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!