Year in Review

Seeing that it's the end of 2007, I figured it might be a good time to have a look back at my year of cycling. This may actually take more than one post to keep them shorter. I'll take a look at my rides and mileage this time. I use a basic program to keep track of rides and information about them such as distance and time. I generally only keep track of significant rides, usually training and racing. Though, at races I don't usually keep track of the time spent warming up so I could probably add a little bit to my totals, but as it is here's what I've got. My best year since keeping records, and I managed to meet the goal of having at least one ride per week for the year.

From the two mountain bikes, cross bike and road bike -
Rides: 180
Total Miles recorded: 3177 miles
Total Time spent: 237.91 hours
Average Speed: 13.4
Average Time per ride: 1 hour 19 minutes

Total mileage by month
January - 75.4
February - 54.3
March - 224.0
April - 258.0
May - 589.0
June - 416.3
July - 443.4
August - 288.1
September -280.9
October - 223.5
November - 172.1
December - 152.0

Ice Road Bikers

Christmas Eve I took a ride to the top of the Bemis Hollow road. Upon riding into the gated road I found it to be packed down from some type of tracked vehicle. Thus the packed snow had become ice. I caught one rut and hit the ground, even with studded tires on the bike. I made my way up the road and after a relatively easy climbing grade I came to a very short downslope. Riding downhill on the ice proved to be the difficult part, going up, was somewhat easy. Well then I made my way past the turn at the pipeline and continued, all the while thinking I really shouldn't ride too far up the steep grade. But, I kept going, and going, and then I was at the top of the hill. It took me 40 minutes and change to get to the top from town. After taking a few pictures I began to slowly work my way down the hill. Just over 26 minutes later I was at the bottom of the dirt road. It took me nearly as long to ride down the dirt as it had to ride up. But riding on ice with most of your weight on the front wheel is kind of tricky, no sudden moves.

The pictures I took can be found here.

You can check to location of them with this google map satellite image.

Gone Skiing

Saturday, Derek and I made the decision that we had to go skiing that night or conditions might not be very good. Rain was the forecast for Sunday and temperatures were to be in the mid 30's all week, neither of us desiring slush or icy conditions so we headed for Holiday Valley. It was a wise decision. Most of the trails were open, the snow was good, and there was hardly anyone there. No lines, no waiting. We got some great runs in, and some quality time with each other trading stories and catching up.

Season's Greetings

Since work shuts down between Christmas and New Year's, and I had some vacation to use up, Wednesday was the last day of work for the year for me. Taylor and I took the opportunity to cruise around New Haven and up to East Rock in the daylight on Thursday. When we came back through downtown, rush hour had started and we got some exhilarating sprint work in at the end of what had been a relatively easy going ride.

Friday found me traveling west, back to Port Allegany for the holidays. I decided to take route 6 through Pennsylvania, instead of Rt. 17/I-86 through Southern New York. It makes for a much more pleasurable and entertaining drive. It usually takes a little bit longer on the two lane road, despite being shorter mileage, but this time I didn't run into any slow moving traffic to speak of, so I made as good time as the highway.

For those that may catch up with me and read this over the holiday season, I extend many wishes for a joyful and happy season. May you have a very Merry Christmas!

Winter is here

Winter has arrived and we've gotten snow on a few different days in the last week, and it's actually sticking around. Despite the snow and cold temperatures I ventured out on the bike, mainly on the plowed roads. I ventured over to the canal trail, and found it to be unplowed, at least for a good 1/4 mile. The snow was so frozen and crusty it was a little more difficult than anticipated to get through. I had to jump off and run the bike two or three times. Then when I got to the plowed area it was smooth sailing, thank goodness.

Needless to say, all this snow has finally started to get me thinking about skiing. Numerous friends are already quite excited to hit the slopes, and some have already gone, but I just haven't been able to get very excited about it. A large group of us went to see the latest Warren Miller film on Friday night though, and I actually started to get a little motivation about at least getting my skis out of the closet. I guess it's time to come to grips with getting off the bike and participating in some more snow oriented sports (including driving).

Encore!

So we thought we were done, BUT(!), there was one more race, as long as enough people preregistered. Well, enough people did, and so we were supposed to race this Saturday, the 15th. In fact I was so excited to run this course again I registered for two classes, the Men's cat 4/5 race and the Killer B's cat 2/3/4 race. However, a great snow storm left about 10 inches of snow on the course, so the promoter has decided to postpone the race until Jan. 6. So it has passed that Warwick was my last race as I will be at JFK getting on a plane for England that day. Perhaps I can convince them to race on January 5th instead.

Important Update: If I read things slightly more carefully it might be a good idea. The time I originally looked at on the itinerary for the flight to London was not the right thing. I realized that the flight doesn't leave JFK until late evening. SO... I'm back in (!!!!) Natz Schmatz Winter Cross for the 9:00 am race. If you are in the area that weekend, I strongly encourage trying this, just for the pure joy of being silly.

With the new fallen snow I was able to go out in the car and have some fun. After waiting until all rush hour mishaps were likely cleared I ventured out to the mall, while taking the opportunity to do a little sliding around on the snow covered roads. I was quite surprised to find I91 and I95 still very covered with snow. The mall was great, best night of the whole season to go, I saw at most about 8 or 10 customers in Sears. The employees had nothing to do except walk around the store.

Warwick

Saturday was what is likely to be the last race of the 2007 season. It's been eight months since races started, and it's time for a break. I'm at a slight loss as to what I should do with myself for the next few months.
Starting near the rear of the field I got stuck in the middle of the road with guys blocking my movement to either side in the opening sprint. Looking back as we entered the grass, I could probably have counted the number of guys behind me on one hand. Taylor had found a good line up the right side and was able to move up the field a ways. From the rain and snow the day before the ground was frozen and slick. A few guys were taking spills in the corners, I almost got caught up in one accident. I managed to push hard through the first lap, going into corners as hard as I could while others were looking a little tentative in the slippery conditions. I was able to work through the field quite well, making up lots of ground in the technical areas and in the run-ups. Unfortunately all that work was just to get back to midfield. Had I registered earlier, and picked a good line off the start that energy could have been spent potentially moving from mid-field closer to the front. As it is though, I was really quite happy with my race. I rode solid, had some decent legs, and didn't really make any mistakes. I managed to move up to 34th of 65 in the results for the day. A fitting close to the season really. I took a few shots of the course during the race that followed us, to show some of the highlights of the course. Though, in that race the course was looking far less slick than when we rode. You'll find the pictures here. There are a number of sequence shots to give some idea to the chaos that ensues. I've also got a video posted here. Being the last race, and not having written any really inspiring race reports in a while, I figured it fitting to entertain you with recap to the tune of a Christmas favorite. Enjoy!

'Twas the dawn of a cross race, when all through New Haven
Some bike racers were stirring, they had a big cravin';
The cycles were put on the roof rack with care,
In hopes that in Warwick they soon would be there;
The racers were tired still wishing for beds,
While visions of victory danced in there heads;
And Taylor in his beanie, a grin on my face,
We'd got quite excited for this season's last race.
When off of the highway they raised such a clatter,
Not a street sign in view is what was the matter;
New directions in hand we flew like a flash,
Pulled into the park and threw open the hatch.
The sun on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave excitement to racers ready to go,
Running to registration, we should appear,
We made it to sign-in with eight moments to spare,
Hurry back to the car, we'd have to be quick,
I knew in a moment the race clothes I'd pick.
More rapid than eagles the course we rode once,
Arriving at staging o'er the field we took glance.
"Now listen! Now listen! Forty minutes you'll ride!"
Clipped in and sprinting, Taylor up the right side,
While caught in the middle, I was cursing inside.
Out of my way! Clear a path! On the inside!
As the pack hit the corners with tentative speed,
Some hit the deck, for my cause, helping indeed.
I pushed past others as hard as I could,
To gain more positions, and I knew that I would;
And then, in a scurry, we went through the sand,
To run up the bank with bikes carried by hand;
As I jumped on my bike, more guys I had passed,
Despite my legs burning I was feeling quite fast.
The grass it was icy, I'd avoided a few spills,
The conditions were great for my mountain bike skills.
I poured on the pressure as best I could,
I pedaled past spectators and forests of wood,
Each lap - it was dreadful, yet somehow quite merry.
My cheeks were like roses, my nose like a cherry,
The cold took its toll on my hands and feet,
Tingly and numb in this race against defeat.
So we cranked and we cranked and gritted our teeth,
and the ice it melted as the ground passed beneath;
At last I heard it, the final lap bell,
Finally I thought, that's really quite swell!
So I gave all I had, I knew this was it,
To finish this season with out any regret;
I caught one more guy as I got near the end,
Then drafted him, so less energy I'd spend,
we round the last corner, the finish in sight,
I stood up and sprinted with all of my might!
And passed him to finish this glorious ride,
And that was all for this great season of pride.
Taylor and I headed for clothes and the car,
Quite amazed, since April, we'd come really quite far.
But I thought to myself, as my bike I think cried,
A great season for all, and to all a good ride.

I'm Dreaming

I'm dreaming of a white 'cross race. That's right, I'm actually hoping that there will be snow in the morning to race the bicycle in. There's been cold, there's been rain, there's been mud, there's been dew, now is the time for snow. I'm excited to see how it changes the dynamics of the race. This was the radar shot at 4:15 pm, as long as the temperatures stay cold, it'll still be white in the morning.

Ninja?

Ninja? Or stealth cyclist? Really, I guess it was neither. I just had to put on the warm clothes for this afternoon's ride. I actually made it out while there was still sunlight. I did some light work on East Rock and worked some details of my shoulder carry. This weekend might be it for the season. I'm taking no prisoners on Saturday after the performance last weekend. I suppose I rode well in Easthampton, I just didn't have any legs. I'm hoping to finish off the season with a fantastic result, it will be the second largest field we've dealt with all season. Look for a report sometime Saturday after returning from Warwick, RI.

First Snow Ride

Despite the snow storm on our way to the race yesterday there was no snow on the course and there was none in the air while we raced. Today, though, was the first ride with snow in the air. Four of us went out on the trails with the mountain bikes. Temperatures were in the mid-twenties. Once we got going, we stayed pretty warm but our water was freezing up

A cycling friend from southern Pennsylvania sent me this picture of Andy Hampsten in the 1988 Giro. This could be the riding conditions pretty soon.

In the Snow Globe

December opened by taking Taylor and I to Easthampton, Massachusetts for yet another cyclocross race. I could probably come up with a list of 10 or so reasons for a somewhat lackluster performance, two that would actually be pretty valid, but I guess the fact is there are some fast guys out there and when you have an off day you can get spanked pretty easily. It was a very cold morning only rising to 29° by the end of our race. My feet were extremely cold and I could barely feel my toes by the end, running at barriers had a certain floating feeling to it since I couldn't feel the ground below me too well. From the start I just wasn't able to go and I could feel it in the first few pedal strokes, so I let a bunch of guys pass me in the starting sprint. I just fell into a relatively comfortably groove and rode the race at my pace. Slowly I reeled some guys in, especially on the sections suited to my mountain bike skills. In the last lap I was able to muster some extra strength and reeled 4 guys in that had passed me the lap before. I just made sure to get in front of them before the final run up. It was very steep with little to no chance to get speed into it, so most guys were running it, I was riding it, so I knew I could open a few seconds there before heading into the finish sprint. Although I had to dab with my left foot at the top I had opened up some space and headed to the line for 16th place. Taylor had few minor problems where he lost a little time had been catching me and rolled in at 21st, blowing another guy away in a sprint for position. There were 30+ guys in our field, but I think below 23rd place got lapped and didn't get scored.

The interesting item of the day was on our trip to the race. We hit a complete blizzard a few miles South of Springfield. We could see it coming and all of a sudden we went through a wall of snow, just like going through the glass of a snow globe. A few miles later we went out the other side. The weather was quite nice on either side, but for a few minutes it was complete snowy chaos. Taylor and I burst into laughter when we hit it, thinking we might be racing in similar conditions. It was almost a let down when the snow stopped as suddenly as it begin.

Off to Warwick, Rhode Island next week.