Back (jumping) in the saddle again

Well, dusted off the 'cross bike, gave it a new chain (seems the old one had rusted into a really cool oval shape that matched the drivetrain) and set off for the first 'cross practice of the season. Hit the field and saw my two 'cross compatriots from last year, Jeff and Alex, plus Double Down, Johnny MC, Jenna, Katrina, Chris Thomas, the grommet and Ron. I went ahead and broke the ice by blowing a clip out and nailing the barriers. This provoked a wave of imitators, but I want all to know that I did it first! We worked on those damnable dismounts and remounts. I finally managed to get over the stutter step remount that plagued me all last season. Here's hoping for more improvements... We took a couple of hot laps and I gotta say that Lenoir has the makings of a sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet 'cross course! The bug has definitely bitten a few people and I hope to see some more faces at this week's practice ( hell yeah, I'm talking to you Mark and Jack ). Maybe the Mayor will put in an appearance?

It's 'Crosssssssssss time!

Well, B2B is over and we are still in the recovery process. Some significant crashes have definitely laid some of Caldwell's finest low. Our pre-ride pick for top Caldwell finisher, Max Dyer, was taken out by an early crash. We had to give Max the edge over the eventual top Caldwell finisher, John McMenemy, due to depth of experience. However, fate had different plans, and although John was involved in the same crash, he managed to avoid any injury or bike damage and continued on to a stellar finish.
Now we must turn our attention to the greatest sport in all of bikedom: CYCLOCROSS!!!! Practice will be this Saturday at 4:30pm. Meet at the soccer fields on Zack's Fork Rd. We have practice barriers and will be running skills drills and some hotlaps. You won't need any ego or pride since we will all be falling at some point. 'Cross is definitely a when not if proposition. Hope we get a big crowd. I know I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. And if you have no clue what we are talking about, stop by the shop and let us make you a 'cross convert. It's the most fun you can have on two wheels... or at least it's like fun, but different...

We all were grommets once...

You really do have to start somewhere, but usually there isn't any photographic evidence of our formative moments. I never raced against Max back in the day, even though we were in the same circles so to speak. This photo has got to be about '89-'90 given the presence of a Team Z jersey in the group. This should begin a randomly occurring part of this 'blog entitled "When they were young...". Send in those embarassing photos (preferably of someone else!).

Luna product test

In a neverending quest to provide you with the highest quality product information, I have given up the Scott CR1 I have ridden all season and built up a BMC Streetfire SSX. The Streetfire is BMC's all aluminum and least expensive road frame. Jeff described the ride as being like a "jackhammer", but I don't agree. Either he is of a more delicate constitution or my butt is tougher, but I think the ride is surprisingly smooth and lively. Not something that aluminum is known for being. It does not transmit much road vibration and is really the first aluminum frame I have actually liked riding. I let you know more thoughts when I have more time on it...

I also got a pair of Sugoi RS flex bib shorts. They are possibly the most comfortable shorts I have ever used. They fit VERY tightly, but the fabric is super lightweight and very soft to the touch. The chamois is the 2006 version and is very comfortable. I have seen the new 2007 chamois and it must be super comfortable to be an improvement on the '06.

Sad news at the shop: the weekly rides (monday, tuesday, thursday) will start at 5:30 beginning Mon. Sept. 11th. I know many of you won't be able to make the new time (we won't be able to either, Jeff is a frickin' slave driver) and we apologize. Due to the shortened amount of daylight, the traditional 6ish start just doesn't leave enough safe riding time. We are still a small bike shop and we can't afford to lose any customers!

Don't be bashful about leaving comments, you don't even need to have anything meaningful to say. Want info on something? Let me know and I'll see what I can do!

2 days in a row and more than 1 gear!

Today makes the first time in a loooooooooong time that I have ridden two, count 'em, two days in a row! Plus, I rode a geared bike on a road ride for the first time in a month! So my "base" training schedule consisted of: 1 gear, 1 day a week for 1 month. Think of it as the anti-Carmichael Training System. I have also included a carefully controlled regimen of beer consumption to naturally increase my testosterone levels.
The ride today was definitely an insult to the body. The soreness definitely presented me with an anatomy lesson of the musculature from the waist down. It was sheer dedication that kept me riding. Now, unbelievably, I'm contemplating a ride tomorrow morning! I'm afraid of overtraining, but I might just risk it....