MW complete...

1:23...not bad I guess. Just wait until next year...awesome climb!

My First Podium

To most racers this is no big deal, but to me it was pretty cool. I did my sixth race and ended up getting 3rd in 4/5 39+. Been racing for two years and finally got some points(4). Came inches from getting the top step...but my sprinting needs a little more work.

...My trainings been going pretty well. The last few races I've been able to cover most of the moves and also do some attacking.

March racing....

It's March and I have three races under my belt, 2 in Bethel, CT. I did two races back to back in Bethel like most of the racers. But two races with a killer little bump in the road hurts after 55 laps going all out. Great racing, unfortunately, a bit too far for me to travel every Sunday. I did my first Plainville Spring Series race, 4/5 39+, it was a blast...as was the wind!

Did a bit of attacking and went for the win on the last lap, but left a bit too early and got crushed! Live and learn..can't wait until next week!

Team Bike - Duratec

Increased intensity

This past week I spent some quality time with the trainers...steping up my hours on the trainer and my efforts. Tuesday 2 hours, Wednesday 2 Hours, Thursday 2 hours and Saturday a simple hour spin...Sunday 5 hours 3.5 outside for about 56 miles with a couple of good climbs(Girl Scout Camp Hill) in Willington, CT http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1601472 (This is a great climbing hill to work on hill repeats for MT Washington) and 1+ hours back on the trainer....
...I'm expecting this week to be the same as last with a bit more intensity.

Toe Warmers...

Here's a little eye candy from the top of the Auto Road on MT Washington(I down-loaded this photo from http://www.istockphoto.com)

I'm not sure how many cyclist realize that riding a road bike in the winter is pretty awesome...If you have the right equipment and clothing...I've been riding as much as possible on the road to get my endurance rides in and do some LT work, because trying to do 4-5 hours of endurance on a trainer really sucks!

...two worth while investments; 1)GRABBER Toe Warmers and 2) EMS's heavy weight base layer jersey...

Did 2+ hours (recovery week) of endurance with a bit of snow and wind...20 degrees out and plenty warm!

Let's give it one more try!

Signed up to ride up MT Washington again...so far I've invested $600 in fees and can't tell you how much in bike parts...and time...and effort...and sacrifice(my golf game sucks!)...my technical skills are slacking(hopefully my clients don't figure it out!)...

...but...I'm looking forward to putting on my car that famous bumper sticker "This bike climbed MT Washington"...

January (Global Warming!)

I’m doing my part and riding my bike. Was able to get out and ride with my buddy Marty on Saturday afternoon who’s longest ride since August 2007 was 8 miles and that was 3 days ago. Regardless, I was able to convince him to ride for 2 hours and do a bit of climbing(not much). Regardless of the time of year, I always run across one or two jack asses each ride. This ride was no exception; climbed up Hebron Avenue in Glastonbury (3 miles @ 6%ish) and get to the top and was taking a right on Brentwood Dr. when a jack ass tries to beat me to the turn and just about takes me out….He floors it and flips me off. All I could do was gesture with my lobster claw gloves (probably thought I was a Star Trek fan).

On Saturday went out for about 2 ½ hours off endurance with Jeff (should have been more like 4 hours). We headed through South Windsor into Ellington to see the cows…weren’t any cows…but, once again ran across a couple of jack asses. “hey nice spandex”…wow I haven’t heard that in awhile. Not sure what it is, people seem to be pretty brave when it comes to doing or saying stupid things while driving…Regardless, we ended up hooking up with another cyclist that rides with the CVC guys. Good guy, he gave a much better route to get back to where we needed to be…

…Good weekend of riding…especially since it was January in New England!

LSD

Long Slow Distance, today we went for a nice long endurance ride to Monson Mass for some coffee and then back again..60 miles in 4.5 hours...we definitely didn't break any records today, but we did have about 10 town line sprints to contest. One in particular was very sweet (actually the Massachusetts State line), Jeff lead me out for the victory! (Not that he was planning on leading me out) Thanks Buddy!

...great day for a ride...40+ degrees and sun! can't beat that in January!

Skating with the kids...sort'a

<= Skating in Orleans, MA...the pictures don't show it but there had to be over 300 people on the rink!