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Dieter “Didi” Senft (born 1952 in Reichenwalde, Germany) is known as the Tour de France devil or El Diablo. Since 1993, he has been seen in the Tour’s many stages wearing his red devil costume and painting a trifork on the road some miles before he’ll show up. Senft attributes the inspiration for the costume to German cycling announcer Herbert Watterot who called the last lap of local criterium races, “the Red Devil’s Lap.”
He is also an inventor who has created over 100 bicycles, including the largest in the world. He is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
On the 2006 edition of Tour of Switzerland, Didi Senft painted his signature trifork on the road the day before the competitors came by his door. But later that day the Swiss police came by and said it was illegal, and he had to pay a fine or go to jail. He was also forced to remove the painting from the road. This sounds like something the French would do, not the Swiss. I suspect Didi’s been carb-loading and readying his outfit for Saturday. It’s coming ….
Imagine a day at the beach. Before reading on, click the photo and see full-sized.
Now then … no peps, no work, no noise. Just sun, snorkeling, SPF-something applied frequently, lots of c-o-l-d (burr) beverages, a good book, the kite, sunglasses, iPod and of course the water proof camera. Oh, and the BGE. Those are the makings of a good time at the beach – Hawaii-style.
Splash on.
When riding a bunch of miles every day, food doesn’t stick to your ribs, arms or any other body part. Cyclists who ride lots of hours per week typically consume freely – - at breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack time and late night when the ice cream calls. The more hours you ride, the more you can (and must) eat. (My grocery bill yesterday was $209 – which included a 12-pak of Sam and a 6-pack of SN – but still, that’s for a week of grub-a-dub.)
On average, my daily intake is roughly six to seven thousand calories; more on Saturdays and Sundays (yeah). Each meal averages 1,500 (without dessert) along with two snacks and on-the-bike gels, beverages and such. After lunch I usually include chocolate (dark) on my list of consumed goodies. After dinner I eat several oatmeal cookies made by the BGE (very good). The point? Cyclists would rather eat to ride rather than ride to eat.
I’m off next week and I have plans to get BB out for a stretch of her legs. Yep. And I’ll likely come by the office since several folks have been asking for a ride. Maybe?
In any case, the has been asking me (LOL) for some warm weather touring so I had better switch the bumper for the street version (the track version is too low) and make some noise. Maybe a trip out I-40 past exit 407 where we can open up … ? The last time I was out there we touched 182 before backing off the throttle. No need to wind up in jail over a joy ride. Another Friday – let’s ride on.
This Carerra, whom I named “Hudson” after my dear friend from Atlanta, Laura Hudson Smith, is smooth, fast and wonderful on-track. Notice how the car sets up and digs deep into its springs. That rear wing is applying huge downforce – and thus a great “in the seat” driving experience. What is more important about a 911 Carerra is this – it connects you with the road — through a wide body, wide wheels and tight seats. I’ve had cars on the brain lately – maybe because it’s warm weather or maybe because it’s time to think about another ride. After all, with a six-car garage and only four cars there is room to add something tasty. Ahh, more fastness please.
This past week someone sent me a photo of a nasty crash involving a professional cyclist getting crunched under a car. Naturally I had seen the photo, but wasn’t about to blog it in a post. Why? It only reiterates the painful side of riding. There wasn’t humor in it – nor anything that felt good. It reminded me of my own wreck where a mo-fo driver elected to run a stop sign, run me down and then drive away. Neither the photo nor my accident were positive.
The photo of the day today captures the spirit of why I ride … and why so many kids ride bicycles … because it’s freeing and a lot of fun. When you ride it requires your entire being to move forward – your mind, your vision, your legs, torso, arms — everything. In doing so you connect with the world around you and because you’re moving slower than in a car, you see more of the world. For those that haven’t ridden in a while – get out your bike, ride it somewhere and then take a gut check about how you feel. Go get an Icee and enjoy the summer. Ride on.
One week from Saturday. 1 week.
The 2008 course reflects will create the right pace from the start while ensuring the suspense is maintained as long as possible. For the first time since the Prologue was added in 1967, the traditional time trial will make way for a road stage. The fight for the yellow jersey should prove only the more disputed in Plumelec, with sprinters facing some stiff opposition. The Cholet time trial, held on day four, will take place over some thirty kilometers and come only two days before the first altitude finish, in Super-Besse, leading up to an early and noteworthy crossing of the Massif Central.
Five mountain stages, one less than this year, and four altitude finishes, one more than last year, will provide ups and downs. Joining Super-Besse will be Hautacam in the Pyrenees, the Italian resort of Prato Nevoso in the province of Cuneo, and lastly …. the out-of-control “orange” peelers … the Spanish … aka “enthusiastic crowds,” will once again flock to the Alpe-d’Huez and its famed twenty-one twisting turns.
Though less passes will be climbed than in recent years, riders will face daunting challenges: the Tourmalet and Gallibier, both so much a part of Tour lore, but also the splendid Lombarde Pass in Italy, making its Tour debut, and Bonette Pass, too often overlooked, set in a moonlike landscape atop Europe’s highest road, making it the 2008 Tour’s pinnacle at some 8,195 Ft. Oxygen masks anyone? Anyone?
Tour – on.
Slipstream-Chipotle riders will have a new weapon in their quiver for next month’s Tour de France courtesy of team sponsor Felt Bicycles. Riders will depart from Brest on new AR road frames that add credence to the idea that the war of bicycle aerodynamics is no longer limited just to time trials.
Felt learned a lot of aero lessons in developing its DA time trial/triathlon and TK frames so it should come as no surprise that the new AR includes attributes of both. The down tube, head tube and seat stays are all aero-profiled and the deep-section seat tube shields the rear wheel all the way from the bottom bracket shell to the seat stays. The down tube is also slightly dropped and the lower edge is slightly profiled to smooth the airflow coming off the front wheel.
As on the DA, derailleur cable housings are internally routed and enter the top of the frame directly behind the stem; the rear brake line is also internally routed but is set in a more conventional location. Naturally, the new fork is also aero-shaped and well integrated with the frame. Felt will build the new AR frame and fork with its top-end Ultra Hybrid Carbon blend of Toray SB60, M30S and T700 carbon fibers, all held together with new nano-enhanced resins. According to Felt, the new resins will provide a stronger and more robust exterior surface as well as improved compression and sheer strength. Ride on aero-style.
The need for a long ride meant several hours on my bike along the Foothills Parkway and over to Highway 129. It was a perfect day for a long ride. And when I was ‘done,’ I then mowed the grass, cleaned the house, packed my bags for a trip over to the BGE’s house, and completed a weight workout that took an hour.
So, add an hour to four and we have five.
Oh. The close call. It was just an SUV “in a hurry” … not a bike lover … at all. I’ll savor the payback at a future date.
The very short version of the Avery Trace Road Race is this: it rained prior to the start – and continued to sprinkle as we pulled away from the start area .. at least for the first few miles.
The course included several climbs each with a nasty hard left turn at the bottom. For the first descent the entire peloton backed off and we crawled through a soggy corner. We tempo paced the first climb and then began the first steep descent. Anxious, the peloton strung itself out as all riders were cautious. My rear tire was super-twitchy and soon I was at the very back of the pack. Opps, I backed off too much and the peloton accelerated.
After time trialing for about a half-mile, I was back on – - – but we started to climb again. “In the red zone” I was cooked. This wasn’t like any race I’d ever experienced. Ever.
{The fact is, I made a tactical mistake on Wednesday of this week. I didn’t replace the rear tire on my racing wheels. The reason – I had hoped to get one more race out of them. With a tire that is ‘flat-worn’ across the top, a wet corner creates a twitchy feeling in the rear.}
After being dropped on a down hill descent (LOL), I rode the remaining 38 miles alone. My average speed was 20.2 … pretty good considering there were lots of rollers and three climbs along the way.
I could have cut the course short and gone back to the car. I could have thumbed the wheel truck and sagged back in — but neither were on my mind. It did me good to ride my own race and think about the importance of my decisions. I passed three other racers along the way — and made damn sure none of them tagged along.
There will be a next year. Yes, I will continue to ride on.
Early morning – coffee is brewing – toast is toasty – eggs are scrambled – the potatoes are greasy and the plate talks back! Whoa. Now what message is it sending us? I suspect it’s date-oriented – as in July 5th, 2008.
This is a critical touch point in the world of professional cycling. This year’s Tour will be void of time bonuses, excessively long stages and team Astana. It will be the year of no-drugs (right; ) and the year we miss a prior year’s victor. Much to talk about – much to contemplate – and yes, even the food is talking about it! Ride on.
Knowing the Tour is coming (as in Tour de France) … well, it makes life grand. When July arrives, umm, it feels like a whole month of racing activity is before us. And yes – it’s grand.
It’s a driving force behind why most of us train, endure hard winter rides and long race seasons. Not because we ever have a chance of riding in the tour, but because we feel more connected with someone who endures the time trials of truth, the long miles of multi-day races, and the mountains of pain. One thing is certain: the Tour is coming. Viva la Tour.
The photo is taken from the bridge that leads to the Institute at Tremont. Look how lush compared to the late fall 2007. Whoa.
We enjoyed (the BGE and moi) a little Tuesday ride on the scooter. In less than two hours we motor-paced to and from the Institute at Tremont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s 42 miles up and back and we covered it in 55 minutes up and 50 minutes back. Good times. Scootie and BGE did “good.”
I took a half hour to stretch my legs and enjoy the weather. Thank goodness – I was way-tired after a weekend of hard rides and such. Sunday I stripped the Panasonic down to the frame and trashed all but the breaks, frame and fork. It’s a time for a fixed gear ride.
Looking ahead, I’m close to a track bike purchase. I’m really close to making a deal. Via an exhaustive search I found a custom-made Marin originally fitted for James Carney (of the Shaklee team). Carney and Kent Bostick, former Olympian and fellow rider here in Knoxville, were teammates on Shaklee. Bostick was a former pursuit champion as was Carney; Bostick was on the 1996 and 2000 US Olympic squads. Interesting that I found a Marin out in Oregon. We’ll see …. track on.
1948, a good professional racer with 15 years pedalling experience in the legs and the geniality in mechanics, decided to make use of his brilliant intuitions developed during the many miles run on every type of road surface, it was Cino Cinelli. Some may remember him for his cycling career, but many of us remember him for his great gifts given to cycling: the modern handlebar, the first saddle with a plastic frame, the first foot clips, the first quick release pedals. Most of my early race bikes were fitted with Cinelli bars and if I was lucky – Cinelli pedals. The track bike for today is clearly a Cinelli speedster intended for fast-paced riding on the track. “Madison-on.”
If you’re lucky enough to have access to a scooter then you appreciate the added-value a scooter brings to the training plan. Having a scooter isn’t enough – you’ve got to have an able-bodied driver too.
And not just a driver, you need a person who “gets it.” When you find someone, you’re darn lucky. Mine happens to be the BGE.
The premise behind motor-pacing is simple: increased speeds for longer periods of time. It simulates racing and time trialing all in one work session. Our work session yesterday was 75 miles – that included covering the Foothills Parkway and assorted hills coming back along Six Mile Road. At just under 3.5 hours, it was as close to race-pace as I could stomach. The very fact that so much ground is covered in a short amount of time feels good. It opens the day up for other activities.
Get a scooter. Find a driver. Scoot on.
It’s here – at last. Bike PORN Friday’s. Looking ahead the theme for Friday is Bike PORN. What is Bike PORN? Well, it’s an “affinitas” for bike related bling to include bike gear, threads, trick-gadgets, cuties at races, and certainly bikes. Just go with the header and you’ve got the news – today is a “Bike PORN” day. Enjoy.
Have you noticed how windy it’s been this year? Sometime in early to mid-February the wind started blowing and it hasn’t stopped since. The wind seems to be blowing pretty hard most every day now. Typically it’s a March thing (in like a lion and out like a lamb).
The wind is a training aid – a catalyst to propel an average rider into a better-than-average rider. When pushing into the wind you mimic the motion of being on the front. You replicate the motion of being on a TT bike pushing hard on the gears. It stresses your legs and your spirit to endure and to appreciate the calm days – or the protection of the peloton. Either way, I appreciate the wind. Especially when it’s at your back. Sail on.
Take a look at this photo – do you see what’s really going on with the riders? The untrained eye would not notice the significant effort nor appreciate the energy required to move “at speed.” When the casual observer sees a race, the typical thought bubble above his or her head is something along the lines of …”I can do that – it’s just riding a bicycle.” Some folks feel (and think aloud), “maybe I should ride my bike – or even race. Sure, I’ll give it a try.” Careful though – don’t be fooled into believing it’s easy to move fast – continuously and for long periods of time. It takes years of training to get there — if at all.
If you care to stress your heart, your body, your entire being – a bicycle is worthy of riding. It gives as much as you give – and then some. Ride because you love the bike and ride because you know it will extend life as we know it. Ride on.
Hot and hotter was the theme of the 2008 Settlers Life Omnium. 94 on Saturday and 95 on Sunday. Blue skies and a little breeze. Summer-time. More organized than in previous years, the recent version was lively on all fronts: road race, time trial and crit.
As I’ve learned from my recent adventures in racing, the fewer number of mistakes usually translates to better placing and more fun overall. This weekend I made several mistakes – one of which that continues to plague me (more on that later).
Road Race
I lined up with the Masters 30/40 group and we left the parking lot ‘sorta’ on time. (Much better than last year where we departed an hour and twenty minutes late.) Within two miles three guys were off the front and beginning to work – and within another mile it was four. Our group settled into a simple and even pace that felt like a winter training ride not a race. Sure, on a couple of climbs we stepped up the pace, but overall it was steady and certain.
We exited the loop (the 20 mile extension) and returned to the “highway” where the pace quickened. In fact, we set a tempo up one small climb without regard for the Category 1 (yes, Category 1) climb at the end of the race. Naturally there wasn’t a feed zone so what you brought to the picnic is what you ate, drank or puked. Imagine that I didn’t bring enough fuel! Mistake two and three were layered upon my biggest mistake (number one), not fueling appropriately for the race itself.
Let’s back up. The prior weekend some of us (a few) accepted the Challenge – the English Mountain Challenge. Dehydrated and crumpled from the 109-mile adventure I never really recovered from the long, hot ride. My carb intake wasn’t near enough for the week nor was my rest. I awoke every day (Monday-Friday) exhausted. I felt like I could have gone back to bed for a few more hours each morning. Thus, my biggest mistake: arriving at an “A” event without the glycogen reserves to contest my position. Back to the race ….
Mistake two – not carrying enough gels (I took one) and mistake three – not carrying enough liquid (I took two bottles). My weak condition combined with inappropriate off-the-bike refueling was a sick combination. Rather than staying with the lead group, I bonked in the first ¼ mile of the final climb.
Sadly I suffered the last two miles – at one point ready to quit the whole race – I was that “done.”
Frankly, this issue has followed me for two years now. I start the season strong with consistent top 10 finishes, but when the season ‘heats up’ my performance sags a bit.
After reading a bunch about carb intake I realize (now) that my eating habits have been hampering performance rather than building it. Lack of carbs at key times (particularly after a workout) are actually reducing muscle mass. I’ll continue reading and learning to thwart these and other nutrition issues in the future.
Wrap up: 8th place in the 40+ and I was just glad to be done.
Time Trial
Now let’s move to mistake four, five and six.
I arrived early (imagine that) to find NO shade for warming up. It was 94 degrees so that sounds a bit funny to say, “warm up.” In any case, I moved up to a nearby hillside at the Borla Exhausts complex. My bike was ready in advance; check. My gear was ready in advance; check. My pre-race fuel (what it was) was ready; check. My watch was working; check.
My start time was officially 6:06PM – and I arrived at the start gate at 6:01; check. After circling for a few minutes I asked an official to provide the “official time” and affirmed it on my watch. I was told “we are running about 5 minutes late.”
Ahhhh. That was enough time to circle the entire route and be back in time for my start time. WRONG> we were not 5 minutes behind – we were 3:20 behind. BLAH. WTF cubed!
When I arrived at the start gate and saw another rider with a number that was behind me I asked the question, “where is my placing?” And the lead official’s response was, “you are late, you left 1:32, 1:33 … ago!” BLAH and WTF triple-cubed.
I hurled my water bottle in the grass and got on course with a very loud expletive – which was certainly heard by everyone in the area. I made SURE it was heard. It was like a set of rockets launched in my legs and I stormed away with fury. On the final portion of the course I clipped the corner and crossed the yellow line adding ten seconds to my overall time. When I crossed the small hill prior to the finish I was out of the saddle and I drove hard. My rear wheel was slipping and jumping sideways and I pushed.
With a 1:32 delayed start time, and the ten-second penalty I had a 6:57. That felt lovely. NOT. The real time was competitive (approximately 4:15).
SUMMARY: Get to the course early. Be ready early. When you arrive at the start house early (less than 10 minutes) DO NOT MOVE FROM THE AREA.
Crit Time
New day – new attitude – and new information. I drank sports drink prior to the event (a first). I actually consumed a gel pak ½ hour prior to my start (another first). I even warmed up using a mix of Gatorade and water (half and half); it seemed to have a positive effect.
Masters 30/40 Crits are just a joy (NOT): hard from the get-go, repeatedly hard and hard yet again.
The first 15 minutes were full-on and then the heat of the day (we started at 11AM and the temp was about 92) began affecting performance. We slowed a bit and then the second wave of attacks started.
Coming out of turn three I shifted down and stood up ready to jump on the back … then it happened … my chain wrapped up in my rear derailleur and my momentum jammed me into my bars and top tube. My left leg was coming up and smacked the left handle bar … which unclipped my left foot and my right foot slammed to the ground only after it bent my ankle out of position.
Both my “package” and my ankle HURT. Yes, I yelled out in pain. However, I got off my bike and remained calm. I was just thankful I didn’t face-plant it … and I was VERY close to going down hard. With my chain back on, I rolled to the official’s stand and asked for help: I got a free lap (the rule) and when the peloton rolled by I got a push-off to catch back on the end. I did and moved back into position.
I was timid about shifting – thinking something was broken but I quickly forget that and keep on doing my thing: racing.
Hurting I couldn’t stack up one jump after another but I held my own. I sprinted, if you call it that, and finished 5th in the Masters 40 category. I was thankful I had not gone down. Luckily I was able to ice the ankle after the race and walk around to capture photos of the other races.
SUMMARY: I will work on reducing mistakes. And I will be on time for TT’s.
8th – RR … 4th – TT (last) and 5th – crit. This “combination” placed me 2nd in the overall Masters 40+ Omnium with a payout of $40.
I left the race, went to McDonald’s, and I bought myself a cheeseburger Happy Meal. Race. On.
Sounds funny doesn’t it? Life and breathing go hand in hand. If you ride, run, swim, play basketball or any sport you eventually breathe a little harder. Sometimes much harder. For me it is an overt reminder how dependent we are our lungs to bring in fresh oxygen – to create energy and propel us forward. I ride because I want to breathe a little harder and hopefully a little longer in this lifetime. Ride on.
When the starter says “go” you know in your gut that at some point during the race you’re going to be tested. It may not be at the beginning of the race, but it does occur. Usually when you least expect it.
When training, especially in a group, you make a choice of when to test and when not to test. Group rides offer each individual multiple opportunities to push limits and test the body. Gauging your efforts against others helps satisfies the need to confirm ‘where you are or where you are not.’
On the other hand, testing your limits while training alone is what many riders call the benchmark of commitment. The absence of competitors (in a race) or fellow riders (in a group) make it much more difficult for the average cyclist to test their body. Frankly, it’s harder to “push yourself” when it’s not race-specific or group oriented. I ride because I look forward to all three forms of testing.
The energy that is conserved by following is tremendous. Some researchers indicate 30% or greater. My take on the real number is this: how hard is the pace??!! There are times when following saves 0% energy because the tempo is FAST. Riding a bike allows you to follow – or lead. You can lead when you’re not on the front – you can lead in the middle of the peloton. How? By riding safely – by watching out for other riders – by thinking. Lead or follow – riding your bike gives you lots of opportunity for both.
When I look around my garage at multiple bicycles I see kewl stuff. Flashy wheels, carbon fiber, unique forks, unique shocks, interesting lighting systems, more carbon, and slick bags for extra wheel sets. No matter how you ride, you take pride in your gear. It’s root is the bike store – the birth place of all that is kewl with cycling.
When a cyclist enters a bike store we revert back to kid-status and begin drooling at the sights, sounds and smells of new bikes and the gear. A visit to the bike store forges a bond between your need for going further, faster and easier and your wallet. I visit my bike shop, ETO, three or four days per week. Some people call it church, I call it nourishment for the soul.
All it takes is a little plastic explosive called “VISA” and you’re rolling on a new set of ZIPP wheels. Or riding a “Focus” track frameset. Sometimes it might be as simple as a new set of rubber. The reasons for riding are endless – and one of which most riders will espouse is “kewl equipment.” Ride. On.
Today’s photos are HOT. Look at the carbon. It spells F-A-S-T. Look at the designs. You might find them in a Victoria Secret catalog one day. Looking …
Ever ponder what happened to our overall commitment to physical fitness? I do. There have been so many times in my life where I felt like a backslider – a lazy mo-fo who wasn’t careful about consumption. Within the last three years I’ve given my life to a crazy pastime called cycling.
I spend countless hours during the winter months riding and working out at the gym to improve my fitness level – and at a minimum maintain what I’ve built. Many a day I ponder, “why am I doing this? All my friends are out doing fun things, soaking up adventure in a 1,000 ways.” Then my brain snaps into the future with the clear picture of what a race might be like when I’m unprepared, physically unfit or worse – I’m out of shape. Period.
I ride because so many “others” do not. I ride because it’s all about the bike. About seeing the world from something other than a TV or a car – or the internet. I suggest that we continue riding on.
At one point in my life I was a runner. I loved running. However, I wanted to see more, soak up more views and certainly take in more scenery along the way. Let’s put calories aside and focus on the views: if working out is both commitment and enjoyment (separate by some standards) then we’d best enjoy the view. When you ride your bike – you SEE more things, people, places, creatures, and certainly more cars, dogs and issues. I ride because I want to see more of life. Ride on.
