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Rambling on the dope I once saw a lady buy beer using food stamps. That’s illegal, by
the way, but it doesn’t mean food stamps are bad. It means whatever
humans think they need they will try to get. I’m going to make the assumption that exactly zero of us will ever be a pro cyclist. That may not be true, but stick with me here. So with none of us entering an industry that, beneath the surface at least, may be so rampant with cheats that to compete you have to cheat, how does drug use in cycling really affect our lives? In a similar way that Cosby philandering, Paul McCartney smoking dope, Pee Wee Herman Hermaning his peewee or Prince Charles getting married by a justice-o’-the-peace affects my life. Think of it this way: there are people that love ultramarathon cycling, there are people that only like track racing, there are people that only ride fixed gear on the road, only ride off road, only on road, only for transportation, only for fun, etc. To be a cyclist is to be any one of these, but nobody can to do it all. I used to have a teammate that, no matter what, I would always beat in a mountain bike race. One day I saw him on TV getting 7th overall racing RAAM. I could never ride 24 hours in a row, and would never want to, but does that make me any less of a cyclist? I don’t think so. What’s my point? Just as I’m never going to sit on my bike for 24 hours straight, I’m not going to put any cancer medicine, cow hormones, extra blood cells etc. into my body because I don’t have to find a way to guarantee a spot on next year’s roster and I never will. But I’m still going to do my thing because its fun. I enjoy it, and sometimes I race because I want to, and if I’m racing against someone who is so artificially fast that I cannot be competitive against that person, then who cares? My career is not riding on me beating this person. Does it suck to lose? Of course. Does it suck to lose to a cheater? Even more. Does it suck when a favorite rider gets caught? Sure. Is riding and racing still fun? Maybe less so for a little while, but basically, it is still fun. What’s lost? The entry fee and maybe prize money that was never yours to begin with. What’s gained? Well, hopefully fun, fitness, and camaraderie. Maybe the right to be indignant and cynical but that’s supposed to be trumped by the fun. Bike riding is what it is. Human nature is what it is. Like most people, I want things to be better than they are but I don’t think I can change human nature. And until someone actually fixes all of this we need to keep stuff in perspective. And a good way to keep perspective is by riding your bike. Doug Novy. guest editor
Racing For All (3/10/05) The Slimen news desk and others have recieved calls and e-mails the past few days from our fast friends. We recently posted flyers for two of the events for the upcoming Tour of Kansas, a weekend of racing featuring the Lanterne Rouge Time Trial, the Atchison Criterium, and the Perry-Roubaix Road Race. All three events have a good history and potential for a lot of fun. However, what we at the newsdesk initally missed was the deletion of some racing categories. In this case there is no racing for Category 1 and 2 racers. Our first assumption was that a mistake had been made on the flyers, but checking with the promoters we found that was not the case. In fact, according to the promoters the intent was to focus on developing categories. In our opinion at Slimen that's a worthy cause. The base of the pyramid for domestic racing (Masters, Women, Juniors, 3, 4, 5s) is often neglected. However, in this case, the upper category riders (1's and 2's) who will be unable to participate make a strong case that this isn't the best way to foster the lower categories. Elite racers want to race just like everyone else. In a small district with limited opportunity, the folks we talked to are definitely disappointed to be shut out of a weekend of racing. These racers often have to plan their racing in advance, rearranging family duties, and purchasing equipment in order to fit a schedule. And they certainly work as hard as anyone in the sport. To many of our junior riders, Cat 1s and 2s embody the goal that motivates them to put in the time and energy it takes to train and race. Current 1's and 2's have had the opportunity to move up through the system, supporting grass roots racing in order to upgrade. Racers we spoke to feel resentful that after working up to a higher level they are now penalized for being there. Interestingly, while there are just a few local Masters above Cat 3, those folks would be shut out also. What also seems to steam some is the uncertainty factor. In past years all three events that currently make up the Tour of Kansas Weekend welcomed elite riders. Early schedules that included these events did not inform riders of a change in format. As of this writing (3/10/05), there is no flyer posted for the Perry-Roubaix event (4/10/05) so it is uncertain whether it will utilize the same categories, but it is likely. The Perry-Roubaix event is unique with it's sketchy gravel section, and several upper level riders have already purchased specialty tires in anticipation of the fun. While we don't have the large number of upper level riders that some larger districts have, we do have growth in those categories. A quick scan of the first two Spring Flings show a healthy number of Category 2 riders. We are comfortable that if a promoter wishes to emphasize certain classes to help grow the sport they should be applauded. But a better way might be to reorient the prize structure and still allow all riders to participate. Nobody likes to be left out...and there's certainly room in cycling for all of us. If some categories are not to be offered, fair warning, well in advance, would be kinder. Snow Biking 2004 Cabin fever is hitting hard at the Slimenundgrossen ranch. Ice storms. Snow storms. Too many days that H2O is a solid instead of a liquid. In most seasons like this, a few spins on the rollers or trainer gets us through. Maybe a good bottle of wine and an extra day off. This winter is proving more challenging. The padding in the shorts doesn't seem thick enough for three hour indoor rides. Television remains boring. No surprise. Watching Euroboys bounce around cobbles in Flanders only distracts us from the four walls of the family room for a bit. The cat trying to run under our moving cranks amuses us more. What else to do? Go outside. Having a penchant for cyclocross helps. It develops that mindset for riding your bike in wrong settings. Must damage the judgement part of the brain. Having studded snow tires helps too. An odd piece of equipment for sure, but just right if you're bouncing off the walls inside. Go bounce off some walls outside. A few years back, I had tried to convince Teresa that our IRC Blizzards with the metal spikes were like a superhero costume. You were invulnerable with them. She was skeptical, but we did manage a couple of decent ice rides. Whether luck or good traction, we didn't crash. Last week for the annual "I don't give a damn about the Superbowl, let's go ride" event, we headed out into the freezing rain. Twenty degree rain is hard to dress for. We've accumulated almost every piece of cycling clothing ever made. Twenty degree rain is hard to dress for. We stayed out for two hours and didn't fall down. It was interesting that nearly every pedestrian asked us if we had "spikes' on our tires. I'm not sure they believed our affirmitive reply. Last night we couldn't resist the seven inches of snow either. We bundled up our 14 year old daughter Caitlin into layers of our cycling togs. She didn't like the 'style' at all. She also hadn't ridden at night. We have good lights. Warm clothes. Snow tires. She had the usual adolescent, "I don't want to do this," anxiety. Teresa and I started out with a much more kid like attitude than the kid. Thirty minutes of slushy street riding still hadn't convinced Caitlin. Then we turned onto the Turkey Creek "jog' trail. The streets had been somewhat plowed. The trail hadn't. Think Iditabike. Suddenly, Caitlin started beaming. The most difficult thing to ride a bike in is deep snow. But that's where she began to have fun. Ride a few feet. Fall over. Push the bike. Ride a few feet. Fall over. Fifteen minutes of pure kid stuff. We made our way to a grade school sledding hill. Snow biking downhill. We don't need no stinkin' sleds. Teresa and Caitlin switched bikes on the return. Caitlin had on a pair of her mom's SPD Sidi's. Caitlin's bike has BMX platform pedals, nothing to clip into. Cailtin had never used a 'clipless' system. So ,now the girl is on the sketchiest ride she's ever done,a borrowed bike, an unfamiliar pedal system. She digs the pedals. "They're like magnets!" Plenty of folks in cars give us the stare of disbelief. We make it home and bounce the snow off the bikes. Ride like a kid. Go snow biking.
Gloves My friend Doug Novy and I realized one winter that there is a different glove appropriate for every five degrees of temperature drop from about 55 F downward. That's a lot of gloves, but as those who ride with me know, I take comfort serious. I'm the person with all three jersey pockets stuffed full after the first hour of cool riding. But, I'm also the joe who will ride steel studded bike tires when ice glazes the roadways and the thermometer bottoms out. It's full fingered glove season now. Warm extremities make for longer and safer rides and it's wise to anticipate those temperature changes. I help chaperone an evening ride that begins just before sunset this time of the year. When the ride is over, 90 minutes to two hours later, it's 10 degrees colder. That's a good rule of thumb (and fingers) for night rides. My fave glove for the last couple of years in this transitional season is made of light nylon with a Windtex laminate. These gloves are available from a variety of primarily European manufacturers. My current pair is made by Diadora. The glove has a minimum fleecing on the inside, is truly windproof, and pretty close to waterproof. I use these down to 40 degree weather (or maybe freezing if I'm racing). For the 30 to 40 degree training range I use an insulated "ski style" cycling fingered glove. Again a variety of companies produce these. My old ones are Pearl Izumi, but I've seen dandy ones from Swix and Bellwether. In the next range (teens and twenties) I use the Pearl Izumi developed "Lobster style" mitts. Warmth of a mitten with the ability to operate shifters. There are several variations including double layer versions that can take one to the extreme temps. Individuals will vary in glove needs, these are my educated opinions. It's wise for most to also purchase a thin thermax or similar liner. You can modify the range on most of these gloves by simply inserting the liner. The liners can also be handy on long a.m. rides where the outside temp (and your core temp) is rising. Pull off the outer layer when the hands get hot, stuff the mitts in the pockets. Full pockets mean well prepared. The scenario I have NOT found the perfect glove for is low thirty degree temp and rain. I have held brand new gloves under a cold water full force faucet looking for that grail. It's a scenario that is never pretty but fortunately rare. I wouldn't recommend ever starting a ride in those conditions, but I have been caught out and away from shelter. Even with a rain proof euro plastic jacket and other semi-appropriate gear, cold hands will make you suffer.
Cyclocross Bicycles First, this is opinion. Educated, but just that. Not paid opinion. I've owned several 'cross bikes. I've sold quite a few when I owned a bicycle shop. I've raced 'cross races from underground events to national championships. I've pounded a lot of stakes to help set up races. I've used my 'cross bicycles for fun riding and racing. Here's some of my tips if you are looking to race cyclocross. Racing cyclocross on a well designed course is not bushwacking. You don't want or need a mountain bike to get the best performance. You don't want or need a cyclocross bicycle that's built like a mountain bike either. The best courses are like a grass crit part of the time, a paved crit part of the time, and the rest of the time painful running. You will suffer less with lighter stuff. Light fast wheels give you the acceleration you need when you remount. Heavy durable wheels may take more abuse on Shawnee Mission Parks horse trails, but don't give much help in cyclocross. There are good light cyclocross bikes built from all the available frame materials. I like the forgiving ride that steel gives on the road, a light steel frame is fine in 'cross also, but aluminum and the other oversized tubes can work quite well. The secret is in the tires. Bigger tires color the ride. Even a 28mm smooths out the rough stuff. Few of us ride that fat on the road. My personal choice is usually the UCI limit of 35c, but I have found some nice 30mm. Reading between the lines, look at the clearance. But do remember it's diminishing returns after 35mm, and not UCI legal. Get a bike that fits. There's lots of confusion over proper fit on a cyclocross bike. Many people like to downsize. That's fine if you can still get your handlebars UP 1-2 cm higher than your road position. That will be hard on many bikes if you size down. Most of us will ride the same size road and cyclocross frame. There is sizing information available at www.usacycling.org The best resource book available is 'Cyclo-Cross Training and Technique' by Simon Burney. Buy it. The best gateway to Cyclocross information is www.maddogmedia.com Go there. The sport has modernized a great deal in the last few years. Most of our courses have eliminated singletrack and Navy Seal type water crossings. Because weather is a factor in a winter sport, there will be some days that cyclocross is not a fast crit experience, but instead a mudfest nightmare. You still want a light bike. In fact you want two light bikes. One being washed while you slog with the 20 extra pounds of mud. The local schedule is coming together, bike shops have 'cross bikes in stock (and more coming). Yeah, you can use a 'cross bike for commuting, a spare road bike, a weak mountain bike, or whatever. You can buy bikes that have versatility built in at the expense of specificity. Those aren't 'bad' bikes, but I'm talking 'cross here. If you want to get the most out of my favorite discipline find a shop that has 'cross racers, let them talk your ear off and explain why that exotic set of deep carbon wheels will work so well slicing though the snow. Women & Junior Racing 2003 OK folks, here's some healthy news. Seven women at the tuesday night KCBC training crit. At least one junior. Two junior's have pounded on my door this week wanting to know about bike racing. East Hills Junior results show five finishers. A solid women's field at the same event. Eric Struckhoff and MCT sponsored mentor rides to boost newbies into our sport. Pete Greig advocates as hard as anyone I know. Here's my soapbox again. More bodies, more helpers. More helpers, more bike time for us, less burnout for the 'same old' volunteers. More bodies, more interest by sponsors and media. We're making an inroad, BUT we've only scratched the surface. 600 folks raced the Corporate Challenge Time Trial. About a quarter of them women. That's a bike race. Most of these folks never participate or see the other events on these pages. Wouldn't it be nice to have ten percent of those folks added to ANY other event? We have to be articulate and fostering when we speak of our sport. Maybe even assertive. We have to keep our sponsoring bicycle shops excited and involved. They are a front line to many of these folks. But we racers are the infiltrators. We ride group rides with non-racers, we have neighborhood kids ask us about our funny clothes. We pass tourists on our solo rides. Those may be the most important opportunities of all. Let's make sure we exploit those opportunities.
Rollers 2003 I rode rollers for the first time in 1983. I was a new bike racer for a long defunct team. I was asked by my sponsor to participate in a demonstration at a shopping mall. We were to ride rollers while folks gawked. The idea was to lure the inquisitive over, then let the sales folks do their job. About one week before the event I borrowed a buddie's set of Kreitler's and got some basic instructions. I rode with nervous sweat in the doorway, but I learned how to ride them. The day of the event, myself and several teammates took our turns. I didn't fall, but mallshoppers and children gave me anxiety. My most vivid memory was watching Sam Perkins in street clothes. He just rolled up a pant leg, mounted without the step, and spun. The whole experience left a deep impression on me. There was a sublime feeling to balancing on turning drums. Whenever I see Sam at races the memory comes back. I owned a bicycle shop for many years. I never sold many rollers. The ability to ride them remains an esoteric experience to most. In fact, I lapsed. I rode them rarely for many years. I saw Al Kreitler at bike shows and events during those years. I didn't know him well, but I always enjoyed speaking with him. He was enthusiastic, and he was important. He continued to tweak and refine his product. He was not 'retro', he was fundamental. He experimented with big rollers and tiny rollers, with devices to add resistance and with devices you didn't have to balance on. He wanted to make that sublime experience perfect. I felt guilty. Last year, I bought Teresa a new set of Kreitler rollers. The medium size drums which create more resistance. A Christmas present to help stimulate during the arctic season. I watched her beat the learning curve. The nervous sweat, the oversteering, were so familar. Within a few rides, she had mastered the skill. I now use them whenever it rains, or I jones for that indescribably sublime feeling. I'm sure there are plenty of good 'training' reasons. But the smooth sensation and the connection to a racer's rite of passage are my motivation. I suspect that Al's motivation was the desire to share that same unforgettable sensation and welcome others into the inclusive/exclusive club. No, racers aren't the only folks to ride rollers. But as a racer, roller riding may be part of our divine path. If there is Zen in cycling, rollers are it. |