My Town

Last night I opted not to race the weekly Pacific series and decided to do a local ride sponsored by the Cascade Bicycle Club and Land Conservancy. I live in issaquah, Washington, and it is pretty bike friendly but has some issues. And now the city leaders are considering some long term development and traffic changes. Last night's ride was to educate riders on those concerns.

The ride started and finished a 1/2 mile from my home at the Rogue Brewery and Salmon Hatchery. I arrived a few minutes early and immediately saw a friend with 3 of her club mates.
By the time we departed we had maybe 25 or so riders, including a couple of racers, some serious recreational riders, and some die hard commuters. There even was a one armed cyclist! I was in my new and oh so sharp white kit and rode my single speed as I thought we were staying in the flat valley.

The group split into 3 (fast medium and slow) and I was in the front group of 6 or so. Several people asked me about 53x11 coffee and the team. One woman said she saw me all the time. We stopped periodically to regroup and talk about issues regarding buildings, traffic and roads.

We did a long loop of about 6 miles, and we rode on roads, paths and a gravel path. Some of these I had never been on and several i ride almost every day. They wanted to do a good climb of just over a mile, and I was concerned since I was on my single speed. I took off from the group to hit the climb at speed, and I muscled my way up to the summit. But no one else came!
They oped to skip it while they were part way up the climb. I waited a few minutes then descended, finding them stopped and chatting. They were surprised I did it on my single speed. It was a good sign of my fitness.

The ride finished at the Brewery and then I hammered 1.5 miles to the market to pick up some stuff for dinner.

All in all a very nice time seeing my city and meeting other riders. Just strange to ride in such a social group again as I am used to racing.....

Worth The wait

My two sets of the new white team kit arrived last Friday. I had been waiting for these since I ordered way way back in February?
The wait was so worth it as they rock! I felt so clean and sharp when I wore them on my 40 mile single speed ride last Saturday. My one concern was that I would wipe my hands on the white of the shorts. I wipe my tires constantly when I ride through debris (pebbles, sand, anything on the road) and I didn't wanna leave traces of the road on the shorts so I had to adjust my swipe to get the black of the shorts. No biggie.
I even saw another rider on Mercer Island who was wearing the alter ego kit. I don't think he is a team member but it was so good to see someone else wearing the colors. We gave each other the secret waive:)
Anyway, not much racing to report these days. But I can't wait to wear the white at my next race!
Side note-I was wearing the red The Reason kit last Thursday after work and saw a friend. She later said "you looked so professional." Must be the clothing:)

Finish Line

Today was the Ravensdale Road Race (9 mile course) put on by my friends at BUDU Racing. I had volunteered before for this race and decided to do so again this year. Due to numerous factors I decided not to race today. I would have had a free entry if I volunteered for half day, but opted to volunteer for a full day for more free entries at the weekly Pacific series.
We have had a very unseasonably wet and cool spring with record low temps and rainfall, and today was no exception. It was in the mid to high 40's with steady light to heavy rain with a FEW, and I mean few breaks in the rain.
There were 8 races held in 2 shifts (4 each-8:30 and 11 am) at varying lengths. I got to the staging area at 7:30, signed in at the volunteer table, got a safety vest and flag and rode my single speed two miles to the finish line. No one was there yet and I spent 15 minutes sitting on a rock in a cold steady drizzle. Soon, the timing guy showed up and we set to work to set up his amazing tent. He has been doing most of the timing and photos at the finish for the Washington State races for the last few years, and he has the set up down to a science. He even had a small propane heater which was so nice. One bad and scary incident before the racing started were 3 HUGE pickup trucks that were racing down the road, doing about 70, well above the posted 45 mph. Fortunately they all narrowly missed us and fortunately the racing had not started yet and there were no riders on the road.
I spent 6 hours at the finish, most of it out in the cold and rain. I swept the finish, helped direct traffic, took in discarded bottles and rain jackets, rang the cowbell for the bell laps, flipped the lap sign, answered questions, and cheered each and every racer on. I was so impressed with everyone, from the Men Cat 5 and Women Cat 4 to the Mens 1/2s. The women's 4 was won by a solo break with several minutes lead, and the Mens 1/2s had a 10 man break with over a 5 minute lead. Some of the races ended in very tight finishes, with a couple of riders nipped at the line. Every time I felt a bit miserable due to the weather, all I had to do was see the face of any racer and see they were hurting so much more-yet were out there doing what they love. I love to volunteer when I can and so was motivated to continue.
I also got to hear all the races on "race radio" and that was a blast.
I am so happy I got to volunteer and know I will do it again. It feels so good to give back.
I do have a 17 mile tt tomorrow that includes 2 very good climbs. I just hope today's volunteering didn't take it out of me:)
Night......

SHOWROOM PART THREE

Just a postscript to the carbon Cervelo Soloist I was selling for a friend. It was finally sold last night to a young woman who is an indurance coach, 10 time Hawaiian Ironman finisher, and a visitor to the Cycling House.
Pretty cool.
Pretty small world...

I'm Offically "unofficial"

Today was the Green Valley 12 mile TT put on Budu Racing, the folks who put on the Pacific series (Rory and Deanna Mueller). It is a spectacular flat and curvy course held in luscious farmland and horse ranches along the Green River. The weather finally turned for the specatcular as it was clear (not a cloud to be seen-a first in MONTHS), sunny and mild for the race. My trainer warm up was done next to a llama farm and in view of the setting half moon that was visible until 9:30, 38 mins before my start. I had to bundle up as it was a bit chilly, but by my start it felt almost like summer and I stripped down to just the basics. One incident that occurred was a driver in a large truck that not only did not slow down in our staging area (vehicles and trainers lined end to end along Green Vally Road), but he actually sped up and gunned his engine, narrowly missing several people and riders. Rednecks are named that for a reason, but I was not going to let this incident take away from my enjoyment as I truly was lost in the moment (racing, friends, beautiful weather-enough to make me forget my financial issues).

I was once again riding my single speed, and was yet again the only single racing. I opted for the Masters 35+ cat rather than the Mens 4. I have a rep now as a single speed timetrialist, and it is a rep I quite enjoy.

I always take an emergency kit on my single speed tts (a baggie filled with tire irons, a sparetube and a wrench for my rear wheel). I also take a small pump. These all fit nicely in a jersey pocket.

The start was "one foot down"(we were not held). We started at 30 second intervals and I was near the back of my category, and near the end for the whole race. I waited for the count down, took off, clipped in, and was soon in my groove and in my element. I was riding in the nice narrow bike lane rather than the main road, trying to be a considerate rider. But that was a mistake as there was not much traffic and a lot of debris in the lane. I flatted 2 miles in and soon heard the hiss of my front wheel. I did not panic but soon had the replacement tube in. Unfortunately I had forgotten a pump! I threw in the towel and walked back, getting nice condolences from spectators and other racers. One thing that was quite disappointing was that there were also many many recreational riders out, riding on the same road as it was a gorgeous day with gorgeous scenery. Only one of the dozen or so asked if I needed assistance, and he did not have pump. A farmer asked if I wanted to use his air compressor but I politely declined. I just could not believe that no social rider stopped to ask or help. I saw many a pump go by without even a glance my way.

I got back, talked to Dean (my friend and the race mechanic), as well as Rory (my friend and race organizer). I said I was going to fix the flat and then race the course on my own. They said they trusted me and that my time would count.

I loaded up my truck, fixed my flat, took a pump and then did the race again on my own. All officials were gone. I found the start line, put my foot on the ground, started my watch and took off. I felt as strong as before. Soon I was passed the spot of my prior flat. I got to the turnaround (marked by an "x" in the road and was headed back. I did have to slow twice due to two farm machinery (small combines). It was frustrating as I had to wait to pass behind several vehicles. I knew where the finish was (road sign and line in the road) and I sprinted hard. My watch time was 31:20. I gave it to Rory and was soon driving home, pleased that I beat 2 guys in the 35+. However, during a late afternoon easy ride to keep my legs loose, Rory called to say the officials would not count my time. I called him back and said it was not a big deal. I knew what I rode. My time is accurate and would have been very close to the official time without a flat.

I am so happy I finished it. I can't afford to pay for races now and not finish:)

Mistaken Identity

Last Tuesday night as I was"racing" on my 52x13, Campy 9 speed equipped Dutch steel steed, my girflfriend was in a heated discussion with a neighbor. When my gf told the neighbor that I worked as a court clerk, the woman said "I thought he was a professional bike racer."
If only:)
Happy Easter to everyone.

52x13

In the middle of last night's race out at Pacific, while the pack flew down the back stretch (dragstrip section of the flat course), a rider came up to me and said "53x11 huh? That is the perfect gear now!" I hardly heard him for the noise of the pack, wind and my breathing. Little did he know my biggest gear on my old steel steed was a 52x13, and I was spun out and barely holding on. I could also blame my weak lungs on my girlfriend, who bought 160 lbs of cat litter (we have 5 cats) which is quite dusty:) We did get caught by the 1/2/3s with 3 laps to go and slowed down so much I felt like were in a pro peloton "protest stage":)
I love that bike but it is not geared for racing flat out like that. We raced in very cool/cold partly cloudy conditions for 37 minutes. It was my 3rd race out there this year and again had a ball-no attacks but I did play in the pack some and caught up with more friends.