Rolling Into Some Time Off
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life, Team Events, Training, USA Cycling Development Team
Back from the crazy circus that surrounds, and is, Interbike, I am finally getting around to taking some time off. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly, it does say time off. I will wait right here while you clean up the coffee which you just spit out, and which is now dripping down the screen of your computer; after all, I am just sitting around relaxing, and I have all the time in the world to do nothing but wait.
The 2009 season has been great, but also has been extremely taxing. Since February, my summer has been filled with more racing kilometers than any prior season, and has also included the proportional and prerequisite increase in training kilometers. My season culminated with a 7+ week trip to Europe where I raced as a member of the USA Cycling U23 Development Team. During those 7 weeks, I not only experienced some of the toughest racing that I have faced so far, but I also was riding on some of my best form of the season. Everything came together for me in an environment that was challenging yet supportive, while also pushing me to grow and develop as a cyclist. As my return home drew nearer, I could feel that the timing would be perfect. I had been racing 3 or more days a week for most of the trip, and my body needed a chance to rest and recover from all those hard efforts. I held on and made it through the last races, before coming home to start resting and relaxing in Vegas style.
Lest you think I am using the term “off-season” to disguise my cyclo-cross season and its related ambitions, let me correct you right here. This time off will truly be downtime, several days away from the road bike, while getting caught up on everything that I have neglected to do since January when I left the cool icy roads of Oregon, for the warmer and sunny roads of Souther California. But first, CrossVegas.
With Land Rover Las Vegas stepping up as a sponsor of CrossVegas, they were keen to have several riders pimping the bright yellow and green skinsuits under the lights of the Desert Breeze Soccer Complex. Along with my teammate, Aaron Tuckerman, I was more than happy to accept the invitation to race before spending a day or two on the floor of the Interbike Trade Show. It is my humble opinion that one needs to spend no more than 2 days in Las Vegas – 3 at the most. A testament to this fact can be found in the numerous descriptions by others who departed through the gates of McCarran Airport, and found that most of the passengers whom were departing looked run down, exhausted, and desperate to get out of the Sin City.
My first full day back in Bend was one of the last warm and sunny days in the immediate forecast, so I decided to make a trip to the coffee shop. I figured that an easy 60 minute spin, with a stop at one of my favorite coffee shops, would be just the way to get the staleness of the drive home out of my legs, while enjoying one of the last pleasant days of Fall.
Yesterday's hail storm signals what is likely the end of warm and sunny days here in Bend.
During the last few days, I have made serious progress in cleaning up my room, as well as unpacking all the bags and boxes which I have been living out of since January’s departure for warmer training grounds. With my floor devoid of the duffle bags and left over race food, I turned my energy to taming the piles of crap which have overtaken my desk. It wont be long now utill I have all of my old bank statements filed, and the pile of unread VeloNews Magazines eliminated. The goal here is that I will have everything cleaned and put away with time left over for a fresh coat of paint. My brothers and I have slowly been going through color cards, and having settled on a color more vibrant than white, I am looking forward to a change of scenery.
While unpacking and putting away all my clothes, I took the time to organize and hang all of my riding kits. Chronologically and in the same order; skinsuits, bibs, jerseys, and then jackets.
In between trips to the local second hand store (which is a great place to get rid of unwanted clothes and generally junk in general) and getting everything put away in its place, I have found some time to enjoy a bit of cooking. Spending time in the kitchen is one of those things which I really enjoy, and fancy myself as good at. These weeks away from structured training also provide a little extra “wiggle room.” While I might pass on the apple pie or plate of Oreo’s during the season, This is a time of indulgence, and enjoying that second helping of ice-cream simply seems like a good idea right about now. Soon enough, it will be time to tighten down the belt, figuratively speaking, and get serious about preparing for 2010, but for now, it is time to relax, and enjoy a genuine break from all the structure that I crave.
Starting the day off with a plate of Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict and Chipotle Almonds was a brilliant idea.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
Kermesses and My Porcelain Pillow
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life, Racing, Training, USA Cycling Development Team
For the most part, the last few weeks of craziness that is Belgian Kermesse racing has been good to me. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the results and performances have been outstanding, but going full distance in several events, while posting a handful of top 20’s has at least provided a little confidence and success to pad the so often brutal punishment that many riders associate with kermesse racing. Especially coming from America, these races were absolutely foreign to me. With the attacks going from the gun, it seems that the pace/effort could never remain so high all the way to the finish some 2.5 or 3 hours later. And yet some how it always does. As a rider who prefers to see the road tip up, fighting for position while racing down gutters has always been an area of weakness for me. Which is exactly why I am still here throwing elbows and fighting to hold my spot in the gutter. My ability to climb is worthless if I struggle through crosswinds and long flat stretches of road before ever reaching the climbs. Luckily, my pack prowess has been coming around, the these seemingly endless kilometers of suffering through kermesses has taught me a great deal about riding in the wind, or rather out of it, and holding better pack position. Now I just need to find some long climbs to exploit my strengths…
Last weekend, I fell victim what seems to be a variation of the “stomach bug” that has been going around the European peleton. While I don’t even put myself in similar to company to that of Andy Schleck, or Tom Danielson, I did find it interesting to note that they both fell victim to a stomach bug. I think our only similarities beyond a love for the bike, came in the form of some of our symptoms. Friday afternoon I noticed that my stomach didn’t feel good. I chalked it up to nerves, or some other random affliction which would soon pass. While I was out riding and warming up for a criterium that evening, I noticed that I was most “comfortable” on the bike when I was working hard. Every time my heartrate came down below like 155 my stomach would start to turn itself in knots as it worked out a bug. Simple enough I thought, I just have to make sure I ride really hard, and smart, in the criterium tonight, and I will have no problem. I suppose the theory was at least mildly beneficial, considering I pulled a top 25 after going in several breaks over the course of the 70km race. What followed that evening, was four days of laying in my bed, scarcely able to eat.
I spent saturday evening hugging a porcelain pillow as my body worked viciously to rid itself of an unwanted infection in my stomach. No such luck – just lots of time curled up over the toilet. After several days of forcing myself to eat small amounts of rice and other simple carbs, the writing was on the wall. Whatever sickness I had was going to take more than just rest and not eating to be expelled from my body. I went to the doctor on Tuesday morning, and was diagnosed with a stomach infection and given some medicine which will hopefully clear up the infection, and allow my to resume normal eating and training habits. So far so good. I have been able to slowly re-introduce more complex foods and meats into my diet, and the normallness is coming back on the bike too. Today was the first time in nearly a week that I have felt good on the bike, and I am looking forward to a weekend of kermesse racing to conclude my trip here in Belgium.
As soon as I get home, it will be back on the road as I head with my team to Las Vegas for the Interbike show and the Cross-Vegas race. I don’t know exactly how the legs will hold up to 2 days of steady travel before the race, but I had a blast being there last year, and I am excited to get in some racing under the lights this year. Its going to be a busy next 7 days, and I am excited for all that fills those days. See you in Vegas.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
Riding First Class
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life, Racing, USA Cycling Development Team
Since finishing the Vuelta A Ciclista Palencia on high note, with Daniel Holoway taking the final stage win, I have been riding in First Class on the recovery bus. You might say, “Rollin’ like a big shot…” on the recovery bus. Halfway through Palencia, the UCI sent some vampires to suck 2 vials of blood from each of the riders in the race. While the primary objective was testing for any signs of doping, the UCI also took time to check on everyone’s blood and mineral levels. Turns out I was probably one of the more tired riders in the race, with my hematocrit down 18% from normal rested levels. By the end of the race, I was maybe another one or two percentage points lower.
Wednesday was a day of traveling and sleeping for me. After getting up early, we drove 4 hours to the airport, where I enjoyed a 2 hour nap, er, I mean flight. Arriving in Belgium, we all enjoyed a small bit of ice-cream before jumping into a bus for the drive back to our house in Izegem. No sooner than I climbed in the bus, did I pass out, only to wake up as we took the exit ramp from the freeway into Izegem. After dinner, I got caught up on a few e-mails and tweets before spending a few hours at the square (towne center) with Cole House and Chris Butler. Coming off a big block of racing, it was nice to get out and relax for a bit. We all enjoyed a little Belgian brew before returning to the house to pass out.
A team of 7 riders plus staff, pac along A LOT of gear. After the vehicles returned from Spain and unloaded, this is what our Service Course looked like. Lots to unpack and put away.
From Thursday through today, the days have been pretty relaxed for me. With double-digit hours of sleep coming almost daily, along with a few short rides, and a daily napping session, my batteries are finally starting to feel recharged. When not sleeping away nearly half of the day, I spent a good deal of time in my bed or on the couch with my computer. I always laugh at how many quality hours us cyclists can kill with a computer (or phone) and a good internet connection. While most people back home have a hard time comprehending the laziness of a cyclist, we all embrace the world of technology, for its great ability to kill vast amounts of time. David Millar recetnly wrote a great blog about killing time. As a cyclist it was funny to read about someone else, who’s daily routine was so familiar to me, yet one that many cannot fathom. One of my recent time-killing discoveries has been the world of literature. Surprisingly enough, I generally love to exercise my gift of gab, yet find in painfully difficult to finish a book. Recently, I have found Out of The Silent Plant, the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia trilogy, to be an oasis from my electronic world.
Several rides this past week involved stopping at the coffee shop. While the coffee tends to not be as volumous as what I have become accustomed to back home, they definitely know how to make a good cup of coffee. All the extra's are a nice complimentary touch too.
When not behind the glow of my computer screen, or reading, I found another great way to pass time. Some will understand what is happening with this deck of cards. Others will wonder. I still need a lot of practice...
This afternoon I get back into the swing of racing with a 110km kermesse. The next three weeks will be packed full of kermesse races, internet, and my electronics before I fly home to kick off my off season, er, rather cyclo-cross season.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
How ‘Bout That
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life, Racing, USA Cycling Development Team
Today was the first Stage in La Vuelta A Palencia. Tonight, and for several to come, we are staying in the Hotel Valentin.
For a bit of irony, I attended Valentine Elementary School from Kindergarden through 3rd Grade. As my mom was dropping me off for my first day of Kindergarden, I turned to her and said, “Mom, college is nice. I am glad you went. But I am not going.” No joke, this shit really happened.
Now, 14 years later, I am traveling and racing in Europe with the USA Cycling U23 National Development Team pursuing my life’s dream of becoming a professional cyclist, and racing in the Pro-Tour. How cool is that?!?
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
Gone Fishing
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Racing, USA Cycling Development Team
Despite what the title of this post might lead you to believe, I am gearing up for my second European stage race in as many weeks. After last week’s hectic arrival into Belgium, and briefly getting settled into the USA Cycling National Development Team’s House located in Izegem, Belgium, I am back on the road. Once again, living out of my duffle bag and messenger bag.
Prior to last week’s Ronde Van Antwerpen 4.6km Prologue, one of the team’s assistants made a great observation; with all the fish-netting that wrapped and covered the abrassions left from my crash during the National Road Championships, perhaps I should go fishing in the local canal. With fishnets holding gauze and Tegaderm over my ankle, calf, knee, thigh, hip, and elbow, I was quite sight on the TT bike. Several of the locals were presumably making inquiry and comments over my plethora of bandages, but not understanding the local language meant that I simply smiled and rolled along. Luckily, after the last week of vigilant care, covering, and washing, most of my skin has begun to grow back, and my bandages have been reduced to just enough to cover the deep abrasion on my right ankle.
Here is a shot of the bandaging on my knee. I took this while riding, so it doesn't quite do justice, but you get the idea. Multiply this times 4, and cover my right side. That is what I was rocking for the first week of my time here.
For me, the Ronde Van Antwerpen was a good immersion into European racing. The team rode together as a unit, and for the first few days, we were high in the GC. Over the final few stages, we did fade a bit, but we all pulled through to take away many positives and many lessons learned. With my “baptism” to European racing complete, I have traveled south with the team to Spain where the Vuelta Zamora begins this evening with a 5km prologue. During the race, the team has many cards to play with a good mix of experienced riders, fast finishers, and some fresh young talent. For me, I am here to learn and progress as a cyclist. My goals and job for the race will be to look after the older riders who will be high in the GC, and to help the team achieve its goals over the next 5 days. Along the way, I hope to have a go in the early break, and if I can help the team to a high finish on Sunday, this week will be a success.
After breakfast this morning, the team got out for a bit on our TT bikes. Along the way, we passed this castle/fortress thing with these statues out front. Couldn't resist getting a picture - looking like a TT Knight? Not sure, but I will fight hard in tonight's prologue.
So far, the team is riding on high moral, and everyone is working well together. For the fast finishes we have Cole House, Daniel Holloway, and Austin Carroll. Chris Butler will likely lead our charge in the mountains, and then Larry Warbasse, myself, and Travis Burandt will be there to fill in the gaps.
This song and music video has swept over the team like a plague. It is good for a laugh, and the beat is certainly a bit catchy. There is also a good chance you could hear anyone of us singing the lyrics on the bike, in our rooms, or even at the dinner table. Wonder what the locals make of our singing…?
Our pre-race meal will be served shortly, and I have a bit of laundry to sort out. Better get to that before tackling tonight’s trip through the pain-cave.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
