Bicycle Races Are Coming Your Way

• Preparing for the Epic

  1/16/2008

  

  Well, Training is back in full force. Resolutions have been made, workouts have been doled out by the coaches. Bikes, kits and other ostentatious bike stuff we don’t really need has been ordered (that’s probably the best part). It’s time to put things in perspective- what are you shooting for? what are your goals? What races do you want to race in? win? place? man hug in a final sprint? It all comes down to preparation.

  So what are CJ’s goals for this upcoming season? Well, aside from the customary “lose 50 lbs,” I’d like to at least place in a CRCA B race. Last year my goal was to win a C race, which happened- but there’s a pretty big talent difference between those two fields. I have a feeling the B field is going to be pretty damn strong this year- it’ll be interesting to see how the races unfold on both a team and individual level. I’d also like to place in some crits (and not crash in them).

  While park races are great, they’re training races. sure it’s great to have your team win the B cup (which we’ll be trying to do again), but I want to concentrate on a few big out of town races. I want to do some crazy races- I want to experience something new and great- I got a taste of that last season by doing races like Owasco and Battenkill. I’m looking forward to those races again.

  I love the concept of a Roubaix-style race. It’s great to do a race that causes you to suffer- not just in the “oh god this is a big hill” sort of suffering, but to endure the elements, rough roads, long distances- Races like that build character, you’re proud for just finishing. When it’s all done, you and your buddies are able to commiserate over a shared experience that was both fun and full of suffering. Even better- with a roubaix, you’ve just GOTTA chug a big ole’ bottle of belgian when its done.

  

  So Battenkill was supposed to be my first big race of the season- it’s pretty early in the season (April 19), and its right smack in the middle of spring. a pretty epic race to be sure. I’m really excited to see how I do this year compared to last year’s C race. If i learned anything with Battenkill last year, it’s that it isn’t over until the large, unattractive female screams into a microphone. Long, painful races like this play out differently than your standard park race- there’s alot more drama to it (the good kind)

  along the lines of Battenkill, I remember having read about a similar race down in Louisiana called the Rouge Roubaix. This race is the southern version of Paris-Roubaix ; A 106-mi suffer fest in the Backroads of Louisiana. We’re talking Deliverance country here. Barely supported, 20 miles of unpaved roads, and short, very steep climbs on said unpaved roads.

  I went to college down in New Orleans and was going there when I started riding road. If you can believe it, I was an even chunkier fred when I started out riding.

  I decided on a whim to look into the Rouge roubaix and came across their site. I wanted to do a race that not many people up here had done- one that’s a bit crazy and pretty, well, epic.

  

  So I signed up last week and peer pressured two people (maybe 3) into going. It’s going to be crazy.

  

  The only problem is that this race is over a month before Battenkill. It’ll be a great prep race for Battenkill- albeit longer and probably more painful. We’ll be rewarded by a crazy night out in New Orleans, my old stomping grounds. I

  So I’m full on training, and taking it as seriously as possible- I haven’t eaten ANY foie gras since new years, and I’ve been laying off delicious, wonderful bacon based products. I’ve been hitting the Gym for the past 2-3 months, and I definitely feel the difference this time around. I’ve been hitting up squats, Deadlifts, leg presses, and some core/stability exercises. I’m hoping these help with my sprint. I’m going to get into Plyometrics soon as well (once i get the workouts), as I’ve been told over and over again that they’re pretty essential to having a good “snap” in your sprint. I’ve also started getting longer rides in- Sunday we had our first ride to the Orchards. The race is less than two months away. Will we be ready? Will the yankees be able to hang with the Good ‘ole boys? Will I be told I have a pretty mouth?

  

  Yes or no, It’s gonna be epic.

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