Friday, April 22, 2011

Cycling Shoes

I recently invested in a new pair of road shoes. My old pair I used for about three seasons and they really never fit correctly. I used to have to pull the straps super tight to get them to fit just ok. The carbon sole began to separate and it was time for some new white Pear Izumi's. I didn't realize the importance that the proper shoe ( and fit ) could make. After just three rides I notice a super huge difference in power and control. I feel like I am In much more command of the bicycle. It really rounded out my comfort level. Not to mention the super increase of power especially out of the saddle. Also the proper cleat placement is crucial. If you have not checked your cleat position I suggest you do so. Even if your cleats were originally installed correctly they may have shifted over time. Your local bike shop professional can help you with a cleat retrofit I'm sure. I finally feel like I'm dialed in on the road bike. I ride a 2006 Fuji Team RC full carbon frameset,  10 speed Dura-Ace front and rear with FSA carbon crank and mavic cosmic elite wheels.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Can't Stay Away

After a recent life changing event ( all good !!) I have found the motivation to begin training on a higher level that I have been doing the past few years. I have dropped weight the last two weeks and I'm back under 185 . I have been super strong on the bike for how early in the season it is. So I decided to return to racing. I still plan to focus more of my riding time towards commuting and day tripping but something inside is telling me to head back to the MASS Series for another crack at a few of the races that I have tried to podium place. The memory of a field finish in Granogue twice, then a third start in 07 landed me a broken chain shifting into a lower gear on the last clime while I was sitting in 6th place (I had good legs and would have easily moved up a spot or two).This has my mouth watering. Ill be competing in the elite single speed division. The way it looks now I plan on doing Granogue , French Creek and Iron hill. I invite everyone to come out and experience some of the best grass roots racing in the country ! Being realistic I'll most likely have to wait for next season to get a shot to clime onto the podium ( Hoping ) but I will use the rest of this season and the races I mentioned to get in shape and make a comeback. We'll see.

www.masuperseries.com


John

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Time to Suffer

I have been spending most of the winter off of the bike and in the gym. Working on the treadmill and some core workouts. The last 3 weeks I have just been resting. Getting strong for spring. Im getting older but I can still go as hard as I did in "07 (Yea right ) but only for 7 or 8 months. Not all year like before. At the end of last year I realized this. If you are stronger than your competitors you can win by riding easily while they drop all around you. Ha Ha. I know at least for me that's not happening anymore. This time of year just getting back on the bike I forget how much the first 20 rides can hurt. I feel stiff. I thought of writing about this topic half way through a early season roll around the Betzwood forest. I no longer race but every year about this time the preparation for the spring MASS racing series to begin gets me pumped . http://www.masuperseries.com/
There are hundreds of little things to learn about racing like tactics, nutrition, equipment, training and attitude that all need to be developed over time to become stronger than your competitors ( or friends ). I have learned that you need to be willing to dig down deep if you want to try to beat the others.The trick you must learn is how to "suffer through it" and be stronger than they are. I have many times beaten stronger riders because I suffered harder than they did ( or they missed a gear and I coasted by ). If you want to perform on the bike you need to prepare at least 48 hours ahead. Hydrate, Sleep, Carb Load and don't train too hard the night before. We all know that stuff. But there are no directions on how to suffer harder than the others.To me loosing is simply a lesson learned tought by others that have suffered harder than you! right?

Sunday, November 14, 2010

The Cycling Gods

This was a perfect weekend to ride! I hope everyone had a chance to throw a leg over a bike on Sunday. It was nice to pull into the lot at betzwood and not be able to find a spot this late in the season. It's like spring was here...... Oh wait.... Its almost Thanksgiving. Business has been brisk at the shop for this time of the year. Still some bike sales and repairs coming in. The cycling gods are blessing us with this nice weather. They are providing us with a little more time to enjoy the sport we love. You know the cycling gods right? That voice that tells you to ride when your running late and feeling tired or makes you get off the couch in a rainstorm get in full kit and ride. That voice is the cycling gods. Listen to them.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Bike Safety - Pre-ride Checklist

The importance of the Pre Ride Checklist was presented again to me while returning to my Jeep after a Sunday morning ride last week. Coasting through the Betzwood parking lot I noticed 4 ladies inspecting the rear wheel of one of their bikes. I asked them if they needed some help and told them that I was a bicycle mechanic. One of them said " My god I'm so glad to here that"! They apparently had driven 45 minuets to get there and than another 45 minuets trying to fix a flat tire on one bike and the front brake on another. After addressing both of their issues in under 2 minuets and a brief chat with them they were on their way. I hope they enjoyed their ride as much as I enjoyed helping them make it happen! The moral you say ?  ............. Pre-ride Checklist.

Before each ride, perform a safety check of your bicycle. This only needs to take a minute or two, but will help prevent avoidable accidents.
  • Check the tires for proper inflation (marked on the side of the tire). Check the tire treads for excessive wear or other damage, such as embedded glass or other objects.
  • Check the brakes. Spin the wheels to check for rubbing and then apply the brakes to ensure they stop the bike smoothly and evenly. Check the brake pads for excessive wear.
  • Check the cables and housing to make sure there is no fraying or splitting.
  • Check the wheel quick release levers to ensure they are secure.
  • Check for any loose parts or other mechanical problems.
  • Do a slow-speed ride and inspect bicycle, brakes, and shifting before you leave your driveway.
Following these guidelines will go a long way to enjoying your bike rides and will often help you prevent unexpected incidents or a long walk home.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Single Speeding Off Road


I want to talk about The Surly Karate Monkey Single Speed 29er that I have been riding for the last six months. This bike is a beast. Chris King Hubs, Mavic Wheels, the bike it the real deal for sure.  The simplicity of the single speed is bliss. It's full rigid so it beats you up a bit in the rocks and stuff but it climes like a Billy Goat. If you ever want to get real strong on the bike this is how ya do it... let me tell ya! Ridding a single speed mountain bike is really not as hard as everyone thinks. You get funny looks for sure and the occasional " hey that guys riding a single speed " as you pass them on the tight technical single track. It's all about forward momentum and " Flow " . When you master the art of riding a single speed on a short steep clime or setting into pace on a long stone flat section there is nothing like it. The pinnacle for the seasoned cyclist I would say. Whats even more awesome is getting back on the road bike after riding the SS at Betzwood and the Wiss all summer. That's when you discover what it has done for you. I just met Matt Budd at a bicycle convention in Philly last weekend. Matt is a frame builder building some of ( in my opinion ) the sickest stuff. His favorite thing  right now is building up SS Cross bikes. I want one. I'm thinking of taking a trip up to see him in Boston to visit his shop. We have been talking about possibly offering his frames at the shop. I would be the only shop to offer his frames. Check him out http://www.buddbikes.com/ Stay tuned.