Is it really a blog if one rarely posts anything? I guess it is more of a random update of my opinions and thoughts. Much has happened from the last post. My back is better, though I still get some tingling. I gave up on the steel bike project. Not because I don't like steel, more because I am still racing and a steel bike isn't a good fit at this time.
Oh, I am racing my bike again. At least it is racing in the strict sense of I am pinning on a number, lining up with other racers, and riding my bike as hard as I can. The last race I did consisted of this: lining up, going out, going hard, and blowing up. Then riding 40 miles by myself because my teammate was still in the race, and he was my ride home, so no sense in sitting by the side of the road for 2 hours.
The single speed project lasted for about four races. I enjoyed it. But I thought I could be faster and more competitive on a geared bike, so I switched back to geared racing. I am not sure if I was more competitive.
All this information is probably of little concern to anyone, though. And it is likely no one is really reading this. I am in a transition. I cannot decide if I still want to race. Really, I just enjoy riding my bike. I like riding for a long time, pushing myself when I want and relaxing when I don't. It is hard to leave racing and that mentality behind. I am committed to racing the rest of this year; I guess we will see where it goes after that.
Monday, May 25, 2015
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
MRI and Why I Am Going Steel
So, it is now six weeks out from my initial back injury. I went and saw a doctor, who is also a cycling teammate. After my examination, he said it is time to try a Medrol Dose Pack. Unfortunately, I had already gone down that road.
"Then it's time for an MRI."
Now, I believe I have said in the past that having an MRI is definitely on my list of things I don't want to ever do. This is due to the extreme confinement one experiences while in the machine; however, I am at the point now with the pain in my butt, ankle, foot, as well as the periodic tingling, that I welcomed the chance to have a magnetic aided peek into the inner workings of my back, and what could possibly be going on.
Ironically after I made the appointment, my back started feeling better. I was very happy. I thought I may finally be seeing the end of this. But the next day it was back with a vengeance, but then the next day it felt good again. I am in a cycle of waxing and waning, with some progress, but it has still been 6 weeks, and I am tired of this crap. So, I have my two Xanax to take before the MRI, and I will hopefully have some idea of what I am dealing with later this week.
The Colnago C59 frameset is selling for $5900. The retro Master 30th is selling for $4000, and it's a lugged steel frame. What does this tell me? One, Colnago has developed themselves as a great brand in cycling and has a rabid following allowing such crazy pricing. Two, the cycling world has gone NUTS! Now, I can understand some cost of R&D being transferred to the consumer. And, while I don't have a comprehensive understanding of frame building, the time put into making a frame by hand increases its cost. Maybe that is the logic behind the pricing of these frames, and they are limited editions.
But then how does one justify the cost of a Pinarello Dogma? For the Dogma 65.1 Think 2 the going price on Competitive Cyclist is $5300. I am fairly certain this is a frame that is made in Taiwan, the same as 90% of all other frames. Yes, read the elaborate, and well written, copy on the CC website, and you will see how Pinarello has done this and that, done analysis to add carbon here, take it away there, wind tunnel testing for air cheating aerodynamics. They even have nanoparticles that "explode" on impact to lessen the effect an impact has on the carbon. This last point is the best. Nanoparticles. Pinarello is now in the nanotechnology field. How does this even help the frame? As far as I can tell, it is cat effect: first impact exploding nanoparticles, one life left, second impact frame exploding. So I guess you get a second chance to destroy your carbon frame after your first crash.
I've had it with the exponentially exploding price of cycling. My wallet and budget do not have nanoparticles that can take the impact of a $5500 frameset. That is why I have decided to go steel.
The constant pursuit of less weight, more aerodynamics, better nanoparticles...it's absurd. I don't know about all of you, but I have been dropped by guys riding old steel frames with what looked like wheels that were made with spare parts salvaged off a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail (does that bring back memories of the classic game?). I have been dropped by guys riding no name frames, wearing a white tank top as their cycling jersey. I have also been dropped by a guy that had to be pushing 70, with a belly, wearing an old Motorola jersey (I tell myself this must be one of the original members of the Motorola team, probably Lance's first mentor). I am not a great cyclist, but I am no slouch. The point of this is that it is the engine, not the bike.
I know you have all heard that overused cliche before, but it's true. It is so hard to accept, though. We as cyclists are an achieving, competitive group to begin with. We look for any edge we can get, just so we can finish one position higher on the city limit sprint on the Tuesday night ride. But the fact is 99% of us would need an engine hidden in our downtube to give us the advantage we think the latest frame will give us. So, I am going custom steel. I am going to get a bike that is classic, comfortable, and made by a craftsman, just for me. We will see how it goes, for better or worse. My prediction? Once I get back into my old form, I think the same guys will be kicking my ass all over the road, and most likely the same guys will be behind me, though few they may be (the latter part, unfortunately).
"Then it's time for an MRI."
Now, I believe I have said in the past that having an MRI is definitely on my list of things I don't want to ever do. This is due to the extreme confinement one experiences while in the machine; however, I am at the point now with the pain in my butt, ankle, foot, as well as the periodic tingling, that I welcomed the chance to have a magnetic aided peek into the inner workings of my back, and what could possibly be going on.
Ironically after I made the appointment, my back started feeling better. I was very happy. I thought I may finally be seeing the end of this. But the next day it was back with a vengeance, but then the next day it felt good again. I am in a cycle of waxing and waning, with some progress, but it has still been 6 weeks, and I am tired of this crap. So, I have my two Xanax to take before the MRI, and I will hopefully have some idea of what I am dealing with later this week.
The Colnago C59 frameset is selling for $5900. The retro Master 30th is selling for $4000, and it's a lugged steel frame. What does this tell me? One, Colnago has developed themselves as a great brand in cycling and has a rabid following allowing such crazy pricing. Two, the cycling world has gone NUTS! Now, I can understand some cost of R&D being transferred to the consumer. And, while I don't have a comprehensive understanding of frame building, the time put into making a frame by hand increases its cost. Maybe that is the logic behind the pricing of these frames, and they are limited editions.
But then how does one justify the cost of a Pinarello Dogma? For the Dogma 65.1 Think 2 the going price on Competitive Cyclist is $5300. I am fairly certain this is a frame that is made in Taiwan, the same as 90% of all other frames. Yes, read the elaborate, and well written, copy on the CC website, and you will see how Pinarello has done this and that, done analysis to add carbon here, take it away there, wind tunnel testing for air cheating aerodynamics. They even have nanoparticles that "explode" on impact to lessen the effect an impact has on the carbon. This last point is the best. Nanoparticles. Pinarello is now in the nanotechnology field. How does this even help the frame? As far as I can tell, it is cat effect: first impact exploding nanoparticles, one life left, second impact frame exploding. So I guess you get a second chance to destroy your carbon frame after your first crash.
I've had it with the exponentially exploding price of cycling. My wallet and budget do not have nanoparticles that can take the impact of a $5500 frameset. That is why I have decided to go steel.
The constant pursuit of less weight, more aerodynamics, better nanoparticles...it's absurd. I don't know about all of you, but I have been dropped by guys riding old steel frames with what looked like wheels that were made with spare parts salvaged off a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail (does that bring back memories of the classic game?). I have been dropped by guys riding no name frames, wearing a white tank top as their cycling jersey. I have also been dropped by a guy that had to be pushing 70, with a belly, wearing an old Motorola jersey (I tell myself this must be one of the original members of the Motorola team, probably Lance's first mentor). I am not a great cyclist, but I am no slouch. The point of this is that it is the engine, not the bike.
I know you have all heard that overused cliche before, but it's true. It is so hard to accept, though. We as cyclists are an achieving, competitive group to begin with. We look for any edge we can get, just so we can finish one position higher on the city limit sprint on the Tuesday night ride. But the fact is 99% of us would need an engine hidden in our downtube to give us the advantage we think the latest frame will give us. So, I am going custom steel. I am going to get a bike that is classic, comfortable, and made by a craftsman, just for me. We will see how it goes, for better or worse. My prediction? Once I get back into my old form, I think the same guys will be kicking my ass all over the road, and most likely the same guys will be behind me, though few they may be (the latter part, unfortunately).
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Sciata-what?
Ugh! This has not been my year. I started out the beginning of the year taking a trip to Arizona with my wife to visit family, and for her to get some CE done. Airplanes being the Petri dish of goodness they are, I became an unwilling participant in the global spreading of viruses via air travel. I am not sure what side I came in on, though. Vector or victim? The end result is that both myself and my son got the flu. Isn't modern travel wonderful?
But I have digressed from my point. The egocentric point is, I got sick. And before you ask, yes I also got the flu shot. After my bout with flu, I had about a three week reprieve before my son and I caught another bug. This one came after getting out on the first big ride of the year. I knew our team was going to have a group ride heading out from town along dirt roads to the next town, about 30 miles away. The total ride would be about 60 miles and based on my riding to this point, I knew I would need to get in some miles.
I got those miles, showed up for the ride, and just sat in for the ride. It ended up being a good ride, and I finished without trouble. Rolling up into my driveway, I was pleased with my effort, a little cold from the ride, but pleased. I came in the house and shed my layers, but soon found I was very cold. A hot shower should do the trick and warm me up. It did. But almost immediately after leaving the shower, I got the chills and shivers. I hunkered into bed and was soon running a 103.5 temperature. To make a long story a little less long, I got sick again. This time worse than the first. The coughing was horrible, and I believe it was at this time I struck the key blow to my persistently delicate back, which led to its eventual failure.
Fast forward two months. I had been having some pain in my left butt, but not enough to keep me from riding. My family and I headed south to California where we visited family, and I did some great riding; however, the riding, the car drive, the previous sickness, the phase of the moon, I don't know what. Some conglomeration of circumstances and fate led to my back giving out on me and the development of debilitating sciatic pain.
Four weeks after that, I have gone on my first ride. It was only 30 minutes, and it was still painful. I have been on a consistent regimen of PT, chiropractic care (believe me, this shows my desperation), massage, and stretching. My health insurance company is probably cringing right now as they receive claim after claim and are fearing the next claim from a back surgeon. I don't think it will get that far. It is slowly getting better, and by all medical recommendations, I am still 2 weeks out from really starting to look seriously at the next step, i.e., MRI's, CT's, injections, and whatever else they can throw at the mystery known as sciatic pain.
But I got out and I pedaled my bike today and that felt wonderful. I hope to soon be riding more. Road season is out the window, but there is still cross. And really, isn't that the most important season?
But I have digressed from my point. The egocentric point is, I got sick. And before you ask, yes I also got the flu shot. After my bout with flu, I had about a three week reprieve before my son and I caught another bug. This one came after getting out on the first big ride of the year. I knew our team was going to have a group ride heading out from town along dirt roads to the next town, about 30 miles away. The total ride would be about 60 miles and based on my riding to this point, I knew I would need to get in some miles.
I got those miles, showed up for the ride, and just sat in for the ride. It ended up being a good ride, and I finished without trouble. Rolling up into my driveway, I was pleased with my effort, a little cold from the ride, but pleased. I came in the house and shed my layers, but soon found I was very cold. A hot shower should do the trick and warm me up. It did. But almost immediately after leaving the shower, I got the chills and shivers. I hunkered into bed and was soon running a 103.5 temperature. To make a long story a little less long, I got sick again. This time worse than the first. The coughing was horrible, and I believe it was at this time I struck the key blow to my persistently delicate back, which led to its eventual failure.
Fast forward two months. I had been having some pain in my left butt, but not enough to keep me from riding. My family and I headed south to California where we visited family, and I did some great riding; however, the riding, the car drive, the previous sickness, the phase of the moon, I don't know what. Some conglomeration of circumstances and fate led to my back giving out on me and the development of debilitating sciatic pain.
Four weeks after that, I have gone on my first ride. It was only 30 minutes, and it was still painful. I have been on a consistent regimen of PT, chiropractic care (believe me, this shows my desperation), massage, and stretching. My health insurance company is probably cringing right now as they receive claim after claim and are fearing the next claim from a back surgeon. I don't think it will get that far. It is slowly getting better, and by all medical recommendations, I am still 2 weeks out from really starting to look seriously at the next step, i.e., MRI's, CT's, injections, and whatever else they can throw at the mystery known as sciatic pain.
But I got out and I pedaled my bike today and that felt wonderful. I hope to soon be riding more. Road season is out the window, but there is still cross. And really, isn't that the most important season?
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The Races and Beyond
So, I did the initial race, and then went on to do a couple more. The first race was quite fun. The race grouped the B's along with all the single speed racers, 4 in all. I went out a little tentatively, not wanting to get in front of others who were inevitably going to be much faster than myself. The race went on, and I passed a few people, and even managed to beat a fair number of geared racers. In my race, I finished on the podium, er...out of four people, but still on the podium. Not a bad start, especially considering my training.
Next, I raced a local series. There was no singlespeed competition, so I enter the geared B category. More or less a repeat of the previous race. Although, this course had some extended straightaway downhills where I spun out my gear and lost position to others. At the end, I finished down in the standings, though I believe my lack of gears cost me in this race.
To finish the cross season, I did two more races. One was in the Cross Crusade, the largest one day cross race in the world. This was the big time. With the elite SS race being cancelled, all comers raced together in the singlespeed race: pros, beginners, men, women, masters...I finished in a respectable position, in the top third of the field after starting five people from the back. I think it was, perhaps, one of the best races I have had in cyclocross, based on results. The last race I did was last weekend at Barlow. I decided to race the Master B group with my geared bike. To make a long story short: I started near the back, I finished in the top third, but was subjected to a faulty pedal easily costing me a minute and at least 20 positions. Oh well, not really a big deal. What is a bigger deal are the realizations and thoughts I have had about bike racing. Kind of brings a new meaning to singlespeed...
Next, I raced a local series. There was no singlespeed competition, so I enter the geared B category. More or less a repeat of the previous race. Although, this course had some extended straightaway downhills where I spun out my gear and lost position to others. At the end, I finished down in the standings, though I believe my lack of gears cost me in this race.
To finish the cross season, I did two more races. One was in the Cross Crusade, the largest one day cross race in the world. This was the big time. With the elite SS race being cancelled, all comers raced together in the singlespeed race: pros, beginners, men, women, masters...I finished in a respectable position, in the top third of the field after starting five people from the back. I think it was, perhaps, one of the best races I have had in cyclocross, based on results. The last race I did was last weekend at Barlow. I decided to race the Master B group with my geared bike. To make a long story short: I started near the back, I finished in the top third, but was subjected to a faulty pedal easily costing me a minute and at least 20 positions. Oh well, not really a big deal. What is a bigger deal are the realizations and thoughts I have had about bike racing. Kind of brings a new meaning to singlespeed...
Friday, September 21, 2012
The One Gear Beginning
I got a single speed cross bike. Once I become more savvy with this, I will post a photo. For now, though, let's just go with, "I got a single speed cross bike."
Why would one even want to ride a single speed? I guess there are a few reasons one would eschew a geared machine and go with one cog and one chainring. Some use them for commuting, and in foul weather, there is less maintenance and less to go wrong. I guess others, after conquering the world with their collection of gear ratios, decide a new challenge is needed and lop off that hanger and opt for one gear. Or maybe it's the purity, the economy (of motion and finance), or even the coolness (I, for one, have seen way too many hipsters riding their single speed bikes around, sans helmet and brakes, though it is normally a fixed gear).
So what was my reason? To enable me to hide. Let me give you a little background. I am recently a new father, and what was once a very promising road racing career destined to zenith in midpack obscurity in the Cat 3 field, has been put on hold in exchange for paternal duties; it is actually quite a favorable exchange, but my passion for cycling is still present. With road season having come and gone, I thought cross season may be the perfect opportunity to get some competitive cycling before the year ends. It seems a good fit: no pack to get dropped from, ride your own pace if you are out of shape/feel bad...perfect. But do you hear that? Yeah, that's pride messing with you.
Having had a very small amount of success racing cross last year, I was reluctant to drop down a category, and did not necessarily want to be skunked by people I was previously able to beat. Yeah, pride. Single speed seemed to be a good answer. It is just one group of racers (although this year's Cross Crusade has separated out the Elites into a different category now) who are typically beasts. So if I were to race in that class, it would be against people I have previously not raced against and who are also exceptionally strong. No pressure to perform, and no need to match my shell of a bicycle racer against my previous competitors.
So, here I am, a day away from my single speed cyclocross debut. How do I feel? Eh...I have been doing a little training on the road bike, trying to use Carmichael's Time Crunched Cyclist to provide short workouts to get into shape with minimal time. I will post more about the success of that plan later, though with the recent revelations about Lance, it would appear that the keystone to the Carmichael System is a heathy dose of PEDs. Power appears to be down significantly from road season last year. At the end of last year, I was able to push 276 watts for 20', with normalized power getting into the 290 range for that same time frame. This year, I was able to do 270 watts for 8 minutes during the Carmichael field test. I estimate my FTP to be around 245, which translates to a 20' test around 255-260. So wattage is down by at least 5-6%, and that is a conservative estimate. However, CX season came after the end of road season, about 2 months, so perhaps my decline from last season will intersect my optimistically anticipated ascent.
Why would one even want to ride a single speed? I guess there are a few reasons one would eschew a geared machine and go with one cog and one chainring. Some use them for commuting, and in foul weather, there is less maintenance and less to go wrong. I guess others, after conquering the world with their collection of gear ratios, decide a new challenge is needed and lop off that hanger and opt for one gear. Or maybe it's the purity, the economy (of motion and finance), or even the coolness (I, for one, have seen way too many hipsters riding their single speed bikes around, sans helmet and brakes, though it is normally a fixed gear).
So what was my reason? To enable me to hide. Let me give you a little background. I am recently a new father, and what was once a very promising road racing career destined to zenith in midpack obscurity in the Cat 3 field, has been put on hold in exchange for paternal duties; it is actually quite a favorable exchange, but my passion for cycling is still present. With road season having come and gone, I thought cross season may be the perfect opportunity to get some competitive cycling before the year ends. It seems a good fit: no pack to get dropped from, ride your own pace if you are out of shape/feel bad...perfect. But do you hear that? Yeah, that's pride messing with you.
Having had a very small amount of success racing cross last year, I was reluctant to drop down a category, and did not necessarily want to be skunked by people I was previously able to beat. Yeah, pride. Single speed seemed to be a good answer. It is just one group of racers (although this year's Cross Crusade has separated out the Elites into a different category now) who are typically beasts. So if I were to race in that class, it would be against people I have previously not raced against and who are also exceptionally strong. No pressure to perform, and no need to match my shell of a bicycle racer against my previous competitors.
So, here I am, a day away from my single speed cyclocross debut. How do I feel? Eh...I have been doing a little training on the road bike, trying to use Carmichael's Time Crunched Cyclist to provide short workouts to get into shape with minimal time. I will post more about the success of that plan later, though with the recent revelations about Lance, it would appear that the keystone to the Carmichael System is a heathy dose of PEDs. Power appears to be down significantly from road season last year. At the end of last year, I was able to push 276 watts for 20', with normalized power getting into the 290 range for that same time frame. This year, I was able to do 270 watts for 8 minutes during the Carmichael field test. I estimate my FTP to be around 245, which translates to a 20' test around 255-260. So wattage is down by at least 5-6%, and that is a conservative estimate. However, CX season came after the end of road season, about 2 months, so perhaps my decline from last season will intersect my optimistically anticipated ascent.
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