Rest, Stems & Crashes
Not much going down today. Tis Monday- A day of rest. I needed it too. I was in bed about 9 PM Sunday, and I STILL could have used a few more (or 5) hours of sleep this morning. I guess yesterday's ride in the heat really sucked the energy right out of me, so today was spent hydrating and doing next to nothing in the air conditioned comfort of my cubical at work.
As I type we're getting slammed with a few thunderstorms. Great. Looks like Boyce might be out for tomorrow. If it lasts all night, It will be a muddy mess for a few days and sure as shit there will be 40 new trees down. So I guess I'll have to retreat to the road or rail trail. Grrrr!
I really wanted to get out on the Dos Niner to test out my new stem position. Tonight I flopped the stem BACK to have a little more rise and make it more even with my saddle. I'm hoping to relieve some low back fatigue I've been having on longer rides, without losing too much of the control that I enjoy with the stem lower. I may even take the Dos on the road tomorrow just to get some saddle time in the new position. But if I know me I'll end up on the Campeon. But who knows until tomorrow??
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Check out the Dirt Rag Blog for some tid bits on the new Salsa Big Mama 29er. Couple good pics. Not too much additional insight to the feel of the bike that hasn't already been discussed on TwentyNineInches.com or the Salsa Amigos Blog. My fave line (and the most titillating) from the post was this line:
"The bike handled better than I had expected
monster-trucked through the rock gardens and leaned into corners"
—begging to be monster-trucked through the rock gardens and leaned into corners"
THAT'S what I wanted to hear. I'd like to hear more about how it climbs. It's going to be a heavier bike and no XC race machine, but if it can climb at all it's going to be one hell of a 12/24 Solo bike. (JOY!)
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The next time you crash hard and are laying there embarrassed, or worse writhing in pain with a broken bone, imagine looking up to see a bunch of photographer documenting your misery.
Over a guard rail and down a 20' embankment to the pavement. I can't BELIEVE Oscar Pereiro survived with only a broken shoulder!! Good gravy!! At least he got some sweet camera time for Caisse D'empargne. I wonder if he'll get a bonus for that?______________________________________
"Lots of ultra racers talk about quality
over quantity, but it’s mostly just that:
talk. How many of them know their anaerobic
or lactate thresholds, regularly do structured
intervals, compete in traditional bike races,
or even train with speedy club rides?
Almost none, and in my opinion it’s
because they’re scared of the competition
and finding out they’re not as fast as they
think they are."
- "The Endurance Path Revisited" by Chris Kostman
Hammer Nutrition, Isuue 059.
over quantity, but it’s mostly just that:
talk. How many of them know their anaerobic
or lactate thresholds, regularly do structured
intervals, compete in traditional bike races,
or even train with speedy club rides?
Almost none, and in my opinion it’s
because they’re scared of the competition
and finding out they’re not as fast as they
think they are."
- "The Endurance Path Revisited" by Chris Kostman
Hammer Nutrition, Isuue 059.
OUCH! That all sounds a LITTLE too much like someone I know. I need to change that for sure.
Time to cruise the Net and then head to bed.
Later.
Time to cruise the Net and then head to bed.
Later.
posted by Jason @ 9:10 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
I am not sure I agree with that Hammer statement. How many roadies, cross riders, and whoever else are afraid to ride ultra endurance events because they are afraid they are not as fast as they think THEY are.
It comes off a bit arrogant. But I see the point.
True, it does come off a bit like that. The article is actually pretty good and kind of makes the point that you don't have to ride 300 miles a week to do an ultra. That competing in other events outside the ultra realm can give you some huge benefits. I personally find myself doing a little too much of what he said. Not competing in other events so as not to look like a freaking idiot. I need to get over that and realize I ALWAYS look like an idiot! :)
I testify to the benefits (and fun factor) of speedy group rides, training crits, XC events as good prep for longer endurance stuff. IMO, rolling around at 26-33 in a training crit (or motor pacing for that matter) is the greatest benefit you can get, short of taking drugs.
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