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Ride-Strong.com would like to give a Colnago bike away in the month of July, and their asking us to help out by telling all our cycling friends.

visit: http://www.ride-strong.com/cowabunga-win-a-brand-new-colnago-carbon-bike-update

As always Ride-Strong!

Hill Climbing Technique Tips

Recently, I posted my favorite training tip from Josh Horowitz for working towards better hill climbing. In the same article, 7 Tips for Climbing to the Top, he also gives this excellent tip:
Positioning - Start the climb near the front. If you start near the back, not only will you have to keep the pace of the lead riders, you will have to make the additional effort of accelerating around dropped riders. A strong climber might be able to bridge one or two gaps, but if it is a long climb and a big pack, eventually they will burn their last match and go off the back, even if their power-to-weight ratio is higher than that of the leaders.


I saw this during my recent 2 day event, The Ride to Conquer Cancer. While many cyclists there were much better riders than myself, they just don’t have the experience we take for granted when cycling along the PCH out of Malibu. There were minor hills early on where people were walking in herds. I simply do not have the cycling strength to over come that loss of momentum and had to walk as well until I caught on that this was going to keep happening unless I got ahead of the pack. So I peddaled up as best I could after the hill. Victory! I was back in the saddle for a much better event. We’ll see what happens next month with the Marin Century ride. I imagine that is going to be much more climb.

Where I am on my cycling goals

I set a goal for 2008 of 2600 miles. Since I had not set mile goals before I was in a position of not really knowing what to base it on. I thought 50 miles a week sounds doable and still maintain a real life (uh huh). I’ve had some weeks where I have more than toped that, others where I have slacked off completely. I may not be making my weekly miles but I am certainly more focused than I was last year.

Last year was a lesson in being on the bike – I mean it, it was that basic. Ride from the house to my son’s school (1 mile) with out passing out. Taking my hand off the handlebar to reach for the water bottle without wiggling all over the road. Let’s not forget looking over my shoulder to change lanes or just see who is passing me!

This year, I’ve worked on the mechanics as well as getting over my fears. Many times I do things simply because it felt like good sound advice, but more and more I am learning the whys of these things and even passing on simple advice to others. These are things I should have added to my goals for 2008. So right here, right now, mid year I am adding “become a more knowledgeable rider” to my cycling goals.

Events I have participated in this year:
• Solvang Century – March
• Crusin’ The Conejo – May
• Los Angeles River Ride – June
• The Ride to Conquer Cancer – June

Events I will participate in:
• Moonfest – July
• Marin Century – August
• Spooktacular – October
• Solvang Prelude – November
• Tour de Foothills – November

Hill Training Tips

A long time ago I bookmarked web page “Tips for Climbing to the Top” By Josh Horowitz. With time ticking away until The Ride to Conquer Cancer™ I thought I better buckle down and take advantage of every tip and trick out there.

So I started with number 1 …Cadence.
According to Horowitz, here’s how you do it: Find a flat road and attempt to pedal at 120 rpm for 10 minutes. Try to do it all at once with no breaks. There should be very little resistance on the pedals. Do this once or twice per week, adding five to 10 minutes each week. Over time, build up to a full hour.

At first you will find yourself bouncing around in the saddle and you may even experience cramping and saddle irritations. However, as muscle memory develops, you will become smoother and more efficient.  Click to read more.

Here’s My Ride

2007 marked the return of cycling in my life and becoming an endurance athlete, which is a very nice way of saying I park my ass on a bike and pedal long distances on purpose. I don’t do this because I think this is the best way to travel long distances (it lacks a driver and room service), I do it because I believe that in my own way, I can make a difference by fundraising to support various cancer related causes.

200K for the Cure!

I am so glad I went to the Challenge to Conquer Cancer office. I wasn’t able to make the orientation meeting the week before, so I called them up and asked about flying in the following week for a quick meet and great, with a little info. I could use a little get away time and had a few people I wanted to see there anyways.