Updates...

I just wanted to post a quick update. First off yes, Ben and I are still working on the fireweed race report. These things take a while to get out the door. But in more recent news.

This last weekend Team Tartan took a quick trip down to Southern Washington, to race in the 4th NWTTS individual time trial. Both of us hammered till it hurt. Ben, hit the road 30 seconds up from me, and it took me 6 or 7 minutes to make up the difference and see the grimace of pain on his face. From that point, the road kicked up, and the climbing started. The course climbed up, for about a mile or two, before rollercoastering down to the turn around. Then it was out up and back. I was a little to conservative on the descents and some how never quite felt like I was in a TT groove always recovering from the climbs etc. I ended up finishing the 40 k, in 1 hr 8min, 0 seconds, snagging a very solid 2nd place for the 4’s. Ben rolled in just a little later for a very solid 5th. Not bad for a new hilly course. After the TT, Ben and I kicked it around on the course again, for a post race, race preview.

Sunday, the aurora cat 4 team time trial team got together to kick it around the southend of the lake Washington to practice our mad team time trial skills. We focused more on trying to ride a smooth line instead of worrying about all out speed. Over the 2 -3 hr I think the team made huge improvements.

Last night, I kicked it on the rollers for ~2hrs 40 min..

Upcoming race schedule: Team Time Trial 14 August,
Final NWTTS Time Trial 20th August
Ring of Fire, September.

Busted Parts!

After racing Fireweed, Ben and I were breaking our bikes down and packing them up in there respective cases for our flights back to the lower 48. As many of you know, I’m a larger rider, some times we joking call me “beef cake”, I’m 6’2” and weight in generally somewhere around 180 lbs, for an American this makes me quite fit, but for a cyclist. I’m beef cake. Well, the hard plastic performance bicycle cases Ben and I use are one size fits all, and my bike a 59 Litespeed Vortex, just barely fits in the case. I find to get it to comfortably fit in I need to remove the rear derailleur. I’m sure you can see where this is going.

While I was unscrewing my rear record rear derailleur for the flight back home some how I snapped the derailleur tab which limits the derailleur travel. I was pissed. I didn’t exactly want to buy a new rear derailleur. I sucked it up, and finished boxing the bike up.

A week later, on getting home, I started to re-assemble the bike. Soon I was at the rear derailleur, I thought there was a good chance I would need to order a new one. But with Campy, unlike shimano, there’s always the chance that parts can be repaired as Campy sells replacement parts and publishes documents on how everything fits together. I downloaded the diagrams and around an hour later had the derailleur apart. Now I just need to find the limiter sleeve for a campy record 2002 rear derailleur. I found I could order the part on the web but I need one fast and couldn’t wait to receive it so I grabbed the phone and started call shops. With luck I found the part, Gregg’s Cycles had one at their green lake shop, they indicated it was expensive, but at $30 if it would fix my rear derailleur it would be over five times less then buying a whole new one.

The trick with repairing something is almost never really taking it apart, but getting things put back together. In the case of the derailleur, the tricky part was rewinding the internal spring which sits behind the sleeve I was replacing. With pliers and some luck an hour and half later I had the derailleur put back together as good as new. With even more confirmation as to why I ride campy.

It’s Tartan Time

Update!

Ben and I are still working on our post fireweed write up. But in the mean time I thought I would give you all a brief update on what I’ve been up to. Arrived back from Alaska late last Saturday, the apartment was a wreck, and it took me all of Sunday to dig my self out and get the bike back together. Note, I still have lots of stuff to do in the apartment. But when I say dig myself out there is at least now space for me to ride my rollers comfortably, I’m sure you can guess where this is going.

Monday night I spazzed that I hadn’t been on the bike since Fireweed a little over a week ago and I had a big TT coming up real soon this coming Saturday. So late Monday night I hopped on the bike and did 1.5 hrs on the rollers. It felt good to be back on the bike but I felt junky for having been off for so long. Tuesday night felt better and did another 1.5 hrs on the rollers. Tonight, I expect to get some time outside and then log some time on the computrainer. I want to do some position/power testing tonight.

Then this weekend its back to the time trial circuit:

NWTTS 40k.. www.nwtts.com

It’s Tartan Time!

Back from Fireweed!

I literally just walked in the door from Fireweed! I really need to turn in.. But, in case you haven't seen the results yet, Team Tartan lay some serious smack down in the 2 man 400 mile relay finishing in 18 hrs 23 min shattering the previous 400 mile 2 man relay record of 21 hrs 20 min.. More news to come..

Its Tartan Time

Packing..

Why am I always packing at the last minute? Last night, I stopped by the bike shop to pickup another set of armwarmers. Batteries and a tooth brush among other last minute things I needed before heading off to Alaska. Last night, I packed the bike, and boxed up the Zipp 606 wheels, and washed the cycling clothes.

This morning, I got up early enough for my pre-race haircult (4 on top 2 on the sides). Now I just need to finish the last few, remaing things, pack the clothes and another wheelset, wash the water bottles, and pack the supplements..

At least the one thing I don't need to do tonight is cook dinner, Grand Ma, invited my parents and I over.

Then tonight, Ben and I fly out at 9:20 and my parents ~45 min later.

It's Tartan Time!

Weekend Update!

Friday night, I hopped on the rollers late, and put in 1 hr and 45 min on the rollers. Then Saturday, Ben and spun down through May Valley, and then kicked it up around the north end before heading in. Sunday, we hooked up with Rhea, and chilled down around the South End, looping around the back side of mercer, bouncing off Seward Park before bringing it home. On the 4th, Monday, we did some handoff practicing.. I think over the three days our milage was in the 150 – 200 mile range.. Not to shabby for a chill week..

All and all some quality miles were logged this weekend, and I know I’m pumped about Fireweed, and I think Ben is too. Yesterday in addition to practicing our handoffs we did a few uphill sprint drills, 28 mph, nuff said..

I need to finish packing tonight, late tomorrow we head to Alaska! Race day is Saturday..

It’s Tartan Time!