So I did this big soul searching after the depression of getting lapped on 6 or 7. I looked at the riders who were doing and looked at my self who was not doing.

What did they have?

One had competed at Worlds (messenger championship).
One was the west coast 12 hour and 100 mile champion.
Others were full time couriers.
Some worked at bike shops.
Lots of track bikes. Not many brakes. Better cornering ability.

What did I not have?
A job that got me on the bike much if at all other than to from work, or weekend jaunts.
Track bike.
Heavy bag.

So, new bike and high speed delivery job for me?

Nope.

I'm gonna take off my bullhorns and put on drops in an effort to get out of my lazy posistion (stretched out). Push the brake out of the drops so I'm not automatically using it some much.
And I'm gonna ride, run and ride. I'll ride as much chances as I can get.. and push it harder.

So, @#$# it. Beaten but not conquered.

As it's said.

Ishoukenmi norimasu.

Ride on brother!

Maybe you need a double or triple set up But seriously, the drops should help as well as the extra riding. Remember, you were on a boat for quite some time as these other riders were training, training and training. Keep it up and you'll be doing the whacking soon yourself!

I'm not neccisarily into whacking. I want to run with the pack mostly. A sense of belongership isn't all that important, but the ability to hold my own and justify my riding is.

He's stupid, but he's right. Likewise, if you're serious, roll heavy slow tires like Armadillos for regular riding and training (they're durable too) and swap on some lightweight racing tires for raceday.

And if you're serious, look up training regimes. Do your intervals, all that crap.

just remember, squares don't roll.

I don't know about a 50lb bag, but at least a 10 to 20lb-er should do it. I do that unintentionally and when I take the quick rides without my bag I feel like friggin' Major Taylor.

it really does work.

Tires do make a huge difference - I really noticed it yesterday when I took my Gatorskins off.

WK has forgotten something that will also help him keep from being whacked - his new Thylacaine.

I was racing on Armadillos and Victorio's... and my big bag. Hmm.. Nah.

So you're not on the Thylacine yet?

No. Thylacine is frame and fork.

Starting January, what ever I don't spend on gas for the Jeep will go to build the Thylacine. Hope oil prices are high.

Im jealous that you get to race. I like to pretend that I race. Ill be riding along and then get that whole "**** boogie mans after me!" thing going on. Stand up and crank down as hard as I can. Whole lotta fun when you know you dont have hills between you and home.

I found that my best training is done at like 3:00am when I am finishing up work or getting home from the bar (not drunk). I get myself all amped up, eat some sugar, and go ride for an hour and a half. I get the road all to my self (mostly) and I can do laps on some fun hills.

Milo