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| 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.
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| 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.....
"Cheers!"
Ride HARD!
