The Things I do

Aside from posting a so called "GPOY" every now and then I will go the extra mile for some little things. Mostly what I'm thinking of is something I decided to do months ago. I noticed that although my $80 cycling glasses were awesome for costing me only $25, they did not match anything in my cycling apparel.

Now, okay. I know. Before you go on and tell me that I'm stupid, crazy, weird, in need of a reality check as to what matter in life, I get it. I know. But judgements aside, it bugged me. The frames were a navy blue and all I own is black, red, white, and a touch of silver (which is going to be dealt with in a similar manner) as far as my cycling apparel goes. Don't get me wrong. Navy blue just might be my favorite color, but that's out of the saddle and a part of my "you're more of a 'winter' type of person" looks. The navy blue frames did not stick out either. I know. No one would guess, much less care, but if you know me... those little things will start to bug me after a while. And keep in mind, I have certainly thought about getting "better" glasses, but have chosen not to. They aren't broken, and whatever is bugging me about them can just turn into a little project for me. Win.

A few months ago I decided to take up that project, change the color and slap a few layers of black acrylic paint on them. It was cheap and the little amount I got would last me a long as I needed. Well turns out, as I had feared, the polished plastic frames did not allow for the acrylic to adhere too well and the layers were easy to flake off and not entirely satisfy my unnecessary task.

I let it go for a while knowing that I would need give some sandpaper a go on these before I tried painting them again. I have just found some sandpaper that I knew would pop up somewhere so I wouldn't have to go buy any. It's pretty fine at a 320 rating, but it is has got the job done.

This is simply what the frames look like now. Nothing pretty, but I'm happy with how my project is going. All I need to figure out is what color I will go with [first]. Black (which I cannot find at the moment), white (should stand out well), or red/maroon (would match the helmet/kit/bike nicely). I am open to suggestion, but am leaning towards white or the ever-trusty black. I'm not the type to throw up an odd, real stand-out color like pink (Rapha wunna-bes). Just doesn't suit me. Remember, an off color put me up to this to begin with. And... I can always change the colors any time I want. This might turn into something I do.... Keep things fresh, just for you.

This painting project is simple and something I will also dare to liken to my keeping up with this blog... with a post like this. It's ridiculous and I don't see why anyone should care, but I don't care if they don't. Simple as that. Again, thanks for reading. I do appreciate that.

Filming IUP Cycling

Looks like I'm going to have to make the young-guns shave their legs whether they like it or not. IUP Cycling is going to be on camera this spring racing season. I have recently found out a good friend of mine from Indiana, Pa is ready, able, and excited to lead a production team.

There is a lot about cycling that is left ambiguous to most people. What I have spent so much of my time working for and sacrificing for is something I want to continue to share with everyone around me. Personalities play a huge role in this sport and I want to show more of what cycling means to so many.

In my head, that production team will capture IUP cyclists in varying aspects of of their development, training, racing, and whatever else happens in meetings, pre-race discussions and post-race reactions. There will be success and lessons learned and the more of that we can capture, the better. At this point the idea is certainly in it's early stages and the ultimate direction that this will take is yet to be determined. I am open to suggestion and as many ideas as we can figure out.

As much as I would love to be the driving force on this endeavor that role will be taken up by my aforementioned friend. He is the one that will have the final say about this project and endeavor. I trust his abilities and vision and I know that he will put his best efforts into this.

Again, the project's scope and entire direction is still being uncovered to us. That being said, the more people that could help us out the better it can be. Schedules conflict and w are all students here. Quality and professionalism will not be sacrificed at any point in this project and I expect a final piece that will make anyone who participated very proud of their work and efforts. I would appreciate anyone interested in helping (mostly filming) to contact me for more information. There is a lot more that I can brief you on and we are hoping to make this set a new standard for IUP Cycling and other cycling teams.

Again, please let me know if you have any interest in helping out. It would mean a lot! No experience is necessary!!! Thanks for reading.

I think I'm getting better at this

It's true. I think I might have figured out what I can do to vamp up this blog a bit. Remember that "Monday Mornings" blog series I was thinking of doing. Well I have just thought of another idea for a series type of addition to my blog. I'll call it "Where's The Podium? #_."

I thought up that title, "Where's The Podium?" last week pondering about this blog I have here. I don't spend too much time thinking about this blog, but I do put effort into it. At any rate, I was thinking how "Where's The Podium?" might have been a more appropriate question I might ask myself, upon garnering success in a race since there will always be at least a symbolic "podium" of 1-2-3 finishers rather than an actual trophy. Once I got over the fact that I should be happy with what I've titled this and how it all began for me, I kind of let the title slip from my ponderings.

Until Just now. I am in the middle of sanding down my cycling classes frames (they're due for a new paint color) and I thought.... why not combine that Monday Mornings (race recounting) idea with that "Where's The Podium?"idea and make a blog series out of that? "Perfect." thinks I. Even if i don't personally make a podium spot... 

So there you have it. A bit of my creative genius displayed. It should work out nicely as some of my racing will take place on Tuesdays anyway. Also, it will be a nice way for me to keep track of the racing I do in a season and let you all in on my thoughts therein. Intriguing stuff. 

On another note, I have made a successful surprise visit to my parents this weekend (started my drive there at 5:00 am) in Fairfax, Va and I have got to find decent rides to do. I can ride through my and nearby neighborhoods, but those get old real fast and I just don't know how to deal with all the traffic. Not that I don't think I can ride on busy roads, it's just there are so many and they are just not fun with people who hardly respect other drivers much less an oddity like a cyclist. Learning where I can find good rides around here is just another reason why I wanted to find a well established team in Fairfax. I'll learn from the local riders and figure things out. Until then, I do know of a nice trail I will give a shot. I want to aim for 50 miles tomorrow. It'll be fun. I just have to wake up early so I can enjoy the rest of the day with someone I've been looking forward to seeing again for a long time (maybe not that long, but it feels like it has been, you know?) Thanks for reading.

Outside In Indiana

I've been looking forward to riding outside for a while. Really I think it has turned into me looking forward to warmer weather. Pretty simple. I had really forgotten how fast my bike is/feels. I don't mean to round-about say that I'm fast. No, but my bike is. 15.5 lbs is going to be faster than 18.5 lbs+ like I was rocking last year. (R.I.P. Bella) At any rate, today's workout was well anticipated and worth getting excited for. Sprints!

It did not get as warm as I had thought/hoped it might, but I was well protected.

The Spread.

Let's see... in order of what I put on... I've got a heart rate monitor, core base layer, two pairs (yes two) of arm warmers, leg warmers, bib shorts, jersey, winter shoe covers, wind/waterproof liner gloves, wind/waterproof outer gloves, warm cycling specific cap, eyewear, multi tool, and cell phone. Oh wait.... I have to pull cell phone back out and check if I have any missed texts. Whoops I've now got to answer them all since I'm so freakin' popular. Pop that bad boy back in the rear pocket after letting everyone know "it'll have to wait, people... I've got a ride to do," and I'm ready to go.

It was all just the right amount of clothing for the ride. I did the nice, familiar IUP Cycling "training route" followed by three "race effort" sprints. I will say they were a far cry from any "race caliber" sprints. Sprinting is something needs practice as much as climbing and other various disciplines in cycling. Although, as I have described before, sprinting involves a lot, it takes practice to dial in and refine those senses getting your body and mind in the same place. Today, being my first sets of sprints, proved to me that I need to work on that orientation. That didn't stop me from having fun tho!

Fun! Also note the hair under the cap under the helmet... success!

There you have it. I've got 13lbs to chop hopefully around mid-April. I think I calculated that that's about  a 7.5% drop in overall body weight. I'm not exercise phyz-wiz so I don't know all what that means, but I thought I would share. I'm no math man either so my calculation could be off, but I'm at 173lbs. I have a friend that took interest in my diet habits for her major and various projects. I hope to work with her more and understand a little bit better about my eating and what habits I should work on.

For now, my diets is centering around fruits, veggies, nuts, whole wheat products like bread and pasta, and fish! Nom! I need more pasta!

Thanks for reading.

One - Percent Differences

I would love to be a perfectionist when it comes to my cycling equipment, bikes, position, and possibilities thereof. I guess I am making due with what I can. I want the best out of what I've got. I've got nice stuff and am limited by my lack of money and time. What I can be a perfectionist about is myself. My discipline to training, my weight, habits on and off the bike, and every aspect that has to do with my goals and aspirations. The power of the mind is my one-percent. Attitude, persistence, and drive all make the difference. Knowing when to back off, making patience a teammate, and riding to the best of my abilities every given chance is what will bring me success.

Here's what got me thinking all of this.

Heart Pounding

Things are getting closer and closer to the new season. I'm still trying to iron out how I want to attack it and make the most of the races I go for. I am racing to win. each. race. I do. I've got nothing but success in my sights. Thinking about the races I've done, won, and lost make me excited to have another crack at it all. Even thinking about my workout scheduled for tomorrow is making my heart patter with anticipation and nerves.

I know I've used this before, but I knew I won that preme lap. (I like how it looks too, okay?)

The nerves aren't the kind like I'm scared of anything, but that when I think about sprinting, going for the line, putting everything I have into every pedal stroke, it's like being on another level on my bike. My awareness goes up. I feel everything. I sense how my body moves - balancing each pedal drive, expanding and compacting lungs, where and when my fingers move gear shifting up only to call for more power from my already burning legs. It's all there. I sense where other people are. Any quick glance to the left or right - I'm taking in so much information. I will know how my speed is compared to theirs. I will know if I will get to the line before them. I will know how much pain I am in and can almost sense theirs. I will know where I need to point my drive and whether or not I will be the victor or not. This awareness is evident every time you see a professional rider raise his/her arms on the line when to nearly every spectator it was too close to call. When you win, you knew before anyone else... except for those sprinting with you... they knew they were going to lose (some mistakes happen tho...).

D2 wants out!

I figure I will focus on my sprinting abilities. Tomorrow's workout calls for sprints at race effort. I am going to drive at it as hard as I can. Tomorrow will be the coldest of the week, but apparently the sun will be out. That's encouraging. I know it's probably too early to be calling for continued warmer weather, but I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can. Getting some outside riding/handling experience will be important too. The trainer is no way to keep my riding sharp. I'm not about to drop money on a set of rollers no matter how many heckles I get from The Roller Cam.

I've also been thinking of selling my Garmin 305. I can live without uploading all my data and I have never used it for an navigation purposes. I will probably stick with it for a bit. No need to fix something that isn't broke (the speedometer magnet sensor is broke... cadence is fine tho. how annoying is that?) Relying on gps to assess my speed is not too accurate. That alone almost makes it worth swapping for a Cateye or Vetta. I'll live.

Sprints tomorrow! Tinie Tempah - Wonderman Ft. Ellie Goulding

Picture Fail

As I was trying to get the right photos for my kit post I had a lot of trial and error pictures. One in particular...

I don't suppose you can see why it is I am wincing real badly here, but have a guess...(clip-in slip) I had to take a breather after this one. Also.... note that I cropped out that hair for the kit shot used too.

Had a few complete misses on the kit.

Gotta work on that aim...

That's better, but still a miss and not good enough for the one I have used and eventually cropped. I made the process a lot harder than it needed to be, but I am happy to show off the new look. I hesitate to provide any more pictures or angles of the kit, really, than these. I will be having the team going to a renowned photographer's studio to get pro-esk photos taken of the team with their kits and bikes. Look for those down the road and us on the road in the spring!