Thoughts During a Ride...

what thoughts are in that noggin now?

I was on one of my long solo rides recently, the kind that are especially good for thinking, largely because there is not much else to do. Group rides are not as amenable to this kind of mental activity because there is too much distraction - planning your attack for the next KOM or Sprint point, concentrating on holding that wheel in front of you, wondering how long it has been since someone up ahead last washed their kit. I know I did a post once (last year) about the brevity of my thought process on training rides, such as Bud's. Stuff like that.

Long solo rides are completely different; other than debating how best to keep the cranks turning, there is plenty of free time. You may remember a recent post in which I mentioned riding for miles thinking only of sweat. It is not uncommon to find myself focused on a single line of thought for a considerable distance and length of time. On the above mentioned recent ride, I had an entire conversation on the merits, the pluses and minuses of spinning versus pushing a big gear. If I had a smart phone with a dictation app I could have composed an entire lecture on the topic. It wasn't just randomness that settled my thoughts on this topic, it was the continuation of a conversation I had with my son at the recent bike marathon at his school. 

During that conversation, I commented to him that he was pushing too big a gear, and that he should try spinning in an easier gear for a while. His was response was, to the effect of "that's not the way I ride." I told him that in the long run, over the course of the 24 hour event it would help, but he wasn't buying it. As someone who has always been known for big-gear riding (I wasn't bestowed the nickname 53-12 for nothing) I decided not to push the point too much, and just let him ride his ride. Anyway it did give me a topic for a future post - watch for it here.

Quotable Link: Donal Harrington...

“The girl (in the ambulance) said ‘stop’ but I said I’d only stop if she had a bandage ready when I stop. She didn’t so she threw a bit of water on me and I went off again. I knew I was never going to get back on because they were just going too fast.”


The vast majority of us competitive cyclists will never get the chance to race an event as big as the An Post Ras, let alone anything even more prominent. Mayo Centra Team rider, Donal Harrington, was not going to let a little blood (or a lot as the case may be) stop him. There is a good read, with uncropped bloody photo by Paul Mohan too, over at the Sticky Bottle.

Well Done, Robert Gesink...

I guess I never knew that Gesink was so much the fan of California, choosing to train and vacation here. And the fact that he rides for Rabobank, who have been busy making financial inroads here in the state, makes his stage and overall victories during the recent Amgen Tour of California seem almost as if the home team took the wins.

Keeping himself close in the early goings, beginning his move to the top during the time trial, and then capping it all with an emphatic win at Mt. Baldy for a big win and prestigious addition to his palmares. 

I have always been intrigued by Gesink, especially when he is climbing. He seems like such an unlikely climber, not the fluid pedal dancer image we typically attach to cyclings mountain goats. Bobbing and rocking, he never-the-less propels himself upward with power and determination, enough to always be considered a threat when the road turns upward. Due to injury and personal loss, he has had a couple off years, but certainly appears to be back at full strength now. It was a well deserved win for Robert Gesink, and the Rabobank Team.

Relive it now:

The May Cycle Claremont Community Ride...

The May Cycle Claremont Ride brought out mostly returning riders, but it was also good to see quite a few new riders (new, meaning they had not done a CC ride before). It means that word is still getting around. We were also joined by a group of riders from the Pomona Valley Bike Coalition (PVBC), all returnees who had done the ride, one month or another, in the past. A little twist to today's ride - I agreed at the last minute to lead a faster group and was given some leeway to add on some distance as willing. Everyone in the group was willing, so we deviated off the regular CC short route and wove our way around the residential area of north Claremont. It was still pretty darn short (from my perspective at least), but seemed to work out well enough today.

gathering

still gathering

can you spot the bike?

the PVBC Crü + a CSBG infiltrator

The Cycle Claremont rides may take a hiatus for the summer, we will determine that soon, and then hopefully plan something new for the next scheduled rides, whenever they occur. Check the Cycle Claremont website, or CC Facebook page for the latest information. I will, of course, post up information here as well. Even if the Rides take time off for the summer, it does not mean you have to stop riding, there are plenty of local rides going on, plenty of local groups to join in with. If I feel really inspired, I may even plan a couple social rides myself. Whatever the case, always remember, any day is a good day to bring out your bikes.

funny thing about leading, i didn't really have the same opportunity to take photos during the ride. so i swung back around the first part of the route to photo the directional markers

Oh, one last thing, Greg Armstrong, who has been involved in the local cycling scene for some time now, was at the start talking to everyone about the upcoming Plain Wrap Ride, which he is helping to organize and promote. The important thing to note about this ride is that it benefits several Inland cycling-related organizations by providing much needed funds in support of their respective missions. Learn more about the 2012 Plain Wrap Ride by clicking the link in the Upcoming events section at the right.

2012 Tour of California, Stage 7: A Morning with AG2R - La Mondiale...

Double the fun today during stage 7 of the Amgen Tour of California. Started out at the stage start in Ontario amongst all the team cars, buses, bikes, riders, officials, volunteers and, of course, throngs of fans. Watched the start and then a quick trip home, drop off equipment, change into kit, push off on the bike and book on over to GMR to pick up the race passing by there. And, I made it back home in plenty of time to watch the finale on the slopes of Mt. Baldy.

I really had to lead with this one: je avec Nicolas Roche

et Sylvain Georges, vainqueur d'hier

The start has become my favorite place to be at big races like this. The meet and greet, all the activity of getting ready, anticipation buzzing through the crowd. I walked back and forth, I don't know how many times, through the team area, taking photos of this and that, and finally set myself at the front door of the AG2R-La Mondiale bus to wait for the riders to come on out. The United Healthcare team was right behind me too, and it was interesting to compare the two.

The UHC riders were some of the earliest to emerge from their team bus and quickly engaged the throngs, they signed autographs, posed for photos, had some seriously long conversations with Joe and Joan Everybody, rode over to sign in, and then came back and picked up with the crowd where they left off. In contrast the AG2R riders, didn't emerge really until the last minute. Even so, they took a little time to pose and sign (as you can see above) before heading over to the start area. By the way if you are wondering why the race start was delayed somewhat, it was due to the wife - the first photos she took of Mr. Roche and myself didn't exactly come out, so we had to bother him all over again. Thank you Nicolas. Actually I don't know what caused the delay - something about clearing the course, I think. I gave one final attempt at searching for the Argos Shimano Team, who did not seem to be set up with the rest of the teams. Turns out they were in a parking lot across the way and were heading out when I tracked them down. Bummer. Thanks to the delayed start I was able to rush over in time to see riders reclining all over the place, stretching, laughing, just waiting. An opportune time for a delay, as I got to see the race take off. 

grille monkey

window art

bmc

Levi was a busy man, even before changing into his work clothes

as the sign says, broom wagon

team Rabobank bikes

#71 - Nicolas Roche

Tiago Machado passing by

Vincenzo Nibali and Peter Sagan ride to the start

Fast Freddy stretching a little

Colombia Coldeportes guys found a little shade while awaiting the start, and shared a laugh

with Team Radioshack's Tiago Machado

Jens

Super Dave Z

one young fans flag

packing up

From there I turned my attention to GMR. I was able to get in with a group of Incycle riders heading down from Baldy Road, and made some good time into San Dimas. When I got to the bottom of GMR I still had plenty of time before the race was predicted to come by, but chose just to hang out down below - at about the ranger station. It was a good call, I think, just enough slope to keep them from speeding by too fast. The first group came by being powered by Jens Voigt, with Horner on his wheel, and everyone else trying to hang on. It wasn't long before the first chase group (main peloton) came through being driven by the Rabobank guys. After they went through there was a good long wait for the next chase group. Once they had ridden out of sight I waited a little, expecting the broom wagon to come by. It never happened, so I rode on down to the turn onto GMR from Sierra Madre where there was still a big crowd. CHP came by and said there was still one lone rider to come through. Seemed cruel to post up that photo, so it was time to go. I rushed home in time to see the, now two, leaders approaching Cow Saddle before the descent into Baldy Village - and of course the win by Gesink. Whoop, whoop Rabobank.

Jens Voigt ahead of Chris Horner at the bottom of GMR

There are plenty more photos, including more than just the one of actual racing action, and by clicking this link you will be taken to a slideshow of them. Or, if you prefer, photos only - no slideshow format.

Allez, Sylvain, Allez...

Sylvain Georges. You have to love it when the underdog wins. And what a scrappy, courageous ride it was to take that win. I was willing him to hold on, push, just a little more. And he did it. Honestly, I was kind of cursing Salas for giving up on the break, after Georges had helped him to attain his King Of the Mountains points. And then backing out after the final KOM summit, to leave Sylvain on his own just didn't seem right. I know Salas has his own race, not to mention KOM jersey to look after, but it still seemed a cold move. Anyway, it was a bold move by Georges, out front from 1.5 km after the start, all the way to the end. As Phil Liggett would say, "hats off to him". He deserves it, and the stage win. Heck, give him the most aggressive award for the day too. I guess, in the end, having to finish alone, makes victory all the sweeter.

The 2012 El Roble Bike Marathon...

If the end of the school year is fast approaching, then it must be time for the El Roble Intermediate School Bike Marathon. This was the 35th year of the annual event which raises funds to support programs of the Claremont Chapter of the Red Cross. As mentioned in past years, the students (8th grade) who participate in the Marathon, either as riders or lap counters, must meet certain academic requirements, write an essay on why they should be allowed to participate, get the approval of all their teachers, and attend a series of meetings and practices during the weeks leading up to the event.

It is fun to sit and watch, even for a short while, and you will notice differences in the attitudes of the kids; those who are there for fun, for the competition to ride the most laps, or raise the most donations. More likely, a combination of all those is true. Of course, I think there is also a sense of pride of accomplishment, in doing something to benefit the community, that is woven into the whole event. 


The Marathon is a 24-hour event, taking place from noon on Thursday to noon on Friday. The kids are split into four groups of ten riders; two groups ride laps of the track for an hour and then take an hour rest. So, it is one hour on, one hour off, throughout the twenty-four hours. The same applies to the lap counters, who each have assigned riders that they have to keep track of. It takes some stamina, especially if you are aiming for the school record. A ton of pizza and other food and snacks, gallons of water and gatorade, and more are required to fuel the riders as they circle around throughout the night. The teachers don't exactly take it easy either - I saw both Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. Foster out spinning with the students, and will work to keep the wheels rolling though the dark hours.

As I left for the evening, the sun was nearing the horizon, and it wouldn't be long before the lights came on. The cheering had been going strong for several hours by then with little, if any, decline in enthusiasm, and I wondered how long into the early morning hours it could continue. Well, it's all in fun, and since the son is riding this year, I am sure I will hear all about those early hours this afternoon.

Link to slideshow of all photos (now updated with awards). For the record, the top boy rode 632 laps, the top girl rode 578. Pretty darn good; I would sign them up for my team anytime.

the aftermath: after 535 laps = 133.75 miles of a dirt track (good enough for 3rd place, boys), your bike too may start to look like it has survived Paris-Roubaix during a dry year, or perhaps the Strada Bianca. 

2012 Ride of Silence...

empty, silent bike on one more ride, being escorted by a friend of a fallen rider

(photo courtesy Trish Mayo)

I was trying to think of something poignant to say about this evenings Ride of Silence - I made it out to the Rancho Cucamonga ride, hosted by Cycling Connection. This was my first year to attend a Ride of Silence, so there should be plenty of inspiration to base a post on; things like how the ride brought so many riders from the regular activities to remember the fallen, how the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department considered the Ride important enough that they provided support. But in the end, I think, it was how the riders rode true to the spirit of the ride. Whether it was in remembrance of someone they personally knew/know, or someone they have read or heard about, the ride was truly a silent one. The occasional clicking of a gear change, the ratcheting on spinning freewheels, clips of cleats into pedals, were the only sounds from the procession. I found myself recalling the names of people I admittedly had never heard of before their lives were taken from friends and family, from the community of cyclists.

setting the rules, and

reminding everyone why we were there.

riders up ahead of me, and

riders back behind me.

I don't know how many people we passed realized what this long line of cyclists was all about, why we were riding. At first I thought this an odd contradiction, but I finally came to realize that the Ride of Silence, at least as I see it, isn't for them; it is really for us. A coming to terms, a reconciling, which perhaps, only we can understand because of our shared experience as cyclists. So, in the end, the most poignant thing I can note about the Ride ... was the silence.