Sideburn dividend

Dear Reader,

Last weekend I was at the pet store buying food for the pups. The clerk was a young man, early twenties who has always been very friendly with me. He has an amazing set of lamb chop side burns. Seriously, they are a thing of beauty. I have always been a fan of sideburns. I recognize that as I have grown a bit older, my sideburns may have become a bit more tame, but I also recognize that as long as I can grow them, I'll  probably have them in some version.

As we went to check out, Diane rushed to the counter with toys galore for the boys because, well as she says, "the dogs can chew toys, or they can chew your stuff!" ... But I digress, the young man with amazing sideburns looks at me and says, " that's a nice set of sideburns sir. Because you have good sideburns, and I'm a nice guy- I'm gonna give you 10% off your order!"

SIDEBURNS SELF HIGH FIVE!

SCORE!

Okay, he didn't have to call me sir, that was a little weird...

Diane just laughed, and I thanked the young man, as we schlepped our haul of dog food and toys to the fit...

Good Style. Good Sideburns, always pay off!

thanks for reading.

respect
vanderbacon

I love this picture...

everything about this shot is perfect...

respect
vanderbacon

I declare this this best weekend this year (thus far)...

Dear Reader,

At long last spring has sprung. This weekend was amazing weather wise and pretty much what we have all been waiting for... it was GLORIOUS!

I got in some really good rides both days. I'm pretty stoked...

In the third hour of our ride Saturday- an amazing road ride with TedLogic, Tom Mc, Buddy, Consorto and I, TedLogic's phone went off. He was pretty excited as his phone picked up his verbal cues.

The phone started: "302.867.5309 calling. Can you answer?"

TedLogic responded "No. I can't right now"

The phone asked, "would you like to send a text?"

To which Buddy yelled, "Can't talk now watching porn!"

Everyone started laughing, and I almost crashed off the road...

It always get's strange in that third hour...

Longtime readers know that Monkey has been battling a knee injury for a very long time. She hasn't ridden a bike since the Providence Cross Festival. It has been a long hard road, and it's going to continue to be a long road. I was very stoked to get to ride for half an hour with Diane both days this weekend. It was a ton of fun, and frankly made my weekend.

These rides were very measured,  (well except through the 180 at the end of main street- she rolled through there and leaned the bike over pretty good there)...She was all smiles after that corner... Both of those rides were awesome, and highlights of the year for me sure... My favorite riding partner.

exhaustion and smiles at the vanderbacon home this weekend.

thanks for reading

respect
Vanderbacon

the greatest picture ever, pivot tables, and a lot work to do...

Dear Readers,

A little more follow up on the International Relay.

First, I'm sure you've seen this amazing shot:

Abe did a great job with that one. I have to be honest- work was pretty busy on Monday. I took a quick glance at Abe's shots, and didn't notice this one. And then... Then my phone just started to blow up, first my friends at Kelpius, then my local riding friends, then the MASS Face book page...  I'll just share this about when she passed me:

"she gave me a little elbow in the ribs as she passed. then she winked at me and said, "what!? you wanna go?" I wasn't sure if I was at a hockey fight or a bike race! I gave all I had, I just couldn't keep that wheel..."

I sent Abe a note, and I bought a copy of the picture. I like it that much.

Also wanted to share this video of the start from Andy Bloom because it's rad:

Now that the results have been posted... Let's fire them into a pivot table and do some serious nerding out on these laps (because that's what a mid-pack masters rider does! )

Team rank by laps:

I threw all the laps into a pivot table and while I wasn't totally stoked to have the 39th fastest lap on the day, I was pleased that my laps were pretty consistent:

no negative splits, but given where I am right now, I'll take it...

BTW if you're interested in checking out my pivot table and geeking out on data, I'm happy to share- just drop me a line...

best to you...

respect
fm

The International Relay

Dear Readers,

Anne Rocking!

Last weekend was the International Relay put on by Mike Kuhn and his crew on the Farm in Marysville. I know folks always think I'm joking, but I am very serious when I say this is my favorite race all year. The course is tight and fun, and the racing is always close. This year was no exception. The event is very social in nature, and in some ways it feels like the first day of school, seeing friends who you haven't seen during the winter break. Lots of smiling faces:

Dave and Joe- who I am lucky to have slap me around each week!

Johan- crushed solo despite a first lap flat... my favorite cross rival!

My C3 Teammate Gary will probably get a uniform fine, but the unicorn outfit is worth the fine...

Anne Rock; Jimmy Rock, Damien who rode a trainer all day, and Carolyn the nicest person in the world.

Matt M looked good. 2/3 of the fastest team on the day- Nick Sears, Chris Consorto (my traveling companion), not pictured Adam Erb... 

My teammate Ginny and her Cool Mom... She was flying today..

Brian K and Chip waiting to get on course!

Eric Roman- doesn't own a bike, but was here to shoot in the biathlon!

Anne Rock and World Famous Stacy Gold in the background..

Guy I don't Know, Brice, Mike K the man who makes it all happen, and Matty  BEE!

 I drove up with Consorto, who was teamed with Adam and Nick. I was teamed with Wes and McGill. I haven't seen lap times (other than from strava) as the results aren't posted yet. I think the timers were a new crew who had a bit of a tough time. When they post them I'm throw 'em in a pivot table and geek out on the data. Overkill? yeah, but I'm a mid pack masters racer, what else would you expect?

Transition area. Who is the dork with Hi-Vis booties- talking to Alan the cleaner? yeah. it's me.

Transition area...

Buddy and Kita asked how my day went. I started by saying that I thought the talent pool was as deep or deeper than I can remember at the International. Next,  I will admit I was a little disappointed with my performance, but very pleased with my effort. I haven't really found my legs yet, but I'm working on it. I believe I'm doing the right things, and the form will come around. I'm also confident that I didn't leave a single second out there on any of the laps that I completed. I was very happy with my ride. It was my best effort. It was really fun. I kept my head when my race bike front derailleur got derailed during my pre-ride. It was getting close to race time so frankly, I put my amazing carbon fiber dream bike on the roof of the fit, and grabbed my B-bike. The one with a new to me frame I bought from an old buddy, complete with a sweet rigid fork. Maybe, I had only ridden it once... But end it worked wonderfully.

McGill's butt...

Wes, me, and Chris

I was honored to race with Wes and Chris- two guys who I think are pretty amazing human beings, and that's not considering that they ride bikes pretty damn well too!

anyway, 363 days until the 2015 International relay. I gotta tough up a little.


Anyway, thanks for reading.

respect
vanderbacon

Pre-Race Jitters...

Dear Reader.

On the eve of the MOST IMPORTANT RACE OF THE YEAR, Lupine's International Intergalactic Global Open Mountain Bike Relay of the Multiverse p/b NoTubes.. I find myself nervous with anticipation. While my preparations have not been flawless, and the form has not yet come around, my spirits are buoyed by my outstanding teammates and training partners. Sensations in the legs this week have been good. Hope springs eternal.

Respect
Vanderbacon

This Makes Me Happy...

road rides in the rain and cold are not always fun, but I always am happy when they are accomplished.

respect
vanderbacon

A Blog about Tires.

Dear Readers,

I recognize that I have a tire problem. I like tires. I like to see the different treads, and I like finding ones that work really well for me. I have to admit one of my favorite things about cross is the geekiness that goes into what tires to run during a race, and when to change during a race.

I'll admit that to some extent I have transferred this to my mountainbikes. My bike came with a set of  specialized tires. They rolled well, especially once I had a chance to break them in, but I never could get the to corner they way I wanted. Todd (El Presidente) has said many times, the most important thing is to trust your tires. I never had that relationship with theses Specialized tires... (FTR I love my Specialized bike...)

Over the years I have developed some goto mountainbike tires. My favorite all around tire, and when conditions require a little more traction is the Maxxis Ignitor. My favorite "fast" tire, or what I usually run day to day here in the mecca of Newark is the Hutchinson Python. Yeah, it's an old tread, but it works really well. Rolls fast, and you can really lean on it in the corners. Hutchinson didn't bring this over to 29er right away, but let me tell you I was at the shop to pick up a set the day I saw them! I'll admit this last couple of years I have been a huge fan of the Geax AKA- large volume, fast rolling and I've enjoyed really leaning on them.

Last weekend, I knew I would be racing soon, and wanted to get the specialized tires off my bike. At the end of the ride when I tore the sidewall, it cemented the deal. I debated a bit about what I wanted to run for this spring season. Again, leaning back to cross the Clement tires have quickly become my favorites. I found myself gravitating to the PDX and MXP. They are  hands down the best cross tires I have used. They held up well, rolled fast and... they just worked. When I saw that Clement was doing a mtb tire, I'll admit I was skeptical...

I read that the tire has the PDX side knob, and a fast rolling newly developed center tread. I told myself to walk away, but I couldn't, my newly developed Clement obsession was too strong, and I found myself hitting "BUY NOW"...

Damn, lack of self control.

Mounted up the Clement LXV last night... Will likely bomb it around some fire-roads tonight, and with any luck put it through it's paces at the 4hrs of Patapsco this weekend.

Anyway, after reading that you probably need a second cup of coffee, because you know this is a blog about tires... I am giddy to try some new treads...

thanks for reading

respect
Vanderbacon..

That thing..

Dear Readers,

There is this problem at the gym that I have been working on for a couple of weeks now. It's a level higher than I'm comfortable with, and a real stretch to my abilities.  Yesterday, I made it through problem to the last move. The final move is a big one to the top of the wall. I went for the final move probably 10 times. I'd throw my left, I'd throw my right, and every time I'd come off and crash to the pad on the floor below.

I am lucky to have so many great folks/people to ride with... 

I was a little frustrated: on one hand I was climbing above my pay grade; on the other other hand I was so close to finishing the problem, but might as well have been a million miles from the finish. I'll also admit, while I was never hurt, the fall started to get into my head. It was a little exposed, and frankly I started to get scared. I walked away from the problem.

the guys I ride with sometimes call me sweetie...

Today, we went back to climb, and I'll admit I was pretty shattered. I had been a total hot mess on my ride today. While it was wonderful to be back in the woods, I was really tired and struggled to tread water. At the gym, I laid around a bunch and rested. I watched some other guys work the problem and they were falling off on the same place I was. Watching them fall back to the crash pads, I felt myself getting more scared. I had decided to just let that problem go, the risk was not worth the reward.

Then I watched Diane, who is a much better climber than I am, work a problem that she's been struggling with. While she didn't finish it, she continued to make progress and move up. I was feeling beat up, but felt inspired. I went to my project problem and worked through it. I made it to the final move. I started to think about falling,  I started to get scared. I thought through how I could finish. I stalled. I was starting to freak myself out a bit. I had to go with a big left. I said to myself better to fall and walk away then not try because I was scared. I went for the finish, and much to my surprise I made it. I stuck the move and finished the problem. I hung on the top of the wall for an extra second or two, still amazed I finished this one.  I was so stoked. I was punching above my weight class for sure there, every once in a while you get to steal one. Today was my day.

I then spent the rest of the afternoon laying around and watching Kita and Diane climb. It was good times.

thanks for reading.

respect
vanderbacon

then there was this...

so damn sexy

Started to write this long rambling and unorganized post about training philosophies and comparing and contrasting Chris and my routines, and then I started talking about group rides, and how if they are done right they can be awesome, how I know "Angry Man Weekly World Championships" have their place, but why I'm not a fan, and really the benefits of riding with good people, and how riding with good groups helps everyone get better. I started to talk about ego too.... It was long and rambling and not really getting back where I want it... So I kinda trashed it... I kinda liked the ego piece, still want to write about that a bit... Anyway, here's a picture of Diane vacuuming...

respect

vanderbacon