1. Specialized won The Tour.  A welcome change in my eyes, though likely a disappointment in the land of Trekies.

2. 2010 has been the most exciting Tour de France that we’ve seen in awhile.  How about those cobbles, eh?  Renshaw v. Dean?  The fight for the green?

I’ve enjoyed watching cycling’s most arrogant mavens struggle with their egos.

Given the popularity of mystomachisfullofanger.com, I would imagine that I am with the majority in my support of Andy Schleck.  Some may recall that my pick for this year was actually Frank Schleck, for whom I’ve always had a very soft spot – just next to my pastry-filled spot for Jan Ullrich (the rider, not my car).  Obviously, I was disappointed in Stage 3 when he went out with a broken clavicle.  Part of the allure, I think, is the Schleck brothers package – almost as fun to watch as a Luxembourgish Mario and Luigi; this could be Nintendo’s next big windfall.

I enjoyed watching cycling’s little brother in the golden fleece.  I felt good watching – like Landon Donovan’s injury-time goal against Algeria, or David Ortiz’s game four, two-run home run in the 12th inning to keep the Sox in the 2004 World Series.

And then comes the 15th Stage.

It seems very feasible that Andy mis-shifted.  Nonetheless, I am of the school of thought that the yellow jersey deserves a bit of respect.  Did I expect Contador to stop and wait?  No, this is a bike race for crying out loud.

But,should he have attacked?  I don’t think so.  Usual convention would suggest not.   But then, this is the same guy who regularly attacked his own teammates in this very race last year because he can’t Leg’o his own ego. His version:

“Today I managed to get on the podium, which makes me happy. The problem with that was the circumstances. Right when I attacked Andy had a mechanical on the last climb. The race was in full gear and, well, maybe I made a mistake. I’m sorry.

At a time like that all you think about is riding as fast as you can. I’m not happy, in the sense that, to me, fair play is very important. The kind of thing that happened today is not something I like, it’s not my style and I hope my relationship with Andy will remain as good as before.”

My take away?  Win first, integrity later – if it’s convenient.  So who are all of the fans of this “popular rider”?  Andy said in an interview just after the stage that the yellow jersey deserves honor, and I tend to agree.  Hopefully next year Andy or Frank – or really most ANYone else – can scrub away the taint.

The real irony, I think, is that Andy lost 39″ during Stage 15, and Contador gained 39″ during the time trial.

I think I am most impressed with Andy’s quick acceptance of the facts, and his – at least in public – forgiveness of his frenemy, going so far as to ask that fans not boo Contador.  You’ve got to feel for Andy.  I bet he races a mean prologue next year.

In other news, while a Lance fan I am not, it was nice to see The Shack win the team classification.  It was nice to see a TDF that was not all about the Armstrong, but about his teammates.  I even enjoyed the Alfonse commercials.   Though, some critics argue that it was simply Lance feeling the need to demonstrate that he is still larger than le Tour, I think the black team kits today gave strength to Armstrong’s testimony that this year was about something bigger than himself, and even I can appreciate that.   Sorry, Adam, I still play Guitar Hero, too.

I do find myself, along with a few others in the media, wondering what role the fraud investigation played on Armstrong’s mental acumen, and I’ll admit, I revel a bit in the thought that Floyd might have been able to take the Tour from Lance without even being there.  This year’s Tour would hold up at a roller derby, but the Lance of yesteryear always seemed to find a way to avoid the carnage.  This July, those points just weren’t quite filed.  Regardless of his public denial, I’ve got to believe that a federal investigation of this scale could be a bit of a distraction.

In terms of green jerseys – what a battle!  Thor is always my pick, but I wasn’t terribly disappointed to see it remain on Ale-Jet’s shoulders for his first career win – especially after I watched Thor fade sooo hard on the final sprint.  I was glad to not see it go to Cav, mostly because I enjoyed his brief moments of unprecedented humility over the past few weeks.  It was just another example of the inverted precedent that we saw so often during this Tour – some for the better, others to fuel the fire.

In this same vein, Cavendish took home five stage wins this year; three of which were done without the help of Mark Renshaw, who is arguably the best in the business.  Renshaw’s elimination from the Tour is controversial enough in itself, but I can’t help but wonder whether or not his stock goes down a bit now that Cav knows he can do it without him?

All-in-all, I wouldn’t call it a happy ending, but it was certainly an incredible journey to watch, and I rather hope that next year, Mario and Luigi will come back to “take [their] revenge.”

This is where I learned to ride off-road, and a place that just calms and soothes me.  It is the kind of life I want to lead, where you’re surrounded by a National Forest, that is your playground to ride, hike, and paddle.  Mary has been a couple times with me now, and I think loves the place nearly as much as me.  Baldwin as a town is pretty tiny, but has a few features that really seal the deal for me.  First, it’s completely surrounded by forest, second, there is a little trail called the North Country Trail that runs through said forest.  The NCT is a very long trail that can be very fast and flowing, to tight, technical rocky areas, as well as some loamy, Canadian-style trails.  It’s not necessarily the most amazing trail, but for sheer quantity, it’s pretty hard to beat in the Midwest.

The next feature that really does it, is the Pere Marquette River.  It’s a great river to float a kayak down, cast a fly in to catch a salmon or brown trout, and gorgeous to boot.  Because of those traits, fishermen come from all over the world to hit the river.  It feeds directly into Lake Michigan, and when it comes time for salmon to come up river, there are fishermen in droves.

Now, the list wouldn’t be complete without mention of Jones Ice Cream.  The ice cream is all made in house, and is just incredibly good, and a perfect post-ride treat.  My favourite, as it has been for years, is Mackinaw Fudge.  You walk in and are treated to a classic ice-cream parlor, and you can count on fresh made waffle cones, as well as homemade candy.  You may need some food before you get ice cream, so you better start across the street at The Village Restaurant.  It’s home to what they call Dickies.  It’s basically an unclosed calzone, but the dough, and the guts are just perfect.  There are always good choices, and it has been a restaurant tradition for a couple decades.

So, follow me here, ride, eat at Village Restaurant, cross street, eat Jones Ice Cream, put feet up, love life.

Another big plus to Baldwin is it’s proximity to Ludington and Traverse City.  They are each a relatively short drive away and offer up some lakeside fun.  Ludington still has a smaller town feel, where Traverse City is fairly large and has everything you’d expect.  Mary and I traveled up to Traverse City to hit a few of our favourite stops.  We’ll detail those on the next entry.

I love dirt roads. That is no secret to anyone about me. Here in Louisville, I don’t get to indulge in the un-pave nearly at all, so when I got the chance, I took it. From my driveway to the nearest dirt road is only 3 miles, so when I decided not to race Sunday, that was exactly where I headed. I have a loop that criss-crosses the area, with my own Sectors of dirt. They all have their own personalities and attributes, just like the cobbled Spring Classics. One section is billard table flat, yet rough as can be, while another has a super short 14% rise. Some are curvy, some have deep ruts, some have so much loose gravel and dirt that you just float through it. Its a beautiful feeling to churn along in a big gear across these neglected roads, dust flying, in a constant mix of sliding, forward motion, rearward motion, or just falling over. I’ve crashed more on these roads than anywhere else. I have scars to prove it.

Halfway into the ride, I make my way to my favourite little cafe to have a Jones Root Beer and a cookie. Its a little cafe called The Blue Lion. Now, I love the lions. Not the football team, but more the lions that rear up on old family crests, the Lion of Flanders, and the Kayrouz lion here in Louisville. Not sure why, but to me it is a very welcoming sign.

I knew when I discovered the Blue Lion, I had found something special. I was on a 7 hr training ride last spring before I moved to Louisville, and it had done everything from rain and snow on me, to nearly blowing me off the road with wind. I was pretty familiar with the town, and had always seen the Lion advertised, but never knew where it was. Its off of main street, and in the bottom of an antique store. You are greeted with the above sign, but more importantly greeted at the door with this friendly fellow:

It was pretty cold, and I really needed some food and coffee. You never know what to expect with a cafe; sometimes it is literally coffee and a few cookies. Other times, such as the Blue Lion, you get a full menu of deliciousness. Sandwiches, cookies, scones, soups, salads, pie, cakes, pastries, oh, and great coffee. I was definitely in the right place. So, I shed all my layers, and clacked my way up to the counter. A few minutes later, I sat down with a bowl of Curry soup, some excellent sourdough toast, and a triple Americano to help warm me up. That memory stays with me, as it was a happy blurb in a not so happy time.

This stop was on much better terms, and I knew exactly what to expect. It was a nice day, and just stopping in brought back memories from all the nasty days that the Lion had saved me from. So, cookie and Jones Root Beer down, and I’m off again. Well, almost. The deal sealer for me from my first trip was on my exit, I noticed the burnt red bricks under my feet as I stepped towards my bike. It was a nice reminder of my love of the bricks, cobbles, dirt, and just the grit that accompanies those surfaces.

So, last weekend was not a bust, but rather a ride that brought back some joy to my riding. Its the riding I grew up with, and the riding that I’m constantly drawn back to. Fresh pavement is nice, but cannot match the grit, grime, and toughness of the dirt, gravel, and bricks. So, I rode, smiled, and felt at peace and at home. Maybe not racing was a hidden blessing. Either way, I wouldn’t trade my Blue Lion ride for any silly crit. I’d much rather see the dirt under my Pave’s than pavement.

Originally written a year ago…things aren’t a whole lot different, but we are back home now.  I did the sketchy crit for a half-hour, and then said screw it to leaving skin on the pavement.  I should have just done a Blue Lion Mental Clarity Ride….

The weather has been nearly typical Spring in Northern Indiana, albeit with slightly milder temps.  What “typical weather” means is that the sky may be perfectly clear, but rain could come down on you anytime.  Wind is also present in droves, with 10-15mph constant winds being “slightly breezy.”  At a shop event this past weekend, it alternated between perfect and hard rain for 4 hours; not so friendly for a women’s demo day huh?

That brings me back to mountain biking, with the weather being relatively dry, the trails have been absolutely dialed.  My hometown trail has been more than perfect, with just a bit of loose material over the top of super-tacky loamy soil.  It’s the perfect mix of traction and drifting, and sprays your calves with bits of the world at every corner.  It is also some of the narrowest singletrack I have ridden in the Midwest.  I would have to say that it averages 12″ wide throughout the entire system.  It has a great mix of flat, fast, twisty bits, but also some steep little climbs that are lined with roots and rocks.  The system is only 12ish miles, but it’s home, and it is perfect by me.

There are actually about 5 mountain bike trails within 40-60 minutes of us, and all of them have their own qualities and traits, with some being fairly large systems with many options, while others are in city parks that have been around for years.  One of them is a fairly rough and rocky system around a large reservoir, with another being a swoopy, flowing Midwest classic trail.  That one has “magic dirt” according to us around here, because it stays ride-able in nearly any condition.  It has been the site of many races over the years, and is well-loved in the region.

Winston’s Brand has also made some inroads into the local cycling community by supplying primes to Fort Wayne’s Men of Steel Racing Team.  They are a group of folks promoting cycling and racing for all the right reasons, and we’ll be supporting them for as long as we can.  After getting to know some of the main folks, I can say that these guys are doing everything right.  They have a nearly full calendar of races for the season, and are looking to grow the cycling community here in Fort Wayne.

That seems to be all I can think of for now in terms of updates, but I know that I’m leaving a lot out.  It has been a busy transition here, with moving into a house, painting and cleaning up said house, jumping head-first into a new job, and trying to run Winston’s.  Mary has been equally, if not busier with work, and taking care of our new pup, Penelope.  Keep an eye out for some new summer products, I’m hoping to have them ready for the heat when it comes.

Mary and I both ride nearly every kind of bike, and race or have raced on the road, cyclocross, and mountain biking, so we really wanted to round out what the shop had to offer.  Our biggest asset was our teamwork in running the shop, with my technical skills and knowledge, and Mary’s super-sales-skills and organisational prowess.  We added more cyclocross products, the right mountain bike parts, and always had the latest goodies for folks.  All in all, we took the shop from a dark, failing shop, to one that has a great positive image, is very active in the community, and a place that just “gets it.”  As of last week, we both stepped down from our posts, and have handed over the reigns to two great folks.  It was bittersweet because we were stepping away before the shop had fully blossomed, but we were taking steps to grow for ourselves.  We wish them the best of luck, and hope that the shop can continue to grow and succeed.

We returned home last week, and are in the process of relaunching ourselves.  I have returned to spinning wrenches at my home shop, and devoting more time to growing Winston’s Brand.  I will also be returning to school in the Fall to give me a few more weapons in the arsenal.  I initially found it to be a step backwards, but I now know that sometimes taking a step back lets you see the larger picture that really matters.  Mary is headed back to school in the Fall too, but for now, she is going to be working with a great web-development firm, and doing some writing.  We are lucky enough to be staying in a great place, with more room for all of our pursuits.  Winston’s Brand can now move out of our kitchen.  I hope to bring more products to the table, and get Winston’s in the hands of riders everywhere.

Living in Louisville treated us to a range of experiences, many of them positive, some of them not, but I feel like we both grew and learned a lot about what we could do, and how to get through anything.  We left behind a small group of great friends, and a growing cycling community, that I hope we helped improve.  Because we are still in the Midwest, we’ll still be in a larger regional racing community, and hope we can catch up with everyone this season.  (You can look for the WinstonMobile at races near you)

We appreciate all your support, as Winston’s Brand couldn’t have grown without you (you know who you are).

Masterlink Films

When you purchase a jar of Winston’s Cobble Cream, and Winston’s Kelly Blend, you can purchase Road to Roubaix for an additional $10.  Road to Roubaix is our generation’s tribute Roubaix, and shines light on various areas of the race that have been overlooked for decades.  It is a must-own for any cycling fan, and will be a favourite of mine for years to come.  You’ll also be getting our Winston’s Brand Cobble Cream, and Winston’s Brand Kelly Blend, which are outstanding blends for all your Springtime racing and riding.  These are inspired by the Classics themselves, and provide you the protection you need from the elements and the wear and tear they bring.

So, act fast, starting March 27 with E3 and ending April 11th with Roubaix, you can get your hands on this gem for only $10!  I only have 15 copies of Road to Roubaix, so best be quick if you want to get your copy!  I will have a product listing up shortly!

Here in the Southern Indiana/Greater Louisville area, we are blessed with loads of rolling hills, twisty roads, and reasonable spring weather.  Since moving down here, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed climbing a particular set of hills called The Knobs.  I’m not certain if the term Knob is used much outside of the Midwest, but basically they range from short, brutally steep hills, to steady, gradual ascents.  If one does a map search for New Albany, IN you’ll see a distinct line of hills, those are The Knobs.  They all reward you with spectacular views of the area, and will make you forget you’re in Southern Indiana.  While they only peak around 1000ft, you feel as though you’re climbing up the side of some mountain with all the exposed rock, switchbacks, and incredible views.  So, today I’ll just take you on one of my best loops. (Click on the link below to get turn-by-turn directions)

Blue Dog Bakery – Budd Knob – Blunk Knob-

This ride begins at the best place for bread in Louisville, The Blue Dog Bakery.  This little gem has been baking the best artisan bread and pastries for years now.  The bread is out of this world good, and if you make it early in the morning, it is still hot from baking.  I prefer the Levain and Pugliese loaves if you’re in the area.  They also serve great coffee, and everyone knows how I feel about that.  The namesake of the place also happens to be a super-friendly Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Healer), hence, Blue Dog.  Once you depart from the Blue Dog, you make your way through the Crescent Hill/Frankfort Ave neighbourhood, and you’ll take in all sorts of other small, locally owned businesses.  It’s quite refreshing compared to the strip malls and chains that are dominating the Midwest landscape.  You’ll ride through a chunk of downtown, and then it’s time to cross over the infamous 2nd Street Bridge to Indiana.  This bridge is infamous for a few reasons, its a bit sketchy to ride on, and also because it was the spot in Stripes where Bill Murray stops his cab and tosses his keys into the Ohio.  It’s yet another stupid fact, but it amuses me every time I ride over the bridge.

You’ll continue rolling along through Clarksville, IN, and then into New Albany, IN.  These are both very old towns, which were settled early on.  Clarksville is in fact the oldest town in the Northwest Territory, settled in 1783.  New Albany is full of old mansions and architecture that has survived the years, and this loop takes you right past the Culbertson Mansion.  Really cool stuff, if you like history.

Now that you’re out of New Albany, you’ll be traveling along SR111.  Your ride has been nearly flat so far, but that is about to change.  As you turn onto Budd Road, you’ll find the road starts to pitch up, levels, and then really pitches up.  It is just a warm-up for what is to come.  Budd Road will twist and descend a bit, and then throws you into another climb.  This one is a bit harder than the first, but it still wears on you a bit.  As Budd continues, you’ll be riding through a beautiful valley, complete with cattle, and pastures.  It’s always refreshing to me to ride through that little section, you feel like you’re worlds away from town.  A few more little hills, followed by a short descent, and now it’s time for Blunk Knob.

Blunk Knob is one of the area’s most painful climbs; it starts out steep, teases you a couple times with some easier sections, and then shoots up again.  It is one of the longest climbs in the area, but it also is one of the steepest.  While others in the area are steeper, the length of Blunk is what gets you.  The road surfs the side of the knob, and has switchbacks reminiscent of Tennessee, and views of other knobs in the distance.  I rather enjoy climbing Blunk Knob, but descending is another story.  Because of the less-than perfect road surface, and blind switchbacks, it is a very technical descent.  Naturally, I love it.  It’s easily in my top 5 descents in the area.

Once you climb up Blunk, you’ll make it to a perfect section of SR11.  Its swooping and rolling, and incredibly fast.  You’ll float along in your biggest gear just cruising on the momentum.  In the summer you’ll go past Polly’s Freeze; it is a must-stop.  The road continues to swoop around, and end up in Edwardsville.  From there, you’ll turn down Corydon Pike, and then quickly down Quarry Road.  Corydon Pike is a fantastic road, but we’ll leave that for another ride.  Quarry Road is another fast, swooping road that basically skirts the edge of The Knobs and has awesome views of Louisville.  Next up is Old Hill road.  Old Hill road descends right into “downtown” Floyds Knobs.  It is a community that has seen huge growth in the past 10 years, but still is quite small.  You’ll head west briefly to make a stop at Hobbknobb Roasting Company.  We’ve talked about it before, but it really needs to be a stop on this trip.  Now for the descending.

Paoli Pike is a very old road that goes from New Albany to Paoli.  It was once a main artery that was vital to transportation in the area.  You’ll make a quick little jaunt from Hobbknobb to the top of Paoli Pike, and then it’s on.  There are numerous old estates, roads, and driveways off of Paoli Pike, or remnants of them, but the best part is a completely uninterrupted view of the entire Louisville valley.  The descent is one of the faster ones, with perfectly banked curves, and good pavement to let it fly.  I’ve seen around 50mph on it, and brakes are completely unnecessary.  It’s definitely a grin-inducing descent, and makes all the climbing worth it.

You’ll retrace the rest of your steps from New Albany on, and return back to Blue Dog.  It’s a blast of a ride, and one where you hit it hard for great training, or take it easy and enjoy the views and delicious treats along the way.  Hopefully next week I’ll get to ride it again, and not sit here and talk about it.

The voyage from Milan to San Remo has been known as La Primavera for decades, and is known widely as a sprinter’s race, it can reward those with endurance rather than ultimate finishing speed.  In 2009, there were some words between Boonen and Cavendish about Cav’s ability to climb the Poggio and Cipressa.  These two hills can spell disaster for a sprinter that isn’t quite as prepared, and Cav made Tommeke eat his words, as he passed the former World Champ on them.  Cav’s victory showed the preparation that has to have resulted from his coach Erik Zabel, himself a 4-time winner.  Haussler nearly owned the victory, and was crushed in defeat.  It was an impressive sprint with Cavendish closing a 10 meter gap in the final 100m.

For 2010, many of the previous contenders will be back to show their legs.  One competitor that may not make it into the race is Haussler.  It’s been reported that a nagging knee problem may keep him from La Primavera for 2010.  So, unless he makes a quick recovery, it looks like last year’s near-winner will be sitting this one out.  Here are a few picks for this year’s edition:

Ale-Jet – Alessandro Petacchi has made a strong return to the peloton this season, already racking up a couple victories in early season races.  He has overcome some injuries, and banished some of the ghosts of doping in his past, and seems to be returning to past form.  At best, he is a dark horse for victory, but as a former winner, it’s hard to count him out.  He has a strong finish, but luck decides many of these early races, and this one is no different.  5th place in 2009

Thor Hushovd – Thor has proven that he is a forced to be reckoned with all season long, and he too is coming back from some illness and setbacks this season.  In one of the most miserable editions of KBK, he endured to the finish with teammate Dom Rollin.  As a Green Jersey winner at the Tour, he obviously possesses the finishing strength, but if you remember last season, Thor set off on an attack in the mountains on Stage 17 to pick up intermediate points.  He picked up and passed well-known climber Franco Pellizotti in the process.  Thor has been building strength all spring, and I think he has a great chance of pulling of a victory. 3rd Place in 2009

Pippo Pozzato – A winner in 2006, Pozzato has been coming around to form, and has his heart set on the Spring Classics once again.  Last year’s 2nd place at Roubaix, and 5th at Flanders showed that he is always a contender, but he needs to make it into the front group on the Poggio to have a chance at victory.  Last year, he attacked on the Poggio, but cited the peloton’s slower pace on the Cipressa as the reason he couldn’t stay away.  Look for him up front, and attacking in a similar fashion if his legs are good.  22nd in 2009

Cavendish – As last year’s winner, he will be marked and followed everywhere he goes, but his form thus far has not been impressive.  He was expected to be climbing better at this point in the season, but some serious dental problems had kept him off the bike for some time.  I hope he can prove me wrong, but I consider him a very, very dark horse.

Dominique Rollin – Ok, I know I’ve talked Rollin up for weeks now, but this really is a guy that is still unlocking his potential.  At KBK, he was able to attack out of the peloton to bridge up to Thor, and finished together.  Rollin is filled to the brim with potential as he has found his legs, and I think if teammates Haussler and Hushovd prove to be non-contenders, he will be there to pickup the torch.  If he can pull off a Classics victory, I think it will be the first in a strong career for him.

Those are my main picks for victory, but there are many other options out there, Boasson-Hagen, Philippe Gilbert, Boonen, Bennati, basically any sprinter who can make it up the Cipressa and Poggio in the front, has a chance.  Luck makes these races a crapshoot to pick.

Well, lets hope I get close with some of these picks, we’ll be on the edge of our chairs here at Winston’s Headquarters in anticipation.

Most of us are also not lucky enough to have a fleet of soigneurs to catch us at the line, and take care of everything for us.  Watching Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne a few weeks ago, they really showed the path of racers after a victory.  Bobbie Traxsel was greeted immediately after crossing the line, by his wife and newborn, his DS, and a number of soigneurs to catch him.  There is a tent, or building used at races to take the podium placers to after the race, where they are cleaned up, change, and today, warm up.  After 5hours racing in the rain and cold, I’d be absolutely freezing.  That’s where some post race discipline comes in:

1. Collect Your Stuff:  At the start line, you might have left that jacket, or warmers, or spare bottle.  Always try to fetch your stuff, especially if you are looking for warm clothes.  Primes, prize money also included.
2. Get out of that kit:  Everyone knows of the few guys that will finish their race, and continue for hours on end to stay in their kit.  This is bad on so many counts.  First, the chamois on your fancy shorts is a great breeding ground for bacteria that will lead to saddle sores.  That is why our chamois cream includes Tea Tree Oil.  The rest of the kit is also usually soaked with sweat, water, mud, and other elements that will keep you cold as long as you have the kit on.  Find a changing room, car, anywhere out of the elements and get changed.
3. Take care of yourself:  After a nasty ‘cross race, you are most likely coated in a combination of mud, embrocation, sand, and it is a great idea to get rid of it asap.  The embro will continue to burn as you stand around, and I prefer to remove it.  Winston’s has a remover coming, but a cold wet rag will do a pretty good job.  After removing your embro or debris, I will massage in a post ride/race cream.  We also have our own version of this coming very soon.  This cream is designed to soothe your muscles, and a massage will flush some toxins out of your legs.  Once you are cleaned up, find comfy clothes, compression socks or tights to help your recovery begin.  I use 2XU Tights, as well as Sugoi R+R socks.  I feel like it really helps me, others are still out on their effectiveness, but I really need them.
4. Drink, Eat, be Merry:  Before the race, you should have made a recovery bottle, or planned food to help your body repair itself.  Now is when you need it.  Researchers say that when recovery drinks or food is taken in within 30 minutes of activity, your body uses it as efficiently as possible.  That will restore glycogen stores, and the protein will repair your muscles.  Many recovery drinks will also include needed electrolytes, and amino acids that also do their part in speeding recovery.
5. Relax:  After I have all my other post-race procedures done, it is time for me to relax.  This can mean sitting, watching other races, or setting the cruise control to go home.  Once again, music helps calm me down, and allows me to reflect on the race that was.  I tend to relax and recover alone, because it helps me sort myself out, but once all the steps are done, I’ll join the fold again.

So, take some of these words to heart, and your legs will thank you.  Stay tuned for releases of the Winston’s Embrocation Remover, as well as the Winston’s Recovery Cream.  Please don’t let me catch you in your chamois three hours after the race….

Courtesy Kentucky Backroads Photography

Choosing the right clothing will ensure that your temperature is regulated well, and doesn’t get in the way of your performance.  For me that goes from head to toe, starting with socks, and working up to a hat if its cold.  After finding the right mix of clothes, then you can start your warmup.  Here is my ritual for dressing.

1. Find a spot – Just like parking, I look for a spot that can be mine, where I have space, and won’t be bugged immediately.  Some venues have a nice heated bathroom, gymnasium, and now that I have my wonderful Transit, I have my own inside spot in it.

2. Dressing – Because I use this part of the day to relax and think about the task ahead, I dress very slowly.

• I start by putting a towel down for my feet, and take off my shoes.
• Then I will start to take everything out of my bag and lay it in front of me.
• Pinning the number(s) is next.  I always do 7 pins.  Lucky number more than anything.
• I’ll then apply my chamois cream and set my shorts or skinsuit aside.
• After that I will put on my baselayer, and then I’ll pull on my shorts or skinsuit.  I won’t pull it on all the way, just up around the waist.
• Now it’s time for embrocation.  First step, roll your short legs up.  Second, apply your embro starting at your quads and work down into your calves.  If it is quite cold, embro will go on my toes as well.  Applying embro should be done one leg at a time, and it should be massaged into your skin and you should work your muscles loose a bit.  One thick coat usually does the job for me, but many folks like to do two coats.  Be sure to wipe your hands well with a separate towel.
• Now I will put on my socks and shoes.
• Finally, I will put on my jersey, or pull up my skinsuit, and if I am warming up in a jacket or some zip-off tights those will go on.
• Gloves, hat, helmet, then glasses (straps on the outside) finish everything up, and now its time to warm-up.

3.  Warm-up – My warm-up is very similar to the drive, as it is a time to fuel, ready your mind, and start going.  I’ll warm-up on a trainer for most events, and I’ll always have two bottles, tunes, and a clock.  Course previews are also included, especially for ‘cross and tricky crits.

• I usually start by spinning a light gear at a high cadence, and then I’ll intersperse some jumps, but everyone’s events and warm-up efforts are different.
• I find that music calms me and prepares me, especially when I’m in a new place, a new category, or just plain nervous.
• My bottles are usually, a “hot” mix, and a normal electrolyte mix or water.  My “hot” mix is an electrolyte mix with a dose of caffeine and quercetin.  I never skip that bottle.  I will finish each bottle, and that will load up my body for the race ahead.

Once the Warm-up is completed, your Pre-Race Procedures are nearly done.  The final steps occur as you are waiting for a call-up, and waiting on the line.  Those are up to you.