrade my CX bike to 10 speed later this year.
I almost wish I would have taken in the chichi Easton carbon bar that I have in and had them slap that on too. The only problem there is it's 26mm and I would have had to buy a new stem. Stupid Performance Bike really screwed me over by not sending out the stem I attempted to order from them...
Check out this link for about 20 pic's of me sitting on the front of the pack at RATL: http://huskyphoto.homeip.net/events/cycling/070505/RATL/index.php
I'll be working a little smarter tomorrow and will post results.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Mechanical
I've been having a lot of mechanical difficulty lately. After the first Covered Bridge, Rick and I went for a quick ride before 'Roller Girls'. We had to stop when the cable on Rick's Polar power meter looked dangerously close to his spokes. Well, we should have checked mine too, because about 1/2 way through the ride Rick points out that the cable on my power meter is cut. :(
The following week on the way to the 2nd RATL, a cylinder on my car stopped working about 10 miles from home. Rick was kind enough to pick me up, but due to me leaving later than I should have there was no chance to make the CAT 4 race. Seems that I wasn't the only one having difficulty that day after hearing about the botched attempt to blow up the Fulton bridge.
The next day's Covered Bridge race went ok. I pulled out a 3rd place after getting a pretty decent jump during the finish. Unfortunately, leaving a little earlier than I intended to and the slight uphill finish lead to me not winning, but oh well. The other downside is besides not having power and cadence, the speed has started cutting out on my Polar.
Since there were no races last Sunday, the goal was to do a long training ride and complete the Emerald Necklace 100 mile loop. After pulling into the Columbia rd. parking area, I notice that one of the tires on Rick's car is really low. No prob, we've got a bike pump to shoot some air into it once we get done riding. Little did we know how soon we'd be done riding.
Less than 1/2 a mile into the ride, while going up the hill to 82, the quick link on my Whipperman chain breaks. I was able to coast down the hill and Rick gave me a push into the parking lot. We pump up his car tire which was down to about 12psi.
Brecksville Velo is closed on Sun and we needed to wait for BA to open up, so we take the tire to NTB to get fixed. After that 2 trips to BA, only to realize that their quick links won't work with my Whipperman chain. :( We were still able to get in 55 miles during which I got to test ride Rick's newly built up Titus.
Today after picking up my lame car from Conrads, I notice that I have no pads left on my C'dale CX disc. So I ride down to BA and pick up some pads. I decide to stop in and check on Rick's cat and chat with Murray for a while. On the way home, the rear derailleur cable on my bike breaks. I'm able to adjust the limit screw so that I'm not running on my 12 tooth cog. Was able to ride ok @ 19mph in the little ring and 22mph in the big ring.
I'll have to go in to work late tomorrow in order to get my bike into Bike Authority so that the cable can be replaced before RATL on Saturday.
Fun times...
The following week on the way to the 2nd RATL, a cylinder on my car stopped working about 10 miles from home. Rick was kind enough to pick me up, but due to me leaving later than I should have there was no chance to make the CAT 4 race. Seems that I wasn't the only one having difficulty that day after hearing about the botched attempt to blow up the Fulton bridge.
The next day's Covered Bridge race went ok. I pulled out a 3rd place after getting a pretty decent jump during the finish. Unfortunately, leaving a little earlier than I intended to and the slight uphill finish lead to me not winning, but oh well. The other downside is besides not having power and cadence, the speed has started cutting out on my Polar.
Since there were no races last Sunday, the goal was to do a long training ride and complete the Emerald Necklace 100 mile loop. After pulling into the Columbia rd. parking area, I notice that one of the tires on Rick's car is really low. No prob, we've got a bike pump to shoot some air into it once we get done riding. Little did we know how soon we'd be done riding.
Less than 1/2 a mile into the ride, while going up the hill to 82, the quick link on my Whipperman chain breaks. I was able to coast down the hill and Rick gave me a push into the parking lot. We pump up his car tire which was down to about 12psi.
Brecksville Velo is closed on Sun and we needed to wait for BA to open up, so we take the tire to NTB to get fixed. After that 2 trips to BA, only to realize that their quick links won't work with my Whipperman chain. :( We were still able to get in 55 miles during which I got to test ride Rick's newly built up Titus.
Today after picking up my lame car from Conrads, I notice that I have no pads left on my C'dale CX disc. So I ride down to BA and pick up some pads. I decide to stop in and check on Rick's cat and chat with Murray for a while. On the way home, the rear derailleur cable on my bike breaks. I'm able to adjust the limit screw so that I'm not running on my 12 tooth cog. Was able to ride ok @ 19mph in the little ring and 22mph in the big ring.
I'll have to go in to work late tomorrow in order to get my bike into Bike Authority so that the cable can be replaced before RATL on Saturday.
Fun times...
Saturday, April 7, 2007
From SUN to SNOW
Got back from sunny Florida yesterday at 1pm. This was after 24 hours in a car and being up for 30 hours straight, so I was quickly down for a 7 hour 'nap'. The trip to FL was great. Flew down last Weds. and got several quality rides in:
Thrus. 3/29 102 miles
Fri. 3/30 40 miles
Sat. 3/31 38 miles
Sun. 4/1 42 miles
Wed. 4/4 23 miles
Total: 245 miles
If you want to read more, check out: http://inquintessence1.blogspot.com/
I'm being lazy, and not wanting to post more at the moment.
Thrus. 3/29 102 miles
Fri. 3/30 40 miles
Sat. 3/31 38 miles
Sun. 4/1 42 miles
Wed. 4/4 23 miles
Total: 245 miles
If you want to read more, check out: http://inquintessence1.blogspot.com/
I'm being lazy, and not wanting to post more at the moment.
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