So guys, what if you were to say to your wife, “Let’s get up at 3:00 am on Sunday, leave the house at 3:45, then after a one and a half hour drive, use a port-a-potty, get on the stationary trainers for an hour in the cold and dark, then just as the sun starts to rise, get on the tandem, leave the start line, and ride as hard as we possibly can for 20 kilometers?”
Category: As The Wheels Spin
100 Mile Milestone – Accomplished
Canyon Velo made a difference at the Stagecoach 100 Mile Time Trial on Saturday, January 12, 2013. The Canyon Velo 50+ team (“Pastor” Bob B, Paul L, Ryan M, & me – Ed K) won the 50+ age group 4-man Team Time Trial (TTT) in an age group course record time of 4:59:30.
The Canyon Velo 40+ team (Justin B, Justin C, Danny D, & George T) finished on the podium in the 40+ 4-man TTT with 3rd place in a competitive field with a fine time of 5:13:38.
CV member Dr. Bill L rode with three other riders from OC on a 60+ team that captured first place in the 60+ 4-man TTT division with a time of 6:05:34, and CV member Henry M took 5th place in the large field that raced the 45+ Individual Time Trial (ITT) with time of 5:41:00.
Racin’ in the Rain
Strange things happen to one’s mind during a time trial, particularly when it’s raining. Many thoughts come and go, like “Why am I here?” for example. Below is one of the musings of a waterlogged bike racer from today’s race (to the tune of “Singin’ in the Rain”):
Thanks Hans!
It has been really fun racing time trials for the past few years. I like the challenge of the time trial. There is no one else except me against the clock. I also like the ambiance of the time trial, which is very different than mass start races. Time trials have such a positive atmosphere. I also like the camaraderie which exists with teammates who are all focused on the same goals. Since I’ve been time trialing, I have had the opportunity to race with some great teammates. There have been several, but Paul L, Hans J, Carl M, Tom E, and “Pastor” Bob B have been the main ones. It has been a pleasure to race with each one.
A Plan Comes Together
Isn’t it great when a plan comes together?
The plan was simple. Paul even put it in writing on his Facebook page. “We’re gonna Kill It.. Team OC will Rock the island.” That was it. So simply stated, so difficult to pull off.
And yet, as Paul so succinctly predicted, on Saturday, September 8th, we did it. Here is what Paul’s follow-up post said, “1st Place….the Island was rocked today. Thanks Eddie, Bob, Ernie…for a Brilliant Race. Time for a nap.”
A Totally Different Ride
Once a year I do a totally different Saturday ride, the “church ride”. That is what I did today. Some of you have heard me talk about it. I’ve been doing my church’s annual summer bike ride for the past several years. Usually I use it as a change of pace and as an opportunity to bring one or more of my sons on a ride that doesn’t move too fast, but has the feel of a small peloton. My older sons David and Danny have done the church ride with me a few times in the past, but for the last couple of years I have brought Bobby (the youngest) along on the tandem. Typically we start out with the Saturday CV ride and since the church is right along the route, we pull off when we get there to head over to the church ride.
One of My Favorite Race Memories
For the most part my racing season is over and it is time to take a break and then build for the fall TTs and for next year. As I was riding easy this week lots of thoughts were running through my mind. I thought of many positive memories over the years. Most centered around friends, family, faith, and teammates. Here is one favorite memory that I thought our teammates might enjoy reading.
State TTT Championships Report
The team time trial (TTT) is a beautiful event. There are few things more aesthetically pleasing in cycling than the sight of a well drilled team, all in the same kit, driving the bikes forward in a disciplined TTT formation. Unlike the individual time trial (ITT) where drafting is not allowed, TTT riders use drafting as the main strategy, with each rider taking a turn at the front while the others ‘sit on’ behind. After each turn, the rider on the front pulls over and allows the next rider to take the front, while the rider who pulls off goes to the back, forming a single pace line. The finishing time in a TTT is taken on a specific rider in the team. In a nine man TTT, like in the Tour de France, the time is taken on the fifth man to cross the line. In local and State events, there are usually two and four man TTTs. In the four man TTT, the finishing time is taken on the third finisher. In the two man TTT, the time is taken on the second finisher.
L’Etape du California Ride Report
To borrow a phrase, “It was the best of rides, it was the worst of rides…”
The 2012 L’Etape Du California was both. It was at once the most difficult experience I’ve had on a bike, but also, in a strange sort of way, one of the most satisfying. I have never suffered on a ride as much as I did on GMR and on the final climb to the Ski Station, but in the end, I accomplished my goals and even enjoyed looking back on it all.
The Value of Canyon Velo
The value of our team was impressed upon me yesterday at the State Time Trial Championships in several ways. It was not as though I didn’t see the value of our team before, as many of you have heard me say that this present version of Canyon Velo is the finest team I’ve ever had the opportunity to be a part of, we have the greatest group of guys with no drama to speak of and lots of fun and encouragement.