„Cavendish appeared to change his line in the sprint, veering into Cervelo’s Heinrich Haussler, causing a crash that brought down a dozen riders.“ Velonews
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PE global domination cont…..
Laurent D. has once again completed the Paris-London ride with his Societe Generale team mates. In doing so, he himself raised over 14,500 Euros for CARE International.
On Day Two of the ride he was wearing his PE jersey with great pride. My first thought was that he stands out like Alberto Contador wearing his national (Spanish) colours when riding with his Astana team, but then it dawned on me that Laurent had his team working for him while Contador, a mere mortal by comparison, has to work hard and lead from the front.
Chapeau, mon vieux, chapeau.
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"Rollers" redefined
It seems that the time is ripe to analyze the definition of „rollers„, „gentle rollers“ and the „social ride„. I believe the Cappuccino Ride can now only be used for the Onekan-route 20 loop which involves a stop at Starbucks. This ride has now been truly demoted to a recovery ride and is reserved for Sundays.
Firstly, quite out of character, we stuck to the original plan – James K’s plan that is. The ride took us from Ebisu (James K, Michael H, David C, Tyler, Graham, Fixie James, Fixie Tim, Eileen, Pete (newbie & thus lamb to the slaughter) and me. Along the river we picked up James M and at Fussa, Fumiki. All Daves and one Davina, but Davina had turned back already as she was just out to try out her new Laskey which James M had built up for her the previous day. That was the first sensible decision of the day. Having not ridden for 2 months and with family commitments, David C, the only real Dave in the group, turned around close to Itsukaichi. It was here that I bumped into my old colleague and now one of Tom’s riding partners, Matsuzawa-san. He too was on his way home after an quick assault to Kobu Tunnel, a place I did not know but, unbeknownst to me, was soon going to.
After a stop at 7-11 we set off up Tomin no Mori (Motoshuku side). Lovely approach and climb, but quite long. The official Togebaka route is almost 21km long with 745m of elevation. James M and Fumiki then shot ahead as expected. James M posted a new record time up Tomin of 51.39. James K and I worked our way up in 66mins as part of our Etape training. Meanwhile Tyler ground it out, perhaps aiming to conserve energy for his planned volley-ball game that night. The effects of a week in the heat and pollution of China took its toll on Graham who had to rest to avoid being the first PE
to give his life to cycling. We would have been shocked and saddened had he expired but we would have saluted his sacrifice. Perhaps the good folk of Honjuku would erect a shrine to him similar to the Tom Simpson memorial on Mont Ventoux. Michael H turned back as well to carry out his duties as a board member of the prestigious tennis club which counts Their Imperial Royal Highnesses as members. All credit to Pete who had not ridden in a long time who made it up on his new bike – but he was toast at the top. As for the fixie boys, well….. chapeau I thought, but triple chapeau when I saw these guys descending – and they seem to love it.
While taking a break at Tomin no Mori it struck me that Fixie James, clad in all black with a bright orange helmet looked like something out of the 70s/80s punk/new wave/ synth band, Devo. See what you think.
Like Positivo Espresso, membership of Devo has been described as „fluid“. Another tenuous link is the song „Mechanical Man“, reminding us of Mssrs Tom Boonen & Spillaert.
Although Devo perhaps do not fall into the category of drink and drug crazed bands of the past, they were certainly eccentric. Promoters had to unplug their equipment during a live performance entitled „The Mongaloid Years“. They supported the Church of SubGenius. More recently some members formed Jihad Jerry & The Evildoers. And now Devo are back and this is what a bunch of people in their mid-50s can look like:
Down the other side and a stop for fluids at Watanabe & Watanabe. It was here that there was some debate about routes and until this point one could have called it a social ride. James M had assumed we would return along Okutama and down through Ome but James K had planned turning other way and taking in a few „rollers“ which would lead us back round to near the bottom of the Tomin climb. Pete was shot and said he couldn’t face another hill to which come of us urged him to stick with us because there were just a few „rollers“ ahead. Very sensibly, he listened to his legs and headed back towards Ome with Fixie Tim.
So what is a „roller„? Our first roller turned out to be a shortish climb of 11%+. At the top of the next roller, which by the way folks turned out to be Tsuru Toge. I questioned James‘ use of the term roller. His reply: „I never said they were gentle rollers„. Thus I deduce that a „gentle roller“ is up to 9% while a „roller“ is 9-13%. Of course, the next „roller“ was the climb up to the Kobu Tunnel. Be warned, now you know the difference. Always be on the look out for the word gentle. Also beware when you are invited on a social ride. It could turn out to mean a 200km+ ride with 2000m+ of climbing and a stiff headwind back along the river with a rider who likes to attack his friends.
The lungs-on-sticks, James M and Fumiki, went tearing up these rollers like cats who have just had their man-bits dipped in hot water. While he has always been fast up hills James reports that Fumiki has got even faster, no doubt spurred on by James‘ attacks. Worth noting that Fumiki went up Fuji in 1:11 last weekend. While my cadence at one point dropped to 52 I could see Fixie James ahead grinding it out at about 30. I don’t really understand why these guys want to put themselves through so much pain. Watching him descend on 13% slopes with no brakes not only left me in awe but terrified me as well. I knew Fixie James had a bulging rear tire that could have blown at any time. He said he had fun, but was cooked when we returned to the 7-11 and took the train home from Itsukaichi after trying to patch up the tire. Smart decision as the headwind we faced from there back home was very stiff.
James K must have arranged to meet his medicine man at the 7-11 or applied a testosterone patch as he took over along the river. The wind drained me and I was lucky that James M dropped back to pull me back to the group. Fumiki got cramp in his right calf muscle. As the ride went on Tyler’s attendance of the volley-ball game started to come into question. First he was moving from playing an active role to perhaps being a setter, then it moved to him coaching & encouraging from the sidelines to perhaps never actually making it.
Quote of the day: „I want to become more of a d*ck. Japan makes me too nice. I want to go back to being an a**hole so I am visiting America next week“. (Fixie James)
A good day out, tough ride, great company. 205km, 2100m of climbing and 8:30 in the saddle. Back home for dinner with the parents-in-law. No beer as I gave my father-in-law the last one.
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Good news for "the older crew"
Endurance champion
I saw this in this week’s Road Bike Rider newsletter. There’s hope yet. No mention of beer and pies though…..
How Old Before I Fold?
Q: I’m 44 and in the best shape of my life. But I wonder if I’m about to start losing it as I close in on 50. How many more years can I maintain my present cycling fitness? — Barry C. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: At 64, both Ed and I are still hanging in there, although recovery time has certainly increased over the years.
We and some roadies we know managed to keep improving into our 50s. In fact, Ed and I each rode a 40-km (25-mile) time trial faster than ever at that age, and we’d been racing the event since our 20s. So I believe you still have lots of good years to look forward to.
In preparation for my talk on „Aging and the Cyclist“ at a medical conference, I did quite a bit of research on this subject.
Studies show that although sedentary people lose their ability to consume oxygen (VO2 max) at a rate of about 1% a year after age 40, active people lose only 0.5%. And competitors who continue a long-term vigorous training program might lose only about 0.25% annually.
In fact, some life-long endurance athletes have actually improved their oxygen uptake between ages 45 and 55.
—Hard efforts. Don’t just cruise on your bike by gearing down and backing off when the going gets tough. Ride with intensity. Attack the hills, attack your friends. Vigorous pedaling preserves oxygen uptake better than spinning.
—Weight training. This helps keep strength high and body fat levels low. Most people gain fat and lose muscle as they age even if their bodyweight stays constant. Lift consistently to preserve precious muscle mass.
—Healthful lifestyle. Avoid risky habits and behaviors. Stay active and motivated by finding ways to keep cycling fun. Ride with others, buy a new bike, find different roads, accept the challenges of racing or long-distance events.
—Longevity genes. Some people seem to age slower than others. Did you choose the right parents?
Q: I’m 44 and in the best shape of my life. But I wonder if I’m about to start losing it as I close in on 50. How many more years can I maintain my present cycling fitness? — Barry C. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: At 64, both Ed and I are still hanging in there, although recovery time has certainly increased over the years.
We and some roadies we know managed to keep improving into our 50s. In fact, Ed and I each rode a 40-km (25-mile) time trial faster than ever at that age, and we’d been racing the event since our 20s. So I believe you still have lots of good years to look forward to.
In preparation for my talk on „Aging and the Cyclist“ at a medical conference, I did quite a bit of research on this subject.
Studies show that although sedentary people lose their ability to consume oxygen (VO2 max) at a rate of about 1% a year after age 40, active people lose only 0.5%. And competitors who continue a long-term vigorous training program might lose only about 0.25% annually.
In fact, some life-long endurance athletes have actually improved their oxygen uptake between ages 45 and 55.
Their secrets:
—
—Hard efforts. Don’t just cruise on your bike by gearing down and backing off when the going gets tough. Ride with intensity. Attack the hills, attack your friends. Vigorous pedaling preserves oxygen uptake better than spinning.
—Weight training. This helps keep strength high and body fat levels low. Most people gain fat and lose muscle as they age even if their bodyweight stays constant. Lift consistently to preserve precious muscle mass.
—Healthful lifestyle. Avoid risky habits and behaviors. Stay active and motivated by finding ways to keep cycling fun. Ride with others, buy a new bike, find different roads, accept the challenges of racing or long-distance events.
—Longevity genes. Some people seem to age slower than others. Did you choose the right parents?
For good measure, here is another old cyclist:
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FHC 2010 Results
| No. | Name | Time |
| 8772 | Konstantin Prodanov | 1:18:15.8 |
| 8782 | *Geoff Purtill | 1:21:01.2 |
| 8792 | Frank Arnaud Mehl | 1:22:12.7 |
| 8795 | *Shane Predeek | 1:24:53.1 |
| 8787 | Kenichiro Hayakawa | 1:26:01.4 |
| 8757 | Carlos Fernandez | 1:26:53.2 |
| 8747 | *Steve Tallon | 1:27:07.9 |
| 8779 | Thomas Quantrille | 1:28:11.7 |
| 8790 | James Knott | 1:30:30.2 |
| 8793 | Dominic Henderson | 1:32:21.6 |
| 6011 | Larry Sperling | 1:33:27.5 |
| 8794 | *Tyler Marthaler | 1:36:34.9 |
| 8777 | Walter Donahue | 1:38:22.6 |
| 8783 | Mark Senter | 1:41:31.5 |
| 8791 | Graham Davis | 1:44:32.0 |
| 8781 | Stephen Coady | 1:46:20.1 |
| 8798 | Koji Kawasaki | 1:55:16.3 |
| 8797 | Christopher Orr | 1:56:03.0 |
| 8780 | Stephen Gidge | 1:56:04.1 |
| 8785 | Kosuke Fujioka | 2:03:25.4 |
| 8778 | *David Johnston | 2:08:44.8 |
| 8784 | Augustin Bouhet | 2:25:59.3 |
| 8789 | Jerome Bouhet | 2:26:00.7 |
| 8788 | *Scott Gentry | 2:28:04.0 |
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Fuji Hill Climb 2010 – a Mötley Crüe
Breaking news at bottom: James on the fixie got his date (see end of blog)
A motley crew boarded a bus in Tokyo on Saturday afternoon (not worth a photo) but a few hours later, at 6am on Sunday, had been converted into a team to strike fear into the heart of any cyclist (above, and no, apparently Walter and DJ were not holding hands) – if the challenge was pie-eating or drinking yards of ale. We had the kit, but also body fat and hairy legs. It should be noted that many people commented positively on the BGC jerseys designed by Walter. They were especially popular with the old women serving the complimentary bowl of noodles after the race. Talking of motley crew this gives the opportunity for me to get in my now usual mention of a crazed, over the hill rock band, Mötley Crüe.
Readers of the Positivo Espresso blog will recall James K sent out a message late last week
a couple of open slots for the race and there was a reply from an Alberto C, soon followed by replies from Lance A and Fabian C. So it was with some surprise that I looked around the bus and saw someone looking and even sounding remarkably like this gentleman pictured on the left. All weekend he claimed to be called Carlos and that he worked at a major investment bank in New York. After an uneventful bus ride including the obligatory stop at an expressway service area that nobody needed (a Japanese tradition), we arrived at the registration area to check in and drop off our bikes. Bikes were left in the vast gymnasium overnight.
After checking my bike in I tasted the forbidden fruit. Walking past the Pinarello stall the man beckoned me over and invited me to test ride the new Dogma 60.1. To be more precise, I think I was standing in front of the stall with my tongue hanging out and drooling. This is my dream bike which I am currently not allowing myself to buy for no good reason. It isn’t the machine but the man is what the sensible people say.
Back to the hotel, wonderful onsen followed by dinner at the Italian downstairs. We consumed the restaurants supply of aptly named Chianti Fiasco (sounds impressive but they only had 3 bottles) and then finished the Sangiovese (3 bottles) while DJ worked on the restaurant’s store of white wine. Some stuck to beer and a few even water. 2 long tables were laid out for us but when we arrived one seat was already taken by a trim looking guy with coiffed hair. Turns out he is Mr. Hill Climb Japan. Daisuke Imanaka is the second Japanese rider to participate the Tour de France (1996). The first was Kisso Kawamuro in 1926. Also rode in the 1995 Giro d’Italia and won the Tour of Hokkaido a record 3 times.
When Ken mentioned that he was 25 years old and had exercised every day for the past 8 years and was taking bets about his time the next day being better than 1:29 we realised we needed to do something. Since he works for our hosts, BGC, the restaurant staff referred all questions about orders and bills to him, giving Koji the chance to keep filling up his wine glass. Despite this, Ken won his bets in the race the next morning further proving my theory that red wine before a race is good.
After dinner, believers in the school of thought that carbs are good and therefore a cleansing ale is essential before a race went up to The Twinkle Roof on the top floor. Note that this bar is closed on Tuesdays. This is the first time I have heard of a hotel bar (the only one in the building) that closes one day a week. It was here that an important discussion of aerodynamics took place. Who said Positivistas were not well-rounded (academically, not physically)? Tyler explained Laminar Flow (I have included a diagram just in case you don’t know what this is). The wake created by air passing over a roughened surface is smaller than if passed over a smooth one (think golf ball).
Geoff put this theory into practice by not shaving the following day thus having the equivalent of a layer of sandpaper on his face and achieved an excellent time of 1:21. Could there be a link with the tweed-clad mustachioed riders in last week’s blog?
The crew gathered at 5:20 on Sunday morning and took the shuttle to the start area. The photo looks like a provincial Afghan market place which has just been bombed but in fact it was the car park where cyclists gathered. The only explosions were tyres which had been pumped to 140psi by people who forgot they were already at 1050m and were about to climb to 2350m.
This year the Elite class set off 4km further down the road making their race 28km. Thus times are not comparable with last year. This year’s fastest ascent of the usual 24km course was 1:05. So far no rider has officially broken 1 hour. The nearest was a few years ago when someone clocked exactly 1:00.00. Perhaps he too was distracted by the harmonica player who seems to ride around 4-5 km from the top thinking he is encouraging riders when in fact he is quite annoying. Although this year once again we were cheered on by the usually kindly obasans and taiko drummers I noted Japan’s version of Diablo was missing this time. The original is pictured.
It seems that everyone who rode last year significantly improved their times. I was pleased with my 1:32 (almost 12 minutes faster than last year) despite having gear problems which in the end forced me to abandon my ride back to Tokyo and take the bus instead. I now believe the old man to whom I slipped a few Yen to nobble James‘ gears overnight misunderstood me and sabotaged my bike instead. This may have kept me off the podium so I never did discover whether Yamanashi podium girls are any match for the Giro d’Italia ones.
James, with whom I agreed to work with on the climb but never saw again after the start gate, a true PE tradition of not keeping to a plan) very nearly broke 1:30. Konstantin, this year on his own bike and not weighed down by a heavy chain lock came in at 1:18, Tyler 1:32, Ken 1:27, Shane 1:27, Alberto „Call me Carlos“ Contador 1:25-ish etc
(all times are subject to announcement of final results).
Although not in our group, and in fact not officially registered, a Different James rode a fixie up in 1:32, a very commendable achievement but then again, this is the man who rides a fixie up Wada Toge. He started several groups ahead of us and I was sure this was no course for a fixie and that we would see him on the climb. We didn’t. Our descent would definitely have been more fun than his. However, he was keen to get down as he was working to get the phone number of a very attractive non-male working at one of the cycle clothing stalls.
After returning to Tokyo Tyler and I broke our journey from the drop-off point at Ni-no-hashi to home (500m for him and 800m for me) with a couple of warm-down debriefing beers at The Tipplers Arms.
Very special thanks to Walter, James, Ken and others at BGC for their hospitality, generosity and organisation of such a fun weekend.
BREAKING NEWS: Different James, the fixie rider, not only made it back down Fuji but also got his date. Smooth operator.
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FHC2010
I’ve got a spare entry (or two) for FHC 2010 (the ‚fun-ride‘ version) this Sunday. Text or email if you’re interested.
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Tom Boonen – a cyborg?
Team Saxo Bank responded to allegations that Fabian Cancellara had engaged in “mechanical doping” by claiming that Tom Boonen is a cyborg.
“Look closely at the film footage of Roubaix, you can see it’s not the human Boonen but a robot copy designed to ride faster,” said Saxo spokesman Kim Norgaard.
“When Fabian rode along side, he said Boonen’s eyes glowed red and when he said hello, the robot replied ‘not programmed to respond.”
Norgaard said a freeze frame zoom on Boonen’s face during Flanders revealed something truly ominous. “You could see rivets. It’s obviously a prototype they’re still refining.”
A crude Boonen prototype?
How was Cancellara able to accelerate past the Quick Step cyborg? “We were panicked, for a hour we had no plan,” said manager Bjarne Riis. “Then I told Fabian to flash his gold angel charm in the cyborg’s eyes. It seemed to momentarily disorient the machine.”
Patrick Lefevere, the head honcho at Quick Step called the charge preposterous. “Is this science fiction? Have they been drinking? We are not even budgeted for robots,” said Lefevere.
Boonen himself laughed off the charges. “I am flesh and blood and there is no Tomke robot,” said the Belgian champion.
However, investigative italian journalist Davide Cassani, the man behind the inflammatory video on mechanical doping and hidden electric motors, thinks the charge could be true.
“I’m examining the Roubaix footage in detail. There are some disturbing discoveries,” said Cassani. “There’s a moment when the Quick Step car pulls along side and the mechanic leans out with several tools. He wasn’t working on the bike, I can tell you.”
Source: Twisted Spoke http://www.atwistedspoke.com/
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Not your typical Super Six
This post is nothing more than unadulterated bike porn. You have been warned.
The hoods are fiber with a light coat of rubber painted on.
AX Lightness out of Germany. Bar? 141 grams. Stem? 64 grams. Cost for both? $1717.00
The brakes are the AX3000 weighing only 130 grams a set. Cost? $1012.00
Mated to Cannondale’s super light and stiff Hollowgrams are custom carbon chain rings and spider.
The Red derailleur uses a custom carbon cassette with each cog individually glued to a spacer, then glued to the next cog.
Matte black with white.
Edge Composites 980 gram 25 wheel’s.
Total weight? 4.38kg
Phwoar.
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bikesnob28hb
fixiefanboyhb
sudi1662
there is no "I" in cyclyng 