The 2007 Season

Ok, it's probably a little early to start thinking about it, particularly with my plan to not over train and get burnt out. I did get some good philosophies this weekend reading through that sacred tome, Joel Friel's The Cyclist's Training Bible. Like make sure you're recovering enough to be able to go hard on the days you're supposed to go hard. Like fitness isn't static; it's always either improving or declining. Like don't imagine you're going for some goal and then you can rest. That's not the way fitness works. That's been my mindset, though, for the last two years. "If I could just get to , then I will be there!" Whatever that means.

So with those thoughts firmly in mind, and the understanding that races this year, regardless of priority, are jewels on the string of my cycling journey, I took the MCF proposed 2007 calendar and started picking A races. It was easier than I thought. A nice solid 2 week peak for the hopefully Tour of 10,000 Lakes and the State TT Championship. Then a break. Yes, a break. I'm taking one this year. And then a build up to the Timed Events championship and the state RR at the end of August. Then a break and some cyclo-cross for fun.

Looks great! And I feel very differently about it this year, so maybe the dose of philosophy is working. I'm looking forward to riding for my new team and enjoying the commeraderie of bike racing again. I will definitely race far more often in 2007. But for now, enjoy the training, and be sure to get enough rest, increase the intensity slowly. I actually need to start some more structured training the first week of December, with my base and serious strength training starting January 1. Hard to believe.

Awesome Cycling Video

I was looking for some video of the recent World Track Cup Round 1 and I found this on Google. 20 minutes of track coverage, including men's and women's sprint finals, women's Keirin final and women's pursuit final. Then there's some World Cup Cyclecross coverage for the remainder.

Also, the finals of the Men's Team Sprint. Looks like they are starting on opposite sides of the track and racing at the same time. I think a little of THAT on Thursday at the Blaine velodrome would get the spectator enthusiasm going.

Enjoy!

New Team

I have been contemplating a new cycling team for quite a while. I'm not getting much out of Nature Valley. I have tried, repeatedly, to be more involved, to grow the club, to participate. But the club leadership is focused pretty much exclusively on the A team. Now many of the star players that I got to ride with in the winter are gone. And I didn't ride with them at all this summer, anyway.

Maybe it's as much my focus as much as anything that's changed. It may not be the club at all. In any case, a new environment is in order.

So, I'm riding for Loon State Cyclists in 2007. More (way more) guys at the track. Way more club involvement with the sport in terms of promoting races and participating in the community. I'm very grateful to Flat City and the A road team there for everything I learned, and to Penn Cycle and Nature Valley for their support. I would have never stayed this involved or probably achieved as much as I have without the incentive of the team.

I'm pumped for the 2007 season already. Now I just have to keep my self relaxed and enjoying the training, not increase the volume and intensity too early. I really want to be in top form the last week of July through the 3rd week of August. That's a long time from now. I've got a lot of time to enjoy myself before I get too intense. Time to loose 3 - 4 kilos. Time to improve my technique and efficiency. Time to enjoy my cycling and my training.

What Superhero am I?

Apparently, not Lance.

You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man 70% Green Lantern 70% Robin 57% Iron Man 55% Hulk 55% Supergirl 50% Wonder Woman 45% The Flash 45% Superman 40% Catwoman 25% Batman 25%

You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test