With the 2008 season behind, I’m looking forward to begin a new season of road and track racing. Being a first time parent did not leave me much time for racing, so I am definetly looking toward 2009.  My goals for the coming year are rather basic:

• Ride 100-150 miles a week
• Minimum mid-pack at races
• Cat 2 on the track
• Compete in Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge (AVC)

Hope everyone has a Happy New Year.  Now go out and ride!

Saris has announced that will introduce four wireless, Garmin-compatible units this fall, ranging from the $999 PowerTap Elite+ that features a steel axle and freehub body. The top of the link hub will be the $2,099 PowerTap SLC+ which has also added another hot feature which will have a 15mm-wide axle with ceramic bearings. The other models listed in Saris’s lineup will include ta $1,999 Pro+, which has an aluminum shell and weighs 475 grams (hub only) and the $1,599 SL+, which features a carbon shell and the wider 15mm axle and weighs 416 grams.

You can read more about it at Velonews.

I know what I’m asking for xmas!

My brother-in-law has been hard at work getting ready for the launch of their new Web 2.0 venture. And finally they have launched their site “Glassdoor.” Go check it out and see the cool work they’ve done. For those looking for a new job or if you’re just curious they have all the information you need to manage your career – real reviews, ratings, and salaries from real employees.

Pain is the name of the game when it comes to Time Trials. So I decided to volunteer my legs to my 4/5 teammates and head down toward Corvallis for the OBRA Team Time Trail Championships.

The team component is a huge challenge with learning to ride cleanly with no brakes in a pace line, signaling, pacing efficiently and effectively. These items are key things we worked on, but with only one practice run two days prior to the race, not much improvement could be made. But, team time trialling is a discipline which requires a lot work and time comment to be effective. Even though the four of us were under-prepared our main goal was to have fun and enjoy the race.

On race day, we meet up at the staging area in Tagent early since both Jay and Alex’s had sons racing in the Junior race. So while the two dads assisted their kids, I set up my trainer to warm-up. We were scheduled as the 1st 4/5 team to go out of 11, going off at 12:46pm. Each team thereafter would start in one-minute intervals.

Walking around the parking lot gave you a good idea who the dedicated Time Trialist (TTs) were….all the latest go-fast gear was on display as people unloaded their cars and set up their warm-up areas.

After a nice spin, the four of us headed down the road to practice our time trialling abilities and get use to signaling and pacing. After this second practice it was time for the group to head to the start.

The course was 4 loops with our main goal to settle into a nice pace and try to maintain 23-24 mph. Then build speed in the fourth loop and finish with whatever we had left. If all went according to plan, we would end up with a low 23 mph average for the race and a respectable time.

We started off according to plan, each taking 20-30 pedal stroke pulls. Our main powerhouse, John, would stay a bit longer in the front so the rest of us good recover for awhile.….I ended up staying out to long on my pulls! As a consequence there was no way I was going to make it to fourth lap at our current pace. We got passed by a couple teams, a few let us know they were there others lets us know when the leader pulled out to move to the back and almost ran into us. The overall winning team won by nearly 4 secs from second place. Guess that happens when you do nothing but Time Trials! The one team that was absolutely flying and won the whole TTT was the Master men 160-199 ZTeam who had a nasty spill at the end and I wish them a quick recovery.

Long story short, the race was a learning experience….I certainly learned that preparation for the event is key. Even though I pulled off at lap three (what happens when you ride once a week and have a baby!) I could see and feel what areas I really need help in improving my cycling strength and fit and work into my over training.

Well the boy’s finally on a schedule and the wife and I are finally getting some sleep. We’ve been quite busy since my last post (sorry about the grammar on that post, I was working on less then 4hrs sleep) :

1. I did the Kilo out at Alpenrose. (Not my personal best, but hey thats pretty good with only 4hrs sleep for the week.)
2. Both sets of grand-parents visited ( I can not tell you how helpful that was!)
3. Took the boy out to watch the first two stages of Mt. Hood Classic. (Hopefully the boy got some pointers. Slept most of the time but maybe he absorbed something through osmosis.)

So what’s next? Looking forward to this week’s OBRA ’s Team Time Trial with three of my teammates. I’ve hoping I can hang in there, I’ve just let my teammates know that I’m going to be the one falling off the back when its time to push. I’m planning on staying on the entire time, being doing my 40K Time Trail workouts (suggested by Carmichael). Some nice hard workouts pushing myself just below LT and staying there for 5mins and doing 4 sets. Well, I should be at least semi-ready for Mt. Tabor Circuit Race.

So the little one’s just a little over a week old and where already seeing him grow like a weed. So far we have had a bout of jaundice and have slowly become accustomed to lack of sleep. So not much riding for me so far, I have gone out on a few short rides here and there but have not meet any team practices. Though I am taking care of my hill repeat workout by going up and down our stairs.

As a new father and someone who has not been around new born or babies in general a few things I’ve learned since the little one’s arrived:

1. Diaper changing - not as hard as you think, of course, unless you have a future sprinter on your hands who’s legs thrash about with every changing. While I’m still no expert, I’m slowly getting the hang of it.
2. Feeding - Feels like its constant, and takes much longer than one would expect. Ever 2-3 hrs he is up ready for his feeding which can take an hour easily from changing diaper, to feeding, to burping, to rocking, to finally putting him back to sleep.
3. Sleep - getting him to sleep, its a process but not much of a problem. After a feeding, burping, and rocking he tends to tumble toward la la land. For the parents - well grab it while you can!
4. Out and About - the diaper bag is one of the most essential components in a parent’s arsenal. It carries everything from diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, change of clothes (yes you’ll need them). As a cyclist the normal diaper bag just wouldn’t cut it. I found a messenger style which works perfectly which is a wonderful fit as a cyclist.
5. Teamwork - A new baby is a huge amount of work and is a team effort from both parents. I am unsure how single parents do it and applaud them. From getting housework done, to just plain eating a meal, takes not one set of hands but two. If you can get into a schedule and process your golden.

Top Ten Reasons to Race Track at Alpenrose:

10. Your lost powertap computer can be found on the track apron.

9. Team Astana has never heard of Alpenrose.

8. No worrying if your wheel change is a 9-spd, 10-spd, or where the
supportvehicle is. Or where you maybe left your spare wheels.

7. There are no hills.

6. You never have to turn right.

5. There is a bell to remind you when to sprint.

4. Your race number is always on your LEFT side.

3. The longest time trial is a mere 4000m.

2. No matter how hard or far you ride, your car is right there in the
parking lot.

1. You can race on May 3rd to support the Eric Kautzky Memorial Scholarship

Who came in at 20.5 inches long, weighs 8lbs 11ozs and came into this world just a wailing!