Almanzo Market

Today's the last day to apply to get a space in the Almanzo Market. Described as a casual bazaar at Kingsland High School in Spring Valley, while the Almanzo 100/Royal 162 race is being ridden by the racers. It's a chance for family and support members to browse local vendors, artisians and bike industry booths.

You you want in on the action, you will want to visit the site and contact the organizers.
http://almanzomarket.weebly.com/index.html

Training update

I always feel self conscious about posting info about what I'm up to training wise. I'm no pro, I rarely race. I don't have a real thought out plan. Ok, well maybe more thought out then some people, but not planned out to the day and type of workout per day. Yes I use a cyclocomputer with SportTracks to track my training. For me it's motivating to see data that I can track trend in the direction I want.

What I've been doing a bit of lately is using Spinervals - Time Saver workouts that I burned onto my iPod, so I can get the vocal cues of when to go hard etc. Because they are only about a half hour each, I've been combining two of the three, doubling up on one, or just adding a steady state zone2 (endurance) half hour session to it, at least to make an hour long workout. In fact that's what I did this morning.

1st half was the Spinerval session, 2nd half was mostly steady state zone2.

Today's session included high cadence spin work and one legged drills. The good thing is that my spinning is getting better. When started in December I was able to get a max cadence reading in 120's. Today I was maxing out in the 160's!

Fitness (CTL and ATL)

Also, even though my fitness is on an upward trend since December (measured as CTL  - Chronic Training Load), it's leveling off as I'm not throwing much intensity and my schedule is allowing only 1 hour sessions indoors at the moment. When the weather - available daylight - and some other factors get to be a little more flexible, I'll be adding more duration to get some better endurance, as well as some real intensity. We'll see it jump up then.

Giro - Milano Fixed graffiti style art

via Milano Fixed

I don't normally say this, but WTF?!?!?!

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/02/news/it%E2%80%99s-official-spanish-fed-clears-contador_159920

http://bikepure.org/2011/02/contador-cleared/

I mean, is this serious? This just doesn't seem right. Just completely overturn the ruling? I understand he's a national hero and all. He may end up being the greatest cyclist since fancy pants, but if it looks like he's cheating, it needs to be looked at seriously. I mean really seriously. This just seems like the Spanish fed is ignoring any facts in the case.

We have a weiner

So five of you entered to win the gloves. I ran a random sequence generator, to choose a winner. I decided the sequence would be better, just in case, the I can't contact the winner for a mailing addy, and have to give it to 2nd or 3rd place.

So the random sequence generator says comment number 2 is the winner. Tomás please email you're mailing addy to anello.grande[-at-] gmail.com and I'll mail them out to you. However, if I don't hear from you by next Friday, I'll award the gloves to the next comment the random sequence says (#3).

Now that that's over, I can watch Metallica play Damage Case with Lemmy on VH1.

Giving these gloves away

So I mentioned I wanted to do a giveaway. Well here we go. I'm giving away a pair of Troy Lee Designs Ace gloves. All you have to do is leave a comment saying why you want them, and I'll pick one at random on Friday, February 11.

These are brand new black gloves in the package. They are pretty light, full finger gloves, great for mountain biking, or gravel rides. I've seen online prices for these at $24. One last thing, I need a way to contact you if you win to get a mailing addy. So make sure you leave an email or some form of contact info.

Troy Lee Designs / Ace Gloves.

Do you like free stuff?

I like free stuff. Maybe you do too. Sometimes I get free stuff, but end up not using it. So why should I keep it? Maybe I'll pay it forward. So I think I'll post a giveaway post on Monday. What am I giving away? I'm not telling yet. Maybe I can give you a hint.

Race Across the Sky (2010)

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

Dang, I keep saying that one of these years I'm gonna do Leadville, and one of these years I'm going to. Just not sure when. But watching the trailer puts me in the mood to get on the bike and ride.

Win this bike

Gunnar's Orbea

Maybe not this exact one, as this is built up be me. Build your own and maybe you can win it. Just follow this link: http://myorbea.cyclingnews.com/.

Well maybe don't, then there's more of a chance for me to win mine, right? Someone's gotta win it.

Cover art from Issue V of The Ride Journal

The Ride - Issue V

Sweet cover illustration. They have the 1st 2 issues available as a free download to check out. Looks very pretty. Nice photography and great illustrations. The latest issue can be purchased off the site. TheRideJournal.com

Illustrations by "The Master" Bob Haro

Bob Haro has had a pretty big influence in my life. One of the things that attracted me to devour BMXAction more than BMX Plus! was the illustrations by Haro who was on staff at BMXA.

Today's the last day to register for the Almanzo or Royal

http://almanzo100.blogspot.com/

This race is, for sure, worth the cost of a postcard and postage. Though at this point you may wish to either next day or hand deliver your card to be sure to get in.

At this point there's well over 550 riders committed and all said and done, could top 600. It's amazing to me how many riders are interested in coming to our corner of the world to ride a gravel road race.

On a side note, here's a link to a friends post on what the Almanzo means to him and some thoughts on "free" racing. http://rideonpurpose.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-almanzo-means-to-me.html It's a very good post, and well worth the read. And maybe give you a little to think about.

Finally, tomorrow (2/1/2011) begins registration for the Almanzo Market. http://almanzomarket.weebly.com/ If you are in, or know of people in the bike industry, this may be a great way to connect with riders who want to compete, but are put off by the prices of regular racing.