Two Wheels and Other Things

Indoor TT, Standard rolling 10k course.

Bike - BMC SL01 51-35 (Q-Rings) x 11-21 Ksyrium SL Wheels

Lunch - Turkey Sub sandwich, 2 large bottles of Endurox and a Powerbar

Ride food - water

Well kiss my grits. Not only did I feel super good on the first TT, I also nailed a PR for this year :-)

Results can be seen here

16:00 at an average of 293 watts. AAAH just 6 tenths of a second from breaking 16!

Don’t ask me, after last night, I have absolutely NO idea how I pulled that off. Maybe it’s the 2 pounds I lost in one day. Maybe it’s the fact I was finally riding my BMC again (with those fancy dancy Rotor Rongs). Maybe I’m just getting faster… who knows?

The second TT was a little bit more dramatic because the first mile I couldn’t even get over 250 watts and I almost got off the bike. Then Greg yelled at me so I tried to focus on power and my breathing. By the end I passed him and put down a 16:15 at 283 watts average and that REALLY surprised me because of how bad my start was. It was a good night and I really needed it after last night.

Speaking of last night, I got a call from Anthony’s and they were really nice to me. I wanted them to know that I didn’t contact them to yell or scream but to see if anyone else had gotten sick because if they had I would have gone into the doctor. Turns out I was the only one, the manager was going to send me a little something in the mail for my trouble (which I told him not to but he’s going to anyway) and Ro and I will be back. I LOVE Anthony’s food and I am sure that I just over did it (who me?)

My stomach is feeling much better, just sore muscles front and back. I was pretty thirsty all day, my eyes were pretty dry but a couple bottles of Endurox and a bunch of cups of water made me feel right as rain.

If it’s not one end, it’s the other. Really.

So last night we went to Anthony’s Seattle waterfront and I indulged in one of my favorite foods. That’s right, shell fish.

See, I’m addicted to oysters, clams, crab and anything with a protective shell. Yes, even Reeses Pieces.

So when we went to Anthony’s the first thing I ordered was a Mac and Jacks, the Artichoke crab dip and 2 Oyster shooters. Delicious! Dinner was a Shrimp ceaser and the seafood alfredo with clams, muscles, shrimp and the occasional string of pasta. I was in heaven!

That is until 12:30 this morning when I woke up to massive cramps and the sweats.

** caution ** I’m not going to go into gastro technicalities but hey, it’s part of the story!

I spent the next 4 hours running back and forth from the bed to the bathroom either face down or butt down. It has not been a good day so far.

And to top it off, my office ran out of coffee.

So to tell you the truth, I’m not really looking forward to my Indoor TT’s this evening.

Stupid Oysters.

I come from the old school of cycling. You know… Steel lugged frames, down tube shifters, stright block 6 speed, friction, non aero brake hoods, Duegi leather lace up shoes (god I miss those!) and of course, glueing and removing tubular tires…

Some of you new kids have NO idea what I’m talking about! I’m so old.

but this is new for me. I bought a set of Easton Tempest 2 Carbon Tubuler wheels and I am flabbergasted. What? I can’t sand the glue off? I can’t use a heat gun and borax?

What is this world coming to?

So any hints? can I use goof off? Acetone is great but it’s more for a clean up AFTER I get the glue off, correct?

U village-Renton-Tiger Mountain and back - 70 miles

Bike - Cannondale R2000 50-34 x 11-23 Swiss Threat wheels

Breakfast - Ensure, Bagel w/ cream cheese

Ride food - 1 bottle of HEED, 1 bottle of Gleukos (which was DISGUSTING) 1 bag of shot blocks and a Lara bar

Two words for todays ride-

Cold and fantastic!

The original idea was to head north to Snohomish and Monroe but with the temps under freezing (25 degrees when I left the house!) that got shot down. So where else can we go?

Tiger Mountain? Sure why not. Let’s choose one cold ride over another. (remind me that I said that, it’ll come back to me later)

So the ride started down towards Leschi pretty even, we all needed to warm up a bit (I couldn’t feel my face) We had to pick up Martin, who unfortunatly was having brake problems. We strolled down Rainier and headed down to Renton and hit some bike path that I have NEVER been on before but was pretty cool. I got a lot of guff from Martin last week for not pacing myself so I took a little advice and hung back for the first 20 miles and when we came to Cedar grove I just spun to the top in not much of a hurry. I did however want to keep a decent tempo up Tiger so when we turned I made sure I kept an eye on Greg and Martin. Paul was right behind them and I latched onto him andas the road kicks up to the left Greg pushed a bit and Paul popped so it was Martin Greg and me. Martin pushed a bit on the last rise and I couldn’t match it but Greg stayed with him. The best thing about being on Tiger is it was WARM! the descent was balmy until the last turn and it froze up quickly.

The ride back on May Valley was a cluster !@#$. First I had a fender malfunction (I ALWAYS ride with a fender in the winter) right before the ride so I had to ditch it hoping it wouldn’t rain. Well, it started raining so I hung towards the back to keep my spray from hitting my riding mates, so I got crap for that. then one of our newer guys bonked pretty hard, he was WAY tired so we had to slow a bit again and then we tried a rolling paceline that just turned to crap, some folks felt good still and others felt like crap so the pace was mismatched and one of the new folk hadn’t ever done it before so he was a bit squirly so backed off his wheel… and I got yelled at again. Grrrr. So from the end of May Valley to Coulon I was a bit pissy but after Greg giving me a little ribbing I lost the ‘tude and enjoyed the rest of the ride.

All in all it was a great ride. Martin (I hate to say this) was right… pace yourself and you will do better. I’m feeling stronger but I need to work on quick recovery. It’s almost interval time :-)

I spent the afternoon digesting a Turkey & Bacon sandwich and a Bud light and fell asleep on the couch. Later we hit a Puerto Rican restaurant in Ballard for Rachel’s birthday and then rolled over to Ozzies to for a couple drinks and make fun of the Karaoke singers (blech!)

When I’m warming up, Doing an indoor TT or riding the rollers in my living room I’m pretty much plugged directly into my iPod. People often ask me what I listen too to “get me in the mood”… Well Barry White of course, then they wrinkle their noses say “gross! not THAT in the mood”.

Oh.

What do I listen too when I ride? well…

Rage Against the Machine, “Bulls on Parade”

If you’re a Rage fan, you have to agree with me that Tom Morello completely kicks ass on this track.

A little revolution is good from time to time.

Pearl Jam, “Given To Fly”

This is one of my favorite songs and this concert clip is an amazing version espicially with the the ASL translator on the side stage. Now THAT rocks. I think Musical Sign is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. You know how people say you can feel the music? Imagine you are deaf… NOW you feel the music, the bass, the people stomping their feet and then combine that with the interprator.

Being deaf is no handicap.

The last 30 seconds are pretty damn cool.

The Roots, “Sacrifice”

It’s not just good music, it’s a lesson in life.

Zwan, “Honestly”

Corgans invention between Smashing Pumpkins gigs… basically the Pumpkins on happy pills. I love the riffs in this tune. I think this pretty much proves that Jimmy Chamberlin along with Billy’s voice WAS the sound of the Pumpkins.

There is SO much more to this (I was going to throw in some late 80’s Metallica but didn’t want to scare my mom), plus I’ve been listening to alot of the other stuff people have forwarded to me either via this site or email. I love it! I’ll post more next Friday.

Happy Friday, Y’all!!!

-bps-

I can’t figure out what is funnier, the actual video itself or the subtitles that someone added on later.

this actually made me roll off the couch, don’t ask me why.

“Look! A potato!”

I’m sorry… I’m so, so sorry.

What a good night! My goal was to go in to the TT and hold 275 watts the entire way uphill or down and I NAILED it. In fact I felt so good at the end that I pulled 550 watts at the finish hill. Obviously I have been riding this thing the WRONG way for 2 years.

< smack head > “duh” < /smack head >

Since Garage Racing bought a bunch of spots I was out of luck until the very last moment and Lang tossed me in the 5pm group. I raced and then I threw my other bike (I brought my TT bike as well) on one of the spin trainers in the back and rode a virtual race while the 6pm guys rode on. I fiddled with my position a bit halfway through but I think I have it dialed in.

2 lessons learned-

1- pace yourself, idiot (I’m going to tape that to my bars next week!

and

2- sign up earlier than the day before :-)

Next weeks goal - 285 watts.

Hi Folks!

Meet Dick.

Hi Dick!

Dick met a hot chick named Jane.

Whooeee! She’s a looker!

Dick and Jane had a great first date. They hit it off so well that Jane invited Dick over to her house for dinner!

Looks like Dick is gonna hit it! Bow chicka wow wow!

So Jane sat him down…

And for some reason he felt a little nervous!

Don’t worry, Dick, I am sure you’ll be fine.

OR WILL HE?

She SLICED!

and DICED!

“AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!” sccreamed Dick!

“BUHWAHAHAHA! You are MINE!!!”

and as the screams and clashing of silverware died down, Jane fixed her hair and said with a smile…

“I’m Sorry Dick, I just don’t think we are right for each other…. I hope you understand”

THE END

* Cookies by Rosanna
* Pictures and Narration by Brian

Bike - Klein Performance 42×16 fixed gear

Route Leschi- around Mercer and back 20 miles (easy recovery ride)

Breakfast - bagel / Ride food - water

John N. and I planned on riding easy this morning just around Mercer as I needed a recovery ride and he’s just starting his training. I was pleased to see that he showed up on his fixie as well. Riding with other fixed with the same gearing is super cool and John and I haven’t ridden together for a while so it gave us a chance to catch up.

The weather was a monsoon in West Seattle when I woke up and was worried about ANOTHER cold and wet ride. Well, as we crossed the bridge the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful ride (except for the wind but hey, it’s January) We just cruised around the Island yapping away, probably saw 4 or 5 cars the entire time.

Today was almost perfect. :-)

Bike Cannondale R2000 50-34 x 12-25 Swiss Threat Wheels

Breakfast - PB&J, Granola and a bagel

Ride Food - 3 scoops of Heed, Water and a bag of shot blocks

One word… *whew*

I was DRAINED after this ride. About 56 miles and 3000 feet of climbing, it doesn’t sound that long but man climbs tore my legs off today. By the time we got to the top of our third climb I thought I was going to fall over. Martin took off and Greg followed and I closed as we were getting closer to the top but Martin turned around and so did Greg to go pick up the stragglers so I lost my carrot.

I’ll post more about if after I shove some food down my gullet…

Okay, I’m back with a full belly so I can continue the ride wrap up.

In three words… It Was Hard. And really, it was my own damn fault because I didn’t pace myself. “Blew my wad early” so to speak and just didn’t have enough for the rest of the ride.

Big thanks to Tony, Kurt, Greg and Martin. That was Fricking Awesome. This is going to be an amazing season!

No party

No Dancing Gilrs

No Keg Stands

Just me, a bunch of parts, a frame and a crap load of bike tools…

Nothing special, really. In fact the frame was REALLY inexpensive. Leader was blowing out thier 2007 stock and I got it for pennies. All Ultegra 10spd, Cane Creek Ti calipers, Profile reverse pull levers, Syntace bars and although I have my Spinergy’s on in the picture I will be running my Easton Tempest 2 deep carbon Tubular wheels.

Ok… Now it’s time to get some real work done, like fix my BMC and get the Cannondale ready for tomorrow’s team ride.

-bps-

You know, every now and then my brother comes up with some good #%&^#.

We have almost the same taste in music and it’s fun to toss artists back and forth to each other and todays artist was one of those.

About 2 years ago Evan told me I needed to check this one guy out so he tossed me his iPod and I sat and listened to the first song. It wasn’t complex, nothing too fancy but he had a way of laying down lyrics and melding them with his guitar that really reminded me of James Taylor. Teitur has been a back shelf artist for his record label for years, they didn’t promote him heavily on his first release for them and was starting to fade out until John Mayer stood up and announced his genious.

And I agree with Mayer. (write that down)

Danish Singer-Songwriter, Teitur.

“I Was Just Thinking”

“You’re the Ocean”

“Louis, Louis”

Have a wonderful weekend. Go outside and play.

-bps-

Bike - Cannondale R2000 50-34 x 11-21 Ksyrium wheels

Course - Standard 10k rolling hills 6 and 7 pm session

1st TT - was OK, nothing special really but a different strategy. I started slow (almost felt TOO slow) and built it up at the first long hill. still came out with the same damn time really at an avg of 270 watts and a time of 16:20.

2nd TT - was much better, averaging 290 watts to mile 4 and got a HUGE side stitch. I had to sit up and limp in (with Greg screaming at me to hurry up!) 16:55 @ 255 watts. It’s amazing how fast your average goes down!

My heart rate is way lower than last year at this point. at Indoor I was always pushing 197 and today I couldn’t get it over 188, My resting is now down to 42 in the morning so I guess it’s not too bad.

Maybe I’m just getting old. :-)

After TT Greg, Suz, Dustin and I headed to Jak’s for beers and food.

Well, not really.

It could, however, expand the minds of tens of thousands (maybe just tens) of folks around the world who partake in my blog for the Friday Musical Interlude. Have a particular artist you enjoy? Give me a shout! I’m always looking for more music. It doesn’t have to be new either. Want some Paul Simon “Graceland” era tunes with Lady Smith Black Mombazo? Shoot it on over!

Rules:

I don’t do Country.

I don’t do “Gangsta” rap.

Other than that I’m pretty much down with it all. Just leave a comment with the artist, maybe a link or a novel. You decide.

Thanks!

Bike - Cannondale R2000 50-34 x 11-21 (ouch!) Ksyrium SL Wheels

Breakfast - PB&J sandwich, Ensure, Granola, Coffee

Ride Food - 3 scoops of HEED, Water, 2 GU shots, 1/2 PB&J

Route- Leschi, Mercer, Newport, Cougar, Newcastle, Coal Creek, Southend Lake Wa and back to Leschi 58 miles

Group started out a good size with Martin, Greg, RC, Tony, Jeff and myself and then shrank right after Mercer Island. Greg, Martin and I wanted to get some hills in so we headed to Newport.

Everyone is in pain. Greg has some arm thing going on and I think Martin hurt his neck (they both did a heavy stair workout 2 days earlier so I am sure they were a bit sore too) and me, well, I wasn’t really in pain but my mangina was hurting. I wanted to do hills but didn’t at the same time.

When we turned off Newport, Greg announced he was going to take it slow and we could pick him up on the way down so Martin and I pushed on. He set a great tempo, it was perfect! there was ONE point where I tried to come around him but he turned it up just a bit so I just sat on his wheel. Martin said a few things for casual conversation, I don’t think he realized that I was having a hard time breathing let alone up to a talk :-) Sorry bud, I wasn’t trying to be rude! When we took the left up Cougar I took the lead and tried to match the same pace and that turned out to be a mistake. Martin quickly passed me as it kicks up for the first time and I couldn’t match him. He gapped me about 30 yards when I finally recovered and I tried to keep the distance from growing but just couldn’t do it. We got to the top and Martin turned around but I pointed up… Oh yeah, I’m a glutton for punishment, eh? We’re going all the way to the top! Again Martin passed me on our way up (21% I think?) and my 11×21 casette finally got the best of me. I did make it to the top but barely. Then we turned around and went straight back down. Newcastle was new to me, I have never had the pleasure of having my ass handed to me on this hill as I did today.Martin and Greg were gone and I just chugged on up and only realized at the top that I was really starting to get hungry. Gu time! Coal Creek was better, I started feeling normal again and I’m glad Greg said to do the South end because I really needed a longer ride

All in all it was good, especially going over to Greg’s house with Jeff and eating Ezell’s chicken and putting everyone in the hurtlocker playing Halo.

The Counting Crows have been an absolute favorite of mine since my senior year in High School (which is pretty much forever ago). No one knows me like Adam Duritz, the man is an absolute poet and an amazing singer song writer. The band itself is no slouch either with Dan Vickrey (a favorite guitarist of mine) usually sending you on a high on each song.

The Counting Crows… Energetic, Passionate and Raw.

~Anna Begins (BEAUTIFUL version!)

~A Murder of One

~Mrs Potters Lullaby

And Finally, one of my favorite songs. “Some one stole my shoes but there’s a couple of bananas and a bottle of booze…”

~Holiday in Spain

1993: August and Everything After
1996: Recovering The Satellites
1999: This Desert Life
2002: Hard Candy
2008: Saturday Nights, Sunday Mornings

Bike - Cannondale R2000 50-34 x 11-21 Ksyrium Wheels

Route standard rolling hill TT course 10k

Lunch- Chicken and egg noodle soup, PB&J sandwich, 10-12 saltine crackers and a couple of handfuls of goldfish crackers

Snack- Snickers bar

Ride Food - Water

I was signed up for two sessions tonight and was VERY reluctant to push hard since yesterday was the first effort on the bike for quite sometime but as I warmed up for the first session my mind quickly changed. Tony B was next to me and he wanted to break 16 minutes tonight and my legs felt fairly decent so I said what the hell, why not try?

What the hell indeed!

We started and I immediatly shot off. I started the 1st mile at about 400 watts and then dropped down to 350 for the next 2 miles. I couldn’t believe it I felt AMAZING. I was flying up the first few rollers and no one was even close to me.

Until mile 4.

I imploded. I snapped. I hit the wall. (insert your choice of phrase here) Holy crap. I suddenly realized what so long of the bike and ZERO intensity for weeks will do to you. Sure all that rest probably did me well but I found myself on the lower end of the 200 watt range for the remainder of the TT. I was able to still pull out a 16:19 at 275 watts averaged. 19 seconds off the goal time.

DAMN!

The second one went OK as well. I was spent, done, toast, (again enter your choice here) and didn’t really know if I should do the second but Tony convinced me to keep on going. Stoked and OAD showed up too, OAD brought his spiffy new Kuota TT bike and we were pretty much ready for him to lay down the hammer. The first mile was interesting. Stoked decided she wanted to ramp it up to 500 watts and make everyone scared. I was quite impressed as my legs could BARELY hold 250 :-). As we rode up the first roller I felt a bit better and was able to drop into some type of groove and brought my watts up to an average of 271 by the end with a time of 16:24. I was pleased.

Reality is I am still a minute off where I need to be.

good times tonight though.

Unfortunatly today was marred with the news of a high school friend of mine passing from breast cancer. Rose was first diagnosed at 21 and battled ever since but she lost last night at 9:45. It still hasn’t really hit me yet and I don’t know how I’ll take it when I do. I’m sure I’ll follow up with something more when I am not so stunned.

Rose and I were with an Acting Ensemble that toured Germany and Switzerland in 1993. She was amazing, always light hearted and the type of person that ALWAYS made you feel welcome. We lost touch a little out of high school until one of our other ensemble members, Rashed, passed away in a car accident in Italy. After an 8 year gap I was at a Mason Lake race helping Rosanna and her Starbucks team get the bikes ready and I noticed this girl looking at me. She looked SO familiar. “Brian?” she says, “Rose?” I follow with… Turns out her partner was racing for Starbucks, Rose had relapsed and was fighting again. It was so nice to get back in touch with her. When Rosanna left Starbucks last year I wasn’t around Rose as much anymore but I new she wasn’t getting any better and last night she just couldn’t fight any more.

Rose Lived life. Really lived it.

I am so happy we were able to connect again. We’ll all miss you, Rose.

have a good night everyone.

Spent an hour and fifteen minutes on the trainer this evening. Whoohoo!

Can you get this excited about riding indoors?

I can, considering I haven’t been on the bike in forever. I tossed “Super Size Me” in the DVD player and warmed up before I threw in 3 (semi-intense) ladder intervals - 30, 60, 90, 120, 120, 90, 60, 30.

After I was done I filled up on Spinich leaves, colby, bacon bits and jalapenos.

When Ro gets home we’ll make some flautas and HOPEFULLY open a bottle of wine.

I’m so happy I’m going to Dance with Dawn the Nun

Speaking of Dawn the Nun, Dawn and Kevin got engaged :-)

Dance Dawn… DANCE!

Tomorrow is Indoor TT 6 and 7 pm session. Lets hope the week off doesn’t slow me down too much.

This entry is officially….DONE.

* Picture from Amara at wheelsinfocus.com *

I feel like a slug.

I haven’t ridden in a week.

I’m almost 20 pounds over race weight and I haven’t ridden in a week.

blech.

Cheeseburger?

Is that a Haiku? No?

Well… Here, ponder this picture of a Gorilla and a Banana.

So Rosanna and I had the opportunity to grab some SERIOUSLY good seats for the Playoff game against the Redskins and we would have been stupid to not take them.

We weren’t stupid :-)

Ro and I got there a bit early so we could hit the pregame party outside, which includes creamcheese dogs w/ grilled onions and catch Blue Thunder (Seahawks Drumline). What an atmosphere! Right away we grabbed our game beers ($8 each!!!) and went to go check out our seats.

Here is our view :-)

This is Rosanna when she found out how much the beer was.

Damn that place is loud! My ears were still ringing when I woke up this morning.

More pictures at http://flickr.com/photos/bpsnyder/sets/72157603657164767/

Now the game was bittersweet, actually and I think everyone in my family felt it. See, Dad was a ‘Skins fan being a DC native and all. Heck half of my family is from that area (Hi Rob, Ken and Matt!)) and that was something we grew up with. ‘Skins first, then the Hawks. Well, we rooted for KC too (moms team) but they were never really good anyway. Dad would have loved this game, even though Washington lost.

And for something that has a little more meaning then people know…

How ’bout them ‘Skins, Evan?