Getting In Ride Time

In less then two weeks I will be doing a 2 day 150 mile MS ride. I did the ride last year so I know what to expect but the biggest thing I am trying to do different this year is "SADDLE" time. I am trying to just get used to my new seat which I am pretty comfortable with right now but riding never hurts. This past Saturday I did a 30 mile ride with a 17.5 MPH average and I felt pretty good. Since March I have ridden about 300 miles which is 300 more mile then I rode before my MS ride last year. I am looking forward to June 13th and 14th. Just hoping for good weather.

Help Me Find A Cure For MS!!!!

On June 13th and 14th I will be doing a total of a 150 miles over two days (100 miles on Saturday and 50 miles on Sunday) in the Bike MS Chesapeake Challenge in Maryland in order to help find a cure for MS and I could use your help. Any donation would be appreciated and no amount is to small.

Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with MS. That's why I registered for the Bike MS Chesapeake Challenge, and why I'm asking you to support my fund raising efforts with a tax-deductible donation.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS but they can't do it without our help. It's faster and easier than ever to support this cause that's so important to me.

Simply click on the link at the bottom of this message. If you prefer, you can send your contribution to the address listed below. Any amount, great or small, helps to make a difference in the lives of people with MS. I appreciate your support and look forward to letting you know how I do.

Click here to visit my personal page.If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/MDMBikeEvents?px=4379931&pg=personal&fr_id=11101&s_tafId=106467

The above picture is from last year's ride and was my first Century Ride.

Xtreme Sports ID

Today I was looking through my Bicycling magazine and I ran across an ad for a product called Xtreme Sports ID. The Xtreme Sports ID is a wristband that has the medical alert symbol, 800#, and a personal 8 digit ID number. Once you purchase and receive the wristband you register your vital information at xtremesportsid.com. In case of an accident or emergency, medical staff will be able to call the 800# on the bracelet punch in the 8 digit code and hear a readout of all of your information you submitted.

Including:

Who Am I?
Address?
Emergency Contacts
Insurance Provider
Primary Physician
Medical Alerts/Allergies/Medications

As a cyclist (which I am) this is a great product in case I am ever hit by a car, fall off my bike and I am unable to provide information to the first responders. They call the number put in the 8 digit ID number and bam they get everything they need to assist me. What is also cool about this product is that they come in kids sizes also. I know we as parents always want our kids to be safe and with an Xtreme Sports ID we now can have that piece of mind for those times when they are not with us. I am thinking about getting Sabreena and Shaun an Xtreme Sports ID because they go places with their friends and other family and Melinda and I cannot always be with them so I feel better just knowing that all of their vital information and emergency contacts can be accessed with just one call.

The Xtreme Sports ID come is six designs and four sizes (kids, small, medium and large). The price is $8 for the wristband and includes the first year of service and then a $5 service fee every year after which is a small price to pay for some extra assurance.

GU Enery Gel Review

I started cycling last year by doing a charity ride through my employer. I was all set to do my first century and had no idea about nutrition and what I was suppose to eat while riding. It was a 100 miles ride and I knew I needed to eat but didn’t want to eat too much. One the first day of my ride I ate Power Bars because I figured that they were energy filled but the thing I did not take into consideration was what they would do to my stomach. Due to all of the fiber and other ingredients they upset my stomach about half way through the 100 mile ride. I was able to finish the ride and was talking to a few guys on the team I was riding for and asked what they ate during rides. A few of the guys ate GU Energy Gel while riding for the benefits during rides without getting full or upset stomachs. So I tried one the next day on my 50 mile ride and was hooked and have I have been using GU ever since. GU Energy Gel is in a convenient foil container so they are easy to store in your jersey and easy to open while riding. GU Energy Gel provided me the carbs I needed to finish my ride without any stomach discomfort.

GU’s formula for success is to(taken from GU’s website)

Energize: A shot of fast-acting natural fructose (fruit sugar) goes straight to work building your energy levels back up while the maltodextrin is quickly absorbed and sent to your muscles. Vital electrolytes keep your blood chemistry in line and hydration levels stable. Calcium keeps your muscles humming and caffeine adds an extra kick to your power.

Sustain: Complex carbs in the form of maltodextrin (70-80% of the complex/simple carbohydrates blend) help you maintain glucose levels over time. Citrates (potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid) help speed the conversion of these carbs into energy molecules and mitigate performance-sapping acid build-up in muscles. Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, valine and isoleucine, serve as another fuel source, aid in recovery and can improve mental performance and reduce fatigue by limiting the central nervous system’s production of serotonin. Histidine, an essential amino acid, acts alongside the citrates as a buffer that helps neutralize lactic acid build-up in muscles.

Recover: Antioxidant vitamins C & E defend muscles from assault by free radicals. Chamomile works as an anti-inflammatory during and after exercise. Ginger soothes the stomach. Sea salt supplies a host of minerals.

GU Energy Gel comes in 8 awesome flavors but my favorite flavor is Lemon Sublime. The recommended fueling instructions for taking GU is 15 minutes before your ride and then every 30 to 45 minutes during your ride but find what work for you. Also, remember to drink your fluids as that is an essential pairing with GU. You can pick up GU at your local bike shop. If you are looking for that energy boost you need during cycling, running or whatever activity you are doing GU Energy Gel is your answer.

Great Friday For A Ride

Today I had off from work and the weather here in MD was about 62 degrees so I went out for a nice ride. Again I ride the Baltimore Annapolis Trail (my home trail) but today I threw in the BWI Airport loop. My total ride today was 40.18 miles, 15.8 MPH Average, 26.6 MPH Max speed, total ride time was 2:32:07. I was good for the first 34-35 miles but the last 5 miles were very very tough. This is only my second time out this season but thought I could do 40 miles after doing 30 miles last Sunday (guess not). I think I need to do a few more 30 miles ride before I extend my distance. I have a 63 miles ride in April in Carroll County so I better get some more rides in or else I am going to be in bad shape. I guess for now back to the trainer as they are calling for rain in MD this weekend. I will keep you posted on my progress.

Great Day For Sunday Ride

Today the weather is Maryland was in the high 50's so I thought today would be a great day to get the bike off the trainer and do a little ride. My friend Tim from Delaware who just bought his first road bike yesterday (2008 Scattante CFR Comp Road Bike) came down to break in his new bike. We did a 30 mile ride on the Baltimore & Annapolis trail near the BWI Airport. My stats for the ride were as follows:27.8 miles,15.3MPH Average, 25.2MPH max speed, 1:48 ride time. Not to bad for my first time out this season. Can't wait for Spring to arrive so I can ride outside more.

Riding The Trainer

I got my trainer last Sunday for my birthday and I have been trying to ride an hour a day on it so I am in decent shape for the upcoming cycling season. Let me tell you it is extremely difficult to ride indoors for one hour in the same spot. At least when you ride outside you see different scenery which makes the time on the bike go by fast. The good thing about the trainer is it is the closest thing to actually riding outside since you are riding on your on bike instead of a bike at the gym. So far so good I like the trainer and will continue to ride as I have a ride coming up in April.

Adjustable Indoor Fluid Trainer

I have been thinking about getting an indoor trainer for some time in order to be in the best shape possible once the cycling season began. Since my birthday is on the 19th of this month I thought what better way to get an indoor trainer then to use birthday money to purchase one. I went to Performance Bikes online first to do some preliminary research. After some research I felt the Travel Trac Century Adjustable Fluid Plus Trainer would be a nice economical choice. It was pretty easy to set up especially considering this is my first trainer. It only took about 20 minutes tops to get it setup and get my bike mounted. I also like the handlebar mounted shift leaver which gives you five levels of adjustment. I rode my bike on the trainer yesterday and it was a very nice smooth ride and seemed to work very well so I definitely would suggest this trainer to others who were in the market for an indoor fluid trainer.

Features:

*Handlebar mounted shift lever gives you five levels of adjustment
*Features a new mounting system that makes bike setup easier than ever
*Includes replacement rear skewer to ensure proper fit
*Compatible with most road and mountain bikes

Specs:

*Type: Fluid
*Adjustments:Remote 5-Level
*Folding:Yes
*Skewer Included:Yes

PARIS-NICE 2009 Stage 4

Christian Vandevelde of Garmin-Slipstream took stage 4 of the Paris-Nice 2009 on the 173.5 KM (107.8 Miles) from Vichy to Saint-Étienne. If you all remember Vandevelde crashed in the rainy time trial in Amilly on the very first day. He obviously is feeling better if he was able to win the stage. GO USA!!!! Vandevelde launched his attack on the field with 20 KM (1.24 miles) from the finish on the cours Fauriel in St Etienne to get a very nice victory that he can add to his career total. Christian Vandevelde finished the stage in 04:01:31 and is 34th overall 3:07 behind leader Sylvain Chavanel who now holds a slim 6 second margin to wear the yellow jersey. After a nice ride yesterday Alberto Contador from Team Astana is now only 36seconds off the lead. This is shaping up to be a pretty sweet race.

PARIS-NICE 2009 Stage 3

Rainy stage 3 of the Paris-Nice 2009 was a 178 km (110.6 mile) race that rode from Orval to Vichy. Sylvain Chavanel took the stage as well as the overall lead today by riding with a break away of 15 guys lead by Rabobank that took place with 43 Km to go. Chavanel made his plans clear by winning the second sprint of the day in front of Garate and Seeldrayers. The break away group took Alberto Contador from Team Astana by suprise and putting him 1:09 behind the yellow and green jersey winner Sylvain Chavanel.

Lance In France

Being an Obsessed Cyclist I found the book Lance in France by Ashley Maceachern Illustrated by Michelle Barbera a very appropriate book to get Shaun from the library. When I saw the book I knew I needed to get it. Once I got home with the book and showed it to Shaun he said "I know who that is" probably from me always talking about cycling and watching it on TV. This book is very well written and is very true and makes alot of funny references to Lance Armstrong and his cycling career in the Tour de France. "Lance has an aching tummy and a woozy head. He's sick, he's sore, but he won't lose hope....He just pedals faster". This is a reference to Lance Armstrong starting the 2004 Tour de France with a stomach virus. In the back of the book their is a letter written by Lance Armstrong telling people they should follow what they believe in and are good at and not give up plus it also includes an autographed photo. So if you get a chance pick this book up at your local library and read an amazingly funny story about Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France.

PARIS-NICE 2009 Stage 2

And the winner of Stage 2 of the Paris-Nice 2009 was Cervelo rider Heinrich Haussler from Germany. He won the 195.5 KM (121.47 Miles) stage from Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire to La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin with a time of 04:45:01. There was a scare for Alberto Contador who got caught in a pile up with 2 km to go but the crash has no effect on the overall standings since the crash occured within 3 km of the finish. Contador finished 97 but with a time of 04:45:01.

PARIS-NICE 2009 Stage 1

Stage 1 of the PARIS-NICE 2009 is a 9.3 kM (5.77 miles) time trial in Amilly. The weather for the time trail was rainy and not so great for racing. Christian Vande Velde of Team Garmin Slipstream crashed in a wet corner during the event and finished just over a minute off Contador. Two of Vande Velde teammates finished in the top 5, Bradley Wiggins finished second 7 seconds behind and David Millar finished fifth 14 seconds behind. The overall leader after Stage 1 was Alberto Contador from Team Astana who finished with a time of 11:05.

PARIS-NICE 2009

So the Vuelta Mexico Telmex 2009 just ended but now we have the PARIS-NICE 2009 starting up. This race runs from March 8th thru the 15th consisting of 8 stages and covers 1,250KM (Approx 777 Miles) and rides from Amilly to Nice.

Vuelta Mexico Telmex 2009 - Finished

So the Vuelta Mexico Telmex 2009 wrapped up on Sunday March 8th with Andrew Pinfold from Team Ouch taking the Final Stage 8. The overall winner of the Vuelta Mexico Telmex 2009 was Jackson Rodriguez from Serramenti PVC with a total time of 32:20:11. Rock Racing had three people finish in the top 10. David Vitoria finished third 42 seconds back, Glen Alan Chadwick finished fifth 53 seconds back and Enrique Gutierrez finished tenth 2:18 back. So when it is all said and done Rock Racing put in a very good showing at the Vuelta Mexico Telmex 2009.