What a scary, educational. and good experience John. Glad everyone was OK. And congrats on the PR!

Stay safe...

Well put Troy. It was all of those things. Although the ride leader and the guy that went down all said there was no blame to be handed out ("wasn't anyone's fault, things just happen sometimes"), I feel horrible about it. And although you naturally just "react" to situations, I'm going to think twice about slowing like that again, if at all possible.

All in all though...... I'm whipped. What a great ride. This one definitely qualifies for "epic" status.

Stay safe,
J

Way to go, John! Good to hear that both of you are ok. When I crashed in that race last September, I think some of the guys who went down with me were kind of ticked, because I think I was pretty squirrelly all day. Everyone else continued on in the race, so I guess I reaped the fruit of my own lack of handling skills.

I need to get out there, and hopefully it will happen after this last week of school.

First, John, I seriously am glad you both were OK... but don't sweat the wreck. I've only been riding 2 years, but I do believe that we all go down some time or another. And it happens so fast... your intentions were fine, just put it behind you and learn from it (seems you already have).

I did an easy 25-30 combo this weekend, averaging 16-17 for each. And loved it. My fiance is such a great rider.

Thanks Dre and Troy. Feeling pretty good about things today. Just got done going over the bike for awhile. Got 'er all cleaned up and shiny again. Yesterday's rain trashed it pretty bad. Oddly, it's a pretty bland looking bike, but looks really cool when all clean. Definitely doesn't draw a crowd at rest stops. Maybe the next bike.

Ready to get 50 tomorrow.

Stay safe,
J

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...mp;ft=1&f=1

Interesting link, Jaem.

Here's another one: http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=2882380

I don't know if anyone else is paying attention to the doping confessions going on, or the Landis trial, but every day seems to reveal a more incredible dark secret from the past of cycling. I'm starting to be encouraged by it, even if it means the sport suffers for a while; hopefully with confession there will be redemption and a restoration of integrity throughout the sport.

I rode 35-ish in the NC mountains Saturday, and really enjoyed it. I'm definitely a climber dude. 20 on Monday, 33 on Tuesday, 20 tonight, gonna do 60 in a charity ride this Saturday. Definitely getting my legs back.

Are you guys and gals out there? Eh, all three of ya?

Yeah Troy, just coming off a recovery week last week. Ran a half marathon last Sunday (it was ugly, but I finished). Just getting my legs back to normal now after THAT. Just cracked 2000 for the year last night. I'm stoked!

Who else?

Congrats! And hey, anything under 2:16:45 is considered elite.

Word.

It didn't feel elite...

I did 80 km last night, 50 Wednesday, and 60 Monday. I broke 1000k for the year this week, so I'm at about a third of what you have, John.

I'm still a lot slower than I was last summer, though.

Troy, where did you ride in the mountains? I've ridden near Brevard/Mt. Pisgah a few times, and once in Maggie Valley last summer, where I found a road so steep I couldn't go up it. I want to go back and conquer it, but not before a bunch of hill work here.

It was near Asheville, in a town called Flat Rock. Not super steep stuff, more like foothills.... still great climbs though.

OK, so we rode 45 Saturday (backed off the 60 because girlie had tonsilitis all week and was in recovery mode), easy 17-ish pace. Long graduals and beautiful landscape though, north of Charlotte in Davidson. Great ride! Rode 33 yesterday, much faster at 18+ mph... great ride again!

The legs are comin' back, baby! Can't wait to get out again.

ok, I had to get in here with this. Tonight the group was being a little lazy so I took off a few minutes after official ride start time. The rest of the group (8-10 strong riders) came along in a minute or two after that. I figured they'd run me down before the turn around (O&B course tonight). They didn't. I did see them flying to the turn on my way back. Looked to me like they were less than two miles behind. I figured for SURE they'd get me about half way back. Well, I got to the library (start/finish) and waited 11 FREAKING MINUTES for the next rider to show. He was then followed a few minutes later by the rest of the group.

I ended up riding the entire 32 miles SOLO at 20 mph and did not get caught by the pack. I am so freaking pumped. Oh, and I was appropriately harassed after the group got back.



By the way, during a slightly downhill portion of the ride tonight I was passed by AT LEAST 200 motorcycles. It was amazing. I was doing 25mph+ at that point and they took FOREVER to pass me. What a rush......

Woo..... what a night.
Out.
J

Good job guys.

I had a good ride tonight, but not 20 mph good. I showed up 20 minutes late for a group ride, and thought if I rode really hard and took the shortcut I might catch the slower group. I saw one guy in the last mile. It was a good ride trying to chase, though. I must have really been in good shape last summer, because I would just go out and cruise at averages 2-3 kph faster than what I'm doing now. Tonight was better, though, up at 30.3 kph, a little under 19 mph. I was glad the thunderstorms passed through, but it was humid as a beast out there.

Way to go Dre. Remember, the "good" in "good ride" doesn't really have anything to do with the speed. You had a great ride! Enjoy!

Looking forward to hearing more from the season!

That's AWESOME! I bet that was a great feeling.



As is that! Great job you two.

===========================

OK, a quick anecdote for ya: this girl my fiance works with says to her, "My hubby doesn't really ride much, he started a year and a half ago. But he went out last weekend and rode 75 miles and averaged 24 mph. He forgot his food though, so had to cut it short... he was going to do 100 miles. Also, he dropped a water bottle so only had one."

Ahem.

OK, so, your hubby has been riding for under two years, and by himself (no one pulling him) rides 75 miles at 24 mph average, with no food and only one water bottle? Oh, and by the way, he's never done a group ride or anything, so he got that fast off sheer will. Oh, and also by the way, he's 5'10" and 230 lbs.

Smell something fishy here? Like, a computer that has wheel sizes set to 36" diameter???



.

No freaking way Troy.

That's freakish if true.

edit: nevermind. after reading 5'10" 230 lbs. I KNOW that's not right.....

tour is coming!!!! and i dit my 1400 km's from febr till now, see my legs ;-)

The goodness of the ride and the speed are too closely connected for me, I'm afraid. The things that frustrate me most when cycling are things that slow me down or make me feel slow: my own lack of fitness, noises on my bike, and bumpy roads. Sometimes I just yell out my frustration at these things while I'm riding. I'm probably not well, but I'm getting faster!

As for the guy you mentioned, Troy, that seems unbelievable. If it's true, he should quit his job and race his bike for a living.

Another thing: Troy, have you ever considered coming down to do one of the rides with the Rock Hill club? I often meet people from Charlotte at the Monday night ride. The Tuesday and Thursday rides are good too.

From where do you take off, and what times? Or is there a site where I can see the ride details? I'd love to join...

Here is the calendar: http://www.rockhillbicycleclub.com/RideCalendarAndMaps.php.
I usually do the Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday night rides.

John, I've been checking out your bike journal from time to time; you're tearing it up! I think you're going to meet your goal for the year by the end of August! Keep it up!

Hey, thanks Dre. It's been a good year. About the only downer this season is that I had to cancel my trip to DALMAC (a five day ride through Michigan in September). I'm still hoping to be able to do CFC (a complete sufferfest in Ohio in late September... 200+ miles and 20,000+ ft. of climbing in two days. Bring it ON!).

Also, my family got me a sweet new (to me) bike at a garage sale for father's day. I figured it would make a great winter bike, but the more I ride it, I'm not sure. It's awesome! Check it out on the blog if you like.

Keep those pedals turning all...
J

Just a word of warning to you racers out there who have been convinced over time not to take things too literally. If you see the words "Double Trouble" in the name of a race, take it literally, my friends. Ran my first 15K and also first trail run/race this weekend in beautiful sunny weather with low humidity. Made it out in one piece , despite a fall on my knee and 2 near falls where I managed to find my balance but over extended some back muscles. The trail was very rocky with lots of roots and also logs to jump over, very steep. Even the few steep downhills were loaded with rocks jutting out of the ground...hard to find a place to land the feet for almost all of the run. At least I finshed and got a very nice crystal mug (beer stein?) at the end.


Double Trouble might mean.....

....why didn't I think of that?

Congrats Carolyn!

That's an awesome feat! Glad you survived. Those trail runs can be buggers. I've actually been reduced to walking/crawling a few times on those runs.

Way to go!
J

I had just the best ride today. Ever, perhaps, in terms of the way I felt and the way my legs responded all day. 50+ mile group ride (my Mojo team), averaged around 19 mph, over a sometimes hilly course out towards Waxhaw from Charlotte. Every time the group hammerheads jumped, I jumped, and it always worked out. I was up front much of the day, was nice and even on the hills, and we were even pretty stinkin' zippy at times.

Best ride ever! Woot!

Way to go Troy! That is, indeed, zipping along!

Right on, Troy!

I had a pretty good ride today, too. I did the fabulous 4th 100k in Tryon, NC. It was pretty hilly, 6000 feet of climbing with a few super steep short climbs and one 5 or 6 mile climb. Very well-organized too, and close to 500 riders. There were even people on the side of the road waving flags and cheering us on, which was a new experience. I didn't get close to my unrealistic goal of 3.5 hours, nor to my revised goal of 4 hours, but I rode well on the climbs. I finished in 4:18:00 after breaking a spoke.

Dre, that's awesome! I guess with the spoke time-out, you averaged 15mph then, over 6K feet of climbing? I think that's a great ride. How are the legs today?

My legs, btw, are pretty pooped today. I'm going to go ride for an hour today and just spin... flush 'em out.

Did 60 today, with some longer climbs... 17 mph pace, nice and easy, with a great crew of folks who are doing the Lake Placid IronMan in 2 weeks... for them, 60 was a really short ride, but this is the week they're tapering so they didn't smoke my girlie and me out there. Any other time they would have crushed us.

Yay cycling! And Le Tour started today! WOOT!

Not getting to any riding of my own, but I did just attend the Grand Départ ceremonies in London, the Prologue, and stage 1 rolled just past my hotel! Had a nice little chat with Frankie Andreiu before the Prologue, and I got some great film of George just as he came across the line. Got a good shot of the whole bunch rolling over Blackfriars Bridge on Stage 1 as well.

Really fantastic. Now I've done the start and finish. Guess its time to go see a mountain stage one of these coming years.

How cool is THAT? Sounds like a blast, Jules! Quite jealous....

OK, so, I decided that I wanted to ride with a faster group last night, just to see how long I could hold on, and of course because if-ya-don't-push-it-ya-can't-improve, and all that! Anyway, for the first 16 miles we absolutely hammered (!) it. At that point, my friends and I said, "you know, this looks like a damn fine B group!" We did a pace line at 18 mph avg. for the last 10 miles and all left smiling. Great ride!

This year's tour is a TRIP! Did anybody see this first-year Colombian rider shoot the gap, catch the lead group, pass them, and then proceed to systematically drop them all in a super-nasty, windy, non-categorized climb? What a thing to watch!

Yesterday!

You're right on Troy. This year's event is fantastic! Was great to see Barloworld finally crack a win (although I was pulling for Hunter in the early sprints).

Looking forward to watching this one play out in the Pyrenees. Watch out for Contador!
J

You know, I thought he was going to catch the Colombian at the end there.... when there were two Discovery riders at the peak in the chase #1 group, I figured they'd run him down. But that kid had moxy!

Yeah, me too. You know he's only 3:08 off pace??? Sitting pretty in 5th place. And what about MAYO??? Only 2:39 out.

Crazy year.

I love it!

Going into stage 11 and there are 9-10 guys with a chance still. I don't think we'll have it all sorted out until the time trial before Paris.

Several of my friends are doing the Lake Placid IronMan tomorrow.... yeah, they're freaks, but WOW it's impressive the work they've done to prepare for this. Best of luck to them! WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!

Not sure if anyone's interested, but maybe.... so....

My friends all finished the IronMan! Well, the ones I was really rooting for anyway.

One guy that I sorta kinda know, who was in great shape and got out of the water in 1:11 (a 2.4 mile swim) got clipped 6 miles into the ride and shattered his bike and got hurt. Not badly, but it stopped his race. What a pissed off feeling that must be!


But my first-timer friends ALL finished! Between 13 and 15 hours, but their goal was to just complete it, so YAY for them!

Now, our one friend (not a first-timer), this 30-year old girl (who's really hot, btw) got out of the water in 1:15, averaged 19.5 mph for 112 rolling bike miles, and then did the marathon in sub-9-minute miles. Finished the whole thing in just under 11 hours. She's an animal!

Makes me want to do one....

That's cool Troy. Congrats. It's a huge accomplishment. I did a sprint distance tri a couple years ago and about drowned in the swim. I would have to do a lot of training in the water to try another. Passes a bunch of folks in the bike/run though.

My riding is going really well. I just started a recovery week today. Think I really needed it. Been pushing pretty hard all year.

And how about the TdF???

Best. Tour. Ever.

Out.

Good for you, John. The past week has been a bit lame (only ridden twice, was out of town), but otherwise this is definitely my strongest year of cycling. Nothing like your mileage though, but that will come in time, eh?

And yes, Le Tour.... SO much fun to watch. I swear I'm pulling for 5 different people, it just depends on when I'm watching!

*edited to say: overall, I would say that I'm pulling for Discovery as a team, but Rasmussen as an individual. I was SO amazed by his time-trialing and by his defense of yellow in the Pyrenees... POWER!

Thanks Troy. This year just lined up for me to ride my arse off. Went from about 1200 miles last year to this (over 3k at the moment). Biggest change is in my overall strength though. Been riding hills hard all year. Enjoying it while I can. Who knows... next year I may be back to riding twice a week.

I'm hoping Contador can pull this thing off. Don't see how Leipheimer, Evans or Kloden can do it.

Observations on today's stage (spoiler warning):

I agree with what Phil and Paul said about Contador today. I would've loved to have seen him spank Rasmussen like that earlier. I think he would've broken him and made up some time on him. But he could do the same thing Wednesday... we'll see!!

What are these idiots thinking???

It's unfathomable. And now his whole team has withdrawn from the tour.... what an absolute waste. And after all the shit that's happened. Can you believe it? I'm disgusted by these guys at present... it may be hard to watch much more. I really dunno.

I heard or read today that Rassmussen has been accused of having someone cart blood into some event... can't remember the details. And I thought, BAH! Leave him alone, he's gotta be clean after all this nonsense!

Perhaps not. Perhaps they just ALL do it, and it's a level playing field after all.

T.

I read about the Rasmussen thing. Seemed like it was mostly paperwork. The other guy seemed like he had some sour grapes to get out from about five years ago, so I, like you, didn't think too much of that.

This Vino thing, though.

You said it... unfathomable.

Wow.

OK, so.... to quote myself... nice call! Discovery today was right together, but Rasmussen was the mtn. animal AGAIN. If he stays on two wheels into Paris, this thing is over, eh?

And cleanly, let's hope.

Oops.

Yeah, it's over alright... Freaking unbelievable. I feel like I'm watching the WWF... or worse.



J

text deleted

Well---Rasmussen will not be on the podium in Paris on Sunday---he is gone, along with Vino and his team Estana and the Cofidis team----man---pro cycling has got to get cleaned up or it's history---

I still don't think the Floyd Landis situation from last year has been resolved!!!

What more can happen in the remaining few days of this year's Tour de France??????---

I do hope that Team Discovery with their top men, Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer and George Hincapie are all clean---if they aren't--this year's race will be for naught and it could kill the Tour de France and the rest of pro cycling----

Well---Rasmussen will not be on the podium wearing the mayo juene in Paris on Sunday---he is gone, along with Vino and his team Estana and the Cofidis team----man---pro cycling has got to get cleaned up or it's history---

I still don't think the Floyd Landis situation from last year has been resolved!!!

What more can happen in the remaining few days of this year's Tour de France??????---

I do hope that Team Discovery with their top men, Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer and George Hincapie are all clean---if they aren't--this year's race will be for naught and it could kill the Tour de France and the rest of pro cycling----

Sorry for the multiple posts--I had some sort of glitch happen and I thought that none of them got posted----don't cha just love computers???!!!!!!