Grit! - Just doing it....

Signs of the season.....

 Modified Tempo Rides

The roads and trails across the Valley are as bad as I've seen them for this time of year. Considering how mild and warm the winter was, I'd expect the conditions to be far better. There has been so much utility construction over the mild winter, everything is all chopped up. The normal early season tempo ride would generally consist of a lot of highway miles, with several backroads along the way. This still is a pretty fast pace - even early on in the season.  The conditions are definitely not suitable for the road bike, but very well for the hardtail. I've learned the lesson about trying to add too much climbing into the tempo ride so early. It turns into more of an endurance ride - which can come a bit later. Tonight was nearly 3-hours of cold and getting colder, continuous grinding. The stats aren't ideal, but better than what I had only a few days ago. I do manage to get a few miles of dirt on this particular course, with my return speed on that stretch pushing a pretty solid race-pace. I wouldn't say I bonked, but I could feel a difference right around the 2-hour mark. Part of this is likely due to a couple minor adjustments in cleat and saddle positions that are needed. Weather permitting, I'll try this again within the next 5-days.

This sign is only at MP22 - you get the picture.

Where does desire meet success?

Seeing the signs over on SR39 this evening really makes me yearn for those days going up and over the top. The snow gate on the west side is only 15 miles up the road from this sign. MP44 - well that math is pretty simple. The camp ground is just under 26-miles, with the snow gate on the east side just shy of 34-miles. I could go on about all the landmarks and mileposts, but that is a series of memories from many years of riding this road - all the way to Woodruff and back. Some of those have been very long days that spanned from complete heat exhaustion to freezing, trying to outrun torrential summer storms. As much as it costs physically (and emotionally), I need that experience to drive my success - however I may measure it. There are days when it seems like an eternity trying to get past each landmark. There are also days when my soul finds peace with being up there - and away from everything else. I never ride it with anyone else and have a lot of time to sort through things in my head. Sometimes I solve engineering problems in my head - which has been very fruitful on some stressful projects. Other times I contemplate relationships - both personal and professional. There is no cell service most of the way after you get past Atoka on the west side and the end of the powerlines on the east side. I often see a lot of wildlife along the way - making it special in it's own right. Most every time going over and back, I think about how I would write about that particular adventure. So many times it sounds like "And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street", but by the time I get home it is all boiled down to the "horse and cart". When all is said and done, success isn't measured out in standard units, but rather the satisfaction of overcoming the thing that always pushes back.

Recovery with Intervals

Tomorrow will be an indoor spin session early, focusing on cadence. Hopefully being in the office all day, I can also get a couple sessions of spring and balance work. The next day will be early intervals with hills in the evening - weather permitting. I also need to work on the bike - both doing maintenance and upgrades. I'm also thinking about tearing into the road bike and completely redoing all the cables and guides. The key is to stay diligent without causing damage - plenty of rest. The diet side of things is doing better. Rides shorter than 3-hours don't require much in the way of fueling, but more on the hydration side of things. Keeping things clean - or at least cleaner than before. A ton of protein and some "good" fats. Creatine is only at about 10-12 grams daily, which seems to agree with my system. At the moment its not about total miles, but weekly hours and relative intensity. Maintaining 9 - 12 hours per week with moderate intensity seems to be a good combination for now. Mixing it up - even better.

Click here for "Sad ol' Love Song"

Ride HARD!

Answering the question...

 

One of the updated Porpoise Stickers

Finding the soft spots...too many to hide.

My work schedule being erratic at times, makes for a interesting training combination - if you can even call it training. Gone are the days when sacrificing a little sleep for early morning spin sessions was more advantageous than not. Sarcopenia being what it is, getting more rest is a necessity. When I can fit two mixed sessions in one day, the recovery seems to take a bit longer.  This was very obvious on Tuesday when I had setout for an intended 3-hour tempo-ride on the hardtail. The previous day started with intervals on the Airdyne, followed by cutting brush, burning and spraying - oh, with several hours at my desk. Monday night was a set of last minute hill repeats - on the usual 1/2-mile grind. After a solid 6-hours on my desk Tuesday morning, I took off for the afternoon to get that intended 3-hour tempo ride in the books. The new course involves a pretty good climb that I didn't include in the tempo rides of years past - which was a mistake. I could feel the fatigue in my legs when making that climb, but pushed through. I was feeling heavy on the trail over to Middle Fork and really couldn't hop the bike. Add to this a few unplanned distractions and it turned into a mediocre ride in the wind - calling for a bailout at just under 2-hours. It's very clear there is some ground to regain - using something different.

This morning started out with another good interval session on the Airdyne, with some a very cold hill interval session this evening. The overall stats indicate weakness in a couple muscle groups, but worse yet - what appears to be a low VO2 max. This will be addressed by doing a couple different types of intervals between the Airdyne and spin-bike. Moderate core and strength work to help with the fast-twitch groups needed for offroad skills. "Skills".....that is an entirely different issue. I have switched back to original SPD cleats and pedals, away from the Eggbeaters I have been using. This is pushing me back into better pedal stroke form - especially on the longer climbs. I need to work on the hardtail, adding the new brakes and getting ready to ride North Fork. The plan is to stay exclusively on the hardtail for all dirt riding through August, mixing in the road bike about mid to late May with faster paced tempo rides. The full sus will be hanging on the wall most if not all of the time again this summer.

"The Gentlemen's Club" - Four Jakes looking for action on tonight's ride.

Huntsman Updates

Looking through the different Huntsman Heroes events for this year, I noticed some pretty awesome stuff. As mentioned in the previous post, LOTOJA parts of Huntsman are way down, but there is one individual that has already nailed it with nearly 50% of the overall event targeted goal. This was the guy I had mentioned last year as well, using his contacts to make a difference. But then over at Little Red, there is an even more impressive story. For those not in the know, Little Red is an all womens ride across Cache Valley. This year they currently have something like 92 Huntsman Heroes participating, with a pretty impressive goal. More impressive and equally inspiring is the one individual that is carrying that torch nearly single-handed. Her story is remarkable and her efforts incredible. I invite you to go out and find her page at the Huntsman Heroes Little Red site. You'll know it when you see it. There will be more about Huntsman and the Porpoise as we move along, but for now go look at this particular individuals page. It makes me feel almost insignificant, but wanting to do much more at the same time.

Long Nights in the Near Darkness

All those years ago when I used to run stairs several nights each week, lifting 4-5 days and kicking not less than 5-nights, I would get home well after dark completely spent. Needless to say my sleep patterns were affected  - laying awake in bed for seemingly hours on end, but still up early on the other end. I had a pretty nice stereo system that included a good turntable, a great cassette-deck and even an eight-track player. I always had something playing as I went to sleep - always to the low light of the main amplifier, glowing across the room. I had "America's" first release on eight-track (from way back). I could plug that in and it would loop all night into the morning - occasionally waking me up with the auto-track changing "click". That soft background crying steel-guitar still takes me back to those evenings. Gerry, Dewy and Dan - three Airforce brats that setout to piss-off the local Britts. I studied those songs learning the cord-shapes on my twelve-string, to the point I would play them laying on my bed - quietly, until I fell asleep. The simple times I let slip away -taking those moments for granted. What did I know? I was young.....

Click here for "Rainy Day" America

Ride HARD!

Goin' Live!

 The "Porpoise" is officially back in the race!

Familiar Places

Too many things have happened in the past two-years to cover in this particular post - but I will do so as the season progresses. That said, there are still some things being "worked out". Setbacks - that's an understatement. A lot of uncertainty for sure - enough that up until only a couple weeks ago there was still not a solid plan to return for another season. I hadn't been tracking what was going on with Huntsman Heroes for the most part, until one evening I went out to the website and noticed there were only 10 participants registered this year. Holy Crap Batman! I remember when we had more than 100 participants. If I remember correctly, during Covid we had a meager 60-something and several of those had to drop out of the race due to travel restrictions in their local areas. Worse yet, the fundraising goal has continually dropped to roughly half of what was raised at the peak not even 10-years ago. Having seen this situation, I hopped right back into "the pool" - as it were. I may have had a few setbacks, but I can still pull this off.

A Personal Inventory

As time progresses (like it does), I take notice - an inventory of sorts, the friends, co-workers, neighbors and other associates that have been hammered by the "Big-C".  Not to mention those that have been taken by other unfortunate circumstances. I certainly don't dwell on it - at least not for long, as it can really get me into a less than ideal "happy place" in my head. Still, when I consider the raw talent and ability so many of them have had, only to be cut short by unfortunate circumstances of what happens outside of our own control - it stops me cold in my tracks. There is no doubt I tend to waste more of my life than I make the best use of it. I can only imagine what most anyone of them would give to have one more day - another chance, to take one final swing at the ball. Unfortunately, we never truly appreciate what we have until we don't have it anymore. So, I guess taking inventory can be a positive thing, providing it drives us forward - some how.

A clear, warm and windy day at the point.

Training & Progress

In the past eight or nine years, this blog has gone from being about weekly training and event progress, to more often melancholy stories of other people and things - maybe too philosophical at times. As time has gotten on, I've personally become tired of seeing a million (maybe a slight exaggeration) blogs and videos about individual's personal bike training and race experiences. From time to time I will check in on a couple of them, as I found their original story compelling - whereas others just drive me crazy. It's amazing how many different people think that making YouTube videos for a living makes them some sort of sports physiology expert. I'm sure there is something to be said about learning from other peoples experiences, but it is not to say any one person is the same as everyone else - not by a long shot. I've done this long enough to know what works and what doesn't necessarily work for me personally. Age and individual circumstances do matter. Lets face it, what we could get away with in our younger years, we can't even consider as our bodies get older. Speed, endurance and recovery all have to be specific in the schedule. Injury has to be avoided at all cost, while still pressing the outer limits of the pain threshold. As it stands right now I have my work cut-out for me - in a big way. I'm currently having trouble maintaining a solid Zone-3 effort and really need to be pushing more into Zone-4 periodically. The immediate goal will be to improve in Zone-3 & 4, but also to include some minor Zone-5 with speed training twice a week.  As conditioning improves, it becomes harder to hit and stay in those zones for the required times - but that is what conditioning looks like.

Voices from the Past

I'm terrible at taking things and people in "the here and now" too often for granted. This is especially true of those that I looked up to in a way - kind of immortal in my own eyes. Separation has a tendency to allow our memories to be more malleable in how we choose to remember, versus the more harsh realities of life. A few years ago, I would regularly stop by an visit a friend that I've known since little league baseball. I hadn't seen him for the most part, since our college days. Always a physical specimen, he was also a gifted artist - which brought him considerable success professionally. Along the way he was diagnosed with a debilitating disease that literally mangled his body.   The last several years of his life were fraught with daily physical challenges that were unimaginable. Nearly right up till the end he would try to ride his special three-wheel cycle wherever he could. He was always convinced he would someday beat his disease. A year ago, I made it a point to stop and see Reed while he was in the hospital trying to deal with his terminal condition. It's hard to see your friends - brothers, trapped in a hulk of a body that is nearly unrecognizable. Still, every once in a while, you'd see their true-selves come out - a reminder of what was always there. Not too long ago I was watching some videos (home movies) from a vacation we took with a couple of my cousins more than fifty-years ago. These cousins lived in Colorado and I always thought it great when we got to do anything with them. They were always "the cool cousins" as they truly were just that. As things happen, those visits ended only a few years after some of these movies were taken. There they were - as cool as ever. Full of life and somewhat immortal in my mind (as is most anyone that is older than you at 10-years old). Two of them have since passed on having both been in a fight with the "Big-C". I never saw them in that state and am glad for it, as I always want to remember them as the coolest people I would ever have known. One morning while driving out to a job site, I was listening to a SiriusXM program that brought up a Carol King song that instantly reminded me of these two cousins. Sometimes I'm glad to remember things a special way.....

Click here for "Sweet Season"

Ride HARD!

Early Dirt Grinding

 Avon Divide

The familiar Spring leg tune-up

I've made up a new wheelset for the hardtail. Running a better rear cassette, but still a 10-51 arrangement. Two different Bontrager XR2 cross country tires - more aggressive on the front with 20 PSI. The rear is less aggressive but also running at 22 PSI. The service road going up Avon is in really good shape with only a few washes - albeit minor. Definitely able to stand up and pedal on steep sections when the mood sets in - without slipping. Pretty rutted-out just up over top on the Cache County side of the world, but very manageable. Brakes are needing an upgrade, as I'm still running smaller rotors than on the full suspension with 160 mm on back and 180 mm up front. Add to that the single piston levers and calipers, it really sucks trying to keep things from fading. I was able to locate a new set of 4-piston XTR calipers with improved levers that will make it more manageable. I'd like to stay with the same rotor combination if possible - but we'll see how the new brakes effect the overall performance first. That may still be a week or so before that upgrade is in place.

The climb and descent are not at all technical, but is a very good workout early in the season. There are several fairly steep sections that can push the heart rate up in to Zone 4, but fairly short. Overall it is a good ride for mostly Zone 3 with some Zone 4 efforts - even on the way home. The trick is to learn how to read the load at the pedals without a watt meter.  It is way too easy to fall into easy gears, spinning without pushing hard enough. Believe it or not, that makes things markedly worse then pushing a little harder. I can't say that it hurts, but it sure can get uncomfortable at times. There is a huge difference between pain and discomfort - for sure. Round trip it comes out to about 1,600 feet of climbing. This would be like riding North Ogden Divide on the road bike - but without the traffic. Honestly, a lot more enjoyable. The best part of the ride is the lack of cell service for most of the climb.

That last of winter....

The cause never ends....

A few weeks ago I was grabbed by one of our longest neighbors. Without giving anything away, it was very confidential, as it is well known what "The Porpoise" is all about. Unfortunately it is another diagnosis. I'm sure as the season progresses there will be a lot more to tell, as we go back many years and have a lot of common interests. For now, only know that the fight never ends - and it is a fight. About this same time, I was dealing with a few problems of my own that needed to be figured out - even to be able to ride. Again, more to come about that. But for now, I think I have it figured out. For that reason, I've been hesitating on committing to any races and rides this upcoming summer. At the moment, it appears I have got things under control - but it will take some time to be certain. At the end of the day, we are somewhat at the mercy of what our bodies allow us to do. I suppose the key is to understand what we can control and how to push those limits. After all, this is all about pushing limits and I do mean truly pushing them. For now, there is a lot to do and more yet to explain - later.

Never doubt "Luke"....

Click here for a demonstration of what 20 years of session work will do for you - " Steve and TOTO"of

Ride HARD!

Decision Time

 

What a difference a week makes

Taking too much for granted

The past few weeks have been more than just a busy routine. I'm not sure if the procedure I went through last May actually did anything for my situation - which really sucks! The jury is still out, but I'm not scheduling an appointment with the doctor quite yet. I have an idea of perhaps some environmental issues that I may need to track better, as to get an idea of what may cause the onset condition that stops me in my tracks. Make no mistake, it is effing frustrating if not completely depressing. Up until this all came about, I think I just took things for granted - you know, just like I will always have my health. Truth is, we are are more vulnerable than any of us what to admit. At this point it is a matter of sorting out anecdotal information from real data. I'm at a critical point that most people my age don't really have to consider, as a normal day to day schedule won't be affected by such set backs.

Discussing the future with the FAM

In the past, our effort has been largely a family affair. It requires everyone to participate - which they all generally do with gusto. They have adopted the "BRAND" as kind of their own little thing, sharing it with others along the way. Of course the t-shirts and stickers they make are a lot of fun. At this point we are all having to make the decision as to whether or not we continue on - and if we do, where will it end. As it stands, we are openly discussing where and what we do going forward. I would be wrong to not take advice and input from the handful of loyal followers. To that I ask for any input that may be available from anyone who does have the means to reach out. If you do have the ability, The Porpoise needs some direct input - like soon.

Improved Resources and Means

I've been doing the same thing for nearly 20 years. Using the same metrics and methods that worked with a ton of effort. A person can spend a lot of money and time trying to improve, as technology has dramatically increased ones ability to gather more real data. There are a few things I'm trying that are probably past due - but not too extravagant. When I was younger it was easier to skate by on minimal investments - both in equipment and time. My best years were always associated with stacking road miles. In the past 10 or so years, I've tried to be more judicious in what I give away in time especially. The end result has been some pretty crappy results. Needless to say it is not sustainable. More to come on those improvements as we go along - assuming we do continue to go along.

Looking forward to feeling the hurt going back over the top....

Talk about taking things for granted; Eric and Jeff put this one together a while back. These guys are all fading away - and with them goes too many memories to count. There will never be another Clapton or Beck.  Play this one with the lights down low and the headphones one.....

Click here for "Moon River" J. Beck/E. Clapton

Ride HARD!

Starting with endurance - MILES

 Out & Back

Given the lack of weather, I've been able to string together a few out & back rides on the hardtail. The roads are too crappy to attempt it on the road bike, but it is also nice to press some longer miles on the CC bike. The way things are going this year, I'll be doing some dirt rides before long. Of course back in 2018, I was riding BST on the east bench a couple nights each week by this time of year. That was until I broke my ankle. Not only did that take my out of True Grit, it set me back a solid ten weeks. On top of that, I was treating that ankle with too much caution. At the end of the season I did manage to pull off LOTOJA.  This year has to be a little more strategic. I need to build up to 3-hour tempo rides with  more of my time in zone 3, followed closely by zone 2.

Currently overall averages don't look too bad, with peak HR a little lower than I would hope for. It's still not far off, but I'll need to work my way into hill intervals fairly soon. Given my current work load, I'll have to start making a hard evening schedule, allowing 90 minutes twice each week for hills, with at least one solid tempo ride every week.

Upgrades - Maintenance

The hardtail needs a few upgrades and soon. The bike itself is built on a tremendous frame. Full carbon with an Iso-Link between the seat tube and top tube. A very compliant and fast frame. Most of the components are very entry level - at best. They build it this way for a reason, as to make it affordable while still allowing for the thing to be ridden right out of the store. I've already setup an alternate wheelset with some DT Swiss 1900's. I still need to acquire a better 10-51 rear cassette - with one in the works. The hydraulic brakes are probably the lowest grade component on the bike. I'm up in the air as to install four piston enduro brakes, or go with a lighter 2 piston system - ideal for cross country. I'm hard on brakes and normally run 203mm front and rear discs, but on this bike I'm running a 180mm front with a 160mm back. The larger calipers may help offset some of the losses the smaller rotors come with. Still up in the air. I'm also looking for a suitable dropper post - as the bike came with an alloy tube post. I've already swapped out the saddle, but still not sure it's the right one - yet. The front ring is a 32 tooth setup, which spins me out at around 28 MPH. The bike can take up to a 36 tooth chain ring, but I'll probably work my way up to it through a 34 tooth first. The derailure and rear shifter will probably stay put - for now. Of course those heavy non -responsive forks will also go before too long as well.  I'm just not sure what will go on front. In the end I really like riding the bike. It's pushing around 2,500 miles, making it a definite keeper. Give it a little time and she'll be a dream - just kind of stiff in the back end.

Goldie Locks Weather

Not necessarily ideal riding conditions. Cold weather has a tendency to stress the body differently than hot weather - for sure. Bundling up makes mobility a little more restricted, but your body also reacts differently to the cold. Some days the toes get cold, other days everything gets cold - making it hard to shift. I think it was 2010 LOTOJA we started in some really cold weather - but dry. Rolling through Preston that morning I had ice frozen into my mustache -like 28°F. I can deal with that more than driving rains, or abject heat. Still, these rides at the moment tend to allow for some pretty good overall conditions - with some preparation and patience. In the end, the overall effort is worth every bit of the time. A long ways to go, but for now it has been enjoyable and lonely.

One for the season - George's best

Not a lot of people know that "Abby Road" was actually the final Beatle's album they recorded together. It wasn't the final studio release however. "Let It Be" came out in early 1970, but had actually been recorded in January/February '69. "Abby" was completed in August '69."Let It Be" was left in the can, but was puled out fulfilling contracts that wouldn't otherwise have been satisfied. It was part of the whole Kline/Specter thing. Abby Road was a completely different recording setup, including Ringo playing on shaved-heads. They were able to convince George Martin to come back and do it "like the old days". It wasn't easy, as the boys were all going their own ways individually. That was particularly true of George. He had written a huge catalogue of material that typically got shelved by both Paul and John. Directly after the breakup he laid down a massive double album - "All Things Must Pass". He had actually started work on "Something" during the '68 "White Album" sessions. It very nearly didn't make it onto a Beatles album - until "Abby Road" In fact, the two most enduring tracks on "Abby" were both George's songs (including "Here Comes the Sun"). To this day, "Abby Road" is still a soft spot for me - for a lot of reasons. The melody "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End" is without a doubt the greatest final track of any album (event though it wasn't the final track actually recorded). Something is probably the most covered Beatles song ever recorded - period. Sinatra said it was the greatest love song of all time, but never once even mentions the word during the song. Had things go a little differently it would have ended up on on "All Things Must Pass". That would have been a disaster, as Specter would have loaded it up with the "Wall of Sound". There wouldn't be the distinct 16 track sound of Ringo's shaved head drum fills. McCartney's melodic bass line, or John's sweeping guitars - not to mention the classic harmonies. In fact, John played a solid roll in helping arrange and develop the lyrics. The world would be an emptier place had it not happened the way that it did. As such, it holds a special place for me personally - that I will keep to myself.

For the record; 67-70 was never called the "Blue Album", nor was 63 - 66 called the "Red Album". Those came out much later and were initially lost in the shuffle at your local record store - except for a few of us die-hards (my first album I bought with paper route money when I was 11 years old  was  67-70. I still have that vinyl to this day). Play this one for all the right reasons....

Click here for "Something"

Ride HARD!

Winter Riding

An image of the morning in darker days.

 A long way to go.....

"Championships and races are won in the off season", or so someone has been alleged to have said. Well, this is truly the off season - and it is cold. Not much snow, so riding is possible in the out of doors. Riding and training are two different things, and I'm not doing well with either at this point. That said, being out on a bike, any bike, is a great feeling. Running some errands yesterday, I threw on a musette bag and hopped on the hardtail and rode out into the sunny (hazy) cold. That bike rides well. Admittedly, I have to get more comfortable on the thing, as it always takes a little time before it feels natural. All things considered, your performance will never exceed the level at which you train in the off season. It takes time and effort.

The time off the bike and away from any intensity for that matter, results in atrophy. As we age, this effect occurs ever more quickly, with countering results requiring much more effort than before. Basically it sucks trying to perform as we get older. Worse yet, injury can really create a set back whereas in our younger years, "rub a little dirt on it and get back in there".  Trying to get into a program too fast will result in certain strain and injury - setting things back further. It is a fine line between doing enough and not making any progress.

An image of better days riding Ben Lomond Peak.

Changes from Leadville

The past four or five years have seen an increasing number of Leadville RACERS using drop-bars versus flat, or riser bars. There have been several articles and videos debating the benefits of using drops versus conventional bars. One thing that is certain, they do not provide the stability and confidence in key downhill areas like Power Line and Columbine. RIDERS often attempt every avenue toward improving time and success - including doing stupid things like using drops when they can barely handle the course on flats. As such, Lifetime Race Series (the promoters of Leadville MTB100) have announced they will no longer allow drop bars of any type in any of these races going forward. Sea Otter and a couple of those others are still considered Gravel Races, but Tahoe, the Rustler and Big Sugar ae not allowing the hybrid bike setup. Kegan has been on the drops for the past two seasons, but the women's winner was on flats, racing against others with drops. In short, I think it is a good thing, as it is simply too dangerous for anyone less than a pro-rider. At that, I have my doubts as to the total benefit. Basically, this preserves the Leadville Series as a true MTB race - and that is a good thing.

What's in store?

A lot of going back and forth this past year. More than any year in the past 20 or so. Winter conditions have not been too bad - I mean cold, but generally dry. There is really no reason to not be out on a bike doing something, if for no other reason than to improve familiarity. Although the summer months are far over the horizon, it is coming up fast. Days lost are days that cost. Its a matter of how much commitment one is willing to accept at this point. Leadville is on the list, but that is a very tall order for anyone. It is scheduled one month prior to LOTOJA. If you place the requisite events in order, the summer shrinks to a mere few days. It is tight and costly. To have a legitimate chance at Leadville, both the camp and Tahoe would have to be on the schedule as well. Moreso, Tahoe would have to be a banner success as to move up at least into the Blue corral. Last year they introduced an entirely new group of perhaps 300+ riders. It plugged up everything. Basically if you were anywhere behind the Blue, you lost time just starting. I can't do anything about that other than try to qualify for an early-faster starting group. The only question is, am I capable of doing the work? Every single day that goes by is critical to being where I will actually be at the end of the summer. A sobering hard reality.....

Click here for the OG "live" Wings Over America - Fifty Years Ago! "Maybe I amazed".

"Cheers!"

Ride HARD!