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Tuesday, November 16, 2004
If you're not falling, you're not trying hard enough
Or at least that's what they tell you when you're trying to go for a "difficult" move. That difficult move for me can be putting on the harness, which doesn't seem to like my anatomy too well. Anyway, had a great time climbing Monday night with Kitty, Phil, Beth, Mary, and Jo. Cat couldn't make it as planned after kissing the pavement at 20mph this weekend in Claxton (broke her helmet, strained some ribs, and she'll now be paying her chiropractor's kid's college tuition). She's doing OK, just sore and staying immobile as much as possible. Thinks she'll be climbing in two weeks. I'm telling you, cycling chicks are tough!
Here's Phil and Kitty getting the climbing knot correct for their instructor for belay certification. Turns out that Phil's an ex-sailor and is good with rope. I won't be asking for Sally's confirmation on that, however.
It's cool that they are getting certified, as I ended up getting a lot of practice belaying the group until Jo showed up. It's nice to see everyone pulling their proverbial load.
It was also bad that Jo showed up, because that meant that I had to climb, and she wasn't letting me slack out of it. She's a natural (and I believe was using stick'em on her hands) as she literally ran up the walls. That's bad because it wasn't giving me much time to rest between climbs. More of that in a minute.
 Here's Beth, Mary, and Jo for a shot I asked them to take. They had a good laugh on my account since I'm not sure they all knew each other. Heck, I thought I was the "new" guy. Maybe not so much anymore.
Beth's obviously done this before as she made little effort climbing and Mary showed courage, having my affliction for high places.
So Jo is going up these things like rungs on a ladder. Maybe humble pie would taste better without all the chalk flying around as she runs up the pitch? Seriously, she has exquisite balance, really nice technique. I'll learn a lot from her. Especially about my bum hanging too far out over the wall. I didn't think it was all that big, but turns out it is truly a gluteus maximus when I'm climbing. While I didn't get that quite right, I did understand about activating my legs much more instead of trying to pull up with my arms. On one of my last runs, I got lazy, kind of reached and pulled up at the same time on a reasonable hold only to miss my grip and be jetisoned from the wall kind of like Jonah from the Whale (or for you agnostics, like a sunflower seed in a baseball dugout). Jo was watching as I started to fall, so no worries, even though I outweigh her by about a metric ton. That was my first really surprise fall and it got to me a bit, but it also taught me to balance and be in control with my legs, not the arms. I fell, I learned.
At the end of the evening, my forearms just wouldn't calm down. I had problems marking the sushi menu with a pencil. I had issues carring a gallon of juice up in a bag in the elevator. Typing up a blog was a moot point. The great thing is if I can get better, I know they'll hurt even more next time! Thinking about going Thursday night. I should be there by 6 or 7p if you're game to come out!
Posted at 10:11 pm by john_manser
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Wednesday, November 10, 2004
I've been intrigued with climbing for about a decade but had never pulled the trigger due to a healthy respect of the sudden stop after a long fall. I used to lurk on the climber's newsgroups and know what a 5.10 climb is (relatively tough on a scale of 5.0, basically stairs, and 5.13, super tough). But I had never found the time or opportunity to actually try it myself. Until Monday night. I'm 40, so what the heck. I learned ice hockey at 36, I guess I'm just a late bloomer. Or perhaps I have a death wish.
It seems the ATL cycling community loves to rock climb. As I pull into the parking lot of Atlanta Rocks (Intown), nearly half the cars have a bike rack on it. I think it's because, when you do it right, you're using your legs a great deal. Perfect for cyclists. Anyway, as I pulled in, I was both anxious and excited. I had come to this moment due to two things: one, I knew this day would come eventually, and two, my Inside the Perimeter peloton (many of which were new to climbing) were coming as well. I'm having withdrawals from not riding with them 3-4 nights a week.
Catherine and Jeff had agreed to help Kitty, Phil and Sallie, and myself learn to climb. Without them, the night doesn't happen as they were the only ones certified to belay us (manage the rope hooked in to our harness that allows us to climb safely without falling). Honorable mentions to Becky G and Jo who are certified but couldn't make it. BTW - thanks to Cat and Jeff for helping me get belay certified. Your instruction was concise, memorable, and complete!
Of course, I got there early and got my rental stuff. I figured out how to put on the shoes (laces side up). Catherine had to stifle a chuckle as she tells me that my harness that wraps around my legs and waist is on backwards. Figures. But I'm glad, because I was not looking forward to a very "comfortable" evening if you know what I mean. Harnesses are meant to fit snug everywhere so that you can't slip out. Create your own visuals at this point. Let's just say, it's NOT super cool for guys to wear tight fitting pants. 'Nough said. I'm in some cargo shorts, thankfully.
So on to the climbing. My first climb of the evening ended up being my best; mainly because my arms were fresh and my confidence was high. Luckily I found an easy path that was pretty much like climbing a ladder. I just went vertical. I'm not too good about swinging from side to side like a primate yet. I found the biggest holds and lurched up. As I watched MonkeyBoy Jeff do the same climb for his warm up, it looked like he used about an eighth of the effort I expended. I'm straining and grunting to the top. He looks like Tarzan nearly swinging from hold to hold. Anyway, I actually made it to the top on my first go. It was rated a 5.6! Slightly harder than say climbing a rose trellis. Woohoo! However, I'm already realizing that I'm not going to be a natural at this sport.
Now the fun began. During the climb up I'm completely engrossed in the wall, the holds, and where my feet were being placed (and basically clinging on for dear life). Now at the top, I looked down. Ooops. It's really not that high, but it would be disadvantageous to fall, I'm thinking. After you climb, you don't climb down. It's dangerous and time consuming. So, in theory, you create an "L" with your body (legs outstretched and touching the wall). This means trusting your belay partner as you sit back into it the position. So, Jeff tells me tells me that he's about to start lowering once I "assume the position". But I couldn't just automatically do it! Thankfully, everyone's watching me and helps me find the courage to release my death grip on the wall after about 5 seconds of fear. Repelling down was actually fun! The other climbs that night weren't nearly as good, but if you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough. There was always a point where my legs were starting to shake, forearms were burning like acid was being poured on them, and my confidence would just completely leave me.
But at least after that first climb, I'm feeling pretty good about myself when I see Kitty scoot up a harder route making it look easier. Kitty started 7 days ago and is born for this stuff. Sally also picks a tough route and is doing well as her first climb. She has the same issues I do about sudden stopping from a height. Phil was methodical in picking his way to the top but looked confident the whole way. Cat and Jeff are experienced and make this stuff look TOO easy. I'm learning that cyclists have can do attitudes.
Net result: I'm probably hooked. It's a good workout (and can only get better as I get stronger at it), fun with a group, and is quite challenging. These are my ingredients for a fun evening. Thanks to my belayers for your excellent instruction and for trusting me not to drop you. If you're interest in climbing, this is a perfect time to start learning with all the novices currently showing up. "Atlanta Sports and Fitness" magazine has coupons for an introductory session if your game. It's "Ladies Night" on Mondays at the intown club as well. Hope to see you out there. I'm looking for climbing buddies! Climb on!
Posted at 10:02 am by john_manser
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Sunday, November 07, 2004
Movie Critique: What the Bleep Do We Know?
I had no idea what I was going to see, but a friend said that they had heard that this was a thought provoking film. That is was. For those who don't know it, I love thinking about the big picture, and the unanswerable questions about Why we are here, What's our purpose, and Is there anything to eat in the fridge? This film enchanted me for its two hours.
Believe it or not, this film's genre was a documentary/comedy/drama on the subject of Quantum Physics! You heard me. If that wasn't a hard enough subject, they also entwined the Physics with religious overtones that I'm sure will come to some startling conclusions for some. Now, I'm actually going to discuss what I learned from the movie in the coming paragraphs. But before I do, know that I would love to get a group together to watch it again and discuss it afterwards. My synopsis will be very elementary and I don't feel that it really ruins the movie but, if you're going to see it and don't want it spoiled in any way, STOP READING NOW! If you are still reading this, please feel free to comment, but under one condition. All ideas are to be treated with respect. Personally, I'm not sure anybody has the perfect solution to the why's, who's, and how's of the world. I ask that you comment with an open mind and acceptance of all views, even if they are personally distasteful to you.
The movie uncovers the transience of atoms (sometimes they are there, and sometimes they dissapear), the concept of superpositioning (the same object being in multiple places as once) and the effect that thought can have on a droplet of water. Good thoughts of "thank you" or "I Love You" formed beautiful, near symmetrical shapes when looked at through a dark field microscope. As you might imagine, "I hate you" resulted in a distorted image. From there, they lay claim to our unconscious psychic ability to actually make ourselves better, or harm ourselves based on our personal self image (remember the body is 80% water).
The film also deals with reality and our perception of it. Because of reality's subjective nature, we can not be outside observers, therefore, there is no way of knowing if we all live in one reality or in infinite realities that bump into each other. Really mind blowing stuff, when you come to think of it. There's also a cool story about our past experiences actually determining what we can see or not see! I thought this was bogus, but to be honest it has happened to me countless times. Have you ever looked in a drawer for something, say a bottle opener. But because, you didn't think that it would be there, you don't see it. Then, a minute later, you open the drawer to find it. They explain this by your mind opening up to it being there, rather than by experiential data that tells you it can't possibly be there. That happened to me just this week!
There are also interesting sections on the how all matter is connected and really empty, rather than statically full of mass, like we would think when we touch a chair. You'll laugh at the irreverant examples they give to show the effect of peptides (released by the hypothalamus) on your body at the molecular level. They also detail how the synapse bridges in your brain are created and become ingrained or whither and die. No wonder we get crusty in how we think! We've pre-circuited ourselves to think and see things in certain ways over years and year of practice.
Ultimately, the film makes a point that you have to take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for your life and how it turns out. You, not society and the pressures you find yourself reacting to, have the ability to create and enhance your future reality. In a sense, you are your own god. While the god thing may not be to your liking, I love the personal responsibility message.
This idea is not necessarily a new one. Richard Bach wrote about this some twenty year's ago in several books. An ancient Chinese philosophy, Taoism, preaching about living in harmony with nature (and the universe) strives for humans to be connected and on the path (the Tao) to universal enlightenment.
Now does this film answer the age old questions? Maybe not all, but at least it gets you thinking.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Although you will probably catch yourself feeling like you're in a school lecture hall at some point, it had me on the edge of my seat. Most of the professors are people you'd really want to meet. I'm amazed that they could explain really deep stuff in an understandle and interesting way. If you have an open mind, don't mind challenging your belief system, and want get your grey matter thinking, I heartily endorse this film.
I wouldn't mind seeing it again, if we'd like to get a group together and perhaps want to discuss it ourselves. Heck, I'll even open my domicile to host the group!
Posted at 06:08 pm by john_manser
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Wednesday, November 03, 2004
What is with the Hold'em Poker Phenom?
I believe that ESPN could make cow tipping a national addiction. Seems everything this little Bristol, CT firm has touched in the last 25 years has turned to gold. It's amazing that they could take a bunch of people that can't hold regular jobs and has made them sensations. It started with the Cinderella story of Chris Moneymaker (great name for a gambler) winning the World Series of Poker in 2003. Heck, I even get sucked in to the "drama", wondering if the guy with the funky glasses will draw into his heart flush.
Anyway, although gambling is probably not the best character builder in the world, I'm interested and might even buy a book on it. I love probabilities and weighing alternatives. Guaranteed, I'd be the "dead money" at the table. How long before ESPN introduces a poker fantasy league?
Posted at 09:46 am by john_manser
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Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Recreational Roller Hockey
OK, the idea is actually starting to take seed in at least a smallish group of 6 to 8 people (co-ed, differing levels of skating/hockey experience .... starting from absolutely none) interested in learning to play. I haven't done my part in finding a suitable location yet, so using my vast management acumen, I'll delegate!
We're looking for a parking lot that won't be too full on weekends (we're thinking about playing on Sunday mornings) and perhaps one night a week. I've always ended up playing in school parking lots. My dream lot would be flat and have a rather smooth asphalt surface (no major cracks), approximately 50 yards long by 40 yards wide. It would not have those little cement barriers that let you know you're into the space all the way. Those can really screw up your skating. If it's relatively easy to get to from off the interstate system, so much the better. And if it was lit for night play, now we've really got something. We may be able to find a church lot on a Thursday or Tuesday night that could work handily for weeknight play.
I have in mind building smallish goals (not more than a foot and a half high) made of thick PVC, some netting, and when we get better, placing a wooden board in front of it with cut outs for the puck to travel through.
So, while you're out voting today. Take a look around and see what you can see. We'll create a short list of a couple of places and make final determinations in the coming week. Also, please comment if you're interested in trying a great sport that will add leg power and heart rate recovery to your winter workouts!
Posted at 10:27 am by john_manser
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Personally, nothing sounds better to me when I've emptied the tanks on a long ride than chicken fried steak smothered in white gravy, mashed potatos, and a gallon of water. But, I know anything that good has got to be bad for you. Plus, I feel lethargic for the next 6 hours because of it. So, I'm usually good and eat my burritos, pastas and salads, and when I remember, the V8 and beef jerkey combo Dave turned me on to.
I'm interested in what you like to eat after a ride and what you think the best recovery meals might be. What do you dream of when you're near bonk and starting to see/think things on the saddle?
Posted at 09:37 am by john_manser
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Sunday, October 31, 2004
Ride Report: Tony Serrano Memorial Ride, Oct 31
 Another beautiful Indian summer day greeted 200 cyclists to aid the family of Tony Serrano and educate Georgia Patrol Officers in Georgia bicycling laws. The ride had several options and we (Jim, Kitty, Becky, Dave C, Dave M, and myself) had decided on the long one, 64 miles on the nice pavement of Duluth, Suwanee, and outlying areas in two circuits. Finally, I was afforded a real warm-up, letting the lactic acid drip out of my legs from the hilly 50 I did yesterday and the couple of sets of tennis I played after. I knew I was probably pushing it but figured a metric century at a reasonable pace would be tough, but doable. Truth be told, I need to start acting my age.
"Reasonable" is a subjective word. With the heat (the day was going to hit 80 at it's high point) no one seemed to be wanting to winterize the ride. So, filled with my normally high level of testoterone, I join the fray. There's probably 40 of us as we reach the first grade, which ripped 20 riders await directly. The ride was rolling for most of it which normally works for me. As we start reaching the farthest point on the tour, the ride starts becoming work for me.
After the nice terrain in rural GA, we come home on Steve Reynolds Blvd and the mood of the peloton shifts. SRB is 5 lanes wide, rolling with some longer efforts thrown in for good measure. First, the best riders in the group push the pace like Soccer Moms late for a sale at Macy's. Second, we catch significant head and side winds. You can't echelon on a ride like this, so it became interesting. Unwilling to relent, I'm guessing I concentrate on the tire in front of me for 20 minutes or more as we accordion up and over Industrial GA. I'm not looking around, but there's really nothing to see anyway on this stretch.
Somehow, I'm near the front of the group at one point, not sure how or why. The lead rider, a rather strong one, peels off and Jim takes the lead with me behind. Super stud, decides to get behind Jim. Problem is, I'm behind Jim. Just like a good Boston driver, he just keeps coming over without acknowledging my right to hurt at the front of the pack and pinches me into the shoulder. I give him my best accusatory "Dude" remark (which with my grey hair just doesn't have the same oomph it had 15 years ago), and he says, "you've got plenty of room in the bike lane". Counting me, there's exactly one person in that lane, and I'm taking on wind like a sky diver wearing a muumuu. Thanks so much, cycling stud, for giving me the chance to build up my TT training. I could go off on a couple of the racers that were in our group, but I'll probably save it.
OK, I can't let it completelly go ... just because your legs are twice as big as mine, your handling skills are mad, and your VO2 Max is Armstrongesque, you do NOT have special rights when moving through the peloton to take your rightful spot at the front of the pack. Communicate, don't intimidate by showing up at my elbow unannounced. Do not make me take you down. Pain is temporary, and I'm probably bigger than you, anyway. OK, I'm becoming militant. I will now enhance my wellness, but remember that not everyone on a ride like this has your cycling acumen, and your antics can cause accidents.
Inhale, exhale, repeat. We show up at the halfway point averaging at near 20mph (btw, I round up at the tens, not the tenths). And that's with what I'd call a fair warm up. I'm already gassed and to be honest missed most of the ride watching wheels and riders. I have little idea what we passed. It can be fun, to ride in a wolf pack like that, but today, I more in the mode for a kickback ride. A couple of others in the group also admit that that was good and might want to back it off a bit. Something about our group, we just can't do that easily. Got to give them credit, they are a strong bunch and I'm just happy to be apart of them. But I decide to have the courage, nay, the fortitude to take a stand and go slow on the second loop.
My courage was thwarted. By the first real grade, I know I'm not going to be able to sustain and drop back, way back. To be honest, it was nice to actually see the curves and the road in front. There is good riding to be had Northeast of the city, as the Stephs and Jeff graciously showed me early this summer. Dave M and I shortened the route by 13 miles, and took the SRB rollers back. I was glad as I felt a bonk coming on. I was about two quarts low coming into the ride. I just can't seem to keep enough liquids in me at times.
Overall, was happy to have ridden the way I did. I got a little bit of everything today, in one of the faster, although aggressive, groups I've had the privilege to ride with this summer. Nice to see that I didn't fold too too early, nor hurt myself unnecessarily when I knew I didn't have the goods today. Maybe this age and experience thing does have some positives! Or maybe I'm just getting grumpy.
Posted at 06:30 pm by john_manser
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Saturday, October 30, 2004
Ride Report: The Green Belly, Oct 30
Are you impressed with the weather we're having? I just can't believe that we can still ride in short sleeves this late in the year. It is so against what I thought I knew about Southern weather that I left from my place this morning at 8:30a from Midtown, geared to the hilt with leg warmers and windvest on, and arm warmers at the ready. Don't blame me to much, I was near fog bound down here, so much so that you could almost see the droplets suspended in air. I was going to get in a few extra "easy" miles in by meeting the ride at St. Phillips in Buckhead. Unfortunately, I left late, had decided to work over to Howell Mill and do the nice little climb from Nancy Creek up to the church. I made it with 5 minutes to spare, but was already dripping with sweat from my personal TT in the aformentioned "Nanuck of the North"look.
We had planned a 9am departure to do the Belly Ache that we had missed on Thursday and since it was the weekend get in a little extra. Since Becky loves hill, we decided to add what I'm now calling the Three Brothers of Glen Errol to the Three Sisters of Home Depot along with the serene climb of Riverview and the elusive climb of Harris Trail. The Brothers I met doing the Green Tour maybe three weeks ago. Ergo, I dub this ride the "Green Belly". The first two bumps of the Brothers are bad enough, but you get to the top of number two, and in looking at the third climb, you swear that you'd probably rather try to climb the inital hill on Great American Scream Machine (click, click, click, ca-click, click) than do this sucker. One of the newbies to the course couldn't believe what he was looking at after cresting Brother Two. There is just no way that three hills of this intensity could be back to back in the metro area. But there they are, so we do 'em.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. There ends up being 5 of us that make it: Jeff and Becky, Jason (the one that travels during the week, now dubbed "Spinergy Jason"), David B, and myself. Jeff had warned me that he had put together an old bike that he used to use for training for the Ironman a few years back. What he didn't really tell me is that the bike looked like it had been stolen from Jo Jo the Clown Boy at the circus. As he explained, it was luggable and traveled with him during the week. Fair enough, but why bring a bike with tires the size of a medium pizza and a 60 toothed front gear on this, of all, rides? The reason was valid, just ask Becky. It belongs to a blog of it's own that I'll probably leave Jeff write. It did fold up nice, but it seems it had a linchpin quick-release system that could be sabotaged quite easily. Lucky that I do not have a devious mind. Jeff says it rode well, as in good vibration dampening of the road, but if he had run over glass, good luck being able to reach, much less clean, his medium pizza wheels while cruising. Riding behind him is like walking behind a hobbit on stilts.
I was stupid enough to keep the knee warmers on until the end of the Three Sisters. The sun was out by now, and I'm guessing it's 100 degrees. I've probably lost a gallon of Powerade through my leg pores by now. Good news! Becky and I don't have any incidents, mainly because she's ridden away from me on the first bump. Another wonder of note: David actually has wicking materials on! No cotton T-shirts for him, no sir. OK, so it doesn't have back pockets, but it's a start!
The 37 mile ride really had few epic moments except for maybe the fact that we were cycling the day before All Saint's Day and sweating our collective bums off! Heck, I got sunburned! It was fun watching Becky hurt everyone on the hills. Jeff and I, despite the heat, decided this would be done at winter pace, and basically made everyone wait at the tops of the climbs. Speaking of climbs, I think I counted about 11 sustained efforts on the course. Not many flat areas on it at all, just the way Becky likes it. We were back at the parking lot before 11:30a, chuffed that we felt we had gotten something accomplished and it still wasn't noon yet!
We had some nice recovery pizza and I rode home with that uncomfortable full tummy, lactic leg feeling. No soul riding here, just dodging cars, pot holes, and vertical grates as I headed back to the hacienda. I want to meet the cycle-hating Einstein that decided to design the grates in such a way that a bicycles front wheel not only fits perfectly but also has enough time to dip into it so that a full front flip in the piked position endo can be rendered.
Great day, good strength building, definitely keeps you warm type of ride. If the girls have there way, something tells me we'll be doing this ride a good bit this winter ...
Posted at 07:34 pm by john_manser
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Tuesday, October 26, 2004
I'm a little bit saddened by the changing of the name of the best Tour de France team in the world. While I'm sure Discovery Channel Pro Cycling will do well (as you'll see by the strength of the team they've put together below), USPS has been a great supporter and it was fun to talk about the "Blue Train" during team TTs or hear Phil Ligget mention the "Posties". So what do you think the new moniker for the team will be?
Below is a reprint of an email from a good friend in Belgium (Thanks Tam!). The article is from an unnamed source:
As 2004 comes to an end and the USPS team prepares for its change-over to become the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, beginning January 1, 2005, team management rele ased the squad's 25 rider roster. There is a strong chance a few more riders will be added in the near future, but as of today, the rider list for 2005 includes:
2005 DISCOVERY CHANNEL PRO CYCLING TEAM ROSTER
Lance ARMSTRONG (USA)
Jose AZEVEDO (POR)
Michael BARRY (CAN)
Manuel BELTRAN (ESP)
Volodymyr BILEKA (UKR)
Michael CREED (USA)
Antonio CRUZ (USA)
Tom DANIELSON (USA)
Stijn DEVOLDER (BEL)
Viatcheslav EKIMOV (RUS)
Roger HAMMOND (GBR)
George HINCAPIE (USA)
Leif HOSTE (BEL)
Benoit JOACHIM (LUX)
Jason McCARTNEY (USA)
Patrick McCARTY (USA)
Gennady MIKHAYLOV (RUS)
Benjamin NOVAL (ESP)
Pavel PADRNOS (CZE)
Yaroslav POPOVYCH (UKR)
Hayden ROULSTON (NZL)
Jose Luis RUBIERA (ESP)
Paolo SAVOLDELLI (ITA)
Jurgen VAN DEN BROECK (BEL)
Max VAN HEESWIJK (BEL)
Obvious key additions include 2002 Tour of Italy winner Paolo Savoldelli and Yaroslav Popovych, third overall at the Giro in 2003, fifth overall this year and the World Under 23 champion back in 2001.
The addition of Savoldelli and Popo immediately raises the team's abilities in stage races, a major strength over the last half dozen years, with six Tour de France victories and one win at the Tour of Spain, along with numerous other stage race achievements, including wins at - the Tour of Switzerland, Dauphine Libere, Tour of Catalunya, the former Midi Libre, Tour of Holland and the Three Days of the Panne.
"If you look at how the new ProTour is designed, the emphasis is clearly on stage racing," said USPS team sports manager Johan Bruyneel. "Hopefully, the three week Tours (France, Italy and Spain) will join the ProTour because I think everybody should be part of this new idea. But you can see how the one day races are becoming less important on the schedule. I believe there is something like 14 or 15 one-day race days over 160 days of racing in the ProTour. That's not a lot of racing."
On Savoldelli and Popovych, Bruyneel said, "With Savoldelli, we bring in a former winner of a (three-week) tour. He also has a few other solid finishes at the Giro as well and I'm convinced that after two years of bad luck and crashes, I think both mentally and physically he will get back to top form again. He is very motivated for his new challenge. We talked a few years ago and tried to get him on our team but it didn't work out. Yet we kept in touch and now, it finally worked out.
In regards to Popovych, he's still very young but has exhibited great things from the very start of his career. In his first year as a professional (2002), he placed 12th in the Giro and the very next year he reached the podium. If you can do those things, you definitely have the qualities to become a potential big tour winner. He is also somebody we have been following for a few years and tried to get at the start of last year. He is also really excited to come to our team. He had many other possibilities, some of which were more attractive financially, but he decided to ride for us. That says a lot about our program and how strong of a mind he has. He won't regret his decision."
Returning stage race stalwarts include Jose Azevedo (fifth at the Tour de France this year), Manuel Beltran (13th at the 2004 Tour of Spain, including several days in the race lead) and Jose Luis Rubiera - top 20 in the last two Tours de France. Also returning for 2005 include 2004 Tour performers Viatcheslav Ekimov, George Hincapie, Benjamin Noval, Pavel Padrnos and a guy named Lance.
Other new comers for next year include Volodymyr Bileka, a teammate of Popovych on the Landbouwkrediet-Colnago squad, up and coming American talent Tom Danielson, World Cup workhorses Roger Hammond of England (3rd at this year's Paris-Roubaix) and Leif Hoste of Belgium (2nd at this year's Tour of Flanders), American Olympian and Tour de Georgia stage winner Jason McCartney and New Zealander Hayden Roulston, winner of the opening stage at this year's Tour de la Region Wallonne.
"This group brings extra strength to the team in many races," said Bruyneel. "We get stronger in the Classics, we get strong in American races and get stronger in smaller stage races, with a rider like Danielson. While 'm very happy with this group, most importantly, everybody will really fit into the team well. For us, a new rider must fit into the whole group for it to work. Otherwise, it's always difficult. One of the ways we selected some of these riders was how they would fit into our team. For us, that has always been a big condition."
Current USPS riders returning in 2005 are Michael Barry, Michael Creed, Antonio Cruz, Stijn Devolder, Benoit Joachim, Patrick McCarty, Gennady Mikhaylov, Jurgen van den Broeck and super sprinter Max van Heeswijk, coming off the finest season of his career.
"This year was an absolutely special one because we were confronted with a truly historic moment - the chance to win six Tours," added Bruyneel. "It was pretty impressive to see the team perform the whole year, with the biggest objective right in the middle of the year, and it being one that overshadowed nearly everything else. Yet, we had riders winning races throughout the whole year. We started in February with wins and finished in October with wins and had solid performances in the Classics, stage races, the Tour de France and 11 days in yellow and two stage wins at the Vuelta. It was an impressive performance in 2004. We hope 2005 will be as good as 2004, as I think it will be difficult to do better. But with our overall strength and depth, we should be able to do something very similar."
Posted at 04:16 pm by john_manser
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Tequila and Cycling = Express Train to Furball City
OK, so I get the blatantly obvious blog award today. However, here are some of the scientific reasons (thanks Steve B for the link!). The good news is that consuming alcohol in proper quantities (and with a big glass of water) is not that detrimental to your riding and recovery. However, after last Saturday, I'm thinking that I may just stay with water on the rocks for the next week or two.
To be honest, rallying for Sunday's post party ride was harder than actually being on the bike. Once on, it was nice having the wind in my face. I didn't especially look forward to the hills, but then I never do. With leaving my car at the scene of the party, I had to cycle to the ride meeting point which was some miles away.
No disrespect to my peloton, but it was kind of nice being out on the road alone. You don't have to point out obstructions or worry about someone's wheel. You just have the subtle sounds of your bike rolling on the pavement, or the freewheel clicking as you coast downhill to keep you company.
Since I started riding in June, there's been only one day where I had ridden alone. And that day, early in my cycle days, was filled mainly with the sound of me breathing hard. So, it was a nice warm-up doing a quick solo to meet up with everyone. It was going to be interesting to see who would be making it. Amazingly, I think everyone who said they would, did.
Don't get me wrong, I love riding with my group. The camaraderie is not to be missed. And I do feel that group riding makes you stronger, no doubt. But, a solo ride, every once in awhile, well maybe it does the soul good.
Posted at 10:22 am by john_manser
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