Jesse James 2014

I did the Jesse James Bike Tour this past weekend for the second year in a row. My friend Geoff and I had a little late start getting on the road because the night prior I had the damndest time trying to mount my slicks. Looking back, I should have been okay with my Rubino Pros on this century ride, but I have recently been running ThickSlick Sports for a little added puncture protection. The only problem is that the bead on the ThickSlick is so tight that I have found it near impossible to put on, and just I couldn’t get the rear one mounted. It was late, I was too tired, and so I gave up - cleaned and lubed the rest of the bike and figured I would wait until I could get an extra hand in the morning. 

5 a.m. came too early – and when Geoff arrived I was still a zombie and not nearly ready to go. He found a trick to getting the tire on, though. Mounted the tire “backwards”… putting the section by the stem on last.  I would not have thought of that, but it worked. We finally hit the road at around 6:30, a half hour later than planned, then proceeded to get lost trying to follow the many detours for getting on to 35E (every exit from every direction seems to be closed).  So we arrived in Northfield late, but were able to meet my other friends McKay and Natania and get underway at the 8:00 cutoff time. 

A little chilly at the start, it ended up being a beautiful sunny 70° throughout the day. Northfield is a nice little town. The course starts and ends at the high school and goes briefly through a suburban feeling part of Northfield and then into vast farm country for about 35 miles southeast to Wanamingo (don’t ask me to pronounce it), turning west and going through Kenyon to Faribault, then back north through Dundas to Northfield. The highways are remote and well cared for, with very little traffic – which made for nice riding. 

McKay and Natania recently moved to Minnesota from the Intermountain West and they commented on how different the farm country felt – corn and soybeans as far as the eye could see – even the barns are built differently. McKay grew up in Idaho where he is probably more accustomed root cellars, and I have no idea what sorts of structures pepper the Arizona desert where Natania grew up. They did not say it, but I am sure they were also wondering at the lack of mountains on the landscape after recently living in Utah. 

 

One of the things I enjoy most about long group rides is the random chatter. Avoiding politics and religion (somewhat) we always end up talking about bikes and bike racing – at least I do. This time it was about sunglasses and what we’ve seen the pros do with them during races (after I nearly dropped my own on the pavement). I have seen Alberto Contador ride with them tucked into the collar of his jersey on occasion; Peter Sagan carried them in his mouth on while riding on muddy cobblestones during this year’s TDF Stage 5; but many have them tucked into their helmets, often with special clips to keep them in place. 

Random conversation that morphs into talk of Contador’s unexpected dominance at the Tour of Spain after breaking his leg during the Tour de France six weeks prior, and invariably lands on PEDs and what Lance Armstrong is up to these days. We talked about lots of other day to day things that have become a blur summed up in the emotion of a fun group ride.

The chatter was broken up by the wind, and we went long stretches in a quiet pace line as we tried to cut through it. We took turns leading, but Geoff definitely did the lion’s share and I didn’t complain as I skulked behind. The sound of the wind was so strong that the leader would have to check regularly to make sure the group was together. 

At about 50 miles I was worried that Natania was on the verge of bonking. I was bringing up the rear with her in front of me when a gap opened up and we lost contact with McKay and Geoff. They hadn’t realized that we had been dropped; I tried pacing Natania back a couple of times but she was slipping. Fortunately it was just before the point when the course took a turn north and we shifted relative to the wind so that the going was easier again. McKay then saw what was happening and he dropped back to support his wife. We were now riding easier and she was able to recover and was strong for the rest of the ride.

My own troubles started at about mile 85, when my knee started screaming. In Jens Voigt fashion I told it “Shut up knee!” and pedaled on.

“In Garmin We Trust”

As we neared the finish, it became clear to us that the ride organizers had miscalculated the distance at 94 miles. We decided to put our faith in our own GPS devices and turned a few heads as we rode past the finish line. I noticed others doing the 100 mile “Getaway” ride following us as we circled the neighborhood for another 6 miles so that we could put on miles to reach our goal. Geoff’s Garmin rolled to 100 just as he hit the curb after we circled back to the finish line – so we called it good at 6 hours and 33 minutes.

August

I keep hearing the "end of summer" marketing rumblings... Apparently summer is ending early this year with. Labor Day falling on September 1. A sad thought. August hasn't exactly been the best month for me to soak it up though: closed on a house and moved a few weeks ago. When not unpacking boxes, shopping for new appliances, and doing all the chores and administrative odds and ends that come with homeownership, I have really enjoyed exploring on my bike, especially pulling the twins around.

We stopped to watch a train; the sound was a bit much for Anders.

The commute has been great too. Landed in a northern suburb, and mornings by the quiet lake feel like north woods territory. I miss a lot about  Minneapolis, but I am getting used to the nice sliver of wilderness here.

Epic of Epic

The TDF is epic, and this year was particularly epic from start to finish. When other great riders faltered with bad luck, Vincenzo Nibali was flawless and fun to watch. 

TDF Rest Day Catch Up

Between my day job and my dad job, plus wanting to spend my own time in the saddle, it is had to keep up with the daily awesomeness that is the Tour de France. So I relish the rest days almost as much as the riders... Well probably not close, but it is a good time to catch up because I am usually a stage behind - and avoiding the internet spoilers like the plague. So if you don't mind my sharing, I am going to list some memorable moments (to me at least) - as soon as I have the time. 

Andrew Talansky holding on just inside the elimination time after  a massive crash - and being plagued with crashes this Tour - was one of those heroic feats of drama that makes the Tour so much fun to watch.

I had a feeling that it was the Bulldog's pride that kept him from climbing into that Broom Wagon behind him. I would have been surprised by the look of things if he had continued the next day. Chapeau all the same!

Storming the Bastille

France’s “La Fête Nationale” seems like a good day to summarize my view of the TDF – my favorite or notable moments – for week one. 

Stage 1: Leeds - Harrogate  190.5km
Marcel Kittle riding to glory and a second time winning the Maillot Jaune in an opening stage sprint was pretty awesome. I had to feel for Mark Cavendish who for the past couple of years has found the opening stage Yellow Jersey elusive… I especially feel for him after crashing out in the bunch sprint this year. He obviously took a risk to try to put himself in a better position for the stage win and collided with Simon Gerrans.

Stage 2: York - Sheffield  201km
Chris Froome testing the legs of his primary competitors with an attack and seeing the top GC contenders respond and ride together to the finish. Expecting Peter Sagan to take the stage in a sprint, it was fantastic to watch Vincenso Nibali surprise attack in the last few hundred meters and take yellow with a 2 sec advantage.

Stage 3: Cambridge - London  155km
Kittle Wins in London.

Stage 4: Le Touquet-Paris-Plage - Lille Métropole  163.5km
Now at the Métropole, Kittle makes it three.

Stage 5: Ypres - Arenberg Porte du Hainaut  155.5km
The cobbles in the wet. Mud. Awesome. There has been some controversy about the inclusion of the pave in the TDF, but from a spectator’s perspective this made for one of the most memorable stages that I have ever seen. There was so much anticipation of this stage leading into this year’s TDF – and for me it didn’t disappoint. Watching Vincenso Nibali float over the cobbles to maintain his lead was phenomenal. Lars Boom willing himself to the front and taking the stage was fantastic too. 

Chris Froome abandoning the race was the biggest disappointment. Although I have been rooting for Americans  TJ Van Garderen and Andrew Talanski to usher in a new era of American cycling with a TDF win, it was hard to see the defending champion struggle with a couple of crashes and abandon before he hit the pave sections.

Stage 6: Arras - Reims 194km
Andre Greipel wins the stage in a sprint finish.

Stage 7: Épernay - Nancy 234.5km
Matteo Trentin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) photo-finish win over Peter Sagan (Cannondale).

Stage 8: Tomblaine - Gérardmer La Mauselaine  161km
Breakaway success – at one point 11+ minutes and Frenchman Blel Kadri holding on and winning the stage on Bastille Day-Weekend was pretty special to watch. I was rooting for Sylvain Chavanel (I AM Cycling) because he showed such spirit in the breakaway but I was equally pleased for his fellow countryman from AG2R La Mondial.  

Stage 9: Gérardmer - Mulhouse 170km
Tony Martin killing it and surviving solo on the breakaway, time-trial style, almost 8 minutes over the peleton. 

 Tony Gallopin leading chase and snatching the Yellow Jersey for France on the eve of Bastille Day.

Stage 10: Mulhouse - La Planche des Belles Filles  161.5km
Alberto Contador abandoning after a crash and knee injury was so disappointing.  I love how he rides, attacks, and makes the race interesting. Hope he is back in form for the Vuelta. 

Vincenzo Nibali proved again that he is a force to be reckoned with, putting the pressure on throughout and ending the stage with a superhuman attack on a 20% grade. Made his stage truly memorable as he took back the Maillot Jaune. Also nice to see TJ Van Garderen move up to 7th overall in the GC. 

Some really great riding again by Tony Martin and others as well.

Hexed

Lucky 7

It has been eventful spring/early summer in terms of flat tires and mechanical issues with my bike. This week I had my 6th and 7th flats of the season (on new tires). One might say I got junk tires when trying to save a little money because of the other maintenance on a bike that is a couple years old with 4K miles - and I wouldn't disagree with them. Time to shell out the dough for better tires. (If you are wondering, I think Mavik makes great wheels but their tires are sheet).

Another theory is the appearance of a Voodoo brand bike that has taken up residence next to me at work. It creeps me out when I see and things haven't been the same since I passed the person riding it a few weeks ago and within 100 meters one of my crank arms fell off - just one in a series of other issues. I must be hexed - or at least my bike is...