Hellyer Velodrome Track Clinic - Dec. 29, 2008

Off from work all week! RFA and I went to a special session at the Hellyer velodrome for an intermediate/advanced track workout led by Mark R. There were 7 of us - one other woman Kristine. RFA set me up with his tubular Planet-X carbon wheeels - sweet. We started with a 30 lap warm up, 4 100-meter jumps, 3 flying 1-laps and some team pursuit efforts. Mark gave me a some tips for doing a standing start. I practiced a couple - first was smooth but lacking power. I was off balance on the second. Practice, practice, practice.

San Bruno Pre-Race Ride

New Year's Day marks the San Bruno Hill Climb - the first sanctioned road race of the season. Both RFA and I have entered. Today we climbed San Bruno twice as a pre-race/training ride. We started from the Genentech campus, but that was an inadequate warm-up. My engine was still pretty cold at the start of the climb. The temp was in the mid-forties when we started, but no wind. We met BottleRocket from NorCal Bikeforum at the top of the second climb. My goal is to better my time by at least two minutes from last year. Our training schedule called for 2 hours with two OLH climbs so this fit the prescription.

Hellyer Velodrome Track Clinic - Dec. 26, 2008

We went to the Hellyer Velodrome for an intermediate/advanced track session led by our friend Mark R. Mark had a friend visiting from Chicago so he scheduled some special sessions over the holidays. It was a crispy but sunny day. There were seven people there - I was the only woman among some world champions. We started out with a 30 lap warmup, then did 4 100-meters jumps. Next we did eight six-lap team time trial drills with two lap rests in between. It was a great work out. Next time I need to practice my standing starts.

RFA's New Planet X Track Bike Configuration

RFA got new wheels on his Planet X track bike - Planet X pro carbon 50mm deep dish wheels with tufo track tubulars - totally hot. The ceramic bearings approach "perpetual motion" - I am a witness. (Mine are pigs - I don't approve of my Velocity deep dish - I am insanely jealous!!!!)Also, RFA has new endurance bars (so do I).

Hellyer Velodrome Track Clinic - Dec. 20, 2008

We are in the power building phase - have been working out very hard. So today it was a welcome change to go to the Hellyer Velodrome track clinic - not easy but at least we weren't on the rollers. Very brisk morning. RFA won the Australian pursuit drill! Go, RFA!