I now have a better understanding of Lance Armstrong's book title "Its Not About the Bike." To me riding has a health and social component. It’s a place where I can work hard and use other riders to push myself. VQ is unique in that it offers both components in a non-threatening package. I am who I am, and I ride like I ride. That being said, it is not entirely true. When I first started at VQ I was very frustrated because I was the slowest. It has taken 3 years for me to improve my speed, endurance and lower my weight. Now that I am faster, lighter and stronger than I was 3 years ago I feel confident to compete in the safety of the bike gym among people who I consider friends. I have talked to many new riders who are frustrated by the same issues I was. The cruel truth about VQ and riding is this; it's time on the bike, hard work and consistency that pay the biggest dividends. I ride against myself as much as I ride against anyone else. And there is no magic bullet. It's really only partly about the Bike. Damn
Riding is also has a social aspect. One of the best parts of riding at VQ is riding inside on a cold Sunday in winter with friends who have similar interests. 3 hours on a computrainer is a long time but with friends it is a bit shorter. Unfortunately two friends are moving to other cities. Justin and Natalie are moving on. Both have good opportunities out West where they will be able to train full time. I am happy for both but will miss them.
I first met Justin as the ringer on my old man 4 TT team. The ages of the riders were 60,59,51, and 23. And good lord we needed him. The race was a technical 40K, it was hot and very windy. Justin carried our butts the last 5-10K. What a great sport and what a great time; we rode our hardest and Justin was there to hide behind when we got tired. After that we became riding buddies and I have spent several Sundays beside him killing time riding the various computrainer courses.
I don't know Natalie well; we have not ridden together much. She has qualified for Kona by winning her age group at Ironman Wisconson and she is training hard so she can win in Hawaii. Natalie is always at VQ, riding longer, doing more functional training and being a role model of what you can do when
you put your mind to it.
Good luck and take care Justin and Natalie have a great time and great success in California. You guys will be missed and the rides will be a tad less fun. Keep in touch.
Now about the aging part of riding. What I have learned about working out hard is that bits and pieces of my body keep falling off. OK, not really falling off but getting injured. Last week after a hard cross training class that included jumping around like a chimp and a million squats, which I had been doing but not to that degree, my left knee decided it had enough and began to feel achy and stiff. I was told to stretch it out and take it easy for a few days. Sure enough the knee felt great. Last Sunday I was scheduled for a 4 hour ride and my knee felt great until the 3-hour mark and then it began to ache again. I rested it again and rode submax to make sure it as fine, however there is still pain. Damn now I am off the bike for 4 days and I will see how it goes. This reminds me of the line from the book The Right Stuff; "It can blow at any seam." Well this is where I am, my two "A" races are coming up June 20 for the Horribly Hilly and July 20 for the ETape. I am worried I will be injured, I want to ride hard and get ready. My knee is saying, slow down and take it easy. I have ridden through this before, I know the cure is time and rest: I am very frustrated, but what can I do? Good thing I am off to Seattle for a family event.
So until I return from Seattle, Have a great ride.
