Hootie

Hey, if you're a Bike Factory team member and you used to be a Hootie and the Blowfish groupie, big news! Hootie's coming to town!



Would the real Hootie please get off his bike?

March 19th here in C'ville at the Paramount. Details, details, details: http://www.theparamount.net/calendar_shows_DariusRucker.aspx

The Marco Pantani Ride, Saturday, February 14th

First, a little video clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx5Zer4XJkg&feature=related

A few reactions:

1) That's not exactly pain-wallowing mountain climbing music. But OK.

2) Nice helmets. But OK.

3) Nice full pink kit, Marco. But with a move like that one at the 1:30 mark, again, OK.

There are things about road racing in Europe that I will never understand. Drugs. White spandex. Skinny tires in general. But Marco Pantani represents something that I can identify with in a way that transcends continents and disciplines.

If you want a quick history of The Freakin' Pirate, here's a good one:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Pantani

If you want to watch a bunch of videos of Marco busting up the peloton on some of the tallest, steepest pavement in Europe, just youtube his name. You'll find a bunch of fans who, like me, disregard all the doping problems and just dig how he rode wildman style up all the climbs.

There's a certain resemblance here, but it's way subsurface. Like in the eyes, maybe.

And, back to the point, it might be in you a little too. Come find out.

February 14th, 2004, Marco Pantani finished himself off in a hotel next to the Mediterranean. There's something vaguely inspiring about a guy who would rather die than lose. Shawn and I like to go out every Feb 14th, find something tall (or a few tall things for that matter), and really try to blow ourselves up in memory of The Pirate. It just so happens that February 14th this year falls on a Saturday, the 5th anniversary of his death. The planets have aligned for a big one.

Meet out here at the rancho relaxo at 10 AM, 9:30 if you want some pancakes. Bring your good legs but leave the road bike at home. This ride will be almost all dirt roads.

'Tis the Season

It seems I am living on the trainer these days. Cold weather, odd precipitation, and bad hours are leading to the simple, "Jump on the trainer and pound for two hours" mentality Plus Adnan has me doing a bunch of specific work that goes well on a trainer. Two thing that I have found motivate me on the trainer:
1- a focused set of goals in a workout. Having something specific that I am gunning to get done, helps:

2- Loud music or movie. Dark Knight somehow works, and has already solved my costume issue for the Paranormal this year.
Music, here is a sampler...not always for the faint of heart:
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Also on the docket, but unembedable from You Tube: Hollywood Undead, SlipKnot,and Five Finger Death Punch, throw in some random other stuff, and you have "Race Mix" on my iPod.

Perhaps I am opening up the unhealthy side of my psyche here, but hey....we all got our demons, I don't divulge my sources.
I just try to blow mine off the back in a rocky downhill at mile 80 in a race.
What are you doing for yours today?

Peace, I gotta pedal.

-S

Lodi, Wintergreen, or Middle Mountain Mamma?

May 2nd and 3rd typically have three pretty great races within a couple hours of C'ville.





May 2nd - 12 hours of Lodi, in Fredericksburg http://www.fredevents.org/


May 3rd - Wintergreen Hill Climb, at Wintergreen http://www.cvilleracing.com/


May 3rd - Middle Mountain Momma, at Douthat State Park http://www.mountainbikevirginia.com/





I once heard someone talk trash about doing all three in the same weekend, which is technically feasible for anyone who really dislikes their knees. For most of us, though, you pick one and suffer the consequences.




Poll it up, pain planners. What's it gonna be?


Count me in for the Middle Mtn Momma.



Speaking of Lodi, and so as not to ruin my streak of taunting Kevin every single time I post something on this blog, remember this?

He appears almost catatonic, spacey, staring off to somewhere where hell is happening.

Dirt roads on Sunday, anyone?

12 degrees and windy

12 degrees and windy. Who is getting out for a ride today?



15 days left in January. What joy is there in the world?

Well, there's this, a picture of someone faster than Kevin. http://ors.cycleva.com/index.htm

With no riding to be had, let's take a poll:




Will Lorene beat Kevin by more than 1000 points in the VORS this year?





1) yes


2) no, but she will beat him by at least 850


3) Kevin stands a fighting chance, but good lord he is getting old and infirm.


4) Kevin will claim general malaise and sandbag down into the beginner mens category so he doesn't have to face the competition.





Chalk me up for a vote for numero uno.

O'hill Meltdown

It's Back!!!

New Bikes are Good

They make you want to ride more.
They make you faster.
They make you train.
They eliminate excuses.

Go get a new bike and live up to its demands!!

This is my new steed, prodding me softly from the living room at this moment, "Come get me....the trails are calling."
How can a 22.5 lb machine have so much influence on my day.

GO RIDE!!!

-Shawn

winter riding binge

Why I've ridden 18 of the last 21 days: http://ors.cycleva.com/2009/undercont.htm

Check out the little slide show.
Let me show you...basically, Bike Factory Racing members are all over the VA off road series page, in a scary way.

Scott Ramsey, on the gas, coming up the outside in a group sprint, leaning in to take out (count 'em) 6 dudes to his left. Ouch.

Check this creepy bastard out, lurking in the rear, looking like an escaped prisoner. He'll cut you.

And lastly, though not part of the VA series slideshow, I have reason to believe that Bender might be a Mangalore, badguy aliens from the 5th Element. Tell me you don't see the resemblance. In the ears? In the nose a little? Yeah, be afraid.

The thing is, these are my riding companions. You'd think I would hold myself in better company. My only recourse here is to train my ass off this winter in the hopes I can STAY AWAY from these guys when spring comes. And spring is sure to come.

Before that, though, we've got to do Marco proud. Feb 14th is a Saturday, not Valentine's day. Mark your calendars for a big one. Details to follow. Up UP UP.

Wanted- Rig

Good weather over the weekend led to lots of riding time for many. Denelle and I managed to hit a 2.5 hour surge fest on Saturday with resident hard man and woman, John and Sheila. The theme for the day...Single Speed!! Denelle borrowed Sheila's extra SS and I got to ride my Top Fuel with the suspension wide open and the gears locked into one only. It was great fun, like riding a pogo stick when you had to get out of the saddle and really try to climb something. The power file for the day was interesting. Lots of real high surges combined with periods of flailing with the pedals. Denelle had more fun than I did though, she really seemed to enjoy the ride so much she is now looking for a Gary Fisher Rig to ride part time. Sunday was a 3.5 hour ride of moderate intensity. The legs seem to be coming around to my way of thinking...which is good, it would be a long winter if they stay this obstinate to what I want them to do. Dave got out and flew some more. He is gonna kill it this year. He has been training really hard all winter and is getting in some really big hours on the bike. Come next year he will be ready to drop it on everyone with that new Pro-Cal we are getting put together for him.
I am looking forward to struggling to hold his wheel this year at the SM-100.

-Shawn