Hello Gang
The Las Vegas Century was a big hit this weekend. I will say that the
route had its good points and bad but there was some definite improvement.
The rolling enclosure going out of town was sweet!!!! The riding around
the lake was awesome with cyclists taking control of the roads. The leg
back into town with all the llights kind of sucked but lets hope the
promoter will make some changes to next year to allow for less city riding
and more of the course out at the lake. My suggestion is a rolling
enclosure out of town, a large out and back towards echo bay, and a rolling
enclosure for the front group back to the RTC. That would make a great
route and the reputation of the ride will start to grow.
My tip of the week involves ride nutrition. In case you did not notice, I
suffer from an acute lack of fitness during much of the season. On really
long training rides I have a tendency to get cramps. Over the years I have
experimented with different drinks, potions, magic pills, and food to
combat my disease. Beyond this I have also learned that my nutrition on
the bike directly affects my power output towards the end of a long race.
The off season is a great time to push yourself to the limit to raise your
threshold and experiment with different drinks and food combinations to see
what works for you. Having the energy to win the race in the last 10k
could simply be better planning on your part. Try different drinking
intervals to see how your power is affected. Some riders find that solid
food like bread or paninis can offset the upset stomach you can get when
you drink or eat a lot of the sugary gu packs and energy drinks. I know
several Pro Tour riders that swear by Panini sandwiches on long rides.
This is a long standing tradition in Italy for good reason. Once you find
something that works for you, stick with it. Going into a big event with a
proven nutrition plan will help your confidence so you know you will have
the energy and power at the end to close it out.
Saturday was the Las Vegas Century. The rolling enclosure out of town was
awesome and it was great to see most of the Vegas notables up front leading
the charge to Lake Mead. Jiame Carney of track racing fame showed up and
was looking very fit. He told Chicken he is training for the Christmas
Carnivals in Australia and he definitely looked fast. The first climb over
Lake Mead by Sunrise quickly dropped most of the slower riders and we had a
great group of about 50 riders to cruise to Boulder. Kircher was up front
setting his usual tempo and most of us followed that round horses but till
we hit the climb up to Boulder. Terry Pittman was looking fit and his
training for Silverman looks like it is going well. Allegiant was well
represented and Paul Tracy had the whole team in the front group. On the
Boulder climb the pace was moderate and evveryone was content to let the
miles slide by. Myself, Chicken and Squak Box stopped for a pee break and
had to chase to get back on before the rest area at the RTC. After
refueling we headed up Alta towards Red Rock. The serial killer Brandon
Cunningham took off at a light and we did not see him again until Ft
Apache. He was rockin in that PT kit equipped with that target on his
back. Once on Ft Apache it was time to go a little faster (getting
hungry). I went up the road and was quickly joined by Little Hurt, Carney,
Chicken, Bingleheimer, and Jay. Carney and Andy were relentless and
myself, Jay, and Kenny succumbed to the pace. Myself and Kenny regrouped
after broke back when Andy, Chicken and Carney had to stop for a flat.
There was a crash in the field behind us and a couple of guys went down. I
saw some scrapes and bruises but hopefully nothing that needed more than a
band aid. The break was gone when the five of us regrouped but lights kept
us from coming in solo and the front group came back together for a nice
ride in to finish. Great Ride
Sunday sounded like everyone was willing to go easy to recover. I got out
to ride with Kircher and spin my legs out. Brandon was in the canyon
working the alcohol from the night before out of his pores. I also saw
Pokey out on one of his solo training rides. I heard the East side ride
was pretty fast for a recovery ride so I am glad I did not make it as my
legs were toast from the previous day.
In team news this week the Chicken (Michael Anderson) has announced he will
be riding for Cal Pools next year. I am sure Gagne and Lance are happy to
have some support on the Vegas side of things. Should make for some
interesting racing next year. We wish him the best of luck.
Brandon Cunningham has joined the Paul Tracy team for next season. He is a
strong addition to the team that should make an immediate impact.
In Cali, Hector Saldana has confirmed he will be riding with the Sho-air
team previously mentioned with Paolinetti. I was also told that Mike
Onkels and Stephen Feretti have also left Amgen and joined this team.
Random Thoughts
Carney was strong. It was great to see Little Hurt going pull for pull
with him. Chicken was tenacious and the three of them would never had been
caught if it was not for the flat.
The Century was well run and I hope to see it keep getting bigger and
better. Great feed zones and the rolling enclosure was cool.
Bingleheimer continues to get stronger. Tucson is just around the corner
and looks like the fastest man in NV title is really going to be a contest
now.
Pitter Pat and Hileman get mad props. They both did the Century on single
speeds and stayed in the front group. AWESOME>
Kircher is the king of tempo. Did you see the Arctic Squirrel making the
break. Looks like Jay is buikding a nice power base for nest season. Stay
Tuned
Allegiant had a huge turn out this weekend. It was good to see Pittman on
track to make a come back.
RS was looking crazy with GU all over his cranks and salt stains on his
kit. The funny part was is this guy did not look tired the whole day. I
think someone has been training.
It is rare that I make a personal comment on this letter but I write it
every week and I will make this one exception to end my letter for this
week so I do not have to address it later. Chicken has been my racing
partner for the better part of 4 years and we have been in some tough
battles over the years in various races. I was not aware of his desire to
transfer to an new team and I would be lying if I say I was not upset by
his decision to leave Paul Tracy but I wish him the best of luck in his new
endeavor. Keep the skinny side down and don't look back.
Jim Robbins
The Las Vegas Century was a big hit this weekend. I will say that the
route had its good points and bad but there was some definite improvement.
The rolling enclosure going out of town was sweet!!!! The riding around
the lake was awesome with cyclists taking control of the roads. The leg
back into town with all the llights kind of sucked but lets hope the
promoter will make some changes to next year to allow for less city riding
and more of the course out at the lake. My suggestion is a rolling
enclosure out of town, a large out and back towards echo bay, and a rolling
enclosure for the front group back to the RTC. That would make a great
route and the reputation of the ride will start to grow.
My tip of the week involves ride nutrition. In case you did not notice, I
suffer from an acute lack of fitness during much of the season. On really
long training rides I have a tendency to get cramps. Over the years I have
experimented with different drinks, potions, magic pills, and food to
combat my disease. Beyond this I have also learned that my nutrition on
the bike directly affects my power output towards the end of a long race.
The off season is a great time to push yourself to the limit to raise your
threshold and experiment with different drinks and food combinations to see
what works for you. Having the energy to win the race in the last 10k
could simply be better planning on your part. Try different drinking
intervals to see how your power is affected. Some riders find that solid
food like bread or paninis can offset the upset stomach you can get when
you drink or eat a lot of the sugary gu packs and energy drinks. I know
several Pro Tour riders that swear by Panini sandwiches on long rides.
This is a long standing tradition in Italy for good reason. Once you find
something that works for you, stick with it. Going into a big event with a
proven nutrition plan will help your confidence so you know you will have
the energy and power at the end to close it out.
Saturday was the Las Vegas Century. The rolling enclosure out of town was
awesome and it was great to see most of the Vegas notables up front leading
the charge to Lake Mead. Jiame Carney of track racing fame showed up and
was looking very fit. He told Chicken he is training for the Christmas
Carnivals in Australia and he definitely looked fast. The first climb over
Lake Mead by Sunrise quickly dropped most of the slower riders and we had a
great group of about 50 riders to cruise to Boulder. Kircher was up front
setting his usual tempo and most of us followed that round horses but till
we hit the climb up to Boulder. Terry Pittman was looking fit and his
training for Silverman looks like it is going well. Allegiant was well
represented and Paul Tracy had the whole team in the front group. On the
Boulder climb the pace was moderate and evveryone was content to let the
miles slide by. Myself, Chicken and Squak Box stopped for a pee break and
had to chase to get back on before the rest area at the RTC. After
refueling we headed up Alta towards Red Rock. The serial killer Brandon
Cunningham took off at a light and we did not see him again until Ft
Apache. He was rockin in that PT kit equipped with that target on his
back. Once on Ft Apache it was time to go a little faster (getting
hungry). I went up the road and was quickly joined by Little Hurt, Carney,
Chicken, Bingleheimer, and Jay. Carney and Andy were relentless and
myself, Jay, and Kenny succumbed to the pace. Myself and Kenny regrouped
after broke back when Andy, Chicken and Carney had to stop for a flat.
There was a crash in the field behind us and a couple of guys went down. I
saw some scrapes and bruises but hopefully nothing that needed more than a
band aid. The break was gone when the five of us regrouped but lights kept
us from coming in solo and the front group came back together for a nice
ride in to finish. Great Ride
Sunday sounded like everyone was willing to go easy to recover. I got out
to ride with Kircher and spin my legs out. Brandon was in the canyon
working the alcohol from the night before out of his pores. I also saw
Pokey out on one of his solo training rides. I heard the East side ride
was pretty fast for a recovery ride so I am glad I did not make it as my
legs were toast from the previous day.
In team news this week the Chicken (Michael Anderson) has announced he will
be riding for Cal Pools next year. I am sure Gagne and Lance are happy to
have some support on the Vegas side of things. Should make for some
interesting racing next year. We wish him the best of luck.
Brandon Cunningham has joined the Paul Tracy team for next season. He is a
strong addition to the team that should make an immediate impact.
In Cali, Hector Saldana has confirmed he will be riding with the Sho-air
team previously mentioned with Paolinetti. I was also told that Mike
Onkels and Stephen Feretti have also left Amgen and joined this team.
Random Thoughts
Carney was strong. It was great to see Little Hurt going pull for pull
with him. Chicken was tenacious and the three of them would never had been
caught if it was not for the flat.
The Century was well run and I hope to see it keep getting bigger and
better. Great feed zones and the rolling enclosure was cool.
Bingleheimer continues to get stronger. Tucson is just around the corner
and looks like the fastest man in NV title is really going to be a contest
now.
Pitter Pat and Hileman get mad props. They both did the Century on single
speeds and stayed in the front group. AWESOME>
Kircher is the king of tempo. Did you see the Arctic Squirrel making the
break. Looks like Jay is buikding a nice power base for nest season. Stay
Tuned
Allegiant had a huge turn out this weekend. It was good to see Pittman on
track to make a come back.
RS was looking crazy with GU all over his cranks and salt stains on his
kit. The funny part was is this guy did not look tired the whole day. I
think someone has been training.
It is rare that I make a personal comment on this letter but I write it
every week and I will make this one exception to end my letter for this
week so I do not have to address it later. Chicken has been my racing
partner for the better part of 4 years and we have been in some tough
battles over the years in various races. I was not aware of his desire to
transfer to an new team and I would be lying if I say I was not upset by
his decision to leave Paul Tracy but I wish him the best of luck in his new
endeavor. Keep the skinny side down and don't look back.
Jim Robbins
