R900

Well it's finally here, I leave this afternoon for a John Howard/Cyclo-core boot camp in San Diego. Not sure what to expect, my wife surprized me with this for Christmas. Trying to get everything packed this morning, traveling with a bike adds a lot of stuff. Hopefully there will be room for a rec rider, if it's full of racers, I'll be dropped like a bad habit. If nothing else, it'll be great to ride the bike. I've not been outside for about 3 weeks, and before that just hit and miss. Week should include some suffering, but I'm just going to enjoy the weather and try and learn a bit.

genec

Wow be sure to tell us all about your experiences.

Where did she get the info about the boot camp?

botto 

i did the walden school of cycling back in the day, just when i was getting serious. great experience.

astrodaimler

Sweeet! You'll like it down there. Ocean, nice weather, lots of bike lanes. Ride along PCH. Hopefully, you'll do Mt. Palomar, or hopefully, do it twice in one day! I woiuldn't worry so much about other riders. Just ride your pace and enjoy the weather!

Stallionforce

Man, very jealous! I really hope you enjoy yourself. What a thoughtful wife you have. Post some pics and a few words if you can!

merlinextraligh

Sounds like a great time. I did a 3 day ride called the Snowshoe Cycling Challenge in West Virginia with John Howard 15 years ago. The guy is definitely unique.

R900

Thanks everyone, I've got the bike packed (never doing it before, I'm a little concerned). I'm not sure exactly how my wife picked. We have the Cyclo-core DVD's and like them, and she had already been thinking about some type of camp when Cyclo-core sent out a mass emailing. Since this is the first JH/CC combo camp, the cost was a bit discounted. So that combined with sunny (I hope) San Diego, is how she picked this camp. It's not geared for racers, but as they like to say the "everyday cyclist". Hopefully will be a nice mix. Should be fun regardless. I Still have a couple more things to pack.

I'll have the camera, so plan to take lots of pics, 2 full kits were included in the price, so that should make for some interesting photos.

I don't know much about John Howard, other then what is on his web site. I'll try to take in as much as I can.

merlinextraligh

Let's just say that it takes a different kinda guy to ride a bike over a saltflat at 150 mph.

15 years ago, I found him to be very intense, somewhat egotistical and opinionated. (Granted, given what he's accomplished he has reason to be.)

My issue was that he was more concerned with putting us in our places than coaching us. I would expect that 15 years later he may have mellowed, and his coaching skills have liekly improved.

And if I had a week's vacation, I'd love to be going where you are.

astrodaimler

Please take pix!!! Last time I saw John Howard was back in the 80's when I did the 24hour marathon ride around Central Park. It was pouring rain. He was just whizzing around those laps. I think he was riding a Raleigh at that time.

botto 

trico?

KramerTC

Does your wife have any sisters? ... kidding. What a great present she gave you. Please post your experiences.

botto 

funny. i know an ex-pro who has an olympic gold medal, and a few worlds gold medals, and egotistical is the last word i used to describe him.

R900

No, it's a Thule, bascially the same concept, just what my LBS carried. I'm sure it will be fine, but I tend to over think stuff like "packing a bike".

botto 

just make sure it's closed tight enough. i sit on my trico when i tighten the straps, which kind of freaked me out the 1st time.

Kuma

Botto went to the woods because he wished to bike deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if he could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when he came to die, discover that he had not lived.

botto 

not quite. walden, as in legendary coach Mike Walden.

R900

EXACTLY! I aborted my first try and moved the handlebars for a much better fit. I think I have everything set now. It's a 60 cm bike, so at the upper limit of the case design. That said it does seem very solid.

R900

Outta here, see you guys next week...

svt4cam

He better watch out for this guy. WARNING NOT FOR THE EASILY OFFENDED!

https://www.metacafe.com/watch/325614...etal_jacket_2/

roadwarrior

I used to race against him...well, I tried...

Howard was also an Ironman winner. In addition to a jillion national championships, etc...

The guy had lungs in his feet. He also once rode a bike at over 152 mph. Really.