Monday, March 31, 2008

Don't Play it Again Sam (No Replays)

I've had many fine adventures thus far in my life - be it by bike, foot, climbing, traveling across the USA on $3/day, etc. Some of these trips are firmly engraved in my brain cells for life.

And I have gone back to repeat some of these trips in an effort to re-capture that great, initial experience. I got news for you sir, it can't be done.

Don't try to relive it. Leave it alone.

I am not sure why this is the case. But I think it's due to the fact the you are always comparing the "repeat" experience to the "initial" experience, and that in itself ruins the "repeat" trip.

As they say, "the end of one adventure is the beginning of another adventure."

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Trail Running - Lake George Style

Up for a nice 20 mile or so trail run overlooking The Narrows of Lake George (ADK, NY)?
Sure you are, then check out the Tongue Mountain Range (TMR).

It's a great loop with super views of the lake. The mountains are not real tall, but lots of ups & downs.
But be careful because during the warmer months there's a good chance that you may step on a Timber Rattlesnake.

So hop in your car, drive North & enjoy the trails

p.s. - About 6 yrs ago, my buddy & I hiked this loop during one long, full-moon January night, that was fun - well sort of - until the stove died. At least there were no snakes.

http://www.naturepanoramas.com/03961112.html#top

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Grab the Bull by the Horns

Aero vs. bullhorns

I know that aerobars are faster.

I've tried aerobars in the past & I just can't get used to them. It just doesn't feel right. And plus, aerobars don't look right on the bike either.

So, what's a struggling triathlete supposed to do?

Slap on a pair of narrow bullhorns & ride'em cowboy/cowgirl.

There's something special & traditional about grabbing onto bullhorns as opposed to resting your elbows on the bike. Bullhorns just want you to crank & go.

So for tri's/TT, I get low, stretched out & narrow with my DYI (flipped & clipped) bullhorns. These bars are very narrow (less than 40 cm). My buddy calls them my "goat horns".

I do OK with this setup. I'm sure a wind tunnel test would tell me to go aero, but it wouldn't be the same.

Bullhorns are classics.

May be I'm just a traditionalist (actually I am), but whenever I watch an old film clip of a rider flying on a TT course with bullhorns, I say to myself, "man, that's cool."

Grab life by the horns as they say & enjoy the ride, especially as you pass a cramped up, hunched over triathlete.

Alternatively, riding some narrow track bars on the drops may also do the trick for you.

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Helmet Hair


I did not wear a helmet from age 5 to 22 years old. I only started to wear a helmet when I began to race in 1985.


I know wearing a helmet is the right thing to do, especially on the trails & in the traffic, but lately I find myself leaving the brain bucket home, at least for the short bike trips to town & back.

Remember the 1989 TdF, Greg vs. Laurent? Greg won by 8 seconds. He wore an aero helmet, which helped for sure. But who could forget Laurent flying thru Paris with his ponytail blowing in the wind behind him (note: Laurent did post the 3rd faster time)

Now that was style.

Bike Snob NYC made a good point last week:

"Helmets have pretty much killed style in road cycling anyway. Not that I have anything against helmets, mind you, but let's be honest. Cycling looked better before helmets." (http://www.belgiumkneewarmers.com/2008/02/burden-of-being-bsnyc.html)

Anyways, wear your helmet for sure, but we can dream about the good old days when your hair cut meant something in road racing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyvwtOQYQ-E