tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28930773682172517432024-03-05T12:32:51.737-05:00Poseur la CentraleWhere elite athletics meets couch potatoUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-26263457844774087972012-06-26T17:18:00.001-04:002012-06-26T17:18:13.564-04:00Sidelined. F***!So my original update was going to be: <br />
<br />
"Ten Great Things About Riding Fat"<br />
<br />
10. You get to use those tacky club-cut jerseys.<br />
9. Every hill is an interval.<br />
8. No longer lust for a lighter bike.<br />
7. Reminds you why race-fit guys are cocky.<br />
6. Days off are well, just days.<br />
5. If "no pain, no gain" is true, it's all gain.<br />
4. No need to worry about bonking. Rides too short, reserves too deep.<br />
3. Very little guilt about skipping group rides. Or any rides.<br />
2. Chicks dig lycra when stretched to see-through proportions.<br />
<br />
and of course<br />
<br />
1. Descending!<br />
<br />
<br />
Now for the real update:<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="200" data-width="240" height="200" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQu2QlrY7veYTwyIC6IpxU6h9QCzy3p7_3HXCkz4bGlZCG9futPwg" style="height: 200px; width: 240px;" width="240" /><br />
<br />
This is me, now going on 4 weeks. Ostensibly caused by lifting (improperly) while doing yardwork, but more likely caused by a weak core not ready for riding, water skiing, and rowing. Anyhoo, it sucks. Big time. The past 48 hours have been the first where I've been free of painkillers and nsaids.<br />
<br />
The likelihood of CO is nil for me, which (despite my incessant bitching and whining) I was looking forward to.<br />
<br />
Enjoy your good health, and take care of it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-44933919718814742182012-02-24T16:41:00.000-05:002012-02-24T16:41:15.854-05:00Sammy posted. so I must as wellMy stuff isn't nearly as exciting as his.<br />
<br />
Like biking, for instance. My involvement so far in 2012 was looking for something in my shop, walking past my bike on the stand, and thinking to myself, "I wonder what it was I intended to do to that bike when I clamped it in at the end of last season?"<br />
<br />
Oh, and I bought a new rubber band for my Kreitler rollers because the one I had melted, leaning against a radiator. The reason for replacement is irrelevant; it needed replaced.<br />
<br />
Both of these examples are cycling-related, and in poser land that counts as training.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-3886887756925844932012-01-05T15:24:00.002-05:002012-01-06T10:29:55.781-05:00Happy New YearWell, I'm still fat.<br />
<br />
Fatt<em>er</em>, actually. <br />
<br />
Playing hockey. Bastard college kids still have fast legs. That's okay I'm older than their freakin dads.<br />
<br />
I ran, well jogged, well trudged. Actually I limped 3 miles on New Year's Eve. That was novel. It takes a lot less time to pepare to go out on a really slow run in the cold then it takes to prepare to go out for a really slow ride in the cold.<br />
<br />
Running shoes are cheaper than bikes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Nonetheless, I think I shall ride sometime prior to June 1 this year. Gotta get ready for training camp at Sammy's.<br />
<br />
Worst of 2011: That stupid climb up that stupid road on the stupid first day of stupid training camp.<br />
<br />
Best of 2011: Flipping the Ag3r calendar to January 2012. Didn't have to look at HD's pony-tail anymore. By the way, if that is a pony tail, what does that make his head?<br />
<br />
New Year Resolution: I won't get on Richy's shit as much.<br />
<br />
resolutions were meant to be broken<br />
<br />
<br />
Still no Bimmer. I thinks it's on a cruise around the world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-80736178485738234722011-09-08T14:05:00.000-04:002011-09-08T14:05:34.500-04:00LaTour Musings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT44LxabRGjnsfE4MiC2kYhvojvQaIcVS2DDicjSpIdasFzNNimq1ynP4H8n6cFIPQoWW24-35X3VBw6JPn3fHG-wPQgTFL2co_wayy_BaZ5Ez9RRlDKDE-n_pUDB3elu6YTBoOi2/s1600/photo-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT44LxabRGjnsfE4MiC2kYhvojvQaIcVS2DDicjSpIdasFzNNimq1ynP4H8n6cFIPQoWW24-35X3VBw6JPn3fHG-wPQgTFL2co_wayy_BaZ5Ez9RRlDKDE-n_pUDB3elu6YTBoOi2/s320/photo-8.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>Hardest Stage: Stage 3, Hardwood Mills RR<br />
<br />
Sweetest Stage: Stage 13, Kremis TTT<br />
<br />
Most Dangerous Stage (and most fun?): Stage 16, Double-Right TTT, 4th man<br />
<br />
Best Improvement from Original: Expanding TTTs, with first few counting all riders. Required teamwork, strategy, and guts.<br />
<br />
2nd Best Improvement: September<br />
<br />
Most Impressive Effort: Hannah<br />
<br />
Got stronger along the way: Retro<br />
<br />
Best New Rider: tatuOwen<br />
<br />
Gutsiest Rider: xRay<br />
<br />
Sleeper overall result-getter: HD<br />
<br />
Underestimated the Pain: Kirk<br />
<br />
Best New Help: Ryan<br />
<br />
Best Old Help: Alison<br />
<br />
Master Database Manager: Hick<br />
<br />
Yet-to-be-realized LaTour Goal: 3 teamsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-89589466263887097302011-09-05T11:52:00.000-04:002011-09-05T11:52:52.523-04:00Is that a long-haired llama???Nope, it's a long-haired slacker and a short-haired llama!!!<br />
<br />
Pain, fun, beer, and food. In that order, another LaTour de LaTonka is in the books. Hit the "weather hole" between 95 degrees 95% humidity on Saturday and storms and rain Sunday afternoon. Hard rides, great friends, and our first female participant!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_NsIExHC_wT1CN8cXjhfJa9OjuGSAzwxINAUlQBuWE-cF1yDyNaydEpSIpXizmxhoZ40T_rayXYZEW3m9mXWZKBTlarGBCZEesVnV294QRAzMd_FAZetS1I1XLnp6gOLsehjXA-L/s1600/photo-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_NsIExHC_wT1CN8cXjhfJa9OjuGSAzwxINAUlQBuWE-cF1yDyNaydEpSIpXizmxhoZ40T_rayXYZEW3m9mXWZKBTlarGBCZEesVnV294QRAzMd_FAZetS1I1XLnp6gOLsehjXA-L/s320/photo-7.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>Thanks to Hick, Ryan, Al, RJ, Mason, and Brady for outstanding support. When the soreness subsides, planning for version 3 will begin!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-5214718302033719982011-08-18T09:52:00.000-04:002011-08-18T09:52:00.549-04:00LaTourSeptember 4. Beer, food, pain. Lots of laughs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJil_h5O6IoSXvtNBLB8Jtncb1IV1QsZ83TE17Duv5TNQaBqcZOQLV7U51gb4kPYyYxqmkHOZj0HJAHD8ik8HHQb_O9EF5zhtBVahSjupGi5_JnXhnbPq_5LiLS4UKcA677eJaKNl/s1600/TT+Guns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJil_h5O6IoSXvtNBLB8Jtncb1IV1QsZ83TE17Duv5TNQaBqcZOQLV7U51gb4kPYyYxqmkHOZj0HJAHD8ik8HHQb_O9EF5zhtBVahSjupGi5_JnXhnbPq_5LiLS4UKcA677eJaKNl/s320/TT+Guns.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Damn I better start trainin.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-52470373197801109072011-07-22T10:59:00.000-04:002011-07-22T10:59:51.377-04:00Gira de Seis Lagos est September 4!HOLD your calendars boys...September 4 it is! Guaranteed to be one of the best days on the bike in 2011...be there!!! Invite your buds. The more the merrier.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-50482107877318816252011-07-13T10:55:00.000-04:002011-07-13T10:55:17.777-04:00Seis Lagos Teaser/UpdateGo here for an idea of all the fun, fun, fun til her daddy takes the t-bird away...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4644399">www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4644399</a><br />
<br />
Also, consensus is for a September event. Let me know availability of 9/3,4, or 5 (Labor Day), or the following weekend, 9/10 or 11. The bigger the better...and more competitive.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-7351421159822873942011-07-09T14:22:00.000-04:002011-07-09T14:22:49.583-04:00GSL ClarificationOh ye of Brew-related nomenclature: "Century" connotes distance, not format. There will be plenty of opportunity to defend the green weenie, including TWO state-line sprints! It is not a matter of <i>if</i> there will be stages, just <i>how many</i> and of <i>what type</i>. Stay tuned.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-72481233856849887272011-07-07T12:26:00.000-04:002011-07-07T12:26:20.237-04:00Gira de Seis LagosThe 2011 version of the LaTour de LaTonka is being planned! Exact format will be forthcoming. I suggest two options for dates - either Labor Day weekend (September 3,4, or 5) to wrap up summer, or mid-October (15th or 16th) when leaves will be at/near peak (a nod to luring Sammy and sister Deidre to PA. Not to mention Jeff and Phantom!). 2-3 months notice should allow for a decision and the hold on the calendar. Comment preference here or by email. The charter LaTour group is invited, plus anybody else who is a good fit for our fun-loving, apres-ride beer-swilling gang.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-18311601683565525602011-07-05T11:14:00.000-04:002011-07-05T11:23:21.060-04:00Posing a QuestionSeptember 2011...Labor Day Weekend...in honor of the Vuelta...<i>Gira de Seis Lagos</i>. Another mixed-team, one-day, multi-stage tour, in a geography you never ride. Some cruising, some racing. Much fun. You in?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-25192222301299803052011-06-24T12:42:00.000-04:002011-07-01T13:55:41.545-04:00Headed Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfDIqqNeX5CSULkIM-xS92PxG8eHqJWXjUfiDCDlpg6q4WNc4W1cd4RDuaZXGv0y7u52Y9Qlr6PZZV0AlIKqihAIQnPkaEqb72nubvf3HoMUR0wjr1tKciIt5Cb_9FP9YDxT5uud7/s1600/photo-4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621829001436798898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfDIqqNeX5CSULkIM-xS92PxG8eHqJWXjUfiDCDlpg6q4WNc4W1cd4RDuaZXGv0y7u52Y9Qlr6PZZV0AlIKqihAIQnPkaEqb72nubvf3HoMUR0wjr1tKciIt5Cb_9FP9YDxT5uud7/s320/photo-4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />What a trip. Ended it with a sunrise solo ride up the canyon before one final Boulder espresso. Spiritual. Thanks to Sammy and his clan (including our new little sister Deidre!) for exceptional hospitality, route guidance, and suffering. A couple hundred miles in 5 days. Not far, except that so much was upwards. Thank God what goes up must come down!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-60210648384466264642011-06-23T19:43:00.001-04:002011-06-23T19:44:34.782-04:00If you don't like this ridin'...do something else.Knackered. Sunburned. Happy.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoAMn-TBXzMPUIoKCU1FgqjXRg2kkAduJGEC50zzgt5pkV8czZECnW2-l7AEgqyTqifMT8t4UhHDC9KYpSJe384vd5QG-0l8k8_CwYOUZCzuyegZFZH8aN-ThNyxnnC7QS7e5JtT2/s1600/photo-3.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoAMn-TBXzMPUIoKCU1FgqjXRg2kkAduJGEC50zzgt5pkV8czZECnW2-l7AEgqyTqifMT8t4UhHDC9KYpSJe384vd5QG-0l8k8_CwYOUZCzuyegZFZH8aN-ThNyxnnC7QS7e5JtT2/s320/photo-3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621565072757501090" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-39130219074809873112011-06-22T16:06:00.000-04:002011-06-22T16:10:22.604-04:00Half Way There2 days of serious-ass climbing, everybody is doing well. Today was an easy 2-hour flatland spin. Gonna hit the mountains again tomorrow. Fat, tired, refreshed, and beginning to feel the energy return.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-44478780424595746592011-03-17T12:00:00.000-04:002011-03-17T12:02:31.919-04:00In My Mind I'm Going to ColoradoNow that I have that hockey silliness out of my system, time to be RIDIN' not HIDIN'!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-88635568895690179772010-12-08T14:32:00.000-05:002010-12-08T14:33:28.618-05:00Checking InIt's awfully slow, but I can still turn the pedals...and get MUDDY while doing it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-21743903409230672002010-08-31T14:40:00.001-04:002010-08-31T14:42:06.992-04:002 1/2 @ 35-offMy best ski effort this summer. Not bad for me, as I waterski slightly less than I ride. If you don't know what this means, I'll have to explain it over beers some time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-14047894328089567492010-08-26T11:02:00.000-04:002010-08-26T11:04:45.106-04:00Life Easing Up?Well, the kid's off to college :( , the new hospital is built and open after <em>years</em> of effort, and there is small light beginning to appear at the end of the tunnel. Does this mean a return to the saddle for more than the occasional recreatonal ride? Stay tuned...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-66257297435765109802010-06-10T12:57:00.000-04:002010-06-10T13:04:20.469-04:00Still AliveJust checking in. I've ridden a little, including 2 sessions on the "spin bike" at the hotel I was at Monday and Tuesday. Got in an hour each session...which for me is a <em>LOT</em>. I learned that the secret to a spinning is to keep the flywheel, well, spinning. Not going to build power doing this but a great way to accustom the legs to turning over fast and smoothly.<br /><br />I forgot my ipod and the only tunes they had in the spin studio which I played LOUD through the overhead speakers was an 80s mix...some of it was really good and some of it was so cheesy I was laughing while riding. Reminded me of hittin on babes in college.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-34385801642760146952010-04-19T10:20:00.001-04:002010-04-19T10:22:23.493-04:00The good & the badThe good: I've spent the past year planning & building a new house. It has a great area for a bike shop in the basement. Moving commenced 2 days ago.<br /><br />The bad: No riding because I've spent the past year planning & building a new house.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-4725913819060439142010-03-07T14:01:00.000-05:002010-03-16T17:04:24.520-04:00Here We Go Again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP3VpPk6MTE6xDTM5aBP4Hf5S76ixqFArTKwDSMyYF3wsQ-jpiJuX-7XSVrD5Aga3WZ8uWwK0K65cYBx4dD6g6vNaGrc__RWSUqZv5upb9JOoIvM4_4niEpC_NtVNTsMcBjJzooi5/s1600-h/5+lbs+of+fat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449340492244574002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 94px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP3VpPk6MTE6xDTM5aBP4Hf5S76ixqFArTKwDSMyYF3wsQ-jpiJuX-7XSVrD5Aga3WZ8uWwK0K65cYBx4dD6g6vNaGrc__RWSUqZv5upb9JOoIvM4_4niEpC_NtVNTsMcBjJzooi5/s320/5+lbs+of+fat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Multiply this times 6 and that's what I need to drop from my ass to be in race shape. What a drag.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-8981337472663336302010-02-15T11:10:00.000-05:002010-02-15T12:32:10.167-05:00CHAMPS!!!Well I did it. 3 days of intense hockey: warm up, stretch, ice time, eat, rest, recover. This was the seemingly unending cycle for 72 hours. It was a blast. Definitely a "checkbox checked" on the list of cool life experiences.<br /><br />Friday was drills, practice, chalk talk, practice, scrimmage games. Saturday was a round robin tournament to seed teams for Sunday's championship tourney. We finished out 2-0-1 Saturday for No. 1 seed. I (as well as everybody) was cooked both Friday and Saturday night.<br /><br />To Mellon Arena Sunday. Body says "no!", brain says "go!".We watched 2 v. 3 in the first game. 2 dominates; clearly the team to beat. On they go to the championship game. But first things first - we have our own 1 v. 4 semi-final to get through. We handle this team again fairly easily with a 6-1 win. A memory from this game that I'll never forget (remember this is full-on Mellon Arena hockey - jumbotron, replays, announcers, music, the works): The booming announcement of the game's first goal went like this: <em>"The Chinstrap's goal! scored by the Ol' 2-9er! PHILLLLL BOURRRRRRRRRQE!!! Assisted by number 16, KEN DE-FURYYYYYY-O! Time of the goal 6:19 - DeFurio to Bourque!"</em> Awesome.<br /><br />Brief recovery while the consolation game is played. Championship game starts at 9:30pm. A battle royale, start to finish. <em>I had the fortune of scoring the first goal of the game</em> on a great pass from the blue line from one of our young defensemen. Another indelible memory - scoring a goal in a championship game on Mellon Arena ice. So we fought <em><strong>hard</strong></em> the rest of the way. So did they. If you've never played hockey it's hard to describe the intensity, speed, and emotion through the game's ebbs and flows. Just surreal. We win 5-4 on a Bourqie game-winning goal with 3:00 minutes to go. Held off our opponent's empty-net assault in the final 2 minutes for the win.<br /><br />So yes there is a cool cup/trophy on which all the winners' names are engraved. They presented the trophy followed by guys hoisting the cup, team photos, equipment everywhere, guys getting pictures with their wives and kids, etc. The guys were just, well, <em>stoked.</em> But through most of the revelry I quietly skated a few laps around the Igloo, soaking it all in and thinking about the likely hundreds of events I've been to in this soon to be memory of a facility. Learning to skate and to play this game as an adult made it all the more unlikely that I should find myself here. Plus I got to share it all with my hockey buddy Bret who just lit it up the entire weekend.<br /><br />The folks from work who gave me this gift - and attended the semi-final game as huge fans - have no idea what a gift this was.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-12879460199574633862010-02-09T13:14:00.000-05:002010-02-09T13:22:37.421-05:00The Day of Reckoning is NighWell, if I'm not ready now, I won't be. Start Friday with 3 days of INTENSE hockey. 4 teams, each captained by a former Pen (my captain is the Ol' 2-9er...cool!!!). Finish up on Sunday on Mellon Arena ice. Hopefully in the championship game.<br /><br /><br /><br />My team is the Chinstraps. German national team jersey colors (black/red trim). Bust out the ice and ibuprofen...this silliness is gonna <em>hurt</em>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-50894426825141083342010-01-05T11:52:00.000-05:002010-01-05T11:54:18.783-05:00UpdateBeen on the ice 7 times (including 3 games), ran 2x, RODE 2x! (indoors), some light lifting...feeling ok....so far, so good...maybe some XC skiing is in my near future with this sweet snow...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893077368217251743.post-45409624696940249192009-12-27T14:06:00.000-05:002009-12-27T14:12:13.289-05:00Comeback BeginsSo the people at work get me a spot at the Pittsburgh Penguins "Fantasy Camp" Feb 12-14. Intense three days of hockey with guys who can play. Figures that this is the first time in 20 years I haven't been skating for 3 months by now. With my various injuries, I haven't done shit in 3 months. 49 days to get in shape. I hit the weights and the ice on Christmas Eve, then skated again yesterday. I hurt from head to (still sore) toe. Who knows, maybe I'll build some riding into this workout routine...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2