Indoor trainer - the inner battle

Its that time of the year again, like most of us normal working people, outside rides are reserved for weekends only, and daylight and weather force us inside onto the trainer. Its always a struggle to haul your carcass out of bed or to go get on the bike in the evening. There is no instant gratification, we have to be diligent for weeks if not months before we can truly see the fruits of our indoor efforts.

No i do not have the crew show up for the mass indoor group ride like these guys do..

Nor do i have the motivational Talent that some spin classes have to keep me distracted, -although the wife on the treadmill on occasion is always a welcomed distraction :)

I would say that so far i am winning the battle however -

Most days i get both AM and PM rides in, 1 hr each session, and for all of this month, i have got in at least 1 ride a day - no days off!

For all you other indoor warriors out there - keep up the good work!

Chasing....

Generally in cycling - chasing is a bad thing. It means you missed the break, or even worse you have been popped out of the main group. Chasing is an odd topic for mid November - usually storied of grand chases of all varieties are more for the mid season fury where excuses are as thick as the humidity by the lake.

I am chasing hours now. I have been away from racing for several years now, with a few exceptions here and there to keep my competitive fuel alive. But really - i am behind the ball. Not that I plan a HUGE 2009 campaign, but id like some sort of return to form. More than a stab in the dark, something with some meat to it.

I looked back at my journals of the more successful season i have had, and 30 hours in November seems to be the magic number. Not easy... not hard, but not easy. Most people lack motivation to get that kind of time in at this time of the year, not to mention now is when mother nature just STARTS her hatred of outdoor cyclists in the northern half of the country.

My goal is 35 this month, and its still within reach. Today is Nov 19, and i have banked 17 hours to date, looking to add another one tonight. We have all had our spots of bother on the bike, and been in a spot of difficulty on occasion to put us in a position to chase. We all know that getting halfway across is not 50% of the battle. We know that the last 5 seconds is the tough half. SO for now, i have a good start, but finishing off this month i am looking at the harder half in front of me still.

Fat kid - Pedaling!

its a weekend, must be on the prairie path

I ventured out for some more hours on the prairie path today. A stiff headwind kept things slow on the way out, but the extra effort helped keep me warm. It was a brisk 36 degrees, mostly overcast and west wind blowing around 15 per. I managed a few snaps here just north of the split in Wheaton. I rolled north a bit until I met up with the great western trail for a big ring ride home.



2.5 hrs

62km

1389kj

logging hours...

traditionally most cyclists are wrapping up time off the bike, and getting ready to launch the new year.

I have not had a long hard season to take time off from, and I have a bunch of catching up to do.

my goal is to get 35 hours logged in november. so far I have 10, and logging another hour as I finish writing this. my weekend goal is to get 2 to 4 hours in, and during the week, I am posting double sessions on the trainer, am and pm.



more to follow. cheers!

Character

I'd like to start this post by saying thank you to everyone out there that has served, or is serving our Country.

Its a honor for me to live in the nation you defend. The people that serve our country have a very special character they have developed over time.



Riding out in conditions like today, Enmark would always give me crap and say it builds character. I always responded I had acquired enough character to put on a play! He was right though, it does build character.

I looked at the forecast today, I knew the weather was marginal at best. But I also knew I have been out in worse, and it gave me the motivation to go out and get 3.5 hrs today.

The plan was to recon and complete a new loop, but despite my motivation, the thought of being 30 miles from home on a cross bike in freezing rain led my better judgement to save the recon for another day. I did modify 2 familiar loops to get it done today. I left the house with temps around 38 degrees and the promise of a headwind return trip. I settled into a decent pace and knocked out the first 90 minutes pretty care free. shortly after that point, an occasional section of light sleet dropped, but nothing serious.

It was shortly after the 2 hr mark the sleet picked up but now it was more rain-like. I found a parking garage to dive into for shelter, and put on the rain cape. The last 90 minutes was wet, but I was well dressed and warm enough to not mind it. It was almost enjoyable to have the path to myself and the knowledge that not many others would be out banking the hours I was getting in today.

Now im not sayin i'd do it again tomorrow, but it was ok.

the details to keep warm - sports balm medium on the legs and low back, craft windstopper base and smartwool socks. winter jersey, thermal jacket, and finally a rain cape up top, winter shorts and giordana thermal tights on the bottom. diadora winter shoes and shoe covers kept the toes warm all day ( if you don't have winter shoes, these have been fantastic for me).



3.5 hrs, 82km, 1872kj

ending temp 32 and raining



cheers

RDO cross ride

Nothing beats the ability to work a 5 hr shift on a saturday to get an 8 hr day off during the week, especially when you can string it together for a 4 day weekend! So thats what i did.
Now i did have some honey do stuff to knock out so i started after noon, but it was sunny at least. It didn't get as warm as i had hoped, but the trail was still pretty hard packed despite some rain this weekend, and pretty free of runners or riders.
Ended up with just about 2 hrs today. Tomorrow if the weather cooperates, i have ambitions for the big boy loop to get me north of 100kn tomorrow, i will try to supply a few more pics if it happens.

OUT

I remember why i like the cross bike

Sorry for n pics, but it was cold and that doesn't lend to taking off the gloves for much.
I headed up north to ride with the Alberto's guys today, we met at Daniel Wright woods for a roll up north on the Des Plaines River Trail. Nothing special, and several years back , we would spend SEVERAL hours on every weekend here from November to February. Its a great trail with some slight elevation changes, crushed limestone throughout and minimal road crossings. Plus its just plain pretty.
I remember i like the feeling of a 8 year old BMX kid when I'm riding the cross bike, darting around turns, the rear wheel skipping out occasionally. Hell, you know me, i throw in the occasional bunny hop and wheelie whenever i can! The cross bike is fun, especially when you are not pinned on the rivet. The scenery is nice, the woods are generally quiet and it always seems to sum up why you ride - its FUN!
I haven't been up to the DPR trail in several years now, but it instantly brought back memories of fun. The king of the ring competitions we would hold to work on handling skills, and the crazy cross madison races we would have when i was coaching with VQ. We got in just shy of 2 hours, it was a chilly 38 degrees to start, and we ended with a headwind and mist in our faces, but id have to say it was the most fun i have had on a bike in a while as far as pure riding pleasure.

I think i may send out an email to lobby for weekly cross rides with the crew in the area here, as i don't always have the time to drive up to do a group ride.


ALSO -
STC indoor is open for anyone that wants to log some trainer time. I'm lobbying for outdoor as much as possible, but once its nasty, we will rock out some indoor time.

cheers!

day 4

ok so im a dork... its Rocky week on amc and what better way to pass time on the trainer than humming along to eye of the tiger!

2009 campaign - day one

What better way to start off the next season than a nice roll with temps in the upper 60's.

I got out for about 2 hrs of pedaling, nothing special just enjoying a beautiful day in November.

I do notice the color balance on the camera on my new phone is in question.

Happy trails!