With my cycling classes starting in November last year, I am getting a bit cagey waiting to ride outside and race.
Our trips this year have been great but you never really push yourself until you get into a race. It would be good to know the upper limits of things and discover a whole new world of discomfort.
There is a race in Edmonton this weekend and I hope it still goes!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Like, the kinda, biggest week ever
It all just fell into place. The roads got dry and the weather turned almost agreeable this last week.
I rode to class, ran, core class, meet Lisa on 22 mid week, class, then the big weekend. Outside of stage racing this was one of the biggest weeks of training I have ever had.
You can train by just riding, intuitive, and you can train by numbers, scientific. The best is somewhere in between but that requires some experience. After years of training and coaching I have learned a few things and this week was the happy little, well treed, bungalow of marriage of both. During the week I concentrated on hitting my wattages and resting well. By Thursday I was feeling great and set some new PB in wattage versus hear rate.
Friday was a good rest day and I had the house to myself. Saturday was a chilly yet good solo ride south of the city. I met Steve and Henry in Bragg and rode with them until hwy 8.
Andrew is new to the city and is keen on meeting new people and riding partners. He was chatting up this guy but he was shifty and from the wrong side of the fence.
The "guy" did not seem to want to stop and talk but Andrew persisted. He was mumbling a bit but it sounded like Andrew was saying in case of an emergency I was too "gamey" and that this "guy" looked strong, good watts/kilo, and well marbled.
Sunday was a scheduled Terrascape ride in Cochrane. Andrew and I rode out to meet the crew and do the ride. What we did not expect was the 40 kph headwind at 9:30am. We just made the ride, thank goodness Cesar did not leave us behind. Grand Valley, Horse Creek and then a change of partners. Jason,Lisa and I headed back home down the Cowboy Trail.
Lisa went south and Jason and I headed East. I could have skirted the Springbank hill but when your with The Bear, you just don't do thinkgs like that. So up the gut we went at the end of my big week. The best part was it was all downhill, literally, to our new house in Discovery Ridge.
Hydrate, Stretch, Rest.
CELEBRATE REST WEEK, go on I dare you!!!!!!!
I rode to class, ran, core class, meet Lisa on 22 mid week, class, then the big weekend. Outside of stage racing this was one of the biggest weeks of training I have ever had.
You can train by just riding, intuitive, and you can train by numbers, scientific. The best is somewhere in between but that requires some experience. After years of training and coaching I have learned a few things and this week was the happy little, well treed, bungalow of marriage of both. During the week I concentrated on hitting my wattages and resting well. By Thursday I was feeling great and set some new PB in wattage versus hear rate.
Friday was a good rest day and I had the house to myself. Saturday was a chilly yet good solo ride south of the city. I met Steve and Henry in Bragg and rode with them until hwy 8.
Andrew is new to the city and is keen on meeting new people and riding partners. He was chatting up this guy but he was shifty and from the wrong side of the fence.
The "guy" did not seem to want to stop and talk but Andrew persisted. He was mumbling a bit but it sounded like Andrew was saying in case of an emergency I was too "gamey" and that this "guy" looked strong, good watts/kilo, and well marbled.
Sunday was a scheduled Terrascape ride in Cochrane. Andrew and I rode out to meet the crew and do the ride. What we did not expect was the 40 kph headwind at 9:30am. We just made the ride, thank goodness Cesar did not leave us behind. Grand Valley, Horse Creek and then a change of partners. Jason,Lisa and I headed back home down the Cowboy Trail.
Lisa went south and Jason and I headed East. I could have skirted the Springbank hill but when your with The Bear, you just don't do thinkgs like that. So up the gut we went at the end of my big week. The best part was it was all downhill, literally, to our new house in Discovery Ridge.
Hydrate, Stretch, Rest.
CELEBRATE REST WEEK, go on I dare you!!!!!!!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sunny Pictures ot keep you going
Alana on the Hangover trail. Do not do this hung over!!!
And this is why:
Big drop offs on every corner
Faizan showing some composure
Matthew threading the needle and not falling over the edge!
And this is why:
Big drop offs on every corner
Faizan showing some composure
Matthew threading the needle and not falling over the edge!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Friends join in the Fun in Sedona
Matthew and Faiz Testing out the latest in Optical Fashion. Has anyone ever heard of "Blue Blockers?? My parents swear by them. LOL
Part of the 2009 Cape Epic crew, Matthew and Faiz, joined us today for a spin. Faiz is celebrating his birthday Monday and wanted to get away from the Big Smoke for a bit.
They put in a few hours last night and were prepared to ride all day if need be. Good thing as it was a long one today.
Started out on Made in the Shade and tried to find Highline. Missed that so just kept on riding. Around the corner to Templeton, then the super fun Baldwin. Off Baldwin we found the back side of Highline. 20 min of hiking up hill got us on the plateau, and we were off. The riding was good and very reminiscent of Highline in Canmore. Then the trail petered off to what resembled a hihg mountain goat trial. Lots of on and off. Finally we were back at the Bike and Bean. Alana and Faiz, Tactical Unit A, covered the iced caps, while Tactical Unit B went for Fish tacos and burritos. All was going to plan until one of the T.U.B. members got on his bike. Blown Shock!
Off to HQ. Quick nutrition. Visit B and B. New O ring. $20 USD. Back on trial.
Easy cruising in the afternoon, while the sun set and the red colors came to life.
Good Friends, Good Day!!
Faiz finishing the climb in style.
Same for Alana and Matthew.
Part of the 2009 Cape Epic crew, Matthew and Faiz, joined us today for a spin. Faiz is celebrating his birthday Monday and wanted to get away from the Big Smoke for a bit.
They put in a few hours last night and were prepared to ride all day if need be. Good thing as it was a long one today.
Started out on Made in the Shade and tried to find Highline. Missed that so just kept on riding. Around the corner to Templeton, then the super fun Baldwin. Off Baldwin we found the back side of Highline. 20 min of hiking up hill got us on the plateau, and we were off. The riding was good and very reminiscent of Highline in Canmore. Then the trail petered off to what resembled a hihg mountain goat trial. Lots of on and off. Finally we were back at the Bike and Bean. Alana and Faiz, Tactical Unit A, covered the iced caps, while Tactical Unit B went for Fish tacos and burritos. All was going to plan until one of the T.U.B. members got on his bike. Blown Shock!
Off to HQ. Quick nutrition. Visit B and B. New O ring. $20 USD. Back on trial.
Easy cruising in the afternoon, while the sun set and the red colors came to life.
Good Friends, Good Day!!
Faiz finishing the climb in style.
Same for Alana and Matthew.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sunny Photos From Phoenix
Me and the Full Carbon Fiber Bottecchia Gardena on Trial 100 in Phoenix.
Papa Neilson at 63 years old enjoying McDowell Race loops.
Me and the Bottecchia SP9 enjoying the day.
Ahh the Post Ride meal. Apple Cider-it's dry but you can drink it. Tuna salad, Steamed Spinach( Rice and steak included but not shown )
Papa Neilson at 63 years old enjoying McDowell Race loops.
Me and the Bottecchia SP9 enjoying the day.
Ahh the Post Ride meal. Apple Cider-it's dry but you can drink it. Tuna salad, Steamed Spinach( Rice and steak included but not shown )
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Beautiful Riding
We have been doing some great riding and finding new routes and great stops. Anyone been to Cave Creek? It's like Bragg Creek but where the crazy people go.
Small rustic and eclectic. We are going there today for our day off and recovery ride. The pictures will tell the tale.
Until then here is some sunny pictures:
okay I knew my new Bottecchia (pronounced=Bo-tech-e-a)was awesome just riding it on the rollers but wow!!! It is hard to believe that every ounce of effort in the pedals gets translated into forward motion. The frame is stiff but the road compliance is border line comfy. i am running 120psi and it's not bad at all. Hard to explain, i feel the vibrations sort of, but it does not cause fatigue or discomfort.
Night time pool side with my new Cardinals Cup. i knew it would keep my drink cold but wow. The smooth lip translates every drop into thirst quenching pleasure. The mug is frozen and is border line uncomfortable in my hand. I am running soda and fresh, like grown here fresh, limes. It does not cause tipsy-ness or fatigue.
Small rustic and eclectic. We are going there today for our day off and recovery ride. The pictures will tell the tale.
Until then here is some sunny pictures:
okay I knew my new Bottecchia (pronounced=Bo-tech-e-a)was awesome just riding it on the rollers but wow!!! It is hard to believe that every ounce of effort in the pedals gets translated into forward motion. The frame is stiff but the road compliance is border line comfy. i am running 120psi and it's not bad at all. Hard to explain, i feel the vibrations sort of, but it does not cause fatigue or discomfort.
Night time pool side with my new Cardinals Cup. i knew it would keep my drink cold but wow. The smooth lip translates every drop into thirst quenching pleasure. The mug is frozen and is border line uncomfortable in my hand. I am running soda and fresh, like grown here fresh, limes. It does not cause tipsy-ness or fatigue.
Land of the Big
What's that you need it bigger???
What a ham or maybe just a cheeseball.
They just had to put these two together didn't they.
What a ham or maybe just a cheeseball.
They just had to put these two together didn't they.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Way too long
I know it has been way to long but i have now got lots off the stove and have some time for catching up.
I'm in Phoenix again with Alana and Lisa. Alana's my wife and Lisa is our good friend. We have been looking forward to this for some time. We are here to train. (yes that was a period.)
Funny because we are staying at a beautiful place called Toscana where the conceirge, we are convinced will drive yo over to the mall to shop. Lisa hooked us up and it is nice to be living a little of the decadent life.
We have huge rooms, our own showers, large TV, hot tub and pool. It is also located next to some excellent roads for biking.
The ladies flew down and since I had an extra day I drove. 26 hours of driving with one stop just south of Salt Lake City.
Road Shots:
Montana
Idaho
Huge Budweiser ad on side of silos, must be at least 100ft tall
Southern Utah ( no Snow!!!!!!!!!)
Arizona, by Zion National Park
Flagstaff where they just got tons of snow but it was melting fast.
I'm in Phoenix again with Alana and Lisa. Alana's my wife and Lisa is our good friend. We have been looking forward to this for some time. We are here to train. (yes that was a period.)
Funny because we are staying at a beautiful place called Toscana where the conceirge, we are convinced will drive yo over to the mall to shop. Lisa hooked us up and it is nice to be living a little of the decadent life.
We have huge rooms, our own showers, large TV, hot tub and pool. It is also located next to some excellent roads for biking.
The ladies flew down and since I had an extra day I drove. 26 hours of driving with one stop just south of Salt Lake City.
Road Shots:
Montana
Idaho
Huge Budweiser ad on side of silos, must be at least 100ft tall
Southern Utah ( no Snow!!!!!!!!!)
Arizona, by Zion National Park
Flagstaff where they just got tons of snow but it was melting fast.
Monday, January 3, 2011
PHX Part 3
Well know that i am back it seems like a dream. The riding went really well and Alana and I covered some serious ground.
We did a TT style day south of the homestead with long 20 minute Tempo.
Learning from our Sunday ride we revamped the route a little. I did an extra lap of the hill and Alana got a break away bonus. i was to catch her before the Chevron. After 1:14:00 of riding I rolled into the station and she had beat me. Curses.
Refueling at the Chevron. i think they mean cars.
We followed the #87 to Gilbert and that took us to McDowell Rd. A way better route go home on. It has long stretches between lights and a bike lane for most of it. We were just about home when we met one of the "JC Rivers" on a desolate side street. JC Rivers is brand of local beef jerky sold only on the corner of Brown Rd and Meridian. He gave us his run down: 17 years on the corner, less sodium, made fresh each week, only natural ingredients, etc. I must say for a connoisseur of jerky this was some of the best i have had. Maybe because of the long day with Tempo and Threshold work but even today it is still great. It will have to become tradition to stop for some on the way home. the only thing missing was a cold brew.
Wednesday Morning We:
Morning Starbucks before.....
Los Favritos, pretty much the best little taco stand ever. Steak Breakfast burrito-$4.25
. When we arrived it was 21 C. Thursday............10C. What's with that?? We waited out some snow storms.....What's with that? And made the dash to Usery Pass hill to get in a few laps before calling it a week.
Snow on the ground means dressing warmly, no matter where you are. Nice Booties!!!
We did a TT style day south of the homestead with long 20 minute Tempo.
Learning from our Sunday ride we revamped the route a little. I did an extra lap of the hill and Alana got a break away bonus. i was to catch her before the Chevron. After 1:14:00 of riding I rolled into the station and she had beat me. Curses.
Refueling at the Chevron. i think they mean cars.
We followed the #87 to Gilbert and that took us to McDowell Rd. A way better route go home on. It has long stretches between lights and a bike lane for most of it. We were just about home when we met one of the "JC Rivers" on a desolate side street. JC Rivers is brand of local beef jerky sold only on the corner of Brown Rd and Meridian. He gave us his run down: 17 years on the corner, less sodium, made fresh each week, only natural ingredients, etc. I must say for a connoisseur of jerky this was some of the best i have had. Maybe because of the long day with Tempo and Threshold work but even today it is still great. It will have to become tradition to stop for some on the way home. the only thing missing was a cold brew.
Wednesday Morning We:
Morning Starbucks before.....
Los Favritos, pretty much the best little taco stand ever. Steak Breakfast burrito-$4.25
. When we arrived it was 21 C. Thursday............10C. What's with that?? We waited out some snow storms.....What's with that? And made the dash to Usery Pass hill to get in a few laps before calling it a week.
Snow on the ground means dressing warmly, no matter where you are. Nice Booties!!!
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