Monthly Archive for October, 2010

Amphitheatre of Pain

Published on October 31, 2010 in Thoughts. 0 Comments

Yesterday we raced the Beacon Cross, Amphitheatre of Pain and all. I had heard stories about how long and hard this runup was, but I mean, it really couldn’t be as hard as the infamous Knapp Time runup, could it?

I have to admit I wasn’t really feeling all that motivated and wasn’t all that excited to race. I wasn’t the course’s biggest fan at first, but it did start to grow on me. When we got to the start line, I was definitely a little bit more ready.

I had a good start and coming into the second lap I was just barely hanging on to the group in about 10th-ish. I was just rushing to close a little gap and crashed on soft corner. I lost that group, the group of 5 that went by, and about 10 more seconds getting up and going again… Dang! I really wanted to quit, but I know that’s the chump thing to do, so I just got my head back on and got going again for real. I found myself in a group of about 5 guys with an Embro guy, Jesse Keough, and a few others. I realized how easy it really is to sit in on this course. Oh boy. But I did want to go a little faster. Guys dropped off that group and we started picking up a few others here and there. I made a few more bobbles, but with the guys we caught and dropped, I rolled in 16th.

Not too bad, but I know I could be up there more. After looking through the results, the time gaps had gotten pretty close as well, so I’m actually pretty happy. And today is another day… at HPCX.

::SAdamson

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Haunted Hey Ride

Published on October 29, 2010 in Biking and Life. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Yesterday Adam and I headed out in the morning to meet up with the guys from Pedro’s at Urban Adventours for a Haunted Hey Ride around Boston. It was supposed to be a fun ride pointing out and talking about some of the haunted stuff around the area. It turned into somewhat of a more casual ride, but it was still really good. It was a good mix of people with some local Bostonians, the Pedro’s team, and even Ted King.

Unfortunately Adam had to turn off early and missed out on the visit to Taza Chocolate… it was pretty awesome! The do everything there from roasting the cocoa beans, to milling, to the finished products. There were, of course, many delicious samples to be had! I was worried about whatever I might have bought melting in my pocket through the rest of the ride, but I will certainly be getting a bar or two before I leave (Mom, it’s not my fault if I eat it all before I see you though!).

The ride continued through more of Boston’s heartland and we ended up at Bleacher Bar in Fenway Park for a delicious lunch. That stop, unfortunately, reminded me that I never got to see a Red Sox game while I was here… oh well, I guess I’ll have to come back! Some more people departed while the rest of us headed back to Urban Adventours, collected out t-shirts and parted ways.

What a way to spend a beautiful October day in Boston. Big thanks to Pedro’s and Urban Adventours for putting it on!

::SAdamson

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Oh, hello there

Published on October 27, 2010 in Biking and Life. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Dear UCI point, how I’ve missed you so. Even though I was only without you for a brief period of time, your presence was notably missed. Now that I have you back, I’m so happy and I look to the future with a smile!

I just had to try and get a little poetic on you there. If you didn’t notice, I got my one UCI point on Sunday in Maine. I had many close calls through all the races, including getting passed on the last lap on Saturday to lose out on that point. The Downeast cross race weekend was the only one where I didn’t get a call-up and the random draw for those with no points was enforced. I really did notice the difference it makes, with a second row call-up on Saturday I went into the first corner in 4th wheel and being on the 4th row on Sunday, it took me at least two laps just to get into the group racing for 10th and the next group immeasurably far away. All that to say I am glad to have just one point back!

Sunday was also Adam‘s first UCI cross race win!! That’s pretty awesome!! Congratulations boss!!

I know I can’t complain about being busy, but I sure have felt like I haven’t been able to do everything I’ve wanted to. Maybe I just waste too much time. Not having my computer for most of last week didn’t help, nor did the $250 repair bill. But I did get a whole brand new top case. And then I went and tried to be smart, updating the software on iPhone, thinking that the jailbreak for iOS 4.1 was good to go. But nope. And after many hours trying to solve the issue, downgrading, re-upgrading, restarting, recovering, reading the forums, downloading, trying everything I could, I realized that I can’t do anything until a hack comes out for bootrom 05.09…

And I was finishing up fan cards… Something I told myself had to get done in the week after Granogue. That, of course, is when my hard drive crashed leaving me computerless… They are sent to printers now and I will have them for nationals. I can’t decide if I should put them up here yet or make you wait and see… I’ll give you a photo from when “Canada Dry” went out with Janice (Thanks Janice!) the other night… Sorry to all the people who want one and I want to get them to all of you… Maybe I will leave a bunch with Adam, so bug him if you want one! Or you can always donate to the S.Club and I will put one (or six) in the mail for you! Sorry for the shameless self-promotion… Also, if you want to receive the S.Club Newsletter updates, just leave a comment and I’ll add you to the list!

So I didn’t actually get to any race reports… Here is the quick recap:

Granogue was good, the course was awesome, I felt pretty good, and I was driving well. I had had solid week of training and my legs felt like crap on the Friday, so I was pleased with my rides. I was definitely fading more than usual with residual fatigue from the week, hence my not-so-great results.

The next week featured some more solid training and I was looking forward to Downeast. These races are the only New England races that I had done previously, but the course wasn’t nearly as muddy. It was another great course! I had good rides, did most things well, and my back held up. I struggled and fought deep to make the top 10 and things worked out on Sunday.

Overall, I’m pretty happy. Things should be good for Nationals!

::SAdamson

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Not that bad

Published on October 21, 2010 in Life. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

Well I guess things really aren’t all that bad…

I swear I was working on a post about the weekend in Granogue and I was going to get it up here on Tuesday, but I awoke that morning to a useless computer… As I struggled to figure it out and resolve the issue, it turned out to be futile. I headed out for my training ride with my first destination being The Computer Loft, where they would take in my computer and begin a diagnosis. Turns out my hard drive is shot. After some stress and deliberation about what to do, I’ve opted to just get them to put a new hard drive in; I have no real need or funds for a new computer.

So in the meantime I’ve been getting by on just my phone. I also delved into Adam’s bookshelf and found all kinds of good stuff… A 2003 USAC Expert Coaches Manual, Greg Lemond’s Complete Book of Bicycling, Serious Training for Serious Athletes, Tudor Bompa’s Periodization Training for Sports… that will keep me plenty busy for the now only 2 weeks I have left here! Wow, this time really has flown by…

My fan cards had seen much good progress on Monday and were going to be sent to the printers this week, but that has now been delayed… Such is life I guess… I still have food to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof over my head. All is not lost!

As much fun as the iPhone is, that’s about all I can take for now. We’ll see how ambitious I am tonight, if I get to writing a Granogue weekend update. Until then, remember what’s important and what you “need.”

::SAdamson

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For Sale: Dura-ace 7800 SRM

Published on October 16, 2010 in Biking. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

I am selling my Dura-ace 7800 wired SRM. I have used it for 3 years and it works great, but I want to make the upgrade to wireless. It comes with 3 wiring harnesses and 2 31.8 bar clamps. The battery in both the powermeter and the powercontrol were just replaced.

Training with the power is the only way to go! I don’t know what I used to do with out it…

I am asking $1600.

::SAdamson

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Fall Training

Published on October 14, 2010 in Biking. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

These last few days have had some solid training. I’m working on a final build for nationals. I’ve been able to explore some new roads, get lost in all kinds of new places, and really enjoy riding my bike!

On Tuesday I did some exploring in Caryl Park to see if we would be able to make a loop to do some threshold intervals in. It was a no go, but it did make me want to go camping and ride a mountain bike… I just had some fun riding around on the trails before heading back home.

Yesterday I headed out with Adam to meet Chip and make a loop at another park near Dover. It was amazing! It was the perfect distance away from the house and had some great terrain. I think I actually like it better than Franklin Park! And that was just on the first day, there are still all kinds of things we can do to make the loop better…

Today was a solo venture on the CRW loops. These things are amazing! I guess they’re kind of like xc ski trails with markers for the different loops and distances and everything. Just look for the little “T” on the road and you can’t get lost.

I had all kinds of good things going through my head today. I was just loving life! I even thought that I could live here! But then I realized that I would have to live in the States… But it kind of reminded me of Victoria, and that’s in Canada… Hmm…

Now all I need is a massage…

::SAdamson

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Another day, another bike race

Published on October 12, 2010 in Biking. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

On this Canadian Thanksgiving Sunday in Providence, RI was my redemption day. I was fresh from only doing a few laps yesterday and was feeling better, mentally and physically. Today was going to be different.

The best thing I can say about my race today was that I was racing with a couple of baseball bats!

Adam racing with baseball bats

I felt like I was really working hard, stepping on the gas out of all the corners, and really trying to put the hurt on. I had a good start and was riding well. I didn’t get caught up in a crash 500m into the race. I ended up on Al’s wheel and thought that would be a good place to be for a little while. But I was really struggling on this one uphill, rooty, bumpy section and Al lost me there. Soon after, Bradshaw came by me and I was going well on his wheel; then I flatted in basically the same section on the next lap, rode it in to the pit, got a new bike and was on my way again. I had lost Bradshaw’s wheel and it wasn’t coming back…

So I rode basically by myself for a little while, until a small group came up to me. We rode together for a while, but we weren’t very consistent with gaps opening in the group and eventually I just got gapped off the back a little too much. In the finale, I just tried racing to win my group. And even though I screwed up on the last set of stairs just coming into the finish, I was able to win the sprint for 22nd.

Still not my best day, but certainly better than Saturday… It’ll come… my day will happen…

I was so exhausted after the race. I just pushed myself completely to my limit. When we got home I was almost too tired to shower… I did manage to get cleaned up, but I mostly lied on the couch all night. Gotta love cyclocross!!

::SAdamson

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I just feel like crying…

Published on October 9, 2010 in Biking. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

…but I don’t think I really have any reason why…

It was just one of those days…

I rested all week, recovering, getting healthy, missed the Night Weasels race (which sounded unbelievably awesome!!). We did a bike fit, I rode the new position and love it! I had a great opening up ride with the boys on Friday and just felt awesome!

But Saturday morning… oh boy, how I did not enjoy this Saturday morning. I couldn’t (and still can’t) put my finger on it, but something just was not right in my world.

There really wasn’t much I could do, it was off to the races. Once we got to the course and I got a little more settled, got kitted up and rode my bike around I was feeling better. Pre-riding the course didn’t fill my head with positive thoughts and confidence, but after a few more laps I started feeling much better. I just knew I needed to go out there and do my thing.

I had a good start. Actually, I had a great start. Just where I wanted to be, I pushed hard, but didn’t thrash myself. I was a little crowded, but things started to spread out. Then about 500m into the course, just past the first pit, a guy goes down, then another, and another, and then I’m on top of 4 guys… it was a big crash. I gathered my bike, twisted bars and all, and got back on. I figured I would just ride my bike like this to the pit, not ideal, but doable. I just tried to put myself back together, to calm down, settle in, and just ride. I pitted. I got going again. I was passing people. I was passing people… like I was Jeremy Powers or something…

After a lap of that, for some reason, I just fell apart. I lost my brain. I wasn’t motivated. I tried to turn it into anger, into pedaling fast and hard, but I just couldn’t do it. Then I started making mistakes, I started going slow, I started sucking. I didn’t like it. So next time past the finish I waved my hand and ended my race.

It was just not my day. I feel really bad. I feel like I’m letting down all those who have helped me get here, all those who are rooting for me, all my sponsors, friends, and family; I am truly sorry. I only hope that I can make it up to you, that I can race my bike tomorrow, that I can have that day where things come together. I truly want that day where I know I did everything I could and where I can be happy with how things turned out. Until then, I keep trying, working, building, learning, and one day I will get there! I will have that great day! Until then, thank you for your support! Thanks for your love and encouragement! Thanks for sticking with me! We can get there!!!

::SAdamson

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Jamaican Rice and Peas

Published on October 9, 2010 in Chef Shaun. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

So maybe I got a little too excited when I went to Whole Foods on Thursday and bought a lot of food. It all just looks so good. Although I did pick up a few things for Adam, so I didn’t quite empty my bank account…

But with all that food and actually lots of meal ideas in my head, I asked Janice if she would feel bad if I missed her birthday dinner. Turns out it was ok, so I opted to stay home and make the Jamaican Rice and Peas recipe I found on simplyrecipes.com. I think it’s funny how the recipe doesn’t actually have any peas in it though…

Jamaican Rice and Peas
recipe at simplyrecipes.com

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 large garlic cloves (Oh man! The fresh garlic I had smelled so good!)
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 400ml can coconut milk
  • 400 ml water (I just filled up the can from the coconut milk)
  • 1 15oz can kidney beans, drained
  • 1 whole habanero pepper

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until they begin to brown on the edges.
  2. Add the garlic and rice, stir well and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
  3. Add the ginger, salt, water, and coconut milk and stir well. Add the kidney beans. Add the habanero; it will season the rice much like a bay leaf would. Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat to low and cover.
  4. The rice should be done in about 20 minutes, depending on the type of rice you are using (some long grained rice takes longer to cook). Once done, remove from heat and cover for 10 minutes. To serve, fluff with a fork. Discard the habanero (or eat it, if you dare!)

Easy as that. It was delicious!

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Yup, definitely sick… Again!

Published on October 5, 2010 in Biking. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Man, this stinks! I hardly ever get sick. And now this is twice in a month! I wonder if I ever really came back to 100% from whatever hit me at GMSR or if I was just getting there when Adam brought something back from Vegas with him… Whatever the case, there is not much I can do about it.

I was definitely feeling its effects in Gloucester on the weekend (thought I’m certainly not making excuses…). I really wanted to see what I could do racing the New England World Championships for the first time in my career!

Saturday’s course was awesome! Lots of turns, some tricky, some fast, a nice bit of sand, all around good times! I got #23, third row, with a little luck and a little skill, you can put yourself right up there off the start. Which I did, and given that it was downhill into a few corners and then the sand, the start was really only about 10 pedal strokes. I was riding in a good position for pretty much the whole first lap.

I felt like I was riding well, I just could not make up any time on the power sections, I just couldn’t pedal hard! At least I could drive and was able to ride the corners well…

Sunday’s course was a little more open, the start was going to be HARD, uphill and long! There were still some good corners and it was going to be another good race. The temperature had dropped quite a bit and it felt like October.

I knew it was going to be a not-so-good day when I was struggling before we even got off the starting pavement… I got tired, I didn’t want to pedal, people were passing me… uh-oh. From that point I was going ok, riding the turns well, passed a couple guys on the run-up and through the barriers. Then we hit some of the open sections again and I struggled. The rest of the race I would be with a good little group and then lose them. I couldn’t put the power down on the open sections and more than a couple times I got screwed up big time by people not being able to ride their bikes in front of me… I guess I have to get stronger so I can be in front of them coming into those sections and be able to ride away from them and not play catch-up.

And then I flatted, went through the long section of s-turns at about .5km/h, changed bikes and started coming back to the group I had been chasing when they pulled me 200m from the start of my last lap… really?!? There was no way I was going to get in Tim’s way at that point. And I was going to catch that group in front of me (or so I can tell myself).

After the race Adam said, “You’re sick, huh?

“Yup”

“So no Night Weasels for you this week?”

“NNNOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! I can’t miss the Night Weasels!!! ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Ok, I guess maybe you’re right… Better to rest up and be able train coming into Nationals (only 1 month + 1 day away!).”

I guess life does go on. And it is a long season. And I do still feel like I’m getting better and better every day, or at least each week.

Next up, Providence (unless plans change, then it’s the Night Weasels).

::SAdamson

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