bicycle...

I knew it was going to be a good day when the first song I heard on the commute was Bicycle Race by Queen.

Enjoy...

A Nice Commuter bike...

The Deluxe is a nice commuter... Mounted a set of Crosslands with six bolt hubs along with some semi slicks to ride to work and to use as training wheels on the road. Still need to lop a few inches off of the bars and shorten the front brake hose.

Did the long Swoope loop tonight and I can honestly say this bike is damn near perfect...

Thanks to Independent Fabrication for building a beautiful bike and a huge Thank You to Les at East Coast Bicycle Academy for everything.

The bike...

Independent Fabrication Ti Deluxe.
Fox F100 RLT.
Mavic CrossMax SLR, with Python USTs
XTR brakes, shifters, and rear derailleur.
XT Crankset, cassette, and front derailleur.
Thomson stem and seatpost.
Chris King Headset.
Easton Monkeylite XC with Oury grips.
Titec Ithys Gove saddle.

My bike.

The build...

Bad race...

Cold Water. Even with a good wetsuit, neoprene cap, and socks; I had a terrible swim in the 56 degree water. Haven't seen the splits yet, but I'd be surprised if there were many in my wave that were behind me.

Had a good bike leg though. But not good enough to make up for the time lost in the water.

It was good to see Connie win the Masters Female division, nice job.

Two weeks until the first XTERRA race, and the first race aboard the IF Deluxe. Pics to follow soon of the new bike.

Improving...

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted. Haven't done much other than work, ride, swim and run. Well not much running since I turned my ankle on a trail run a week ago.

Yesterday I competed in the Angels Triathlon in Lynchburg Virginia. This was another pool sprint. The race is held in downtown L'burg at the YMCA so the bike and run both start and end on (mostly closed) city streets. My first triathlon was this race last year, so I was looking forward to see how I've progressed.

Race conditions couldn't have been any more different from last year. Mid 40s with a steady rain greeted the racers and the rain never let up during the race. Great cyclocross weather. Lousy tri weather. Going from an 80+ degree pool to a 45 degree rainy transition wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. My gear stayed dry under a trash bag so that helped with the transition.

The swim went well and I took 46 seconds off of my time from last year. I felt consistent and made it under the lane lines easily. Out of the pool and into the rain, I had a bit of trouble getting a long sleeved jersey on but still had a faster T1 time from last year. Unracked the bike and started running to the mount line, one step over the line and I had a smooth running mount. Cyclocross skills are transferable.

I hammered the bike and surprise, bettered my time from last year. I had a time in my mind where I should be a the turn around and was a minute ahead. I never noticed the cold or rain while on the bike, it was a blast. Ended up with the 5th fastest bike split. Coming into T2 I felt great, but it was a slower time than last year. But even with my slower time, my T2 was 9th fastest overall.

Took off on the run and after a few 90 degree turns, there is a two block descent to the river trail. Once on the trail I got a side stitch. Worse damn side cramp I can remember having. Tried stretching it while I was running, pushed on my rib cage, nothing really helped. Finally the pain subsided at the turn around and I upped the pace. I was able to reel in a couple of runners and hit the 2 block climb back to main street and the finish. The run was a bit faster this year, but not as fast as the Smithfield tri.

I took almost 3 minutes off of last year's time. Unfortunately, I missed my goal time for the race by two and a half minutes, damn side stitch.

Overall, it was a good race even with the lousy weather and missing my time goal. I finished 14th overall out of 188 men. And I won the 35-39 age group, so I am happy with the race. And the improvement.

This weekend will be the first open water swim triathlon. Water temps will be in the mid 50s. Yep, I am ready for summer. After next weekend, I'll be focusing on XTERRA and dirt duathlons. The next phase of the season begins soon...

Indoor Mtn Biking...

I found this video at IMBA's new blog. Thanks to GoClipless for the heads up on IMBA's new presence in blog world.

Enjoy

Spring Classics, VA style...

Spring in the world of cycling means one thing, classics. Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix, Gent-Wevelgem, de Panne, E3, Liege, Fleche Wallone.

These are huge races, my favorites are the Ronde and Roubaix. Hard races won by hard racers. Ronde is famous for steep cobbled climbs, while Roubaix has long demanding pave sections. I did a cyclo-tourist version of the Ronde a couple of years ago with Sam. Koppenberg, Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, the Muur, Bosberg are a few of the 'hillingens' (flemish for hills)that I rode while in Belgium. I've been trying to get back to do the ronde again. Next year...

The bike club in Harrisonburg has been hosting an annual ride on the same day as Paris-Roubaix, dubbed the Harris-Roubaix for a number of years. The ride leaves from Court Square at high noon on the 8th for a parade ride to the beginning of the 'race'. Gravel roads near Singers Glen form the basis of the 9-10 mile loop. Those that want to race, do 3 loops, while others out for a ride do 3, 2 or 1. This year's ride is actually on the same day as the Ronde due to a scheduling conflict with the Dragon's back MTB race which is on the same day as Paris-Roubaix. No Problem.

Along the line of the Harris-Roubaix, a ride that showcases Augusta County's gravel, err pave roads was needed. James of Black Dog Bikes mapped out a great route that was 40+ miles with over 20 miles gravel. James, Andy and myself completed the first annual Ronde van Vlaugusta this past sunday. Minus a few flats and one shifter issue, each of us grinned for the full ride. Riding gravel on skinny tires, ah fun stuff....