Changes

When is the last time you tried something new? By this I mean a new product or a new race. So many of us become set in our routines and products that we are unwilling to try out new things. I am definitely guilty! Technology changes, better nutrition becomes available, and new races to challenge ourselves are everywhere. I think it is very important to step off our well-worn paths of life and try a different route. It doesn't have to be anything drastic, just something different!

So far this year, I have tried a few different things. I didn't make these changes, because I was unhappy, but rather because of opportunities, and well, why not!

1. A new bicycle brand - Cervelo to Orbea

2. New components - Campy Record to SRAM

3. Taking regular vitamins - B12, Multi-vitamins, and Fish Oil

4. Working toward eating organic and gluten free foods.

5. Working on my time-trialing -YUCK!

Your First Bike Race!

It has been a very long time since I lined up for my first bicycle race, but I can still remember it like was yesterday. The nervousness, the excitement, the unknown, they were all there. For me being 14, it was a whopping 3 miles where I rode away from my small group and won the race solo which got me eternally hooked to the sport of bicycle racing. There is nothing quite like a bike race, it is a ball of kinetic energy ready to explode with the strategy of a well played chess match. If you ride a bike, I fully recommend you trying a race. I will admit up front, it is a very intimidating experience, but if you dive head first into the deep end you will either love the feeling of the speed and competition, or a life guard will jump in and pull you to the side, either way you will survive. Here are my tips to make your first race as fun and as little nerve racking as possible.

1. Make sure the bike you are racing on is in top mechanical shape, best bet is to bring it to the shop about a week before the race for a tune-up. Chain should be lubed, shifting should be precise, wheels should be true, and tires free of any slices or cuts.
2. Make sure you are in your best shape possible or at least feel good that you can comfortable finish the distance the race is going to be.
3. Get a good night sleep 2 days before the race. If you are racing on Sunday, make sure you sleep well on Friday. It is actually more beneficial and important to get a good nights sleep 2 days before the event than the actual night before.
4. Don’t skimp on eating the week before the race to reach some weight goal. You don’t want to run out of fuel during your event, but only eat high quality food that your body is familiar with.
5. Clean your bike the day before the race, a clean bike is a fast bike.
6. Pack a cycling bag the day before the race, you will need the following: matching jersey and bibs, socks, cycling shoes, gloves, helmet, sunglasses, water bottles, towel, and a change of clothes to wear after the race.
7. Pack your car with your bike, bag, pump, and extra wheels if you have them the night before your race.
8. Print the flyer out with directions the night before the race and figure out how long it will take to get there.
9. Morning of race, wake up early enough to have a small but familiar breakfast. If you race is later, this is not as important, but make sure you hydrate and do not drink or eat anything unfamiliar to your body.
10. Try to arrive at the race at least 90 minutes before your start.
11. When arriving go to the registration table and sign up for your event, don’t forget to pick up pins.
12. After you receive your number, head back to your car and pin your number on your jersey and get dressed.
13. Take your bike out of your car and pump up your tires and place full water bottles on your bike.
14. Hydrate, you want to be sipping on water or sports drink all morning.
15. Make sure you know where the start of the race is, but find an area to ride around and loosen up your legs, you will see others doing the same.
16. Arrive at the start about 15 minutes before your race. It is always best to try and start near the front.
17. Time will go by fast, but try to relax and take it all in. It is going to be fun.
18. Once the race lines up and the whistle is blown, clip into your pedals and go. Try to stay near the front of the race, it is usually the safest place to be. This could be the beginning of a wonderful relationship.

Footnote: Your goal for your first race should be to finish and not crash. I know these are not lofty goals, but you can shoot for the win on your second race, but most of all HAVE FUN!

Looking Good on and off the Bike, Cycling Style Guide

I will admit, I like nice clothes both casual and cycling. There was a time in my life where $100 jeans were the norm and my clothing budget wasn’t a budget at all. However, just because I have calmed down in my regular clothes purchasing doesn’t mean that my cycling wardrobe has skimped at all. I literally have a closet of cycling clothes and I routinely donate or sell stuff on a yearly basis. There is stuff in my “closet” that I will probably never wear on my current bike, reason behind that is my current bike is white, red, and black and a lot of my older clothes are white and blue, which just so happens to be the color of the bike I raced on last year. Here is a very important rule people, match your jersey and bibs, notice I didn’t say shorts more on that later, to your bike. Some of us have team clothing that we can’t help if it doesn’t match our bikes, but for the love of God, if you buy clothing to wear while cycling please make sure it matches each other. I really love the Rabobank jersey with the Liquigas bibs, wow that is a look that will make your eyes bleed. Also, you will look less like a freak riding down the road than we already do, even if I happen to take pride in my freak status. If you have the means, try to match your helmet, sunglasses, socks, gloves, and shoes to your kit and bike. Nothing looks more “Pro” than everything matching. Look good, feel fast, be fast should be your motto. Now on to the aforementioned shorts vs. bibs contention, please invest in some good bibs. They fit better, will be more comfortable and most importantly will prevent any other riders from having to look at that bare section of your skin where your jersey doesn’t quite cover your lower back, conveniently preventing a very unsightly tan line there. Also, bib straps are to be worn under your jersey, not over them, I don’t care how many times you have seen Borat and his insane bib bathing suit! There is also a proper way to wear a helmet, the front of it should fall just above your brow and be securely in place. It is not a yarmulke sitting on the back of your head even if you did miss service that week. Clothes also wear out people, just like tires. If you wouldn’t ride down the road with a big hole in your tire, you shouldn’t leave your house with your clothing held together with safety pins. It is just not a good look… on anyone! That about covers on the bike, in summary; if you can match your clothing with your equipment with your bike, you are golden, at the minimum try to match your clothing with your equipment keeping one color scheme across the board.

Now the fun part, off the bike, yes I know we are all very guilty of these infractions at times, but let’s try to move past them. Before I get thrown under the bus, I have a little disclaimer, I used to race Triathlons so I know the culture and that almost every race gives you something to wear in the goody bag, BUT please, please do not wear your race t-shirts on the same day of the race. They are souvenirs and should be worn when you get home or at a future race, do not become a clone of the masses all wearing the same shirt hanging out after the race. Here is a recent phenomenon, one of my favorites, do not wear compression tights, socks, gloves and any other compression thing in clear view of the public. It is just not good, you can wear them, just strategically hide them under a warm up suit or jeans or anything for that matter. Be proud that you are an athlete, but there is no reason to make it so obvious that you are going to a race or are leaving a race that any casual observer can pick you out of a crowd. Be yourself, your appearance on and off the bike should reflect your personality. I have been guilty of all these crimes in the past, but I have seen the light and hope that my words reach you too.