Courtesy

Now I realize that the image most have of me may be less then that of a courteous guy, but, still I am going to point out a few things on the topic anyway.
The ten oclock today spurred me to write this post. In case you dont realize my meaning as to the reference to the ten oclock, it is the ten oclock TRAINING ride ( not race ) that starts on Beach Dr. above Pierce mill north just a bit. Soo today there were two things that miffed me. First item of contention for me was the sudden burst of speed that my good buddy Chuck put on the whole way up Tuckermann Dr. barely out of Rock Creek. I realize its not my place to rectifty ones effort but I want to say the ride has always been one where there is an idea of inclusion for the masses at least up to the top of said hill . Why you might ask? Because it is courteous. A concept indeed and not a rule but it is only being human. I wouldnt bother with this portion of my rant if it was the first time for the massive elite body that is XO comm. or Harley but its not. I got on Sean B. for this same display of machismo before and obviously to no avail. I dont get it. Theres plenty of hills to go and they will certainly reduce the masses on their own. Sorry about my streak of honesty but I think its a little lame. No it didnt really hurt me phisically too much but I sympathise for others. There I said it. I feel better.
now...the real meat of my posts content lies in an entirely different issue which was flagrently displayed on todays ride. The idea that we cyclists deserve the whole road. We DONT. There is a law on the books stating that if you are going the speed limit or near it as a cyclist then you can take the whole road. Otherwise move to the right and let the kings of the road do their thing...or suffer the consequences and dont cry about right or wrong if youre hit or verbally abused. Again...I am sure some will say that I am not the one to say anything as far as my regard to the law...but still I am. I am embarrassed by my fellow cyclists behavior today and especially a teammate of mine who was on the front of the group and riding just barely to the right of the yellow line as though he were a suburban reincarneted. I tried to tell them to move over and of course I was ignored. This sort of attitude/stupidity is what brings the community of avid cyclist a bad name and creates a negative stigma. One which I cant say is wrong in this context or situation. Why do it ? Ride the yellow line. Is it a I deserve the road also sort of mentality ? I pay taxes thinking ? i WANT TO KNOW. Hospitals I avoid. Fights with bigger bodies , animated or inanimate, I also avoid. As a ex messenger I have seen a lot of uncalled for situations and sort of hate crimes against cyclists and its not pleasant, so lets try to avoid creating more animosity please. There , I am done. No hard feelings to any mentioned individuals really but lets work together on this thing called life and the notion of individual rights.

The Culmination

The dedication to a sport such as racing bicycles is a growing and somewhat elusive one to explain. Sure one can just ride their bike on nice days and only at decent temperatures. The rewards later on when races begin though will show and your own disappointment will knaw at yourself for not putting in the time. The pattern becomes apparent after some seasons and the balance is hopefully found between comfort with ones results and happiness on the other fronts of life. Such as having another life. Off the bike sort of fulfillment.
This predetermined course of mindset, the proper balance, is definitely aided by having a solid team to propel your riding. A solid team does develop ones individual talent, regardless of that persons age, by providing incentive, goals, and group support. There is monetary help. To be encouraged by many to get out and do some miles is support in the phisical department. The contagion of winning among a team can spread also to other riders of the same kit. These things are nice.
This structure is very different from one where the perks are rare and the rewards are always the same, regardless of output. Such as with government work. The culmination of your efforts are very visible in cycling. The congregation of talent on a particular team in a specific region is natural because of these dynamics. I am not mentioning specifics but outlining growth patterns. The bottom line here ?
I think it would be great for the sport if the area could produce a team that can really be a force on the big NRC circuit and any other events they come across. The limitation being a smaller budget as a regional powerhouse, but the team would then become a farm team for division three teams. In this sense age falls heavily into play.
An area farm team for the salary guys.
How could a hopefull contender in the area, not want to ride on a setup of that sort, which carries such potential ? Hate the game not the player ?

Haymarket Winter "league" ride

The first ride for 2011 that I participated in was yesterday out west in Haymarket. The night before I got out all the needed gear for heat preservation. I took care of the waiver and greeted some individuals and after a small run over of the basics by Jared Nieters the training ride was off.
The earlier departure of 8 am was tuff but once under way the pains were forgotten. The pace was somewhat sporatic but relatively survivable unless one is out of shape and if soo the "b group is advisable. Maybe around mile 20 or so the route hits gravel...a longer section then I expected to hit at this early a point for a projected near 70 mile ride. The gravel gave me a flat but not before suffering much pain trying to stay on....I kept having flashbacks of prior "Poolesville Esque memories. the Fuentes driven sag wag was right there and scooped me up. We then went and scooped two more flats. We caught the group where they stopped for a minute. The problems begin around here for me. The waiting group has people lingering up the road. These rabbits, that bound away early, create a tempting carrot for an immediate, insane speeds, persuit . After getting a flat and suffering up to that point, somewhat gratefull to be in the car because the dirt I was not pedaling was hilly, and sorta sketchy with bigger rocks mixed in with smaller ones ,I was on the bike again but the immediate chasing was too much for me and the wheel I was on dropped me. Well lets say he was going harder than I was willing to put out. Yeah sure.
El next rider to come by my somewhat sorry ass is Sean Barrie. He does fly by,but I does get on. The effort was pretty up there as far as pain goes but I rotate where it is feasable and we hitch back on. Fun stuff. Thankfully there must have been some barking by someone like Jared to alleviate the suffering and reduce the pace. January was a word that kept popping into my head and massochism and so on.
The midway or so, at Middleburgh is not for Coffee or Krumpets, but another stop for assurance as to collectiveness. The warning is put out that all beyond this point shall not see another regrouping so deal with it. I jest. The ride recommences. The pace is again too much for many very quick soo the "A group" from the" A ride" has thankfully detached. There are the fighters who keep up the hopes of getting across but they dont get there and are reabsorbed. My second group here consists of maybe 15 guys and one strong female named Monica or thereabouts and from Switzerland...i heard....We get to Aldie on rt 50 and enter the dirt section which goes into and over Bull Run Mtn. ( i am cooked ) I am unwilling to attempt to stay attached. A couple hang back like Soda and JDawg thankfully. I flat again and my teammate and new best friend J Dawg gives much assist with co2 and spare tube....amen,... I limp in behind the Artemis draft helping very little and into the truck I hit the heater. Frick n frack ...I thought my fitness was capable of dealing better with said ride but Cest la Vie , maybe next week ! It was epic and it was great to see soo many friends on the scene.

man oh man...

Only one of the most difficult weeks ever. (No..) ..but a post on cycling? I am going to do cross soon..I hope I don't hate t too much ? ok thx for the time. Cheers..b safe! O n have fun too

Been a while

Soo yeah..its been a while since the last post. I have recovered and the training has resumed..I figure I might get some results still to come for 2010...I am pondering cross...painfull stuff and still far off on the calendar. Umm I guess im just glad to be back on the bike and looking ahead a lil. More road races available and such. Missed coppis.

`Walterboro criterium

The course for this one is narrow along the star stop but this isn't a big deal bc the last turn narrows into the last stretch so it isn't really noticed. The other sections of this race are wide and very open soo the course is maneuverable...different from much of the rest of thr series. The notable fear for this one is the dark section where the backside stretch which gets fast and precarious at some points. The turn is not hard to do but just some bunching and darkness...soo a different angle . The finish is not far from the last turn . The midway prime came and I happened to be near the front close enuff to be able to go with any jump. The jump came from R Bahati himself and I did not hesitate...and it paid off. The power of Rashaan was not to be pulled in but I did stay away for second in the midway prime race...the recovery was not too bad to obtain. The 17 th place for finish was excellent and I was stoked..

Beaufort Course of speed week series..

The Beaufort Course is tuff because the start/ stop is short enuff to have to quickly slow down after jamming it up to around 30 mph... It Has, as the first turn a really narrow funnel into a tight one lane alley like road entrance, where one better have his ducks in order to get thru here with speed. To bomb it one had better mind the reflective plastic item laid in the asphalt yellow line center or apex of the turn,... that is raised, in order to add dimension to the already hard to navigate course. I was off the front with another rider and the gap was like ten seconds to the two up the road. About seven guys bridged up and came thru fast, just before the tuff first turn was to be negotiated. I picked up the speed and grabbed the flying by express, but i did also slide out bc of said reflective pop,into that darn infamous turn which later in the race caused about 30 riders to go to the pit bc of a crash and having to stop, ( hard turn ).. ....well the rest of the race sucked bc i was all dinged up and my skewer was loose which meant another dismount .i was bout to jump back in to the race after pit stop # 2 bc of big pile up....when i realized my skewer was loose and i had to tighten it and i was chasing the race for twelve laps after the poor pit stop ,...I was a dumb ass and I should have stayed in the pit longer to get the bike right. live n learn,...Beaufort has been hard for me to get a good result at. One day I will do well there. I finished like 60 th and DFL. Again. ..last year there I was also in a crash in that turn where I hit a downed rider and I was subsequently lapped and ,....damn beaufort,...