Friday, July 29, 2011

Friday Follies ~~ The Winner!

The following is Steven C’s contest winning essay, reproduced here by his permission.  Thanks Steve, and congratulations!

What I did on my Summer Vacation

Imagine my glee when I found a notice online about a group ride in the Outer Banks of North Carolina where my family and friends planned to vacation for  a week earlier this summer.
Imagine my horror when I found out that the ride rolled out at 5:30 am from a location 30 minutes by car from our rental house.
The horror came not from the early start, although up at 4 am is a bit early even for me, but from the spoken (and unspoken) thoughts I knew my family and friends would have about my sanity.
And perhaps they were on to something. To be frank, I was actually most excited about the ride because I heard this was a FAST group that would probably make me suffer before the sun barely rose about the surf.
So, sure enough, one morning (night?) I loaded up the car in the dark and headed out for the ride.
I arrived before anyone else.  A friendly young woman showed up and welcomed me to the group. Soon a few other riders came and we rolled out at 5:30 am SHARP. A few of the riders said nice hellos and asked me questions: "Where are you from?" and  "Have you done this ride before?"  One even took some pity upon me and gave me a few highlights of the ride about to come.
After a mile or two of pure warm up, the group of 10-15 riders went into tempo riding at about 22 miles an hour on a flat beach road. That lasted for a couple of miles until someone lit the firecracker. The group quickly accelerated to 24 mph and then got faster and faster. Sure enough, it was all I could do to hold on and do my own short pull as the group hit 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. By then there were only 4 or 5 riders left. I fell off the back myself. Exhilirating!
 I caught up at a traffic light and learned we would do that twice more: tempo, fast, super fast intervals. After the second one, I lost the lead group at an intersection and waited for the B group to show up.
It is said, “What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.” Indeed, I could hardly wait for the two days to pass to get a shot at the group again. This time I fell off the back but was able to catch back on each time and did all 3 of the intervals.
True I wasn't the fastest in the group. Not even close. But I think I got a little respect for a "tourist" joining their killer ride. That said, they did tell me they were a little concerned about the psyche of a tourist who will do a 5:30 ride, while on vacation.
It was a fun addition to my vacation - meeting and riding with a new group. One of the things I love about cycling is the common bond we have with other like-minded enthusiasts from all over. We're all part of a unique and passionate group. As my sister, another cyclist has said, "I've never met a jerk who bikes." How true.
Now I can't wait to ride with a new group of not-so-strange strangers in New Hampshire later this summer.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Thursday Thoughts: Beware the “August Lull”!


Starting with basics.  It is not hot out. 

It has been warm.  We were blessed with an unseasonable warm spell in early June, but since then things have pretty much settled down to norms. 

It will get hot.  (Hot starts at 95 degrees F.)  It most certainly will.  August is hot.  And that is the crux of the matter.  Simply put, when it gets hot, a lot of folks start finding “reasons” not to ride.  Many (possibly most) will reassure themselves that they will “get back to it when the weather gets cooler.”

The problem with that approach is that breaking a routine is a lot easier than re-establishing it.  This is the first step to joining the “Old Guys Who Get Fat in the Winter Racing Team.

“Winter?  You were just talking about August!

That’s right.  It makes sense too.  For a lot of people, August is the beginning of the Great Annual Deterioration.  Here’s how it works.
It’s hot out.  I’ll skip today’s ride.  It will be better later this week.  Or next week.  Or…

Part of the problem comes from a simple fact.  It’s far easier to maintain conditioning, than it is to recover it.

Take a day off of the bike and it’s impossible to notice.  Take a week off, and you might actually come back stronger.  (Most folks don’t get enough rest and recovery.)  But go for two weeks, and the loss of fitness is quite noticeable.  Worse, it takes a lot of effort to recover lost fitness.

As a general rule, it takes about two days of training to recover each single day off.  Go a month off the bike, and it will take about two months to get back into condition.  That is, in a word, demoralizing.

August will be hot.  Some of us like it that way.  For others, the temptation to slack off is incredible.

Good luck with that.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Continuing Technical Challenges


Sorry for the inconvenience folk.  We’re still having technical problems here.  The Audax Riders blog will again be posting tomorrow.

Thank you for your support and patience.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Notes on What’s Happening Soon


First The Contest Announcement!
It was a tough process, going through all the tens and dozens of entries, but we burned some midnight oil, and we are happy to announce, we have a WINNER!

Here’s the results:
2nd Honorable Mention (no prize awarded): Alan B. For forgoing cycling in order to bring a new member into the fold.

1st Honorable Mention (no prize awarded):  Brad F.  For buying a new bike and using it instead of going on vacation.

Grand Prize  Steven C.  Steve will be contacted, and a suitable award ceremony arranged.  Steve will receive the Walz Special Edition Japan Relief Cycling Cap.  Hopefully, we will be able to publish a picture or two, and the winning entry in the very near future.  Congratulations Steve!

RIDE STUFF!

Mid-Summer’s Eve Celebration Night Ride:
This one goes in less than a week.  Next Monday, 1 August, we’ll go out and howl at the moon.  (Naked dancing around the fire is completely optional.)  Details below.
Mid-Summer’s Eve (Lughnasad)
Where:  Senoia, GA.  The parking lot on Seavy St.  (Brick lot, behind Maguire’s)
Date:  Monday 1 August
Time:  7:30 PM (sharp)
Distance/Pace: approx 45 miles, about 3 hours
Requirements/Conditions: Group will stay together.  Headlights, tail lights, reflective sash or vest, reflective ankle bands, Helmets.  Dress for the weather. Ride goes Rain or Shine.

ORIGINAL ROUTE 3 GAP RIDE:
A week from this coming Thursday.  That’s on 4 August.  Details below.
We’ll ride the traditional “south triple,” with a start/finish in Dahlonega.  We’ll do this one with one bit of a difference.  Find your parking where you will, but ride to the Courthouse Square.  We’ll use the Square as a Rally Point for the start and finish.  Meet at the Gold Museum at the southeast corner of the square.  (Please use courtesy and common sense in selecting your parking spot.  Do it legally.)  We’ll do the traditional approach to Neels Gap, up Rockhouse Rd, and Porter Springs.  There’s a possibility of a stop at the top of Neels Gap (mile 22), but I prefer to “roll” this summit.  We have another possible store stop in Suches (mile 37).  After

descending Woody Gap, we’ll take the old “back way” into Dahlonega.  It’s a lot nicer, and less traffic.
Where:  Dahlonega, GA.  Court Square.
Date:  Thursday, 4 August
Time:  0900 A.M.  (Sharp!)
Distance/Pace:  Approx 53 miles, with re-group options
Requirements/Conditions: Helmets are required, road bikes strongly recommended.  We’ll go rain or shine.
Suggestion:  Mount your climbing gears!

NOTE ON THE UPCOMING TRIPLE GAP RIDE:  We’re going to “loosen up a bit” on this one.  I will start promptly at 0900.  But once we are out on the route, feel free to pass, or to lag.  Ride at your own pace.  If you are behind me, let me know, please, and I will keep an eye out for you.  If you plan to depart the route and go your own way, that’s fine, but please let me know first.  I do not plan to stop at the top of Neels Gap, but I will definitely make a stop in Suches.  (That’s just before the last climb, up Woody Gap.)

I’ve put a cuesheet up on the South Side Cycling Club site.  It’s in the “Documents” section and is titled, “Original Triple Gap Route.”  It’s in MS Word.  You will have to be a club member to see this page.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Technical “Issues”


If this works…  If you are reading this, and it is Monday Morning, then it is through the good offices of a Starbuck’s WiFi thing.  Yes, I’m experiencing some of the proverbial Technical Difficulties.  These problems (hopefully resolved soon) prevent me from accessing the internet at home.  Of course the problem developed just in time to mess up the whole Blog Birthday Celebration.  (Definition of a machine:  Something that works to make you depend on it, and then fails when you most need or want it to work.)

It is inconvenient.  We specialize in bicycling here, not so much in computer technology.  It was quite a process, moving the “portable” Road Dragon Computer Center to this location.  I get the impression that most folks today are able to make do with a lot less equipment.  But this is what I have, so this is what we had to move.  It’s been an arduous endeavor.  It has also drawn some odd looks.  Apparently the rest of you don’t use steam powered hard drives any more.

We had to cancel a lot of the Blog Birthday Festivities.  The parade and the party were both a complete wash.  We did manage to salvage some of the party favors, but the cake is done for, and the elephant had to go home.  We have also had to postpone the announcement of the contest winner.  Please be patient.  We’ll get that done soon.

We have made a special arrangement with the folks at Google, and the Carrier Pigeon should arrive later today.  When it does, we’ll download all of the contest entries, make a selection, and then go through the laborious process of bringing this computer again to Starbucks.  So, with just a little luck, we’ll be able to make the Big Announcement tomorrow.  We know you are all baiting with waited breath.  Please remain calm.

This might be a good time to mention…  There are new things in the works for this blog.  We’re experimenting with some new formatting ideas, and some new features.  Keep watching.  You should start to see some of this in the very near future.

Now please excuse me.  I have to power down the boiler, bank the fire, and pack all of this stuff up for the trip back home.  The Wagon Master is definitely showing signs of impatience, and we need to get all these horses back to the stable.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Friday Follies ~~ What Next?

Well, this was the day that I was supposed to announce the contest winner and other things.  Sadly, that will have to wait a bit.  I'm experiencing technical difficulties.  I'm good with bikes.  Modems and ISPs?  Not so much.

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to this blog!!!!!!

Hopefully, all will be back to "normal" by Monday.

Have a good and safe weekend all.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Thursday Thoughts: More Cyclists?


Here are the facts.

Define a “cyclist” as someone who rides a bike three times a week, on a somewhat regular basis.
There are about 2.5 million cyclists in the United States.
The number of cyclists is growing, but slowly.
Most “new” cyclists are over the age of 40.
The fastest growing segment of cycling is time trial (triathletes).

Those stats paint a grim picture.  If our sport is to flourish, it must grow.  We have to a do better job of recruiting.

Traditionally, almost every kid in the country rode a bike.  Many used them to get to school, to travel to friends, to run errands, to get to sports events, and just generally for transport and fun.  But that was 40 to 50 years ago.  Since then our country has changed, and changed radically.

We’ve rebuilt the entire nation, and done so around the automobile.  The neighborhood school is gone.  The old style “grid and square” city plan has all but vanished.  It is next to impossible for a child to go anywhere on a bicycle now.  When kids ride (if the ever do) it’s as a recreation.  Most stop playing with their bikes by the time they are 13.

If our sport is to continue, we have to find ways to bring more people into it, and we have to find ways to recruit the young.

That bears thinking about.


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Wind


I guess, no matter how good or sweet the day or ride, there are some riders who will always find something to complain about.

This past weekend, as delightful as the weather was, I heard it.  On Saturday, while I was stuck working inside the shop, I heard riders griping about the wind.  I most certainly did get out on Sunday and it was a grand day.  And yet again, on Monday morning, I heard the complaints about the wind.

I am puzzled by these complaints.  I like wind.  I’ve ridden on the Outer Banks of N.C., where the wind is always blowing and usually brisk.  Remember, that's why the Brothers Wright went there?  In the early part of the 20th century, Kitty Hawk was NOT convenient to Dayton!  But the brothers needed wind, and that is where the Weather Bureau said it could most reliably be found.  I’ve down in the more remote areas of Hatteras Island, on a Winter day.  There was not a car in sight.  To ride was to be constantly buffeted by the wind.  When stopping, the only sound to be heard was the distant surf and the rush of the wind.

I’ve done a brevet in Florida where the last 25 miles were directly into a north wind.  The ground was flat, and yet it felt like a climb.  It blew at 20 to 25 miles an hour, right in our faces, and there was no place to hide from it.  It was glorious.

There are those days, when the ride is beautiful.  The road smooths out, the work becomes effortless, the rider achieves a  Za-Zen state, mindful but not thoughtful.  It is not necessary to think.  The bike does not need to be controlled.  The bike simply is, it is an extension of the rider, and the road is an extension of the bike.  What do you want?  Perfection?  Perfection comes from within and from the bike, not from the conditions.

Those moments of clarity do not come from complaint.  It is necessary to embrace the world, the road, the bike, the day, to love and enjoy it all.  It is necessary to practice at this.  It does not come naturally.  It is a practice worth pursuing.  Those timeless times are priceless jewels.  Complaining will kill them.

There is no perfect bike, no perfect shoe, no perfect weather, no perfect day.  And yet, on any given day, the bike is just what it is, the body is just what it is, and the weather is the weather that is.  These things make that day.  The alternative is television and apathy.

Be thankful for your challenges.  Meet them squarely and enjoy them.  Live the ride!  Ride Life!




Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Contest! A Shameless Plug! Rides! Excitement!


The “What I did (will do) on my Summer Vacation Essay Contest” is in full swing and the tension is building.  The entries are pouring in, in ones and twos.  (Hint:  Enter!  You have a good chance!)  The anticipation is mounting.  Who will win the honor and glory?  Who will own the handsome and very worthwhile Walz Japan Relief Cycling Cap?  All will be revealed in this coming Friday’s post.  For more info on the contest please see the posts from 7/12/11 and 7/13/11  (Don’t forget, bicycling isn’t necessary, but it will help a lot.)


A Plug:  Last week, as many of you know, we went up north to ride the Funnest Road Ride In Georgia.  (If you are not aware, this is a route and not an organized ride.  In fact it was anything but organized.  Still, we had a lot of fun!)  One of the features of the ride is the turnaround stop in Tiger, Ga.  The Tiger Food Mart is a delight.  The folks who run it are good and kind.  They have a great lunch counter and pleasant, sit-down eating area.  And, as I’ve mentioned before, they serve one of the world’s absolute best grilled cheese sandwiches.  If you are going to be in the Clayton/Tiger area, I strongly recommend you stop in.
The Tiger Food Mart


Mid-Summer’s Eve (Lughnasad) Celebration Night Ride
Where:  Senoia, GA.  The parking lot on Seavy St.  (Brick lot, behind Maguire’s)
Date:  Monday 1 August
Time:  7:30 PM (sharp)
Distance/Pace: approx 45 miles, about 3 hours
Requirements/Conditions: Group will stay together.  Headlights, tail lights, reflective sash or vest, reflective ankle bands, Helmets.  Dress for the weather.  Ride goes Rain or Shine.


Riding the “Original” Three Gap Route
Note:  I’ve posted the cues sheet for this ride on the Southside Cycling Club website, under “Documents.”  It’s a MS-Word file.

We’ll ride the traditional “south triple,” with a start/finish in Dahlonega.  We’ll do this one with one bit of a difference.  Find your parking where you will, but ride to the Courthouse Square.  We’ll use the Square as a Rally Point for the start and finish.  Meet at the Gold Museum at the southeast corner of the square.  (Please use courtesy and common sense in selecting your parking spot.  Do it legally.)  We’ll do the traditional approach to Neels Gap, up Rockhouse Rd, and Porter Springs.  There’s a possibility of a stop at the top of Neels Gap (mile 22), but I prefer to “roll” this summit.  We have another possible store stop in Suches (mile 37).  After descending Woody Gap, we’ll take the old “back way” into Dahlonega.  It’s a lot nicer, and less traffic.
Where:  Dahlonega, GA.  Court Square.
Date:  Thursday, 4 August
Time:  0900 A.M.  (Sharp!)
Distance/Pace:  Approx 53 miles, with re-group options
Requirements/Conditions: Helmets are required, road bikes strongly recommended.  We’ll go rain or shine.
Suggestion:  Mount your climbing gears!


Monday, July 18, 2011

Congestion?


I recently experienced a delightful irony.  I want to share this one.

I ride in traffic.  I am a vehicular cyclist.  That means I consider my bicycle to be a vehicle, and I ride it according to the rules of the road.  (Oddly, this is the way the state’s code requires me to ride.)  I am a firm proponent of John Forester’s Maxim:  “Cyclists fare best when they behave and are treated as the operators of vehicles.”

I’m on the road a lot.  That means I get my fair share of verbal abuse.  Most of the time I shrug this off.  It doesn’t signify much.  It is a bit annoying though.  You see, the majority of those drivers who are hurling verbal abuse have just one theme.  It reduces to “cyclists are slow and in the way.”  No, they never say exactly that, but you get the drift.

Of course, most of the time there is only one occupant in the vehicle, two at most.  Congestion is caused by lots of large vehicles occupying the road.  I know I’m part of the solution, and that raises the irritation factor a good bit.

Adding to the aggravation is the fact that I spend a lot of time waiting on motorists.  I wait for them to figure out how to get through a stop sign controlled intersection.  I wait for them to wake up after the light has changed.  I slow down to give them the road, and then have to wait while they dawdle about taking it.  It’s a simple fact.  If the motor traffic where reduced by a third to a half, it would take me a lot less time to get there.  And they dare to call me slow!  Grr.

So now we come to the good part.

I was in a traffic “situation.”  There were a lot of cars on the road, and things were almost at a standstill.  I moved past a stationary SUV, passing him on the left.  As I did, the idiot at the controls leaned out of his window and castigated me.  The gist of his commentary was that I should get off the road as I was slowing traffic down.

Please note the following.  I was riding legally, passing on the left.  And I was moving.  He, and his fellow motorists, had tied things up and were stopped.

Hmm.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Friday Follies ~~ Is anybody out there?


This blog will celebrate its third birthday on next Friday.  In honor of that, I’m running a small contest.  (Please see posts from Tuesday and Wednesday.) 

The prize is a stylish and meaningful cycling cap, from Walz.  Entrants don’t have to do much.

I rather expected a spate of entries.  To date, I haven’t received the first one.  I’m puzzled.

Since I’m going to pick the winner, and make the announcement in next Friday’s post, the deadline is next Thursday.  All entries must be in before I go to sleep on Thursday, 21 July.

It’s a simple contest, and the work isn’t too hard.  The prize is kinda neat too.

What?  Nobody wants a really cool cap for free?  Come on!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Thursday Thoughts ~~ Johann speaking


Good morning.  I am Johann, and I am posting on this blog for my friend Road Dragon.  He has asked me to do this thing so that he is riding the bicycle in the mountains today.

I saw Road Dragon put the bicycle on the automobile this morning.  He did it the right way.  The bicycle is just from being adjusted, and is very worthy for the ride.  Road Dragon is not so much.  I am thinking he is getting not enough rest.

I am thinking that it is a good day for the mountain riding.  It will be hot.  Hot is good.  It is very challenging to ride when the temperature is hot.

I asked how much heat there will be today.  Road Dragon said there would be almost 100 degrees.  I was thinking that he was making a joke on me.  But then I remember, you use different degrees here in the America.  I think he means the temperature will make 38 degrees.  This is very hot.

I am not liking the hot riding as much as Road Dragon.  For me, it is better when it makes 5 degrees and it nice and wet.  You are thinking that five degrees is very cold.  It is not so much.  You would say it is 41 degrees the way you think here.  That is good.  It is best to ride in 41 degrees, with rain, on the nice road that does not have macadam.  That is the place where the riding is very good.  It is good to suffer.

The 100 degrees is not so much for me to ride.  For me, the 100 degrees is for going to beach.

I am hoping Road Dragon and his good friends have the good ride.  He is needing this ride a lot.  I think the hot weather makes him good to ride in the cold and wet.  Maybe it is like he can save the heat for the Winter time.  What do you think about that?  Hah?

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Contest Prize and a guest poster

The What I did (will do) on my Summer Vacation Essay Contest is, as mentioned yesterday, on.  Below you will see some pictures of the one and only prize.  The winner will be the entry that most pleases me.  Keep it short.  If it looks long I probably won’t read it.  A good paragraph or two should be sufficient.  Best if there is a bicycle in the story somewhere.

I've included three views of the Walz cycling cap.  This is the Japan Relief Cap.  The Japanese characters translate as "Rise Up!"  And it means the same thing as it does here.  That is,  "Gather your strength and meet the challenge!"  (Sorry, the model's head is not included in the prize.)


Side View
Front view, bill down

Front view, bill up
Please have some fun with this Birthday of the Audax Ride contest.


Notes about tomorrow's ride: 
Tomorrow we’re going up into the north end of Georgia to do some high quality riding.  Generally, we try to stress vehicular and utility cycling, but everyone is entitled to an occasional fun day.  That’s what tomorrow is intended to be, a fun day.

So we’ll load the bikes up tonight, along with all the supplies, change of clothing, towels, and other paraphernalia and accouterments.   We’ll get up stupid early, and drive over 100 miles, to arrive in Helen, GA in time for an 0800 start.

One aspect of this little jaunt is that I will be away from the computer all day.  So Johann the Belgian has graciously agreed to stand in for me on posting duties

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Blog Birthday ~ I think I’ll have a contest

Yup!  This blog will celebrate it’s birthday on Friday of next week.  Doesn’t seem possible, but we’ve been posting and presenting here for almost three years. 

To mark our transition out of the “terrible twos,” I’m going to host a small contest.  Up for grabs is one prize, and it’s small, but quite nice, and somewhat practical.  The winner will receive a Walz cycling cap.  This cap is the lightweight, special limited edition, Japan Relief cap.  Proceeds from the sale of these caps went to the earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan.  (I’ll have a picture of the cap up on tomorrow’s post.)

Prepare for the Essay

Vacation time is upon us.  I used to hate those “What did you do on your Summer Vacation” writing assignments.  That is, I hated them unless I’d had a particularly good or interesting Summer.  Those good and interesting years usually involved projects, travel, and bicycles.  So here goes.

I would like a description of what you have done (or are going to do) on your Summer Vacation.  Bicycles should be involved. 
  • I will pick the one entry that pleases me most. 
  • Keep it short. 
  • Previous contest winners are eligible, but not likely to win.
  • Send your entry to The.Road.Dragon@gmail.com and put “Essay Contest” in the subject line.
  • Extra points for originality and humor.
  • I’ll select a winner on Thursday, 21 July, and post it on the Birthday Blog Post on Friday, 22 July.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Finally!!


I mentioned a bit of frustration in earlier posts.  The Spring and early Summer just past have brought me my share of challenges.  I’m happy to say that it begins to look like a lot of that is now in the past.

The rib is healing nicely, and I am able to ride without much discomfort.  That means riding on the road, thank you!  I’m not ready to risk another fall on that side yet.  So mountain biking is still out for another month or two.

Several of the urgent interferences have been dealt with.  I’m gaining more control of my time.  That means I get to ride more.  That’s all good!  That’s a major Alleluia!  It kind feels like it took me half of forever to get this season going in the right direction.  Does anyone else feel that way?  What challenges stand between you and the bike?

Now, on to bigger and better things!

Funnest Road Ride in Georgia:
It’s this coming Thursday. 
We’ll meet in Helen, GA.  at the Municipal Parking lot, on Chattahoochee Strasse.
Ride time is 0800 A.M.  (sharp)
Note: there are restrooms convenient to the parking lot, at the municipal building across the street.

As promised, directions to Helen (from the Peachtree City locale) follow:

If you manage to get through Atlanta before 06:30, you will (most likely) not have much traffic to deal with.

Get on I-85 and go into Atlanta and onto the “Downtown Connector.”
Take the “top end split” Exit 251 onto I-85N  (Mileage starts here)
Go 28.4 miles to Exit 113 to left onto I-985
Go 21.3 miles to Exit 22 for US-129, Gainsville
At top of exit turn left onto E E Butler Pkwy/US-129
Go approx 2 miles and bear right on Green St  (Becomes Cleveland Hwy)
Go 25.1 miles (from exit) and enter Cleveland, GA
Go around square in Celveland and leave on north side.
Go approx 0.25 miles from Celveland Square and turn right onto GA-75
Go 9 miles and enter Helen, GA
Chattahoochee Strasse is to the right just after the bridge.
The municipal parking lot is to the right about two short blocks after turn.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Friday Follies ~~ No Man’s Land

Speed isn’t everything.  But speed is something.

My old friend Samuel Fletcher was once a strong racer.  Well, honestly, Sam did have some strengths.  He tended to get left on the hills, especially the steep ones.  He could punish a lot of other riders on the long grinders, but most of the pack would hurt him on a steep climb, or a prolonged one at any kind of respectable grade.  He had a respectable sprint, a good “pop.”  He could hang out with the front of the crowd…  Mostly.

Sam was typical of a lot of riders.  He left racing.  Family and career limited riding.  He lost condition, got heavy.  Sam was GAFIA.  He paid for it.  He struggled his way back.  He rediscovered the sheer joy and independence of riding.

In those days, Sam did not see many other riders.  There was one guy though…

Sam would start at from the house and go out for a solitary ride.  On about one out of every three of these, he would see this guy.  The Nemesis!  Nemesis would come out of nowhere, overtake Sam, and ride off, effortlessly leaving my friend behind.  He never spoke.  It was annoying.

At about that time, Sam started to find the local group rides.  At first, he would get spit out the back right after the warm-up phase.  He worked, grew stronger and fitter.  He started hanging out at the back of the “slow group.”  Gradually, over time, days and weeks, he moved up in the group.  The days came when Sam was doing most of the pulling in the slower group.

Then there was the ride where Sam Fletcher decided the folks around him were just too slow.  He was going to go and catch the next group.  Oddly, it didn’t happen that way.

Sam pulled out and easily passed several other riders.  He was at the front of the group.  Then he was pulling away.  He could see the faster group ahead, down the road about 150 yards. The empty space between groups. No Man’s Land.

A distance of 150 yards certainly does not look great to a cyclist.  But the thing is, it is not easily crossed.  After a half a mile of riding, that gap is narrowed to about half, and no more.  A look back, there is no sign of the slower group.  But Sam is no longer gaining on the group ahead.  He is moving at the same speed as they are, but he cannot catch them, cannot close the interval between.  And then, gradually, the gap opens.

After a time Sam was riding alone.  The faster group vanished, and the slower one was out of sight behind.  He did the rest of the ride in that place.  Alone.  (Don’t ask me why he didn’t wait and ride at a pleasant pace with friends.  He just didn’t.)

This scenario was repeated.  In Sam’s memory, it was repeated countless times.  In fact, it couldn’t have been more than ten weeks.  It lasted less than the length of one Summer.

There was a special evening.  Not remarkable in any other way.  It simply was one on which he was determined.  At the very moment, the precise instant that Sam saw the faster group start to pull away, and he jumped.  He pulled out and barreled around four or five of the slower group riders.  There was already a gap of about 15 yards, and it was opening.  He surged forward, holding that gap to that distance.  For several minutes he stayed in that position.  He was ahead of the “slow group,” and gaining more on them all the time, but he was not in contact with the group ahead.

Sam knew what would happen if he didn’t close that gap.  And close it at once.  It would be one more evening in No Man’s Land.  He hurt, but ignored it.  He upshifted and thrust himself into the bike.  He closed!

He came into the back of that faster group so quickly that they didn’t notice him closing.  Sam was in their midst before it occurred to them that He’d joined.  He hung on like that for the rest of the ride.  He “sat in.”  He was sucking wheel, but he was there!

The next group ride repeated that scenario exactly.  On the one after, Sam stayed in that faster group from the beginning.  And then he started taking my turns at the front.  That was when he learned that the faster group was the B Group!  There was another No Man’s Land ahead, and an even faster group out there.

Fletcher didn’t catch the “A Group” that year.  He spent the Winter doing his solitary rides.  He did not see the “Silent Nemesis” all Winter long.  In the Spring Nemesis was back, jumping Sam on every other ride, dropping him hard.   Sam couldn’t catch him.

That was the year Sam Fletcher worked on crossing No Man’s Land again.  It’s a frightening and painful place, No man’s Land.  By Late Summer Sam was thoroughly sick of it.  But that was when he crossed it successfully again.

On Sam’s third ride with the “A Group,” they were all cheerful and friendly to him.  They lured him out into country he was unfamiliar with.  Then they dropped him.  It’s a sort of initiation.

Years have passed now.  Not one of the riders from that old A Group is still on the bike.  Sam has learned to live in No Man’s Land.  He will tell you it is a place that he owns.  He can chose to slow down and spend friendly evenings with other riders.  Sometimes he still gets the urge to surge ahead.  It’s fun to do it.  The younger crowd is generally pleasant and seems to have not learned the spiteful habit of playing “lure, lose and drop.”  Besides, Sam now knows the territory too well.  But most of his rides are spent in the empty land where no other rider is, between one group (there is always a group back there somewhere) and another (there is always a group up ahead somewhere).

And what of “Nemesis”?  For a time, Sam lost him.  Sam had moved and stopped riding in that territory for several years.  Then, when he again started frequenting it again, he saw no sign of “Nemesis.”  Time passed.  Years of it.

About five years ago, “Nemesis” showed up for one of the club group rides.  He was way overweight, in terrible condition.  He’d been GAFIA for years.  He was making the painful return to cycling.  Sam rode with him for an evening, listening while he chatted about past glories.  Sam hasn’t seen him since.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Thursday Thoughts: Arrested Development

It takes three years to make a cyclist.

Maybe you’re heard that statement before.  Maybe you’re new to all this.  Maybe you’ve been doing it for a long time.  I wonder what your take is on that.  The “three year” rule is something that I base on a lot of experience and observation. 

Most road cyclists are adults.  Most of them rode bikes as kids.  Most stopped riding around age 16.  Few of them were ever road cyclists as youngsters.  Most are returning to the sport somewhere between age 30 and 45.

Year 1:  Learning the bike.  Learning to shift, brake, and turn.  Learning the basics of road riding, rules, etiquette, essential equipment.

Year 2:  Gradual expansion and exploration.  The rider goes farther and attempts more.  Shifting technique is refined.  Group riding becomes comfortable.  A lot of time is spent trying to catch up to the group.  Equipment choices are explored, including saddle, clothing, pedals, possibly a new and different bike.  The first inkling of training occurs.  New and better equipment choices are made.

Year 3:  Everything begins to integrate into a smooth and complete whole.  The rider is now ready to spend the rest of their life exploring limits and improving skills.  The realization occurs,  “I can spend the rest of my life at this, and I will always have something new to explore and learn.”

That’s the way it should be.  Unfortunately, most road cyclists don’t go through that complete cycle.  Their development is arrested.  They learn a few rudimentary skills, find a “comfort zone,” and never progress beyond that point.

We’re not talking about “speed” here.  Rather, we are talking about skills.  When did you last spend time practicing with your clipless pedals?  Did you drill with both feet?  The same could be asked about performance braking, or track stand, or looking back without a mirror, or the “rock dodge,” or the “instant turn,” or even focus work on smoother shifting.  Have you ever done “bump drills”?

If you haven't practiced this stuff, could you say why?  What would give you the motivation to do this practice?

Why is it that so many new riders seem to arrest at a point just barely beyond the Novice level, and then focus only on speed and distance?  What would it take to change that?

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Courtesy or Insanity?


It would be good to get some discussion going on this one.  I am at a bit of a loss.

Here’s the scenario.  A cyclist, or a small group of cyclists is riding on the road.  Traffic is light to moderate.  A driver approaches the cyclists from behind.  The motorist pulls out to pass the cyclists.  This isn’t going to be a “buzz pass.”  No.  The motorist pulls completely into the opposing lane, and accelerates hard.  But wait!  There is a car coming in that lane.  Suddenly there are two motorists “playing chicken” alongside a group of cyclists.

Does the oncoming motorist slow down?  Rarely, and not by much.

Does the passing motorist slow down?  Not at all! 

Is it a very close call?  You betcha!

Does it matter if there is a double line, indicating a no passing zone?  Not even slightly!

Is this an infuriating and potentially deadly scenario?  Without question!

Going back a ways, I rarely saw this kind of behavior.  Seems to me that it’s become much more common.  I think I started to see the increase in this kind of thing about the time that discussion of the “Three Foot Rule” became public and spirited.  I know that I’ve seen a lot more of these particular incidents in the last year, and they seem to be increasing.  It’s only a matter of time.  Somebody is going to get hurt.

Worse, in almost every one of these incidents, if the motorist waits only a few more seconds, they would have a clear and safe pass available.  The risk is huge, and the reward is very small.

Why are they doing this?  How do we calm this stuff down?  What do you think?  Does anyone have anything constructive to suggest?

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

I love a Parade!!

Yesterday was Independence Day.  And we had us a Parade.  I love these things, and I have a special affection for the hometown variety.  Yesterday’s was a blast.  Amazing things to see, and folks having fun, celebrating our wonderful freedom.

Southside Cycling Club was well represented.  I have found one set of pictures on Flikr that show a bit of our efforts.  I’ve included the links below.  Please feel free to visit, and if you know the photographer, give ‘em a pat on the back.  Check out the following links.

The Prez having a blast.  And here's one of Brad, Slevin, and Judy

This one is Me and Chris on Big Red with Old Glory streamin


Check out the The Bicycles Unlimited float  and Jim & Old Faithful Pulling the float. 


Now on to the Summer!  A quick reminder.  The Funnest Road Ride in Georgia goes next Thursday.  That’s 14 July, at 08:00 in Helen, GA.

Monday, July 4, 2011

July 4, 2011



Glorious Independence Day!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Friday Follies ~~ It seemed like a good idea at the time…


As a youth, I’d been introduced to fixed gear bikes, I just hadn’t seen the point.  A few years ago I re-discovered singlespeeds and fixies.  I fell in love with the whole thing.  I looked for more and more challenges.  (I still do.)

I was struck by a couple of intriguing ideas.  First, “Why not do a century on a fixie?”  And then, “Why not do one of the nice flat Florida brevets on the same bike?”

I did not just jump blind into these pursuits.  I did do some testing, and a good bit of training.  (I mean training!)

I’d been riding the new fixed gear Giant a good bit.  I felt strong on it, and I’d settled on a ratio that seemed to work well for me.  I picked a particular day, and did a “Fixie test.”  I rode the fixie to work that day.  I led a ride on it.  I then met with several friends, and went out for another ride, and out-and-back of about 45 miles.  Then I rode home.  My net mileage for the day was close to 90 miles, and I wasn’t destroyed.

I’d already signed up to do the century, but had reasoned that I could always bail and do the thing on a geared bike.  My test was so positive that I was encouraged to go forward with the challenge.

The ride I’d picked was noted for being one of the least hilly in this general area.  I’d ridden it before and found it so.  Of course…  It didn’t turn out to be quite what I expected, but that’s another story.  Suffice it to say, my experience in the century was positive.

>>Technical digression follows:
On a fully geared bicycle, the best practice for climbing is to downshift early, and stay aerobic.  This means one lets the hill slow the bike, but maintains a steady and even pace as the climb progresses.  Downshifts are made before they are needed.

The technique for tackling a hill on a fixed gear bike is a bit (to say the least) counterintuitive.  There is only one gear available.  It is usually too high for the hill.  Shifting is not an option.  So fixie riders tend to attack the hill, spinning up before the climb begins, and working hard to stay “on top” of the gear for as long as possible.  Then, as the climb progresses, they are slowed, and if it is a long enough climb, forced to stand and even “tack.”  All of this can make it a bit odd for riding companions not used to the vagaries of fixed gear cycling.
>>Back to that century.

I arrived at the end in good order.  The legs were pretty tired, but I felt good!  That made the decision.  I would go to Florida in the coming year and unleash the fixie on a 200K brevet.  I’d ridden that particular event the year before.  It was a pretty flat route, so I figured I could well manage a 125 mile ride on the fixed gear.

When it comes to hills, Florida cycling people have, it seems to me, a bit of an inferiority complex.  There is nothing wrong with flat terrain!  But they seem to think that the rest of us look down on them for not having hills.  So, whenever possible, Florida ride organizers will go way out of their way to include as much hilly stuff as they can!

The previous year’s 200K had been delightful!  It was essentially a flat ride, through lovely rural countryside.  But this was a different year.  The organizer felt that, since it was a qualifying year for P-B-P, it would be necessary to include as much hill work as possible.  Thus, a completely different 200K!  I was caught unaware.  I saw something on the cue sheet about a Knox Hill Road, but I didn’t think too much about it.  It was about 2/3 of the way through the ride.  Seems like, anywhere you go, there’s some road that is named something like “op-and-So Hill Rd,” or some such.  Just a shrug.

Oddly, it is possible to find some hilly stuff I the Florida panhandle.  The new brevet route included a fair number of rollers.  Early on it was apparent that we weren’t following the old route.  This one was less than flat.  I was working, but not seriously so.  I was enjoying the day, chatting and joking with my riding companions.  Sometimes I would be a bit ahead, and sometimes a bit behind, due to the characteristics of my bike versus their more conventional rides.

I was checking the cuesheet.  The turn for Knox Hill Road was just ahead.  I called that info out to the group.  (I tend to fall into the role of navigator.)  I was close to the front of the group when we made the turn.  We rounded a gentle bend in the road, and it was revealed.  “It” was a hill.  Not just any little hill, but a steep one, and one without a visible top.  I knew I had exactly two choices.  One, go for it, get up over my gear, and hope I could hold on to it.  Two, roll up to the base of the hill, lose momentum, slow to a grind, and then dismount and walk.  I chose the former.

I stood and accelerated.  I saw a couple of startled looks on the faces of my riding companions, but I had no time to explain.  I had the bike up to speed as I started up the grade.  Just after I passed the climb initiation, I saw faded paint on the road.  In large red letters,  “It Starts HERE  Have FUN,”  painted across the right hand lane.  “A joker,”  I thought,  “Cute.”

This would recur several times.  Road paint that alternately encouraged or taunted, at each change in pitch.

My riding companions were downshifting and spinning up to stay close behind me.

The highest point in Florida is near the town of Florala, 345 feet elevation.  Knox Hill Road did not start in the Gulf of Mexico, so the climb had to be less than that.  I have no explanation.  That road climbed for two and a half miles.  The grade varied steady to steep and back, and it never let up completely.  Logically, a good estimation of that climb is over 700 feet.  Not possible.  But there you have it.

The road climbed briskly.  I settled down to making power and preserving forward speed.  I was working to stay ahead of the hill.  My companions were falling behind.  They were riding intelligently, using their gearing and good sense.  I had little choice.

“Go NOW!”  the road paint said.  I was already tired, and my legs were beginning to burn, but this was a critical point.  I summoned the will, and charged into it, as the steepness came on, I stood up, legs and lungs burning, and powered the bike.

As the climb broke (finally!) a logo of a winged wheel and the letters PCF was painted on the pavement.  Below the logo, in bright letters,  “This delightful climb brought to you by courtesy of the Panama City Flyers Cycling Club  After that the road leveled.  It became flat.  It actually descended at a nice easy grade.  I was alone.

After about a mile I was breathing normally and the pain was leaving my legs.  My companions caught up about there.

I spent the next hour trying to explain it.  My performance on that hill had not been an act of bravado, but rather one of desperation.  I rather think they didn’t believe me.

The last 40 miles of that ride were very long for me.  My friends, all but two of them, left me behind.  I didn’t have the legs to follow.  But I did finish!