San Tan Criterium Race Report

I got a little snarky in my last blog post entitled Bike Racer Fashion Police. I received a couple of offline comments asking if I was serious. Of course not! It absolutely doesn't matter what you wear or what your style is on the bike. What's important is that you're out there, moving your body and enjoying the simple pleasure of riding a bike, or competing if that is what you enjoy. In fact, we should celebrate the diversity that cycling attracts. My observations in the blog were sort of my way of making fun of ourselves. But always, in the back of my mind is the famous quote "there is a fine line between an outfit and a getup".

One last & very important cycling fashion observation: Last time I mentioned the "over the butt" jersey. This one  has to do with the same region; and it goes like this - if anyone ever suggests that it's time to replace your cycling shorts, it's absolutely time to replace your cycling shorts. Everyone that you ride with has already been thinking the best way to tell you. Don't wait for the 2nd suggestion.

Now to the San Tan Race Report.

San Tan was one of only 2 masters races I did in 2015. Again this year I entered the Master's 50+ category. There were roughly 20 starters today. I am still getting to know the areas strong master's names and faces but I took note that several of them live in Phoenix and were present today.

Also present was my favorite good luck charm - Kiki Waugaman. This is only the 3rd race that she has attended and so far I was 2 for 2 with her present, and I wanted to keep the streak alive!

The course is set in a corporate/industrial park. Usually I hate corporate/industrial park races. But this one is more interesting. Although it's flat, it has 8 corners. Most of them are wide enough to go pretty much full gas through.

It was only a 40 minute race and the organizers offered several primes which kept things animated. After several attacks (including one that I tried after taking one of the primes) were brought back. I was fairly sure that nothing was going to get away today, so I just tried to stay in a good place, ready to respond or pick the best line when the time was right

With one lap to go we were all together. Coming out of turn 5, I hit it hard and swung out wide. I got a good lap that held through the finish line. Not much else to say about today other than I won some cool purple skewers for the prime and a little bit of scratch for the GST end of season shindig kitty.

Time for a well-deserved rest week in San Diego. Next week I hope to be blogging about saltwater, seagulls and diesel fuel.

2016 Podium

2016 Results

2015 San Tan Finish

Bike Racer Fashion Police

Riding in SoCal is very different from Tucson, or even Iowa for that matter.

Cycling is much more diverse in Iowa where there are roadies, mountain bikers, commuters, fixies, fatties, baggers and just about everything in between. In Tucson, there are a few commuters, especially at the college, but other than that it's about 75/25 road vs. mountain bikers and not much in between. I haven't spent enough time in SoCal to figure out if it is a diverse, but I'm guessing it probably is.

In Southern California just about everyone who rides on the road has a fancy bike and lots of racing clothing. Whether they race or not, everyone is on a racing team. Old, young, tall, short, skinny and fat - everybody likes to dress up like a bike racer. Group rides are huge in SoCal. On Saturday Mornings in LaJolla, UC Cyclery hosts several rides - all starting from their shop at 8:30. There is an "A" ride for the fast guys. The are also B,C, D1 & D2 rides for everyone in between. On any given Saturday morning there are 2-300 (or more) people who amass in the parking lot all dressed in racing kits.

It doesn't matter whether you're in Iowa, Arizona or Cali, part of being a real bike racer is learning the fashion rules. Some of them are practical, others make no sense at all but it makes for some great people watching. I'm talking about the guy riding the black Cervelo S5 with blue accents; matching bright blue sidewall Michelin tires, and blue handlebar tape, with a rear view mirror on his $300 black Oakleys Jawbones with blue lenzes and a matching blue dew rag flapping in the wind.

Here are just a few that make me smile (in no particular order).

Helmet Straps
Helmets are most beneficial when worn properly. They should be worn low on the forehead. Straps should be adjusted to fit snuggly and especially the ear clip adjustment must be properly fitted around the ear. I've seen people who let the ear clip fall all the way down to the chin clip. When this happens, the temple strap, that should go back toward the ear, instead goes from the temple straight down the cheek and side of the face. This makes me smile! I have stopped strangers on group rides and demanded they let me adjust their helmet. They usually give me a deer in the headlights stare and then realize that I'm just trying to help - like if they had a piece of toilet paper stuck to their shoes.

One more important thing about helmet straps, especially if you ride in warmer climates; wash the salt off the strap after every ride!

Dew Rags are for Harleys
I get it, if you're riding a Harley. It's the "live free or die" mentality. You don't want to be told to wear a helmet but your bald head will explode from the sun unless you cover it with something. But when worn under a vented cycling helmet, nothing screams "tool time" louder than a the two loose ends of a cotton knot flapping in the wind behind your ears. Most premium helmets are fitted with pads that not only provide comfort but also absorb sweat. If you're sweat is dripping into your eyes, you probably don't have your helmet adjusted property (see Helmet Straps). If you must carry a hanky, keep it in your jersey pocket.

Jersey over the Butt
This guy usually has a pot belly requiring him to wear a jersey designed to fit a taller guy which ends up being so long that it stretches past his lower back and extends halfway around his buttocks. A properly fitting cycling jersey should fit snuggly against the shoulders, arms and torso. Usually the "Jersey over the Butt" guy also likes to carry several items of warm weather gear such as jacket, leg and arm warmers tightly stuffed into his 3 rear jersey pockets drawing further attention to this fashion faux pas.

Strap On iPhone
Please don't spend $10k on a bike, $300 on clothing, $300 on shoes and a helmet and then suction cup your iPhone to your handlebar stem.

Oh, and speaking of strap-ons - let's talk about Bento Boxes for a sec. In case you don't know, a Bento Box is a small soft sided container that is attached with Velcro to the top tube of your bike, right behind the headset. First off, no serious cyclist would ever use one. Second, it is designed to be handy so that you can access stuff while riding - like gels and other nutrition. Usually when I see someone with a Bento Box I like to ask what they are packing inside. It's usually a woman and she's almost always carrying assorted flavors of Chapstick, Kleenex and a spare tube. I'm still hoping to see someone change a flat while riding.

Unzipped Jersey
The only proper (and when I say proper, of course I mean cool) way to zip one's jersey is all the way up. Wait, let's back up. A jersey must have a full zipper. No such thing as a cool half-zip jersey. The worst thing ever is an over the butt, half-zip jersey with an image of a skeleton riding a bike or US Postal Jersey. In fact, all USPS jersey's should be collected and burned. Not because I hate Lance, but because during the glory days of USPS, every recreational rider went out and bought one. And they all wear em' over the butt. I digress.

Don't unzip your jersey and try to create a collar either. A jersey doesn't have a collar. Jerseys are supposed to be fully zipped at all times. Unless you're Andy Schlek and have .05% body fat, in which case you can either wear it fully zipped, or completely unzipped and flapping in the wind, showing off your ghost white chest and 7 chest hairs.

I could go on and on. But a much better, more comprehensive list can be found here: The Rules of the Velominati

No fashion mistakes here. This is our Thursday Coffee Ride group assembling at Starbucks this morning. Nothing but a bunch of fit retirees in this pic. Notice that we have the 2015 Overall State TT Champ (Doug Perry) and the 2014 State Hill climb Champ (Rick Ellwanger). Both guys are super strong. Doug is the more cycling fashionista though, I believe.

We had around 15 people and worked on some skills and drills today as we rode out to Dove Mountain. This ride is more social than training, but we do have a couple of kick-ups mixed in with lots of chatting. 9:30am Thursdays. All are invited! No dew rags please. 

Masters racing is harder than P1

My headline is misleading, but hang in here with me for a minute. Of course the Pro field is more challenging on just about every level - longer distances, more attacking, faster speeds, larger fields and athletes who can lay down more power. But if you are just able to be pack fodder or if you are spit out the back and ride most of the race at tempo all alone, you really are not getting the same benefit as you would if you were actually in the game, in the hunt, in the thick of things - being the hammer.

After racing and training without power for the past 6-7 years I recently bought a new bike and ordered it with an SRM power meter. What's very interesting to me is that when I compare my current numbers to my old files, I have lost very little power (even though I'm 10 pounds lighter). And what's really interesting is that my power is still there but my threshold heart rate is down 8-10 beats.

When I go out on hard training rides like The Shootout I am often contesting for the hill sprint, usually in the top 2-3. And at Wednesday Worlds I always make the selection or Old Spanish Trail. Both of these training rides are relatively short distances: 50-70 miles. Similar to the distance of a typical masters race.

I think the main difference in our fitness as we age is that we can't handle the longer distances and the repeated attacks.

Last year was maybe my worst season ever fitness wise. I caught something over Christmas 2014 and was flat on my back for two weeks - off the bike, lost 10 pounds. It took me most of 2015 to start feeling like myself again. So most of my 2015 results were sub-par - including the Colossal Cave Road Race where I was off the back for the last 5 laps.

I celebrated my 56th birthday on Thursday. This year I feel like a kid again, but I still think that my days being able to do anything more than "hang" in a challenging P1 race are behind me. On one hand, it's a tough pill to swallow. But on the other hand, it's really fun to be back in the game and back in the hunt.

I can say for sure that I worked way harder in the Masters 55+ race this year at Colossal Cave where I bridged for 10 minutes and then rode in a 3-man break for 4 laps, than I did in the Pro 1 race last year riding tempo alone for 5 laps.

At Colossal Cave the Master's 55+, 60+, 65+ & 70+ all started together but were scored separately. In the 3-man break were me, my teammate Jay Guyot and 65 year old Phil Hollman. If you rode up on Phil from behind you would think he was 25. He's shredded! It's only when you come up next to him and see his gray beard that you realize he's not a spring chicken.

One of the things I love about Tucson is that there are so many super fit old guys still out racing and riding their bikes. And they still have just as much fire in the bellies as any 22 year old neo-pro.

Preston Robertson and I bridging up to the 2 leaders. Preston is another super fit guy. 59 years young with his ears pinned back and fighting for every peddle stroke. Eventually I was able to shake him before reaching teammate Jay Guyot and Phil Hollman. But he held on, in no-mans-land for 4 laps to take 3rd in the 55+.

Jay Guyot and I in the break along with Phil Holman. I overslept and arrived at the race with only minutes to spare as shown by my sloppy number pinning.

Cyclists are always worried about our weight. Since giving up gluten, I've lost 8 pounds. Finally a podium shot were I didn't look at it and cringe.

It's great to be in the best condition of your life at age 56.

Photo credit: Damion Alexander (https://www.facebook.com/damion.alexander)

Living like a Nomad

I've been living as somewhat of a nomad lately. We're doing a fairly extensive bathroom remodel at Kyria's house so I have been staying at my house on the other side of town, which I also rent weekly through a vacation rental website (VRBO.com). So, a couple of weeks ago, I had renters and ended up staying at a local hotel. Then last week I was in San Diego on the boat.

I've always been a minimalist so living like a nomad is easy for me. What few things I have, I now have to split between 3 places. And even after doing so, I still don't feel like I'm short of anything important. Bikes for example; I have 3 in San Diego on the boat. 2 folding bikes that Kyria and I enjoy riding around Point Loma and Shelter Island and my last year's Trek Madone. By leaving it there it will be easier to catch a last minute flight for the weekend without having to worry about bringing a bike along.

I have been feeling much better physically after missing racing at Valley Of The Sun. It was one of my target races and I was pre-registered, only to come down with a viral infection 2 days before the race. My other target races this year are: Tucson Bicycle Classic, Tour of the Gila, and San Dimas.

This weekend is Colossal Cave Road Race. It's sort of a grudge race for me. 2 years ago I was disqualified because I took a bottle in the feed zone that wasn't mine. The whole thing was really stupid. Another team's support person was holding up a bottle in the feed zone and I thought their guys were out of the race, so I snatched it. Immediately that team member rode up next to me and said "that's my bottle". I handed it to him and he said "Thanks Lou, let me know if you need a sip". I said "sure thing". And that was the end of it. No harm, no foul.

One of my teammates was up the road in a 6-man break. They had been out of sight for most of the race. With one lap to go at the top of the hill 2 P&S guys attacked and I went with them. We were in no-man's-land heading into the 3 mile climb before the hill sprint and they made a huge tactical mistake. Instead of attacking and relaying, they both traded pulls on the front and let me sit in.

About halfway up the 3 mile climb I attacked them, and neither could respond. So I bridged up to the group of 6 on the front. I could see them in the distance just before the right hand turn into the final climb. When I arrived I learned that Dan Naif had gotten away and was up the road. I sat on for a few pulls and then swung out wide and got away but could not see Dan. He had already crossed the line for the win. I rolled across alone for 2nd.

I had to leave the race before the award ceremony but within a half hour I got a text message from one of my teammates that I had been DQ'd for "stealing" a bottle. Turns out, their whole team protested. Seemed like a pretty weak thing to do. But, that's what I get for leaving early, I suppose.

Here's some video I took from last Friday night in San Diego relaxing on the boat.

Later that evening we went for a cruise in the dinghy. Below is a pic of the sunset.

Lazy Day on The Bay

Today was a planned rest day. And when I say "rest" I mean, I don't ride and I try to stay off my feet as much as possible. When I'm in San Diego on a rest day, it's easy to figure out what to do. I fired up the twin diesels and cast off from the dock for an afternoon cruise in The Bay.

The San Diego Bay is 10 miles long with downtown San Diego on the east bay and Coronado Island and the Naval Airport to the west. In addition to a US Naval Base, The Bay also plays host to the US Coast Guard as well as the largest Sportfishing fleet in the Pacific. Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise lines have arrivals and departures along to boardwalk. The Maritime Museum is right next door. And just up the bay there is a huge cargo ship carrying several containers of Dole bananas.

A towering bridge connects Coronado to the mainland. Passing under the bridge you can see Glorietta Bay to the west and about a mile long mooring of 10-12 Naval Warships on the opposing shoreline.

I've been cruising this bay for nearly a year now and every time I go out, my senses are on overload.

The sun was shining bright across the Bay today as I motored to Glorietta, where I planned to anchor for the afternoon. As I entered the narrow channel there were only 2 other boats on the hook in the public mooring area in front of the Coronado Golf Course. I noted a band of fog slowly approaching the hi-rise condos on the Island from the west as I scanned the area for the perfect spot to take in the afternoon sun from the cockpit of Joyride

Between the time it took to drop anchor and power down the engines, the fog had completely enveloped the Bay - like within 2-3 minutes! Visibility was zero. Luckily I had nowhere to be for the next several hours.

Coronado Bridge. I was moored just to the left of the bridge in front of the golf course when the fog came in.

One of the Naval Aircraft Carriers that call San Diego Bay home.

If you're into big boats with big guns.

These are listings for a few of the sportfishing charters available.
I'd guess there are over 100 different ships for charter in the bay

Just Getting By

I came across an article this morning that proposes that a six-future income no longer ensures financial security. Here is the breakdown that according to the article's author, is the way a typical American would spend the proceeds from a $200k gross salary.

I would agree that this is probably typical. I think it illustrates why the average American is having trouble making ends meet. Here is what I would do differently.

1. I'd live in a $1000/month apartment and stick the balance ($24,000/yr) into a growth position in the stock market. Since I'm renting, I can bank the $8,000 in property taxes. I can also bank the $3,600 in home maintenance.

2. With my first year savings in home maintenance I'd pay cash for a car - saving me $6,000/year in car payments.

3. 2 vacations a year??? Make it 1. $4,000 in the bank.

4. Children's lessons - nope. Mom and dad can teach their kids twice as effectively for free. $5,000 - bank it.

5. Consumer debt? This must be credit cards. We don't do credit cards. $3,000 in the kitty.

6. Personally, for me, I would make a contribution to my church. So, move the $2000/charity and add $3000 for a total of $5000 tithing.

That's $50,000 a year, plus another $5,700 from "What's left". These two total almost $60 grand a year into savings ($80k if you include the 401K contribution). In 5 years I'd have $3-400,000 plus a few thousand in interest. Now it's time to make a down payment on a house. But a $700k house? Nope. Lot's of nice houses just about anywhere in this country (excluding California) for $250k.

When I was working I lived on $50-75k year. Even in years when I made far more - I still held to that budget. I paid off my last loan in 2001. At age 53, I bought my first new car in 2013. A pick up actually. Still drive it. It just turned 80k miles. I think I'll keep it for at least 80k more. In the old days I would have been called a "cheapskate".

I was having coffee this morning with an old guy - probably 80ish. He was talking about how differently this generation views money from his generation. He said, "in my day people would never brag about money. We might talk about how much we saved when they purchased a product or service. Today, people like to brag about how much they spent". (e.g. my Escalade cost more than your Suburban).

Things don't always turn out the way we planned financially. Some folks fall victim to misfortune through no fault of their own. Others simply make bad decisions. It seems like there is this mentality that if someone is successful, they must have taken advantage of others somewhere along the way. But from my own personal experience it's all about making small adjustments, living well below your means and being consistent.

Long live the King

I like being an athlete. Mostly because of the competition. I like sports that select winners and losers. But the other thing I like about being an athlete is that I almost always feel great! So, on the rare occasion that I find myself feeling a little under that weather, I turn into a 2 year old. When I'm sick, I'm not very tough.

Monday night I went to bed feel outstanding. I drifted off to sleep planning the Tuesday Morning Group ride and visualizing the climb up the backside of Gates Pass. Once we all regrouped I was going to go long, - maybe 2-3 more hours and then shut things down in preparation for one of my target races this weekend - Valley of The Sun. I registered for the Master's 55+ category, and was going in fully expecting to win every stage and the GC. Not cocky - just optimistic.

I woke up early Tuesday morning around 1:00 am laying in a pool of my own sweat and a had very upset stomach. I spent the next couple of hours throwing up.

In the morning, instead of attending the University Racer Ride, I went to see the doc who diagnosed me with something called a sudden onset viral infection. He prescribed lots of fluids and rest. And that is exactly what I have done all week.

I host a weekly group ride on Thursdays. Mostly retired people who are still very fit and healthy. I'd say about half of them also still race. They are role models for me. Yesterday we rode 50 miles - out to Saguaro National Park East for 1 lap and back. I felt just OK. Mostly kind of weak as you would expect after spending 2 days in bed with a fever. On the way out we rode up Freeman - one of my favorite streets in Tucson. It's approximately a 1.5 mile ascent full of rollers with a kick up at the end. I didn't think we were going that hard, but somehow I scored a KOM (King of the Mountain) on Strava.

I just signed up for Strava a month ago when I got my new Garmin. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I'm not sure why anyone would want to track a 2 minute effort (see illustration). But I am starting to understand now why sometimes I'll be on a group ride, for example riding through Saguaro East yesterday, and I'll pull over to re-group after the climb and most of the others will be looking down at their Garmin and fly past me with their ears pinned back. They're trying to record a good Strava segment. I dunno what I think about that.

Anyhow, no VOS racing for this boy this weekend. It's supposed to be in the mid-80's all weekend, so hopefully I can record some long recovery hours in the saddle.

And maybe a KOM or two.