Spring Campaign over

I know it's been a while, but my Spring Campaign didn't go as planned.  In a nutshell, had a crash first race of the season which broke my bike.  Then had to work many extra shifts at the Barrel AND my new part time gig at Bed, Bath, and Beyond to save for a new frame.  Then second race a road race, I flatted in the first 10 miles.  Since I wasn't in the PRO race, there were no support cars.  On the other hand I won (for my age group) a lot of town line sprints on the group rides, that counts for something.
All is good at the Barrel with my friend who is a girl, my relationship is like a slow simmer, hoping for good sensations soon.  I've bought her plenty of meals (with employee discount), so something big is gonna happen soon.  We share a lot of hard boiled eggs out of my fanny pack, very important when pulling a double shift.
RIP Wouter - he was the man.
Now the real racing begins and I will make my mark and force one selection after the other because I am a baller.  Look out Tri State Metro Valley Regional Racing scene!!
My new carbon frame is wicked awesome, should improve my watts.  Just deciding on what color for all the accessories, like stem, water bottle cages, etc.
My '89 Sentra is showing it's age, may upgrade to a KIA soon. 
Eggs are on sale at Food Lion, so I stocked up.
Sorry for the lack in updates, between my two jobs, awesome relationship, and boiling eggs, my life is hectic.  Also deciding on what community college to attend.
Peace out and remember "ON YOUR LEFT."

Good spring form

Entered the Citizen's 'B' race at the local Tri-State Metro Regional Area Bike League.....and yeah, I rocked it for 9th place.  If my ceramic bearings were installed on my front wheel I probably could have gotten Top 5.  I felt solid and aero, and my new bar tape is great.  Thought about wearing my CamelBack (under my jersey) as this was a longer race (35 mins + 2 laps), but opted for a regular sized bidon.
My power is flowing like some vintage Sutter Home wine.  When I dig deep, I just ask my legs for the power and they deliver.  Might upgrade to Citizen's 'A' if this continues.
The girl at work is really cool.  I caught her reading my 'Bicycling' magazine and she casually put it down when I came strolling up to see what the Soups of the Day were.  I helped her roll 100 napkins with silverware and we talked about going to the STYX concert this summer or Huey Lewis & The News.  She wears the biking socks I got her and a LIVESTRONG bracelet, so yea.....life is good on that front.
Saw Fabs won some race in Belgium, pretty cool effort.  I wonder if my watts are higher?  Race had some odd alpha-numeric name, European style. 
Getting tired, need to go prop the legs up for optimal recovery.  Until next time.....

"Yeah, I do that too...."

This was my response when someone on the group ride asked if I can climb.  They were asking because yet again, I did what I know how to do  (very well) and sprinted at the town line sprint.  I didn't win, but probably because I was only using water instead of my G8 low-cal drink.  AND I had just finished a shift at Cracker Barrel.
I sort of made a move on the girl at work.  Essentially, I keep a fanny pack on me which holds 4 - 6 hard boiled eggs.  She looked fatigued, so I whipped out a pre-peeled hard boiled and she accepted.  I'll have to see if she'll go to Performance with me.  I need some chamois creme.
Power numbers are really peaking, I'm super fast now and wonder if it's 'too much too soon'?  I'd imagine this is what pros feel like.  My trainer knows A LOT of famous people in the cycling world and his GOOD FRIEND, Borut Dagstanti, has taken notice of me, well, more my power numbers that 'Larry' showed him.  There's a squad out of Turkey, so perhaps my pro adventure will start there.
First race is still a month away, but I think I will probably win and get NOTICED amongst the local racers.  Then they'll probably pick me up for their team.  For now, I don't need a team, I am strong enough to win on my own.  I prove this each and every group ride. 
That's really it for this update, my mind is a bit scattered.  We introduced some new entrees at work and I'm having a hard time remembering the bread choices.  Also, the soups of the day are always changing, that makes it tough too.  I will say our sharp cheddar will go head to head with the finest European cheddar
(and win, of course).  Our Pepper Jack is right there too.
I got some really nice, low cut socks recently, they look very European with my black Nashbar shoes.

Rockin' the Tri-City Metro Cycling World.

Just remember, "Yeah, I do that too..."

Dedicated and Determined

It's been a while since my last entry, but I was at a secret training camp.  I'll share details in a few months, but the opportunity came up to travel (regionally) with Cracker Barrel, so I brought the bike along.  I feel it was a productive week as I got to log some big, hilly miles.
Really getting anxious to race and show some form.  Again, numbers pointed in the right direction, and good sensations when sprinting.
I raced a tri-guy on the Metro River City Trail and won pretty easily, even without the aero advantage. Then I raced another club level racer I came across a few suburbs away, he was strong, but ultimately, I put in a surge and he was gone.  Yeah, I pretty much rock the local scene.
Happy with my 700x19 tires, I really feel they are fast. 
First race quickly approaching, the Tri-State Metro City Crit.  Looking forward to that.
In non-cycling related news, I met a cool girl at 'the Barrel'.  I hope she's into European like cyclists and understands what it takes to be involved with a racer like me.  I think I'll go make her a mix tape now.
She has a two year degree in Resort Management from the local community college, that's pretty impressive really.  I may get her some compression socks as well.
See you out there - be ready to race me, because I'm like a caged lion!

Weekend update - 20 Feb

Had another good weekend of training.  Want to give a shout out to the Tri-State Metro Area Eastern Valley PRO group ride.  There are several strong regional racers that show up for this ride.  I treat these rides as races and my pre-ride routine involves jamming to Journey, Rush, and STYX on my iPod.  Apologies to all the riders I 'ignore', but I need to go to my 'special place' like the European pros before Paris-Roubaix.  I got 14th in the first town line sprint and 27th in the next sprint.  Not bad considering I didn't eat my normal breakfast AND I was testing a new saddle bag that was loaded down with an extra tire lever.  I wasn't on my race wheels either, I can feel my training wheels really slow me down as they don't have any snap.
I will start sharing my power numbers soon, but for now, I'm in 'stealth mode' per my Albanian trainer's (Larry) advice.  Don't share with the competition!!  I will say I'm seeing some promising numbers and they are creeping up in the right direction.  With my increased power numbers and more aero sprinting position, I really can't see me NOT winning this spring.
On the equipment side of things, I recently had my local shop install a lighter seat post collar.  This saved a few grams and offers a significant mental edge when climbing.  Another two thumbs up!!
On the work side of things, Cracker Barrel introduced a new appetizer "Jalepeno Poppers".  I heard these are fashionable to serve, so I guess we're just falling in line.  ALL the employees got a free sample to try, which I thought was cool of management, now we can recommend without hesitation.  I think we're also going to be offering Diet Dr. Pepper soon,  so that's good news too.  I'm glad I have compression calf guards to wear, because my 3 hour shift is tough on my recovery after the hard training rides I do.
Europe 2014

Mid-Feb Fitness

It's Feb 15th, and I'm enjoying some winter fitness.  The burning question is - am I peaking too soon?  My Albanian trainer, Bora Dordana, (aka 'Larry') is a little concerned based on my recent power numbers I sent him.  But I will do some recovery rollerblading to ensure I don't push over the top.  I worked some double shifts at the Cracker Barrel so my legs are sore from running to get raspberry iced tea refills and loaded potato skins.  But the extra money is good and will go towards my new TREK and aero helmet.
There are a lot of on-line coupons out there, so please use them, no point in paying full price at the lovely eating establishments that go across our country.
I just put on some carbon water bottle cages, some see these as a luxury, but I see them as a necessity.  They save precious grams, look very European, and my bottles go in and out smoothly.  I would recommend to any racer out there.
I have some good friends that are very strong cyclists and they have said my sprint position (that I have been working on) is super European.  When I go to Europe to race, I will probably go for the sprinter's jersey in most races versus the leader's jersey.  Although, if I drop 8 kilograms, my watts per kilogram will be in line with some European pros, so maybe I'll do that. 
Lastly, I won three sprints in the weekly group ride.  I felt very strong and played it very well.  One stop light had turned, but when it's 'game on' my focus is Zen like and I wanted the win(s) and got them!  I beat some strong regional riders so that's a good sign of things to come.
Off to go do some stretching and eat some Cracker Barrel leftovers.  I might watch a cycling DVD for some extra inspriation for the next hard workout that's coming up.
I just ordered some European bar tape, so I'll let everyone know when I get it.  Several pro teams use this stuff and it has a nice thin layer of gel for the cobblestones, I've seen it in some of the DVD's I watch.  Let's say it will match my black Performance road shoes. Don't stop believing.....

Can't wait to race (and win)

I decided to race bikes after winning a charity ride of 15kms.  It was a tough event.  I increased the pace on a medium sized hill and went solo to the victory.  Now I am determined to do some racing.  My Trek bike performed perfectly, although I instructed the mechanic at Performance to put 130 psi in my tires and when I checked there was only 118 psi. 
I think I will be good because I am athletic from several years of softball.  I prefer cycling as it's an individual sport and I'm kind of a one man wolf pack.
I hired a trainer, he is smart and tells me how to train.  He is Albanian, but simply goes by "Larry".  He said my power numbers are looking good and several wins should come my way.  I recently got some compression calf guards as Larry said all the European pros wear these to aid in recovery.  I also got a European style track suit, it's looks good and is comfortable to wear after my rides. 
I hope to get noticed and want to race for a pro team.  This is my journey.