Re-group Weekend!

 

Ever since the Voodoo Fire 44 mile MTB race, I've been feeling a bit tired and run down. I'm pretty sure it was a bit too much too soon, but I'm glad I did it and happy that I was able to see where my fitness stacked up against some of my main competition. However, I've already had 2 strikes with the Chronic Fatigue crap and I certainly do not need to be in any sort of peak fitness until this fall. So instead of racing or doing some sort of massive 7hr adventure (like our other friends did), we drove up to Vail to relax and get pampered by the Binghams. 

We did do a short moto ride at Wolcott on Saturday which was super fun. Then, instead of going back out for another loop, we ate cookies and soaked up some sun for 45min or so...just long enough to get nice and burnt...oops.

 

Sunday we decided to do the most chill MTB ride we've ever done and look for a trail that we were unable to find last time we rode in Eagle. 

We found 'Mike's Night Out' and enjoyed a super cruisy ride on squishy bikes. This was my first time out on the new XTR trail wheels and rear thru axle and I couldn't be happier with them. 

We finished off the trip the trip with a massively large pizza from Pazzo's then hit the road to drive through a crazy snow storm on the way home. I'm taking this upcoming week super easy as well and hopefully it will get me refreshed and ready to rumble for the Gowdy Grinder on May 20th. Since that race is only $15 to enter, everyone and their mother from Boulder comes and I need to be able to back up my trash talking with a little fitness :) 

Retul Bike Fit & Saddle Study

This past Thursday, I was offered an incredible opportunity to get a road bike fit and take part in a Fizik saddle study at the Retül's headquarters in Boulder, CO. Retül technology is a 3D bike fitting system designed for trained bike fitters to capture extremely comprehensive data as it relates to a rider's position on their bike. The system is so sophisticated that it can produce immediate reports with millimeter-accurate digitizing tools which help to provide riders with the most accurate and dynamic fit possible. In my opinion proper bike fit is one of the single most important factors for optimal performance and efficiency, injury prevention, and comfort on the bike, so there was no way I was passing this up!

The first part of the session began with a full body analysis to see if there were any funky nuances going on with my legs, hips, feet, etc. Leg length discrepancies are highly common and can really affect your efficiencies on the bike. As abnormal as I am, luckily, my legs happen to be the same length!

We then moved on to test my flexibility. Fizik recently launched an advertising campaign for their men's saddles called 'Find your inner animal'. After lots of testing, Fizik found that a male rider's flexibility lends itself to a particular saddle shape.

This 'Spine Concept' device measures your flexibility in 3 different levels. If you are not very flexible, you are considered a 'Bull', if you are extremely flexible, you are labeled a 'Snake' and if you're somewhere in the middle, you're categorized as a 'Chameleon'.

I'm no yogi, but I did fall in the 'Snake' category.

The purpose of the study was test out the three new women's Fizik prototype saddles that were designed based on the same flexibility standards as the men's product line.

Before we got started with the saddle study, we needed to make sure that I was properly fit on my new Litespeed Ci2. We went through the full 'Retul fit process' collecting every possible measurement and angle a bike fitter could ever want!

I had been riding in a pretty aggressive position (which is probably why I couldn't get comfortable), so we flipped my stem, moved my saddle slightly forward and straightened my saddle so that it was pointed one degree down instead of a degree up...I swear my level said it was flat when I set it up...my garage must be sloped :)
 

After getting my bike dialed, we proceeded to do a full spin scan which gives endless data about the workload, torque, etc on each leg during a normal spin cycle. We also added a shim to my right cleat to prevent a little pronation of my right knee.

The final protocol for the saddle test was to determine at which power output I was expending approximately 60% of my max effort. We went through a simulation similar to a lactate threshold test and found the appropriate wattage to use for the study.

The study itself was probably the easiest after all the initial setup. After the prototype saddle was secured in the proper position, I was re-attached to the Retül fitting system to gather the appropriate data then we performed another spin scan. I then did a 6 minute tempo effort at the pre-determined watts and my heart rate was measured and recorded every 30 seconds. We repeated this for each of the three saddles.

I wasn't particularly impressed with the various saddles but then again, I've never been able to use a seat without a cut out. Even if it's constructive criticism, I'm sure Fizik will be happy about it :) I cannot express how extremely thankful for the incredible opportunity and cannot thank Todd Carver enough for the new bike fit. I took the bike out Friday morning for a ride and it was a night and day difference!

Champion System Cycling Clothing

 

This year, we are fortunate to have Champion System clothing as one of our new sponsors for the Timex Multisport team. I have been thoroughly impressed with the new cycling kits and thought you might like to know why their products rank really high on my apparel scale :)

 

Not only does the design and color pop aesthetically, their proprietary flatlock stitching design really compliments the overall look of the gear while also giving it a more comfortable feel.

With all clothing companies, there are endless options when customizing cycling apparel. You have choices with fabrics, sleeve types, seam types, zipper lengths, form fits, etc. Whoever did the designing on the Timex's kits couldn't have read my mind more perfectly as to what would be the best options :)

The flat seam designs on the sleeves and bottom of the jersey are my absolute favorite. The garment stays in place without riding up and it even looks really nice with a pair of baggy mountain bike shorts! I'm also a big fan of the full length zipper and the UV protection fabric that is lightweight and extremely breathable. 

Some of the other nice features are the built in tags and the three large pockets on the back of the jersey. I also have to give a huge applause to Champion System because they truly do offer a great 'women's specific' line of clothing with superb fits. You can instantly tell that the cuts were truly designed for women the second you put the apparel on. The jerseys fit snug in just the right places and the shorts are the perfect length! 

 Not everyone is a fan of bib cycling shorts but I honestly couldn't ride in anything else! It's definitely not the most convenient when you need to go to the bathroom (if you're a girl), but there's nothing worse than having the top of shorts digging into your tummy while you're riding.

One of the biggest concerns with bike shorts for most women is how tight the bottom seam fits around your quad/thigh region. The recent trend has been moving towards seamless legs and CS did a phenomenal job incorporating this in their products. The fit is much more flattering and so comfortable.

The silicon leg grippers help keep the shorts put so there is no cinching or riding up during all types of rides. This might be my most favorite piece of my entire kit!

The final great feature of the CS Razor Edge bib shorts is the mesh straps with the radio/ipod holder. The fit is just snug enough to keep everything in place but not too tight where it feels like your being squeezed into your shorts - trust me, I've had that feeling before! Overall, I'm really excited about our partnership with Champion System and really look forward to trying out all the great pieces they have designed for us. From various triathlon apparel to cyclocross skinsuits, we are going to be one good looking team representing a rockstar brand!

The Typical Erin & Bryce Weekend

I generally don't get much enjoyment racing my road bike but there are a few select races in the Spring time that contain significant dirt sections that are pretty fun to jump into. The Koppenberg is one of Boulder's classic races that is 5.5 mile loop with over 300ft of climbing per lap and a gnarly steep dirt hill that breaks up the field. I've raced it in the past and thought it would be a great way to start the weekend. Although I had to race in a category down, I still had a great time and got in a good workout. I got pipped on the line for the win but considering the sprint work I've done over the past 6 months, it wasn't a surprise. It was so great to see some old friends and faces and it got the blood flowing for the upcoming 5 hour ride to Nebraska.

We had to make a mad dash to Crawford, NE in order to get registered on time but we made it. We had some pizza and cookies for dinner then watched a moto movie in the van to get pumped up for the next day's race. It was quite chilly outside and we were worried it would be too cold in the van but it was actually really nice. The 6:45am rider's meeting came quickly and before we knew it, we were out racing. Bryce was having an amazing day until his chain broke after the 6th check. Super big bummer and the first ever mechanical DNF of his career. My day was a complete shit show with a variety of issues from crashes to getting stuck in mud holes to making a wrong turns, etc. I somehow made my way onto the A/B course because some crazy environmentalist lady took down the sign so my day was extended by an extra 2.5hrs of riding. I won't complain as it was a lot of fun trail, but I was a little unprepared and knew Bryce was going to freak out when I wasn't back on time. Regardless of the crappy results, we're both in one piece and still smiling - that's all that counts. There will be many more races to crush ass and take names :)

Does your 29er need more wheel clearance?

 

No matter how you look at it, the geometry of the 29er frame for smaller riders just isn't quite right. We battle with too high of a front end, little to no rear wheel clearance and several other misc issues.

After having major rear wheel clearance issues and going through a few different front derailleurs trying to solve the problem, I was still getting a bit of wheel rub. There was a small plastic tab on the backside of the derailleur that wasn't being used with this bike's cable routing so we just decided to cut it off.

Bryce used the dremel tool to cut the excess plastic away with compromising any integrity for a modified derailleur that added a solid half inch of clearance. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box :)

Voodoo Fire MTB Race Report

It's been quite a while since I've raced my bicycle, October 16th of last year to be exact, so I came into this race with absolutely no expectations. I have been riding since February but have only done 3 'real' workouts prior to coming down to Pueblo so finishing was honestly on the top of my list!

The race unfolded a little bit more spastic-ally than I would have hoped. The women's field started behind the 50+/60+/Singlespeed/Clydesdale men's classes so the first lap was absolute chaos. All the women struggled to get around the various packs and because it was extremely difficult to pass, we got very split up right off the bat.

The race was two 22 mile laps on very rocky/desert like terrain. I attempted this race last year but wasn't informed we would be riding on trails resembling broken dinner plates so I ran lightweight tires with minimal tire pressure - I triple flatted and walked my butt in for almost 2 hours! Luckily I learned from my mistake and ran heavy duty tires with sidewall protection and inflated my tires almost 4 psi more than I normally run. It took a while to get used to the rock hard tires (I did have a few stellar front wheel wash outs), but unlike many others, I didn't flat!!!

I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised with the fitness I had during the race. My average heart rate of 177 for 3hrs45min is definitely a sign that I have a lot more work to be be done before I hit any sort of peak, but compared to my competition, I wasn't too far off. The new Timex Cycle Trainer worked like a charm and gave me all the info I needed to get through the race - this is my all time favorite Timex product EVER! As with all races, I had lots of random hiccups - in a really bumpy section my seat slipped on the rails and went nose up so I had to stop, I didn't eat or drink nearly as much as I should have resulting in a massive bonk 7 miles from the finish and I forgot to take off my base layer before the start...it was in the mid 80s with zero shade the entire race :)

This was also my first true mountain bike ride on my new Litespeed Cohutta 29er. It was an extremely rough course which was probably more suited for a dual suspension bike, however, I couldn't have been happier with how the bike handled. The titanium frame and carbon seat post gave me a little relief on the bumpy terrain but what made the day was the stability and pop the bike gave me to accelerated out of the hundreds of corners and up the short/steep little climbs. I'm still tweaking a few things with the handlebars and wheel-sets but I'm really excited to be riding this bike in 2012.

I was battling for 2nd and 3rd with Annie (age 51) almost the entire race, but really lost a lot of time on the last few miles with my big bonk. When I had to stop at the final aid station to rehydrate and stop seeing stars, that is when Rebecca came flying by (she had been struggling with 2 flats). After getting back on the bike, I eventually made my way to the finish in 4th overall for the day. As a whole, the race went 100 times better than I could have ever imagined - I wasn't kidding about just wanting to finish. It's a huge relief to know that I do have some fitness still lingering from year's past, but most importantly, it just feels good to be back out racing with all my close friends. The Colorado MTB crowd is one big family that is so supportive both on and off the race course and it's really hard being away from it with sickness and injury. I think I'm finally past my string of bad luck so I'm really looking forward to ripping it up for a full season this year. 2012, it's game time :)

Let the mountain bike racing begin!

After getting the van packed up with bicycles, coolers, gear, etc, we started the trip down to Pueblo Friday evening. Our friends, Ray and Emily, were super kind and let Bryce, Allen, Tony and myself crash at their place before Saturday's MTB race.

As usual, race morning came super early and it was a bit frantic trying to find a good breakfast place, get registered, park in the appropriate lot, etc.

Allen was the first to start so we did what we could to be sure he was ready to rock and roll. This was his first MTB race in many years so he was super excited!

I'm going to write a detailed race report this week but figured I'd show a few fun podium shots now. After a long and hard 44 miles of racing, I managed to slip into 3rd in the pro women and 4th overall for the day. With very little training, I'm really pleased how the day unfolded.

Bryce had a great race as well and finished 2nd in his class. He had a fun battle with the guy who won but had a little bonk at the end of the day which didn't allow him to hang on to that top position. Maybe he should start riding his bicycle 2 times a week instead of just once :)

Tony T finished 8th in his class and Allen rounded out the day with a 9th overall in the pro class in the full 66 mile race! 

Somehow we ended up bringing a bunch of champagne and beer back with us...I think Lynn and Derek had something to do with it! At any rate, it was so great to finally be back on the race scene and see all my favorite mountain bike friends. It's like a big family that never grows apart and it's something I honestly cannot live without :)

GPS Run Trainer Demo in FoCo!

My Timex teammate, Wendy Mader, coaches a running group every Wednesday night and thought it would be a great opportunity to have some avid runners try out the new GPS Run Trainer!

She couldn't have picked a better day and a better group of people. The first 10 people there were all incredibly interested in trying it out and unfortunately we ran out before everyone could get a chance to give it a try.

Although the workout was only on the track and elevation wasn't something that you could see on the graphs, everyone liked to seeing their various times from the 800s they were running. I got a lot of really great questions about all of the different Timex GPS watches and everyone loved the ease of use of the Run Trainer.

A selected few athletes stuck around after the session to geek out on watch functions and chat about the pros and cons of racing/training/recovering in compression gear. All in all, it was a great and successful demo with lots of smiles :)

Good Stuff

It's scary to think that our summer schedule is pretty much set and like every year, we have very limited weekends in Boulder. Since the weather was supposed to get very ugly on Sunday, we decided to do a little tour of Boulder's local trails with a few good friends on Saturday.

The boys at The Service Course (a client of mine), built up a set of custom 29er wheels for me with Stans rims and XTR hubs. I wanted to get them a good trial so we gathered the troops and did a 4hr adventure on all the singletrack we could find out south. 

We had an absolute blast until I almost ran over a huge king snake in the middle of the trail. You might have to enlarge the photo, but there's definitely a massive snake that was coiled up in the middle of the trail that I almost rolled over. After coming to a complete screaming halt and having Mel and Bryce almost run into me, I'm pretty sure we pissed the thing off bad. He slithered off the trail and began hissing like I've never seen a snake hiss before. It's been a while since I've freaked like that but it was scary...funny afterward but dang, not cool when it happened :) The rest of the weekend was relaxing and chill. We did another fun MTB ride around town on Sunday then caught up on some work, laundry, errands and sleep.

Boulder Junior Cycling

This evening I had the opportunity to assist my good friend, Taylor Sheldon, in my first Boulder Junior Cycling road practice session. Not only was it a great time, I am really looking forward to seeing the improvements of each of the young riders throughout the year! I will be joining the road group on Mondays and Wednesdays evenings through mid August :)

Boulder Junior Cycling has multiple components to its program including mountain, track, cyclocross and road. This gives the kids an opportunity to try out all the various types of riding and racing their bikes with superb guidance and coaching. BJC has also been named a USA Cycling Center for Excellence for a 4th year in a row. Check out their website here for more info and pics. What a stellar program!

I've been in Boulder for over 10 years and it's amazing how every day I am beyond 'wow-ed' at the new programs and opportunities the city offers for its people. Gotta love the bubble!