DClog

Playing in the Rain

I had been looking forward to today because my workout schedule said "work on cyclocross skills" and today Mother Nature cooperated completely by raining the entire time. I pedaled to my nearby grassy park and was happily practicing dismount, remount, uphill carry, bunny-hops and off-road handling in the downpour.

It was sort of a Red Letter Day for me because I made a substantial technical breakthrough and feel like this will bump me up to the next plateau in my cyclocross skills development.

Most all cyclist have ridden in the rain at some time and experienced squishy gloves and shoes and it's not really much of an issue... until you start trying to quickly execute the skills mentioned above. As for eyewear, on road rides, where you are traveling at faster speeds, I prefer to keep the lenses on, otherwise the raindrops start to feel like they are poking your eyeballs out. But in cyclocross it's probably better to lose the glasses and see the obstacles better.

The number one observation I want to share from today's workout, and I'm sure that all you veteran 'cross riders know this well, is the reason 'cross racers wear skinsuits is not for looks or aerodynamics, it's because the rain! If you don't wear a skinsuit, or at least bib shorts, you may find there is nothing worse than trying to remount with soggy and saggy shorts. Even with a skinsuit or bibs, wet spandex does not slide on the saddle like dry. I suggest you practice in the rain if you get a chance.

BTW it's still kind of fun to play in the rain.

Guitar Practice

Sometimes studious, diligent and disciplined. Sometimes boring, repetitive and technical. Sometimes exploratory, random and spontaneous. Sometimes quiet, introspective and moody. Sometimes loud, fun and with complete abandon (probably the neighbors least favorite form of practice).

Flanders T-shirt

Homemade with a black permanent marker. Yeah, I know it's kind of ghetto, but where can one buy something like that?

This "Lion of Flanders" is from the Flemish-speaking region of Belgium, which is the undisputed epicenter of elite cyclo-cross racing.

Painted Window and Guitarist

Fitness Test

The Cedars Road 3-mile time trial course has been used as a benchmark for several years now. Today it was used again by myself and a young athlete/client, but this morning was unusually windy and blowing in a direction that was constantly unfavorable. Considering the windy conditions and the fact that I'm just finishing the "Base" phase in my training periods and lifting weights currently, I was not expecting to do one of my better times... it wasn't too bad actually. The "Build" training phase is coming next so LT (lactate threshold) should increase by several BPM. I hope for continued good health.

Guitarist

Asian Tea

I think Rachel said a friend of hers brought it back from China. I don't know what type of tea it is but I really like it.

The tea looks like little chunks or compressed wads, but after they are brewed they expand and look like this.

Portable Cyclocross Training Barriers

Here's the plans for making portable cyclocross training barriers:
http://www.bikeman.com/thepit/crossbarriers.htm
Including the trip to Home Depot and sweeping up afterwards this entire project took me about 1.5 hours and about $20. The parts fit in my backpack and can easily travel to the practice field. They measure 10 feet wide and 40cm high and hardly weigh a thing.

Parts ready to transport

Assembled ready for action

Official UCI height, 40cm

LVI - Leo

The family gathered to celebrate the anniversary of Bev's birthday. Mother and daughters then went to the Braves baseball game together.

Bethlehem Ride

Fridays are a good time to get away from the traffic as much as possible if you want to go for a road ride. Bethlehem is about halfway between Lawrenceville and Athens so Rachel and I decided to meet there and join the regular M-W-F "Ride with the Bobs". This is usually a group of retired folks, mostly veteran cyclist who ride about 30 miles in about 2 hours. Some of these folks I've ridden with for over 15 years.

Photo Gallery

Click on photo for 5MB Windows Media Video

Ikea Bedroom

This past weekend Rachel helped me shop for bedroom furniture from Ikea. Here are new dressers, shelves, night stands, sheets, comforter and bed. Next is curtains, lights and maybe a chair.

shelves

dressers

bed and night stand

old curtains