I feel like Hernando’s off topic posts were kind of hit and miss. Not a fan of the political ones, mostly cause I can’t stand Naomi Klein - but i have a good long reason for that which you can ask me about next time you see me, but the more poetry type stuff works out some times. Here is a rambling ode the the style of hernando… and I will try to fit in some mentions for tonights’ big party at the track. Tonight at Hellyer Velodrome Hernando, Velo Girls, and La Dolce Vita are putting on the big party that are Friday Night Fights. It’d filled with beer, racing, food and costumes. The costume theme is new this year… not sure how it got started but Hernado usually gets all decked out as do a bunch of spectators and racers. Its like “The Rockey Horror Bike Show” Because of Velo Girls propensity to include pink in all ensembles and the recent passing of John Hughs this week was tagged “Pretty In Pink” where folks should either be:
1. Wearing pink
2. Wearing your best 80’s ensemble.
For me John Hughes movies and cycling are inextricably linked. Greg LeMond and Molly Ringwald both came to prominence at the same time and forever left a dent in my psyche. John Hughes understood the outsider and the feeling you get as a teenager that you can never quite belong.
Cycling in the 80’s had the same feel as the up and coming outsider sport. Lance was still a baby triathlete then and the prickly LeMond never quite connected with the US audience the way Lance would. Like Hughes cast in “The Breakfast Club” cyclists were a weird mix of athletes, nerds, and freds who would come together once a week for a club time trial on some deserted country road. In cycling we found, and continue to find a community of people we can relate to despite all of our social shortcomings..which cyclists seem to have in abundance. I’m sure some of your are normal but you still hammer yourself several months a year, and feel guilty if you don’t, for your job thats not really a job. My point being something ain’t right freak!
We may not always like each other but we have a common language, understanding, and respect for what each accomplishes in our clique. Events like the AVC, Friday Night Fights, Bay Area Prestige CX races, San Francisco Twilight, and San Rafael Twilight Crit bring us together to race, talk bikes, family and everything else in order connect in the most normal environment cyclists can manage.
If you are reading this you are in this crowd no matter what. Come out to party and race with us tonight.. and wear some pink leg warmers if you got em.
Originally published in NorCalcyclingnews.com with photos and links!
8.14.2009
8.11.2009
Primal Wear Inspiration
I was driving my way down Foothill today and I saw two guys in Primal Wear jerseys standing by the side of the road. I figured it was a flat but when i got closer one guy was looking awkwardly in the distance while his skinnier partner puked his guts out on the side of the road. Hell Yeah Bike Dorks - That is one hard a#$ mother-F^@#!%! I bet he got back on his bike and rode home to his big house in Los Altos Hills right after! If those dudes can get it together for a vomit inducing Tuesday morning ride I can at least try to post once a day till i’m out on vacation next week!
Track is top of mind since its Tuesday and all… Plus this Friday is a big track party so you all need some warming up.
TONITE 8/11 - WOMEN’S RACES + MEN’S MADISON TRAINING. If you want to give people a test to ride crits better make them pass a Madison test administered by none other than Hernando. This will solve all those Cat 3 crash issues you folks were emailing about last week…for real folks…a madison test! Dumbldore kinda genius right?
TOMORROW 8/12 Points Race, Scratch, Miss & Out, Points Race - Your “tired”, your “over trained”, your thinking next year is the time you will really dial it up and train 20 hours a week. It has been a long season and you are feeling like the best part of your summer, and your race season has passed you by. You know what… it is time for you to have some fun down at the track. I like Wednesday races because they are quick, short, and i can hang out with my friends on the tarmac. Its just the thing you need to get your passion back.
FRDAY 8/14 FRIDAY NITE FIGHTS - I dunno what Michael calls these races, I keep calling them Friday Nite Fights cause i like the similarly named show, but this is the monthly party night at the track. DJ, Drinks, Food and Lot’s-O-Track Racing are coming to Hellyer Velodrome this Friday night. Its not quite the “Matrix Style” Rave that will happen on September 18th but La Dolce Velo and VeloGirls put on a killer party as we saw from last years event. I’m not saying they can’t make it happen (cause if LLL puts the call out to her hoard of VG’s there is no telling what might shake out) …i’m just thinking all the road nerds (yeah i’m talking about you non-track-riding-skinny-folks beating each other up over the #CalCup) won’t be willing to get nutty till their “season” is over in September. Prove me wrong and shake the dust off your skin suits folks and give Hellyer some love.
9/12 - International Style Omnium Come get spanked by Beth - looks like she’s going fo sho!
9/18 - FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS BLOW OUT EVENT- Even though there are more races this is usually the last big PAR-TAY. No excuses…come get nuts, and race if you must. San Jose Bike Club will batten down the hatches for the storm that inevitably comes.
Track is top of mind since its Tuesday and all… Plus this Friday is a big track party so you all need some warming up.
TONITE 8/11 - WOMEN’S RACES + MEN’S MADISON TRAINING. If you want to give people a test to ride crits better make them pass a Madison test administered by none other than Hernando. This will solve all those Cat 3 crash issues you folks were emailing about last week…for real folks…a madison test! Dumbldore kinda genius right?
TOMORROW 8/12 Points Race, Scratch, Miss & Out, Points Race - Your “tired”, your “over trained”, your thinking next year is the time you will really dial it up and train 20 hours a week. It has been a long season and you are feeling like the best part of your summer, and your race season has passed you by. You know what… it is time for you to have some fun down at the track. I like Wednesday races because they are quick, short, and i can hang out with my friends on the tarmac. Its just the thing you need to get your passion back.
FRDAY 8/14 FRIDAY NITE FIGHTS - I dunno what Michael calls these races, I keep calling them Friday Nite Fights cause i like the similarly named show, but this is the monthly party night at the track. DJ, Drinks, Food and Lot’s-O-Track Racing are coming to Hellyer Velodrome this Friday night. Its not quite the “Matrix Style” Rave that will happen on September 18th but La Dolce Velo and VeloGirls put on a killer party as we saw from last years event. I’m not saying they can’t make it happen (cause if LLL puts the call out to her hoard of VG’s there is no telling what might shake out) …i’m just thinking all the road nerds (yeah i’m talking about you non-track-riding-skinny-folks beating each other up over the #CalCup) won’t be willing to get nutty till their “season” is over in September. Prove me wrong and shake the dust off your skin suits folks and give Hellyer some love.
9/12 - International Style Omnium Come get spanked by Beth - looks like she’s going fo sho!
9/18 - FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS BLOW OUT EVENT- Even though there are more races this is usually the last big PAR-TAY. No excuses…come get nuts, and race if you must. San Jose Bike Club will batten down the hatches for the storm that inevitably comes.
10.10.2008
Time for A Reshuffle
Like many of us hardcore cycling fans i met the news of Lance's return with a big yawn and skepticism. No matter how i look at it though i know it will increase American interest, and hence TV coverage of my favorite sport so it will only benefit me. If he win's its kind of cool, if he loses i get a good dose of schadenfreude. Regardless.... all the expected things happened, half fans got all excited, Leblanc got all huffy, and Dick Pound said something asinine.
Some interesting things happened below the surface which provide a glimmer of hope to some events that could change cycling...
1. Screw the ASO and TDF, turn your back on them and all they stand for - leave that to Contador
2. Go race the Giro - there are a tone of reasons to do this
Some interesting things happened below the surface which provide a glimmer of hope to some events that could change cycling...
- Armstrong bought into SRAM, who are sponsoring ASTANA. The profit he would bring to another kick at the can is obvious
- Rumors started circulating that Armstrong might buy the ASO with a bunch of old UCI cronies
- The Giro officially invited Armstrong and team to come ride the Giro, a big change from their 2007 greeting by the major tours.
1. Screw the ASO and TDF, turn your back on them and all they stand for - leave that to Contador
2. Go race the Giro - there are a tone of reasons to do this
- Before Lemond/Indurain/Armstrong the Giro was on par in prestige with Le Tour. that only faded when they failed to capitalize on American interest through TV coverage etc.
- The Giro's testing policy is way more lax - less positives, less negative press. Let's not pretend cycling was better before testing started. I want it clean but how the hell is that going to happen when Premiere League Soccer, NFL, NBA, and MLB are so ridiculous with drugs that its pointless to try and keep it squeaky
- Italians love Armstrong - mostly cause he's brash and emotional i suppose
- First get all the good teams in there. The race has the drama and a great location but needs some business sense. Get rid of those goofy second rate italian teams like Merco-Italia-Sella-Bucco. The Giro's former luster was almost restored when the UCI demanded that all the Pro-Tour must attend all three grand tours. Prior to that it was lapsing into second rate regional race only won by doped up italians who couldn't win a real tour if it hit them in the face.
- Replace Le Tour with Giro d'Italia. Lance gets the value of the brand. His focus on Le Tour was a great choice, cause it was the only race most Americans new or cared about. Then look at how he's managed Livestrong and personal brand into positions of companies that he can effect with his race results. That said the Armstrong brand is so high he can make it a game changer. Where he goes crowds follow. Who is going to care about Le Tour if the only American is going to get 5th! We want to watch a winner... and there is no better place to do it than Italy.
9.28.2008
7.26.2008
Training with Family
Originally published in Cyclocross Magazine circa 2008
I know your story. You used to race or just started… you have a $600,000 mortgage, you spend too much time at work, you just had a baby, and your spouse never signed on for all this cycling stuff when you got married three years ago. Don’t worry though cause I got all the answers right here. These are well worn methods to help you keep it all balanced and try to squeak out a top ten placing in your favorite cross series.
1. Get the Family On Board: Without the support of your spouse, children, and family pets you are not going to get very far. The best thing you can do is make sure your spouse knows how important this sport is. The best description I’ve heard about cycling came from a friend. “It’s not a hobby, its not a job, it’s a vocation.” Start there and work your way down to begging. Half the following tips relate to easing the burden on family life.
2. Consistency is King: The hardest part for juggling family, career and cycling is consistent training. Give up on the dream of getting in those 12 hour training weeks. I know there are super organized A types out there who can manage that but that’s a select few and hard to maintain for a long time so don’t feel that’s the solution. Realistically you likely only have 4 hours during the week and maybe 3 hours on the weekend to train. Be consistent about getting out every day even if it means you take a haircut some days and only get an hour in. Over time you’ll get the routine down and the hours will add up. Most importantly don’t feel bad about only riding a few hours a week – Stuart Smiley put it best “As we say in program: progress, not perfection.”
3. Train with a Power Meter: I originally got a PowerTap purely out of peer pressure. Everybody I knew was using one so I splurged and got me a wireless yeller handlebar unit. I had a vague notion of how it could help me manage my time better but it didn’t pan out quite like I expected. One of the challenges of the family bound cyclist is that no matter what you can’t race as much. The PowerTap helped me track my progress without racing every weekend. It also provided a great way to measure progress year over year once you combine it with the available software like TrainingPeaks.
4. The Long Ride: I spent all this time telling you to do more with less. Here is the flip side. If you can get in one long endurance ride (consistently remember!) during the week or weekend it will help maintain your engine during the short intense work outs, training races, or what ever you might be doing to prepare for your races. I found that on weekends my training rides were allotted to about two hours per day. My work schedule was flexible enough where I could take 8:30 to 12 go on a long hilly group ride every Wednesday. I had to stay later on those days but it helped me maintain sanity both at work and through out the rest of the week if I couldn’t get out for a ride.
5. Minimize Travel: Every couple has a different temperature gauge on what is acceptable so I can only speak from experience on this one. If a race is more than an hour away I don’t go because it puts me too deep in the hole with my spouse. I suggest that if you are racing with family stay as close to home as possible so you can fully enjoy the experience at the race and not feel too rushed.
6. Tight Race Day Time Management: Get your race day routine dialed in. Equipment, nutrition, warm up, parking, and exit should all be set up and ready to execute the night before your race. Hang out with the family before you leave, I suggest a nice breakfast, and make sure you don’t loiter and miss the ETA set by you and your significant other. Spouse management is half the battle and will help if and when you ask for more training time!
7. The Race Day Swap: It is entirely possible to coordinate with another parent to take your children to an event and do a swap so that you each get a race in. This creates some good will at home and gets the little ones involved but it also requires a lot of planning. Bring snacks, bring toys, and bring a portable DVD player of video iPod. The hardest part of the plan is getting in a good warm up. The crucial factor is to make sure your races are not back to back so that you get in some time on the bike before your race.
8. Bring the Family Circus: Bringing the whole family is doable for 1 or 2 races so use it wisely. I get the family out for the two big ones one of which is in Golden Gate park and we got out after and see some of the sights in San Francisco. The other race I take the family too is a blow out party with a tent, snacks, drinks and all the trimmings. What ever you take them too it should either be a great location (hence Golden Gate Park) or a great party that they will have lots of fun at. Taking your family to a field with no people and a bunch of racers will earn you no respect when they try to picture what you do every weekend.
9. Race in a Block: Just like the pro’s train in blocks you should race in set periods of time. Cross season (October- Early December) is great because it lasts about 10 weeks and most races are part of a series that lasts 3-6 races. This works out great for the family racer since a 5-6 race series is enough racing to keep you motivated and more than enough for your body to handle. I find after six cross races, and the usual stress of juggling training, work and famil I’m ready for a break and I hang up my racing bike until next season. The shorter focused race season provides the intensity I am looking for and makes my significant other feel like my life doesn’t revolve around cycling (even though it does a little bit.)
10. Don’t Judge A Race by Your Result: Discouragement about results is the family racers worst enemy. Too many times I have had to beat the “why do I bother” thought out of my psyche after finishing 22nd instead of 10th. Getting bummed out because you aren’t finishing where you want too is inevitable unless you are winning every weekend. I’ve met only a few nearly pro’s who have been able to juggle family and racing and perform to their potential. Consequently they have often prioritized family and cycling before career and make their lives work well. If that’s not you then look for incremental gains after each event with an eye on the big picture. Cycling, especially cyclocross is about the war not the battle. It can take years to dial in training, fitness, and technique so being consistent from race to race and year over year will help you get to where you want to be in results. Patience is a key factor if results are important to you but they will come
Bonus Tip: Getting family involved in racing is the family racers dream but let them (kids and spouse) come to you. I pushed my girlfiend, who is now my wife, and is a very strong cyclist to try a race. My wife is very competitive and overcooked a corner her first lap, I figured she’d be happy finishing not competing, and broke her arm. Since then getting her to try a race has been impossible. The moral of the story is… let them come to you after they see how much fun it is.
Training with a family requires creativity and stronger desire to participate than perform. If you have the desire and belief that showing up is half the battle then you can race into your golden years with the support of the folks you love the most. Unless you have some seriously good genes these tips are not going to win you any championships but it should get you close enough to the front of the race that when you come home and tell your family you got a top 15 they don’t spit in your face.
I know your story. You used to race or just started… you have a $600,000 mortgage, you spend too much time at work, you just had a baby, and your spouse never signed on for all this cycling stuff when you got married three years ago. Don’t worry though cause I got all the answers right here. These are well worn methods to help you keep it all balanced and try to squeak out a top ten placing in your favorite cross series.
1. Get the Family On Board: Without the support of your spouse, children, and family pets you are not going to get very far. The best thing you can do is make sure your spouse knows how important this sport is. The best description I’ve heard about cycling came from a friend. “It’s not a hobby, its not a job, it’s a vocation.” Start there and work your way down to begging. Half the following tips relate to easing the burden on family life.
2. Consistency is King: The hardest part for juggling family, career and cycling is consistent training. Give up on the dream of getting in those 12 hour training weeks. I know there are super organized A types out there who can manage that but that’s a select few and hard to maintain for a long time so don’t feel that’s the solution. Realistically you likely only have 4 hours during the week and maybe 3 hours on the weekend to train. Be consistent about getting out every day even if it means you take a haircut some days and only get an hour in. Over time you’ll get the routine down and the hours will add up. Most importantly don’t feel bad about only riding a few hours a week – Stuart Smiley put it best “As we say in program: progress, not perfection.”
3. Train with a Power Meter: I originally got a PowerTap purely out of peer pressure. Everybody I knew was using one so I splurged and got me a wireless yeller handlebar unit. I had a vague notion of how it could help me manage my time better but it didn’t pan out quite like I expected. One of the challenges of the family bound cyclist is that no matter what you can’t race as much. The PowerTap helped me track my progress without racing every weekend. It also provided a great way to measure progress year over year once you combine it with the available software like TrainingPeaks.
4. The Long Ride: I spent all this time telling you to do more with less. Here is the flip side. If you can get in one long endurance ride (consistently remember!) during the week or weekend it will help maintain your engine during the short intense work outs, training races, or what ever you might be doing to prepare for your races. I found that on weekends my training rides were allotted to about two hours per day. My work schedule was flexible enough where I could take 8:30 to 12 go on a long hilly group ride every Wednesday. I had to stay later on those days but it helped me maintain sanity both at work and through out the rest of the week if I couldn’t get out for a ride.
5. Minimize Travel: Every couple has a different temperature gauge on what is acceptable so I can only speak from experience on this one. If a race is more than an hour away I don’t go because it puts me too deep in the hole with my spouse. I suggest that if you are racing with family stay as close to home as possible so you can fully enjoy the experience at the race and not feel too rushed.
6. Tight Race Day Time Management: Get your race day routine dialed in. Equipment, nutrition, warm up, parking, and exit should all be set up and ready to execute the night before your race. Hang out with the family before you leave, I suggest a nice breakfast, and make sure you don’t loiter and miss the ETA set by you and your significant other. Spouse management is half the battle and will help if and when you ask for more training time!
7. The Race Day Swap: It is entirely possible to coordinate with another parent to take your children to an event and do a swap so that you each get a race in. This creates some good will at home and gets the little ones involved but it also requires a lot of planning. Bring snacks, bring toys, and bring a portable DVD player of video iPod. The hardest part of the plan is getting in a good warm up. The crucial factor is to make sure your races are not back to back so that you get in some time on the bike before your race.
8. Bring the Family Circus: Bringing the whole family is doable for 1 or 2 races so use it wisely. I get the family out for the two big ones one of which is in Golden Gate park and we got out after and see some of the sights in San Francisco. The other race I take the family too is a blow out party with a tent, snacks, drinks and all the trimmings. What ever you take them too it should either be a great location (hence Golden Gate Park) or a great party that they will have lots of fun at. Taking your family to a field with no people and a bunch of racers will earn you no respect when they try to picture what you do every weekend.
9. Race in a Block: Just like the pro’s train in blocks you should race in set periods of time. Cross season (October- Early December) is great because it lasts about 10 weeks and most races are part of a series that lasts 3-6 races. This works out great for the family racer since a 5-6 race series is enough racing to keep you motivated and more than enough for your body to handle. I find after six cross races, and the usual stress of juggling training, work and famil I’m ready for a break and I hang up my racing bike until next season. The shorter focused race season provides the intensity I am looking for and makes my significant other feel like my life doesn’t revolve around cycling (even though it does a little bit.)
10. Don’t Judge A Race by Your Result: Discouragement about results is the family racers worst enemy. Too many times I have had to beat the “why do I bother” thought out of my psyche after finishing 22nd instead of 10th. Getting bummed out because you aren’t finishing where you want too is inevitable unless you are winning every weekend. I’ve met only a few nearly pro’s who have been able to juggle family and racing and perform to their potential. Consequently they have often prioritized family and cycling before career and make their lives work well. If that’s not you then look for incremental gains after each event with an eye on the big picture. Cycling, especially cyclocross is about the war not the battle. It can take years to dial in training, fitness, and technique so being consistent from race to race and year over year will help you get to where you want to be in results. Patience is a key factor if results are important to you but they will come
Bonus Tip: Getting family involved in racing is the family racers dream but let them (kids and spouse) come to you. I pushed my girlfiend, who is now my wife, and is a very strong cyclist to try a race. My wife is very competitive and overcooked a corner her first lap, I figured she’d be happy finishing not competing, and broke her arm. Since then getting her to try a race has been impossible. The moral of the story is… let them come to you after they see how much fun it is.
Training with a family requires creativity and stronger desire to participate than perform. If you have the desire and belief that showing up is half the battle then you can race into your golden years with the support of the folks you love the most. Unless you have some seriously good genes these tips are not going to win you any championships but it should get you close enough to the front of the race that when you come home and tell your family you got a top 15 they don’t spit in your face.
7.06.2007
TDF '07 - Place Your Bets
Even thought it is hard to get excited i still like gambling on the TDF. My bets and odds below...
My money is going to...
My money is going to...
- Valverde ($15) - Cause he's definitely doping
- Rasmussen ($10) Long shot but possible, its not like he races in anything else
- Cadel Evans ($10) I momentarily bought into the hype, but now i think i just wasted $10.
- Levi ($10) its now or never and he looks hungry every time he's in a TT.
- Alexandre Vinokourov 7-4
- Andreas Kloden 4-1
- Andrey Kashechkin 12-1
- Cadel Evans 10-1
- Carlos Sastre 10-1
- Christophe Moreau 40-1
- Cyril Dessel 40-1
- Damiano Cunego 40-1
- Danilo Di Luca 20-1
- Denis Menchov 12-1
- Frank Schleck 12-1
- George Hincapie 40-1
- Iban Mayo 40-1
- John Gadret 40-1
- Levi Leipheimer 10-1
- Markus Fothen 40-1
- Michael Rasmussen 40-1
- Michael Rogers 20-1
- Oscar Pereiro 20-1
- Samuel Sanchez 40-1
- Tom Danielson 20-1
- Vladimir Karpets 40-1
- Yaroslav Popovych 40-1
6.19.2007
6.13.2007
The Rock Says....
I was a cynic, I was a skeptic, basically...i became an unbeliever. My soul was crushed last July when Floyd got busted, I lost interest, stopped blogging....but just when you think cycling is going totally down hill something comes along. The new cool thing? Rock Racing! These guys are bringing some danger back to the sport!The cool factors
1. The change their jerseys every race (supposedly)
-Every time i see them they have something different on, that is cool, not even Euro's do that.
2. Escalades - While i don't dig SUV's and their gas guzzling ways, a bunch of guys rolling up in pimped out mobster rides is pretty cool.
3. They can race!
- 1st CSC Invitational
- Spring 07 Results
- Kayle Leogrande - check out the ink! This guy is a crit machine...
- Rahsaan Bahati - No longer a flash in the pan! (he's the 1st at CSC)
5.08.2007
Basso states "I smoked pot but didn't inhale"
"I smoked pot but didn't inhale"b y Captain DanSo let me get this straight. Basso wins Giro by 9 minutes, over Gutierrez (who has never done this well in a 3 week stage race and is subsequently implicated in OP). Then is implicated in Operation Puerto and can't start '06 Tour. He denies any association with Dr. Fuentes. He and CSC part ways (significant buy out clause paid by CSC), then signs multi million $ contract with Discovery and Nike.
Evidence exists that his code name is Brillo (his dogs name that he denies is true) including blood and payment records going back to 2004. He quits Discovery and yesterday confesses his involvement. Then today says it was only "just in case" and for the tour he didn't get to compete.
This is F&$king hilarious. What a putz. How can he cheat, lie, take a ton of money, spit on our sport, and then expect anyone to believe this pile of shit!
http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/12220.0.html
Captain Dan Dan
Captain Dan Dan
1.31.2007
Operation Don't Crash Out Lance
Ol' Webcor Pro Greg Drake wrote up this story.... Its a great first person account of a Neo Pro's first big race.So I was racing in the 2002 SF Grand Prix, with Lance or course. I was completely intimidated by everything around me. I had been a Cat 2 for a couple months, a Cat 3 for a couple months before that, a Cat 4 for a month before that, and a Cat 5...well you get the picture. I hadn't been racing road bikes very long.
Anyway, I spent the whole night before the race waking up every hour or so with nerves raging. The little sleep I got was punctuated with dreams of crashing out Lance.
In the morning I tossed aside all my delusions of soloing in for the
win and decided that my one overarching goal (besides clipping in
properly at the start) was that I did not want to be That Guy Who
Crashed Out Lance.
Since Webcor was a major sponsor of the race our team was called up
to the start line, along with Postal. Operation Don't Crash Out
Lance was going to have to start a bit earlier than anticipated but
so be it. I managed to stage at least ten feet away from Lance at
this point so I was feeling some early success. After the gun went
off I clumsily clipped into my pedals and we were off.
I was pretty much hanging on for dear life after the gun went off so
I wasn't necessarily oozing with cogent reasoning. I quickly
reverted to a non-Lance subgoal which was to NOT be The First Guy
Dropped.
Luckily there were an unlucky Schroder Iron guy who dropped a chain
up Fillmore the first time up so I checked that one off my list.
But just as I was basking in the shadenfreude at the top of Fillmore
and reverting to my overarching race goal, I unwittingly became The
Jerk Who Let A Gap Form. Fortunately a guy from Cippolini's team who
was barking some really cool sounding Italian phrases gave me a
really hard push on the rump that literally flung me up the road. I
almost closed the gap - well not really. But at least I kept
pedealing. Another Italian with yet more incoherent, yet undoubtedly
profane Italian phrases came around me and mopped up my mess.
Now fast foward to lap two or three and we're on the flats out by
the Marina. I guess a break went up the road as things apparently
mellowed out with guys easing up a bit, grabbing drinks and
chatting. I say apparently because I was still hovering at lactate
threshold and I just couldn't relax, tailgunning it in the back of
the pack with a death-grip on the handlebars.
All of a sudden I see Lance kind of drifting back a bit throught the
pack to my right. And then I again remembered overarching goal
numero uno. In my foggy state I decided that the safest place for me
would be right behind him. I couldn't take him out and figured
others would feel the same way, maybe creating this small protective
oasis where nothing bad could happen. I just had to make sure I
braked early and often and everything would be just fine.
I then noticed several other Postal teammates drift back so I just
dangled several feet behind Lance as we rounded the north end of the
course and meandered back toward the climbs.
I must have been concentrating too hard or maybe just not paying any
attention all, because suddenly the Postal boys and I were slightly
off the back. I didn't panic because after all, I was following
Lance. What could possibly go wrong?
I found out as I'm staring at the ground and and see water droplets
near my front wheel. I looked up and yeah, I was the Rookie That Got
Peed On By Lance.
And this time, I closed the gap to the pack all by myself.
-Greg Drake
1.01.2007
New D3 Teams in 2007
I love figuring out the new Teams. This year there is only one weird wild card... but here is my take on all the new guys on the block.
BMC Racing - I like these guys, Jackson Stewart, Sayers, Moniger, Schmatz and Alexander Moos. These guys should be one of the new powerhouses out there.
Kelly Benefits - McCook, Perras, Spinelli, and Bouchard-Hall who dropped off the radar for a while. This Baltimore team is going to a whole new level. They shoudl rock the crit scene with McCook and some strong leadout guys.
Rock Racing - These guys are fascinating. No roster, no website, just a link and a contact name. The contact is a coach from LA with a business called RadSport. Both the names on the website are involved with a project called Las Vegas City of Sports, an ambitous sports related casino complex in Nevada. The primary source, Haldane Morris, is an ex racer and was apparently funding some of Rashan Bahti's comeback. While researching this some one Pro dropped his salary info in a post... $14k, if you don't want to go looking for it. Anyway... more on this group as it comes available.
Team Slipstream - They are not new, but they are going big time. Now that we know they are funded by a rich dude from NYC, who is not Mengoni, perhaps they will have enough dough to pick up Landis. Either way thise guys look good on paper... Pate, Eusar, Lewis, McCarty, and a few euro pro's for good measure.
BMC Racing - I like these guys, Jackson Stewart, Sayers, Moniger, Schmatz and Alexander Moos. These guys should be one of the new powerhouses out there.
Kelly Benefits - McCook, Perras, Spinelli, and Bouchard-Hall who dropped off the radar for a while. This Baltimore team is going to a whole new level. They shoudl rock the crit scene with McCook and some strong leadout guys.
Rock Racing - These guys are fascinating. No roster, no website, just a link and a contact name. The contact is a coach from LA with a business called RadSport. Both the names on the website are involved with a project called Las Vegas City of Sports, an ambitous sports related casino complex in Nevada. The primary source, Haldane Morris, is an ex racer and was apparently funding some of Rashan Bahti's comeback. While researching this some one Pro dropped his salary info in a post... $14k, if you don't want to go looking for it. Anyway... more on this group as it comes available.
Team Slipstream - They are not new, but they are going big time. Now that we know they are funded by a rich dude from NYC, who is not Mengoni, perhaps they will have enough dough to pick up Landis. Either way thise guys look good on paper... Pate, Eusar, Lewis, McCarty, and a few euro pro's for good measure.
12.23.2006
Uhhh...I got a game for you
I don't know if they ran the right tests. Pick Tammy Thomas, 2001 US Track medalist, recently in the headlines from this line up.
12.21.2006
The Real Meanning of Cross Mas!
Cross Mas has come of an gone.. but the spirit lives on. I don't have cable, so when my wife is watching a crappy movie i can't stand its time for CROSS VIDEOS! Here are some selections friends have helped me discover
dec.23: Wachtebeke - Bel
dec.26: World Cup #9 - Hofstade - Bel
dec.27: Sylvester Cyclo-cross Torhout - Bel
dec.28: Azencross Loenhout - Bel
dec.29: Cyclo-cross Middelkerke - Bel
dec.31: Superprestige #6 - Diegem - Bel
(Full Calendar) There is a race every day for the next week! I am currently trolling for some streaming Belgian TV stations since i don't think any of the normal sources have the coverage. Try Beeline TV which lists a lot of free streams or one of the Belgian TV station websites...sometimes i get lucky with highlights and stuff.
- 2006 US Nationals - Select Shorts from NorCal Cross Guru John Funke
- 2006 World Cup Highlights - Free from Cycling TV! Click Highlights
- Old World Championships - free highlights from 1996-2000
- You Tube - I just browse some times
- And of course... the weird
dec.23: Wachtebeke - Bel
dec.26: World Cup #9 - Hofstade - Bel
dec.27: Sylvester Cyclo-cross Torhout - Bel
dec.28: Azencross Loenhout - Bel
dec.29: Cyclo-cross Middelkerke - Bel
dec.31: Superprestige #6 - Diegem - Bel
(Full Calendar) There is a race every day for the next week! I am currently trolling for some streaming Belgian TV stations since i don't think any of the normal sources have the coverage. Try Beeline TV which lists a lot of free streams or one of the Belgian TV station websites...sometimes i get lucky with highlights and stuff.
12.12.2006
The Discovery Gambit
I am impressed with Discovery Channel. They have focus, and they have smarts. Sure...as cycling fans we all look at the Basso signing and say WTF, but we miss the point. The fallout is coming... but who cares if they get banned by the ProTour Team Federation, Tour of Denmark, and Tour of Germany. Discovery wants one thing... Win the Tour de France by all means necessary. All other races are irrelevant, especially to Americans! Its not like they will get banned from the Tour De Georgia/Utah/California etc, etc, etc. Sure... Basso is deffinately a doper, but do Americans care? Not a bit... even after Armstrong, Floyd, and Hamilton. Its not like the doping rules in other US sports like NFL, MLB, NBA are enforced, so who cares as long as Discovery wins. Everybody loves a winner... look at Lance!
12.04.2006
11.30.2006
Cross Mas 2006 & Other Anouncements
Cross Mas Party
Do not forget that this Sunday is my Cross Mas party! What is Cross Mas? It’s my annual holiday party, but I have mine at a cyclocross race… its like Belgian tailgating, a bike race instead of football. Cyclo-cross is a little nutty and was recently featured in the NY Times: Cyclocross Article. It is good viewing in sunny or inclement weather.
Details below...
Host: Ted Burns
When: Sunday, December 3, 11:00am
Phone: 650 464 3753
First Annual Cross-Mas Party!
I'm celebrating the close of the cyclocross season and the start of the holiday season.
Racing starts at 8 AM, and my race is at 9:20 but I recommend coming by at 11 AM to have a beer and watch the Pro's at 12 PM and my friends in the B group at 2 PM.
Tent and a few chairs will be available but bring all weather gear if you want to stomp around the course to watch the race.
Snacks and beer will also be available at my tent (which i should have according to my master plan.)
Location of the tent will be direction on the course if I can swing it so we can hoot and holler at the poor guys racing.
Finding my Tent (or car with a cooler)
- Call once you get there 650 464 3753
- Look for a green flag with a white cross (like the one in invite below)
- Walk around and shout my name (TED? TEEED?)
Bring a cow bell if you have one....i have a few to give out.
Directions
When coming to Coyote Point from the north (San Francisco), use Highway 101 South. Take the Poplar Avenue exit. Turn right onto Humbolt until Peninsula Avenue. Turn right onto Peninsula Avenue. Go over the freeway, and then circle around and into the Park.
When coming to Coyote Point from the south (San Jose), use Highway 101 North. Take the Dore Avenue exit. Immediately turn left onto North Bayshore Boulevard. Turn right onto Coyote Point Drive to the park.
Announcement # 001
New Years Resolution #1 for 2007
I will try to post at least once a month in the new year!
9.12.2006
Finally! Coming Clean
After the Floyd TDF debacle i kept thinking "Somebody just needs to come clean and spill the beans!" well in a post United sacking period of self reflection Frankie Andreu has done just that. The more interesting bit is that the New York Times is covering it and has corroboration from another former US Postal Teammate from 1999. I am glad that they papers are starting to take a real run at the situation
Check out the roster from '99 and see who you think it is...
- ARMSTRONG Lance - No way it is him, too much on the line
- ANDREU Frankie - Came clean
- DERAME Pascal - Doubt it HAMILTON Tyler - He's denied this far, he faces lifetime ban if he admits now.
- HINCAPIE George - Still racing, and doing well. No way he'd admit it after USPRO champs.
- LIVINGSTON Kevin - Had a tough going over after he left US Postal, but still has some cycling ties.
- MEINERT-NIELSEN Peter - Doubt it
- VANDEVELDE Christian - Still racing, and just starting to win.
- VAUGHTERS Jonathan - Admission would jeopardize the entire TIAA-CREF program but he does want to make the sport clean.
6.19.2006
Odd's on Basso - Time to Ante Up
Get your money down @ http://www.sportsbook.com!
There are some good deals here... Jan at 12-5, Floyd at 8-1, Cadel at 20-1. However, since i and the bookies don't really think any of them have a chance i put my money on Basso which is pretty crappy at 11-10! Anyway...i have $20 on basso and $9 on floyd. All money is made from Lance at previous tours.
Alejandro Valverde 7-1
Alexander Vinokourov 8-1
Andreas Kloeden 40-1
Andrey Kashechkin 80-1
Bobby Julich 100-1
Cadel Evans 20-1
Carlos Sastre 100-1
Christoph Moreau 100-1
Damiano Cunego 25-1
Denis Menchov 30-1
Eddy Mazzoleni 100-1
Floyd Landis 8-1
Francisco Mancebo 50-1
Georg Totschnig 100-1
George Hincapie 30-1
Haimar Zubeldia 80-1
Iban Mayo 80-1
Ivan Basso 11-10
Jan Ullrich 12-5
Joseba Beloki 60-1
Levi Leipheimer 45-1
Michael Rasmussen 40-1
Oscar Pereiro 50-1
Paolo Savoldelli 40-1
Santiago Botero 100-1 V
ladimir Karpets 60-1
Yaroslav Popovych 18-1
There are some good deals here... Jan at 12-5, Floyd at 8-1, Cadel at 20-1. However, since i and the bookies don't really think any of them have a chance i put my money on Basso which is pretty crappy at 11-10! Anyway...i have $20 on basso and $9 on floyd. All money is made from Lance at previous tours.
Alejandro Valverde 7-1
Alexander Vinokourov 8-1
Andreas Kloeden 40-1
Andrey Kashechkin 80-1
Bobby Julich 100-1
Cadel Evans 20-1
Carlos Sastre 100-1
Christoph Moreau 100-1
Damiano Cunego 25-1
Denis Menchov 30-1
Eddy Mazzoleni 100-1
Floyd Landis 8-1
Francisco Mancebo 50-1
Georg Totschnig 100-1
George Hincapie 30-1
Haimar Zubeldia 80-1
Iban Mayo 80-1
Ivan Basso 11-10
Jan Ullrich 12-5
Joseba Beloki 60-1
Levi Leipheimer 45-1
Michael Rasmussen 40-1
Oscar Pereiro 50-1
Paolo Savoldelli 40-1
Santiago Botero 100-1 V
ladimir Karpets 60-1
Yaroslav Popovych 18-1
6.01.2006
End Bad Cycling Handshakes
WRONG We have all fallen victim to trying to shake somebody's hand while riding. After a race, or on a group ride, what ever. I am here to ask you to stop. It just doesn't work. Next time you need to great or congratulate somebody do the fist bump. If we all work together we can end the sad little papal ring kissing attempts that give all cyclists a bad name.
RIGHT
5.30.2006
Simoni
I know this has nothing to do with american's except for my last quote. I just love Simoni's whining though, he is such a satisfying guy to hate. This was almost too easy. He talks a lot of garbage... Also check out the Simoni Cars web site, its not related but wouldn't it be great if it was?
"I went to the dentist that day and he gave me an injection but I did not ask him what products were in it. When I left him I went to see my aunt and on returning to my hotel I was confronted by two people from the World Anti-Doping Agency." [on testing positive for cocaine in 2002]
"Armstrong definitely doesn't frighten me on the climbs, and he knows it." VN 2003
On the 2003 Tour De France "I feel really bad, I just want to go home,I came here hoping to win the race but my morale is in my boots. I've never liked the Tour anyway. I want to go home. I'll be carrying on, and we'll see what happens. But it's really difficult when it's like this."
"I didn't enjoy the Tour; there's little space to express yourself as a rider with so much domination by Armstrong. The Giro is totally different."
"I don't want to have any further contact with (Ballerini)...I focused on racing at the Worlds for nine months. If (Ballerini) wasn't interested in me, there must have been something else behind it. Now to add insult to injury, (because of public comments about Ballerini) I have a problem with the (Italian Cycling) federation. But no matter what, I'll never wear the (Italian) national jersey again. I don't want to change my nationality but it's not really my choice. I have to do this if I want to race in the World Championships again."
"You're a bastard...you are really stupid." To Cunego at 2004 Giro
Following Cunego's Saturday-morning press conference, Saeco riders and staff dressed in pink to pose for a picture - except Simoni, who refused to join the love fest. VN
"I was upset that Damiano wanted to win in such a dominant fashion this Giro, I didn't think that was necessary when Damiano accelerated in front of me in Friday's stage. It did annoy me, but that's all finished now."
"What happened that day at Bormio has never happened to me before, when Cunego wanted to win the stage. There was an agreement that day. In my career, I've let other riders win and I've won myself, but I've never gone back on my word. And before Bormio, no one ever did it to me."
"If Armstrong rode both the Giro d'Italia and then the Tour de France, we'd see how good he really is, for better or worse, He has said he wants to ride the Giro at least once during his career, and this could be the right moment to do it. Next year the Giro finishes at the end of May, and the hardest stages of the Tour de France are in late July, so he'd have enough time to recover."
"I don't want to think about the Tour. I've been racing for 20 days, and all I want to do is go home and see my family. After that I'll come up with some plan to conquer the world."
"I have to go into this Giro like a crazy man. We'll see if I'm crazy enough to win it."
"Cunego is now a captain on his own and he can't hide behind me anymore,"
"Basso asked me to wait for him on the descent. If I had known he was going to do that, I would have used a different tactic. Obviously, there are no gentlemen in this game,"
"I've never seen anyone dominate like that, never seen any one that strong! He seems like an extra-terrestrial,"
"Five kilometres from the finish of the stage Basso asked me for money in exchange for him letting me win, I've never asked for charity or for the stage win and when Basso asked for money it really hurt me. I've never done anything like that during my career."
"Basso deserves his Giro win but he doesn't exist for me any more,"
Armstrong on Simoni
"For sure he was impressive in the Giro and since then he's been talking a lot, but talk is cheap as they say."
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