The Velodarma

I know there aren't exactly a lot of people reading this blog, but for those few who do and don't already know it, there's a benefit for the NSC Velodrome happening on Saturday at One on One in Minneapolis. Here's some of the details:

VELODRAMA
Saturday, March 1st
7 - 11 pm
One on One Bike Studio - Minneapolis Warehouse District
Admission $10
Silent Auction
Cycling fashion show
Alleycat sprint races (sign up at the event)
Beer by Rush River Brewing Co.
DJ Millions Billions

Come out and support the 'drome of you can!

The last 500 Meters

Trying to motivate yourself to really go all out when riding on a trainer is not easy. There's no competition. There's no wind in your face or pavement under your wheels. There's no surge with pedal strokes or balanced tension you feel when both wheels are spinning. Music helps, for sure, and I built a play list so that I could alternate intervals and resting with each song. But even the most aggressive songs don't allow me to sustain an all out effort for longer intervals.

So visualization is a requirement. On the road, I can find a spot to sprint for, or visualize trying to close a gap. On the trainer that doesn't work. I have to go for the track. There's 500 meters left and I'm off the front, but not by much. Don't look back. Just keep it buried and try to accelerate even though you can't. I can see the black line and the red line and I can hear the boards and feel the press of the banking.

Visualization works. Now I just have to keep myself from hurling.