Yearly Archives: 2013

San Diego to KC, Via Denver

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I left San Diego yesterday and flew to Denver late. The Advantage Rental car company is a complete disaster. It took more than an hour and a half to get on the shuttle and actually get in a car. I drove to the Springhill Suites, by the University of Denver and got in a room at 1 am. I’m supposed to view some testing on Garmin’s Tom Danielson at 10 am. It should be interesting. I’m really not sure exactly what is going to happen or what I’m supposed to witness, but it should be a learning experience at least. Jonathan Vaughters is coming too, so that will make the trip worthwhile. If I have any extra time, I’m going to head over to Arvada and go for a ride with my friend Vincent. He did a 100 mile MTB race last Saturday and I’d like to hear the blow by blow. He butt must be sore. 7 plus hours.

I rode around North County yesterday. Didn’t really have an agenda. I finally made it up to Pannikin in Encinitas. The bakery items there are from the Land of the Giants. Muffins that are bigger than grapefruit. It is awesome.

I have a short turn around today. Just in for the physiological testing and then out tonight, flying back to KC late. The Tour of Kansas City starts Friday evening. It is just 3 criteriums now. I’m not sure, but I think that it is the longest running stage race in the country. This is the 50th edition. I first rode the Tour of KC in 1974 when I was an intermediate. I was 2nd in the Pro 1/2 race when I was 17. It was an Olympic Developement race then. There is a traveling trophy, but my name isn’t on it. And it won’t be on it again. I have no ability to race at a winning level now. Baby steps. It is funny, but I’d rather be doing a NCC race and just sit in than a big regional race that takes a lot of energy in the wind. Strange.

I’m mildly worried about the heat in KC. It is supposed to be in the mid 90’s all weekend. Yesterday, it was 65 on the coast. That is a 30 degree differential. But, you have to get used to it sometime. I’m not yet like Jens Voight and can acclimate to the heat in two days, like he did at the Tour of California.

Okay, I need to get scooting. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Last meal of each trip is at Ichiban in PB. Sue and Don always order an unbelievable amount of sushi.

Last meal of each trip is at Ichiban in PB. Sue and Don always order an unbelievable amount of sushi.

Don was replacing the CV boots on his Ferrari yesterday morning.

Don was replacing the CV boots on his Ferrari yesterday morning.

Bill
It was Bill’s birthday yesterday, so I guess a bunch of people met over at the Flying Monkey/PT’s and drank a few beers. Missed out on that one.

This guy, on one of the those duck-bike-things, was following Don and I up the coast for a couple miles. He was going really good, over 20 mph.

This guy, on one of the those duck-bike-things, was following Don and I up the coast for a couple miles. He was going really good, over 20 mph.

I was riding by the cove and this guy was about to head in to dive. He must have looked strange to all of us.

I was riding by the cove and this guy was about to head in to dive. He must have looked strange to all of us.

Last shot of Torrey Pines for a while.

Last shot of Torrey Pines for a while.

I love watching the pelicans glide back and forth down the coast. They fly so effortless.

I love watching the pelicans glide back and forth down the coast. They fly so effortless.

This machine is detecting something in my shoulder each time I go through it. I had to get patted down on the way out and then again on the way back. Must have been one of the anchor screws in my arm bone.

This machine is detecting something in my shoulder each time I go through it. I had to get patted down on the way out and then again on the way back. Must have been one of the anchor screws in my arm bone.

This monitor is right after you clear security in the San Diego airport. I guess it is just there to remind you what nice weather you are leaving.

This monitor is right after you clear security in the San Diego airport. I guess it is just there to remind you what nice weather you are leaving.

Whirlwind

This entry was posted in Racing on by .

Yesterday was a whirlwind. I hardly got 6 hours sleep and then headed over to the University of Denver to meet up with Jonathan Vaughters, Tom Danielson and Christian Vande Velde. It was pretty interesting, but kind of long and drawn out. I’m going to let it all soak-in over the weekend before I post something on it. But, it was definitely worth a side trip.

I got on standby for an early flight back to Kansas City, but it had a mechanical and I didn’t end up landing until late. We stopped in Lawrence and had to eat off the late night menu at FreeState. It was still good. We got there just in time to catch the overtime of the Stanley Cup. Since the Blackhawks are playing, and Trudi is from Chicago, she’s really into it. But, she likes all sports, so would probably be watching it anyway. The game of hockey moves so fast that it almost seems anticlimactic when they finally score. The Blackhawks won and the series is tied 2-2 now.

The Tour of Kansas City starts tomorrow night. It is going to be a challenge getting back into race mode. So far this year I’ve raced 1 road race, 1 hard circuit race and 6 criteriums. Not much depth there. Without doing a 4 or 5 day stage race, it has been hard to kick-start my form. Usually, right around now, for some unknown reason, I start feeling better riding. It hasn’t happened yet, but I’m crossing my fingers.

It rained a bunch yesterday and now is supposed to be in the upper 90’s through the weekend. Muggy is going to be the word. I am not looking forward to that. I think I might get on my bike in a bit and mosey over to Lawrence slowly. Long, slow distance in the heat has been the only way I have had any success racing in the heat recently. And since summer hasn’t really even started, I need to get on top of that.

Okay, I still haven’t woken up really. Better have a 2nd cup of tea.

Sunday, they entered me in the women's race. I guess USA Cycling is predicting how I'll feel by Sunday and thought they would enter me in the appropriate category.

Sunday, they entered me in the women’s race. I guess USA Cycling is predicting how I’ll feel by Sunday and thought they would enter me in the appropriate category.

Start of the testing yesterday. Christian on the ergomenter, Jonathan in the chair and Dr. Iñigo San Millán, standing, doing the testing.

Start of the testing yesterday. Christian on the ergomenter, Jonathan in the chair and Dr. Iñigo San Millán, standing, doing the testing.

Freestate has a little shrine/display, for the Tour of Lawrence, which is next weekend.

Freestate has a little shrine/display, for the Tour of Lawrence, which is next weekend.

The floor at the Kansas City airport is a terrazzo floor. It is pretty cool. I wonder why more people don't use this for home flooring? Probably the cost.

The floor at the Kansas City airport is a terrazzo floor. It is pretty cool. I wonder why more people don’t use this for home flooring? Probably the cost.