Chris Hinds Criterium Race Report

First of all: Many thank to our race organizer: Jonathon Lowenstein..
Not much good to say about my performance today.. Although I'm kind of exhausted, it's late and I just finished assembling some very large IKEA furniture.. Murat is disappointed.. I had all kinds of gas left in the tank after the final sprint.. unhappy about holding back and not leaving it all out there. I know when I've given it everything.. I'll have weird cramps and nausea after the finish. Not debilitating, just a nuisance kind of feeling. How I allowed myself to be shuffled to the middle of the field with just a few laps to go.. I can't explain. But it took some kamikaze cornering, some short bursts on the grass, and a lot of risk taking to get up into top friggin twenty, barely. One thing I found to be helpful was taking off the gloves at 5 to go. The mushy feeling they give kind of dampens my confidence and makes me overly careful. Bare handed: much better. Our team had six riders today, with best place going to Neil who actually finished in the money. Lots of respect to Neil and the rest of the team: Michael Andelman (15th), Steve Bonadio (34th), Rick Kotch and Jay Busse. Even if our results seem kind of like Powerball numbers: 10-15-20-34-37-48.. All we need is a Powerball.. I think I'll play these numbers next Wednesday.. One lesson I re-learned today: When there's a big field, it's even more important to stay up front as much as possible. There are so many more people competing for position.. This race had over 70 starters.. Today's speed was not very high- around 25 mph.. but the cold has an effect on everyone I think. It was around 40 degrees, with a wind chill much lower than that. My average heart rate was high: 173. What's up with that? I did in fact feel pretty fresh and strong, just didn't feel very fast. Saw fellow blogger Solobreak at the start.. Must have been tired from the fine place he earned in the 45+. Didn't see him again. Where's Gewilli? Where's Colavita? Where's the rest of the Union Velo team? Lots of no shows.. Then again, look at the weather. It did suck to be all bundled up. Man I miss San Diego.. The other thing which took the wind out of my sails: damn camera didn't work. Very sorry about that.. Was very excited about giving you guys some great footage tonight.. I was at the start line trying to power it up and no dice. Too cold out.. That and the crappy IKEA batteries I put in it.. which used to be made in Germany.. now they're coming from China.. Need to get lithiums.. more tolerant of the cold. Should be at Wells tomorrow.. weather permitting. Full results

Chris Hinds Criterium: Water finds it's crack

My brain resisted the idea of riding home from work, but my heart was into the idea, and won the debate. No doubt it was cold.. but nothing ends a work week better than a bike ride home. Enough said. It took a while to get warmed up. The stop lights seemed to be timed to impede my progress. Couple of times I thought I'd make it, only to grab the brakes hard and put a put a foot down.. which explains why my left Speedplay cleat has been loosening up every few weeks. At last night's spin class at Bally's (which I'm proud to say, included my wife Ebru) I tightened up the cleats and ended up stripping one of the screws.. Time for new $40 cleats I suppose.. On the bike path, lots of roller bladers today. I had to approach one from behind.. He was in the left side of the path. Steady. Moving forward in a stright line without swerving. I'm about to pass on the right.. then he unexpectedly does some effing maneuver right into my path! I'm in the dirt and rocks all of a sudden, leaning on him shouting "heads up! heads up!". "Sorry dude." Pffft. "Me too" was my reply. Almost hit the deck there.. Other than that, the ride was cool, quiet and uneventful. I give myself points for not bailing and taking the short, direct route to my house (at 14 miles).. Instead I took the long way that I usually take, making it a 21 mile ride. Chart above represents 19 miles.. because my wireless Polar is quite finnicky in the cold.. One thing I discovered recently: Backpacks are a good thing in the winter. Keeps the back nice and warm. Not great for when you want to get out of the saddle though. Tomorrow is Chris Hinds Criterium at Ninigret. The weather's going to be crap, as it should be in April. I guess a little bit of extra discomfort and suffering is something we should be able to handle. And as for our mutual friend Chris Hinds, let me salute him with the timeless Anatolian proverb: "Water has found it's crack".

Back on the rollers, and another video

I can't do more than 20 minutes without requiring a break.. or else the twins go MIA.. Ugh. This weather sucks. Two full days off the bike since Wells. Plenty of sleep too. Feel fresh! Spun the rollers tonight with an avg HR of about 125. Not quite a workout, but stretches in between the 20 minute sets really felt good. Looking at Saturday's weather report and it says a high of 42 ??? WTF! I wanted to do the P-3 and the 35+.. Might just do one of them, depending upon how late I decide to sleep in the AM. Should I record video again? Will I escape scrutiny at the start line? Will some weenie say something to the officials? I hope not.. As I've told others, the camera is more secure than any water bottle or bike computer. Hopefully it all works out and I deliver you some more good footage from within the pack. Check back on Sunday.. For now, here's a vid of one recent ride home from work. Kind of lame, but I offer it as a salute to all those who leave the car at home and get to work on their own "power" ;)

Wells Avenue Criterium Video April 1st 2007

Wells Ave Race Report for April 1 2007

Today had it's highs and it's lows.. Great weather for racing.. about 60 degrees when we started, slight wind, partly cloudy.. but the field was rather small, I think there were only about 40-45 starters in the A race, thanks to the Marblehead race drawing most of the region's competitors. Me, I decided to be a cheap lazy procrastinator and missed a chance to register. I had no idea it was so popular.. Well it made for a light field today at Wells, both in attendance and depth of participant wattage.. Not to say it was easy, not at all.. there were lots of attacks to cover, breaks to chase down and primes to sprint for.. But compared to the race exactly one year ago (again, Marblehead was same day) this year was a click faster for sure... Murat spent lots of time at the front with his head down, trying to contribute to the overall average speed.. Our Union team had four entries: Rick Kotch, Dave Lyman, Neal (sp?) and myself. Regrettably, the CCB riders stole the show in spite of our best efforts. Three riders escaped, another two bridged up late.. leaving us with the field sprint for sixth place. On the bright side, Mr. "I've ridden five times all year" Kotch took the field sprint, and embarrassingly, he did it while trying to lead me out. It didn't work out what can I say? I was a part of what I believed to be the lead-out train, in fact I got a little aggressive on the last lap and shouldered my way onto the wheel I wanted- Thad Lavallee's. Then as we're rounding the last bend before the straightaway, Kotch comes flying up on the outside and says "Murat let's go" or some such remark. No worries, I shift left and start winding it up behind Kotch. As it turned out, I ended up blowing my wad with about 25 meters to go.. sat down and spun it out as best I could, crossing seventh in the field sprint, 12th overall. Yeah five guys got past me in the last 10 meters, I was pretty much siezed up by this time. On the bright side (I know I said that already) a pack prime was announced for the 27th lap, and I won it with time to sit up early.. Felt gooood. At first it was Dave Lyman who jumped for it early, followed by the one woman in our group and another rider who I can't name. First our lady friend peeled off, then Dave Lyman.. leaving me with unidentified sprinter. At this point Dave yells "GO Murat, you got him!" and this was what I needed to snap me out of a trance. I shifted and went for it, per his suggestion, as if my life depended on it. It's amazing what a person's positive encouragement can do. I must tip my hat to Dave Lyman for taking an earlier prime himself, and for helping me get one also. Rick Kotch in his terrible form with no training won the field sprint, and I respect that immensely (I have 800 miles in my legs and maybe I have something close to his form at this point) Neal? I don't know much about him, but for one who hasn't raced in a loooong time (as I understand it).. you looked pretty solid to me! Here's the coolest thing about today (except for the batteries dying): I was able to video record the first 9 minutes of the race using my "handlebar cam" mounted discreetly under the bars. Batteries were due for changing though, and it just died after 9 minutes. Footage will be posted here ASAP. Need to choose some good background music for it. Thanks for reading.

Let's compare Year to Dates 2006 and 2007

As we can see, 2006 was a joke. The big spike of 2007 is of course, my San Diego training camp.

Something's wrong with this picture

This is 2007's first ride home from work.. Windy. Felt like a sack of shit the whole way.. The time of 1:05 isn't bad.. considering the wind, but my personal record for this ride is about 57:30, so I feel way off the mark. Plus what's up with that heart rate averaging 170?? Was it the chilly air? the wind? am I short on rest and sleep? Probably a little bit of everything in there. I'm disappointed. It was windy though.. I must have thrashed myself more than I think at Big River on Sunday.. power slogging it through mud which had the consistency of toothpaste..

Murat's Fleet of Bikes: Look, epx and Fuji

The latest addition is the Fuji, purchase second hand last fall. The epx has been resurrected with new handlebar tape, replacement wheels, new derailleur, new chain etc (but who knows if the frame is solid after being t-boned by a car last summer) I might have the courage to use it for time trials but that's about it.. The LOOK bike replaced the epx.

Riding away from home (CT) just feels "icky"

I don't know if it was the overcast weather, or the excessive Friday afternoon traffic, or the simple unfamiliarity with the roads.. but I really had a hard time getting into today's ride in CT (was there on business and made the best of it!) Weather was nice low-mid fifties.. ideal. Roads were wet and pools of water were all over the place, and this might have added to the ickiness. At one point, my phone rang and I fumbled it, dropping it while going pretty fast. Luckily it didn't enter the path of traffic and I was able to double back and get it from the gutter. (I later yelled at my wife for calling me, and I feel bad about that- but please... only emergency calls from now on!!!) The first half of this ride I pretty much puttered in the little ring, stopping frequently to try a new angle with my on-bike camera.. But after establishing a decent 13 mile loop, I put it in the big ring and put the camera away.. adding 3 mph on the second lap. So many dead spots in the speed of this chart. Half of them are actual stops at intersections, but the other half are dropped signals. Wireless computers are unreliable... for one who obsesses over such information, it's frustrating because it gives an incorrect picture of the day's effort. I should avoid getting a power meter.. just one more thing to obsess over? or one more indicator of my suckiness? (to borrow the vocabulary of Solobreak)

One hour outdoor spin class today

Click to enlarge.. This winter riding is not for me.. Much rather do a spin class.. But character building is important so I did what I could today and hooked up with Ben Corbalis of our Union Velo team for a brisk spin around Attleboro. Knowing the ride would be short, I kept the heart rate high and stayed in the little ring..
Another dangerous incident during the ride.. (Recalling the Sunday before at Wells, I took a drink and re-caged my bottle, only to see it fall to the ground and almost take out Thad Lavalee and others. So embarrassing.. Thad asked me if I was drunk or something..) Well today it happened again (though I managed to grab the bottle in time), and the culprit isn't my poor hand-eye coordination.. It's because the little tab at the bottom of the carbon cage is broken.. Better have a warranty, LOOK.

Murat Tries Film Editing

Here's my very first Movie Maker attempt..

Monday's Pitiful Ride

Had I known it was only 39 degrees out, I would have ridden the rollers. This ride sucked. I don't know how GeWilli does his thing every morning. Man has ice water coursing through his veins I think. Never again. Even my HRM protested, dropping the speed sensor signal pretty regularly. This was in reality an 18,5 mile ride. To me, cold=pain. I recorded this ride with my new camera, but Youtube won't accept vids over 10 minutes. Anyone have a suggestion?

Turk Bisiklet Sporculara Merhaba

Turkiyedeki bisiklet sporcular icin, ozel siparis bisiklet kadro, parca, giyim, lastik ve aksesuarlari ucuz fiyatlara bulup araci olarak satis yapiyorum. istediklerinizi "Comment" olarak iletin (marka, model numara, boyut etc) ben sizler icin arastirip, istediklerinizi en ucuz fiyatlara saglarim. Odeme kolay: PAYPAL hesaptan her turlu kredi karti kullanilir, yada bizim Turkiyedeki banka hesabimiza odeme yapabilirsiniz.Turkiyede bisiklet malzmeler oldukca pahali, bazen 2-3 kat fiyatlara satiliyor. (Amerikadaki fiyetlarla karsilastirinca) Umarim bu hizmet'den faydalanmak isteyenler cikar ortaya ve gercekten hesapli alis veris yapilir. ilk aranan urun'le baslayip, arastirmayi bitirdikten sonra, herkeze ayni fiyata alma sansini vermeyi planliyorum.. Asagidaki "comment" noktayi tiklayip, isteklerinizi yazin.

Map of Big River

Hopefully this enlarges when you click on it.

Ride from Union Cycle on Wednesday

With the approaching bad weather, I went out of my way on Wednesday to get a good ride in.. So on my way back from Boston I went to the Union Cycle bike shop in Attleboro to meet some team mates. Only one showed up, surprisingly.. Everyone cancelled on the spin class citing Daylight savings and nice weather, so I figured there's be more than a few Union riders there. At any rate, Jose and I did a good tempo ride, hit a few rolling hills, and had a smashing good time. On the one steep hill you see on the chart, I used the big ring and reached my limit near the top. (Didn't know where the top was!) Felt pretty good overall.

Last Saturday's Route: 9 minutes faster

If you scroll down a couple of days, you'll see Saturday's chart. On that day I pretty much took it easy and dilly-dallied. Today I did the same 24+ miles, only nine minutes faster. Wasn't really going for broke, just keeping a high cadence in the big ring and adding a little bit of suffering on the gradual climbs. So many people are out there walking their dogs on the bike path.. Too many. I saw only two people riding their bikes today. That's it. From here on, this route will be called my "Seven Mile Hill" ride. It goes thusly:
From Fairview Ave in Phenix, turn left onto Main Street towards Cranston. Continue to the bottom of Seven Mile Road, continue Straight. Top of hill at Route 12 (Scituate Ave) turn right. Descend into Cranston and turn left onto Phenix Ave (still Route 12) This later becomes Park Ave. Turn right onto Cranston bike path, follow to end where it connects with Route 117, turn left towards Coventry. Turn right onto route 116. Turn right onto Route 115, keep turning right until back on Main Street. Now you're back-tracking on the beginning part of the ride and almost home.
This ride isn't too challenging, isn't too easy either. Good all around terrain and a little bit of everything.

Wells Ave Re-cap for March 11 2007

Today's first edition of Wells Ave Criterium for 2007 went down perfectly for me, almost.. Firstly, we arrived on time and they were not combining the fields. Secondly, the weather was beautiful. High 40s when we parked, Low fifties by the time we were racing (Murat was one of very few who raced bare-legged, and he shed his gloves with 10 laps to go) Third, no crashes! (A few close calls though, like when one guys clobbered a small pylon and squeezed his brakes way too hard, and then there was the incident where I endangered everyone..) So the only bad thing about today's race (besides that I didn't win) is that around lap 10 (of 40), I took a quick drink and put my bottle in it's cage without looking down. Next thing you know it's on the pavement, skittering between the tires and wheels of everyone behind me. Color me embarrassed... Needless to say, I had no water for the rest of the crit, making me pretty parched towards the end (except for the one swig I took from Keiran Lynch's bottle) I blame it on the water that I didn't win or get a top three finish.. I think I had it in me. Just need more courage, more risk-taking at the end when things get dicey, and more water.

Murat's result: 9th (out of? 80-100?)

Today's ride, knee pain, Best Buddies

I went for an 80 minute spin late this afternoon. Not bad out.. though I wore more clothing than I probably should have- no booties or toe warmers, just wool socks. A paper thin wind breaker over two base layers, ss jersey, and arm warmers. I've had that Pearlizumi wind breaker since about 1990 I think.. My right knee flared up while in San Diego.. in two ways. First the IT band became sore or inflamed. This I can deal with. But then the patella or knee cap started to ache, just underneath.. This had happened once before, in May of '05, sometime during the 100 mile Best Buddies ride. It's an overuse thing, and today I tried to keep the heart rate under 150 with a high cadence. Had a good ride regardless.. But if I am going to push it tomorrow at Wells, I'll need to take a couple of Advils beforehand, as I did before the Long Beach Shoreline Crit. It works.. but then you can't monitor the pain and don't realize how much more damage you're doing.. I'll never learn.
Speaking of Best Buddies.. A good friend in the peloton, Jonathon Lowenstein, is riding this event later in the spring. I've been meaning to add to his sponsorship nest egg, and will.. Please make a pledge to support Jon's ride and the Best Buddies Organization. Per Mark McCormack:

"The mission of Best Buddies is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Currently, Best Buddies impacts the lives of more than 300,000 individuals on an annual basis."

San Diego Training Camp: Day Two Borrego Springs

This day had the potential of being a complete disaster.. We mapped out a 60 mile route- one which rides down into and then out of, Borrego Springs California. Little did we know that there was about 4000 feet of elevation change, and that the climb out of Borrego Springs was 10 miles long.. And that the temperature would vary by 40 degrees, and that the winds would gust up to 50 mph.. At any rate, here is the chart of our aborted ride.. it ended up being a 10 mile death march into the wind and uphill, followed by a 30+ mph return, seen below.

Here's a short clip of our ride in Borrego Springs. Picture above shows you our rest stop at the turn-around. We were tired, shivering and demoralized after covering this first 10 miles in exactly one hour. Had we continued on our route, we would have continued to climb for another 5 miles, and then descend in to Borrego Springs on some suicidal switchback roads.. Mission failed..

After returning to the car, we ended up driving DOWWWWWN into town, (no wonder we were freezing- we were still up at 2000 feet) parking the car and spinning in the little ring for two hours, until dark. The drive home was humbling. Our ears popped along the way.. Rumor has it, some die hard roadies in San Diego get together for an annual ride to Borrego Springs, where they stay the night.. and then return the following morning. That's about 80 miles each way, 1/2 of which is climbing up into sub-30 degree mountain tops. There's snow beside the road and all over the cars up in Julian, which is the high point.. Picture below taken from Borrego Springs.

Next: My leg-breaking 50 mile "A" ride with the infamous San Diego Bicycle Club...

San Diego Training Camp: Day One Wildcat Canyon

As promised, here is the first of the charts I said I would share from San Diego. We flew in the night before, Derek from Atlanta and myself from JFK. We landed within 5 minutes of eachother, got our baggage together, but only one of us got their bike! Mine was left behind.. must have been the karma of not being charged for my bike on the way out. Thought I got lucky... So they promised me it would be on the next flight.. and it was. I picked it up the following morning at 8:00 am.
We set out on this ride, not without doing some homework. The course was going to be hilly, we knew (everywhere in SD is rolling or quite hilly, the farther east you go) We weren't prepared for this though.. You can see that in the 28th minute we started to climb.. and continued to climb for the next 48 minutes, gaining 1308 vertical feet in 10 miles. Sounds like a pretty easy grade.. it was.. but for a first major road ride of the season, it was a bit much.. There are two charts because I pressed STOP by accident when we stopped for coffee in Ramona. I was quite chilly out by this time, and we thought of doubling back, but I insisted that we complete this infamous "Wildcat Canyon" ride as planned (see below for a link to a map) The return leg of our ride was as tough as the first, as you can see.. First a little 500 foot "roller" before another small rise and a FAST descent down into the valley. After a little bit of flat, we encountered another tough 4 mile climb which rose 1000 feet (little bit steeper than before- ouch!), before ending up near the top of the first climb of the day.
By the end of this ride, I was cramping up pretty bad, and did more harm than good to my right knee- my IT band was inflamed a tiny bit. I had to soft pedal it up the last little climb towards the end. We were pretty happy with our effort though. No messing around- we were serious about lifting boosting our LTs as fast as possible. Mission accomplished. 63 miles is a long ride for me, any time of year.
I must say.. after an hour's spin on the rollers tonight, I do feel stronger and more confidant than before this trip. Thanks for reading.
Next: Our foolish plans to ride to Borrego Springs..