Redlands and Introducing Phil the Thrill
Posted by mattcrane | Filed under Uncategorized
Turns out I’ve been drinking decaf the past week-or at least it feels like it-because I have had very little to say, which for me is virtually unheard of. Historically this means that I’m in a good place racing wise, so after this past weekend’s tune up in San Dimas, I should be firing well for Redlands…or at least that’s the plan.
Speaking of San Dimas, I feel a shoutout is in order for Phantastic Phil Gaimon after the nice little win he snagged in last Saturday’s road race. Phil made a good move at a good time and used his considerable strength to
hold off the field to within a bike length at the line. He didn’t get much mention in the press for virtually riding away from the pack at 7km out, but if he can uncork more days like that one, it won’t be long until he gets his dues.
Anyway, following the San Dimas Stage Race, I have been staying with the rest of the team at the Rubio household in Redlands. There is more food here than I have ever seen at a host house, so I’m enjoying myself immensely.
The Redlands prologue tomorrow will be a good test and it’s a course I like a lot, so I’ll be looking to move up on last year’s 17th place, although with the large and strong field present, perhaps I should have an eye on improving in time and not standing. Regardless, this promises to be a good four days of racing, and I’m looking forward to it.
Reistad and I did a school visit today and got the local kiddies jazzed up for the event, although I may have dampened their enthusiasm somewhat when I tried to explain the intricacies of stage racing, as they were after all no older than ten. However, they were well behaved given the tantalizing lure of Jelly Beans promised on good behavior. Some even gave us hugs after the demo! Social control would be so easy if the government maintained the sweet tooth we all have as children…
“This is big brother speaking: do not be alarmed, today’s chocolate snack break will commence as sheduled contingent on quotas being met as prescribed by comptroller b…”
Well, time for me to get to bed so I can rest up enough to suffer in speedy fashion, likely for a bit longer than 10 minutes, but ideally not much more than that…not much more or at all if things go my way…
Eat more Jelly Beans…
Crane
Here’s Phantastic Phil being fantastically creepy at our tour of the Jelly Belly factory. Creepy facial hair=creey facial masks.
Two Weeks of…
Posted by mattcrane | Filed under Uncategorized
My legs are starting to regain their form after California, but not as quickly as I would like! With such a hard tour coming so early in the year, I have been feathering the edge I gained from 8 days of heavy pressure to avoid finding myself cracked in a month’s time. To achieve this, my first week back at home involved nothing but easy spins, a few days off, and LOTS of food. However, simple tasks like navigating the grocery store without bumping into people have been slow in coming back to my stage race addled nervous system.
(Homemade pasta night and my sandwich making skills)
After a respectable snow storm hit Athens last week, my girlfriend (yes, the devoutly single Crane has been captured and bound, but happily so) and I fled to Florida for a few days of warm weather and spanish moss before driving to a local stage race for the weekend. A few days of easy km’s in the sun with arm warmers rolled down for a bit of tanning, some prime dirt roads, and good local cuisine all helped move things back on track nicely. However, on Thursday’s ride my body wouldn’t or couldn’t-or maybe I’m just soft-put out the energy necessary to make the pedals move. I told girlie to ride on without me (yes, I voluntarily dropped myself on an easy ride) so that I could noodle home with the pedals slack and the pace my own.
The next day I felt better on the bike, but decided all the same to call off racing for the weekend, especially as my motivation and desire to race were as deflated as my ego. However, later in the day I really felt like myself again, and was full of piss and vinegar to get the legs going again and race regardless of having an inexplicably crappy ride, as my legs had been good the day before. With a continuous finger on my pulse and an open ear to the inner workings, I was able to pick up safe cues to pin on a race number, as my energy levels felt high, the pulse was literally strong, and my head was ready to go. So onwards to Regions Bank race weekend in scenic and sprawling Albany, GA!
I must have made an accurate assesement, because I was able to win the prologue on my road bike by a good margin, thus setting me up with win #1 of the year, and giving me a good boost of morale. A few other factors hindering me in the race contributed to this feeling of well being, but I won’t list them for fear of gloating. Anyway, the rest of the weekend went well, and with super teammate Phil Gaimon helping to control the race, I was able to make nothing but offensive moves in attempts to win, while he took care of all the defense action. Thanks Phil! I didn’t win the G.C, but we did a good job holding our own after being relentlessly worked over by everyone else taking a stab at the pros. So some good training, and the legs are opened up again, although I’m still pretty tired, so a bit of caution this week is in order.
I’m back in Athens now, and enjoying the beginning of spring. Been reading lots of Calvin and Hobbes, buying a barbeque today, and then having a coffee ride. When I come up with things to report, you’ll hear about it here!
Be Well or Better-
Crane
