I'm back!

After a long hiatus on the blogging scene I decided I am going to give 'er a try again. Lots of fun stuff going on recently so try to keep up!

Yesterday was the Hines Park Time Trial. A 20k (12 mile) out and back TT on relativity flat, notoriously windy Hines Drive. This was my first official road time trial so I didn't really know what to expect. It couldn't be that hard, right? Ride until I'm about to puke, then scale it back a notch. The cool thing about this race is they have an Eddy Merckx category (meaning no aero equipment). Looking at the times from last year and given my (lack of) training I figured this would be the right class for me to enter.

The first thing I noticed about this road racing thing is how organized it was. When I rolled up to the start tent the guy ahead of me went off at exactly 10:00:00am. I'm amazed they were able to start on time after sending 100+ people through the gate starting at about 8:00am.

Off the line I felt good. I pedaled my way up to what felt like a pretty good pace and held it there. I spoke with a guy before my start that mentioned a fairly strong headwind on the way back so I tried to keep my head down and hammer until I saw the turn around. It felt good to pass some people on the way out. It seemed like one by one I was reeling them in. I saw the orange barrel and cones for the turn around up ahead, clicked it down a few gears and slowed to make the tight turn. Once I was clear the head wind made itself known immediately.

6 miles back went fairly quick, but seemed to be full of hills that I didn't remember on the way out less than 15 minutes ago. Picking off one after another rider I set my sights on a rabbit quite a ways up the road and didn't pass him until less than a mile from the finish. We both commented on how brutal the wind was on the way back. I put my head down and pushed the biggest gear I could through the finish line. I missed the actual finish chute (I was going so fast everything was a blur... yeah, right), but the race volunteers were able to record my time manually. I felt great yesterday and my time of 32 mintues and some change was good enough for 10th place (unofficial).

Thanks to Kristen for the photos!

This week is the last Flying Rhino's Wednesday Night Worlds race at the Waterford Hills Racetrack in Clarkston for the summer. Be sure to come out and ride!

The Birmingham Bicycle Festival will be on August 28th in downtown Bham. They'll also be hosting a criterium race on the same day. Also going on that (busy) day is the $150 Bicycle Challenge. Can you build a bike for $150 or less and ride it 62 miles? If you're interested in building a bike to ride with us and want an invite please let me know.

Ride on friends! 1gear1love

Spring in Michigan

The weather certainly was the deciding factor for most cyclists plans in Michigan this weekend. Both the 6/12 Hours of Addison Oaks and the Bloomer Park XC mounitan bike races were cancelled due to poor trail conditions. 

 The Addison race is slated to be run on October 10th while the Bloomer Park race will be held next Sunday, May 24th.

The Cycle to Fitness Road team was in full force at the Tour of Kensington Valley on Saturday.

A Strong Showing for the CtoF Racing Greyhounds!

(photos by Chris Werth and Danielle Jankowski)

1Gear1Love

Bike Events

Its been a bit of a slow week for me on the bike, but I've been concentrating on running a bit as well.  I've got about 150 miles in on the bike since the first of the month. I am planning on riding the 12 hour solo at Addison Oaks on Saturday so I'm taking it a bit easy. 

I did go out for a hard 30 miler yesterday and felt good. I headed south down College toward Mason. I really like riding the country roads that surround Lansing, but there is always a constant 15 mph headwind. it seems like every day i've been on the road in the last few months I've had to battle the wind from one direction or another. 

Enough babble about training, there are some great bike events coming up around Michigan in the month of May.

 Friday May 8th there is a Ride Around Town (RAT) in Lansing/ East Lansing. Here's the info as written by Marci Baranski:

In celebration of spring, please join us for a Friday evening Ride-Around-Town (RAT)** through the streets of Lansing and East Lansing. This is an informal, social, urban ride to demonstrate safe bicycling and establish a visible presence of cyclists on city streets.

We'll share the road, be friendly, keep a nice pace, and end at a local food / watering hole to talk about all things cycling here in the Lansing region. We think most of you are pretty smart and would hate to lose you, so helmets are strongly recommended.

When: THIS Friday, May 8th

Starts: We have two! Choose your own adventure! East Lansing start -- meet at 5:41PM at Beaumont Tower on campus; Lansing start -- meet at 6:01 where the Rivertrail meets the Impression 5 Parking lot.

(The two groups will merge at a surprise location.)

Who: Anyone!

RAT Watering Hole: Izzo's Pub / Pizza in REO Town, unless we have a better idea before Friday at 6.

** We are borrowing the RAT concept from the Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition.

May 9th the 2009 Bike Demo at Island Lake Rec. Area  from 10am to 5pm at the Dodge Parking lot at ILRA.

Also May 9th is the 6/12 hours of Addison Oaks Endurance Race put on by Brent Walk and Fun Promotions

Brent always puts on a great race with great food afterwards and always has some intersting Prizes to give away. Lets hope the weather holds out as I've heard the trail was in rough shape earlier this week but the Trail Coordinators from the Metro-North Chapter of the MMBA have been working their butts off to get this trail in ride-able condition for saturday. Come out and ride the Pain Train for a few hours!

For you Westsiders on May 9th is the Bike Rodeo put on by The Motion Initiative. Check the links for more information.

May 16th is the MSU Farm Daze Tour. Ride start is 8am- 10am and options are 25, 50, 75 and 100K routes. Click the link for more information.

May 22nd is the Cycle to Fitness Racing Greyhounds Annual Bowling Fundraiser.

Be there or be square! Huey Lewis says its hip to be square, but we all know that Huey Lewis is a drunk and a liar.  If you don't believe me, just check out all how much fun everyone is having in these pictures, courtesy of our team photog Danielle Jankowski.

I hope to see you at some of these events!

1Gear1Love