First Road event

I decided in order to become a better cyclist it would require delving into the world of road riding and racing. The additional riding and training will only help me prepare me for MTB and Cyclocross as well as broaden my knowledge in this arena. I signed up for the AAVC (Ann Arbor Velo Club) Spring Training Series. It's a series designed to introduce new riders and provide instruction as well as a series of Criterium events ranging from beginner to Semi-Pro. I chose to do the C & B events. It was a great learning experience. I couldn't hang on to the pack in either race but I was gratified to be doing something completely different. Watching the A riders was very humbling as they were smokin' fast. I can't wait for next weeks race.
More info can be found HERE.

Iron Horse Classic elevation profile

I came across this elevation profile of the route from Durango to Silverton, CO. I like to think of myself as a good climber but the Coal Bank and Molas Pass inclines look like a challenge. I'm geeked! Click on the map for a detailed view.

Good Friday ride

With the threat of more snow heading my way I decided to get in a ride before work. Under cold, grey skies I headed for Edward Hines Drive. The first thing I noticed was a lack of cars. As I neared the first intersection I noticed a barricade and cones with some dude allowing certain cars through the checkpoint. I also noticed a idleing helicopter in a nearby field but dismissed it as contruction related. A mile or so down the road I came upon cars parked on both shoulders and adults pulling their bundled children toward Nankin Mills Park. As I edged my way through the throngs of people I noticed my AVG Speed was taking a hit. Darn pedestrians! Arrived to the park to see hundreds of people assembled in a large open field and the same helicopter dumping marshmallows on the crowd. News helicopters were hovering and crowd control was in full gear. What a scene! As I turned around and made my escape I started to ponder how this had anything to do with Easter? For the past 24 years this has become a tradition. It looked more like a giant mosh pit for kids and parents. Eeeuwwwwwww.
Still glad I made it out for a ride.
Great Marshmallow drop link.

Spring Cyclocross Series

Cult Cross (gotta love that name) is hosting the Spring CX series in the Vail Valley featured in the video below. Check out their site HERE.

Vail Valley Cyclocross

Road ID

My buddy Shakey turned me on to this product. After riding countless miles far from home without any form of ID this product only makes sense. I went with the Interactive model so I can update my profile info whenever necessary. I can only hope I won't need to actually use it but I feel a lot better knowing there is one less John Doe out there on the road. Road ID link.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Today I passed the 300 mile threshold. I decided to switch out the knobbies on the cross bike with some road tires and go out for a ride today. It was cold and grey with a wind chill near 20 degrees. I shoulda been eating corned beef and drinking green beer instead of becoming a spandex meatcicle. I got in 36 miles but after 2 hours outside I was frozen to the core. I love the versatility of the cross bike. Switching out those tires is like having a completely different bike. The Red Army rawks!

Butt Crack Chaos

With the cold riding conditions we have had this Winter and Spring it is paramount to layer your clothing choices "seamlessly". Tights to cover those legs come in many choices for various temperatures. Mine have a chamois and they sag in the butt. Left unrestrained and you could end up mooning the peleton.

No drawstring is gonna fix this. Bib shorts worn over the tights hold the entire package together. Just make sure to have an empty bladder before you head out:)

Chamois Butt'R

Nobody wants a sore bottom halfway into a long ride. Available on any supermarket shelf these products are a great substitute for those expensive chamois creams out there. Slather it on and your arse will love you for it. The Equate is Walmart's generic brand. To add a bacteria fighting element take a tube of Neosporin and mix it with the cream. BAM!

Homemade Gel recipe

I'm tired of shelling out money for tiny packets of energy gel so I went on the interweb and found a recipe that I plan to try. Hopefully this recipe won't have any side-effects such as restless legs or excess hair on my toes. I will update with results.

-1 part organic brown rice syrup
-1 part barley malt syrup
-1/3 part honey
-1/3 part agave nectar
-Green tea extract.
-Amino acid complete liquid for about 3-4 g of protein per ounce
-Taurine (powder or liquid)
-Peanut Butter/Nutella to taste.
-Emergen-c
-Sea salt (1 tsp for every 3 ounces finished product)
-Coffee grounds to taste and offset sweetness (Optional)
-Espresso to taste. Several shots (now you're talkin')
-Meal replacement powder(I like Perpetuem and Sustained Energy)to thicken.
-fruit juice to taste/to adjust thickness

Recipe keeps for at least two months refrigerated.

Athertons vs Farmer Jack

Check it out. Very funny.

Gear ratio calculator's rule...

This is one of the best resources for singlespeed and fixed gear calculations. It also includes your skid patch (sounds like a personal problem), gear ratio, gear inch and much more. Looks like the stock 32(front ring)X 20 (rear cog) on my 29'er is not gonna be tall enough and will have me spinning like crazy. Check out the speed colume when you change the rear cog to a 18 or 16. Click the Rabbit.

100 miles down...

I got in a ride today (Sunday) while the sun was shining. We are between storms and more snow is right around the corner. This was my first ride since last month's bout with the flu and I felt lethargic although that could be from the 20 lbs. of extra clothes I was wearing. Took the hardtail out on Hines Drive and got in 25 miles fighting the wind. With 4 outdoor rides under my belt this year I'll have to get a move on if I want to get in 5000 miles by years end.
Daily Weather Forecast for Detroit, MI - weather.com

Ironman

Although this has absolutely nothing to do with cycling I have to say I've always enjoyed comic books and comic book movies. Wait 'till you see my action figure collection!