Mental Science

Quality science is essential to any athlete wishing to take their activity to the next level.  Cycling places large value on nutrition, physics, health, engineering, and psychology. Reliance on science can go a long way.  It sets the stage for success and a base from which to spring. Even if all the scientific pieces are in place, this includes what’s in a person’s genetic make-up as much as what they have done for training, success isn’t guaranteed.  There are many factors out in the field,  bad luck for example (crashes, bike problems, illness, etc.),

Improving one’s mental toughness isn’t simple, especially on a bike for 4-6 hour. The option to get off the bike, grab a beer, and sit in front of a TV is easily attainable. Early morning rides with crust in your eyes and  40 degree air burning chill through lycra gives great reason to turn around and jump back into bed. However, my solution is to revel in the pain and suffering. I enjoy climbing a steep hill and feeling the burn in my legs. I love sucking down air, rotating at a high cadence.  There are certain elements of pain that come with the territory. Sometimes you have to stop, critical areas like knees or the back aren’t worth hurting.  In order to maintain a consistent life style of daily biking and tortuous weekend rides, I have to enjoy it. Mental assertion: getting up at 5:30 a.m. is good for me, this is the time for the best espresso the day has to offer,  and the best moment at which to tackle climbs, build endurance, and sprint.

2010 Paris-Nice Stage 4:  Contador flexes his mental toughness, tremendous training, and physicality in climbing a steep mount lone gun, no one close to challenging:

http://www.versus.com/cycling/videos/paris-nice-stage-4-highlights/in-stream/sort/most-recent/i/5

Cobwebs

Building up the base miles and rolling on the trainers this past month and a half, while necessary, doesn’t entirely prepare you for the 4+ hour rides to come as the weather turns to Spring. Last week I maintained a cadence and speed, working on endurance, for over 60 miles only to find myself cursing at aching muscles and hunger. However, I kept to the trainers and this passing weekend delivered better results. The 50+ mile distance proved comfortable and my speed/cadence pace was better than ever. The step system of training is paying slow dividends. Instant gratification is not something for which cycling  is known. Sometimes you just have to take it easy. Even if it means taking it easy, rolling indoors, and watching Matthew Broderick in War Games.

I should have done it sooner but this week I’ll put together a cycling journal and race plan(s).  Things are slowly coming together and I hope I’m on the right path towards improved fitness and general pleasure on the bike. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel after a few months in of my first real dedicated drive at sitting on the bike nearly every day (sometimes 2x a day); and in short, so far so good.

Hincapie

George Hincapie is one admirable pro athlete. He’s raced for ages, plays clean, and is an all around gentlemen. In addition, he and his brother make some great cycling clothing, I just love their socks. Unfortunately, he’s been seeing some trouble during this year’s 2010 Tour Down Under.

George tries out new race tactics, calling this move the horizontal hover.

As usual GH, as I like to call him, proves tough and hammers on. He’s endured his fair share of crashes and broken bikes and bones throughout the years but always manages to bounce back. However, I’ve recently uncovered documents supporting a claim that GH is using a training regimen unknown to modernity. One of GH’s ultimate goals is to win the Paris-Roubaix. A race so dazzling and demanding that it demands being made of nails or at the very least treat yourself to frequent beatings; akin to hair shirts or self-inflicted whippings for redemption. This is top-secret training camp stuff that I ought not reveal but GH is making it too obvious.  Plus GH is filled with a “serum” (I’m not talking about doping) that you may not recognize immediately.

GH showing off his new team kit/jersey/girdle.

Still don’t get what “serum” I’m blathering about?

What’s up now?!

That’s right, good ol’ USA Government engineered genuine super-soldier serum! This is why GH can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. He’s wielding the same power that allowed Steve Rogers (AKA Captain America!) to kick Nazi-ass and ride missiles. And if that’s not the case, then someone is playing a mean trick on GH, giving him a Halloween costume for a cycling kit.

Piss Poor Planning

In my earlier entry I go on and on about staying ahead of the calendar and being on top of life’s events. All to balance personal/social/work/cycling hats. This weekend lead to me to the old adage, “do as I say not as I do”.  Saturday morning I had planned to ride a Mountain/big hill composing 15 miles up, 16% main climb, and 5.4% avg. grade. Never happened though, rain was forecasted in the Mountain’s area. So I set out for some closer flats and only did half of my ride. Why? Procrastination.

All week I’ve mumbled to myself: must get tubes..tubes need tubes. And I have a coupon for the local bike shop too! Never happened though, I got lazy. So I set out on my journey and nearly 20 miles in I spring a leak. No problem I have my patch kit. Never worked, I ran out of vulcanizing solution and couldn’t mind-meld the patch to my tube. I tried to use a tire repair patch and that held as well as cork in a whale’s blow-hole. The tube held a bit of air and I went slowly back 2 miles to procure a tube. I swapped it out but had already wasted 30 minutes and didn’t want to get another flat. I could have picked up another tube but damn it I have a coupon at home for a different shop (that I prefer)!

Feeling deflated I rocked the 15-20 miles back home, maintaining a repetition and speed that I know not because I have procrastinated on getting a wireless bike computer. I really wish I would have picked up the spare tube and taken my travels the other direction. My stamina, speed, endurance, and legs were warmed up and hitting the right notes. I set myself up to step into crap and need to take this as a lesson in all things, not just cycling. In cycling though I must do the following: fix the old Peugeot for commuting, pick up tubes and patch kit, and order the cycling computer. Easy stuff, riding the training rollers is no sweat (get it?), but getting out of the house on rainy days involves a switch in mindset.

Balancing Act

I own a set of rollers and use them regularly, sandwiching myself between doorway and wall I  try to keep cool and motivated, staring at a TV slanted towards me as it plays repeats of 30 Rock. In times of rain, cold, and/or lack of sunshine and time they prove invaluable (actually they do have a price tag plus shipping and handling).  They do much more than give me the opportunity to roll along and work out. The balance needed to cycle on a bike placed on spinning wheels is tantamount to running across a river by way of floating wooden barrels. My bike control is improving, as I can ride the roads effortlessly without hands to grab snacks, water, and make adjustments to clothing.  My skill sheet is also adding increased ability in handling curves and such.

Caption 1. This AFP image is from a someone who went to the store for ice.  Caption 2. This AFP image introduces the latest in bike theft technology: ICE Lock, “they’ll need more than a vice to break ICE!”

As cycling obsessions grow, and they always do, things become more than just about balancing on the bike or on rollers.  Rather, balancing work, social engagements, personal relationships, developments of oneself outside of cycling (gasp!), and so much more requires attention to detail, foresight, practical time use, and a touch of OCD. Managing the norms of life and adding nutrition plans and lengthy times in the saddle can lead to confused priorities and an overall upheaval of time slots. The good news, it can be done and others do it all the time.  If one can stay ahead of the pack, or rather the calendar, then it is possible and doable to stay on top of it and the bike.

Flying Bikes!

No helmet and probably clip-less pedals/shoes- he’s itching to slip off the bike and crack a skull.

Gizmodo.com alerts me to Kolelinia’s traveling concept that could create bike lanes in the sky.  This could prove valuable over treacherous intersections or traversing over an entire city in one fell swoop.

Fattest Names on Two Wheels

The biggest names in cycling as of late are as follows: Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, and Elden Nelson. Elden Nelson? Yes, Elden Nelson, better known as Fat Cyclist or Fatty. He proves that biking is more than winning races and being a mega-uber-celebrity. If you don’t know his story or haven’t read his blog, there is a great interview with him here and he maintains said blog here.

So why is he on the list? In short, he raised a load of money for Livestrong Foundation and World Bicycle Relief. He rallied people to give, through his blog and through humble connections in the cycling community, and “They raised over $135,000 in a week” [bicycling.com]. Plus he went on a pretty epic bike ride.

Fatty on the left with Lancey on the right- Lancey sizes up Fatty’s quads.

One thing that definitely stands out  is Elden’s humor. He maintains his blog and a way of life geared towards laughter. In a sport that glorifies strong stoic types, the Fat Cyclist allows us to breathe a little easier and enjoy cycling in a “non-hard-ass” way. He’s an everyman/person of sorts with a bit more wit and charm.

Perspectives

Obtaining news, articles, commentary, reviews, and views on the cycling world has become an easier task. Blogs cover a range of topics and most cycling publications and sports networks provide websites filled with race updates, racer bios, gear reviews, and much more. Yet, most single entries on the internet would barely fill up one page if printed. They are short, quick, and concise. As we jump around on the Internet, ruining our attention spans, Internet cycling information in it’s electronic form makes sense. Thus, I  subscribe to VeloNews to get an in-depth look at cycling that the web doesn’t provide. It’s also nice to open up a large glossy magazine and read articles without pop-ups or dings for e-mails/headlines/facebook notices/twitter responses. Print publications work hard to find their niche and market and cycling magazines (like any other printed work) must adapt their business models.

Unfortunately, another bookstore was going out of business (in Sacramento’s downtown mall) and they were offering huge discounts. I picked up a magazine, Road: The Journal of Road Cycling and Culture, and am thoroughly impressed. Analysis on race coverage, the pros, new gear, and cycling developments gets tackled in VeloNews. What Road provides is something more. Road magazine gives heart to cycling. It taps into the human condition and explores our social connection as developed on two-wheels. You may not recognize all the names or even some that get mentioned or highlighted in an article; but the stories are so compelling that it doesn’t matter. The magazine definitely covers gear, tips, the pros, big races, epic events, and the usual rigmarole. It’s the extra bits that make a difference. The Jan-Feb 2010 issue has a great piece on the The Pablove Foundation. The story covers 3 pages (in small font!) and has 10 quality photos.  Certainly doing much more than most websites and blogs. Road does an exemplary and professional job detailing a worthy cause that pairs with cycling.  I’ll pick up the next Road magazine, see how that reads, and will likely grab up a subscription. Either way Pablove will definitely be getting some love.

A Call for Classics

My eyes pop during big races given the colors of jerseys and bikes contrasting with epic European scenery. Light bikes designed in aerodynamic ways look like something out of the next James Cameron film. The riders and gear are extravagant and attention grabbing.

Alberto Contador burning the countryside with his UFO bike and NASA helmet.

I get why it’s necessary, advertising eye-sores can be ways to encourage viewing; especially when The Tour lasts over 4 hours per day for a whole month! Perhaps though, cycling kits that are classic and timeless can reach out to audiences. Imagine a group of riders on well-designed, not overly colorful, and in dapperly (?) well-put-together jerseys. It would have one thinking, boy they look swell and neat. While making other teams look absolutely garish- akin to the uber-goth/punk kids in middle-school.

So who do we have to look to for simple lines and clean colors?

Garmin-Slipstream  does well with their orange and blues and argyle. I might add, they use whites and blacks to counterbalance the vivid colors quite stunningly.  It’s advertising like this that really works. Next time I’m in the market for a bike computer or GPS unit- I’m going Garmin.  However, the biggest name in cycling aims for all the flash and pizzazz that is to be expected from a mega-celebrity.  Livestrong auctioned off bikes with designs that make your head spin, in a good sort of way: It’s About The Bike: A Livestrong Auction Ending Prices.

Lance and Team Shack’s new bike, definitely needing a few more encircled Rs.

Things will never go back to the days of Eddy Merckx or the times when Peugeot had a team. I’m not asking for that, I just hope 2010 will deliver team kits that compliment the post-modern age and the “olden” styles of cycling.

Here’s Eddy Merckx not caring about the color of his seat post highlighting the bike’s fork color scheme. And I must say, the break cables jutting up and over the handlebars in an X shape, has the bike proclaiming, “I am more to look at than just alloys and rubber”.  It’s utility is obvious and it lacks confusion. Plus Eddy has a lion’s mane of hair with some killer chops. I’ll be surprised if you can find a pro-rider today with the same fierce look.

Now I have to admit my love of something gaudy. It’s 2010 and I should come out and get it off my chest. Team Liquigas green and their color coordination is something awful but I am still drawn to it. They look like vending machines or the oil aisle in an auto shop. The color of green employed proves tired and worn, if it were in a box of crayons it would be titled “malaise destitute green”. It isn’t close to tree green and it won’t take a step back and just be white. It’s oddly compelling yet sad.

Riders let Liquigas pass to the front after their team colors induce massive headaches and aneurysms.