SPRING FEVER

Boy oh boy! What a couple of days of good weather can do for a rider! Good bye shoe covers, good bye long gloves (and along with that frozen toes and fingers)! Let the motivation begin! After riding too hard too early I've started to spin just a little more. What I mean by hard is just a little too much effort. From low 90's then to mid to upper 90's now. The left hip pain is gone. As for the heart rate thing, my personal opinion is with the type of riding I do in the streets with stop lights, it's OK to go into the 170's because waiting for a light your heart rate is going to go into the 120's . So you average a HR in the 140's. The power output thing and training regimens dont interest me for now. I don't have the time or money. Also that stuff sounds too much like work to me. My goal is never really to get better, if that happens so be it. It's more about staying physically fit and enjoying my "alone" time. The riding has been good. A little saddle adjustment and a pair of new Serfas sunglasses from Beverly Bike and Ski, our sponsor, is all I've changed for this season. Now all we have to do is avoid the pot holes. The weather is perfect being able to adjust between a long sleeve jersey and a wind proof heavier jersey. Sweating is kept to a minimum right now. Rides have been between 28 to 50 miles. So with all this being said I am looking forward to larger group rides and the season to come! If anybody would like to join us for some safety in numbers, you are more than welcome to drop us a line. Tony

It's Back

The stories have been circulating that the Chicago Time Trial Series would not be held in 2009. The truth of the matter is that the series is alive and kicking, albeit a few races shorter, but planning is now underway for the shortened series. The series was shortened for a few reasons including rider safety, but mostly due to calendar constraints and the difficulty in trying to squeeze 6 races into an already packed calendar.

Nothing is official yet, but it looks like there will be 3 if not 4 races this year hosted by some of the teams from last year. Yes as some of you have read Steve Hansen (North Branch) is stepping down from his role as Director of the series so that he can focus on his duties with the ICA in 2009. However, a strong group of individuals including this blogger as well as others from the team and racing community will be filling his large shoes and pressing on with the series. Check back soon for more info regarding dates and venues.

5 Minutes of KBK

Whose Idea Was It?

An hour and a half seemed like a good idea a few days ago when we set it up. In reality though 2 hours in 19 degree weather with wind and snow, probably not such a good idea. At least we suffered together, all 7 of us including a few new faces. I just hope we see the new guys after today's miserable ride, then again if they were out there with us then I guess they are just as goofy as we are.

The good news is though that my face is as smooth as a baby's bottom after slathering on Vaseline, now if someone could just tell me how to get it back off! So does this make us hardmen or just retarded? Please don't answer that.

Thor Takes Het Volk

Thor Hushovd (Cervelo) takes the sprint over some heavy hitters proving his win in California was no fluke. The 199km cobbled Belgian Classic is always a predictor of who is on form and who still needs to sharpen their legs. Sebastian Langveld (Rabobank) who was in a two man break most of the day hit the deck with about 300 meters to go, disrupting the sprinters trains from Milram and Quick Step. Look for Boonen and company to redeem themselves at Milan San Remo with a possible first win for the storied Belgian sprinter who's best finish was 3rd in 2007.


Photo: Graham Watson