sarals 

AzT, good news all around!

AzTallRider

Okay, so 2 weeks in, the aftermath of the crash is really wearing on me, both physically and mentally. It just %^@*ing sucks. Totally and completely sucks.

Hermes

AZT, Are you feeling better? I assume your injuries are healing and pain subsiding.

AzTallRider

It comes and goes, and moves around a bit as inflammation subsides and the ribs knit. I've felt fine the few times on the bike, but not after yesterday's ride. Part of that though was a few days of prep for our Mardi Gras party, and then the party itself Saturday night. If I just sit on the couch with my feet up, I feel fine. Just having a discouraged moment - pardon the pity party - I'll be back 'up' soon enough.

Esteban58

I think any time you have a crash and break any number of ribs you get a certain number of weeks of forbearance to participate in the pity party.
Me, I've been off the bike for 5 days now - nasty cold had me down and out over the weekend. Still hoping to get a short 'restart' ride in today, if work cooperates.

Racer Ex 

Been there. FWIW I share your disappointment and frustration.

Hermes

AZT, The timing of this injury is just horrid, although, there is never a good time to have down time. Even while resting, we hope to have all systems working on repairing damage from training and not mending broken ribs. Although growing more hair in the right places would be nice.

VanceMac

If you can't lean on us for a pity party during the downer times, we're not doing our job. My wife loves to mention that I was less than pleasant a couple years ago when I got doored and was off the bike for a month or so.

AzTallRider

Thanks guys.

And meanwhile, in the races I'm missing, teammates continue to crash, and THIS GUY continues to drive everyone to distraction by picking up where he left off last year, winning literally everything he enters. Trackies. Sprinters. Combine the two and all hell breaks loose.

VanceMac

I exaggerate playing the role of cynic at times... it's mostly tongue-in-cheek (which I know gets lost in this format)... but, a 59-year-old winning a 35+ crit???

AzTallRider

That one is a "not-in-the-crit-season" weird crit, with not-so-great attendance, that I think lumps all the masters together. Not that it diminishes the fact that the dude is hella fast. He just won the 50+ Saturday against a tough field which included a 51yo Cat1 who can tear most people up, and a couple other guys who have a lot of success. He plays the sprinter role very well, and is great at being in the right place at the right time.

Cleave

AzTR, the great and not-so-great thing about bike racing is that there are a lot of ups and downs. Good times will come again soon.

Speaking of guys winning everything, my friend, Mark Hoffenberg, has won 5 out of 6 Masters 55+ races that he's entered this year. He ended his 2012 season with a silver at Masters National Criterium Championship.

shovelhd

That guy is wicked strong. I was OTF with him twice at Nats. He just attacks over and over.

AzTallRider

TT start times are posted for VOS: https://www.wmrc.org/sites/default/fi...artListAll.pdf

The Red Devil

Hey boys and girls I'm selling my 09 Ridley Noah size 54 (small) hit me up if you've got some interest.

AzTallRider

Okay, Ex and Cleave: when you and your teammates are approaching the finish of the VOS TT, your chests heaving, blinded by the blood running from your eyes, unable to see the road ahead of you... and you do NOT run over road trash, and thus do NOT flat, ruining your GC chances, you can thank yours truly. I did a test run on the course today, and when I finished, I cleared the shrapnel from a blown truck tire strewn in the bike lane leading up to the finish.

And my weather prediction is that it will be about 50* at 10:00a, Friday, with a chilly but light breeze on the right cheek on the out bound leg.

Hermes

We have new sponsors, Sunpower and Suffolk Construction, this year so we have a new team kit.

Hermes

Here is the queen of the track in her Voler speed suit.

AzTallRider

Nice look!

Esteban58

Does this replace the green kit that I see all over the place? If so, its definitely a welcome change.

Hermes

Yes, it does. However, we really liked the Webcor green. Webcor was a great sponsor and sponsored a men's and women's pro team. As you may know Chris Horner rode for Webcor Builders early in his career. And Webcor Builders was a cycling advocate on many fronts. And last but not least, I have a closet full of cycling clothes that are relatively new that are all green. I suspect others do as well. I will keep wearing the green kits for some time along with the new ones.

Esteban58

Good enough, and sorry if that was out of line. Speaking to the volumes of green clad riders out most any day of the week, just how big is Alto Velo? It's common for me to see one big crowd, and several smaller groups, especially on weekends.

Hermes

Not out of line and it gave me a chance to plug our former sponsor. The club varies in size from year to year. When we joined, it was over 300. Today, it is around 150. Although, Alto Velo is a racing club, we do not require members to race so we have many "social" members who belong, come to meetings, volunteer for races, attend our group rides and etc. Many racing clubs require members to race X number of times and certain races are targeted. We have sub groups within Alto Velo that require members to race.

We have group rides on Saturday and Sunday where all are welcome, members and non members. Be for warned... the "B" ride on Saturdays is hard and the "A" ride on Sundays is harder and typically longer.

Esteban58, if you are ever up for it, you are welcome to go on the rides.

Esteban58

I've ridden much of the Alto Velo B ride (posted on the web site), in pieces now - and I doubt I could keep up with a group on it yet (just too slow on the hills).
We'll see later this year - it a goal I'm working towards.

Allegheny Jet

Nice looking kits Velo Diva and Hermes! The accent stars and bars really sets the Mrs. kit off.