Ow

Rode with my cycling coach Mike Manning yesterday at lunch from downtown Portland. At one point, he asked if I’d gone to any of the Meet the Team rides through OBRA. Being unattached or without a team in cycling is fine if you’re Lance. I’m clearly not, so Mike’s been gently pushing to get me [...]

It is funny how something like work and life can really kick your ass around. I had another great week of riding last week, but this week has been filled with one crazy surprise after another at work.Enough so that I’ve been distracted, and irritated. Worse, I have been off the bike except yesterday when [...]

None of the following exercises are recommended by the manufacturer, no matter what your personal trainer from 24 Hour Fitness tells you.

The Welcome-Home
The Gotta-Get-To-Work
The Batman
The Batsman
The De-Cleater
The Stoners
The Wall
The Picnic
The Climber
The Ambush

26.3 miles14.1 mph average speed1:52 total time
Up and over Terwilliger, down through Lake O and West Linn, across the OC bridge, then back on the east side on river road.
Sent from my iPhone

I used to climb to Council Crest in about 18 minutes from Terwilliger and Westwood (including the roundabout on Fairmount). Yesterday took me 24 minutes. And the fact that I was cruising and not pushing gives me a little hope.

I’m not strong — there’s no doubt about that. But I’m definitely improving. A two-hour [...]

I love my little two butte ride. Just about 90 minutes (usually less) and I get maybe 25 minutes of climbing. Head north along 52nd, then go up and over Tabor, then head down Yamhill to 75th, which takes you to Tillamook. From there, you’re pretty much at the foot of Rocky Butte. Get [...]

I do not climb like a cycling god. Rather, I climb like a fat man who needs to spend a little less time with the beer and cheese making, and a little more time in the saddle.
Paul and I met up Thursday after work, and went up Lovejoy to Thompson to Skyline. I remember it [...]

I caught a cold somehow, and spent yesterday pretty miserable. But I took it easy, and slept well, so we’ll see how today goes. I’m going to try to nap even more today.
I noticed in VeloNews this morning that a company named “American Beef” will take over from Saunier Duval as the title sponsor for [...]

After a somewhat miserable week of exercise owing to the fact that I had to spend three days in Beaverton, this next week holds more promise.
Since I’ve put on so much weight and hill-climbing is destroying my knees and back, I went ahead and bought a new cogset with a 12-27 cluster. That 27-tooth cog [...]

Great quote from Garmin-Chipotle DS Jonathan Vaughters, about crashing:
“Tell you what. Next time you’re in your car, get up to 50 mph, strip down to your underwear, then jump out the door. That’s what it’s like to crash in a professional bike race.”
I am a HUGE fan of Jonathan Vaughters and everyone at Garmin-Chipotle.
Specifically, Dave [...]