ToNB 2010. Prediction? PAIN!!

Innocuous enough looking course map.

Not so threatening looking course profile.

Got a chance to knock out 2 laps of this Saturday's ToNB RR course. Dickerson, Foxy, Park and I took an easy first lap with the Schleck bros, Turk and Moe. 2nd lap was anything but docile.

The race will play out a bit differently than today's ride - there probably won't be a steady 25mph wind out of the West!!

Some notes from the course.

16 miles with lots of turns, narrow roads and enough rollers. Near 1000 feet of climbing per lap. It will be interesting to see 50-100 man groups getting it on in the first road race of the season.

Turn #3 (Right off of St. Hedwig onto Zigmont) Watch out. Downhill approach, narrow road, >90 degree off camber turn will catch the unawares off guard and there will be a wreck in some of the races. Don't be in it. Ease up and treat this turn with respect.

Turn #5. 200m after this turn onto Stuart there is a 10' section of road under repair. Loose dirt. Leave a little extra room going into this and watch for sudden moves and a touch of wheels going in front of you. Don't be involved in a pileup here.

Do not go off the road on this course. There is barbed wire a'plenty lining this course.

When you make your last left turn onto Real Rd, there is 1.5 miles to go. It is a looong 1.5 miles. Expect people to jump to soon for the finish and blow here. There is a leftward sweeper with 1 mile to go which starts about a 1/3 mile uphill section. This is where it gets really tough with continued false flat to the finish.

Our "Hot Lap" today took 45 minutes. Expect lap times in the neighborhood of 40 minutes on saturday.

Kudos to Rob for a brilliant course. Should be a barn burner.

If you haven't yet volunteered, please do. Contact Rob directly (email.rob.kane@gmail.com)

Hope to see you out there.

2010 Mini Camp - Rain Foreshortened

Day 1. Boerne, Welfare, 473, Kendalia, Edge Falls. Ice on the falls (see photo down below.)

Day 1 Profile. 93 miles. 5000 feet climbing. Our flatlander sisters from Dallas who joined us enjoyed the hilly terrain.

Day 2. Garden Ridge, 3009, Cranes Mill, Startzville, Sattler, River Road, Gruene, Landa Park, Krueger Canyon.

Day 2 profile. 99 miles, another 5000 feet climbing.

Day 3. Down South. Out and back the Missions and Mission Trail along the San Antonio river. Rolling around the farmland (in the cold and rain!!)

Alot less hilly down south and out east. 80 miles with 1000 feet climbing.

Edge Falls had water this year (no water for the past 2 years, until 3 months ago!) Unusually, there was ice formation.

Group photo. Monday we had out largest group with pals GG and John Lampe, B-H riders Matt and Bentley, Tom Bain and Kim Ciolli, George Thomas, the Dallas ladies, and Lara and yours truly on tandem.

Down south we generally stop at Jacks corner mid ride. Cold and rainy. All smiles, nonetheless.

"Southern" Philosophy.

Annual photo shoot at the Alamo. Lara and I on tandem, Kim holding her own in the middle. Matt and George on the right.

Muddy day. Rob is generally not freckled.

Well, we only got 3 days, but it was worth it. Several of our favorite rides, great company and outstanding training.

Monday we had our biggest group - around 12 riders - pictured above at Edge Falls.

Tuesday we did an new twist on an old ride and really nailed it. Great ride. Terri and Craig joined Lara, George, Kim, John Lampe and I. Terri had the ride of the day, earned the "game ball" and acquired a new nickname "Turktani" coming out of River Road. That is what, 8 nicknames for her??

Wednesday we met in Alamo Heights. It was raining and 50 degrees and a few who showed bailed, but there were enough of us not saying no so we saddled up and went forth. We rode in the rain the first 30 and last 30 minutes, in the middle it was just fine. Thanks to Rob's leadership we got a great ride in and salvaged the week!!

Enjoy the rain the next couple of days. See you on Saturday's shop ride. Ink in January 10-14 2011 and we'll do it again. Next year we should see alot of new faces as George is growing his Hill Country 600 race (again this year in March) and offering our rides as a intro/training camp for potential racers.

Check out Georges races at Race Across Oregon particularly the local Hill Country 600k race set for March 13-14 this year.

PACTour Eastern Mts - Day 16 "Final Destination"

No rain. Until boxing up the bikes, natch! We rolled out of beautiful North Conway after our group photo at 7am sharp. Easy rollers up to Kennebunkport, ME (Bush Country that is) for lunch. Then up the coast with several glimpses of the Sea to our Final Destination - Portland, Me. We had the bikes 80% boxed before the last of Hurricane Bill's rain started to dump on us. Quick recovery into the motel, all good.

Lots of fun and a little drama for the last day. Spartaca and I got tangled up when I sat up to point our "Potter Bridge Road" to her. Using our bike hangling daft skills, we stayed upright and she only banged her knee hard on the bars. Distracted her pain from her Achilles so that was a good thing.

Our Australian frend, Andrew Puddy, has personally restored order to the United States and possibly global economy thru his use of Chamois Butter. It streams out the back of his shorts during the ride and leaves a mark on the lunch benches. Course, my sweating leaves a similar mark - so you just have to wait a few minutes and if the mark goes away its mine, if it persists it is Andrews.

Our last Austrialian jargon was received today, just in the nick of time. Lebowski hit lunch and "spat the dummy." (That means he packed it in, or decided enough is enough. A dummy being Australian for a pacifier) He and BV rode in together in the lunch truck, giving them a little personal PACTour time for the day!!

Funniest comment of the day went to Klaus. He is german, so obviously highly intelligent. I had led our small group most of the way to lunch (I kinda knew the roads around there.) The way had been a bit confusing, but we got there without any difficulty. Klaus said "you are a great navigator, we will stay with you after lunch to the hotel." Ha! 5-10 u-turns and redirections later we did indeed arrive at the hotel, maybe a little different course than the route card had plotted.

Anyways, wonderful trip as always. If you ever have any inkling to sign up for a PACTour, just do it, you won't be disappointed.

Off to the celebratory banquet, Lobster!!!!

I'll think of some vignettes to throw at you all over the next couple of days, hope you have enjoyed listening to our adventure. We have appreciated all of the support and encouragement from home, thank you!!

PACTour Eastern Mts - Day 15 "Fair Suck of The Old Sauce Bottle"

Alright. Penultimate day. Tomorrow is last stage. We leave the White Mts of VT for the Green MTs of NH. Spartacus and I get dropped by the group we towed around yesterday 15 miles in, paying for the previous day's efforts. Lebowski, aided by his imported damsel's strength, showed up in full battle gear and made the split.

We rolled thru Norwich, VT (had overnighted in Norwich NY a couple of nights back. Thru Hanover NH, home of Dartmouth College. We were tentative early because we saw a significant climb on the profile from mile 69 (the sign of Cancer) to mile 75 where lunch was held. We were completely caught off guard by the climb before it - around mile 50!! Hors Categorie 4 miles 8-15% Spartaca muttered somthing about "sagging" and I said "absolutely not" not 1500 miles into a 1600 mile ride. I rode off leaving her and Lebowski to discuss. This unexpected challenge was "a fair suck of the old sauce bottle" the Aussies might say most easily translated as a real bite in the buttocks.

That descent was terrifying. 7-10%, frost heaved jagged roads, which were wet with earlier rains and had signs announcing "Pavement Ends." Comforting at 45 miles per hour. Fortunately the pavement only ended for 6 foot sections, no problem.

Quick rest stop before last climb of the Tour - up the famous Kancamangas Highway - which at Categorie 1 was feared, but made quite softer by the earlier beast. Plus lunch was at the top!!

We descended from mile 75, 5 miles at 7% then 15 miles of 2-3%. Woulda been phenomenal except that Hurricane Bill aka Hurricane Opa, had found us. We could barely see the road in some stretches, but there was only 1 place to go - down. The rain let off before we got to the hotel - Red Jacket Mountain View resort - glorious view of Mt. Washington, if you could see it - not today!!

Some how we cleaned the bikes and got our room keys and finished another day of the Tour, tired, but successful.

Tomorrow is the last day. Mixed emotions. Tired and ready to go home, but, sad to put such a wonderful odyssey behind us. Tonight we celebrate with Lebowski and BV and Lon and Susan at dinner in our hotel. Tomorrow we ride a quick 100 miles, box up the bikes, banquet then head to Opas to get ready to return to SA!!

Thanx for reading.

PACTour Eastern MTs - Day 14 "Lon Almost got Snotted"

Hard, Hard day. 141 miles, 7000 feet climbing. Out of NY, into the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Day started well - no rain for first 4 hours. Busy rollout in traffic. Small group overreacted to road obstacle and Spartaca almost hit the tarmac. Trust me she mad a save that shouldn't have been saved when she rubbed wheels. Mad cyclocross skills.

That fired up her adrenaline and she shot to the front, where she stayed all day. Her efforts whittled the grou to 8 and eventually 6. The mood was serious because of the length of the stage and we were in a phenomenal group. Fast and worked well together. Reminded me of the socialistic nature of cycling - from each according to ability, to each according to need. We covered the 77 miles to lunch in under 4 hours. With 4500 feet of climbing.

Our group include Naughty Ann, the other Craig, John from Portland, Klaus from Germany and occaisionally Charles Breen and Karl. We rode kinda hard to lunch, then it was decided to roll easy afterwards. That went well until the rain started!! The pace lifted quickly, Spartaca again doing the lions share of the work - she was in a "Purple Patch" today (Aussie for being in the zone or in cycling parlance having a no chain day." The rain lifted as we rolled down along the rivers. Lon treated us with 4 miles of dirt road (still wet obviously.)

The route card claimed 136 miles with 4500 feet of climbing. We ended up with 141 miles and 7000 feet of climbing. When we hit 136 miles and weren't at the hotel Spartaca was unhappy to put it mildly. I heard words after that girls mouth I hadn't heard since the Turk and her south Philly sisters got together at a wedding. I hafta talk to David, the navy seal, tomorrow Spartaca is obviously ready to enlist in the Navy!!

Lon was in the parking lot when we pulled in and I'm suprised he hadn't been "snotted" (Aussie for punched in the nose) by then or by Spart. All good we were done!!

Big highlight of the day was Opa and Peg picking up Vernette for Craig at the airport and dropping her off with us. She gets to hand with PACTour for the next 3 days.

Into NH and MT Washington tomorrow, until then!!

PACTour Eastern Mts - Day 13 "Moses wudda been impressed"

70 of our 125 miles in the NY rain. Phenomenal day. Warm so rain capes barely needed. Lotsa climbing early, then we roded into Cooperstown at mile 40 for coffee and cookies. After that very little climbing but the rain started. And stayed. Until we were 10 miles out.

Had my first flat today - slow leaker from rear tire which was in need of replacing. Blew some sealant in and no prob. Lebowski'll be happy because he was sure I was teasing the gods when I mentioned in the ride that I hadn't had a flat yet!! Put on a new rubber at the hotel, and all good.

Late in the ride the rain had stopped and I was texting Phillips about a crankset so we went "Bush" (Aussie for off course or lost.) We had missed our turn by 3 miles (funny how we only go Bush when John Lake's with us?!?!) Fortunately we ran into a young convenience store clerk who actually knew where we were going and where we needed to go to recover and we regained our route only adding 1 mile!! So, we didn't arrive at the hotel completely "knackered" (Aussie for wiped out, Aussie 101 continues.)

Andrew Puddy continues to teach us Aussie slang and says I use it way too much that it loses its effect. I think that it helps and if I ever go to Australia they will think I am native Austrailian or at least "raise there."

Speaking of my being raised. Lebowski and Spartaca are starting to get a little weary of hearing all of the places I was "raised." New York (we spent the last 2 days riding in New York.) New England (about to get there and our final destination.) Germany (when I'm talking to Klaus our fellow PACTourian from Germany. Indiana when I pout over missing my fellow Hoosier Catie (Beautiful Aleeza is from Indiana but won't admit it so don't pass that along.)

Anyways the fun continues, we are getting fitter and skinnier, seeing lots of stuff (Cooperstown and a whole lotta rain which we Texans haven't seen in way too long.) We are all getting homesick for the Turk, BV and Parkchop. At least tomorrow we get to see BV for the last few days as she flys in to spend the final 3 days with us. Opa picks her up at the airport so I'll get to see him too!

Trip is winding down, we are a stones throw from New England. VT tomorrow, NH Sunday, ME Monday, then home to SA!!!!

Oh, followup from Alex's key and rental car misadventure yesterday. He rode the 30 miles back to the hotel we started from and somehow fitted his bike and carcass into the car with the 3 ladies. They drove him to the first sag (where he had turned around) and he rode the final 65 miles on his own, off sag. He ended up with 125 miles for the day, the ladies were treated with a day in Coney Island, so we haven't gotten their side of the story yet!!

Thanx for reading, 3 more days!!!

PACTour Eastern Mts - Day 12 "One Woman's Chamoisltoe is Another Womans Pinchflat"

Well, we are into NY. 3 states left. Kinda getting tired!! Easy little recovery ride 2day. 93 miles. 5500' climbing. Kinda like Vanderpool to Camp Wood and back ;-)

Day went well. We figured we'd ride easy to get ready for the last 4 days. Lebowski back in the game today we all rode together. Naughty Ann joined us for most of the day. Small rollers and big chuckles all day. Spartaca and Naughty were laughing about the chamois cameltoe which Lebowski promptly labelled "Chamoisletoe.". Naughty mentioned something called a "pinch flat." thats when yours truly drifted off the back to pee and stay out of that conversation.

A little rain after lunch (brats and sweet corn, yay!!) Nice fast descents. Phenonomenal scenery. Unique Barns and houses every mile. Light traffic. Highlight (lowlight!?!?) of the day was picking up my computer bag and noticing it was like 5 pounds lighter than I remembered. Yeah, I had left my computer at the hotel in the am. A few phone calls later and its on its way home yo San Antonio.

That pales in comparison to poor Alex. His wife and two daughters follow him in a car. Well, Alex arrived at the first rest stop and we saw him getting into his PACTour bag. Turns out the car keys were in his bag. PACTour stops or waits for no one, so Alex had to ride 30 miles back to the hotel. Don't have closure on that story yet. Did he then have to turn around and ride the entire 90 mile stage?!?! Doubt he and his bike fit in the car with the 3 ladies and his bike...

Sorry for the short blog. Hard to write on the phone. I'll find a computer next time.

Keep up the faith in us!!