Death by....

...1,000 electrocutions!

I think most people experience and increase in electrostatic shocks in the winter. Something about the dry air, etc... But I'm really beginning to think I'm a distant cousin of Powder...

I can get a shock off of anything. If I pass too close to the metal corner beads that they use to protect corners made of drywall, I'll get a shock (note I said pass closely, not touch..) I commonly get shocked as I put my hands under the faucet, not from the metal faucet, but the stream of water. There's a bare metal spot on the edge of my desk. If I rest my bare arm on it and move my feet, I'll feel a continuous current from my arm to the desk. I've been shocked in my ear from the telephone handset. And the piece de resistance? I've been shocked by a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!!

You might thing i'm making this stuff up. I WISH.

I used to receive such strong shocks from my last car as I went to close the door (that car had cloth seats) that I developed an avoidance to touching the car door. My hand would actually involuntarily recoil as I reached to close the door!

My current nemesis is the printer at work. It's very Office Space. But instead of "PC Load letter", this damn thing is trying to kill me, one shock at a time. Pretty soon I'll be using one of those grabber things to retrieve my print jobs! Gosh I love this place...

When ya gotta go...

Man do I look forward to these rides each week. Time to get out, forget everything else, and just deal with the weather, and the road in front of you.

Did about 21 miles in an hour fourty. Good group of 11 riders. Temp at ride time was about 19 degrees. There wasn't much of a wind, so I wouldn't put the wind chill at much lower than that. As always, Robert guided us through the streets of Royal Oak, Berkley, and Birmingham. I was prepared with Hammer Gel and Sport Beans, though getting time to eat or drink was a little tough. The sketchy road conditions required both hands on the bars and a lot of concentration, so I could only grab food or drink at a stoplight. And then I had to do it quickly to get the gloves back on before the group took off. One of these days I'll figure out this calorie thing and actually have enough stores to finish a silly little 2 hour ride without feeling peckish.. :D

And a big thanks to the group for waiting during my little 'pit stop'. Boy did I have to go. As if the cold and ice and wind weren't bad enough, I had to put up with significant bladder discomfort for the first 45 minutes of the ride.. Finally I asked Robert to point out a good stopping point and he had the group do a little lap so that I wouldn't get dropped.

So I'm 100 miles up on my training from last year. And I'm gaining every day. Starting Wednesday I'll be riding from work in Troy to the meeting place at 13 and Crooks to tack on some extra miles!

Determined!

I am determined to make the ride on time tonight. I'm only 2 for 4 so far. I must get over .500! It's so much more fun and relaxing to ride in the group.

So I've got all my stuff more or less ready to go at home. Clothes are washed and set aside. I've got Hammer Gel and Gatorade ready to go. And most of my bike stuff is collected in one spot.

Cross your fingers for me.

Oh, and I picked up one of these too! Should make for a much dryer ride for my tookis and, by extension, a much happier me!

Not much exciting transpired this weekend. Another full weekend of snowboarding at the Knob. Managed to get a few lessons in. I can see where this could possibly become a lucrative venture if I were to actually get some folks to come back for more lessons. Right now, 2 lessons per 6 hour day ain't cuttin' it. But hey, free snowboarding!

That's all for now. As you were..

f-f-f-fenders!

Ok. So I forgot about the slush.

It's been such a nice, dry winter, that I've gotten away with bare wheels the last couple weeks. But not tonight.. :(

And, yeeaahhhh... I missed the ride. Again. Between stopping to get some Hammer Gel (see Preparation) and the brief snowstorm that hit right at 6, there was just no way I could make it to the meeting place in time. I decided to stop a few streets away and get on the bike in the hopes that I'd come across the group as they wound their way out of the neighborhood. Fortunately for me, Bill from American Cycle and Fitness also missed the group, and was himself winding his way around the neighborhood looking for them. We did our own little ride around Troy and B'ham for about an hour. We hit a bit of slush along the way, and soon I had the only thing in the world that's worse than swamp ass... that's right, I had ass-bite. Freezing cold slush was sprayed onto my derriere until I'm sure both cheeks were as blue as that crazy cartoon dog. Bill eventually split off to head for home. By now, my booty was so numb I figured I might as well press on. So I headed back down to Hazel Park and back ala my first missed week. I ended up wrapping it up at about 2hrs 10min. and 30 miles.

So I'm off to get some fenders this weekend. And toe warmers. And more Hammer products. And....

Preparation

My Boy Scout master would be very disappointed...

I've come to realize that a big part of my nutrition/eating problems on the bike come down to simple preparation. Having the food and gel and powder on hand at ride time is a big problem for me. I'm usually under the gun to get to a ride, and don't have time to pick up supplies from the store or make more elaborate forms of trail food.

So, an addendum to my new year's resolution is to not only get smarter about what to eat, but also to make sure I've always got what I need on hand.

Tonights WRCS ride was pretty easy. 20 miles in 1.5 hrs. I still felt a little bonky at the hour mark. I had only a bottle of gatorade on the ride. I'd had a PB & J about an hour before the ride, but that's not nearly enough in these temps. Doh.. when will I learn?!?

Well, no real harm done. But I can't pull this stuff later in the season when I start going longer and harder.

So, I'm up 83 miles on my mileage from last year. Unfortunately my tracking stops in July, so I can only estimate my total miles last year, but I guess it at about 3000. A long way from 14,000!

On time at last!

Last night marked the first time I was actually early for one of Robert's WRCS rides. So nice to start off relaxed and not rushed!! Who knew?!?!

Great night of riding. It was cold, but dry and clear. I had purchased some toe covers and chemical toe warmers from Cycletherapy and was anxious to see if they'd help stave off the cold. I also picked up some Sport Beans. I've heard good things about these, and have tasted them and found them to be quite tasty, so what the hell?

Our route this night took us predominantly west from Royal Oak to Beverly Hills and Franklin, then up to Bloomfield and Birmingham, and finally back to Royal Oak. Ride time was about 2 hours, and I would guess we covered about 25 miles at a pretty easy pace around 13-14 mph. The road were pretty clear, though there was one biker versus ground incident precipitated by a large patch of ice in the gutter as we exited a park. The key is not trying to turn on the big patch of ice. (And, no, it wasn't me.. :P )

I pretty much dressed perfectly for the ~20 degree wind chill adjusted temps. On top: Old rowing tank (lycra/spandex), REI long sleeved light base layer, Long sleeved jersey, Fleece vest, Lightweight biking jacket, and Lobster mitts. On bottom: Biking shorts, Sport Hill thermal tights, wool socks, toe warmers, shoes with PI toe covers. Took a little bit to warm up the toes and fingers, but once I did they were good until about 1:45:00 into the ride. By then, though, I could feel the other effects of running low on fuel (slight grogginess, hunger, weak feeling...). It's amazing that it's taken me this long to realize that my fingers and toes get cold later in a ride not because my gloves and shoes suddenly stopped working, but rather b/c my body has reduced the flow of warmth-carrying blood to those regions b/c it must conserve what energy is left to keep the core warm. I can combat this by continuing to stoke the fires by adding calories while I ride. I'm already bad at doing this in the summer, but in the winter I'll need to add even more to keep enough in the system that the body can keep the fires burning! Next step, find out how many calories I'll need... Not challenging, perhaps, for your normal person. But I've never been accused of being normal.

Got home and ate late, which I believe led to a fitful sleep. Yet, I'm feeling pretty good today. Gotta add some running and stairs into the mix soon if I'm going to climb Detroit!

Beat up!

Man. I'm wrecked! Ray's will take it out of you... I managed to keep the rubber side down, for the most part, but just the riding will leave me sore tomorrow. That and the face plant I took in the foam pit...

Bryan, Adam, and I met at Crispy's place this morning around 8am. We pilled in the F-150 and headed south. A short drive and we were pulling into the lot behind Ray's. The guys gave me a tour starting on the Gary Fisher XC course. We moved on to the Sport Course, pretty cool, but rough in my 36/16 gear on the Loki.

Next was the Expert area. This is, of course, where everyone hangs out. Tons of lines for stunt riding, such as a double teeter-tooter, an elevator, and skinnies galore.

Also off the Expert area is the rhythm jump section. Crispy and I had decided to devote a good portion of the day to learning to jump. This was the place to do it. I had a blast. The only jump I was able to clear and land on the tranny was the one comming off the Red Bull wall ride (see below), simply b/c I was able to get enough speed off the wall. I'll do better next time!

We rode until about 7pm. By then either our bikes or bodies or both had quite, so we started for home. 4 Chicken Grilled Stuffed Burritos, a lemonade, a root beer, and one bitchy-ass taco bell drive thru girl later, and we were on the road. Thanks, Crispy, for drivin'!!

Here's some pics from the day:


Ok. I'm going to bed now.

Ray's MTB

This place is Schweet!!!

I don't ever want to come home!

Mike's Winter Riding Challange Series

Announcing Mike's Winter Riding Challange Series!! It will take place on all the same days and all the same locations as Robert Herriman's WRCS, just 10 minutes later.. :D

Due respect to Robert, I would never try to copy his series.. ;) However, I do seem to have a timing issue when it comes to making his rides. I had the same problem last year, but tonight I actually missed the ride all together!

No sweat, I just took off on my own ride. Of course, I had no idea where to go. I mean, I know Royal Oak pretty well, but I don't really know the neighborhoods. I decided to head for a friend's house in Hazel Parke.

Here's the route I took.. I managed to get some miles by zigging and zagging as much as possible.

The temps appeared to be right around 30 degrees. I wore warmer tights than the sunday ride, and it was dry. So I was pretty comfortable. I will, however, be going to the store tomorrow and picking up some chemical toe warmers, and toe covers for the shoes. At the one hour mark my toes went from a little chilled to fall off frozen in a matter of minutes! Not fun.. :(

So, one down (for me).. only 29 left. I hope to make a few more of Robert's rides before they're done!

Stats:
21 miles 1.5 hours

41-14

Boo-yah!

82 yards of OSU offense?!?!?
1 offensive TD?
This was a bona-fide blowout!

Any football season that ends with cute little kids in OSU garb crying on national TV is a good one!

Go Gators!!

F*ck OSU!!!

Go Gators!! 15 more minutes till utter Ohio disappointment.. The second best way for the college football season to end!!! :D

The weatherman lies -or- When will I ever learn?

I may never get warm again!

Today the team (or alot of us anyway) got together for our first group ride of the year. It was also my first 'ride' of the year, and the first 'ride' on the Bianchi. We met at 2pm near the Paint Creek Cider Mill. Plan was to ride to Dryden via Paint Creek and Polly Ann trails. I'm not sure why the late start time, but the snow/rain wasn't to start until evening, so we should be good.

It was a great ride on the way out. We had FFG's and the not so FFG's, and yet we rode as a group for about 17 miles to Leonard. We decided as a group to turn around at this point rather than continuing to Dryden. I was more than happy with this as I was not entirely well stocked nutritionally for the ride (yeah... big surprise :-/ ) More on that in a moment...

Just as we started back it began to drizzle. I wasn't overly concerned, since it wasn't supposed to start raining/snowing till later, I figured it would stop. It just started to geat heavier and heavier as we went. By the time we got off the Poly Ann trail, I had snow accumulating on my arms and gloves. And did I mention that my tights are NOT insulated? :S I was Coooooolld. I mean like thighs burning and stinging cold. Cold water seeping into my shoes, and other places where really cold water has NO business being cold. We emerged from a subdivision onto M-24 to head back down to Lk. Orion. By now the snow was just driving!! Jay and I had popped off the front, riding at a pretty good clip. I had hoped the effort my legs were putting in would keep them warm, but that was counteracted by the freezing wind. We got into Lk Orion ahead of the group, so I stopped in at a CVS for some trial-mix. I was starting to feel a little drained. Even if we hadn't run into the bad weather I would have needed something to get back in good shape. Why is it that I think I can get away without bringing food on a 2 hour ride? I made the excuse that it was going to be a slow place, yada yada yada... They should change my nickname to Bonky. I've got one thick head when it comes to nutrition for biking. Perhaps I'll learn one of these days :(

Jay waited for me at the CVS as the rest of the pack passed us by. We pushed the pace up through downtown and caught the gang as they gathered up at the head of the Paint Creek trail. Back on the trail, I was blessed with a little bit of protection from the wind, so the muscles in my legs were finally able to stay a little warmer with a hard effort. Mark, the roadie in our group riding his cross bike, tried to pop off the front.. I grabbed his wheel and hung on for dear life. He finally pulled away a little bit but then sat up a little. Tim and Sofa Jay came around me and the three of them took off again. I was only about 6 lengths behind and holding, so I gave a good push and gapped back up to them. At that point with sofa Jay in the front, we had pink bookends on two cross bikes.. :) we ran in at about 19 mph that way, trading off pulls until we finally arrived, shivering, at our cars.

I was so cold, and with no warm clothes to change into, I didn't stay around to chat. I jumped in the car, mud and all, and cranked the seat heat up to broil!

It was a good couple hours before I completely got rid of the shivers. Hopefully I learned a couple lessons today. 1) Come prepared with clothes for all possibilities, and 2) there is no such thing as a slow, easy ride when it comes to food. ALWAYS bring something to get calories during a ride!!!

Well, hope y'all had a good weekend!! Snow's a comin'!! :D

Ride stats:
36 Miles 2.5 hours

Well, I'm committed now!

I've registered for the first ever Climb Detroit stair climb in the Marriott tower of the Detroit Renaissance Center. This event is to benefit the American Lung Association.

I am collecting pledges at www.climbdetroit.com click"View all teams" and then click Cycletherapy Racing, and then click on my name (Mike Campbell). Any small amount would be greatly appreciated!!

I guess that means I should start training. I'll be joining the Hanson's runners out of Royal Oak on thursday nights, and I'm going to try to get up early a couple days a week to run stairs at Bloomer park in Rochester. Fun fun!! The title of this blog is going to take on a new meaning.. "One F'ing Speed.... SLOW!!!" :D

You can never go home...

Today my folks signed papers on the sale of the house that I grew up in. I was a little surprised at my reaction when the deal was finally done. It helps that the house has been pretty much empty for the last two years that it took to sell it, but I was still struck by a moment of sadness as I realized that the place that I knew I could always go home to as I grew up, muddled through college, and ventured out on my own, was gone.

I'm pretty sure I've got some pictures of the house when we still lived there, but I'm not sure where those are. Here are some pictures I took after most of the stuff was moved out.

Back to work.

Well, it was nice while it lasted.

I had a total of 10 days off over the holidays. I got lots of R&R, lots of food, lots of partying, but not much exercise.. :(

But it's a new year. Time to start fresh yet again!! The first step, is to get my XC bike ready to go for training. I can't stand riding the trainer, so I'll need a bike I can ride outside.... this is going to be it..


Over the break I wasn't a total loss.. I did get several very fun urban rides in. I'm getting pretty accustomed to the Loki, and riding on flats. I'm able to get a pretty good hop, drops of a few feet, and I'm working on my manual. I never did make it too Ray's over the break. Grrrrr. And I never did get a good pic of my Loki up. Here it is...



Notice the same red rims in both pics? I'm lookin' to build a new set of wheels. All Black, for the P.U.S.S. As soon as I get the money. So, like, after racing season... :P

Perhaps in a later post I'll detail my New year's resolutions.. Any suggestions?

2007 Race Results

April 22nd, 2007 - Yankee Springs Time Trial
Single Speed Overall: 21st Place

July 26th-29th, 2007 - NORBA Nationals at Sugar Mountain
Sport Super D: 12th Place

August 11th, 2007 - Ore 2 Shore
Hardrock Mens Single Speed: 20th Place
Overall: 165th of 650 (incidentally, 165 was also my bib number!)

September 23rd, 2007 - Jackson Park Cyclocross
Cat 4 Men: 9th Place

October 10th, 2007 - Carpenter Park Cyclocross
Cat 4a Men: 17th Place

November 3rd, 2007 - Campton Park Cyclocross
Masters 30+: 16th Place
Cat 4a Men: 21st Place

November 10th, 2007 - Iceman Cometh
Single Speed Men: 23rd Place 2:01.36

Novemeber 18th, 2007 - Lan Oaks Park Cyclocross
Masters 30+: 19th Place
Cat 4a Men: 15th Place (unofficial as they lost my results)

December 9th, 2007 - Illinois State Cyclocross Championships
Masters 30+:
Cat 4a Men:

2007 Race Schedule

April 15th, 2007 - Pontiac Lake Time Trial
The Western Chapter of the MMBA decided to save money this year by not having Robert and Tailwinds time the event. So, to keep his hold on the first major race of the season, he's moved the PLRA TT Waaaaay up to the 15th... hope the ground's thawed and dry by then!

April 22nd, 2007 - Yankee Springs Time Trial
I'll probably do this race just because of the relative spectacle it is. And I really like Yankee, and enjoy the TT format!

May 12th, 2007 - 12 Hours of Addison Oaks
Only if it's dry for a week beforehand and the day of. I will not race another 12 Hours of Mud!

June 10th, 2007 - Bloomer XC
This will be a new one for me... I'm trying to stay close to home this year.

June 16th, 2007 - Founder's Lumberjack 100
Gonna try my first 100 miler! I supported friends last year, and saw the agony. Why do I wanna do this again?

June 30th, 2007 - Stoney Marathon
I will not take this race as lightly this year. But with the Lumberjack under my belt this time, and with appropriate recovery and training in between, I should do ok.

July 26th-29th, 2007 - NORBA Nationals at Sugar Mountain
This is still a question mark. I'd really like to try a Super D race out at one of the big mountains this year.

August 11th, 2007 - Ore 2 Shore
I still really want to do this race. But, unless I can swing some awesome deal on accomodations and travel, I might skip it again this year.

August 26th, 2007 - Pontiac Lake XC
Gotta defend my win! (Even though I'll be in a different class and up against MUCH faster riders). Hey, it's my home course!

September 9th - Stoney XC
The final race in the NORBA MI State Championship. Hopefully by this point I'll be battling for a top 3 spot!

November 10th, 2007
Perhaps plagued by good weather in recent years, the annual End of the Season Bash that the Iceman has become has been moved back a week. Pray for snow!