Road Bike Racing - The moment of doubt and pain

Coming back is always a beach. You know you need the time off but even as you slide down the precipice you wonder...can I squeeze another race or two out of this thing?

So you take the break. Then you get back on the bike. And jeeezzzzz, did everyone get fast. Attacks that were covered go unanswered. And you watch the winning break ride off. The reptile says kill so you go until you blow and pull out of the line with enough lactic in you legs to burn a pH meter probe.

And if you're an old dude you wonder, was that it?

There's cold water back at the truck. And shade. And tranquility. No more pain. Just resignation.

Time to choose.

Brother, do I feel your pain.

The well is deeper still. Dig through that layer of silt that has accumulated.

Some days you get the bear and some days the bear gets you.

Don't worry about it.

In two weeks as you pull on your TT State Championship skinsuit, this will seem like a distant memory...unfortunately what happened to you today decribes my peak ;)

Brother, do I feel your pain.

I hope one day I truly understand what you guys are talking about.

I've been training "again". Told the missus I want to get back to my February form. I literally peak for March/April (my race series) and then try and re-peak in late June to mid July (state crit champs). But my second peak never got started and now I'm trying to return to Feb form, or more accurately, Feb weight.

I've been giving up too easily in the last 5-6 years of racing. It's easy to sit up when it's hard, especially if there are any "supporting" arguments like "Oh, I'm getting older". But then I remember the guy putting the hurt on everyone is 10 years older than me. And I gotta dig deep. It's the young Pros and Cat 1s and 2s that make it difficult. Like "Oh, that guy that resembles a ProTour cyclist in build, is a pro, is barely out of U25... and he's really putting the hurt on for the 3rd lap in a row". I found it hard to follow the pace, but after I got popped, waited, and got back on, he'd eased up and the pace was totally manageable.

That made me realize - just gotta wait for the pace to ease. It always does, even if it's for just a minute.

cdr

FTP fell 50W in 8 weeks because of my d!icking around and lack of discipline.
After 2000 TSS in L3/L4 land, it's back up 30W.

I hate falling and climbing - but hey - that's what your feet do 100 times a minute eh?

That made me realize - just gotta wait for the pace to ease. It always does, even if it's for just a minute.

cdr

Ain't that the truth, man.

First race of SuperWeek, a bunch of us got gapped off on the fast straight by a Cali kid who was wheezing something terrible on a humid night. I gave it a go for a lap, trying to latch back on. They're KILLING it up there. No chance. Sit up, make the "cut me" motion across my neck.

Then I look up. Coasting, I was GAINING on the field. Of course, you never notice these things until about 5s after you call it a day. I just started laughing. What else could I do?

And if you're an old dude you wonder, was that it?



You could always stay out of the kids races and just beat up cyclists of your own age. I guess that might not be enough of a challenge. :)

Coming back is always a beach. You know you need the time off but even as you slide down the precipice you wonder...can I squeeze another race or two out of this thing?

So you take the break. Then you get back on the bike. And jeeezzzzz, did everyone get fast. Attacks that were covered go unanswered. And you watch the winning break ride off. The reptile says kill so you go until you blow and pull out of the line with enough lactic in you legs to burn a pH meter probe.

And if you're an old dude you wonder, was that it?

There's cold water back at the truck. And shade. And tranquility. No more pain. Just resignation.

Time to choose.

stop talking about me like i'm not here

Coming back is always a beach. You know you need the time off but even as you slide down the precipice you wonder...can I squeeze another race or two out of this thing?

So you take the break. Then you get back on the bike. And jeeezzzzz, did everyone get fast. Attacks that were covered go unanswered. And you watch the winning break ride off. The reptile says kill so you go until you blow and pull out of the line with enough lactic in you legs to burn a pH meter probe.

And if you're an old dude you wonder, was that it?

There's cold water back at the truck. And shade. And tranquility. No more pain. Just resignation.

Time to choose.

Hi Racer Ex,

Been there and doing it again. My rationalization is that I primarily do this for fun because it's certainly NOT for the money and glory. :o

I was feeling pretty good at the beginning of June, but since then I've only raced once (family obligations) and now I've been sick with the flu(!) since a week ago Tuesday. I wanted to do one of the harder circuit courses this coming weekend but it's a longish drive and I didn't want to end up going down there to watch the finish of my race(s) from the sideline. :(

So I'll be riding some local hills with my (non-racing) clubmates on Sunday instead.

Just race the 'B' race Rx! You can show us younger folks (39) a thing or three while you're getting back into it :D

Just race the 'B' race Rx! You can show us younger folks (39) a thing or three while you're getting back into it :D

I'm not sure TXBRA has enough bandwidth to support the comments that would result from me riding the "B" race :popcorn

Age based championship tomorrow. Going? Man, I'm hoping these wheels come around.

Please allow me to introduce myself
Im a man of wealth and taste
Ive been around for a long, long year
Stole many a mans soul and faith
And I was round when Racer Ex
Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But whats puzzling you
Is the nature of my game

whooo whooo ....
whooo whooo ....

RacerEx rode a tank
in the general's rank
when the blitzkrieg raged
and the bodies stank

good luck tomorrow. death to your enemies

whooo whooo ....
whooo whooo ....

I'm pleased to meet you

i saw RacerEx drinking a pina colada at trader vic's
his hair was perfect


oops...wait...wrong song

http://www.djolley.com/stones/images/splitcolortongues.jpg

sitting on a start line
eyeing little girls with bad intent
snot is running down his nose.
greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes

hey, RacerEx!

drying in the cold sun
watching as the frilly panties run
hey, RacerEx

feeling like a dead duck
spitting out pieces of his broken luck
oh, RacerEx

sitting on a start line
eyeing little girls with bad intent
snot is running down his nose.
greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes

hey, RacerEx!

drying in the cold sun
watching as the frilly panties run
hey, RacerEx

feeling like a dead duck
spitting out pieces of his broken luck
oh, RacerEx

http://www.80smusiclyrics.com/artists/images/basilcover.jpg

Oh RacerEx your so fine
so fine you bl.....nevermind:o

n the shuffling madness
Of the Masters race,
Runs the all-time loser,
Headlong to his death.
He feels the pedals scraping
--Steam breaking on his brow
--Old charlie stole the brifters and
The pack wont stop going
--No way to slow down.
He sees his teammates dropping off
At the corners
-- one by one.
His woman and his best friend
--In bed and having fun.
He's crawling down the straightway
On his hands and knees
--Old charlie stole the brifters and
The pack wont stop going
--No way to slow down.
He hears the big ring howling
--Catches riders as they fail.
And the all-time winner
Has got him by the balls.
He picks up racers Bible
--Open at page one
--Old charlie stole the brifters and
The pack wont stop going
--No way to slow down

To live in this town you must be tough, tough, tough, tough, tough!

EXCELLENT, scummer!

it's all the same, only the names will change
every day it seems we're wasting away
another place where the faces are so cold
i'd drive all night just to get back home

i'm RacerEx, on a carbon horse i ride
i'm wanted, dead or alive

EXCELLENT, scummer!

Song of the year.

Song of the year.

it's got a great beat, and you can dance to it

Man do I feel young that I don't know what some of you are talking about :o

it's all the same, only the names will change
every day it seems we're wasting away
another place where the faces are so cold
i'd drive all night just to get back home

i'm RacerEx, on a carbon horse i ride
i'm wanted, dead or alive

You've crossed the line with Bon Jovi....next time I see you I'm sure you'll have a mullet.

Man do I feel young that I don't know what some of you are talking about :o

LOL lucky you

You've crossed the line with Bon Jovi....next time I see you I'm sure you'll have a mullet.

i don't have enough hair to have a mullet. he didn't, anyway. the Big Hair era

i don't have enough hair to have a mullet. he didn't, anyway. the Big Hair era

No but his fans did...and don't talk to me about 'not enough hair'

No but his fans did...and don't talk to me about 'not enough hair'

LOL okay, i'll let up on the hair bit. so, you got any RacerEx lyrics to contribute, or are you just gonna sit there and go bald?

To the tune of Dancin Days by Led Zeppelin

RacerEX is here again
As the summer evenings grow
He's got the power, He's got the power
He's got the power you know.

Chorus

I said he's alright
You know he's alright
I guess its all in his heart

You wont be the only, the one and only
That he'll drop from the start.

His power ways are evident
In the way he's drillin' the course
Spinn'n gears is precedent
As the chainring starts to glow.

Chorus

I told your mamma he'd beat you home
But I didnt tell her it would be by this far
I saw the lion he was standing alone
on the podium holding the jar.

Chorus

Winning days are here again
As the summer evening grows
He has the power, he has the power
He has the power you know.

BTW Mrs Diablo thinks that writing songs for Ex is a little gay...

BTW Mrs Diablo thinks that writing songs for Ex is a little gay...

she's right ya know.

:lol:

BTW Mrs Diablo thinks that writing songs for Ex is a little gay...

:roflmao2: So does Mrs Diablo has any doubts about your sexual orientation now?

:roflmao2: So does Mrs Diablo has any doubts about your sexual orientation now?

Not now and not later either ;)

BTW Mrs Diablo thinks that writing songs for Ex is a little gay...

obviously she doesn't understand the subtler aspects of comedy

Almost didn't shave my legs
It happened just the other day
It's gettin kinda stubbly
I coulda said it wasn't my way
But I did and I wonder why
I feel like letting my bicycle fly
Cause I feel like I owe it to someone

Must be because I had the flu' for State Champs
And I'm not feeling up to par
It increases my paranoia
Like rolling stop signs and seeing a police car
But I'm not giving in an inch to fear
Cause I crashed myself this year
I feel like I owe it to someone

When I finally get myself together
I'm going to get down in that aero tuck like a feather
And I find a place inside to laugh
Separate the wheat from the chaff
I feel like I owe it to someone

Almost didn't shave my legs
It happened just the other day
It's gettin kinda stubbly
I coulda said it wasn't my way
But I did and I wonder why
I feel like letting my bicycle fly
Cause I feel like I owe it to someone

Must be because I had the flu' for State Champs
And I'm not feeling up to par
It increases my paranoia
Like rolling stop signs and seeing a police car
But I'm not giving in an inch to fear
Cause I crashed myself this year
I feel like I owe it to someone

When I finally get myself together
I'm going to get down in that aero tuck like a feather
And I find a place inside to laugh
Separate the wheat from the chaff
I feel like I owe it to someone

Reminds me of that David Crosby song...um, what was it...something about hair-cutting...>struggles to remember<

Nice job!

Remember when you were young,
You were fast as a gun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there's a look in your eyes,
Like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught off the front
one lap from the finish,
Blown like cheap fireworks.
Come on you target for Cat 1/2 laughter,
Come on you racer, you legend, you martyr, and shine!

You reached for the finish too soon,
You rode for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by calls "on your right",
Attack though you might.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your poor legs
With ill timed watt spikeage,
Rode on two flat tires.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
Come on you racer, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!

Remember when you were young,
You were fast as a gun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there's a look in your eyes,
Like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught off the front
one lap from the finish,
Blown like cheap fireworks.
Come on you target for Cat 1/2 laughter,
Come on you racer, you legend, you martyr, and shine!

You reached for the finish too soon,
You rode for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by calls "on your right",
Attack though you might.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your poor legs
With ill timed watt spikeage,
Rode on two flat tires.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
Come on you racer, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!

Nice!:thumb:

i know your life is empty
and you hate to face this race alone
so you're searching for an angel
someone who can lead you home
i cannot save you; i can't even save myself
so just save yourself

i know your bike's been damaged
your legs have suffered such abuse
but i am not your savior
i am just as f*cked as you

i cannot save you; i can't even save myself
so just save yourself