Catching up
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Cycling

Here it is February 2011 already and I've yet to venture out on the asphalt with my Ciocc this year.  Between the exceptionally cold weather and a hectic schedule I've confined my riding to the wind trainer (photo below).  So far I've managed to log 80.2 miles on the trainer in half-hour after-work rides.  Nothing to brag about, but at least I won't be in horrible shape when warmer weather arrives here in south Louisiana in March.

 When I'm not working, training or otherwise occupied I've been hanging out at http://www.bikeforums.net/.  I mostly post on the "Road Cycling" forum but also occasionally on "Fifty Plus (50+)". 

 

 

When Ice Cold Is Too Cold
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Beer

I'm convinced that many of my fellow countrymen drink their beer too cold.  I'll blame part of this behavior on the macro-brewers who push the idea of "ice cold beer" as being a great thing and the rest on American refrigeration technology.  Anyway, my pursuit of flavor has lead me to drink my beer from a fluted glass or mug and allow it to warm slightly as opposed to drinking it straight from a bottle or can cocooned in a cold-preserving coozie. Beer has flavor, but it is hardly discernible when it is cold enough to numb your taste buds.  I recall that when I was in China the beer wasn't served as cold and seemed to have more flavor.

 

A couple things that I've learned along the way:

 

1. Avoid so-called "light beers" because they're not worth the normally less-than-fifty calorie savings over regular beer and their lower alcohol content actually encourages you to drink more "empty calories" to feel satisfied.  Also sells more beer - ain't capitalism great?
2. The truly awesome beers are often more expensive and harder to find, but there are plenty of good beers out there that won't break the bank.  I really enjoy Abita Turbodog ale, but plain ol' Miller High Life is also quite good for eveyday consumption and less expensive.
3. Respect the beer.  Sip it, taste it, savor it  - don't chug it.
4. Taste is subjective - especially when it comes to beer. YMMV.

  

Where was I going with this?  I forgot . . . blame it on the beer.

Study: America Is Officially the Fattest Developed Country in the World
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Dieting

Study: America Is Officially the Fattest Developed Country in the World

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2010/09/23/study-america-is-officially-the-fattest-developed-country-in-the-world/?xid=yahoo-feat#ixzz10ZS2NZwN

 

Back in the Saddle Again
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: Back in the Saddle Again
Topic: Cycling

Let's see . . . rode 20 miles solo in 1:10 (including two stops to answer my cell phone).  Not too bad for an old gray-haired fart riding a 1980s Ciocc like moi!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIPS4LyveJs&feature=related

 

For the Love of Cycling
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Cycling
There comes a point in a cyclist's life when you don't feel like you have to prove anything to anyone but yourself.  You've already won (or at least placed) in a race, ridden a double-metric century or two and/or done something else that somehow makes you feel "accomplished".  That's when you get away from all the competitive male bovine excrement and ride for the shear love (and/or need) of cycling.  You realize that your dreamed-of position on a pro team evaporated 25-plus years ago, but in retrospect you're glad you DIDN'T make a career of your first love.  Too much other non-cycling related good stuff has happened in your life (e.g., marriage, career, family, etc.) so that you're actually glad you didn't end up like whats-his-name who got caught doping.  When you get where I am at age 55, cycling is very important but certainly not all about who you are.  When you get to where I'm at, you don't have to have the latest carbon fiber whatever currently being used by the pros - you're just happy to still be able to ride your twenty-something year-old vintage steel-framed whatever and enjoy riding a bicycle purely for the love of the sport.  But when you occasionally do happen to beat the dude riding the state-of-the-art carbon fiber whatever who is easily 20-something years your junior in the sprint back to the parking lot, you're glad that you didn't heed everyone's advice and "act your age".

R.I.P. Gary
Mood:  sad

In the mid-1970s, when I was still learning about the craft of cycling, Gary befriended me.  Gary was the consummate cyclo-tourist who rode a blue Peugeot and dreamed of cross-country tours.  He was a laid-back, warm and friendly guy who enjoyed good strong coffee, imported beers and listening to wonderfully strange and eclectic things on public radio.  He helped me organize the Washington County Wheelmen and was a regular on our club rides.  The last time I saw Gary face-to-face was on the May 1988 Eureka Spring Fling overnight bicycle tour.  I can’t believe it has been so long . . .

I learned last Friday that Gary passed away after a three-year bout with cancer.  I never even knew he had it.

Now I feel like crap.  I’ve done a lousy job of keeping up with Gary and some of my other friends over the years.  Now that he’s gone, I wish I’d done a much better job. 

Rx for Saddle Numbness?
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Cycling

After much agonizing/research, I ordered a new Forte Classic saddle from Performance Bike Shop for my Ciocc today.  I've been struggling with chronic numbness in a certain portion of my anatomy that is unique to males every since I started riding again last year.  Come to think of it - I had the same problem "back in the day" even with my broken-in Brooks Pro all-leather saddle.  Despite numerous attempts to fine-tune saddle adjustment, I still go numb "down there" after about 10 to 15 minutes in the saddle.  I've never had any problems with pain, but rather the (extreme) lack thereof.  The Forte Classic I ordered reportedly is made for Performance by Selle Italia, the same company that made my 1980s pro-favorite Super Turbo saddle.  The difference?  The Forte Classic has an "ergonomic shell design" with a strategically placed cut-out that is supposed to relieve pressure on my you-know-what.  I'll be sure to let you know if it does.

Footnote: I tried the Forte for about a week and discovered that it unfortunately did not improve my ride comfort and if anything made it slightly worse.  I switched back to my old tried-and-true Selle Italia Super Turbo saddle and a new pair of cycling shorts from Bike Nashbar with thicker padding in the crotch.  The new shorts have been a definite improvement.

I SURVIVED THE HOLIDAYS!
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Dieting
Not too bad.  I only gained two pounds over the (co-opted from the Pagans) "Christ-mess" holiday.  I avoided sweets (except for my gourmet-cook brother-in-law's AWESOME homemade pecan pie with vanilla ice cream) and otherwise tried to watch what I ate.  I weighed 175 pounds this morning - not overweight, but I'd like to eventually lose another nine pounds or so.  Cycling should take care of that - I plan to resume training (wind trainer) tomorrow after work.  FYI - I turned 55 on December 26 and my goal is to ride another century this year.

Another bike fit fad challenged (Updated)
Mood:  quizzical
Topic: Cycling

Interesting read regarding frame size at Rivendell Bicycle Works website:

In General - people ride bikes that are too small. If you go into a bike shop or ask the local fast riders about frame sizing, you'll likely hear comments such as, "Smaller bikes are lighter, stiffer, more maneuverable, and more efficient."

To that we say this: Small has to be lighter, but we're talking ounces, and let's not talk about ounces until your belly is so ripped that you're regularly mistaken for one of those guys in the Dance Theater of Harlem.

Lots more at this link: http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/choosing_a_frame_size

 My thought on the topic?  "Can you comfortably ride it?"

UPDATE: Yes, I know Rivendell builds touring bikes, but there's still considerable wisdom in their writings.  It doesn't matter if you're a competitive cyclist or a club rider, you still have to finish.  Why be miserable on your compact carbon fiber wonder when a centimeter or so and an extra pound or two of cromoly steel eases your pain and suffering?  The pros rode larger frames in the 70s and 80s because they knew better.

Are you going to ride your bike or weight it?  Food for thought . . .

Avoiding the Curse of the Holidays
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Dieting