Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Qoute of the week

Here is one of my favorite Quotes.  It's a quote from Jens Voigt, a professional cyclist for the new Luxemburg professional cycling team that was established for his former teammates the Schleck Brothers.  He has ridden for Team CSC alongside Ivan Basso as well as Team Saxo-Bank helping Andy and Frank Schleck.  He is one of the few "true" workhorses in the pro peloton, and has split apart many pelotons during his career.  He has sacrificed himself numerous times and has helped put several riders on the podium at some of the world biggest cycling events...not to mention standing on the podium many times himself.

"If you try to win you might lose.  But if you don't try, you will lose".

Friday, November 19, 2010

Quote of the week

I would like to start posting a "Quote of the week".  I am going to begin but it would be great to hear some of YOUR favorite quotes.  the quotes do not necessarily have to be cycling-related...although it would be preferred.

So here is the first Quote.  This is actually a Quote from Doug Bradbury of Crested Butte, CO.  The Quote was posted in a recent Mountain Bike magazine on the topic of "Why I ride".

"Riding is life.  It's new every time, even if I ride the same trail forever: the way the light plays, texture of the trail, moisture, or not, in the dirt, temperature, the time of day, the time of year; how my legs feel, my reactions, speed, power, endurance, I never, know til I go!  It's such a great legal, free high.  It's the ultimate Tao, too; my mind reacts to the next rock, it doesn't think about it.  The biggest reason?  I'm smiling at the end of every ride".

Share your favorite Quote and I might post it.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Time to switch gears

We've been pretty fortunate here in Central Oregon with the weather during the fall.  I can only count the number of really bad days on 1 hand...and maybe just using 1 finger.  The colder temps mixed with sunny skies have made for some pretty epic riding days.  I haven't done a ride over 2 hours since September, but the time spent on the bike has been bliss.   However, all good things must come to an end.  And for Central Oregon, that looks to be this weekend.  While other states across the US have been getting their share of snow, our time has finally come. 
I will embrace this with open arms though.  Yes, it has been frickin' nice to be able to continue to ride on dirt with knobbies, but I am ready for a break from the bike.  It's time to refresh the mind and transition to my new favorite off-season conditioning sport...skate skiing.  I used to log many miles on the trainer/spin bike from December-February, but after learning how to skate ski I can't imagine doing that now. 
The next big bike ride I will be involved in will be Cross Nationals...as a spectator.  I tried to give 'cross a go this year but realized I don't have the mental focus to continue to ride my bike seriously beyond October.  More power to those who can.
Well enough chatter, it's time to get the skis waxed. 

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

November

November is here and so is the cold temperatures...well not quite yet.  It has been unseasonably warm in Bend that past few weeks, but I'm definitely not complaining as it has allowed me (and others) to continue to enjoy perfect trail conditions for rippin' it up on the singletrack.  This time of year in Bend, OR is always questionable whether or not the weather will be good or really bad.  We are supposed to be in an El Nino year, so I'm sure that the nice days will end soon. 

I have also begun to hit the weights now that we are in November and will be doing a completely different training regimen this off -season. I've used a certain protocol the past 3 years for my training program, but am looking forward to changing things up this year.  It's going to be pretty intense and focus more on power.  Let's hope come April this pays off.  I have some tentatively big races on the horizon for early 2011 and will use these to help get me into cycling condition for the reamainder of the season and able to peak for the priority races in August and September.  One of those priority races will be the Leadville 100, which open registration this Thursday.  It's not an easy race to get into, (I guess it's a lottery system) so we'll see if it happens or not.

2011 could be the pinnacle of my racing career.  I am still waiting to find out if I will have support from my Title Sponsor (ProAir/HFA) of the past two seasons.  In the meantime, I will do my part and make sure I am in the best possible condition when the snow melts.  Oh yeah, skate skiing is just around the corner!