It's a boy!!!

We welcomed the latest edition to our family Saturday evening February 5th 2011.

Weighing in at baby clydesdale proportions - 9lbs 7oz, 22 1/4" long

Aaron Cooper Douglas Swanson

Katie, my wonderful wife, I amazed at your strength. I love you. Thank you for the beautiful family.

Makeshift Mechanical tales… ah, p#ss on it!

Riding/training in middle of winter on the highest northern latitude in Wisconsin you can come across shall we say....... challenges, that you don’t always find any other time of the year. Back in December my work schedule forced me to get out for my ride eally early one morning. Temps were in the single digit if not sub zero range. Twenty minutes into the ride I start some technique drills of spinning pedals quickly with good form. All is going well and I’m staying warm. After 5 minutes of spinning, I take a break, begin to coast and take a drink. Upon re-starting my pedaling I find the gear appears to be too easy, so I shift down a few gears. The rear derailleur moves down & into the new gear -- only the pedaling still feels about the same. Too easy. And despite pedaling faster, I’m still not picking up speed. In fact I continue to slow down to the point where if I don’t unclip I’m going to fall over. WTF??

I get off the bike, spin the pedals and the rear cassette is moving just fine… it’s just the rear wheel isn’t!! Yikes, it’s like 5 degree outside I’m 30 minutes (ride time) from home and my cassette won’t engage to pedal my bike. (For the more technically astute, the freehub body that the cassette sits on won’t engage the “prawls”.) Dang, does this suck. I get my cellphone out of my jacket pocket, only it’s a dead because it’s so cold. I have to place it inside my jersey to attempt warm it up. And start walking…. When the phone warmed up enough to turn on, repeated calls to my bailout person of last resort, my wife Kate, go unanswered. Ugh! Very not fun now. 45minutes into my “walk” I’m still only half way home. Finally my phone rings, it’s Kate and she comes out to pick me up.

Now that’s not the end of the story….

As I become conscientiously aware of the temperature limitation of that particular bike (Trek Top fuel 69er) and the current state of it’s freehub body, I’d normally work around it rotating out for a different bike if the temps were too cold. However it’s also my only winter bike fitted with a PowerTap hub that’s so great for monitoring my workouts.

About a week later, I’ve got marginal temps and a workout that requires the Powertap hub. I get 90 minutes into the workout, no problem with the “prawls” freezing up. They get sticky at times but generally engage in a couple pedal strokes, I’d also conscientiously almost never coast so they didn’t have a chance to stick. Well, finally navigating some snow covered ice I needed to coast and that’s all it took for them to lock up.

So there I am in the middle of B.F.E. there is like no houses around for miles and cell phone coverage is spotty at best. I’m standing there trying to figure out how to get out of this predicament, not to mention I’m feeling a strong call for a “nature break” (not to be confused with a Nature Valley granola bar). When inspiration strikes – my freehub body prawls are stuck because they’re frozen… if heated they should engaged. Perhaps a warm liquid substance would sufficiently heat the mechanism to engage the prawls once again…. And wouldn’t you know it? It worked like a charm. Hence if you’ve ever hear the expression… “Ah, piss on it!" It might not always be that bad of an idea..

What's been happening....

--The days & weeks have somehow clocked by since doing my last race of the 2010 season, the UPCross cyclo-cross Series Championship in mid November. A reasonably good finish to a season where I had no reason to be bummed about much. A better focus and an improved tolerance (or determination) for handling winter training early in the year laid a better foundation along with the cumulative effect of training over last ½ dozen years had to play a role as well. Six overall wins, a nice amount of top 10 finishes and breaking the Chequamegon 40 Top 50 made for this 23 race season to be quite rewarding. Even with untimely sickness & setbacks from time to time (Ore to Shore, Calumet Great Deer Chase & UPCross Championship) I can’t complain.

--I tried to train through December, physically I seemed to be fine but but mentally a break sure was necessary. Once the holidays hit I took a break and actually felt rejuvenated some from what was easily my longest racing season ever. It’s also given me a good amount of time to reflect on things as well. One of my wiser decisions, despite some fanatical enthusiasm from one Charles Farrow, was passing on the Tuscobia 75/150 race in December. Look what it did to that guy…. …sorry Charlie, maybe someday. Perhaps when it’s frozen hard crusty snow, 30 degrees and no wind.

Winter biking isn’t really all that bad once you figure out the right combination to make it possible and bite the bullet of what conditions are rideable and what aren’t. I’ll ride as low as 10 degrees provided there is little or now wind, otherwise it’s gotta be nearly 20 degrees depending on wind that day. Heated booties, good ‘ole chopper mitts, a couple pair of bibs and with enough jerseys & jackets it beats rollers or a trainer any day of the week. I recently added ski goggles to the mix and outside of seeing an orange tinted world it’s really good gear to use. I wish I'd used it in years past.

People will ask why I don’t ski. I do, it’s just a matter of available time and what’s easier to get out & do. Sometimes waxing & prepping for a ride to a local ski trail takes longer than bundling up & jumping out the door for a spin on the bike. A workout is a workout this time of year.

Couple of winter tales & makeshift mechanical work to share later....

Winter line up....

Ya know it's really not that bad cycling in the winter -- maybe my skin has grown tougher over the past couple seasons of doing it (or perhaps it's nerve damage & I just don't know the difference). Here's a normal selection of attire for a sub 20 degree Fahrenheit ride with a modest amount of wind/windchill.

Feet:
--Riding boots & heated insoles: It all starts here, if the feet get cold, you're screwed on a ride. I got the Lake brand boots and pair them up with Thermic brand insoles. On the highest settings there's never been a day I haven't been able to make at least a 90minute ride and most of the time 2 hours is a piece o' cake.
--Socks: I stepped it up this year, now it's essentially 3 pair of smart wool socks.

Hands:
--Good ole leather Chopper mitts with one wool mitten and another polyester thin glove inside that. Beats the best lobster claws & any other way more expensive hand protection I've used so far. Not to mention it's a heck of alot cheaper. I think I got that idea of Schouten (thanks Tristan)

Bottom:
--One set of bib shorts & knee warmers, under a set of full length bibs with some wind protection material.

Tops:
--one wife beater wicking material tank top, one long sleeve Castelli Jersey, one wool Swobo long sleeve jersey (thank you UPCross!!), one Giordana CTS long sleeve jersey with wind protection, another Giordana CTS long sleeve winter jacket/jersey -- sometimes an inexpensive polyester wind breaker on top of that. Yeah, that's right -- 5, and sometimes 6 layers. I never get cold and the wicking properties manage the perspiration impressively well

Head:
--Sorry no helmet -- my odds of crashing & hitting my head are infinitesimally smaller than the 100% chance of freezing my ears & brain for that matter. A polartech Balaclava, a head band, downhill ski googles & sometime a ski cap on top of that. The googles are really good idea before I used to get really aggravated eyes from the cold.

That formula has kept me off the indoor rollers for all but a couple hours this winter and allowed me to knock out 2 & 3 hour rides regularly.

After struggling through December physically & motivationally -- a full week break between Christmas & New Years gave me the rest I needed after a long 2010 season. I've been able to kick things back in gear, incorporating the riding with a weight-training program and I'm surprised how well my body's been responding. I'm feeling consistently strong for even the longest of my training rides. A big struggle I had in years past.

A broken ski pole & some delays in replacements have kept me off the XC trails but there's still plenty of time & snow on the ground to do that when the inspiration calls for it.

As always lot's to talk about and too little time to write. Still good stuff to share about last year and the unknown possibilites of the year to come. In the meantime I'm on baby watch with Kate's due date down to under 3 weeks... a bundle of joy and sleepless nights, a combination package that's well worth it.

Christmas card

Only Christmas card to have me laughing out loud in the store... come on. It is pretty funny.

Author Unknown - a clue into the workings of the mind of a avid cyclist

(Editor’s note: I have always said the only bigger liars than fishermen are cyclists…this is great indicator.)

Cyclists are the biggest sandbaggers and secret trainers around. They'll say anything to soften you up for the kill. Don't let this Cyclist-Speak Decoder happen to you. Study this handy rider's phrasebook to find out what they really mean when they say:

"I'm out of shape"......

Translation: I ride 400 miles a week and haven't missed a day since the Ford administration. I replace my 11-tooth cog more often than you wash your shorts. My body fat percentage is lower than your mortgage rate.

"I'm not into competition. I'm just riding to stay in shape"......

Translation: I will attack until you collapse in the gutter, babbling and whimpering. I will win the line sprint if I have to force you into oncoming traffic. I will crest this hill first if I have to grab your seat post, and spray energy drink in your eyes.

"I'm on my beater bike".....

Translation: I had this baby custom-made in Tuscany using titanium blessed by the Pope. I took it to a wind tunnel and it disappeared. It weighs less than a fart and costs more than a divorce.

"It's not that hilly"....

Translation: This climb lasts longer than a presidential campaign. Be careful on the steep sections or you'll fall over -- backward. You have a 39x23 low gear? Here's the name of my knee surgeon.

"You're doing great, honey"....

Translation: Yo, fattie, I'd like to get home before midnight. This is what you get for spending the winter decorating and eating chocolate. I shoulda married that cute Cat 1 racer when I had the chance.

"This is a no-drop ride" .....

Translation: I'll need an article of your clothing for the search-and-rescue dogs.

"It's not that far" .....

Translation: Bring your passport

My many thanks goes out to Pat Earing for passing this mid winter cycling encouragement along..... my wife particularly liked the "You're doing great, honey".....May your winter training be going as well as mine.

Coming back with a story… BayCross Day 2

Yesterday I should have been in Hales Corners, WI racing the Wisconsin State Cyclocross Championship. A 3am stomach flu Sunday morning changed those plans. One tends to forget how tortureous a flu can be – kinda like a ‘cross race. Leaves you heavin’ or at least wanting to.

Hence, let me share about one those races this year. Eight cross races in total this fall, this one may have been the nail bitting toughest. BayCross Day 2 – coming off what felt like one of my best races ever the day previously, I was cautious as how Day 2 was going to feel & how I would respond. Maybe for some guys, racing year round through a road &/or mtb season and into cyclocross ain’t too bad. I tend to put it all out there each week in training throughout the year and by historical measures at the time ‘cross season rolls around, the bullets for the revolver can take a while to reload. Would this year be different when it came to back to back ‘cross races?

A 3 minute win the prior day, should have provided the confidence but as the old saying goes it’s all on paper. And never saw piece of paper make a difference on race day. The plan wasn’t to jump out front like the previous day, sit in the first lap, and see how everyone else was riding.

Shawn Gort took to the lead & I road a few places back. Not an easy pace by any stretch of the imagination. However once I got in a rhythm back there I felt comfortable going to the front, for the most part the early couple laps things stayed together with Shawn, Bill Custer, Nikoli Anikin & myself. Everyone within a bike length or two of each other.

It was either a great day or terrible day for making breaks. You’ll know what I mean if I ever get the video of the race posted on Youtube. A sunny day but real strong wind blowing off Lake Superior. In your face going west, at your back going east – the primary two directions for the 1+mile course.

On lap 4 or 5 of what ended up being a 12 laps race – something must have gone right for me or wrong for Nikoli. And despite holding in strong Shawn & Bill had already dropped back & were doing battle between themselves. I don’t remember going any harder but when I finally turned around I’d broken away and established a healthy 17 second gap in a single lap.

Things are looking my way at this point. I’m happy, however there’s still more than half a race to go. How can things possibly go awry? Well, I must have gotten tired or backed off because lap by lap Nikoli picked off time on me. Within four more laps he was nearly back within striking distance. Then on a short uphill section that was bobbled by lapped rider Mason Basco caused an inadvertent crash with me, and put Nikoli was back on my wheel. Ugh…

Well, in the ensuing laps a lot was going on in my head – do I attack again? How’s Nikoli sounding? Could he react? I figured it wasn’t necessarily easy for him to have reeled me in, so at the very least I decided to keep up the pace and not provide any reasonable recovery time for him. I pushed it harder in the wind swept sections to make for an equal amount of work on both of us. Nikoli, let’s say, is an advantageous racer. Give him too many benefits and you’re going to regret it later.

So the crowd at BayCross is loving this – they’ve got awesome viewing of the race course. It’s subject to some debate but a spectator can probably see 75% of the race standing in just one spot! Nikoli & I are trading the proverbial punches lap after lap.

A bad cornering job by me on the switchbacks of the course as we were coming up on Mike Weispfenning -- and Nikoli was into the lead on the 3^rd to last lap. Again more decision making time, when do I take the lead again? Do I take the lead again? I won yesterday, have nothing else to prove, probably have the overall on the weekend wrapped up – Nikoli has put in a great effort, he deserves it… All this self talk going on & on & on… A lot of riders are super competitive in racing, but I’ve got a soft spot. I almost feel guilty if I start doing too well. I’d prefer to share the spotlight on others too. Probably strange, but true. Doesn’t mean I back off or quit but the thoughts are there.

For a couple sections in that lap, I thought he might be able to drop me as he appeared to be riding well and making time where it was most advantageous. However with two laps to go, I managed to stay with him & went go back to the front. I figure Nikoli is going to sit on for the remainder of the race and perhaps try & jump me near the end. I kept the pace up, driving it hard into the wind and hoping it doesn’t cash me out entirely before the bell lap. The whole time Nikoli is with me – making it worse than trying to kick a bad habit.

In the start/finish area of the final lap, Nikoli comes around me and just starts to absolutely nail it – the crowd is pumped & yelling – it’s game on!! We’re flying through with this strong tail wind. He grabbed a bike length on me through the first set of barriers and made his biggest attack of the on a long tail wind assisted section that followed. Now, not normally a section one would consider a key place to attack but talking with Nik after the race, he said it was where all race long he’d gain 2 seconds or so on me. Naturally he was riding a cross bike, & I was on the Gary Fisher Superfly MTB. I gutted it out and hung onto him however --- so the best laid plans for him didn’t pan out there. And he didn’t exactly look excited at the prospect of me still close by as we turned the corner & headed west bound back into the wind.

The pace back off only slightly but neither of us was giving an inch. The excitement was rising with each section of the last lap being completed. When we finally got to the west side of the course with the multiple switch backs (hands off by the way to Paul Belknap & crew for designing an excellent course) this was where things were probably going to happen. Nikoli is swinging each corner carefully & with precision, I’m likewise doing the same….. then we come to the last switchback. It crests across a modest “mound” allowing a rider to go high or low into the corner. For the life of me I don’t know why but Nik, probably in an attempt to cut the corner close, went low. In a split second, I couldn’t believe my good fortune. When he went low, I knew he’d swing the corner wide. So I immediately went high into the corner and took the inside track with nothing but daylight in front of me.

I heard an audible “agh” from Nikoli as I threw down an attack of my own, getting a gap. Now I only had to hope I could hold him off the final 300 yards – and 300 yards never felt so long in my life! I shot up to the rock railroad grade & onto the paved straight away – it was long enough that if he had the energy left his bike was much more capable than mine to retake the lead into the final hairpin turn. Fortunately I hit that before Nik could catch me and was able to cruise in and enjoy the final yards for the win. A far cry from the runaway race of the day before.

Exciting race, hard windy conditions, and excellent competition. Could have easily gone either way. The rest of the results can be seen at www.baycrossrace.com. As I spoke of it in my previous posts, BayCross is a niche set of races worth checking out with something for everyone. From the person who’s never so much as tried a ‘cross race to the diehard ‘crosser.