We planned an ambitious route today heading out to pick up Farnsley Knob (0.40 miles, avg. gradient – 15.7%!). Its been a year or so since I climbed it and I was ready to pay a visit. Coming out of N’albany was a little zany and after a few passes of the close nature I drifted into the shitty, unfinished shoulder on 111 as we made for Budd Road. No sooner than “gee, I’ll be lucky to not get a flat” ran through my head I heard the mighty escape of air and went flat on the rear tire. After getting to a nice shaded spot I pulled the rear tire off to find a blown out sidewall and 3/8″ hole in the tube…this baby was flat. Now we were only 3 miles into 25 so I had a decision to make. I said “hey man, you got a buck?” he says “I got a 20″, “That’ll do, lemme have it…you’ll get it back!”

We pumped the tire up and cautiously took off. On the plus side it was one of my finest and I even managed to get the tire back in without looking and feeling like a rank amateur. I’m glad to say it held just fine although it made for nervous descents. Speaking of descending we came down Blunk Knob for the first time and despite thinking it would be the other way its a pretty shitty drop down. The pavement sucks, the turns are real tight with no banking, and no guardrails or anything in case you misjudge. Just too sketchy in the end to enjoy coming down. I’m leaving it on the climb preferred list only. That Farnsley Knob though? That’s a doozy…

Here is the final damage on the way to the scrap bin:

I have mis-matched tires now…oh – the horror!

I thought a lot on my ride today about a post from Mr. Smith about the ambiguity of rural signage. Specifically this passage:

…we consulted the map (again) to verify cue sheet directions with random map names that we certainly find in both KY and IN. Do other states have so many random road names that don’t correspond on map sources?

It reminded me of the trip I took in May and couldn’t seem to muster the time to post about here. I traveled to Murphy, NC for business and took advantage of its prime location to take a 60 mile and 100 mile excursion. The rides had a combined total of 21,000 feet of vertical climb and the century included the well known Brasstown Bald.

The reason I bring it up is that I managed 160 miles of navigating completely unfamiliar roads armed simply with cue sheets generated at Ride With GPS. Now Ride With GPS is a nice mapping site but to have zero navigation errors in this situation is practically unheard of. What do I attribute this to? Take a look at the normal road sign just out in the sticks:

Just look at all of the information on that sign:

Colloquial Name – Beaver Dam
State Road – 1331-B
That little arrow – many times I came upon crossroads that meet at funny angles etc. This was SO helpful

I have ridden fairly extensively in Kentucky and Indiana both and never encountered such fine signage. This is how it should be done.

It invariably makes me think of the Cycling Classics such as last weekend’s Gent-Wevelgem, this weekend’s Tour of Flanders and of course Paris Roubaix in two weeks. These thoughts were especially on my mind as I set out from home on Sunday morning. I sat and then paced helplessly on Saturday as we experienced the finest weather of the year. My day for riding was to be Sunday with a forecast of cold, rain, wind, and the actual killer – thunderstorms. Would it be my luck to wait for Sunday only to not be able to ride?

I woke up and tended to all I needed to get done prior to departure – feeding children, dressing them, picking older brother up from a sleepover, etc. All through the morning checking various forecasts. TV indicated rain and such but probably no thunderstorms…that was enough for me. I kitted up, embro’d up, pumped tires and hit the road. Two omissions – no lights of any type, and what would prove to be the worst – no chamois cream.

I met my friend Michael at what seems to be the primary ride departure zone of the Heine Brothers at Eastern and Bardstown. We had 86 miles planned heading way out into Oldham County and back. It was actually the first time I’ve ridden all the way across River Road into Oldham as I normally start from my folks house in the middle of it. This is the route I planned for. I had some concerns about crossing the old one lane bridge that is closed to AUTO traffic but I thought we could still get through.

Highlands to Goshen – went well. Soft sprinkle across River Road, decided to climb out on Wolf Pen Branch and didn’t even look at the aforementioned bridge crossing although we went right by it. Fast drop into crowded Prospect and the rain really picked up. After stopping on Rose Island Road we thought it a good idea to actually put on the rain gear we brought. I wore my favorite wool jersey and covered it with a promo Continental rain jacket I got as a “gimmie” from a local shop. Pretty ugly but pretty effective. It was not to come off until I got home.

Climb 1 – The Backside of Goshen Lane – after strolling out river flatlands we turned the corner up this strong climb. It was nice to try it with warmed-up legs as opposed to the stone cold condition I usually am in.

US 42 to Westport – We turned onto US 42 for the second time and headed out once again following stretches of the Louisville Ironman course. This is 11 straight but rolling miles. It was here I realized I was riding with a very complimentary rider. Many times in the stretch I end up ahead of my companion(s). Every time I looked back he was right on my wheel. It was to be this way the whole day. It is hard to overstate how much this can improve the riding. I enjoy riding with all types but I think I would take this anytime.

Climb 2 – Out of Westport – Coming out of Westport on 524 is a pretty saucy climb. I had some issues with drivetrain and kept slipping but I stayed in the big ring the rest of the day and it did fine there some maybe its the small chainring. This put us on 42 once again and out to the only planned rest stop at the only gas station in 20 miles that is open on Sunday. We refueled, filled bottles, and stood around with our wet legs burning with the awakened liniment. We were 54 miles in and averaging a healthy 18 mph.

Old Sligo Road and others into Buckner – The weather looked pretty crappy at this point but it turned out to be mostly show. I knew from experience that Old Sligo was a brutal road. With 50 miles already in it was even worse. Highway 53 out of LaGrange was as menacing as always (for my money much worse than US 42) Then the first navigational error crept in – the maps indicated you can get over to 393 via Finley Mill road. I never saw the road and we ended up in Buckner. No big deal but the 15 miles to rejoin 393 were a beating and we made a brief stop to catch up from that.

Cedar Point & Old Zaring Although I grew up in this area I had never heard it referred to as “Little Appalachia” until I started riding bikes. It may not be mountainous but in the continuation of the days theme it rolled up and down for sure. We had our only run in with a dog on Old Zaring. It was running along a fence line and we thought it was cool but then out it came! Startled the two of us but laid off quickly.

Climb 3 – Covered Bridge Road – This road actually has a climb in the beginning and a big one at the end. It is maybe the finest road in the area for riding from a pure visual standpoint. It is simply beautiful, even in overcast, rainy muck. Every time I have come through on a bike I have turned off at Locke Lane. Today had us going all the way to US 42 (again) to begin the return home. It is quite a climb at that stage in the day and we took a bit of a rest at the Five Star in Prospect. In an odd bit of coincidence we ran into my father at the store…kinda funny.

Coming out of Prospect – we headed back out River Road toward home only to find the maybe passable bridge to be decidedly not passable. It was covered with fencing and there happened to be a dude there as well. At this point we were feeling pretty sure of earning a century for the day as we back tracked into Prospect to exit via 42. The ugly slog up the hill out of Prospect to Wolf Pen Branch was the most harrowing piece of riding for the day. Shit conditions, a strong hill and at least one way-too-close-for-comfort pass. I was glad to turn off for sure.

Last Climb – Lime Kiln Road – Instead of taking River Road all the way in I had elected to come up through the ritzy part of town into St Matthews. While this really is “no hill for a climber” the miles and climbing had taken its toll. We headed up and out 42 to bridge onto Rudy Lane and start making the way to the park.

The park and home… – at this point our internal mileage calculators were working and determined we might end up slightly short of a century and greedily to a lap in Cherokee Park to ensure the monument was reached. We split after this and I had to confront one last hill going up Trevillian towards the zoo. As I got off the bike I felt hobbled. I’m sure I was walking funny and not to mention soaking wet.

Being the kind husband I am I patiently waited before showering so my wife could get the nap I promised after her workday. I sat playing with the kids, legs burning, body aching and reveled in my accomplishment for the day:

This is the kind of hardman shit we live for right? The conditions certainly were “Belgie” for the day. That crust of dirt, sand, cinders, and God knows what left stuck to my legs…103 miles in the shit, 6,200 feet of climbing, 6 hours on the bike when most people avoided the outside for the day. Many thanks to Michael who made for a great day in the saddle and perhaps my favorite ride to date.

I parked and began various stages of getting ready – put the bike together, pump tires, arm warmers, get race numbers, add-on the 4/5 race, pin numbers on, etc. I have been talking all week and met up with the locust who kindly shared some Winston’s embrocation for the brisk morning. I set off to take a few laps prior to the race start and hit one with a guy I went to school with, and two laps with Mr. Wilson. This made for 9 o’clock and off we went.

I had been given the impression that this Cat 5 race (as opposed to last year with only a 4/5) would be maybe not too fast, and since so early in the season maybe a little sloppy and disorganized…not so. This course starts with a strong downhill right away and then turns left into a slight but selecting climb. My biggest concerns coming into the race were riding in a pack, and two tight turns around the 2/3rds area. In the first lap I settled toward the middle of the pack as I felt it out. I did have a guy in front of me take a funny line in a curve and I felt quite close to going off the road but I made it through and that was the worst. The finish to the race was uphill and as we crossed the line I was able to move up to the front group pretty easily. I followed that around and then in the third lap on the selecting climb I found my self on the outside line charging to the front. All of the sudden I was leading the race but absolutely could not hold as we dropped back down into the technical section. That was tactical error one, number two came shortly thereafter when I was unable to hold the last wheel of the group and I was not to see contact again with that bunch. I found my self kind of strung out and alone and I finished the race alone. I made pretty good time and finished somewhere toward the top third of the 50 racers.

On Friday I made a visit to one of my favorite LBS’s and looking for pre-race information. They suggested I add the 4/5 race as well and just get in there for extra experience and fitness building. Sounded good to me and I did so. I didn’t really think through that it would only be a 10 minute cool down between but so it goes. I sucked down a clif bar and got back in the mix. I started in the back of a full 75 rider field. I never made contact with the front group this time but I wasn’t really expecting to do so anyhow. I did once again manage to stay toward the front third of this 8 lap race. Around the third lap I paired up with a guy who I surmised was named Ronnie from the periodic cheering he got. It took some time and him observing that I was grabbing his wheel on the downhills after I was pulling the hills but we started working together some and finished the race together. The bell lap came around and it felt like Ronnie and I were marking each other. As we came to the uphill finish we both came out of the saddle and then all of the sudden the sprint was on! I thought I went a tad early but clamped down and took it by a wheel. That was really exciting for sure. We gave each other congrats and he reached out to shake my hand. I must give props again to Ben W. as well as Tim C. of the Twin Spires team. They cheered/heckled me every lap of that race. It makes a big difference to hear that as you come around.

Also my boss/friend Billy came out and cheered me on through the first race. He also brought his camera and sent me some picks. Here I am trying to dig deep after the third lap and have been gapped:

All in all I am very pleased at my first day of racing. I went into it looking for the experience and hoped to finish in the upper third which I did. It confirmed what I mostly knew already – endurance-good, climbing-pretty good, speed-needs work.

I am going to start working the logistic angles right away and see if I can make the race next Saturday in Lexington.

The weathermen have been predicting rain and thunderstorms for days to no avail. Each day the sun peeks out and gets it done. Today was looking like it would finally be the day. I swung by the LBS and picked up some Qoleum embrocation in the “Hot” style to give it a shot. I mean I didn’t shave my legs for nothin’…right? I am intending to use it tomorrow for my first bike race and the weather is looking to be pretty “Belgie”. I slathered it on, put on my favorite wooly jersey jersey and hit road.

About halfway into the ride the rain started. I pulled over and put my phone in a bag and kept after it. I really don’t mind riding in the rain. It leads me to a decided feeling of some sort of warped accomplishment. Like – “look at me, I’m so tough” (say this out loud in a high-pitched, mocking voice – that’s what my wife will do to me).

I put “mud guards” (here’s why I no longer refer to them as fenders) on this bike a month or two ago and they have served me well as the snow melted off the roads and led to consistent spraying. This was the first opportunity I have had to really ride in the rain. Wow. Much better. I got wet of course, but no telltale spray up the back, no soaking wet chamois in 2 minutes, just generally better. Not to mention the bike was much cleaner when I finished.

I didn’t really notice the embro on the ride although I must say my legs were not cold…at all. Compared to my hands (which is not really fair) they were significantly warmer. I got my first indication of what was to come when I stopped at a light about 5 minutes from the end of the ride. Seemed like my legs were heating up a tad. After I returned and started wiping off the bike the real burn came on big time. Funny almost, but I hit the shower armed with dish soap to try and cut it off – to no avail. Slowly and surely after about an hour it fizzled out. Good to know for tomorrow.

Here is the post ride return: Wet but with significantly improved attitude

As I mentioned tomorrow will be my first bike race. I feel good about my training so far. I have received lots of good advice and I am ready for it…I hope.

I have amassed 5000 miles since I started riding a year and a half ago and 4000 this year alone. I have always tried to ride smartly and follow the cardinal rules of being seen and acting predictably. I was dressed in a bright yellow jacket and traveling properly in the road.

Wednesdays are my travel day. Nearly every Wednesday for the last four years I have spent in Chicago. I let myself be talked out of this week because of the weather. The immortal words of Dante from “Clerks” rang through my head more than once – “I’m not even supposed to be here!”

I had skipped riding on Tuesday due to rain and not being able to get my rollers adjusted properly to use them in time. This left me weary and frustrated and I was determined to ride Wednesday. The temps were fine and I was suitably dressed but the wind was oppressive – 15-20 mph and swirling. I decided to use my reasonably short Edwardsville route which goes out IN 62 – Corydon Pike. As I made my way over to 62 I thought about turning back as I could feel the wind trying to push me over in a way I have never experienced. I kept going knowing that once I got to the Edwardsville climb the wind would be more or less negated. I started out the rather flat opening section in to a serious headwind trying like hell and getting about 13-14 mph. I saw a fast moving small pickup truck coming in hot on my right side. He was coming down a hill on a side street looking to turn left at a STOP SIGN. He failed to stop and turned right in front of me. I saw what was happening and started to bail out to the right, I didn’t make it and slammed into the front quarter panel of the truck. I was already leaning away from the truck and so I went straight down and away from the vehicle. I hit my forehead in my eyebrow and my right shin probably on the downtube. I was able to jump right up with adrenaline and the driver got right out to help me. It should be said that he began apologizing immediately, asking if I was OK and clearly angry with himself for his carelessness. He said right up front that he should have seen me and he couldn’t believe he didn’t. There was no anti-cyclist screed and any attempt to blame me for not being on a sidewalk or something. I told him I understood and accepted his offer to sit on the tailgate while we waited for the cops.

At this point the jitters started to set in. As most of us do I have no shortage of things to live for. Not only was my front wheel smashed but so to was any illusion I might have that I was not vulnerable. In fact as I sat there that is what I thought of the most – being out on a bike really leaves you exposed. I thought a lot about having to tell my wife, my mom, and my dad. I imagined impassioned plea’s to quit riding on the road, do something safer. Then reality kicked into my head – I can not stop riding on the road. I love it. I have never loved another activity as much. When I watched the Hincapie movie and they asked him how he wanted to be remembered I knew what he would say before he said it. It went: 1. – a great father, 2. – an excellent husband, and 3. – a pretty good cyclist. I am paraphrasing his words but that is the gist of it and how I feel about myself as well.

In the end he gave me a ride back to work. The bike has been fixed, the helmet will be replaced, the insurance company is giving me some extra money for no apparent reason (OK, I know why they are) which will go toward some fantastic wool clothing, and I am back to riding. The man who hit me even went so far as to call and check on me later that day…a nice touch I think.

I have always tried to keep a healthy fear in my mind of the dangers of road riding. This has of course added to that fear. It is not hard to see that a few seconds could have made a huge difference either way. I feel very lucky to have come out of this relatively unscathed. I doubt but hope someone will read this that thinks that cyclists are a menace and always at fault and maybe change their mind some…

Meanwhile, keep your eyes peeled while driving around in your car or on your bike.

I set out for lunch today not feeling so hot. I rode hard yesterday for lunch coming in at an 18.5 average then commuted home and back this morning. I had the right clothes on but I was cold. And route-weary…I tried to piece something together before I left to no avail. I thought I’d run the “Marty route” and be done with it. It’s 21 miles, rather flat with some good speed areas and rollers. 4 miles into my mopey riding I thought…buck up! I was just today counting up my miles for the year to figure I had pulled past 3500 with two months to go. There is only one way to build the miles…ride ‘em.

With that I decided to change course at St Joe Road and go left instead of right. I knew there was a hill there and I was right. It led to Dug Knob which carries a 9% average over 0.65 miles and includes an 18% switchback zone. I find it always hardest to climb a hill the first time because you just don’t know what’s coming. This one kept giving and giving. I chased it with a beautiful run across Skyline leading to a drop down Moser Knob and back to work.

A great posting popped in on the Rapha blog today titled “Killing Me Softly” about a Continental ride in Nashville.

I really like this paragraph:

Assuming your bike fits, position is less about the ergonomic fit, but the rider’s fit or engagement in the world around them. The way pedaling and effort lead consciously, or unconsciously, to meditation. Without the noise of lists, missed calls, an ever growing inbox and responsibility—under self imposed but manageable duress, up the side of a mountain, legs firing, breath labored but in control, eyes focused ahead and around all at once, sense and perception heightened—things begin to sharpen. Life in these moments are simple, pure and clear; where you fit for that moment or those few hours becomes lucid.

It says so many things I think while riding alone through back country roads.

I’ve been thinking about bike racing a lot these last few days. I am going to give it a go in the spring and have very nerdily acquired this classic tome:

“Bicycle Road Racing – Complete Program for Training and Competition” by Edward Borysewicz

Here is a picture taken last week post ride when the conditions were Belgian at best, wet and full of road-grime:

Ride safe, ride lots…

So what is it that’s so killer about this ride? Outside of the significant distance of 106 miles there are 6 good size climbs of around 500 feet in vertical climb. Three of the climbs come at 70 miles and beyond. On top of that the last 10-15 miles are a no-fun picnic of rollers and at least one additional slog that leaves you wondering why it doesn’t make the list. Here is the route and elevation profile:

I got everything ready the night before. I had my bike tuned up and made ready to ride. I mostly riding a Bianchi Brava I picked up off of the aforementioned LBC list for a nice price. I added some Celeste tires and other necessities and it is riding good. Here’s a pic:

The weather was looking to be clear and reasonable windless but cold. The departure temperature was to be 32 rising to 52. I set all of the appropriate gear out and set off to bed. Sleep did not come easily of well. I was wracked with nervousness. I got up early with my wife and made breakfast and coffee. I ate a good size egg breakfast and then packed 2 Clif bars, gatorade, and water. I did not want to end up having ride problems due to not eating or drinking enough.

There were plenty of people in the lot when I arrived and I would say there must have been close to 30 people who showed up to ride. The RC gave some introduction to the ride and directions on the cue sheet and we set off. He asked if this was the first time for anyone riding this route and I and several raised our hands. Then someone made a joke about it being their first century and then they laughed. I didn’t say anything and just started to ride.

A few weeks later on thewashingmachinepost there appeared an article (scroll to the bottom of this archive page) questioning whether we’ve gone soft as the default setup is 53/39 and there is an increasing tendency for people to spec 50/34.

Both gentlemen make the switch to 42 teeth, both are British, and both decide they really like it. Where does this all lead for me? One lazy Saturday morning a few weeks ago an email popped in on the local cycling listserv with a bike for sale. 1986 Bianchi Brava – 58cm (my size) – all 105 – 60 bucks. It was mine within the hour. After I returned home and started looking it over what did I find? A 52/42 chainring setup…

I’m still feeling the setup out overall, but I definitely like it. The shifters and derailleurs are not exactly dialed in. In fact a few days ago on a lunch time ride up the Moser Knob time trial it put me to the test. The climb is roughly 1 mile and averages 8-9%. I started up in the 42t ring, there is a strong opening pitch that sent me straight to the easiest ratio available to me – 42/25. A few rotations in the shifter moved and clunked me right back into the 21t cog. The down tube shifters on the bike do not currently have enough tension to hold the gearing in place under load. So there I was with no where to go but up and a decidedly aggressive ratio. I made it up and over but it certainly was a trial by fire. It left me laughing to myself at my thoughts going into it about my “tough” gearing “choices”. Ha…

I kitted up and sat out Monday afternoon relishing the weather and the just rebuilt back wheel smoothness courtesy of OYLC when “disaster” struck. I heard a loud pop and lost all chain tension as it went skittering off the chain ring and cogs. I pulled over and started working on the rethreading the chain. I noticed the rear derailleur pulley set was very floppy and had no spring. That seemed a bit off but I wasn’t for sure…worry began to set in. Just then a friend from work who lives in the area stopped and and asked if I needed help. My choices were – go to Clarksville Schwinn or go back to work and drive home to deal with it later. Seeking the least friction at home I decided just to pack it in for the day…plus I wasn’t really for sure it was broken yet.

I sent a pleading after hours email to OYLC begging for immediate attention in the AM so I could ride at lunch because I was really starting to yearn for a ride. They graciously replied so I set out first thing to have it looked at. Drew confirmed a broken spring but didn’t really have anything to fix it. In a textbook example of serving your loyal customers he made some calls and directed me to another shop that had some vintage Suntour parts and could make the fix on the comparative cheap. I shot over to see Skiles at The Black Spring Bike Shop & Coffee House. I ran into another bike acquaintance and chatted for a bit while my bike was repaired for a very reasonable price. I needed it after just rebuilding the back wheel and working on a limited budget.

A few hours later it was finally lunchtime and time to get out on the bike. Weather was warm but otherwise perfect. My friend from the office who is on the mend from shoulder surgery joined me and we decided to head out for “Buck’s Ride” into the Floyd’s Knobs and the formidable Moser Knob Road. I wanted to repeat my time trial and compare the times. I started out with a good run up to the main hill. As I began the assent I notice the bike felt springy…not think too much I charged onward and upward. Finally I looked down and back and saw the source of the bounce…flat tire. Blech. I jumped off and felt the tire, it wasn’t completely flat. I pumped it back up thinking maybe I just lost some pressure in transit. As I was closing the presta valve the locking mechanism just flat broke off. The tire seemed to be holding air so I took off, yeah right. I walked the rest of the way up and found a shady spot to make the tube change.

I recently put a Conti 27 x 1.25 (32mm) Ultra Gator Skin on the back wheel. Besides being a great riding tire it was a dream to change on the side of the road. It pryed off easy enough and the bead reset without much wrestling and pushing. It didn’t take long at all to get back on the road. Pumping that high volume with a frame pump was an experience but hey…whatcha gonna do.

The rest went down without much incident. I am ready to get back to event free riding for a couple of days. The rest of the week proved just that. I had a nice ride with Tim again on Thursday and a solo fast ride on Friday. 22 miles at 18.5 pace. Rain set in around 16 miles and I can’t say I really even minded it.