In-Laws And Out-laws

It's been a long time between rides... 6 days to be precise. I got in 38 miles last Tuesday at the Acapulco ride in the East Metro. Today, I got in a 30 mile time trial training ride. In between, the in-laws came into town including my divorced father-in-law and mother-in-law and my two sisters-in-law. We went to Eau Clarie for the weekend for Kathleen's cousin's daughter's wedding. I did manage to get in two rounds of golf while there and I added two pounds with all of the food and beer...

Lance! Lance! Lance!

I've had enough Lance crap from the Versus network. The guy got away with juicing in the TDF for seven victories imho. How do you beat a juiced to the gills Ullrich, Basso, Vinukorouv, Mancebo, Landis, Hamilton, Pererio, Heras et al without being on something yourself? Now, he's trying his comeback as a clean rider. Cancellera, Contador, Wiggins, Kloden, Evans, Leipheimer were among the nine riders who beat him in the opening time trial... He probably thinks he's team leader after today's stage when he was in the right place at the right time. Wait until the first mountain stage. Bruyneel better not tell Contador to ride for Lance. Contador should attack Lance up every mountain and finish the guy off for good... Anyway, Tom Bengel and I got in a 31 mile time trial training session on the Greenway, Cedar and Kenilworth Trails.

Party Time

We had the annual Fourth of July party on Saturday. I got a few rides in and even a race over the weekend. However, last Wednesday I raced the Blackdog Time Trial. I had my worst time of the year at 16:51. I went out easy to save myself for the second half of the race. It didn't work. I always suck after the momentum killing turn-a-round-cone. I'll have to rethink that strategy... Anyway, I got in 17 miles. After that, I did a 32 mile time trial training ride on Thursday and a 17 1/2 mile ride Saturday. On Sunday, I went to the Chippewa mountain bike race in Eau Claire with Tom and Lee Bengel. I placed 7th in the 50-54 Sport event. The total miles Sunday were 19.

Another Move

I got in a few short rides over the weekend. On Friday after work, I rode the Lake Owasso loop from Saint Paul. That was 25 miles of nice cruising on the Specialized road bike. Moving day is what they call Saturday on the PGA Tour. That's when the good golfers seem to make their move to get into contention. Well, for me, Saturday was an actual moving day. My brother Tom and I moved the last of my mom's stuff from her condo to Saint Thereses' in Hopkins. I did manage to get in a short 11 mile road ride on Summit Avenue after the move. Mountain biking was the theme on Sunday. Bill Stuber, Jerry Engen, Lori Belz, John Wyland and I rode the trails at Battle Creek. They've got a couple of new trails there along with some more log jumps and a rock garden. We got in over 12 1/2 miles.

Working It Out..

I got in a 20 mile ride after work by going east on Summit, up the High Bridge and then over to Fort Snelling and Minnehaha Park. I did a couple more time trial pick-ups and tried to go fast up the High Bridge. Climbing the High Bridge Fast is tough though because you always have to watch for glass.

Not Much Riding Lately...

I've been busy lately with all kinds of stuff that has kept me off the bike. Yeah, if I was really serious, I would make time... I know, I know... Got a 20 mile road ride in Saturday evening then had the family over for Father's Day on Sunday. What happened Monday? Rain? Tuesday I was all set for the thirty six mile TCBC Acapulco ride when Kathleen informed me we had the neighbor's birthday party to go to... So I decided to get in a quick ride around the neighborhood. Yeah, it was quick. I made it one mile before the rain started. I turned for home and got in a total of 2 miles... Today, I got in 21 miles on the time trial training bike with five speed sets. I rode the Greenway and Kenilworth trails plus the trail from downtown south to the Greenway.

Paying For Speed

Speed can be achieved in bike racing via many methods. Training, racing, buying the best equipment, bike position and hiring a coach are the most common. I paid for time trial speed by getting a time trial bike, disc rear wheel, deep section front wheel, skin suit, aero helmet and lycra shoe covers... However, last night, I paid for speed a different way, I went out way too fast at the Blackdog TT and paid for it on the way back when it seemed I was barely moving! Two weeks ago, my time was 16:17. Last night it was 16:45. That was one second slower than my first Blackdog TT of the year... I'll try to TT at a more even pace... Anyway, I got in 19 miles last night at the "Dog". Tonight, I got in a little over 20 miles by going up the high bridge and then west to Fort Snelling before heading back to Saint Paul.