This is a pretty good story about the Mavic mechanics who provided support to the Tour de France riders who suffered punctures due to a tacking incident. Hope they catch the bastard.
Velo News story about the tacking
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Specialized Early Launch
I have noticed that Specialized has posted some early launch photos. Doesn't look like there are a lot of changes, but there are some interesting color combinations.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
A good birthday
Today is my 45th birthday. Thanks to cycling I am healthier than I have been in at least 20 years. That does not mean I am where I want to be.
In the past year I have lost ten pounds and incorporated swimming and gym workouts into my exercise routine along with cycling. This is the main reason why I have lost, not gained ten pounds. I have also reduced my A1C by almost a full point. I have cut back on my long-acting insulin by eight units a day.
I have started running, but my running program has been slow going. I don't do it often enough to progress. Of course my goal is to get stronger for cycling, do sprint triathlons and 5Ks, not run marathons.
Another year like this would be good. But, in order for it to be great, I need to focus on nutrition. It's been the hardest thing for me to overcome. It's not that I eat a lot. I just eat the typical American diet. Sure, I try to watch my carb intake, but I eat way too much fat and way too many calories to lose the weight that I want.
I need to be better at maintaining a good blood sugar throughout my exercising rather than starting high, ending low and taking on carbs after the ride, swim, run or workout.
My goal for the next year is simple. I want to lose a pound a week. It sounds daunting: Lose 52 pounds, but with the amount of exercise I do, my job and my motivation it should be simple math. There is no way I will be able to do it without adding in this last component.
Today is a great birthday, because I'm sitting here having lost ten pounds and not gained ten, improved my overall health and improved the management of my diabetes. My last birthday I was still recovering from my illness, so believe me, I feel pretty proud about what I've been able to do.
Now is the time to work harder!
In the past year I have lost ten pounds and incorporated swimming and gym workouts into my exercise routine along with cycling. This is the main reason why I have lost, not gained ten pounds. I have also reduced my A1C by almost a full point. I have cut back on my long-acting insulin by eight units a day.
I have started running, but my running program has been slow going. I don't do it often enough to progress. Of course my goal is to get stronger for cycling, do sprint triathlons and 5Ks, not run marathons.
Another year like this would be good. But, in order for it to be great, I need to focus on nutrition. It's been the hardest thing for me to overcome. It's not that I eat a lot. I just eat the typical American diet. Sure, I try to watch my carb intake, but I eat way too much fat and way too many calories to lose the weight that I want.
I need to be better at maintaining a good blood sugar throughout my exercising rather than starting high, ending low and taking on carbs after the ride, swim, run or workout.
My goal for the next year is simple. I want to lose a pound a week. It sounds daunting: Lose 52 pounds, but with the amount of exercise I do, my job and my motivation it should be simple math. There is no way I will be able to do it without adding in this last component.
Today is a great birthday, because I'm sitting here having lost ten pounds and not gained ten, improved my overall health and improved the management of my diabetes. My last birthday I was still recovering from my illness, so believe me, I feel pretty proud about what I've been able to do.
Now is the time to work harder!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Following le Tour
Watching the Tour de France on television has got me thinking about all those specters along the route. Here is the best thing I've seen written on following le Tour. Looks fun. Hope I get to do it some day
Click here for an experienced tour follower's notes about spectating
Click here for an experienced tour follower's notes about spectating
A good way to ride
I overtrained a bit for the Tour de Cure, so I took a little time off the bike. Between the overtraining and my current work schedule, I was only getting out once a week.
Another thing I've done is spend more time on my Specialized Sirrus. I love this bike. It's perfect for bike path and rail trail adventures where stability and comfort are more important than speed.
This bike just eats up the bike path. I'm only about a mile an hour slower on it than I am on my Allez, which one can't really open up on the path.
I am a firm believer in buying a bike with a specific purpose in mind. The Allez is for road riding, the Sirrus is for path and rail trail use. The Allez was fine on the bike path when it was the only bike I had, but I've retired it to road use. The Sirrus is great for what I do, and it will work as a commuter. It remains to be seen whether it will make sense at some point to buy a commuter-specific bike.
A few words about the Sirrus. If you are in the market for one, go with the base model or maybe one step up to the sport. It's an excellent bike, and quite frankly it shifts a heck of a lot better than my Allez with Shimano STI shifters. The frame is the thing, and it's plenty sturdy with tires that are just fine for bike path use. I have a rack on the back of it and it will work just fine as a grocery getter too. And, perhaps most significantly, while I would be upset if it got stollen while I'm in Price Chopper, I would get over it. I'd be pretty upset if my Allez got ripped off considering the upgrades I've done and plan to do.
Anyway, the bike path is a good way to ride. If you are a roadie, don't forget the joys of an early morning bike path ride dodging runners and dog walkers.
Another thing I've done is spend more time on my Specialized Sirrus. I love this bike. It's perfect for bike path and rail trail adventures where stability and comfort are more important than speed.
This bike just eats up the bike path. I'm only about a mile an hour slower on it than I am on my Allez, which one can't really open up on the path.
I am a firm believer in buying a bike with a specific purpose in mind. The Allez is for road riding, the Sirrus is for path and rail trail use. The Allez was fine on the bike path when it was the only bike I had, but I've retired it to road use. The Sirrus is great for what I do, and it will work as a commuter. It remains to be seen whether it will make sense at some point to buy a commuter-specific bike.
A few words about the Sirrus. If you are in the market for one, go with the base model or maybe one step up to the sport. It's an excellent bike, and quite frankly it shifts a heck of a lot better than my Allez with Shimano STI shifters. The frame is the thing, and it's plenty sturdy with tires that are just fine for bike path use. I have a rack on the back of it and it will work just fine as a grocery getter too. And, perhaps most significantly, while I would be upset if it got stollen while I'm in Price Chopper, I would get over it. I'd be pretty upset if my Allez got ripped off considering the upgrades I've done and plan to do.
Anyway, the bike path is a good way to ride. If you are a roadie, don't forget the joys of an early morning bike path ride dodging runners and dog walkers.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Cool Team USA Team Kits!
Team USA is going to be wearing retro kits at the Olympics. I've got to get one of these!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I am still here
I just bought a new Macbook Pro, so I'll be posting a lot more. I have a lot of good stuff from the past month that's in my journal that I need to translate to the blog, so look for lots of new stuff coming soon.
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