Finally, a rare race appearance and something to blog about.

I stopped scouring the road sides for goodies this Tuesday and made my way to the Washington Blvd. oval. It’s been several years since I’ve been able to get to the oval for a crit night. Last year I did two time trials there, but that was all.

I have a love/hate relationship with crits. I love that if I ride smart, I can do well. I hate that even if I ride smart for 45 minutes, I can blow it all in the last 45 seconds. I love that I can hide my weakness in climbing. I hate it if I lose the sprint. It goes on and on…

I went there with a “plan” and my goal was to ride the “plan” – ride smart, stay out of the wind, wait ‘til the end, be patient, sprint hard. I rode the “plan!”

The race was 35 laps – the first 5 were neutral. Since I haven’t been there, I only recognized a few faces. I didn’t know who to watch or follow so I was just watching everyone. The best way to do that is from the back of the pack. I was able to work my way up when I wanted to, but for the most part I tried to keep a low profile. To some, this might not be the most honorable strategy, but it was “the plan.” One of the riders I know is a Sharon, one of the faster women racers who mixes it up with the guys at times. She is not a good wheel to follow. She’s about 4 ft tall and rides in the drops all the time. The only person harder to draft is Dirty Mike (aka “Sliver”). The laps ticked by. There were the usual attempts at breaks. I tell my self “don’t worry, it won’t stick, they never do...” I talk to my self a lot during a crit. My biggest battle is sometimes my own lack of confidence. I tell my self, “you can do it, you can hang in at this speed, just be patient.…” There were a number of primes. I tell my self “Stay focused, don’t be tempted by the cookie prime, wait, be patient…” With about nine laps to go, I try to start positioning myself. Five laps to go, move up some more, be patient, look for the strong guys or a team train to follow. Two to go, you can do it don’t get jumpy, be patient….

Here come the last 45 seconds. I find myself on the inside about 10 places back. This is not where I want to be. I make sure I’m in the right gear for the speed. People start passing on the outside in turn 3. I hold my line on the inside. Coming out of turn 4, the guys in front are already sprinting and I’ve got some people in front of me. A lane opens up on the inside and I launch. By that time, I’m almost in mid pack, but I’ve got a clear lane and I’m coming around people. I’m watching everyone over to my right as they spread across the width of the track. I end up crossing the line 5th, with all five riders are within two bike lengths spread.

What did I learn? I felt good the whole race. My fitness isn’t coming along too bad. I’ve still got some snap in the legs. I can still ride in a pack. I love sprinting! I’ve got to do some more if this.

Cool AND Useful - how good is that!

I was a little disappointed at missing the Tour of PA when it passed through Latrobe (not just once, but twice), but I'll get over it. It just may come back next year - let's hope.
Anyway, after a short break from my lunchtime rides, I got out for a good little ride yesterday. I wasn't planning this, but part of the ride I did covered part of the route the "Tour" used on last Saturday's stage. JACKPOT!! There in someone's front yard - two discarded water bottles - just waiting for me come by and collect them. One sanitizing cycle through the dishwasher and good as new. Except for chipping in on the ag3r bottles, I don't think I have purchased a water bottle in over 20 years. In fact, I think the last bottles I bought were Tour de France replica Coca-Cola bottles circa mid to late 1980's. Remember those?

The Beachcomber Log - find-date June 19, 2008

Well, I've got a good one from last night. My wife and I went out for a walk around the neighborhood with the dog. Between some of the houses, in an overgrown area, I noticed something blue. I had to investigate more. A closer look revealed that the blue object was one of those bags you get at a home show or some sort of event so you can collect all the free stuff you see. Then, in and around the bag were unopened cans of beer - 7 in all.

I don't drink beer. I would have been more excited to find Mt Dew, but my wife and I had a good laugh. I suspect some young people were afraid of getting caught with the goods so they tossed it all in the weeds.

I'm thinking about posting a "Lost and Found" picture up on the mailboxes in the neighborhood. Just to see if a parent recognizes the bag or a kid steps up to claim the goods.

What's in a name?

I have been given the nick-name "beachcomber." It's not that I live at the beach. It's because, while on my bike rides, I keep an eye open for any interesting curiosities that might be strewn along the roadside. Then I made the mistake of sharing that information with others who are adept at making up nick-names.
I do have certain criteria for anything interesting I find and report on. It should fit in my jersy pocket or at least be easy to carry. No normal trash or dead things. For instance, just yesterday, I came across and neat little bungee strap. I can think of 1001 used for this little thing.





As I come across other interesting finds, I'll post them too. I'd be glad to hear what others have found along the roadside.

Beachcomber out.

Ever since I saw that video of Nick Fisher doing his tricks on the rollers, I've had the desire to get myself back on some rollers. I recently purchased a set of used rollers to give it a try again. It has been about 5 to 6 years since riding my old home-made set of rollers. While I'm not riding with one leg and juggling at the same time, I was able to put in a good hour today. I was expecting a rainy morning, so even though it was dry outside, I didn't have the clothes ready for the day's cool temps

Ahhh Silence

As much as I love riding my bike, I also love working on it. I enjoy getting the shifting to work flawlessly. I find a reward in truing a wheel. I consider wrapping handle bars correctly a small work of art.

I get frustrated when my bike is making some noise that I can't find and fix. For a while now, I have been experiencing the tick, tick, ticks ... the occasional creeeeeaaaaak ... and some ping, pings. You all know what these sounds are. They were driving me nuts and taking some of the enjoyment out of my rides.

Recently, I was able to replace some worn parts. I got a set of "new" wheels (used but better than what I had), replaced the chain and the small chain ring. Then I went out for ride... ahhhh silence. Silence here is not the absence of any sounds at all, but the sound of things working like they should. None of the extra little nuisance noises, just the music that a bike makes when things are working right.

The First Blog

I'm jumping into the Blog world. Here it goes.