Planning to Fail

After exceeding my goals in 5 of my first 6 events that make up the combined 17 events of the German Cycling Cup and Zeitfahrcup (Time Trial Cup), I figured I had the fitness to carry me through a 25K TT and put little to no effort into it.  I picked up a new rig (My Black Mini-Skirt), changed my riding position (lower and more aero) just a few days before with boldness and confidence.  I was in my best shape and able to cut a few corners.  My legs could and would sustain my ego.  From time to time I mumbled to myself, “I got this . . .”

Well, not exactly . . .

I believe it was Benjamin Franklin that said:

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”

I failed to plan and true to the words of a great American, I failed.  There’s nothing like a swift kick in the jimmy to remind you that if you want to call yourself a bike racer, then you need to train and prepare for battle.  I did neither effectively this time around . . .

Thanks to a very favorable drug deal with my Coach (Dragon Quest Coaching), my equipment was the best it has ever been.  Coach Quest also spent a few good hours fitting me into the new rig.  For the very first time the TURTLE Shell would propel a true light, lean, and lethal TT rig and in a very aero position.  If this did not provide a distinct advantage, nothing would . . . I once again told myself, “I got this . . .”

Yosch not only joined us
but took 3rd in her age group!

So the day before the TT, we assembled and rolled North with our dedicated Evolution Cycling Club p/b Long & Foster - European Division squad.  We were sitting near the bottom of the Team classification but here was a chance to improve our fighting position.  While we were short one rider due to an injury, we (Jenn Call and Trent Minter) once again picked up our guest rider from US Military Endurance Sports (Dan LT DAN Schumacher) as well as convinced our most recent add to the crew, Yosch Rossmann, to hit the start line in EVO colors.

During the course pre-ride my confidence began to rise.  I studied the terrain, the turns, and wind.  I knew where I would grab gears and where I had to keep my line steady to stay on smooth payment.  Survival was a given . . . for a fleeting moment I thought I could crush my time from last year and help move my team up the rankings.  Jenn and Trent were both good in the TT.  Both would crush me often during interclub competition.  They both knew how to suffer on the bike.  It was up to me to make it happen so I once again said to myself, “I got this . . .”

A mid-day race start allowed for a good breakfast and a nap.  I wish I could live like this every day.  This is the bikeROCKstar life . . .

I love this crew!

We hit the course early and set up our trainers to prepare the legs and lungs to deliver.  I was the first cat out the start house for the long distance and right behind me was Saskia Mey of Team Steile Wand.  Recall Steile Wand (literally, "steep wall") is a group of über fast ponies and I would have to dig deep to not once again get crushed under the weight of the Wall (Wand) . . .

My start was clean and perhaps the best I have had in some time.  I was off.  I settled into position and began applying power to the pedals.  I hit the first turn and was moving.  I did indeed have this . . . it was on and I was truly going to crush this TT!!!

Turn two was a beast and into the wind.  I could see the last two starters from the shorter distance were within striking range and I began to dig a little deeper.  I passed them both and no one had passed me yet.  I was bringing my A++ game.  I say again, I was truly going to crush this TT!!!

On turn 3 my body started to respond to the tight aero position.  My hips started screaming and I had to fight to stay in position.  My lack of flexibility was taking a heavy toll on my performance.  Power fell into the basement as I grabbed gears to push through the slight headwind.  To add to my misery the first rider to pass me had started 2 minutes back.  He was cooking and spit ash in my face as he passed.  He was not the last one to pass me either.  They soon came in droves and each kicked sand in the TURTLE face.  I made cried to the engine room for more power and was ignored.  My quest for TT greatness was being crushed pedal stroke after pedal stroke . . .

Once agin looking deliberately casual is something I seem to excel in . . .

On the final lap of the circuit I was overtaken by a 74 year-old cat on his first lap.  I dug as deep as I could but this guy walked away from me.  He was in perfect form and moving effortlessly into the same head wind that was smacking me in the face.  He had parked next to us and before the TT joked with the 62-year old, and current Masters 3 points leader in the series, how today was the day that he would be beat.  And I have to add that he did just that by completing the 25K course in 38 min and change.  His “younger” 62 year old competitor finished in 39 and change.  AWESOME!!!

I on the other hand limped back to the start and refusing to post my time as I hope to move on past the poor performance.   At the finish, I hung my cranium pretty low as I know I can and should do better.  I had become a little over confident and a bit complacent with my training.  I took some input from one of my EVO Euro Teammates (DIESEL-- Matt Arant) and a long ride the very next day to remind myself why I ride, train, and race.  On the rolling terrain around my town I regain my perspective, drive and dedication.

To end with a quote from the German philologist, philosopher, cultural critic, poet and composer, Friedrich Nietzsche:

“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”

My poor performance “could” have been avoided or mitigated with proper planning and focused training.  I accept my fate and appreciate the “jimmy reality kick” . . . Forward I focus as I have two weeks to shake the P Funk and make it happen at the next race in the GCC series.  

You should see my focus and dedication at the moment.  It is off the chain!!!

Formula TURTLE

Flat, Fast and VERY Furious!

Of all the events in the 14 race German Cycling Cup Series,  Circuit Cycling: Hockenheimring is by far one of the greatest.  The chance to race on the prestigious Formula 1 track is only challenged by the race at Nürburgring in July but that one is far from flat. Hockenheimring is not only flat but  über fast with a few sharp turns.  It favors those with legs like tree trunks and lungs like whales.  Once turned on the heat does not stop until the very end leaving ashes of the less fortunate racers in its wake . . . simply AWESOME!!!

Last year crashes stopped the racing mid execution and I had to really “man up” to get back on my bike.  My little TURTLE sticks were close to breaking under the pressure of this race.  I really don’t know how I managed to finish 60th in my age group last year.  It must of been a timing error . . .

This year we had a Fantastic 4 Evolution Cycling Club p/b Long & Foster-Euro Division riders hitting the track and one guest rider from US Military Cycling.  Over twice the numbers of the previous year and with great weather, the day could not be better . . .

Our token Britton...TIPSTER
Smiles before the carnage! 

Our token Britton, James TIPSTER Tipler was our star on the day.  This would be his last race with the Team here in Germany.  The kid is pure speed on the bike and I made a mental note to not let him lap me on the 6k course.  Jenn Call, our other team star, was sitting fairly high in the over all Jedermann ranking and I told her to stay close to me and I will carry her through the day.  She joked that if she stayed on my wheel she would win the women’s category . . . we both laughed at the thought as we made our way to the start.

The mass start at Hockenheimring is scary.  All groups (A and B, and both a 60K and a 90K distance) are started together.  CRAZY!!!  It is a mass of carbon, aluminum (some steel) and a lot of colorful spandex as close to 750 riders hit the line all starting at the same time.  It is and can be certainly intimidating to the unprepared soul.  We found ourselves grouped in the back of the second wave.  UGH!  At the back of the bus again I thought to myself as I was already dreading the first tight turn . . .

As we rolled out I was separated from the Team but watched TIPSTER go up the road doing what fast young fast riders do . . . ride faster!!!  I was certain HAMMER (Jeff Pannaman) was on my six as I made my way through the pack.  However, I did not look back as I feared the slightest break in concentration would make TURTLE hamburger and the last thing I wanted was a crash.  LT DAN (Dan Schmacher, our guest rider from US Military Cycling) was also in the mass behind me.  He had opted for the shorter distance and with legs like tree trunks, I figured at some point he would blaze by me and I would sit on his wheel as best I could . . .

Carbon, Aluminium, and Spandex
prepare for battle . . .

Through the first few laps the field was already into 3 major groups.  The super fast riders on the front led by the super teams, a small chase group with TIPSTER in the middle, and my chase group bringing up the rear.  I soon made my way through the mass and up to Jenn and told her to stay with me as best she could.  already riding at speeds well over 40 kph, she yelled back that the tempo was bit hot . . . and that it was.

Yet I felt great and moved up the inside to get to the front of my very large chase group.  Riding about 5 or so bikes off the front I went with a group of 4 off the front in an attempt to bridge up to the next group.  I yelled at my fellow riders to work it together and one guy joined in.  The other two cats were duds and the effort failed as the group seemed to surround us like a group of killer bees.  I did not have the power stores to do it alone . . . need to work on that!

Back in the mass group I wondered how many matches did that effort cost me.  But I still felt great and the tempo was still high as we were cursing at just over 40 kph.  So I sat in and thought through the scenarios as it appeared I was alone in the mass.  I knew it was a matter of time before HAMMER and LT DAN rode past me.  With any luck I would have the energy to join them and maybe bridge up to the group up the road . . . it was a dream and the only day dream I allowed myself to have as I was determined not to loose contact with this group.

The Lady in Pink

I spotted Claudia on almost every lap.  She stood out in the crowd wearing bright pink.  My eyes could not miss her and I actually found myself looking for her each lap.  This was the first race of this sort that she watched.  The numbers, the crashes (and there were a few) was most certainly unnerving to her.  I made no effort to wave or smile, even though I saw her every lap. I had to stay on the rivet and keep pushing . . .

With 5 laps to go and the surge to the line for the 60K racers, my legs began to suffer and the TURTLE sticks began to smolder from the heat the pace was making.  Muscle spasms shot through both quads.  It took everything in me to keep the pedals moving.  I had to gear down to spin out of the turns and stay in contact with my group.  I moved back a bit to give myself a little break and surround myself with wheels that I had watched over the last hour or so . . .

It was at this point that Jenn came up along side of me and put her hand on my shoulder.  She had hung about 5 - 10 bikes behind me the entire race so far.  AWESOME!!!  It was the motivation I needed.  I internally yelled (it was really a mumble), “Shut up legs!” and grabbed a gear or two and moved back up near the front of my chase group.  I took my turn at the front and did my best to kept the pace high . . .

With 3 laps to go the leaders came around and those that could caught the wave and hung onto their wheels.  They most have been really flying as we were still averaging 40 kph on the 6k circuit and they had just lapped us.  I saw all the big teams crushing the rest of us mere mortals as they went by . . . I knew TIPSTER would be next so I had to really put myself in suffer mode . . .

As much as I put myself in the TURTLE HURT LOCKER, I was at my limit and little to nothing in the tank, I could not respond to this second big surge.  After the carnage in the wake of the lead riders, I spent at least half a lap just on the front of my chase group with Jenn close behind.  Fluids were gone, legs were throbbing and I wanted this end and end quickly.  I just had to keep pedaling . . .

On the last lap I told Jenn to follow me to the final turn and I would put every last amount of energy into my pedals.  There were 2 other women in the chase group and I told Jenn she had to beat them both to the line . . .

I moved out on the final stretch and put my head down and into the wind.  Behind me was Jenn and one of the girls as we pulled away from the rest of the pack of about 20 riders.  Hitting the final turn with 100 m left to go I was done.  There was no more push and I think I just coasted to the line.  I had emptied the last and final drop of the TURTLE tank.  However, Jenn followed the gal that was on my wheel to the line and dug even deeper to finish a bike length ahead of her.  SWEET!!! 

On the day I took 130th overall and 30th in my age group.  However, Jenn scored big!  She took 5th overall for the women and 2nd in her age group (Master 2).  Our joking at the beginning became a reality.  This was the first Evolution Cycling Club podium in a European Jedermann event and a great day had just come to an end on an awesome and epic venue.  We averaged just under 40 kph ( 25 mph) for the 90 k.  It was and remains my fastest effort on the bike and two days later I still feel it . . .

Yet my eyes are focus on a time trial this coming weekend.  Time to man up again and dig just a little deeper as my season is far from over . . .

Bouncing off a Steep Wall (Steile Wand)

Returning to Leipzig for the Sparkassen Neuseen Classics – Rund um die Braunkohle (Race 4 of 14 in the German Cycling Cup) was all about bitter sweetness.  The event originally called for a 30K Time Trial (TT) on Saturday and 140K of road racing greatness on Sunday.  As most of you know, the TURTLE TT is far from graceful and 30K on the rivet was surly going to leave a few deep scares in the TURTLE shell that would take serious time and effort to buff out.  So I was not that sad when the TT was cancelled . . . the bitter was more like a lemon and I made a lemon drop martini to celebrate my good fortune.  I was saved a TT beat down . . . YES!!!

With the TT cancellation I noticed the road race was shortened to 125 K.  Having missed my start time last year due to my rather poor German reading skills, I was looking forward to the longer ride.  Yet my misfortune last year did introduced me to Team Steile Wand . . . a group of KOOL ‘n da GANG über fast ponies that make it happen on the road.  I was not only looking forward to seeing them again but with Evolution Cycling Club p/b Long & Foster - European Division rolling deep with 6 riders in the pack, I imagined a combined effort pushing through the field and leaving a wake of crushed legs and souls.  I was euphoric at the thought and it put a serious smile on my face and a swagger to my walk at work.  This was the sweetness of returning to Leipzig . . .

Registration had a few challenges as our crew was all over the map with two cats planning to register on the day of the race.  However, German efficiency ruled and our appeal to registration was answered.  We would all mass in the same start block near the front.  There was not much more we could ask for and this just increased the TURTLE fun factor . . .

Two days out, Coach Quest and I stuck with a slightly modified plan (I decided/needed to work half a day) and rolled up to Leipzig Friday afternoon.  Even though the Saturday TT was cancelled, we would use the extra day to get an easy spin and prep the legs for battle.  I had to get ahead of the butterflies that normally do cheetah flips inside the TURTLE.  Focus was needed and this extra day provided that . . .

We hit the road soon after breakfast on Saturday and while blessed with dry road conditions, we were quickly introduced to a few gusts of wind the nearly blew us sideways on the bike.    This was going to make racing tough but we were both up to the challenge . . .

At dinner that night we ate, laughed, lied about our mad bike skills, and plotted our strategy for cycling domination.  It was grand!  We would not ride 2 x 2 but stay together single file and make it happen attacking group after group.   With 6 Brothers (Matt DIESEL Arant, Eric COACH QUEST Cole, James DAPS Dapper, Jeff HAMMER Pannaman, and Erich DUMPER Schmunk) ready to roll . . . we had this!  We were bold and unafraid and ready to bring the action.  At the shorter distance Kozeta LES MIS Beam was out to hold her own.  Regardless of the talk . . . this was good and then some.

Rule # 80 // Always be Casually Deliberate

Waiting for others pre-ride or at the start line pre-race, you must be tranquilo, resting on your top tube thusly. This may be extended to any time one is aboard the bike, but not riding it, such as at stop lights.15 

(http://www.velominati.com/technology/look-pro-part-ii-casually-deliberate/)

Race morning, we rallied in the front of Start Block B.  DUMPER immediately said, “The goal is not to see any Block C riders!”  LOVE IT!  He set the bar high but achievable and I was up for the challenge.  We would have to survive the first 20K of madness, form up and get on with the business we came to do.  Team Steile Wand sat at the front of Block C and I made and and mental note to challenge myself and keep them behind me . . .

As we rolled out the combination of wind gusts and being at the front of our start block tough.  I was once again riding above threshold and I could feel the heat blowback on the TURTLE Shell.  I needed to get this under control and fast . . .

Just as I was about to blow a gasket, DIESEL came to the front, looked over his shoulder, and let out a serious almost battle cray yell of, “…lets go boys!” He did his DIESEL thing and the tempo was steady and hot.  I immediately fell back to recover in our chase peloton.  I needed off the front to keep my breakfast down as it was certainly moving up to my neck after the initial effort . . .

After DIESEL, DAPS took his turn and continued the drive.  So far our plan was executing as we boldly discussed the night prior.  We were pushing the pace and fairly close to one another.  It was on and we were in the think of it . . .

Recovered, I moved back up through the field and up to DAPS to give him a break after a serious effort.  HAMMER was with me as I went near the front of our group. 

The wind was crazy strong and the gusts were making organizing a chase of the Block A riders difficult.  The B-group began to split and HAMMER did what HAMMER does and surged across a gap.  I put my head down and tried to follow . . . I failed.  I pushed and pushed but HAMMER and crew went up the road.  He had made the selection as I was voted off the island . . .

I looked over my shoulder a few times trying to find teammates.  I had nothing.  The wind trumped our plan and fragmented the bunch.  I was on my own and settled in to organizing my chase of the group with HAMMER.  I rode pretty bold and hard as I had 4 teammates behind me on the road somewhere.  I saw this as a safety net bonus as I knew they would soon catch up to me and I would get a break.  So forward I went and just about drove myself into the red . . .

At some point DAPS rode up to me and I felt my position strengthen.  He mentioned that DIESEL and DUMPER were just behind us.  I took the data on and told DAPS we had to catch the group just in front of us to keep the drive going.  I put my head down and pressed across the gap.  I looked over my shoulder for DAPS and did not see him.  I was in a good group, taking a few pulls near the front and rolling.  I had made this selection and felt I had to keep it moving so I dug deep to stay in the mix . . .

I drifted back a bit to take a break and noticed the pace would come and go.  Fast ‘n Furious spins were countered by light tempo when the winds howled.  While I wanted to really push and make my goal of finishing in 3:15 or better,  I did not have the strength to push across the gap to the next group alone.  In truth, I was also afraid of going back into “no man’s land” given the current windy conditions.  The TURTLE power plant only had so much coal and matches to burn . . .

TURTLE and the Brother of Team Steile Wand

At the 60K point and half way through the madness the first of BLOCK B riders crossed into our group.  I looked over, heard a familiar laugh and “Turtle!”  The ponies of Team Steile Wand were rolling through.  I jumped right in and off we went.  We soon caught up to the HAMMER group and swarmed on them like a group of killer bees.  I yelled, “HAMMER…this is the Pony Express…GET ON!!!” and off we went.

It soon came time for me to take my pull at the front of the Peloton.  It was ugly!   Was at my limit trying to keep the pace the same and not give up any ground.  I joked about carrying this pace to the end with one of the Team Steile Wand Brother.  I was joking to cover the pain in my legs . . . inside alarms were going off left, right, up, down, and across.  I laughed to cover the sound of the alarm bells.  

I came off the front and was brought back into the Team rotation.  Even riding 8th wheel was a challenge for me.  At the next turn I drifted back to the middle of a group of at least 50 riders and decided to sit in.  Despite being in the best shape of my life, it was still not enough . . . yet.

I rolled up on the only member of Team Steile Wand not on the front and told him (in my best German) that his guys were crushing it on the front of this group.  He responded in English, “I know and it’s too much for me…”  I let out a short laugh grabbed a gear and held my line.  We had 40 K of road ahead and I wanted to stay in this group . . . 

A couple of surges and big wind gusts kicked me off the back as the group fragmented.  However, with a few matches left (I had lost count of exactly how many), I was able to get back in the pack and take refuge from the wind . . .

A serious crosswind hit I found myself in a bad position.  I burned even the wet matches to stay in contact.    I was also starting to feel a BONK coming.  I started unloading my pockets of food and downing fluids.  I had 20K to go and had to stay on it . . .

Another surge and wind gust caught me and took me out the back door of the peloton with 15K to go.  I turned to another rejected victim riding next to me and told him to help me close the gap.  He responded, “…too dangerous…”

WHAT!?!

I could not believe what I just heard.  I hesitated for a brief second in shock.  I quickly looked at his bike to see if I could identify where the grocery basket hung or if he was riding with training wheels.  “Too dangerous” . . . REALLY!?!  As close to bonk’n as I was, I put my head down and tried to drilled it.  I was alone in no man’s land heading to the finish.  This had happened just a 10 days prior in Frankfurt.  I failed to close the gap . . . IT SUCK’D!!!

With less than 10K to go I was caught by 2 cats and we started taking turns.  I came to the front of our three little pigs off the back with 3K to go and decided to leave nothing on the road.  I emptied the TURTLE Tank all the way to the line.

I rolled right up to Team Steile Wand assembled at the finish.  It was great to see them.  They were all laughing and joking. and enjoying the day.  I was looking for a lung, a shot of vodka, morphine, or something to end the pain in my core.  I was broken . . .

But laughter is addictive and a serious healing agent.  Last year the Ponies ran 6 deep.  This year the group totalled 13.  More than 10 of them were at the finish.  I was introduced to other members; pictures were taken as a historical marker of the day’s battle.  Life was good . . . it could not imagine it any better.

Life is bikeROCKstar!

Despite being an outcast and rejected from the Peloton with 15K to go, I had my best age group finish at 116th.  I’ll take that, try to get some rest, and get my mind and body ready to attack Circuit Cycling’s event on Hockenheimring and 90K of pure heat . . .

Ready I will be, ready I must . . . quitting is not an option!

A Hopeful Hat Trick

Well, after meeting my goals in the last two road races, I was ready to raise the bar, crush my enemies, see the driven before me, and hear the laminations of my fellow leg shaven and spandex covered brothers and sisters.  With only 3 days in-between race 2 and 3, I was floating on a drug-free high.  It was all the best I could imagine of my current quest for a bikeROCKstar life . . .

I had planned to spin my legs out and get ready for the Škoda Velotour: Rund um den Finanzeplatz  in Frankfurt.  I wanted to be ready, willing, and able to bring the action on the 11 k climb up the “Großer Feldberg.”  At 878 m ( ~2900 ft) this is the highest peak in the Taunus mountains and no joke during a race.  This was no Sunday stroll or coffee shop ride.  This was a beast I had to serve up a Chicago beat down in order to make my goal of finishing under 3 hrs (finished 3:44 last year) . . .

But with most thing, life happens and my three days of desired SIT ’N SPIN (EASY) HELL to keep my legs mobile and fresh did not happen.  Stress levels rose, sleep became problematic, and courage in the face of a challenge began to retreat.  I was sliding backwards . . . UGH!!!

Although we had 5 riders heading to Frankfurt, I was solo on this quest and that added to my list of challenges.  I would have to ride smart, look for the right wheels and cover gaps in the field alone.  This was going to be tough.  I had grown use to a wingman in battle.  Yet it was not in the cards for me at this time . . .

On the drive up the day prior, the weather also started to roll in as Danny Havard and I were caught in a hail storm.  Pea and larger sized hail struck my truck and danced on the top tub of my rig in the back of the bed.  This was going from bad to worse.  I was not looking forward to a climb up to over 850 m and a descent in the rain or maybe hail.  Did that last year and . . . “Hated it!”  I was ready to turn tail and hide in my TURTLE Shell until the sun shined and the roads were dry . . .

Danny and I arrived at our hotel after the reception had gone to bed . . .WHAT? it was only 2100!  I guess others need more beauty sleep than I do.  I should have called when we were at packet pickup but we were hanging around with other members of our team and some of the officials . . . SILLY TURTLE!!!  However, Jenn Call took care of us and had our keys and all was good in the bike ‘hood.  It truly is awesome to have a Team and stay in the same hotel.  A bright spot peaked out of the storm clouds . . .

On race morning we had breakfast together (I was late as it took me longer to get pretty shaving my legs), covered down on our rooms, and met in the parking lot for the 3 k spin to the start in a light fog and mist to hopefully meet up with DUMPER (Erich Schmunk) and SKIRT (Alex Ferguson).  While not officially on the Evolution roster, the bug bit SKIRT in Köln and he was back for more.  AWESOME!!!

As I sat in my start block watching the shorter distances roll out, I saw Danny walking back to registration.  I did some quick math and could not figure out why he was not on the road.  His start time had passed.  Little did I know there was a problem at registration and although he requested the shorter (and flat) distance, he was placed in the 104 k race.  In a mix of German and English he was told, “go make the best of your money” and do the 104 k.  Danny “manned up” and did just that in an epic ride that I will cover later . . .

As this was all going on I looked over my shoulder and saw HAMMER (Jeff Pannaman) joining the field.  I yelled and the Germans around me jumped at the sudden break in the silence.  In my chilly, grey, and threat of rain world, the sun just started shining.  My teammate and wingman was in and attacking this beast in tandem was much better than solo.  Confidence started to return and fear began to fade.  It’s amazing how quickly I got my cranium back in the fight . . .

Out the gate the pace was high as we made twists and turns through the city.  All was going well until about 30 k in I had a mechanical and had to pull off the road.  The fix took longer than expected and I lost sight of HAMMER and significant ground.  I started chasing as hard as I could with the words of my first cycling mentor, Chris “Der Hase” (RABBIT) Burke . . . “There is no coasting in the chase group!” on auto repeat in my cranium . . .

We covered the first 40 k in under an hour, we were flying to the base of the climb.  And there the wheels on the bus got a little wobbly as the rain started to fall.  I was without a teammate and climbing in the rain.  I was less worried about the climb and over concerned about the decent.  I could already fill my sub-3 run fading despite the chase I made . . .

 A BIG BUMP in the middle!

Over the top of the climb I held back as rain pelted my face.  I was not ready to hit the ground as I still had a few more smaller climbs to go over.  On the last climb the sky cleared and dry patched appeared on the road.  Alone in no-man’s-land I knew I had to put on my best 20 k TT and got down on the drops with all I had left in the tank.  I knew I would make the sub-3 hr mark but I still wanted it to give my best effort.  I was back in the game . . .

I was soon caught by a strong group of 3 cats and together we started the leap frog to groups up the road.  On one such effort the guy ahead of me started to fade short of closing the gap and I finished the bridge to a small group of four.  As we made a turn I faded back and almost laugh as I was in a pack of at least 30 riders.  There were a lot of cats hanging on and I joined them for a slight break . . .

As I moved back up to the front I hit a serious hole in the road that sent a jolt through the wheels, frame, and my body.  I though I flatted as I pulled to the side of the road stopping to check the bike with just under 10k to go to the finish . . .

The wheels checked out fine and back on it I went catching the last group that passed me.  It was then that I noticed my handlebars had rotated forward and the riding position was now not only awkward but uncomfortable.  I was fighting to keep position and loosing this battle . . .

Snapped off the back of a surge to the finish, I rolled in the last 3 k solo and well over my goal of a sub-3 hr 104 k that had 1300 m of climbing.  My total time was 3:20 and some slight change . . . a 24 min improvement over last year.  Off my target but an improvement non-the-less. 

HAMMER came close to a sub-3 at just under 3:10.  Danny on the other hand had an epic ride.  At one point a driver decided to run the police barricade and took Danny and 4 other riders down.  Danny saw what was happening and slowed before the impact.  He bounced across the hood of the car and I believe recalled all of his combat airborne training on how to do a parachute landing fall.  He and the bike survived without a scratch.  He manned up an additional time and got back going.  He and the cats involved in the incident limped home with only a little mis-direction drama.  Big props to Danny for making it happen with challenges more than most . . . a number of riders did not finish the race at all . . .

So, with 9 days before my next race, I’ll take the 3rd improvement on time and my little personal hat trick.  I will turn my eyes and attention on refining the Rabid TURTLE Training Plan as I need to work on raising the redline so I can surge the TURTLE engine up right to the limit or just over it without falling apart or forcing a lung to jump out my chest . . .

My season is still on track and this is the best of a bikeROCKstar life I can currently imagine . . .

LANTERNE ROUGE Season VI: Rabid Energie

10th REFRATECHNIK-Zeitfahrcup
(http://www.personal-sports.info)

Last year the Zeitfahrcup Prolog and Tour d’Energie marked my return to competitive cycling.  I entered the German cycling scene with eyes wide open and legs no where near the task at hand.  Our foolish young American group talked about how we would form up and ride to the front of the Peloton, attack, counter and win.  We talked about lead outs, sprints, and glory.  We read the Team 7-Eleven book and believe we could make out mark.  We talked bold, we dreamed big . . .

We were on drugs!!!  These European cats are born and bikes are placed right in their cribs.  They ride everyday, all day, in all weather from cradle to grave.  I am crushed by guys 20 years senior.  Base is base and done like religion.  We were rookies on a field that is close to Pro.  We had and still have so much to learn . . .

The level of competition here is fierce.  Each event last year became one of survival as I raced myself into shape other than chunky TURTLE.  I never really got there but vowed to change the landscape and make 2014 different and for the most part I have.  So after racing four days prior, I lined up for two additional events . . . a short 5K “Prolog” for the 10th REFRATECHNIK-Zeitfahrcup (Time Trial 1 of 3) and the 100K Tour d’Energie (German Cycling Cup race 2 of 14) the very next day.  It was on and I would make it happen no matter what . . .

Tour d' Energie
(http://www.tourdenergie.de)

Unlike the previous event, I was calm, kool, and collective in the days before the events.  Having only ridden my TT once since last October, I planned to just survive the TT and focus on the road race.  The road course had two big climbs that just about crushed me last year.  I had to hit them as hard as I could and make my goal of finishing under 3 hours . . . last year I finished in 3:26 and averaged only 28 kph.  I set a goal of 33 kph and planed to keep it.

But back to the TT . . .

The Zeitfahrcup allows cats to participate as a Team of three where individual times are combined.  I reached out to the crew and Trent Minter and Jenn Call were the first two to answer the call to arms for the series.  I was thankful for the additional company and this made surviving the TT a bit easier . . .

The weather this year was nearly perfect.  Last year’s cold wet light rain zapped a toll on the TURTLE Shell.  Heat generation was limited to non-existent.  I lined up shivering, finished shivering, and just wanted to die.  Yet this year with only the threat of rain on the horizon I was able to warm up and hit the line ready to roll . . .

Well, roll is really an overstatement.  I put “0” time into practicing for a TT and it showed as I came off the line in too big of a gear.  It was as it I forgot how bar end shifters work as I threw my tank of a bike down the road.  It was neither good or bad.  It was just plain ugly . . . 

However, I settled in and used the knowledge gained from a pre-ride of the course with Coach Quest.  I knew when to shift (once I remembered how) to keep my cadence and power up and the end result showed.  I took over 45 secs off my previous time.  I was stoked!  I even did a little TURTLE dance on the pedals as Coach demanded a sub-9 time.  I was so there . . .

But did I not say the competition was fierce.  My best effort put me in 30th place in my age group and far from the podium and further back when all cats and kittens are considered.  There were cats on either side of my age group with times over a 2 minutes faster.  That is simply flying on a slightly uphill 5K course.  I have a lot of work to do . . . next year I will focus on bringing my TT up to par and at least get a step closer to the podium.

It's easy to smile at the start!

But the Tour d’Energie is where I cut my teeth last year.  I knew the course, I knew the climbs, I knew what I had to do.  I was also blessed to have one of my strongest teammates with me.  HAMMER (Jeff Pannaman) drove almost 7 hours the day prior to start on this day and offered to lend me a few watts of power to stay in the game.  As he had watts to spare I did not feel bad at all.  HAMMER had almost bonk’d at the last race being in “no-mans” land alone and unafraid.   The plan on the day centred on working together until the last climb and then crushing it home . . .

We were lucky enough to be near the front of the bus and had hoped we would get done before the rain hit.  Forecasts over dinner danced from 40 - 70%.  We were both hoping for the 40 or better . . .

The neutral roll out was a bit more tame but as some as the cans were lit to start the race the peloton got crazy.  Surges, stops, lots of breaking in the middle of the pack and some serous crashes (one looked like about 10 - 15 cats on both sides of the road) marked the first 20 k.  It took about another 10 - 15K to settle in as HAMMER and I chased wheels looking for a rhythm.  As soon as we were good and rolling the rain started . . .

Liquid Sunshine!

Pacelines in the rain is far from fun as road dirt and grim pepper your face.  You keep your mouth closed and learn to wipe you mouth before taking a drink to remove the grit from your lips.  It’s even worse when you are gasping for air at tempo.  You have to just suck it up, take the added protein and pedal.  This was the few times when I did not mind taking a longer pull . . .

Yet the rain also brought more crashes as cats overcooked turns on the wet pavement.  As we dropped off the first big climb I felt my goal of getting under 3 hours slipping away.  I had little to no confidence of descending the wet roads at speed.  I was grabbing was too much brake and not trusting my bike or myself.  Seeing guys slide into barriers was not helping matters much.  Time was slipping away and I was starting to feel the agony of defeat with 30k remaining . . .

Climbing legs required!

Chasing the HAMMER up the final climb

As we started up the last climb of the day HAMMER rolled passed me, lit the afterburners yelling its down hill from the top of this climb….and shot up the road.  I did my best to keep him in sight but lost him on a switchback.  Cresting the top I saw him grabbing food (recall he just about bonked the previous race) but I kept rolling.  He would surly catch me on the way off the climb . . .

The last 20k was truly all down hill and I put everything into the bike on semi-dry roads.  I ramped up to threshold and decided this was where I would stay until the line.  I picked targets up the road one by one and just kept pushing.  I was soon caught by a much larger group of cats that included HAMMER and we started 1 min pulls to continue the leap frog of others.  We were making up the time lost in the rain and it was awesome to be on the rivet like this . . .

My lungs just about exploded over a slight bump in the road and I fell back in our group as HAMMER and two other guys turned up the heat even more.  It took everything in the tank to stay in the game at this point.  I could feel my legs ready to break as I did not come out of the drops at all.  At 5K to go I was back at the front taking one last pull of with all I had to keep the tempo up.  I prayed the math was correct as I only had 5K left in the tank . . .

We turned for the final 1K and all I could do was pedal and try not to hit folks in front of me.  I cross the line in under 3 hours.  I was cooked, done, finished, and just about broken…but heart said I was ready for more.  A 30 min improvement over the previous year and already looking forward to another road race in just 4 days . . . 

In the face of serious competition, I am having a blast on the bike.  It gets better each time I hit the line as each event provides an opportunity to excel.  I still have a great deal of work to do to make it closer to my goal of a a top 100 finish in the massive fields but that day will come.  I know what hard work on the bike feels like and I am ready, willing, and able to put more time into TURTLE development.  I’m off to a good start but there is a lot or racing between now and 3 October.  Time to turn up the heat . . .

2014 is the Rise of the Rabid TURTLE! 

LANTERNE ROUGE Season VI: My Waterloo Obsession

Fresh off October’s Folks Fest, I set my eyes on the 124 km of the ŠKODA VELODOM 100.  Starting in a hail storm last year crushed me.  I failed to finish and wore the scarlet letter of DNF (Did Not Finish) on my chest for over a year.  Much of my focus during the winter training months was with eyes on this race.  The 98th running of Rund um Köln was the first official race of the 15 event German Cycling Cup.  I had to finish. I had to make it happen without excuses.  Failure was not an option I was willing to entertain . . .

Most knew the war I waged in my pain cave all winter.  I watched YouTube videos of the race as I pushed myself through My SIT ’n SPIN HELL intervals.  I mentally prepared myself for every climb, every turn.  I even prepared for another run at bad weather.  I was focused and driven.  Claudia summed it up stating, “this is your Waterloo” and a battle I had to win . . .  

All those KOOL ’n da GANG words of dedication and a purpose driven life aside . . . I was a nervous wreck the days leading up to Köln.  Doubt continued to creep in under my TURTLE Shell.  I tried to spin the uncertainty from my mind and chase the butterflies from my core.  I repeated the positive self talk I got from my teammate Hans Schenk in an attempt to keep it together.  Yet I would also recalled every missed training event, each “bad” meal I ate (they were yummy though), and even the now sparse alcohol consumption.  I did math in public and counted and recounted my training hours, remeasured my weight and weight of my bike, my body fat, and sleep.  I looked for every advantage I could legally get.  I was a walking obsession as I tried to beat back the fear of failure.

The EVO Euro Clan

I even tried to work an execution plan with three other riders that would deliver me to the line under the time limit.  Again, I was such a nut case that I was getting on my own nerves . . . it was sad.  I’m certain my circle of friends and my Coach (DragonQuest Coaching) saw this and could not wait for the race to come and go.  I was getting on all their nerves too . . .

With the race on Easter Monday, Claudia and I rolled North to Köln looking forward to an Easter Service in the Dome of a great city.  And to that we were not disappointed.  Easter Mass in Latin and German was simply spectacular.  The service set my mind and heart at ease.  Dinner that night with our ragtag Evolution Cycling Club p/b Long & Foster - European Division was also just what I needed for my last bit of prep.  We laughed, joked, and and had great time.  There was nothing left to do but ride now . . .

Our plan for a group of 4 under 4 hours fell apart.  We were only 2 deep at the start as DAPS (Jim Dapper) and DIESEL (Matt Arant) were registered for the shorter distance.   By pure magic HAMMER (Jeff Pannaman) and I were in the first start block with all the big teams.  We were at the front of the bus with the fastest wheels in the German Cycling Cup surrounding us.  The opportunity to excel was just in front of our wheels.  This was starting out spic . . .

EVO Euro at the Front of the Bus

With great weather and no “hail” at the start and off we went.  I immediately lost sight of my teammate in the crowd and started to panic.  The revised plan was already falling apart. This was going to be a long morning . . .

HAMMER soon rolled up on my right and we started working our way through the field.  It pace was fast, furious, and above my threshold as surges and slowing for turns was the norm.  I was running hot the first 30 min of a 4 hour effort.  I did the complex algorithm of time, distance, TURTLE power, and choleric burn and concluded at this rate the TURTLE Shell would explode into pieces sending fragments into the peloton well before the first climb.  I had to get myself under control . . .

HAMMER on the other hand was crushing it.  We were sitting in a pace line at 40 kph and he mentioned the group was too slow.  I almost threw up a PowerBar at this comment.  WOW!!! That is what it feels like to be a ROCKSTAR . . . RESPECT!!!

We hit the first series of climbs and HAMMER danced up the road.  I remain amazed that a 220 lbs he climbs like he does.  I certainly need some of that.  I could not hold his wheel and away he would go.  He would pull back a bit at the top and I would get back on his wheel and back to work we would go.

Far from a flat course . . .

Somewhere at the 1.5 hr mark my full water bottle of PERPETUM (read FOOD) decided to depart my bike on the rough terrain.  This had happened once in training.  I was not stopping for it so gone was gone.  However if I was a wreck riding at my limit, this put me over the edge.  I was really starting to panic now.  There went the nutrition plan I practiced and perfected all Winter.  This was not looking good as redoing my mental math gymnastics showed a high probability of a bonk and defeat . . .

After 2.5 hours HAMMER said we were on pace to break 4 hours and now the question was by how much.  I told him to go do his thang as I could not match his accelerations.  I was burring matches each time we bridged up to a faster group.  HAMMER had finished right at the 4 hour mark last year so he too had a goal and off he went up the road . . .

Crushing the last set of cobbles!

I played in “no man’s land” for a short time as rain entered the mix.  I soon found myself caught by a pretty strong group and even through the rain we kept the pace high.  We rocketed through the flats but as soon as the terrain went up, I was off the front of my little band and unable to bridge to the group up the road.  I will need to work on that somehow as this was perhaps more mental than physical.  But here I was also saved as folks along the side of the road handed out water bottles.  I grabbed one and with it a bit of confidence that I would not bonk . . . YES!!!

As we completed our last climb over the cobbles the pace went viral.  I saw I was going to be under 4 hrs and started pushing the pace as best I could without blowing my final gasket.  The longer field joined the short field and fresher legs sounded us.  This was the group I needed to carry me to the finish.  I sat in near the front and refused to let up.

At the 1K banner I drilled it to the line.  When you are sitting 500 deep there is no mass sprint or glory just you and the clock.  So a hard pedal to the end was the plan the name of the game and what I did . . .

I crossed the line over 50 min better than my DNF last year at 3:52:00.  I was stoked!  This was a significant improvement and a testament to consistent training.  If I could do a back flip I would have as Claudia handed me food and a much needed Coke and the finish.  I ended up 204th for my age group and 584th over all.  The winning time of 3:08 and change was pure heat and over 20 minutes faster than last year.  All had improved and I have a new target . . .

My time in the pain cave and sacrifices to train (and obsessions) had paid off.  My season had officially started and I was more than happy with my result.  With over 20 more races on my flight path, I am on track for my best season since I started racing in 2009.

Although I was almost 45 min of the leaders, I crushed a demon and declared victory of my “Waterloo.”  I have also set my eyes forward to the next objective and continuing to move forward.  I will finish in the top 100 of my age group this year . . . no excuses!!!

LANTERNE ROUGE Season VI: 3/5 of a Carbon Cup

I landed in Germany at 1200 on a Friday, still on the bikeROCKstar high from a successful Evolution Cycling Club p/b Long & Foster  Training Camp and 10 days of time with my friends (and some great IPA…YUM!!!).  I was a changed TURTLE.  My heart and legs were ever so ready to show the European field the new and improved TURTLE Shell.  I was rebuilt, faster, stronger, and better than before.  I was eager, I was confident, I was bold and unafraid . . .

I was an idiot!!!

Turning and burning from trans-Atlantic flight to a bike race starting line in less than 24 hours is perhaps for the legs and warriors of the Pro peloton.  It was not for the mortal TURTLE.  Yet I packed my truck and hit the road with Claudia  down to the third race of five in the Schmolke Carbon Cup.  The over zealous TURTLE race schedule called for races both Saturday and Sunday.  The weather was crap and getting worse.  I had the gear, I had the legs, I had no excuses, I had a lot of things . . . I just did not have a working brain cell in my cranium.

Yet to the race I went.  As Claudia and I drove south to the wonderful region of Lake Constance (Germans call it the “Bodensee”) for the circuit race, I tried my best to ignore the rain and chilling temps.  It looked as if I had brought the bad weather from D.C. back with me—UGH!!!  Yet we put RULE #9 into effect and a fabulous 5 (TIPSTER, SHAFT, HAMMER, Jenn, and TURTLE) set out to make it happen.  

Trying to spin away the cold...

I was ever so happy to have dropped the coin on a 10x10 canopy.  At least for a short time we could warm up a bit out of the rain.  To this end I was already struggling to reach my power numbers.  I was less than 100% but refused to admit it to myself . . .

As we waited to start, the prior race was ending and we each peered at the mud covered faces.  For a flash second I thought I was at a cyclocross race.  I pinched my tires to confirm I was not dreaming.  This was going to be epic . . .

Arriving late I failed to make a run a lap of the course so lap one was discovery learning.  And learning did occur on the first little rise on the course.  I took it hard and stayed with the group.  I wanted a solid first lap with not regrets . . .

Well . . . regrets were going to happen.  The rain brought fear to me core.  I took turns slower than normal.  I grabbed brakes on the descent as fear leaped out and danced out of the TURTLE shell.  I was failing and riding backwards.  This was all bad and getting worse as my mind focused on the elements and not racing.  I could not find my groove . . .

TIPSTER took a lap, maybe two out of me.  SHAFT took another.  I was not in a happy place.  On the final lap I could not have been more relieved.  I crossed the line rolled back to turn in my timer and number and just about went into a hyperthermic shock.  I was getting cold.  Very cold.  My speech stuttered.  My body shook.  My hands trembled.  I was falling apart . . .

Back at the vehicles we stripped out our wet gear and I did not care who saw what or where.  We dropped the 10x10 that kept us out of the elements to warm up and exited stage right.  I did not care about results (finished near the bottom of the group) or anything really.  I just wanted someplace warm and fast.  Staying at Lake Constance was the saving grace as Claudia booked us into a great place.  I may not have raced like a bikeROCKstar but I sure can live like one . . .

Had dinner with HAMMER and his Frau and the evening was filled with laughs as my jet-lagged body tired to cope with the time change and the damage done trying to race.  A good night followed the hardest conditions I have ever raced in.  This 1 hour was harder than last year’s 126 km that started in a hail storm . . .

The next morning we woke to cold rain and then snow flakes.  I bailed immediately on the fourth race.  I avoided all attempts and onslaughts of peer pressure (a first for me…I normally fall like a house of cards) and just said, “NO!”  I had 24 other races on the books.  This one could slide and I would man up later.  We drove back w/ my head low.  Jenn, HAMMER, and TIPSTER put on their big boy/girl pants, invoked RULE #5 and hit the line for a race in rain, cold, and a little hail.  BEASTS!!!

I had 5 days to shake the funk and did my best to do that.  Race 5 of 5 was on deck for the coming Saturday and the weather was set to be perfect.  It was time to start our tan lines (RULE #7) . . .

With a bit longer to drive I contacted TIPSTER, the best cat on our squad who was sitting in 8th place for the series, and told him I wanted to go ugly early.  He stepped up to the call to arms and off we went blasting serious heavy metal in the truck.  We arrived early, set up our 10x10, registered, and took a few laps of the course.  It was exactly what I needed . . .

I started to get my game face on and during my warm up I was surprised to see Danny Havard roll up.  We were set to put 5 riders on the course for the 5th and final race of the series.  Life was good and getting better.  This was awesome . . .

Smiles before the pain . . .

Out the gate the young ones do what young ones do and TIPSTER went up the road.  SHAFT followed and HAMMER and I were stuck to chasing wheels.  We latched onto a good group for the first 3 laps and things were working well.  I even got yelled at for being out of position in the pace line.  Unwilling to ride point just yet, I tucked in and peddled hard . . .

After another lap or two this group got away from me and even with HAMMER we were unable to close the gap.  In “no man’s land” for a lap we picked up another group and soon I was at the front for a full lap.  SILLY TURTLE!  I should have dug deeper and held the wheel of the group that dropped us—one day I will learn to suffer better!!!

There was the lead group, the TIPSTER group, the SHAFT group and then TURTLE and HAMMER.  We were all pretty spread out on a 3K circuit.  Yet is was seriously KOOL ’n da GANG to come across the START/FINISH and have the announcer say in German, “On point is one of our American riders Theodore Wilson from Evolution Cylcing Club-Long & Foster.”  Talk about an ego boost.  I dug deeper and rode harder.  This was the best motivation one could ask for . . .

Less than a handful of rider came around me and I pushed to move up.  It was at this point that HAMMER reminded me that I had pulled this group a full lap and I should sit in . . . I listened.  With 1 lap to go HAMMER came to the front of our little group and drug me around to the climb.  As he pulled off he yelled, “It’s all you now, go TURTLE!”

Up the climb I went and drove to a 17th place finish in the series competition.  My best effort in a European race and my best finish since 2009.  The finish provided 3 point for the series and I moved into 20th place after only doing 3 of the 5 races.  I’ll take that, smile, and set my eyes on 21 April and the Rund um Köln.  I will not fail this time . . .