Evolution

                                     o           __o        
             °\___o      /0~         -\<,        
___oo~_______ /\ /\______/ \_________O/ O_________

Thoughts on the Classic Cyclist

By Jim Schroeder


After RAIN 2010, I've questioned myself as to just what kind of cyclist am I.  Well, I just got done reading a great article in Hammer Nutrition's Endurance News magazine.  It's titled "The Classic Cyclist, Part One", and is written by Chris Kostman.  Chris has ridden in races like RAAM, Iditabike, and 24 Hours of Canaan, and has organized endurance races including Badwater Ultramarathon and Furnace Creek 508.

I wasn't a "classic cyclist" during RAIN 2010 and paid the price.  I was all the time before July 17 and will be in the future.

Here are some great excerpts:

"Road cyclists entering the sport over the past fifteen or so years have tended to come in by way of mountain biking, triathlon, running, or fitness, rather than pure road cycling.  As a result, most of these "cyclists" lack the knowledge which makes up the foundation of the classic cyclists' repertoire and which builds upon the backbone of the sport."

"The best way to start a ride, or conduct any aerobic activity, is to warm up properly...A classic cyclist will take the first ten to twenty miles of a ride, or even a race, to warm up properly, usually staying off the big chainring and two smallest cogs. As a result, he or she will actually ride better and more quickly than the current jackrabbit style of cyclist who catapult onto every training ride or event."

"Most cyclists nowadays not only don't know how to ride in a paceline, but that they don't even understand why they should...Work together, and when it's not your turn up front, covet that rear wheel of your buddy!  In the moment, you may think 'it's too hard to keep up at this speed,' but the classic cyclist knows that riding solo instead of with another means more work and less speed."

"This effort to keep the group together is specifically continued at checkpoints during events; those who arrive together, shall leave together."

"The classic cyclist accepts suffering as in intricate part of the experience.  He or she certainly doesn't whine in person..."

"The classic cyclist shares a bond with all fellow cyclists.  As such, other cyclists are always acknowledged along the road, usually with a tip of the head to riders in the opposing direction, or a cheery hello when passing or being passed.  Classic cyclists never ride hi-lessly, wavelessly, and nodlessly by... All on bicycles are appreciated and respected."

A RAIN DNFer's Lament

By Jim Schroeder


I DNF'd this year's Ride Across INdiana.  I did everything that I've always coached others not to.  As Mike Finger told me, "Jim, you pulled a Mike!".  That, I did.  Basically, from my past rides in all of 2010, my head was just too big for my britches.

I started RAIN way too fast not warming up the first 20 miles like I always did.

I blew up those hills east of Terre Haute blasting by all those flatlanders, forgetting that physiologically I'm still a flatlander and always will be. I was forming trains, meaning that everyone jumped on behind me while I was doing all the work.  That really boosted my ego, but it depleted my energy stores.

I jumped way ahead of the Centurion pack after the first food stop, as I had my own sag driver and quickly exchanged bottles, while the other guys rested a little more as all six of them had Miss Melanie as their sag driver.  Being 20 minutes ahead at one point again stroked my ego, but at what a cost too my legs!

Between Putnamville and Plainfield, I was pushing to catch the bogies ahead of me and I would even catch some pacelines, too.  I should have continued to ride comfortably in a paceline and sharing the work.  Catching the bogies should be reserved for the last 40 miles when there usually aren't that many pacelines to ride with.

I was sweating like a sieve but I was hydrating enough and downing plenty of electrolyte capsules.  However, I wasn't taking in enough cliff blocks and hammer gels.  Why?  I guess it would slow me down getting it out of my rear pockets?

I didn't communicate well enough with my sag driver and we couldn't hook up after Plainfield until Camby.  I also should have actually stopped at the lunch area for at least 5-10 minutes to "compose".  I was still treating this as a race, and felt good that I passed the boys just a mile after they passed me.

So, while I was on my way to a sub-8hr, the quads started cramping.  I tried everything to cure that but to no avail.  Then each one would seize up, and then both quads simultaneously.  There went my attempt for a PR.

I could have finished but there would be no pushing the gears and the last 50 miles would have to be no more than 15mph, and so I quit.

I've done countless numbers of RAIN in so many different ways and I never want to repeat 2010!

Local RAIN Article in IDS

RAIN article in Indiana Daily Student at http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=76222

and 10 pictures in an IDS gallery at  http://www.idsnews.com/news/multimedia/media.aspx?id=194&type=PG

Inspiring Commitment and Dedication

I'm not a blogger normally, but just have to share that I have been watching Fr. Rick Ginther, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Church and St. Patrick Parish in Terre Haute, Indiana as he trained and prepared for the 2010 RAIN ride.  His committment and dedication to accomplish this goal is nothing short of inspiring.  Fr. Rick has an exhausting schedule with serving two parishes and the St. Patrick school, and yet he made personal time to train by himself and with others to grasp this opportunity to be a part of such a huge event.  I'm honored to call him my boss, my friend, and an inspiration to all around him!

From Jeanne Blackford, Parish Secretary, St. Margaret Mary Church

A rider's RAIN Report

By CE Taylor


Ken and I arrived for the start of the ride at 6:35 a.m. We were in line for the start by 6:50 a.m.  According to my GPS it was 5:50 a.m. because we were standing in the Central time zone.  We were at the back of the starting group, sort of.  We had ridden past lots of people still unloading their bikes on our way to the start.  The ride started on time but it was at least two more minutes before we could start pedaling.  The hills on the way to the first rest stop were not too bad.  We slowed down on the hills to save energy.  We rode and rode and rode.   It is always a relief to reach the first rest stop.  A quick fill up of water and snacks and we were back on the road.  The Plainfield rest stop is a little over 60 miles from the start.  That means there are less than 100 miles to go.  I mean that in a positive way.

It seemed like it took forever to get to the lunch stop, but it feels like that every year.  We had a really long lunch stop, but it is important to remember it is a ride, not a race.  Our wives had set up chairs under some pine trees waiting for us at the lunch stop.  I can tell you that the combination of a chair, shade and breeze felt really good.  (Note, our wives are the best SAG drivers ever.)  We saw Rob, Eugene and Shane at lunch.  One of them had a mechanical problem earlier in the day, which lost them about an hour.  Later, they zipped past us on the road as did a lot of people.  Remember, it's a ride not a race.

We had our Camelbaks on after lunch.  I drank my 70 oz. of water by the time we got to Casey's General Store 17 miles later.  It is important to stay hydrated.  One year I ran out of water after lunch and I didn't want to do that again.  That is a hot stretch of road that seems to go on forever.  Leaving the hot county roads behind and getting back on hot US 40 is a huge relief.  You have to experience it to understand what I mean.  Turning back on US 40, only a block from Casey's General Store and knowing that your SAG support is there is a huge boost to your spirits. When I get to Casey's, I know I can make it to Richmond.  I don't know why I feel that way, but since it is a straight, almost flat road to Richmond (there are a couple of hills that flat landers complain about) , the next 45 miles seem easier.  Of course you still have to ride them but the end is in sight.  We saw BBC'er Duane at Casey's and he joined us for the remainder of the ride.

We took a break at Dunreith to cool off and rest.  Then, it was back on the bike for the final 29 miles.  Our pace was slower on this section, but we continued towards the finish confident of the outcome.  Turning into Earlham College for the final 50 yards is always a pleasant experience.  Ken led the way to the finish.  People cheered as we came in.  Tom Whitehead was there congratulating finishers.  It was nice to see him at the finish.  Kathy Cummins was helping with recording of the times and rider numbers and it was nice to see her too.  I asked her if she had any thoughts about riding next year.  Her answer was that she had thought seeing the finishers might be motivation for her to do it next year, but seeing all the tired, worn out riders coming in may have had the opposite effect.

My goal was for Ken and me to finish the ride.  We did it in 12 hours and 35 minutes.  That was the exact time I had on my first ride across Indiana in 2006.  We weren't the first finishers or the last ones either.  I am proud of what we accomplished.  For an event like this, I feel that riders learn something about themselves that is more valuable than how long it took them to finish.

I am proud that my club puts on this event.  The event runs smoothly and every rest stop is hosted by friendly workers.  Proof of its popularity is seen by the increase in the number of registrations each year.  The volunteers are to be commended for their commitment to club.

Nashville on the 5th of July

Key Points:

1. Bridge out between Helmsburg and Bean Blossom on Highway 45
2. New Fly-Over route option on MayMyRide.com

Three of us took an impromptu ride to Nashville on our official 4th of July work holiday. The ride was relatively uneventful. We took Lanam Ridge and then Owl Creek to Helmsburg Road into Nashville. Lanam Ridge Road is particularly rough and in bad need of resurfacing. After a brief stop at the Shell Station in Nashville we went went out Greasy Creek and over Bear Wallow to Gatesville Road, which is freshly paved, making up a bit for Lanam Ridge.

At the store in Bean Blossom we discovered that Highway 45 is closed for major bridge work between Bean Blossom and Helmsburg. We talked to some people to plot out a detour via Grandma Barnes Road. But then talking to some more local people we learned that no work was being done today and that we might be able to get through on foot. It was only a mile or two to the work site so we decided to chance it. It looked pretty bad. But we were able to get across on a wobbly gang plank. A couple on a motorcycle going the other direction abandoned any idea of getting across and we recommended Grandma Barnes to them.

Otherwise the ride was uneventful and we made it home in good shape before the day got really hot.

The other point I wanted to make was about the new Fly-Over option. Here's a link to the route we took
Nashville Route via Owl Creek and Bear Wallow If you follow that link, then click on the button "Watch Course Fly-By Video (beta)" you'll be treated to a video of approximately 13 minutes that has the effect of flying a helicopter along the route at 300 feet, say, using Google Satellite imagery. Pretty amazing, even if the photo montage is not exactly current. Naturally this wouldn't be recommended on a slow internet connection.