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I hate the bicycle today

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Describing his recent crash that took him out of the Giro d’Italia, Christian Vande Velde said, “… when I crashed I just wanted to crawl up into a ball and go away.” He had been there before. He knew that the times that can be hardest for a cyclist are those when he is not on the bike. In a moment, his season changed — and with that his life.

Jonathan in his collarI’m no Christian Vande Velde, but my broken bones hurt just as much as his do. My responsibilities don’t revolve around the bike and I have no aspirations finishing on the podium in the Tour De France — no one is going to miss me not being on the bike. However, I do have a family to take care of, bills to pay, and a job to do. As I lay there over a week ago looking up at the EMT who was putting my neck in a brace, I just wanted to crawl up into a ball and go away.

Consider this when you take up the bicycle. If you are fortunate, you may go your whole career with only a little road rash for your pain. Some experience the pain multiple times. Others go for years before the tarmac snaps up to bring them down. When it happens know that there is more at stake than your body or the bicycle.

First, there is the bicycle. I don’t think I asked it this time, but I don’t know what I said — and I don’t want to know! However, for the cyclist who has put his own sweat and blood into building up his bike, one of his first concerns after going down is the condition of the bicycle. For me… crushed front wheel, broken top tube, busted front fork, warped chain ring, and maybe some issues with the shifters. The bike is done.

Then there is the body. This one is pretty obvious. When you go down, be blessed to find if all you have is road rash. Probably the most common injury is the broken collar bone. For me it was a broken neck — ok, I say that for effect — a fractured C1 vertebra and fractured skull, fractured left thumb and ring finger, and two broken teeth along with a busted lip.

What you might not consider is time. This kind of goes along with the body. I have used up over a week of my sick time. I have already had the first surgery on my teeth and I have another one coming up on Friday for my thumb. All of this had me out of work for a week and now I’m only allowed to come in half days. Soon the sick days will be gone and I’ll be down to using my vacation days.

There is also the time at home. I can’t do much of anything. Sleep comes in amounts of 2 to 3 hours. I watch the grass getting higher, knowing I can’t do anything about it. The beautiful redhead has to put my socks on for me in the morning among a myriad of other extras that my injuries place on her.

Of course, this all comes to meet you at the wallet. I am SOOOO thankful for the health care provided by my employer. In many cases the hospital expenses are 100%. However, due to the time delays for me seeing certain doctors, I will have to pay 20% for some of the work. The loss of sick days and vacation days is also like losing money. Then there the money in the bike, etc.

These are some of the reasons I am mad at the bike. What makes me hate the bike? It is because my love for riding and desire to be out there competing on one has taken me off of it. Everything that has gone into this wonderful season seems suddenly like vapor. A couple weeks ago I was complaining about having to upgrade to Category 3 and messing up some of my goals for the year.

Now, I just wish I could ride.

I guess in my convoluted mental state I have to say that my love for the bike is what makes me hate it so right now. The thing is, I know I’ll start messing around and have a bike ready to move onto the trainer. It won’t be long before I’ll start spinning. Before the end of the season, I’ll be back out there. Perhaps I will have a different mindset, but I can’t see myself just sitting on the sidelines.

For now, I do feel like curling into a ball and  just make all the hard things that have come from this go away. However, as Christian went on to say, “I had my days when I was down but you just pick yourself up and dust yourself down. There’s no reason crying about it.” So, thank you for allowing me to whine. Now, I’ve got some dusting to do.

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Posted in Bicycles, Life | 3 Comments »

Boyd Bikes c50’s – First impression

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

Boyd Bikes have been mentioned here on Low Cadence before. My initial interest with the bike brand was simply because Boyd Johnson, the founder of the business, was a local rider who has been helpful to me as a novice racer. Its always nice when the sentimental interest is backed up by a solid product.

While I have not yet ridden a Boyd frame, I have had the opportunity to try some of his wheels. Yesterday presented my chance to get rolling on some of the 50mm carbon clinchers he offers. I still haven’t been disappointed.

My only complaint with this wheel set was the fact that they weren’t mine! Nicole Johnson took them off her bike. That meant I ended up with Team Kenda green tags and hubs on the wheels. I overcame this slight issue by imagining the green was black. Yeah… that’s better!

Seriously though, I wasn’t riding the wheels to see how they looked on the bike. I must admit that they do look pretty sweet and with black hubs and tags they would be perfect. The point of this test was to see what I thought of the handling and ride quality. Ultimately, I would be deciding whether to put my own set on the bike.

I had talked with Boyd about the 38mm wheels. He suggested that I consider the 50’s instead. His reasons were that the 50’s made for the best all-around wheel set. They were not too heavy on the climbs, were not so deep that they became troublesome in the crosswinds, and they were deep enough to give some aerodynamic advantage.

So, that found me heading toward Paris Mountain on a beautiful Greenville day. Why the mountain? My training called for repeats. Maybe not the best test for the wheels, but it is what I had to do. Plus, it would give me an opportunity to test the wheels climbing and descending.

Turns out I had a very good chance to get a feel for the wheels on the CVS side of Altamont Road. There is some climbing, but also some rollers that allow you to get up some speed. Of course, on the backside it is just plain old grunt and grind. I would get the whole picture.

First, there is one thing all the Boyd wheels share: the hubs. I love these things. It is the consistent thread between all the wheels and regardless of which set you are on, you are going to love these hubs. They are as smooth as corn-silk powder on a baby’s bottom.

Second, you have to take a look at the carbon rims. I go with the clinchers because I just don’t see the advantage for a rider at my level getting into the tubular stuff. It might make them a tad heavier, but the aerodynamic properties are the same. Those properties were evident as I rode my test.

The word that comes to mind is “slice.” The wheels really seemed to slice through the wind. Once the mass got spinning, it was as though it was going to run off on you. The feeling was that I was getting more speed with less power. Indeed, I beat my normal time to the top on the CVS side.

Descending was a pleasure. The wheels are stiff and you have a solid feel. Even at descending speeds going into bends, I did not feel any push from the wind cutting across the rims and spokes.

The only thing I did not like was the fact that I must have gotten Nicole’s brake pads on the wrong calipers. The wheels were screeching so badly when I started to stop at the bottom that I was glad I didn’t know the guy getting ready to start his climb. I’m assuming that this issue will go away once the pads contour themselves to the carbon surface.

As for climbing, the weight of the wheel did not set me back so much from my current wheel set of choice (Mavic Ksyrium SLs). While not the optimum wheels for climbing, they do seem to fit that part of their description of being a solid all-around wheel set.

Would I buy a set? Let me take them out again today when I have the opportunity to take in some flatter and faster sections of road, and I’ll let you know. Only, if I do get a set, they won’t be green.

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Posted in Bicycles, Review | 3 Comments »

Back on black

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Haven’t had a chance to mention this, but for the first time since last September I had the chance to ride my black Giant TCR Advanced. It was a beautiful, sunny day and I was told by my coach to go out and do an easy hour spin. A perfect occasion to head to Cleveland Park.

2009 Giant TCR Advanced

My repaired and newly built up 2009 Giant TCR Advanced

I love the bike. Calfee Design has it looking almost new. The only thing I did not have them do when they repaired my frame and repainted it was not to put the TCR Advanced logo along the front section of the top tube. I’m thinking about replacing it with a LowCadence.com decal.

The ride is smooth but nimble, just like my white TCR Advanced. The bikes are set up so well that when I am on the one, I don’t feel any different than when on the other. I do notice some difference when when it comes to the components. The SRAM Red components on the white bike do have a slight advantage over the SRAM Force components on the black one. However, to be honest, once I stop thinking about it, I don’t notice even that.

Rolling on that bike, especially after the solid finish at Fork Shoals this year, I felt that things have finally come full circle. The memory of the accident is fading. My mind is more focused thinking about the future than remembering the past. My bike is repaired and so is my confidence.

I’m back on black! It’s been too long and I’m glad to be back.

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Boyd’s Bow and Aero

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

One of the neat things about riding the Tuesday Night World Championships is you never know what Boyd Johnson is going to have in the back of his car. This Tuesday it was a sample of one of his first Bow and Aero TT frames with the new paint scheme. I got a chance to hold it and inspect the lines up close. Nice.

Boyd Bow and Aero TT frame

Click to enlarge

The frame I was holding was a bit smaller than I would ride, but the colors would go great with my POA Cycling kit! It was light, but solid feeling. Some carbon bikes now days almost feel like you are holding paper. I’m certain once this frame gets built up, it will give a feeling of confidence.

The lines are unique – especially the front portion of the frame. You can definitely see the “Bow” in the rear and the “Areo” on the front. By the way, it is all perfectly UCI legal. There are no added on nose pieces here.

I haven’t seen one of these built up yet. However, Boyd did tweet a picture of one he is building up for his Globalbike team. I’m still partial to the red, black, and white frame. Can’t wait to see that one completed and up close. You can see pictures of the cable and component placement at BoydBikes.com.

Globalbike Bow and Aero

Click to enlarge

Actually, I have never ridden a time trial bike before. I’ve never ridden an official time trial either. Only once have I gone out to a course designated as a TT course and attempted a run. I did it with the Merckx style. For my non-cycling friends, that is a method named after famous cyclist Eddy Merckx. It is when you time trial using a traditional bicycle setup. People say you are “Merckxing it”.

I do hope to try a TT or so this year. A friend who is not currently able to ride his TT bike is going to let me borrow it. I guess I need to start practicing on it soon. The Greenville Spinners time trial events are coming up soon as well as the SC TT Championships.

Who knows, maybe someday I’ll have my own Bow and Aero.

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Posted in Bicycles | 2 Comments »

Tale of Two Giants

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

It is done. I finally have the two Giant TCR Advanced frames built up. This all started back in September and is ending here in February. Now I’ll have another choice to make whenever I decide to go for a ride — do I ride white, or do I ride black?

Back when I joined the POA Cycling Team, I sold my Specialized Tarmac Pro and my first road bike, a Specialized Allez Elite, in order to get the team bike -- a black 2009 TCR Advanced with Force components. It was a great bike and I was glad I made the switch.  However, the problem it created was that I only had one bike.

2009 Giant TCR Advanced

2009 Giant TCR Advanced

Now, for most people that isn’t a problem. What I found for me was that I often ran into situations where I would have the bike in the shop for a tune-up or to have something fixed that I had broken, and I would be bike-less. I came to regret getting rid of both of those bikes.

That was never more the case than in September 2009 when I was taken out in a race. The black Giant was cracked on the top tube. I had no bike at all.

Thankfully, Giant sent me a replacement frame. To make things nicer, it was a 2010 Giant TCR Advanced. I was able to build it up with 2010 SRAM Force components. It was the bike I used to ride the relay from Greenville to Austin in October.

2010 Giant TCR Advanced

2010 Giant TCR Advanced

When Giant sent me the new frame, they did not request me to return the old one. At first I didn’t know what to do with it. Then a friend of mine told me that he had a frame fixed with Calfee Design. I looked into it and found that for a little over $300 I could get the black frame fixed.

So, I sent it off and received it about the time we placed the team order for 2010 SRAM parts for the team. It is way too good of a deal to pass up and I decided to snag some Red components. The plan was to move the Force group to the black TCR Advanced and put the Red group on the white TCR Advanced.

FINALLY, after months it all came together. Then I couldn’t decide which bike to use as my primary bike! That is important because my one Quarq CinQo powermeter is in the crank -- a SRAM S900. The number 1 bike would need to have that crank.

After a bit of deliberation, I decided to go with my original plans. I get differing reactions from people regarding the look of the two bikes. Some like the white. Some like the black. I think I like the both.

Maybe I’ll be able to find a way to get power on the black bike and I’ll be able to switch between the two of them more often. I could ride the one that best fits the mood of the day! More importantly, I’ll have a bike to ride whether one is in the shop or not.

Now… if the snow would just clear from the roads so I could ride one of them…

Ebony and ivory

Ebony and ivory

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Seeing Red

Friday, February 12th, 2010

It took awhile for my part of the team order to arrive from SRAM. It gave me time to consider the bike on which I would put the components. I finally decided on the white Giant.

SRAM Red is finally on the bike

SRAM Red is finally on the bike

John James, at Sunshine Cycle Shop, normally puts my bikes together, but he is out of commission with a broken collar bone.  John isn’t going to be building bikes any time soon! He broke it Sunday and won’t have surgery until next week. Thankfully, Mike stepped in and built up the bike yesterday.

Ouch!

Ouch!

The only bad thing is that I was stuck on the trainer yesterday for my hour and a half session. Thankfully, there was a program on National Geographic Channel about the Bugatti Veyron.  Wow! The speed is impressive, but the technology behind it is incredible!

Bugatti Veyron - top speed 253 mph

Bugatti Veyron - top speed 253 mph

The technology behind the SRAM shifters is pretty cool too. It took me a little bit to get used to the double-click action when I first switched over a couple years ago. Now, I can’t imagine using any other option.

Yes, it looks great and that is part of the allure. It also has saved me several grams in weight. Besides, any cyclist will tell you there is nothing like a new set of components.

I’m ready to roll for 2010. Even on the trainer the shift action felt great. The road is going to feel even better. Stay tuned for some pictures as soon as the weather cooperates.

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Trust the plan

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

As the new season comes upon us (the Greenville Spring Series is only a bit more than a week away), I find myself encouraged with where I am.  Sure, race day performance will really tell the tale, but at least I’m excited with the possibilities. There is one thing to which I have to attribute this new confidence.

Coaching.

There is no way I would be at the fitness I am without the employment of a coach. It isn’t that I have learned something earth shattering. I could most likely have found a training plan online, learned more about the TrainingPeaks software, and gained the knowledge to see progression. It still wouldn’t have made the difference that I am seeing now.

Why? Accountability. All of that stuff has no human interaction. How many times have I climbed on that trainer and completed my drill when I would have rather been somewhere else? How often when in a drill did I feel like cutting a corner here or there to avoid the pain? The powermeter doesn’t lie. I knew my coach was going to see the data and he would know I wasn’t giving my best.

Encouragement. I’m not saying my coach is a slave driver. There have been times when he has sensed a struggle and has adjusted my training to help me over the hump. More than that he has simply been a cheerleader to keep me “trusting in the plan.” When I’m lost in the data, he comes along to explain it in ways that keeps me seeking to improve it. When recently I struggled with team dynamics and frustration with my lack of riding skills, he came along side to teach proper tactics and pull me out of the funk.

Experience. It is one thing to have knowledge. I’m learning quite a bit about the science and equations of training with power. Sometimes I can anticipate what my coach is going to say as he assesses my power data. However, it has been said that wisdom is knowledge with experience. My coach has been there and done that. How does all that information translate into real life? Coach knows.

I’m sure that if you have a coach you think I’m describing yours! These points are not exclusive to just mine. Where ever you are, if you want to move your game up several levels, I encourage you to consider a coach. If you are in the Upstate then you’ve got to consider Jim Cunningham at the Greenville Cycling Center. Even if you aren’t in Greenville, he can coach you — whether you are a beginner or a professional.

Was this a commercial? I’m sure it comes across that way, but it is a sincere testimonial. I was skeptical as I entered the relationship. I knew having a coach could help, but I figured I could probably do nearly as well on my own. Looking back over the last three months, I realize now how naive I was. Wow! Has it only been three months? How much farther can I go in nine more? Jim has me believing! All I have to do is “trust the plan.”

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Posted in Bicycles, Life, Review, Training | 1 Comment »

SRAM Red, White, and Black

Friday, February 5th, 2010

What do I do now? Before Christmas I ordered some components as part of my POA Cycling Team deal with SRAM. I’m certain John, at Sunshine Cycle Shop, grew weary of me asking when the order would arrive. Well, I’ll pester him no longer. The order arrived yesterday.

Now I’m left with a quandary. Which frame do I put the components on? The white Giant or the black one?

2009 (black) and 2010 (white) TCR Advanced frames

2009 (black) and 2010 (white) TCR Advanced frames

My original intention was to move the ‘09 Force group from the white bike to the black bike and then build up the white one with the ‘10 Red group. With that in mind I ordered a new Force crank so I could keep my SRAM S900 with the Quarq CinQo on the white bike.

That would have full Red on the white bike except for the crank and full Force on the black bike. It all made perfect sense until some friends told me I should consider racing the black frame with the Force group and leave the white frame and the Red for the cookie rides. The idea makes sense.

Let’s face it, there really isn’t that much of a difference in the components. Yes, the Red is lighter with a slightly different construction, but when it comes to someone at my skill level it really doesn’t make that much difference. I hate to say it, but it really comes down to what looks good.

That is the problem. Since I only have one Quarq CinQo and I am training this year, I have to keep the powermeter crank on the bike that I plan to race. Unless I plan to mix the Force crank with the remaining Red group, I have to keep the Red stuff with the S900.

I’m leaning heavily toward my original plan – build the white Giant up with the Red group and the CinQo. The black bike would then be all Force. If looks count for anything, that is definitely the way to go.

2010 Giant TCR Advanced

2010 Giant TCR Advanced

Then again… if I race the white Giant, I will be the only POA rider on a white bike — all the other Giant frames on the team are black. Also, the black frame is the repaired frame and keeping the white frame out of the racing action would keep it safer. Who cares if the black frame gets nicked?

2009 Giant TCR Advanced

2009 Giant TCR Advanced

Then again… you only live once and that white frame is really sweet. With the Red group on it, that white Giant is going to stand out… though I have to admit the black frame just looks more menacing.

Silly, isn’t it?

Help!!!! I can’t make up my mind!

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Posted in Bicycles | 7 Comments »

Hincapie takes a piece of us with him

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

I’ll admit I’m a George Hincapie fan… not a fanatic, but certainly a fan. Part of it has to do with the man himself, but a large part of it is that George takes a little bit of me and my community everywhere he goes. Added to that is the fact that he has never let us down in the way he has conducted himself — both here in Greenville and around the world.

When he left HTC-Columbia, I wasn’t real thrilled. I liked Bob Stapleton and the chemistry in the team seemed genuine. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when a team dominates like they did in stage wins.

Bob is still the same and while several riders left the team, it appears the same camaraderie exists among the remaining and newer riders. However, with George moving over to BMC I find myself drawn to learn a bit more about the wild card team that is showing itself worthy in the Tour Down Under. I might find myself checking the general classifications for two teams this year!

Anyway, I happened across this article on CyclingNews.com and thought I would archive it here at LowCadence.com.  If you are a George or BMC fan, I think you will enjoy this up close look at the 2009 National Champion’s steed. The BMC STX01 RaceMaster is a nice machine!

Photo from Cyclingnews.com click image for gallery.

Photo from Cyclingnews.com click image for gallery.

After Greipel’s first win, I saw him put his arm around George’s shoulder. That Hincapie Sportswear USA National Championship kit looked pretty good standing out from the crowd around. I couldn’t help to think of the crew over off Pete Hollis Blvd when I saw it. There was a piece of Greenville right there on the roads of Australia. More than that, there was one of Greenville’s best ambassadors doing what he does best… riding a bike and encouraging a younger rider.

Unfortunately, for the big guy, he had a little tumble in the beginning of Stage 3 and had to get patched up a bit. Then he had trouble with his front wheel. However, he came back to finish with the main group – just 1 second behind the winner. That puts him in 19th place in the general classification only 20 seconds back. More important is the fact that BMC has moved into 3rd on the team classification. This bodes well for fans who want to see George and his team in the major races of the year.

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Posted in Bicycles | 2 Comments »

My first paint chip on my 2010 Giant TCR Advanced

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

I love my Giant TCR Advanced. It is kind of cool because it is somewhat unique. Since it is a replacement frame to replace one that was damaged last year, it has a different paint scheme than what you will see on your LBS floor. Funny, but I have had people comment that they like the look of the replacement frame better than the floor model.

Then the other night I was switching out my rear skewer so I could put it on the trainer. As I released the lock the rear seat stay flexed out (as normal) and a white flake of paint popped off. “Oh great!” I thought to myself. “My first damage to the frame and I didn’t even do anything.”

My first paint chip on the 2010 TCR

My first paint chip on the 2010 TCR

Interestingly, I was able to get a glimpse of the paint job. At least at that point of the bike, it is pretty thick! The chip that came off felt pretty substantial.  I think it would have taken a bit of force to try to break it in two. I didn’t try, of course!

So, I went about fixing it. At first I thought of getting some model paint and touch up the spot. Then I remembered some glue that my son and I were using to fix some of his toys. It was Elmers brand Gorrilla Glue. It did a good job on the toys and since this chip was more like a “piece” than a flake, I decided to try gluing it.

Applying the Elmers Gorrilla Glue

Applying the Elmers Gorrilla Glue

After letting it set for a bit, I took some white fingernail polish and coated it a few times. Later I checked on it and it was pretty solid. I’ve ridden it several times since then and the blemish is still there, but you would have to be looking for it.

The finished repair

The finished repair

I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has had any issues with the paint job on the Giant. This is the replacement frame that is a matte finish. I did not damage the frame by bumping it into anything or crashing.

It almost appears that the rear dropout must flex and it loosened a weak point in the paint causing it to pop off. I say that because the chip actually “popped” away from the frame as though it was under pressure and then released.

Oh well, no big deal, at least I don’t have to be so obsessive about avoiding my first scratch. There is also a measure of relief that the first one was not due to my stupidity! I’m still loving the bike.

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Posted in Bicycles | 2 Comments »

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