Blowing in the wind

This winter has been the worst winter ever. I don't recall when we have had this bad of a snow blown, frozen waste land type of winter in my life of 51 years. Our weather is not global warming as far as I can tell and no man can interrupt it . Sooo, I'll just stick with the  version that the insurance agency uses, 'act of God'.  But that's not what I want to talk about...it is the weather that has been a boon for the cyclists in SW Florida.

The windy days have supplied us with built in resistance to ride against with moveable scenery! Saturday I rode a 30 mile scenic journey with 20 to 30 mph gusts. It was a short ride...on the return, but going was the best time I've had on my Trek in a while. I think it's the thrill of accomplishment that gets me 'rock-in' in the saddle.  What I mean is shear challenge of a18 mph head wind while keeping the HR in the range of 147 to 157, still moving at a pace that is faster than 'standing still' and smiling as I beat out my rhythmic  cadence is the best.

There were four bridges to go over, two long ones with steep inclines on small and one do that was steep enough to ask your self "was that even needed'?  I approached each one with respect knowing that the wind on top of an unprotected bridge could just as easily have ended in disaster rathe than the leg burning. blood pumping  endurance ride I wanted. Of the four bridges the first and the last are nice big crushers. Not like the big mountains in the western states that go forever, but big enough with the addition of the constant wind and gusts to make it feel like a good hill workout. Enough in fact that as I got to the top of the 200 yard incline of the bridge in the photo above, at the end of my out ward bound leg,  I was out of my saddle and keeping my hr at 157 this gust stopped me dead in my tracks like a hugh hand pushing against and say 'none shall pass'...that I will never forget!
It took me 1 hour and fifteen minutes to get to the mid point and thirty five minutes to get back. WHAT A RIDE! I go back.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
PS keep an eye on the velo news and blogs, it's beginning to heat up for the pro-teems.

Working for 'the Man'

Yep, I work for 'the Man'. I have for 7 1/2 years and it's been a good job for the most part. But lately it's been a real bunch of crap. You see 2010 ushered in all these new laws, statutes and regulations to keep the bad guys from getting around the old laws, regulations and statutes. Good plan but who does the dirty work? WHO ELSE, THE LOW LEVEL BEAUACRATS LIKE ME. Of course the real pay off is that I and the others like me get to ask the same questions over and over again in order to get all the paper work and answers needed to produce the licenses. Sound like fun?
It's really not that bad and it has to be done. There are a great many interesting people that really makes it all worth it. But on the other hand there are the pinheads, you know the type, right? First these types are always right. Next, even thought they know exactly what they need they never have it. 3rd these types complain, cry, bitch and moan to get what they want. If that is not working then you are the obsticle  and for that you are too be delt a vicious bad mouthing using all the worst curse words known.  WOW really good stuff.
Listen, if your being trashed then by all meens don't hold back. But if you are the one doing the trashing then I need to remind you what LA said about the race, your not in second place your 1st loser.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
More on the Sky team, Wiggo and the like:
http://www.versus.com/blogs/in-the-know/jon-vaughters-explains-comments-about-wiggins-astana-and-armstrong/

Just dial it down a notch

Recently I've seen a big rush by our government branch's to get everyone on board to be vegetarians, take classes to stop smoking, lose weight and fit into a certain body type. And you know to get the good health insurance as opposed to the crappy stuff, you have to take the classes and be real rah-rah about it, you know kinda like an Am way meeting. Now I'm all for being healthy and I think that a person should be on top of their health, but it's their health and can't be legislated. Although it seems like in the 21st century it will be regulated by a committee in the long run. From my point of view it kinda seems like the start of a Eugenics program.
Here are some other views that match these new societal pressures:
if you hate smoking but support  legalizing Marijuana then you are a hypocrite or maybe it's the DOPE talking. If you don't like going into smoking bars don't go into one, that's your choice and it should be the person who smokes choice to smoke. Also what kind of moronic person takes away someones rights in order to feel superior and/or make a point about how to be healthy like them...who the frack cares about how an oppressor thinks? It's NOT about you!
Those of us who's  lifestyle is mainly vegetarian but enjoy a thick juicy steak now and then don't want the government do-gooders telling us about what is considered by some to be 'bad habits'. I work hard, pay my bills and my taxes so I don't want some bafoon that's appointed as a 'health Czar' to tell me I don't meet some height/weight chart or BMI, Body Mass Index, that's posted on their wall in their office. Call me crazy but that's the last thing I want my tax dollars wasted on.
Yep, there are lots of hot buttons in our country now but legislating health has never worked and it never will because frankly, no one cares what the government thinks about them. People only want friends to be there for them period. Realistically humanitarians look at the content and not the package, make since? So put away the stick and pick up the yolk and lets get busy getting the adventure of life together.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
PS, just a thought. If big fish eats a little fish and we are still fish eaters then when animals who eat vegetarian and we eat them why are we not vegetarians?

Last word?

I don't know about you but all this time spent on weather LA is doping or not is just about as productive as using unterminated seed in the

desert. Dead is dead especially in infertile soil. I want to look at all the different guys in the last 20 plus years that have shown 'signs' of roids and doping.
It is necessary to look at what I remember to be the first roid droid from football, Lyle Alonzo. This was back in the late 80's when no one really knew about HIV, roids or personal computers. I remember seeing Lyle as a defensive back and what a monster he was, the first of the really big-big guys in football. He was truly an outrageous gay with a huge attitude and the power to back it up. He also went on the pro wrestling tour for a while to be fairly successful. Then he dropped out of sight for awhile and turned up just thin and looked beat like and old horse. As he unfolded his story on a late-night talk show my first thought was...WHAT?
 You know back then I thought that all the fuss was stupid but when you look at the body builders from the 90's and all the roid connected deaths, strokes and uncontrollable rages I began to understand that this is a problem.  So then I dug around in the old noodle only to remember that the guys who did steroids lost their ability to reproduce children and became inhumanly hugh in the muscle dept., you know, freakish. http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/when-bodybuilding-and-steroids-go-too-far/offbeat-news/comment-page-6
So anyway I think there is a difference between steroids and doping of the 21st center but with this one similarity, side effects over the long run. Yeah, side effects. If someone consistently did any kind of drugs or enhancers it would be evident over a period of time. I know how prescriptions can effect a person over a period of time I can only imagine what kind of weird side effects it can have now with these designer drugs such as EPO.  http://www.vet.uga.edu/VPP/CLERK/strait/index.php This study was done on a dog but with what would be the same effects in a human. LA does not show these signs. http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=3874 The control labs and finale board of hearing for Taylor Hamilton in 2005 admitted that some problems in the lab with switching bar-code labels on the blood still didn't make him innocent. A test can only be as good as the integrity of those who give it and those who oversee it. This point is relevant in all walks of life, But to look at a couple of recent guys that were skinny and not very successful in their sport then BAM, they blew up take a look at these guys, Mark Mcgwire, Chris Beloit,  Do the research and be the judge for yourself. But either way lets stop the witch hunt, all that does is kill innocents and we look like idiots in history!
So When I look at LA all I can say is "it's been 10 years and either fish or cut bait". That's a normal thing to say when you are so tired of the gamesmanship and other b.s. that only takes the energy of everyone from the fans, the officials and even the media who's life's blood is in scandal and hype. I'm sorry but let's move on and look at what has been the accomplishment and not the dark cloud the surrounds this guy...and hey congrats to the new father Lance.  Enough about LA now, move on.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
just more info to get a handle on what EPO is, http://kidney-beans.blogspot.com/2009/08/epo-erythropoietin-for-anemia.html

Today is today

Having nothing in common with the technocrats in washington and really feeling like all of them don't even know 'We the people' egzist, I can't even bring myself to hear Mr Obama or watch another capitol hill yutz yet once again. The inane drivel that comes out of these peoples mouth as they take off their suit coats, with cost more than some people make in a year, and roll up the sleeves of their shirts like they are actually are going to be doing the work is an insult to working men and women everywhere. The shear oddity of these fakers thinking that 'we the people' haven't even begun to work yet or seen the Government at work yet, that is until they rolled up their respective sleeves, is enough to make me HURL!
So with that out of my system I want to move ahead and talk about today. What are you doing today?
Funny, when I asked that question I didn't know one of my hard drives would die right after I typed that sentence. I started this last night, Wednesday, and just threw my hands in the air in the international 'I give up' sign which is widely recognized in every language and culture in the world. It is also known as the 'I'm fracked' and the 'just shoot me because it's not going to get any better than this' sign.  Not to be confused with the throwing the hands in the air as you cross the finnish line in a TDF stage win, that one is know as the 'OMG I did it' or 'V for victory' which is also universally known. In some circles it can be the 'ain't I great' or the 'thank you for that applause'.  But last night it was the 'there are no words for this injustice and yes, this is the perfect end to what could be a perfect day'  and fore-sure it is a distilled down to the gesture of 'take me lord I'm ready' sign.
Today however is different, well, today is today and it deserves to be looked at all on it's own merits. No better just because it's today and no worse, just today.  My usual Thursday evening club ride went very well, so well that despite my legs felling sore and having no snap that we rode the 25 miles in and hour twelve. Or should I say I did, the fast guys were way ahead at the sprint. In many ways I see the improvement and yet there is still so much room to improve...but that's tomorrow.  Ahhh, anyway have a great weekend.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.

Dats da shizel

Here we go again and I see, off to a good start for a Monday. I am trying to get my act together for this summer of big rides but I keep getting in my own way. The regime for February was 'spose to start today and up in smoke it went...PUFF!
The regime consists of a couple of doubles a week. For example Monday is the start of the week so I want to start fresh with a 7 am 20 mile slow ride usually in the 18 to 22mph range. Lunch time is abbs and lower bck at the gym and 6pm kill the spinn class riders with Frau Bluker. Tuesday is in the gym at lunch with some light/high rep upper body and core, the evenings velo ride is a 25 miles of 22 to 24 mph with a sprint the last mile. Wednesday is rest day for riding but heavy leg say in the gym and I'm really shot the rest of the day. Thursday is a recovery ride in the morning, and hour of 140-150 hr. Lunch time is the abs and lower back and the velo rides in the eve again. Friday ends the work week, but not the cycling week, with a gym day only, focus on what ever needs to be focused on. So that leaves Saturday or Sunday for the long miles sometimes with hills, a bridge gone over several times in this flat land, or just 140 to 160 hr ride of 45 to 65 miles. The later I really try to focus on rhythm, stroke, saddle position and finding the edges...that's the plan anyway.

Today, Monday, that plan went up in smoke with the no-sleep night followed by the I'm not getting out of bed to ride this morning and the we didn't save your bike in the cycling class tonight. JUST A GREAT WAY TO START! But, and if you know me that's a big but, Despair or frustration always gives way to determination and 'seeing' that this week is just beginning and 'the plan' is not over till it's over. And for me it's just the start of February so I get tough with myself and kick my own arsh and get going. Just like all 'b type' personalities do. After-all this is not for a day or a month it's for a life of sport and fun and pain and well, life and tomorrow is another day. Now it's a game focused more on the hours on the bike, hopefully 7 to 10 and not the miles. Now dats da schizel.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.

Did you see that?

Just for you American cycling fans I have the Versus TV broadcast schedule, or as the Brits would say Shed-ule. So set your Tivo or DVR, get your party hats on and have a Classics party with the Velo club and celibate the fact that we in the US get to actuality see the Pros close to real time.

For the complete guide just cut and paste: http://www.versus.com/blogs/epic-cycle/2010-epic-cycle-schedule/
Tour of Qatar: February 21, 3-4p ET
Qatar is big business in the cycling world, despite the not exactly bicycle friendly conditions and regularly attracts the biggest names from the sport, and the country is seriously being mooted for a Tour de France start.
Tour of Oman: February 28, 3-4p ET
The city of Muscat in the Sultana of Oman, Eddy Merckx and Dirk De Pau have found an agreement in order to organise a new road cycling event, from the 14th to the 19th of February 2010 for which the technical organisation will be entrusted to Amaury Sport Organisation, organisers of the Tour de France.
Paris-Nice: March 7 & 14, 5-7p ET
Paris-Nice, "the race to the sun", is a professional cycling stage race starting March 7th. This year the start will take place in Montfort l'Amaury
Paris Roubaix: April 11,  Time TBD
Paris-Roubaix is one of the oldest cycle races of the professional road cycling calendar. First run in 1896, there are 28 cobbles sections included in the race, three of them considered to be of maximum difficulty.
Liege Bastogne Liege: April 25, 5-6p ET
Liege-Bastogne-Liege is the last major spring classic. First held in 1882, Liege Bastogne Liege is known as the 'La Doyenne" because it is the oldest classic on the cycling calendar. It is one of the most prestigious and exacting events of the season. The out and back race through the Belgian Ardennes countryside is one of the most difficult races because it tests every rider's endurance and ability to race over a series of high gradient hills. Legendary climbs such as the Cote de Wanne, Saint Roche, Stockeu and la Redoute force the riders to dig deep.
Tour de Romandie: May 2, 5-7p ET
The Tour de Romandie is a stage race which is part of the UCI ProTour. It runs in the old Romandie region, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. It began in 1947, to coincide with the 50-year celebration of the Swiss Cycling.
Tour of California: May 16-23, Times TBD
The largest cycling event in America, the 2010 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG, that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 16-23.
So here is training video for the Shack team  shot by the team director Johan, it's not big but it's good to see the boys in action.

Now, here for a really interesting bit, as I walked through my local grocery store above the beer cooler I spied LA. What he was doing there is interesting. He is now a recognizable advertisement  icon in the US and can sell Tennis shoes or sofas or even cars, just like all the football & baseball jocks. LA has made our sport accesible to everyone in the US. Cool Right? What do you think?
http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/07/lance-armstrong-to-become-michelob-ultra-spokesman/   

If I pass you on the road stop at peets because your buying.