Our friends Beaner and Mrs Beaner snagged some video at Interbike.
Well I'll be...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
On having a 4 year old
He's almost five, but whatever.
His school is .5 mile down the road from us, so we generally walk to and from school.
While walking back today, holding hands, he keeps running and jumping every few steps, saying, "Got you!"
It was keeping us moving along, and I needed to get back to work, so I didn't think anything of it.
As we got close to the house, I realized what he was doing. He was jumping on my shadow. But then I made him cry when I ate his shadow.
*the last part was fiction. no actual shadows were hurt during this story.
His school is .5 mile down the road from us, so we generally walk to and from school.
While walking back today, holding hands, he keeps running and jumping every few steps, saying, "Got you!"
It was keeping us moving along, and I needed to get back to work, so I didn't think anything of it.
As we got close to the house, I realized what he was doing. He was jumping on my shadow. But then I made him cry when I ate his shadow.
*the last part was fiction. no actual shadows were hurt during this story.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wooombpf 3 years ago today
Noah and I rode by the spot where I was surprised by the sudden closeness of the glove compartment of a certain Camry.
It some ways it seems like it only happened a short time ago, but in others it seems like was a lot longer that 3 years ago. I go by the spot a few times per month, but I don't intentionally avoid it or anything like that.
When I think about it, I can recall the second or so of impact, the going over the car, and then coming to. The most vivid memories are of those next few moments of waking up, everything spinning, and thinking, "ok, this is what dead feels like".
I don't mean to be melodramatic, but that's what I thought right then. Couldn't feel anything, didn't really have my bearings, couldn't hear anything...then the inventory started, and I was not dead.
Today, I brought the camera so we could take a picture of the spot. It's raining some, but not entirely unpleasant. While there, I got kind of queasy and sat down. That's when Noah took a picture. I thought about the friends who came by and the messages I received afterwards. I thought about how difficult it has been to get back on top of riding and racing since then. But where I went weak today was thinking about just how many people don't ever wake up, get up, or much less ride again after being hit.
Keep riding. Enjoy every ride. And take care.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
We need do something while Mr. Buckles can still see it.
When Nationals were in Pennsylvania a couple of years ago, Noah, Granddaddy and I made our way home by taking a detour through Washington DC. It was a nice trip with the elder men of our family making something of vacation together.
We mostly visited the memorials there as we could only spend a day, but what struck me was how poorly some (most) of these memorials were maintained. The lawns and parks were overgrown, the trash cans were overflowing (at least people were using them) which meant there was plenty of trash on the ground in all other places.
While I appreciated the memorials there, and we took them in and read the words deliberately if not solemnly, I couldn't help but be dissapointed. For better or worse, I'm apolitical, but that doesn't mean that there is a lack of pride. I expected more.
We made what really only amounts to a token effort, but we picked up some trash around these places with a thought that even one plastic bottle less is better than when we got here.
As an emotional sort, I can get choked up in a good way pretty easily. Where I lost it on this trip was the WWI memorial, though. as far as I know, there isn't a WWI memorial in DC. This one is for those who were from the District of Columbia. Anyway, it made me mad that it was in such disrepair. I wanted to complain to someone. I was willing to scrub with a brush or work with tools or do whatever needed to be done, but when you turn to look around, the grounds, the other memorials...just the wear and tear of everything is plainly evident.
Just read a thing on CNN about Frank Buckles, the last US surviving WWI veteran.
It is worth the read, so please skip on over there.
Thinking about my Grandpa E.P.
We mostly visited the memorials there as we could only spend a day, but what struck me was how poorly some (most) of these memorials were maintained. The lawns and parks were overgrown, the trash cans were overflowing (at least people were using them) which meant there was plenty of trash on the ground in all other places.
While I appreciated the memorials there, and we took them in and read the words deliberately if not solemnly, I couldn't help but be dissapointed. For better or worse, I'm apolitical, but that doesn't mean that there is a lack of pride. I expected more.
We made what really only amounts to a token effort, but we picked up some trash around these places with a thought that even one plastic bottle less is better than when we got here.
As an emotional sort, I can get choked up in a good way pretty easily. Where I lost it on this trip was the WWI memorial, though. as far as I know, there isn't a WWI memorial in DC. This one is for those who were from the District of Columbia. Anyway, it made me mad that it was in such disrepair. I wanted to complain to someone. I was willing to scrub with a brush or work with tools or do whatever needed to be done, but when you turn to look around, the grounds, the other memorials...just the wear and tear of everything is plainly evident.
Just read a thing on CNN about Frank Buckles, the last US surviving WWI veteran.
It is worth the read, so please skip on over there.
Thinking about my Grandpa E.P.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Look, Mom! I'm on TV!
Ok, this whole thing isn't about me, but if you watch closely, you can see Noah riding around a bit.
When he asked Ivan, "Do you want to race?" Ivan says, "He's gonna race me."
Ivan starts out with his hands on the tops (easy cruising). Then the next cut away he's on the hoods (cruising). The next cut away he's in the drops (business).
No, I don't really think Noah can beat Ivan Dominguez. I just thought it was funny.
Nobody is making you watch this.
And very seriously, a huge thank you to Noah's teammates: Austin, Royce, Hunter and Imari. We didn't want it set up that Noah rode by himself, but y'all still helped make this thing happen. It was a very early morning to get started on a very busy day as we moved hotels, during a very stressful time--Nationals. I'm proud of all of our boys, and I'm already looking forward to working on the team pursuit for next year.
When he asked Ivan, "Do you want to race?" Ivan says, "He's gonna race me."
Ivan starts out with his hands on the tops (easy cruising). Then the next cut away he's on the hoods (cruising). The next cut away he's in the drops (business).
No, I don't really think Noah can beat Ivan Dominguez. I just thought it was funny.
Nobody is making you watch this.
And very seriously, a huge thank you to Noah's teammates: Austin, Royce, Hunter and Imari. We didn't want it set up that Noah rode by himself, but y'all still helped make this thing happen. It was a very early morning to get started on a very busy day as we moved hotels, during a very stressful time--Nationals. I'm proud of all of our boys, and I'm already looking forward to working on the team pursuit for next year.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Buon Compleanno
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Friday, August 29, 2008
I'm thinking of a number between 18 and 20
That's how many chickens are here now.
How did that happen?
Those women who have 100 cats...? I wonder when or if they realized that had a lot of cats. When they had 40 and got one more, was it because they thought one more was just right?
Anyway, there's 19 here now. Eddy and 18 women of various ages. and not a one of them is mormon as far as we know.
We have some from our original set that haven't been trumped by the food chain. There are a couple from some Becky bought this summer (she took a couple home with her), and there are seven little ones that squeak very sweetly, and then there are six "teenagers" who look pretty scraggy becauase they've been raised (until now) in a coop, whereas ours are organic granola eating montessori school attending yoga doing free range Buddhist chickens who all get hugs and kisses and sugar free lollipops daily.
It wasn't until these new ones got here that I realized how healthy ours look and are. I'm not saying these new six are total trailer park, but the ones we've had here all along are definitely gifted and talented.
The new ones aren't Barred Rocks or Rhode Island Reds, which is what we've had so far. I can't remember the names of what kind they are right now, but they lay a golden egg, blue eggs and green eggs (really). Since they are new here, they haven't quite figured out where the nesting boxes are, so a few times a day I go outside and...wait for it...look for golden, blue and green eggs. And not a damn one so far has had a quarter or mini-snickers in it.
One of the baby ones is a runt Barred Rock. So, not only is she little, she's also little little. Buddy and I took her with us to pick up Reanie from school. Guys, if you ever want to pick up on women, take a runt chicken to pick up your first grader from school. I'm not kidding, among the oooh's and aaahh's, I had a woman ask me if she could come out to the house to pet the chicken.
For sure Reanie is going to be in 1st grade again next year.
How did that happen?
Those women who have 100 cats...? I wonder when or if they realized that had a lot of cats. When they had 40 and got one more, was it because they thought one more was just right?
Anyway, there's 19 here now. Eddy and 18 women of various ages. and not a one of them is mormon as far as we know.
We have some from our original set that haven't been trumped by the food chain. There are a couple from some Becky bought this summer (she took a couple home with her), and there are seven little ones that squeak very sweetly, and then there are six "teenagers" who look pretty scraggy becauase they've been raised (until now) in a coop, whereas ours are organic granola eating montessori school attending yoga doing free range Buddhist chickens who all get hugs and kisses and sugar free lollipops daily.
It wasn't until these new ones got here that I realized how healthy ours look and are. I'm not saying these new six are total trailer park, but the ones we've had here all along are definitely gifted and talented.
The new ones aren't Barred Rocks or Rhode Island Reds, which is what we've had so far. I can't remember the names of what kind they are right now, but they lay a golden egg, blue eggs and green eggs (really). Since they are new here, they haven't quite figured out where the nesting boxes are, so a few times a day I go outside and...wait for it...look for golden, blue and green eggs. And not a damn one so far has had a quarter or mini-snickers in it.
One of the baby ones is a runt Barred Rock. So, not only is she little, she's also little little. Buddy and I took her with us to pick up Reanie from school. Guys, if you ever want to pick up on women, take a runt chicken to pick up your first grader from school. I'm not kidding, among the oooh's and aaahh's, I had a woman ask me if she could come out to the house to pet the chicken.
For sure Reanie is going to be in 1st grade again next year.
Monday, August 25, 2008
I used to think I knew what fun was
Chloe bought a John Deere today.
And I chased the chickens with it. NOW I know what fun is. Eddy was not having as much fun as me. Not at all.
pictures and video coming soon.
And I chased the chickens with it. NOW I know what fun is. Eddy was not having as much fun as me. Not at all.
pictures and video coming soon.
Props!
Noah's Props!
His Young Guns teammates, and Rob and Steve were great about helping this thing happen at Nationals. I'm not sure it was all that smart (from a racing and prep standpoint) to do this DURING Nationals, but as a life experience, this was a fun thing to have happen and a great learning experience.
A little bit after the half way point, when Noah receives some gloves from Ivan, the crew had him do the "Home Alone" face. Took 4 takes to get that. Funny how tv works.
His Young Guns teammates, and Rob and Steve were great about helping this thing happen at Nationals. I'm not sure it was all that smart (from a racing and prep standpoint) to do this DURING Nationals, but as a life experience, this was a fun thing to have happen and a great learning experience.
A little bit after the half way point, when Noah receives some gloves from Ivan, the crew had him do the "Home Alone" face. Took 4 takes to get that. Funny how tv works.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Home sweet home
This morning I stood out by the garden and watched the chickens (now 15 of them) peck and scratch at the ground while a mouse flitted about. There were also a couple of rabbits in the garden as well. With a fresh cup of coffee (compared to the 5 or 6 convenience store coffees I had on the drive home), I got to play lord of the manor.
Then one chicken caught a frog. I had front row seats watching a few chickens fight over that frog, and it got me to wondering...does it taste like chicken to them?
Came inside and Reanie read me a Curious George book.
Noah is enjoying his time off the bike.
Buddy still says "yes sir" and "no sir" to me.
Meet Espresso. She's a runt, but there aren't any rules about that here.
Then one chicken caught a frog. I had front row seats watching a few chickens fight over that frog, and it got me to wondering...does it taste like chicken to them?
Came inside and Reanie read me a Curious George book.
Noah is enjoying his time off the bike.
Buddy still says "yes sir" and "no sir" to me.
Meet Espresso. She's a runt, but there aren't any rules about that here.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Day #17 and #18
Left Carson, CA at 6:30am. Hit Pecos, TX around midnight. Then Day #18 seamlessly began with me and Rob continuing to tag team driving east through the night. Pulled up to Stella Sola at 10:30am.
Home sweet home.
Good game. Thanks for playing.
Home sweet home.
Good game. Thanks for playing.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Day #15
We missed out on the finals again. Our 13-14s rode better, stronger, but we still (collectively) are riding too much to protect position instead of going after it. The day was points racing, which is a race that has/had 4 sprints that scored points four places deep (5,3,2,1). One need not win any sprints to win the race, as the person who collects the most points wins. Conceivably, someone could win this particular points race by finishing 3rd and 4th consistently.
Imari has an advantage in that everyone in races is new to him. He hasn't been knocked down by a genetic freak or early sprouter yet. That allows him to take it to these races, and he did. 1st or 2nd in the first sprint, but for the rest of the race he was fighting to get back into the group. But the thing about Imari that most bike racers don't do, is that he DID keep fighting. He ended up scoring in the last sprint as well. It wasn't enough points to finish top 3, but he animated the race and gave it is all. Calling it here--Imari will earn a medal at Nationals in 2009.
Noah...I dread seeing this race video (Stewarts took it), as I was losing my mind at how Noah rode the first half of this race. It was the worst tactical racing I'd ever seen out of him. It was the exact opposite of what we talked about doing, and it was the exact thing we said was the worst thing he could do. In the end, it still comes down to communication, and I assumed he understood what we were discussing. He locked on to one thing I said, and like the teenager he now is, the rest of what I said was just noise.
HOWEVER, the second half of his race he rode like the racer he is and can be. He picked up two second place spots in the remaining sprints, but it was just too late and a couple points short of making it to the finals. One 20 lap race. Half of it the worst race I've seen, and half one of the best I've seen from him.
Hunter rode a solid race. He was consitent througout, but kept finishing 5th in the sprints, which scores the same as 1,874th. Like Noah's race, the race just wasn't hard enough to favor him, which meant he had to sprint straight up against some better sprinters. We can tell these boys to attack more, but we also understand it is easier for us to say it than it is for them to do it. If you don't try, though, you'll get the same result as if you did attack and it failed. Once the fight starts, you might as well throw a punch.
Royce had a scratch qualifier. He finished one or two spots out of qualifying, but this was after doing it the hard way again. the most frustrating part of this for me is that I'm the one who is supposed to be able to work him through it, and I can't seem to get it done. If I didn't love this kid, it would be a lot easier. Once he does get through it, what we'll see is going to be spectatular. And maybe that's the pressure that keeps it from happening? Psychology by blog is a growing discipline.
One thing I've been blessed with, though, is having unusually smart young men on this team. They do learn quick. This track Nationals has been surprisingly stressful for the boys. It'll take some time for reflection, but right now I think it was the expectation of doing well that tightened them up as a whole. And then when one thing didn't go well, the mopey set in, and our pit would have a vibe that seemed like everyone would rather be somewhere else. It could be just that this is too long of a road trip for racers this young. We'll sort it out over time and make adjustments accordingly.
But I can't stress this enough--we're doing just average, but we're doing average at the National Championships. The very best racers in the country are our competition. 17th may not sound like a stellar result, but this isn't a Texas Cup race. There are 20+ guys in every category here that can win our Texas Cup races.
Also, qualifying was too strict for Nationals. Top 3 from three heats? Only 9 people to the finals? That's ridiculous. We were saying this before the heats were even run, so it isn't sour grapes that we didn't make it. For all of the money and time and family capital that it takes to go to Nationals, I expect the promoter to offer up a race that is an inclusive for the juniors as possible. It's Nationals, so I don't expect nor desire there to be participant ribbons, but it does get difficult to swallow that in the name of "safety" that the field sizes are capped so small, yet we have 40 and 50+ riders on the track doing all kinds of different things during warm up. There have been more crashes in warm ups and in the first turn (slow) of the match sprints with just two people than in all of the heats and mass start races combined.
Today (Sunday--last day of racing) we have a points race qualifier for Royce, a scratch race for Austin, and then the team pursuit for everyone. Austin is riding with Lawson, Alan Ting and Daniel Walker in their team pursuit. They are racing for the win. Imari, Royce, Hunter and Noah are racing for pride and for the future, as we'll have this squad together for the next two years as well. We're laying the foundation for future medaling performance in the team pursuit.
I have to add that Lisa and Gretchen arranged to get our hotel room done up with some birthday decorations for Noah. It was a nice surprise. I was also surprised that after taking one phone call that I very nearly missed out on getting a taste of the birthday cookie.
Waffle House = 1
Denny's = 5
IHOP = 2
Burrito = 9
Imari has an advantage in that everyone in races is new to him. He hasn't been knocked down by a genetic freak or early sprouter yet. That allows him to take it to these races, and he did. 1st or 2nd in the first sprint, but for the rest of the race he was fighting to get back into the group. But the thing about Imari that most bike racers don't do, is that he DID keep fighting. He ended up scoring in the last sprint as well. It wasn't enough points to finish top 3, but he animated the race and gave it is all. Calling it here--Imari will earn a medal at Nationals in 2009.
Noah...I dread seeing this race video (Stewarts took it), as I was losing my mind at how Noah rode the first half of this race. It was the worst tactical racing I'd ever seen out of him. It was the exact opposite of what we talked about doing, and it was the exact thing we said was the worst thing he could do. In the end, it still comes down to communication, and I assumed he understood what we were discussing. He locked on to one thing I said, and like the teenager he now is, the rest of what I said was just noise.
HOWEVER, the second half of his race he rode like the racer he is and can be. He picked up two second place spots in the remaining sprints, but it was just too late and a couple points short of making it to the finals. One 20 lap race. Half of it the worst race I've seen, and half one of the best I've seen from him.
Hunter rode a solid race. He was consitent througout, but kept finishing 5th in the sprints, which scores the same as 1,874th. Like Noah's race, the race just wasn't hard enough to favor him, which meant he had to sprint straight up against some better sprinters. We can tell these boys to attack more, but we also understand it is easier for us to say it than it is for them to do it. If you don't try, though, you'll get the same result as if you did attack and it failed. Once the fight starts, you might as well throw a punch.
Royce had a scratch qualifier. He finished one or two spots out of qualifying, but this was after doing it the hard way again. the most frustrating part of this for me is that I'm the one who is supposed to be able to work him through it, and I can't seem to get it done. If I didn't love this kid, it would be a lot easier. Once he does get through it, what we'll see is going to be spectatular. And maybe that's the pressure that keeps it from happening? Psychology by blog is a growing discipline.
One thing I've been blessed with, though, is having unusually smart young men on this team. They do learn quick. This track Nationals has been surprisingly stressful for the boys. It'll take some time for reflection, but right now I think it was the expectation of doing well that tightened them up as a whole. And then when one thing didn't go well, the mopey set in, and our pit would have a vibe that seemed like everyone would rather be somewhere else. It could be just that this is too long of a road trip for racers this young. We'll sort it out over time and make adjustments accordingly.
But I can't stress this enough--we're doing just average, but we're doing average at the National Championships. The very best racers in the country are our competition. 17th may not sound like a stellar result, but this isn't a Texas Cup race. There are 20+ guys in every category here that can win our Texas Cup races.
Also, qualifying was too strict for Nationals. Top 3 from three heats? Only 9 people to the finals? That's ridiculous. We were saying this before the heats were even run, so it isn't sour grapes that we didn't make it. For all of the money and time and family capital that it takes to go to Nationals, I expect the promoter to offer up a race that is an inclusive for the juniors as possible. It's Nationals, so I don't expect nor desire there to be participant ribbons, but it does get difficult to swallow that in the name of "safety" that the field sizes are capped so small, yet we have 40 and 50+ riders on the track doing all kinds of different things during warm up. There have been more crashes in warm ups and in the first turn (slow) of the match sprints with just two people than in all of the heats and mass start races combined.
Today (Sunday--last day of racing) we have a points race qualifier for Royce, a scratch race for Austin, and then the team pursuit for everyone. Austin is riding with Lawson, Alan Ting and Daniel Walker in their team pursuit. They are racing for the win. Imari, Royce, Hunter and Noah are racing for pride and for the future, as we'll have this squad together for the next two years as well. We're laying the foundation for future medaling performance in the team pursuit.
I have to add that Lisa and Gretchen arranged to get our hotel room done up with some birthday decorations for Noah. It was a nice surprise. I was also surprised that after taking one phone call that I very nearly missed out on getting a taste of the birthday cookie.
Waffle House = 1
Denny's = 5
IHOP = 2
Burrito = 9
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Day #14
I wish we could have some do overs today (I'll get to the BUT in a minute).
Collectively, we just didn't ride to potential.
Only the top 3 could qualify in the 10-man scratch race heats for the 13-14. They all rode "fine", but tactically, Hunter and Noah rode more like they were protecting themselves than racing like they normally do. Nationals is a pressure cooker, especially when you have to get through qualifiers. They ended up 5th or so in each of their heats. Both rode strong, but when riding like you are hoping to set it up for a bunch sprint at the end, it helps to be one of the best pure sprinters. We'll work on it.
Imari rode a very clean race, was listening well, responding well, and read the race's final two laps perfectly. Made the jump, took the lane, and very nearly upset a whole bunch of people. 4th in his heat.
So, we missed out on getting anyone in the finals for the Scratch race. That's hard for me to swallow on a coaching level. BUT, we were right there. At NATIONALS. This isn't a Friday Night race on the track where we are just barely missing out locally. This is the best in the country.
Speaking of best in the country...
Austin rode the pursuit qualifiers in the morning as well. He hasn't done but maybe 1 or 2 of these, ever. He couldn't remember doing one at all, so maybe there's that. Anyway, I did some finger and toe math to come up with a pacing schedule. His start was (no exaggerating) world class. After the first two laps, it was clear that the pace I projected was too conservative.
Austin poured it on, riding very steady splits. He ended up 5th on the day (which is a medal at Nationals), but missed out on riding the finals, which only takes the top 4. His first individual medal at Nationals, and a solid second day of Redemption Week.
Royce rode his 500m TT in the evening. It's no secret we've all been working with Royce on his confidence. From a coaching standpoint, it's maddening that someone with so much talent has this kind of road block. But on a personal level, for no other reason than that I love the kid, I would do anything to get him to where he feels and acts like he can blow it up at will, because he really can.
With the TT, it's just him against him, really, and they'll put the times up and sort them out. He rode right at his personal best time. he finished 20th, which is 5 spots higher than last year in this event. But as soon as he came off the track, he rattled off 4 or 5 things that could have been done better/right/etc. That's a lot in a 38second event. He was hundredths away from top 12 or so.
The pursuit medal ceremony was the last thing of the night, so it was an early morning and late night. Equals long day.
We've talked race strategy, psychology, equipment, and come up with what we're going to try to do today. It's not going to be a secret. We're going to ride to our strengths. Divide and conquer. No more sitting and waiting for the sprint, especially since that doesn't suit our all-around type riders we have. We're going to run it like Austin did his points race.
If you are doing the 13-14 points races today, and you don't like races with lots of attacks...today is going to suck for you. We may not make the finals today, but we're going to make an impact.
Royce has a scratch race heat this morning. The pressure is heavy on him for various reasons, all of which are understandable. Like the younger ones, he's going to come out fighting. If you are going to get your ass kicked, you might as well throw a punch and try to connect at least once.
Austin is part of a composite group to make a team pursuit, and they are doing some work with that today. Come to think of it, this is kinda funny. He's racing for a composite team in the first place, and now riding on a composite team from that. Divide by 5, subtract 3, carry the 1...
Collectively, we just didn't ride to potential.
Only the top 3 could qualify in the 10-man scratch race heats for the 13-14. They all rode "fine", but tactically, Hunter and Noah rode more like they were protecting themselves than racing like they normally do. Nationals is a pressure cooker, especially when you have to get through qualifiers. They ended up 5th or so in each of their heats. Both rode strong, but when riding like you are hoping to set it up for a bunch sprint at the end, it helps to be one of the best pure sprinters. We'll work on it.
Imari rode a very clean race, was listening well, responding well, and read the race's final two laps perfectly. Made the jump, took the lane, and very nearly upset a whole bunch of people. 4th in his heat.
So, we missed out on getting anyone in the finals for the Scratch race. That's hard for me to swallow on a coaching level. BUT, we were right there. At NATIONALS. This isn't a Friday Night race on the track where we are just barely missing out locally. This is the best in the country.
Speaking of best in the country...
Austin rode the pursuit qualifiers in the morning as well. He hasn't done but maybe 1 or 2 of these, ever. He couldn't remember doing one at all, so maybe there's that. Anyway, I did some finger and toe math to come up with a pacing schedule. His start was (no exaggerating) world class. After the first two laps, it was clear that the pace I projected was too conservative.
Austin poured it on, riding very steady splits. He ended up 5th on the day (which is a medal at Nationals), but missed out on riding the finals, which only takes the top 4. His first individual medal at Nationals, and a solid second day of Redemption Week.
Royce rode his 500m TT in the evening. It's no secret we've all been working with Royce on his confidence. From a coaching standpoint, it's maddening that someone with so much talent has this kind of road block. But on a personal level, for no other reason than that I love the kid, I would do anything to get him to where he feels and acts like he can blow it up at will, because he really can.
With the TT, it's just him against him, really, and they'll put the times up and sort them out. He rode right at his personal best time. he finished 20th, which is 5 spots higher than last year in this event. But as soon as he came off the track, he rattled off 4 or 5 things that could have been done better/right/etc. That's a lot in a 38second event. He was hundredths away from top 12 or so.
The pursuit medal ceremony was the last thing of the night, so it was an early morning and late night. Equals long day.
We've talked race strategy, psychology, equipment, and come up with what we're going to try to do today. It's not going to be a secret. We're going to ride to our strengths. Divide and conquer. No more sitting and waiting for the sprint, especially since that doesn't suit our all-around type riders we have. We're going to run it like Austin did his points race.
If you are doing the 13-14 points races today, and you don't like races with lots of attacks...today is going to suck for you. We may not make the finals today, but we're going to make an impact.
Royce has a scratch race heat this morning. The pressure is heavy on him for various reasons, all of which are understandable. Like the younger ones, he's going to come out fighting. If you are going to get your ass kicked, you might as well throw a punch and try to connect at least once.
Austin is part of a composite group to make a team pursuit, and they are doing some work with that today. Come to think of it, this is kinda funny. He's racing for a composite team in the first place, and now riding on a composite team from that. Divide by 5, subtract 3, carry the 1...
Day #13
This was the 500m TT day for Imari, Noah and Hunter. It was also the 200mTT for Royce.
Imari had a great ride with a 41something and 17th, especially considering we're at Nationals, he's raced track twice ever, and he's never done a 500 before. Noah rode a 41.0, but the starter wouldn't hold him how he asked, so he was leaning too much. Starter said something like, "I'm holding you straight up, and I can't hold you any other way." I'm thinking, "if the rider feels like they are leaning, maybe an inch or two to the right is ok, you know?" Noah's first pedal strokes were to get upright, and then he went. Bummer. But it was for 14th, and just a few hundredths separated that from top 8 or so. Not to bad for the "13" year old year. Hunter rode a strong ride, but was a bit off as well. 19th.
Royce's warm up was, um, sort of missed. We'll call it a coaching thing for this time. He ran a time quite a bit under what he's done repeatedly in training. He still wasn't all that far off from qualifying for the tournament.
That evening, Austin rode the points race. He had a teammate (Austin is guest riding for Metro VW for Nationals so they can do the team pursuit--silver medal last year--but it didn't work out, so...um, anyway) in the lead for awhile, so he was riding some strong D. They both ended up in a group that lapped the field, and Austin stuck it for 9th in the first race of Redemption Week.
I promised the boys we'd get ice cream at this italian place near our hotel if someone finished in the top ten on the day, but to the boy's disappointment, there was nothing dairy-free for Austin. Since he's the one who put the treat in reach, we're taking a rain check until we find a suitable spot.
Imari had a great ride with a 41something and 17th, especially considering we're at Nationals, he's raced track twice ever, and he's never done a 500 before. Noah rode a 41.0, but the starter wouldn't hold him how he asked, so he was leaning too much. Starter said something like, "I'm holding you straight up, and I can't hold you any other way." I'm thinking, "if the rider feels like they are leaning, maybe an inch or two to the right is ok, you know?" Noah's first pedal strokes were to get upright, and then he went. Bummer. But it was for 14th, and just a few hundredths separated that from top 8 or so. Not to bad for the "13" year old year. Hunter rode a strong ride, but was a bit off as well. 19th.
Royce's warm up was, um, sort of missed. We'll call it a coaching thing for this time. He ran a time quite a bit under what he's done repeatedly in training. He still wasn't all that far off from qualifying for the tournament.
That evening, Austin rode the points race. He had a teammate (Austin is guest riding for Metro VW for Nationals so they can do the team pursuit--silver medal last year--but it didn't work out, so...um, anyway) in the lead for awhile, so he was riding some strong D. They both ended up in a group that lapped the field, and Austin stuck it for 9th in the first race of Redemption Week.
I promised the boys we'd get ice cream at this italian place near our hotel if someone finished in the top ten on the day, but to the boy's disappointment, there was nothing dairy-free for Austin. Since he's the one who put the treat in reach, we're taking a rain check until we find a suitable spot.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Day #12
Early start and long day.
Up at 4:30 to get to the velodrome for the Props! shooting. Overall, it was a good experience, even if it was asking a lot of everyone (you too, you voters, you). Hopefully the interviews with the boys will make it to the show.
Noah spent a couple hours riding around the track with Ivan Dominguez. The Cartoon Network folks probably thought there would be some sort of workout, but despite me telling them that no workout could really happen without his teammates, they insisted that the track time be just for Noah (and Ivan). Well, Ivan doesn't even have a track bike and hadn't ridden the track since 1998, so...
So Ivan rode is road bike in the pole lane, Noah to the outside, and they rode lap after lap after lap after lap after lap...just talking. Now, they were riding at a nice clip, and Noah was riding the long way around, but there wasn't any "workout" or tips given out, per se. But Noah did ask tons of questions, and Ivan was super about chatting it up with Noah. I respected Ivan before, but after hanging out with him for some time, he really his a genuinely nice and likeable guy.
Johnny Mosley is a fun guy to be around. Lots of energy, even when the cameras aren't rolling.
at the end of the shooting, Noah was presented with a not-yet-released Fuji TT bike. It's the new D6, and it is just plain wicked, scary, cool. SRAM red components...the works.
Imagine a 16 year old getting a Ferrari as his first car. SAME THING. Shaking my head, but secretly anxious to touch it. I intentionally didn't touch it since I knew we weren't going to keep that actual one (It's the show bike for interbike and all that), as his bike will come in November when it is actually in production.
Funny, though, because the bike didn't have tubes. It had clincher tires on the carbon wheels, but no tubes. Not like anyone was going to ride it anyway, but nobody was going to ride it, period, with no air in the tires.
Towards the end of shooting, our crew (except for me) head back to Anaheim to load up our remaining stuff, while I stood guard over some bags and all of our track bikes and a couple road bikes at the track. Had to check out at 11, but couldn't check in until 2, and nowhere to put our stuff...I put in a loooong day at the track. we all did. World class facilities are cool, but even the coolest is mindnumblingly boring when not being used or being used by one or two people, and your cell phone is dead, lap top is dead, and books are in your bag that is not with you. Ask me something about the inside of the ADT center. Go ahead.
Kids took a quick nap in the afternoon, then we head to the track for an evening training session where we got race wheels on the bikes (except for Noah's) and tested things out.
the blur is our Young Guns during their cool down set.
Waffle House = 1
Denny's = 4
IHOP = 2
Burrito = 7
Up at 4:30 to get to the velodrome for the Props! shooting. Overall, it was a good experience, even if it was asking a lot of everyone (you too, you voters, you). Hopefully the interviews with the boys will make it to the show.
Noah spent a couple hours riding around the track with Ivan Dominguez. The Cartoon Network folks probably thought there would be some sort of workout, but despite me telling them that no workout could really happen without his teammates, they insisted that the track time be just for Noah (and Ivan). Well, Ivan doesn't even have a track bike and hadn't ridden the track since 1998, so...
So Ivan rode is road bike in the pole lane, Noah to the outside, and they rode lap after lap after lap after lap after lap...just talking. Now, they were riding at a nice clip, and Noah was riding the long way around, but there wasn't any "workout" or tips given out, per se. But Noah did ask tons of questions, and Ivan was super about chatting it up with Noah. I respected Ivan before, but after hanging out with him for some time, he really his a genuinely nice and likeable guy.
Johnny Mosley is a fun guy to be around. Lots of energy, even when the cameras aren't rolling.
at the end of the shooting, Noah was presented with a not-yet-released Fuji TT bike. It's the new D6, and it is just plain wicked, scary, cool. SRAM red components...the works.
Imagine a 16 year old getting a Ferrari as his first car. SAME THING. Shaking my head, but secretly anxious to touch it. I intentionally didn't touch it since I knew we weren't going to keep that actual one (It's the show bike for interbike and all that), as his bike will come in November when it is actually in production.
Funny, though, because the bike didn't have tubes. It had clincher tires on the carbon wheels, but no tubes. Not like anyone was going to ride it anyway, but nobody was going to ride it, period, with no air in the tires.
Towards the end of shooting, our crew (except for me) head back to Anaheim to load up our remaining stuff, while I stood guard over some bags and all of our track bikes and a couple road bikes at the track. Had to check out at 11, but couldn't check in until 2, and nowhere to put our stuff...I put in a loooong day at the track. we all did. World class facilities are cool, but even the coolest is mindnumblingly boring when not being used or being used by one or two people, and your cell phone is dead, lap top is dead, and books are in your bag that is not with you. Ask me something about the inside of the ADT center. Go ahead.
Kids took a quick nap in the afternoon, then we head to the track for an evening training session where we got race wheels on the bikes (except for Noah's) and tested things out.
the blur is our Young Guns during their cool down set.
Waffle House = 1
Denny's = 4
IHOP = 2
Burrito = 7
Day #11
I'm having trouble remember what day everything happened.
On Monday we ended up at the track in the afternoon to do the "certification" class, which is a requirement if you want to train on the track. Don't need it to RACE on the track at the USA Nationals event, but to train, you do.
Granted, I'm glad there's some sort of something to keep people from just getting on the track and potentially being dangerous, but at $65/kid, it was steep for us to learn nothing is any different than at home. Oh well.
They went through the class, but Noah was having trouble with his rear wheel, which is his race/training wheel. The tire wasnt' cooperating with the track. We borrowed (Thank You) a rear wheel from the Hollands, while I pulled the offending tire from Noah's wheel.
Turns out the spare tubular I brought wasn't the one I pre-stretched, so we lost a day there because that tire was in no way ready to be glued since it took every ounce of ooomph I had, plus help from Rob to get it on the rim even when it was dry. (glued it on fine last night, though, so he'll run it today in our last training session).
The boys stayed for the open track session after the class. Steve worked with Imari a bit to accelerate--even more, if that's possible--his learning curve. Royce is shaking out some kinks and getting his groove back. Hunter is ripping laps faster than I've ever seen, and Austin is on his Revenge Tour. Noah has showed some chinks in his armour, fighting a case of nerves, but it didn't help that he was sliding out his first three laps on the new track. It's all good now.
We went through a 3/4 workout, meaning we did a good chunk of the kind of thing we normally do, but there's no "training" left. You either have it or you don't. at this point, we're only working to get folks comfortable.
The session, though, was scary. So many people on the track. Kids going every which way with nobody seemingly knowing what they were doing or how to do it, yet many kids and "coached" assuming they know everything. I pulled our kids down from the track for awhile until the craziness could subside a bit. When the track started clearing out, we got back to work. No problems from then on.
On Monday we ended up at the track in the afternoon to do the "certification" class, which is a requirement if you want to train on the track. Don't need it to RACE on the track at the USA Nationals event, but to train, you do.
Granted, I'm glad there's some sort of something to keep people from just getting on the track and potentially being dangerous, but at $65/kid, it was steep for us to learn nothing is any different than at home. Oh well.
They went through the class, but Noah was having trouble with his rear wheel, which is his race/training wheel. The tire wasnt' cooperating with the track. We borrowed (Thank You) a rear wheel from the Hollands, while I pulled the offending tire from Noah's wheel.
Turns out the spare tubular I brought wasn't the one I pre-stretched, so we lost a day there because that tire was in no way ready to be glued since it took every ounce of ooomph I had, plus help from Rob to get it on the rim even when it was dry. (glued it on fine last night, though, so he'll run it today in our last training session).
The boys stayed for the open track session after the class. Steve worked with Imari a bit to accelerate--even more, if that's possible--his learning curve. Royce is shaking out some kinks and getting his groove back. Hunter is ripping laps faster than I've ever seen, and Austin is on his Revenge Tour. Noah has showed some chinks in his armour, fighting a case of nerves, but it didn't help that he was sliding out his first three laps on the new track. It's all good now.
We went through a 3/4 workout, meaning we did a good chunk of the kind of thing we normally do, but there's no "training" left. You either have it or you don't. at this point, we're only working to get folks comfortable.
The session, though, was scary. So many people on the track. Kids going every which way with nobody seemingly knowing what they were doing or how to do it, yet many kids and "coached" assuming they know everything. I pulled our kids down from the track for awhile until the craziness could subside a bit. When the track started clearing out, we got back to work. No problems from then on.
Day #10
Steve, Rob and I took the bike path from Anaheim to Huntington Beach. Bike path. Two lanes, with each lane wide enough for us to ride comfortably two abreast. All road crossings were done with bridges, so we rode the path 15 miles to the beach without having to stop. Once we got to the beach, the path continued in either direction. We chose north.
Passed a group of 75 kids in a junior life guard camp. A mile or so later, we passed a group of 50 kids in a beach volleyball camp. Another mile or so later we passed another group of 75 kids in another junior lifeguard camp.
Found us a food stand and had the best breakfast burrito (outside of home) I've ever had. "People" watched for awhile, then took the path home. 35+ miles on the day, and done in the morning.
The boys went to the beach again in the afternoon.
Began packing up for the move to Carson.
Passed a group of 75 kids in a junior life guard camp. A mile or so later, we passed a group of 50 kids in a beach volleyball camp. Another mile or so later we passed another group of 75 kids in another junior lifeguard camp.
Found us a food stand and had the best breakfast burrito (outside of home) I've ever had. "People" watched for awhile, then took the path home. 35+ miles on the day, and done in the morning.
The boys went to the beach again in the afternoon.
Began packing up for the move to Carson.
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