The last race of the season

It was looking like I might not race a track bike again this year, but I got one more shot.  It was the last competitive event of the year at the velodrome so it’s not like there were more chances!  I haven’t done a blow by blow race report in a long time but I feel oddly compelled.

There weren’t enough people to warrant the A, B, C system, so they had and A-B and a B-C group.  Having missed a month of riding and not really training much this month, I opted for the B-C group for the first 2 events.

The first race (as always) was a 5 lap scratch.  I botched it a bit, but finished 6th.  There were about a dozen people in the field, so I was like “Alright”.  I didn’t care… They all wanted to ride 4 laps and sprint 1, I made them go fast… we went fast… it was good!

The second race was stupid – but you have to race what you are given.  A 10 lap “Win-and-Out”.  You go 10 laps, then the next lap, the first person across the line wins…. everybody else as to keep going…. next lap… the person across the line gets second…. next lap…. the first person gets third…. then I think you go one more lap for 4-whateverith.  I missed a small move for 1st… so I regrouped and decided to go for second.  My plan was perfect – except the chucklehead that went for second had the same plan.  Two other riders were up there, so I felt good about catching them, but alas… I was leading out the sprint for 3rd.  I did one hell of a lead out… and ended up in 4th overall.  Oops.  It was fast.

The final event of the evening was the points race.  I could have ridden one other event, but wasnt told that until later.  The points race was huge… lots of people and honestly, it was stupid for all the people to be out there.  Guys, if you are reading this… if you are down 2 laps and don’t know how to re-join the field, move on… get your street clothes on.  Do not ride around at the top of the track chatting.  It’s dangerous and confusing.  ANYWAY… back to my race – I was in a second group.  It ended up about 6 riders in the main field and 4 or so in my group.  We were occassionally making progress, but never enough.  It was alright, at the end – I finished a 35 lap race on even laps.  I was proud of that (and quite sore).

It’s been a rough season (towards the end) but I think it was good overall.  I look forward to winter training sessions at the track, enjoying hanging out and doing some other stuff.

My bike – it’s off the CHAIN

Well, yes and no.  It was off the chain, but not in the the good way.  Argh…

Saturday, I took off on a nice bike ride.  It was to be 2 hours.  I was excited to have that much time, no back pain, just feeling good about myself… feeling carefree!  I was rolling along on the Comet feeling like I was Lance or Eddy.  I was FLYING!  Then I look down and see a leaf or two pass me … ruh-ro… gonna be a hard trip back.  Oh well, wind makes a man strong like bull…  It must have made me instantly strong or something.

I pull away from one of the numerous road crossings, stand up and all of the sudden I know there is a bad thing in progress.  There is no more resistance on my pedals… I am slowing … crap, I just broke my chain!  Mother of pearl!

Fortunately, my mother-in-law was at home and was able to come get me as I was 10 miles from home and no way to rig this back together.  You see I had used a Connex link (master link) that I was told “it will work fine…” by a rocket scientist at Free Flite Bike Shop (my former employer).  Free Flite needs to get their mechanics trained on these things as they bascially screwed me.  In research after the fact, Shimano chains are 6.1 mm wide.  Campagnolo chains are 6.3 mm wide.  You *CAN* use a shimano master link on a campy chain, but if you do you will be left calling for a ride.  The bike had issues with that link from the get go.  I meant to get a new one, but it was working … working it’s way to destruction.  The .2 mm difference cased enough friction on the side plates to cause failure.  Oh well… no crash, no injury, no big deal in the big picture, just a minor annoyance.  The bike is all back together with another chain.

In other news… the in-laws were in town for the weekend.  Lots of good stuff going on.  Bed fixin, bbq eating, round the house working, blade sharpenning, football watching, kid playing, running on the trail, salsa dipping, festival of speed announcing… good stuff!  Makes it a tough to get up and head to work. Such is life.

That’s all I have to say about that…

Rock Racing on a smaller scale

On the darkside

I have ridden in the same basic colors for the past 8 years of my life.  I can think of only 1 occasion other than Sunday and Today that I  have worn clothing other than the Red, White and Green of the Eastside Wheelmen.  There may be a few isolated incidents, but for the most part, I have always worn ESW clothes.

I was recently contacted by Rock Racing to do a review of their clothing.  Sure – why not?  As I ride wearing the Rock stuff,  I have to say it feels a bit odd.  Rock Racing has hit bicycle racing fast and furious.  With fancy cars, high dollar stuff, crazy team kits… it’s really been quite exciting.  There are some other political innuendos, some odd behaviours and even ties to doping that many people don’t like.  I don’t have evidence, so I try not to pass judgement, but it have to confess I sort of felt weird wearing a Rock Racing jersey.  It made me think a lot.   It stands the potential to upset my dad.  I know he isn’t the biggest fan of the team’s owner.  Do a search on “Michael Ball Rock Racing” … you can learn lots!

While riding along, one fella even went as far as to yell “ROCK RACING RULES!”  I nodded and kept riding.  I was kind of worried that this guy, riding in a tank top, was going to chase me down and ask me random questions about my jersey, socks and other stuff.

Having said all of that – the jersey is REALLY nice.  It’s European so the zipper is backwards, but whatever, it still works.  The socks… I dont like tall socks.  I feel like I am riding in Ugg boots or something.

I am going to keep the kit, wear it when I feel like it and see if I can diversify my riding apparel a bit.  I do have other team clothes coming from other sources.  Ultimately, the cool thing is I have to do less laundry

France does something right

French court gives Frigo six-month sentence

Albertville court gave former Italian cyclist Dario Frigo and his wife, Susanna, each a six-month suspended prison sentence Monday on charges related to the 2005 Tour de France anti-doping sting, according to The Associated Press. The French court also imposed a €8757 fine on the couple.

In July, the prosecutor asked for a one-year sentence.

French police found ten doses of EPO (Erythropoietin) in Susanna Frigo’s car before the start of stage 11 in Courchevel. Police arrested the couple for carrying prohibited substances.

Dario Frigo, 35 years old Thursday, confronted similar problems in 2001. The Giro d’Italia ejected him that year following a surprise police raid that uncovered doping substances. It brought about a six-month ban for Frigo.

Feeling a bit weathered…

What a weekend!  After my post on Saturday, I began a party-a-thon that was really kind of crazy.  Max had a birthday party at jumpits.  Derek went as well.  Let me just say that Max got his money’s worth @ Jumpits.  He was non stop for 2 hours.  Jumping, bouncing, sliding, jumping sliding, bouncing, running… he was crazy!  He had his pizza and cake and went back to jumping, bouncing and being crazy!

Following that, Sarah took the little buggar back to nap (which he almost did) and I took Derek to another birthday party.  This one was at a farm with horses and stuff.  He had a lot of fun playing with the critters and stuff.

Following THAT party … it was off to a neighborhood party.  That was fun too!  The kids played a lot.  The hightlight of the party for our family was the dunk tank.  Derek LOVED getting dunked.  I mean, he was crazy in there!  Max dunked Sarah too – not so much by throwing the ball though.

Sunday we had one of my French Toast breakfasts, I headed to the velodrome for a few laps on my new bike, then it was time for our first day of cub scouts.  Derek had a BLAST!  They learned about the American Flag, they did a teamwork – dexterity thing and a crazy thing where they had to carry a cotton ball in a spoon.  I was over with the parents learning about all of the volunteer opportunities.  (they REALLY want you to volunteer).  While we were there, Sarah mowed the lawn while Max didn’t so much sleep again.

We finished off the day with a trip to REI, Sam’s Club and the world’s greatest bbq house – Williamson Brothers – WOWZA!

It was a good weekend.  I wasn’t so much looking forward to waking up this morning… then instead of hitting snooze, I hit “Alarm Off” so I didn’t get my heavenly 9 minutes of rest.  (I caught the mistake and had to force myself to stay awake no relaxing.

Back to biking

The back thing is over.  I am declaring it OVER!  That’s right, you heard it here.  It’s over.  (Unfortunately, my back MAY or may not agree, but right now, I feel good and I have for serveral days, so let’s move forward with this!)

I finally got my kneeling chair at work.  I can honestly say it REALLY helps your back.  More than I imagined.  It forces you to sit in a nice comfortable position.  Now, if you are a cubicle slouch like myself, you have to sit properly, not rest your arms on the desk and all that… so your shoulders start to hurt, but whateva… it works!  The other thing is… your knees/shins aren’t really used to that – so you end up changing back and forth.  I think, in time I will be able to sit in it for long periods…

Biking – Yup… I am biking again without pain, other than an occassional bee sting!  I will say, the lack of bees in Colorado was a very nice thing.  I have been stung by a bee 4 times in the last year.  I used to be much more allergic than I have been recently, so every time it goes down – I get REALLY nervous … today, I am okay.

Max went with me today.  He was fun.  Pointing out every ORANGE thing he saw.  My bike is orange, I think it got pointed out at least 200 times.  There was a 1mile/5k run going on … on the silver comet trail.  I was polite and shared the trail but the runners all seemed to really believe we shouldn’t be there.  (I think some of the tri-geeks barrelling down the trail in their speedos and aerobars ruffled the runners feathers a bit).

The coolest thing that happened was when we got back in the car, Max got all buckled in and Max goes:
“DADDY!”  I said “MAX!”.  He said “THAT WAS FUN!”  It made me happy.  We stopped at the “Amenities Area”  and Max showed other cyclist his Jungle Book figurines.  He was wearing his little biking shirt and he said “THIS IS MY BIKING SHIRT!  IT’S LIKE DEREK’S BIKING SHIRT!”  He is an excitable little kid!

Tomorrow – Boy Scouts – Day 1!  Not really sure WHAT exactly to expect, but Derek is excited.  I do think we will have fun.

Riding the wave

My back is definitely getting better. The problem, if you will, is that I can do just about everything except work. Yeah, I know… a tough situation to be in! Well, unfortunately, I do have to work. Here’s the deal… I can mow grass, ride my bike, hang out at home, do dishes, drive my car – but regardless of what I do, sitting in an office chair SUCKS! My doc is about to get me a note that says I need a kneeling chair which he thinks will help a lot.  I don’t know this woman at all… I just stole her picture off a random website.

I am working with my company to see if they will buy the chair, we will have to see.  (Rumor has it, they will, we just ahve to learn how to do it).

Back to riding – I have ridden 36 miles this month.  Compared to the 4 I rode last month – we are really cranking the soulja boy or something.  It feels good.  I am avoiding hill, hard riding, etc… just trying to keep my legs moving pretty fast and my heart rate up.  I did lose some fitness in August, but that’s alright.  I have to get this back thing fixed pretty well before I worry about taking on “goal oriented athletic endeavors”.  I will probalby try to ride out the week, this weekend I won’t be riding as Mom will be in town.  Not sure what we will be doing, but there will be crazy 2 year old chasing involved, I am sure!

If you haven’t yet, check out http://www.sarahpatton.com.  Sarah is working hard on her fundraising as well as her running!  Every dollar counts!  The sooner we knock out the funds acquisition, the sooner she can just run like the wind!

August Weight Loss Status – not so good!

August Status

Okay, so I guess sooner or later I was going to fall “off he wagon”. No excuses here, just facts. I was hurt this month and couldn’t work out. In this situation I turn to my only do-able vice (other than coffee) and eat… Back is getting better, so – things are getting better!

Yesterday I went out and did about 18ish miles yesterday.  My back was 100% fine during the ride.  After the ride I was a bit sore for a short while, but nothing like last month.  A little Bio Freeze, a little treatment and I was sleeping pretty well last night.

I am a bit upset about the whole “gain”, the trend going the right direction, the missing a month of riding, but what can I do at this point?  I guess I can get back on my bike and ride work my way into the riding.  Sarah and Derek are doing their runs on Saturdays now, so I think Max and I will be biking.  He enjoys that a bunch!  Won’t happen until next weekend, but whatev… the key thing is getting back on my eating routine, get back on the bike and roll the right way!  I have lost over 40 pounds this year (really lost 50 but gained some back).  I can use August as my “vacation” and get back to bid-ness!  Schwing!

Things are a little better

Just to get you updated – my back is doing much better.  It was much much better until this weekend.  I mowed grass – didn’t cause too much trouble – I carried a big old ladder around the neighborhood – not too bad.  Forgot to take any advil before I went to sleep – oops.  Kind of stiff and sore, but that’s alright.

I got the slick thing – a “TENS Unit” – which is a little electronic stim unit that sends a little electricity into your body and relaxes your muscles.  I love the thing!  I wear it around on my belt and get “treatment” as those in the NFL call it!  It is the bomb digity!

I think – if I feel okay in the morning tomorrow, I may actually take my bike and go for a little ride at lunch.  I wont try to re-start riding on the first day – but I think I may be coming out of my back-induced retirement.

Sarah and Derek went out on a bootylicious run on Saturday.  It was apparently really fun – lots and lots and lots of people running just a stone’s throw from my office.  In CO, Sarah had about 15 people to run with for her Team in Training thing – In the ATL we are looking at 150+  There were other kids there and everything.

Max and I went to the car wash – which is one of Max’s favorite things in life.  The little fella loves the car wash.  Not really sure why – but he does!

That’s about it for this weekend.  We have been to a couple neighborhood parties, had some fun.  As I lay here typing, I see Spanky enjoying her bed… I think she has the right idea! Zzzzzz  Then again, Max isn’t going to allow that.  Funky weather… maybe a trip to Monkey Joe’s will be in order!

ps.  www.sarahpatton.com follow her blog and donate to her cause!  It’s all a tax deduction!