New Ride

Managed to get my hands on a 2010 Giant TCR Adanced SL. 15.5 lbs w/ Shimano Ultegra.

I'm pretty excited about this one since I've been looking at purchasing one of these for a while. I've been impressed with my 2008 TCR, smooth, fast, and somewhat light... so I'm expecting a lot out of the SL... Dennis Menchov won the Giro on this frame after all...

Bike review coming soon.

Race Report: Ladera Ranch

So, I learned three very important things at last weekend's Ladera Ranch Grand Prix. Or, to be more pedantic, relearned three very important things.

1. No matter how slow you think the field is going, Do Not move to the front in order to "break up" the group. It's stupid and wastes energy; if you were the second coming of Jens Voight you would not be racing a Cat 5 race around an elementary school in Orange County.

2. Do not pull off the front of the field with 15 minutest go, and if you do do not go solo. Once again, it's a long race, and you have no teammates.

3. If you failed at your first attempt on a solo break, whatever you do, Don't Try it Again. Wait for the sprint.

12th Place....

After a few "lighter" weeks, post Mt Evans, this week's schedule included a significant increase in both miles and climbing feet.

Wednesday was the usual 75 miles and 5800' of the Cyclovet Ride. It was Rob's last day before heading up north to Law School, so Josh thought he'd give him a good send off by setting an insane pace up 94. Only Jack, Rob, and I were able to follow, with Jack and I falling off the back 3/4 of the way up.

I faired much better for the second half of the climb (Well, Rob and Josh turned back), hanging onto Jack's wheel and then powering away (Yes, that's called wheel sucking...). I've been feeling pretty strong, 20 min LT power hanging just south of 320 watts. The time in Colorado seems to have done me some good.

Thursday's ride was a little "me time" - a solo ride up Mt. Laguna. I love this ride, it has a nice lead in, some decent climbing, and light traffic. Last time I rode it there was snow on the ground, a bit warm for that today. The ride winds up the 79 and past Lake Cuyamaca. The fires moved through this area a few years ago, the forests still look a little worse for wear.

The ride tops out just over 6000', it's hard to find anything taller in San Diego County - our version of high alttitude training. It was a slow and steady day, plently of "This American Life" on the IPOD, and plenty of drink breaks... a good way to spend the day.