The week just flew by as usual. Last Monday, the holiday seems like a blur ago.
The TT night results are in, 3rd out of 6 in my age group so that wasn't too bad. I'm ok with that. About 60 to 65 riders total and I ended up about 50th over all. 1st real TT effort since last fall at the Firehouse 50 TTT so just getting comfy again. 21.5 avg speed.
Wed, recovery and then track race night on Thursday.
Track race this week has the first Madison race of the season so that messes with the rest of the schedule.
Cat. 3's have a Win and Out, 15 lap Scratch and a 50 lap Points race to deal with. The points race includes the Cat 1/2's that didn't want to enter the Madison. That makes 3 really fast races in a row.
Personal and business stuff continue to weazel their way into my brain as I prepare for the races.
Shop scheduling and staffing continue to be a challenge to get right when the economy is as wacky as it is right now.
First race, 5 laps and then the Win and Out starts. I'm off the back at about lap 5, didn't finish last but no placings. Used a 50/15 gear and just didn't have the power to turn it.
Second race, I still don't have a clear head, still thinking about shop crap so I'm off the back again. Tried a 49/15 gear, better at responding to accelerations and I stayed with the group for a while but again, not last but no prizes.
The 50 lap points has Cat 1/2's as well as 3'sbecause of the Madison. Back to a 50/15 but I trail off at about lap 8. I got lapped 3-4 times during the race but by half way my mind seems to clear some and as the pack comes by I jump on and stay with the 2nd group of chasers for most of the rest of the race. Finally some fun was had. I stayed in 'till the end as usual which makes me feel good but doesn't count for any points. Just a long hard training session.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The week starts with a day off
It's so nice to look forward to an extra day off at the begining of a week, makes the weekend feel a lot longer than 2 days plus a day.
Saturday's training went well but I didn't expect to be as worn out from it based on how I felt Saturday evening.
Sunday was a recovery day, go the gym and stretch and do light stuff and then prepare to drive to Lake Pepin for a complete day off and lunch at a great restuarant, The Harbor View in Pepin WI. We decided to bring Max the dog along and see how he would do on a road trip. A stop in Stockholm along the way to walk through some of the craft shops was a good way to see how Max would respond to a lot more people than he usually sees. Not too bad Max, no massive barking and excitment.
Lunch was great, we got to Pepin about 1 P.M. and walked right in, no waiting in line, amazing for a Holiday weekend.
After lunch a walk on the beach with Max getting washed by the river waves.
Casual drive home and the end of a nice day. Brings back memories of sailing on Pepin and push bike riding the bluffs on off days.
Monday, a big training day planned. Weight room and track training.
Andy called and wanted to ride a casual ride so off with him in the morning for a 30 mile easy ride, back home for food and then to the gym for squats and dead lifts. Wow, I'm wasted. Sorry no track night tonight.
Tuesday, T n T time trial race in Medina at Baker Park. Reg. starts at 6, race at 7. I have to stay at the shop and close up at 6, how am I gonna make it. The traffic is on my side and I get there at 20 to 7, register, ride about a mile or 2 of warm up and then stand in line at the start for about 40 minutes, #59 of about 65. No pressure to ride fast, this is supposed to be a recovery day.
I am off and get passed by my 30 second guy a mile or so in. Eventually 3 guys total pass me, I challenged one going up what I thought was the last hill only to see 2 more hills to come, oops, off he goes.
I'm not sure of the time yet but it was fun and not too much of an effort. Met up with the First Light Team guys which was good. They are my Team mates for the Firehouse 50 TTT in August.
It's Wed. now, got to get through the work day, go to the dentist appointment, a community meeting and walk the dog and then pack up for tomorrows track night.
I feel like the summer roller coaster is just getting started.
Saturday's training went well but I didn't expect to be as worn out from it based on how I felt Saturday evening.
Sunday was a recovery day, go the gym and stretch and do light stuff and then prepare to drive to Lake Pepin for a complete day off and lunch at a great restuarant, The Harbor View in Pepin WI. We decided to bring Max the dog along and see how he would do on a road trip. A stop in Stockholm along the way to walk through some of the craft shops was a good way to see how Max would respond to a lot more people than he usually sees. Not too bad Max, no massive barking and excitment.
Lunch was great, we got to Pepin about 1 P.M. and walked right in, no waiting in line, amazing for a Holiday weekend.
After lunch a walk on the beach with Max getting washed by the river waves.
Casual drive home and the end of a nice day. Brings back memories of sailing on Pepin and push bike riding the bluffs on off days.
Monday, a big training day planned. Weight room and track training.
Andy called and wanted to ride a casual ride so off with him in the morning for a 30 mile easy ride, back home for food and then to the gym for squats and dead lifts. Wow, I'm wasted. Sorry no track night tonight.
Tuesday, T n T time trial race in Medina at Baker Park. Reg. starts at 6, race at 7. I have to stay at the shop and close up at 6, how am I gonna make it. The traffic is on my side and I get there at 20 to 7, register, ride about a mile or 2 of warm up and then stand in line at the start for about 40 minutes, #59 of about 65. No pressure to ride fast, this is supposed to be a recovery day.
I am off and get passed by my 30 second guy a mile or so in. Eventually 3 guys total pass me, I challenged one going up what I thought was the last hill only to see 2 more hills to come, oops, off he goes.
I'm not sure of the time yet but it was fun and not too much of an effort. Met up with the First Light Team guys which was good. They are my Team mates for the Firehouse 50 TTT in August.
It's Wed. now, got to get through the work day, go to the dentist appointment, a community meeting and walk the dog and then pack up for tomorrows track night.
I feel like the summer roller coaster is just getting started.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Great day
Nothing like getting up early, going to the Gym and doing "cleans" and "ab twists" and then spending the rest of the afternoon doing Flying 200 training efforts with Chris and Gwen, can a day get any better?
Sad to only see a few other riders there on such a great day but hey, more time for those of us who were there.
Tomorrow, rest, recovery, lunch at the Haborview in Pepin and then prepare for another full day of weight room and track training on Monday.
Sad to only see a few other riders there on such a great day but hey, more time for those of us who were there.
Tomorrow, rest, recovery, lunch at the Haborview in Pepin and then prepare for another full day of weight room and track training on Monday.
Friday, May 22, 2009
After the first race night
The first night jitters are over. The race season was off and running under cloudy skies and cooler temps and normal winds.
This is my first season as a Cat. 3 track racer. I was reminded of how good that was when I saw one of the newer Cat. 4 racers slide off the track in turn one during the neutral lap and take out a few riders including one guy who ended up with a broken collar bone. Short season for him.
The 3's are more experienced but faster so there are challenges ahead for me.
My over all results aren't very impressive at all but considering that about 6 months ago I was wondering if I would have the will and energy to be racing this season, I feel good.
There was about 11 to 12 Cat 3's total.
Three races, 10 Lap Scratch, Miss and Out, 40 Lap Scratch. I finished 9th or 10th in the 10 lap, First called off in the Miss and Out because I put myself in a box and then got lapped a few times in the 40 so probably finished last or next to last. The pace was fast and hard but not as hard as I thought so I have optimistic hopes of improving my results in the near future.
It's good to be racing with more experienced and trust worthy racers.
The atmosphere was great, everyone out there seemed excited to have the season going.
Linzilla did great sticking with the Cat. 3's for a couple of races.
Kudos to Bob Williams and all the volunteers for getting the season off and running again.
I am anxious to get back on the track for Saturday and Monday training, I've got places to pick up.
This is my first season as a Cat. 3 track racer. I was reminded of how good that was when I saw one of the newer Cat. 4 racers slide off the track in turn one during the neutral lap and take out a few riders including one guy who ended up with a broken collar bone. Short season for him.
The 3's are more experienced but faster so there are challenges ahead for me.
My over all results aren't very impressive at all but considering that about 6 months ago I was wondering if I would have the will and energy to be racing this season, I feel good.
There was about 11 to 12 Cat 3's total.
Three races, 10 Lap Scratch, Miss and Out, 40 Lap Scratch. I finished 9th or 10th in the 10 lap, First called off in the Miss and Out because I put myself in a box and then got lapped a few times in the 40 so probably finished last or next to last. The pace was fast and hard but not as hard as I thought so I have optimistic hopes of improving my results in the near future.
It's good to be racing with more experienced and trust worthy racers.
The atmosphere was great, everyone out there seemed excited to have the season going.
Linzilla did great sticking with the Cat. 3's for a couple of races.
Kudos to Bob Williams and all the volunteers for getting the season off and running again.
I am anxious to get back on the track for Saturday and Monday training, I've got places to pick up.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Yeah, I should have...
remembered my 20th wedding anniversary that is. That's what happens when life gets busy and you are focused on something all year long, like preparing for the first track race of the season, and then other life things confuse and complicate daily routines.
All last week, I kept saying, anniversary, day before race night, got to remember...
Thanks Vera for being understanding and putting up with all my crazy schedule, training and mega involvement in just about everything I do.
I'll make it up this week end, I promise, right after training.
All last week, I kept saying, anniversary, day before race night, got to remember...
Thanks Vera for being understanding and putting up with all my crazy schedule, training and mega involvement in just about everything I do.
I'll make it up this week end, I promise, right after training.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Weather
Anyone looked outside today and noticed the massive winds, lets hope they drop off before tomorrow nights opening round of track racing at the velodrome.
So much for going into tomorrow with a bright and happy mental attitude, I just found out a long time friend died of a heart attack last Sunday and the service is on for Thursday afternoon right before race night.
I guess I need to take some of my friends old happy attitude with me tomorrow and make the best of it.
Here's to good luck for all the Gopher Wheelmen and other racers tomorrow night.
So much for going into tomorrow with a bright and happy mental attitude, I just found out a long time friend died of a heart attack last Sunday and the service is on for Thursday afternoon right before race night.
I guess I need to take some of my friends old happy attitude with me tomorrow and make the best of it.
Here's to good luck for all the Gopher Wheelmen and other racers tomorrow night.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Vacation
So much for doing a casual ride on the Paul Bunyan trail last Friday, by the time I got there the beautiful sunny day turned cold and rainy and windy. I kept driving looking for warm and dry but that wasn't going to happen.
Went to Crow Wing Crest lodge on 11th Crow Wing lake just outside of Akeley to meet up with my other buddies, JR, Peter and Bob and had a few beers to relax instead.
Saturday, cold and windy but at least sunny. Went to the local cafe for breakfast, chiken fried steak, eggs and hasbrowns, yum. Drove to the Headwaters Park and did a lap around inside onto Wilderness Trail and then some miles out of the park as recovery miles.
Beautiful day, still windy but nice to be up north without much to care about.
Back home on Sunday to the normal routine.
Monday, back at work.
Went to Crow Wing Crest lodge on 11th Crow Wing lake just outside of Akeley to meet up with my other buddies, JR, Peter and Bob and had a few beers to relax instead.
Saturday, cold and windy but at least sunny. Went to the local cafe for breakfast, chiken fried steak, eggs and hasbrowns, yum. Drove to the Headwaters Park and did a lap around inside onto Wilderness Trail and then some miles out of the park as recovery miles.
Beautiful day, still windy but nice to be up north without much to care about.
Back home on Sunday to the normal routine.
Monday, back at work.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Last pre season Madison
Looks like the weather will be good for Madison training tonight, just so long as the wind drops off a bit, 30 plus MPH gusts are no fun on the track.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Far from OZ
It's been quite a while since my last entry, obviously no longer in the land down under but think about it all the time.
I still am in continuos contact with my cycling buddies and friends from Goulburn. Chris aka Bushy is constantly sending me internet stuff that either makes me laugh out loud and grimace in disgust or something in between.
Plans to get together for Ragbrai in 2011 are in the early stages, should be classic. I don't know if Iowa has enough beer for an Aussie invasion.
Track race season is about to start in MN at NSC for 2009. First race is May 21st, Thursday of course, weather permitting.
I'm planning a more successful season starting out as a Cat. 3 this year.
The end of last year ended in a major crash and broken right collar bone so that is definitely NOT in the plans for this year.
Training for 2009 is going well with Chris Ferris as my coach. More weight room work than I've ever done so I feel strong and just have to turn the power into track bike speed. It better do something, getting up at 5 A.M. to go do squats on Monday mornings, go to work all day and then do structured training at the track Monday night makes for a long training day.
Major goals for the year are to stay competitive with the 3's, get to the Master National Track races in Indy in August and set a new NSC over 60 Masters Flying 200 time.
Should be an exciting time.
I still am in continuos contact with my cycling buddies and friends from Goulburn. Chris aka Bushy is constantly sending me internet stuff that either makes me laugh out loud and grimace in disgust or something in between.
Plans to get together for Ragbrai in 2011 are in the early stages, should be classic. I don't know if Iowa has enough beer for an Aussie invasion.
Track race season is about to start in MN at NSC for 2009. First race is May 21st, Thursday of course, weather permitting.
I'm planning a more successful season starting out as a Cat. 3 this year.
The end of last year ended in a major crash and broken right collar bone so that is definitely NOT in the plans for this year.
Training for 2009 is going well with Chris Ferris as my coach. More weight room work than I've ever done so I feel strong and just have to turn the power into track bike speed. It better do something, getting up at 5 A.M. to go do squats on Monday mornings, go to work all day and then do structured training at the track Monday night makes for a long training day.
Major goals for the year are to stay competitive with the 3's, get to the Master National Track races in Indy in August and set a new NSC over 60 Masters Flying 200 time.
Should be an exciting time.
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