Grass Track Champs

Grass Track Champs today. I fell on my mtn. bike out at Minor Park on Sat and hurt my leg so I didn't do the 1k time trials. They were still very fun to watch.

The Cat 4 Mass Start race had 11 racers. 24 laps, about 8 miles. Laps were very fast and it was hot out. Shadd Smith was riding strong and with 12 to go it was down to 3 of us, then with 10 to go he put the hammer down and road away, I sat up since I saw my teammate Nate coming along and he joined our 2 man chase group. Nate pulled for the remainder of the 9 laps and before the final turn our companion attacked and got on his wheel, but didn't have the gears or legs to get around him by the finish line so Nate and I got 3rd and 4th. Nate also got 3 medals between the tt's and mass start so plenty of hardware was to be respected. Lots of people showed up and the event was truly a hit. Even the news people were there. (video on the right side.)

Some pics here thanks to friends in attendance.

1. Grass Track-did the clinic again last night. We actually drove out to the velodrome and did some 1k's and a little racing. Felt pretty nice on 46x21. Some were riding 34x16 or 42x19/20. Track is getting packed down and will hopefully be super fast on sunday.

2. I'm trying to lose weight now. After seeing Frank Schleck weighing in at 20lbs lighter than me and still being 2 inches tall I figure I have some work. Here are some of my weight loss rules.

1. Don't eat after 7pm.
2. Ride at least 2 times a day.
3. No more than 1 beer a day.
4. Soda is only allowed after very long rides or on weekends. Just drink coffee/tea.
5. Eat every 2 hours, small portions.
6. Ride first, then eat afterwards.
7. Eat more in the morning/afternoon, not much after 4.

What wiggins said was eat less ride more, I haven't tried that yet but it may go to the list. Goal was to hit 5 of the 7 rules every day, I lost 2 lbs in 2 weeks. You normally lose a little weight you hit a wall, then it is time to really focus...now is the time.

3. Schumacher beat Fabian last year and then got popped for doping, now Contador beat Fabian this year............

4. Mavic Chasm shoes come with Metal Carbon protectors for your cleats...that is exciting!

Riding

Checked out Clif Drive today. I heard there was some construction and sure enough the turn before the finishing line was experiencing some work. I had a nice ride regardless, with some good long efforts.

Grass Track Racing this weekend! Can't wait!

Back to the Numbers

1. Haven't ridden hard in a week now, legs still feel like I ran a marathon.

2. Mounted my 700x34 bulldog to a 29er 355 rim tubeless. Very hard to mount but sealed well. Way better than my conversions last year. Will definitely order some 355 rims to lace to my king hubs for cross.

3. Race was closer today, if there was a chance to beat Cav, that was it.

4. I put some used Fizik microtex (white) in the washer. Didn't work out as I expected but does look much cleaner than before, still kind of sticky too.

5. Two more days and my Master's is done!

Grass Track Clinic.

Thursday 7/16 is the first of the safety/upgrade clinics to tune folks up for the Kansas Track Championships. These are critical to get riders prepared (and eligible) for the mass start event. Meet at Herman Laird Park in Shawnee at 6:30...for hands on and classroom learning. No fee.

If you don't have a bike, I plan on bringing extras.

Email me if you want me to reserve a size for you.

volkerbicycles@gmail.com

I've been wandering about this.

New Hope!

"I've just ridden my bike. Ride my bike, eat less. It's quite simple really," he said Saturday.



It's simple, really!

DownWeight

Since the v02 max on wed I have tried to take it easy. I am trying to stay off the bike as much as possible for the 7 days in a row but with so many errands to run, and still being stuck in 39/13(still waiting on the new shifter to come in) its been tough. I believe I road at least 20 miles yesterday and between the hills of KC and the wind it is hard not to pedal hard. Today I'm doing a bunch of pushups/situps, and back things. Trying to drop 5 lbs within the next 4 weeks. Hopefully I won't gain anything between now and Thurs.

Anyone have any non-leg hurting workouts or diet ideas?



Click here if you are interested in racing a track bike on grass.



Enjoy a pic from the tour of kc. 2nd version coming in August.

TDF

Started watching the tour early today. Got really bored with the stupid commercials every 2 minutes and versus love affair with Lance. Turned it off to get some house work done, only to turn it back on 1.5 hours later to see all 9 Columbia riders off the front with 18 others with a 35 second gap! They hold on for the finish with Cav winning. I haven't been this excited in a long time.

I heard Garmin talking about how they were going to leave all the responsibility to Columbia since "they have the fastest guy"...guess they learned their lesson!


Watch the tour tonight!

Tour of Lawrence

First time event and it was a blast. The promoters did an excellent job getting the event ready to go and it went off well.

Very nice payouts for the area and a good showing from local as well as traveling teams.

Saturdays course was on Mass Street. It was a long 1 mile with a figure 8. There were plenty of spots to move up with moderate inclines but nothing remotely close to requiring a little gear.

The 4 race was fun to watch, at certain times there were 4 colavita racers in the front bringing back the breaks and Eric Stull finished 3rd.


During the 3 race the pace was kept pretty high. The first few laps there were plenty of primes called and with 10 to go the attacks started. The pace was kept high the entire last couple laps.

I finished 3rd with Matt right behind me.


The pro race was very good too. Stefan from mercy and a sanjose racer got off the front and maintained a 16-20 second gap for the last 10 laps to go. With 2 to go the field had brought it down to 9 seconds. We thought for sure they would be caught but they were able to hold on by a few seconds with Stefan finishing 2nd.


Today was a very hilly circuit race. Not to hot, but a little windy. The course was very bumpy in certain sections and there were plenty of technical descents/turns.


We did 6 laps, with 1.5 laps to go my rear shifter broke, and I was stuck in the 11t cog. The neutral sram car pulled up and monkeyed with it, but no go.

I dnf'd. I could have borrowed a specialized pit bike and try making up a 3 minute deficit but I declined. Matt finished somewhere in the top 20.

Andrew Coe (SKC) and Shadd Shreiner(360) took 1st and 2nd. They both had fresh legs today and were looking good the entire race. Its' nice to see other KC racers win.

Finally!

VO2 Max

1. Did the test today.

2. Legs felt really heavy. Doctors noticed a weird space in my hr...said it could be from over training or fatigue from last weekend.

3. Used a tt position on my road bike.

4. SLR carbon saddle was not super comfortable in the tt position.

5. Next wed. I will be in the regular hooded riding position. Should be more fun.



Tour of Lawrence this weekend. Should be tons of fun! Hopefully the legs will be rested enough.