Beast of Burden

"I'll never be, your beast of burden

I pulled for miles

my guns are hurtin"

Started with a big crew today. Wulf is back in the pack! VJ, the Badger, Hoodie and I were joined briefly by Stanton, Dustin and their Dentite friend Tony. The company was great on Bee Cave, but the Dentite Brigade ripped at Resaca. Leaving us with a dearth of volunteers to take some turns at the front.

Not a lot of conversation, just too much wind. Though I was able to trade some good jokes with Hoodie.

"three nuns are sitting on a park bench...."

Day of the Badger

Surprise! Wolf shows up for ride today, along with Ryan! Both expecting recovery pace, which is completely Understandable given it's a Sunday. However, our foray to Walburg yesterday resulted in a short roll, so we needed to get some time in the saddle today. Joining us were Ullrich, the Badger and Scheibs. Took it easy to the Dam, where fun ensued. The Badger cracked me on the Oasis hill. This has now been noted in the permanent record. I sense a shift in the force. Group did a great job of sticking together until that point. We saw Herb on the dam climb. His Parlee is smokin. Lost Ryan at 360, where we turned left. Wulf ripped in his neighborhood. Great to get you both out there! Great tailwind on 620 today. Beat the wind on Shoal Creek. Nice mini-push on bull creek showed Scheib's promise, as he bridged a minor break, with the Badger in tow. Excellent work fellas. Have a great week!

Sunday Recover, more or less...

Me, the Badger and Ullrich spun from the French Bakery at 11am today. Couple of hours of uneventful spinning sandwiched an interesting greyhound moment on 360. Route took us Bee Cave to 360, u turn underneath bridge to 360 south. As we headed south, we came upon two guys that seemed to be waiting for someone. As we merged onto 360, they abandoned their vigil, spinning out in front of us at about 110rpm up the hill. No big deal, as we were controlling effort. We reunited with these guys at the light at Westlake Drive. One was precariously, amateurishly balancing in his pedals at the red light. It tired me watching. You know, most of the time I see guys doing that, it is impressive. Not so much this time. I was certain he was gonna bust his @$$. Green light. He lays hammer. Greyhound engages. But in a more controlled manner. Ullrich's inner animal did not immediately engage which gave him the oppo to set some power bests as he reeled us all back in. Long story short, the three of us dropped the ultra spinners, slightly breaking recovery pace. But we got a few great intervals in, so all good.


ONE MORE NOTE FROM YESTERDAY: 

Hoodie needs some new crank rings. Whenever he gets out of saddle, the Seven starts making popcorn, chain flying off the drivetrain violently due to the resultant wattage explosion. This happened right after our descent of Senna Hills. Ride almost complete, we were doing some sprint work. Hood gets outta saddle, cranks hard, chain flies off, bike swerves right, Hood goes CX, into the ditch at 40km/hr. His bike handling (and good fortune) were excellent. Somehow he makes it back to pavement unscathed. Well, this is only partially true. Let's just say Softcell's "Tainted Love" is his current theme song.

The Sheriff

I read an article a several years ago about the Tour De France. It described how there is an unwritten law within the peloton that the entire group will do as "The Sheriff" says. So that on any given day, if the sheriff says "Let's take it easy today.", then anyone that attacks is subject to the wrath of the sheriff. Let's just say, he kind of runs things. I guess there have been many sheriffs over the 98 TDFs. They come and go as the riders come and go.

That brings me to our little endeavor at HCD. When Chris and I first rode together back in '06, he organized the ride, set the time, and invited like three other guys. He and I alone made up the group ride that day. But as you can see, from the very beginning he has been the sheriff. Think about it, he organizes everything, sends out ride details, sets the route for the day, has a truck full of whatever you forgot that day (tube, arm warmers, beanie, embrocation), and he writes about our exploits weekly.

Speaking of the blog; we all know if there is a misstep during the ride it will be memorialized that week because the sheriff sees the good, the bad and the ugly (sorry for the cliche). There are messages in the humor and sarcasm. The mythology references send back to my literature books so that I can get the joke. Anyway the blog always makes for a good read.

We had a big year in 2011. We split up responsibilities for the big rides. So the sheriff deputized several of us by assigning rides, but he always stayed involved to ensure the team would have a great ride, great memories and stories that will be told over and over again.

Finally the sheriff had a pretty solid year riding himself. I am sure he had between 5-6 thousand miles in the saddle this past year. As much as I improved, the sheriff stayed out in front of me by exactly that amount if not more. In other words, he can still drop me like a sack of potatoes! His power numbers are getting crazy. 20 minute threshold above 300W? WTF? Not bad for a middle aged dad.

So anyway, the real purpose of this post is to just say thanks to the sheriff. Thanks for setting up the ride details in an e-mail and then having the patience to answer the questions that come from all of us. Thanks for running a small cycling shop out of your truck. Thanks for thinking bigger every year. Thanks for setting the compass for HCD. So guys, next time you see him pass on a few words of thanks.

Ulrich - 2011 Rider of the Year
P.S. You want that title??? Come and get it, bitch.

P.S.S - Disclaimer: the above PS is in no way a challenge. It is merely the ravings of a madman high on endorphins (the legal stuff)

SubLime Creek

Good morning of community service with the office mates got the roll started off a little later than normal. Ullrich and Hoodie joined in the mid-morning start from the French Bakery parking lot. Bit breezy, but temps flirted with perfection all day.

Nice easy spin on 620 over to Anderson Mill. Passed some newbie group (looked like a Tri-training expedition) on 620, and ramped up the effort ever so gently to get past them. Other than that, completely full tank when we hit the Lime Creek Loop.

Fun, fun, fun,. 3 minute pulls around the loop were perfect for effort/recovery. Weather was ideal. Ullrich and Hoodie were Budweiser Clydesdales. I was as happy as a little girl. Personal bests on that stretch for all.

After Lime Creek we cruised old man style around the Mod Oz. Double espresso at the French Bakery was a rare but excellent treat.

I hope y'all enjoyed the Annual Dough mailer. get those dates on the calendar!!

2011 Awards

2011 was a year to savor on the bike. Our membership has grown right along with the power numbers of the Dough core. It is a common occurrence on rides to field the question "So why are you the Doughboys?" At our genesis, our team name was self-evident, and reflected in the high ratio of XL and larger orders on our initial kit. Some big guys remain in (and around) the club, and that is a great thing. Our core message is one of inclusion. We are not a snooty, machiatto sipping bunch of leg shavers. Well, at least we aren't snooty. Introducing folks to the fun of cycling should always be one of our main objectives. Whether you take the bait (and/or swallow the hook) is up to you.

2011 Highlights-

The following improved form in 2011: 

• Panozz raced in an HCD kit early in the year, before hooking on with the serious outfit of 787. He moved from Cat 5 to Cat 3 in one season, proving he is both gifted and dedicated. And maybe a smidge crazy.Mike's evolution from gifted dabbler to hard core racer dragged the group forward. Several guys signed up for personal training, including AT, Ullrich, Hoodie and Me. For all of us this marked the first time we had any instruction in the art of endurance training. For me, it has been pretty consuming. Austin has been in an economic bubble, defying the doldrums that afflict other parts of the country (and world). Our cycling obsession has assisted the GNP of ATX. You are welcome Obama. 
• AT actually listened to his coach, and got a helluva lot stronger before receding into the working world. We want you back AT!
• Ullrich kicked himself in the ass (Liar Liar-style) and worked hard on the bike and less so at the table.
• I must say that I have made some modest gains in 2011.
• Hoodie rapidly became the groove of the club. Best musical ear, best in-ride pics, biggest comedian. (While I am actually funnier, he is technically bigger.)
• Vijay logged some real miles during the year. Without a coach. 
• Tyler started the year with flat tires and no miles. He ended with the now hackneyed nickname "honeybadger" due to his style of riding with conviction. Particularly at the conclusion of group rolls!
• Dykes has somehow begun to generate wattage with his mind.

The following went to seed in 2011:

• Wulf, Z, Dan, Klitch, RyRob, Fitzy. Draino. Guys, time to look in the mirror and realize the error in your ways. Focus on that accumulation of middle aged evidence around your midsection.

The following held form in 2011:

• Scheible, MC, Stanton, AT (who gained, then gave back).

The following bought new rigs in 2011:

• Scheible bought the coolest bike that is not in my house. ProjectOne blackout with di2.
• Vijay purchased a sweet Cervelo.
• Stanton purchased a sweet Cervelo, again. This is technically not a first. He does have a custom steel bike on order for 2012. Can't wait to see it!
• I welcomed a Firefly Stainless into my family of n+1 rides. 
• Charlie joined the Trek brigade with an excellent Madone.

Rider of the Year - Ullrich
Ullrich has literally worked his ass off in 2011. Carving off years of physical self-abuse (McDonalds, OpusOne, etc), he has begun Phase I of his mid-life comeback. Well done Ullrich. For a middle aged Dad, that is.

Before

After

Picture of the Year- Storm Rising
This was taken shortly before the hardest rain we had in the summer of 2011. It was a blast.

Song of the Year - Finally Moving, Pretty Lights
This will get your techno on. And increase RPM. And HR.

Costume of the Year - 

Dykes as Tinky Winky...Priceless

Line of the Year- "I got a Big Tank!"
Hoodie has uttered this many times. The first was at the Driveway, when we were in line for our 3rd free beer.


Post of the Year - Andice for Christmas
This surprised me, but won in a landslide. Of course, the guys responsible enough to vote were middle aged Dads,

I'm Buddy! What's your Favorite Color?

Saturday group rides are always fun. They promise infinite variety, from the rider mix, (and who is in form), to the weather (wind, rain) to the course selection (hills, road conditions, etc). OK, maybe not infinite, but there are enough variables to elicit the sensation of infinity when considering how one ride stacks up against another.

As fun as every ride is, today's ride will be hard to beat. The weather was nearly perfect, temps ranging from 55 at the start to 65 at the finish. The crew was salty and highly personable. The track was buttery and rolling nearly the entire route, Lola to the Olive Grove on Fitzhugh, and back. Winds in our face on the out leg rewarded us with some great tailwind on the return.

Add to that some immediate additions to HCD lore (a Buddy the Elf Impersonation), great conversation the whole ride, plus just the right amount of hammertime, and you have our ride.

Me, Ullrich, VJ, MC, Scheibs, Frank (aka the "Evil Wiener"), The Dykes Whisperer, Shannon and Hoodie comprised the HCD Pelo today. Shannon is an HCD virgin, sporting a b'dass Pinarello Paris. Matte Black, Carbon Rims. Very nice. Looked like Scheib's Bike's Italian Cousin.

Good to have the Evil Wiener back in the group, post dog incident. Oh yeah, no hellhounds on today's route, further adding to the greatness of the ride.

Nice and easy spin out 360 to SW pkwy to Travis Cook. Happened on a group of middle aged dads. .We dropped them pretty quickly, but in a very non confrontational manner. I mean no disrespect, but come on. What chance to middle aged dads have against the HCD?

Ran up on some Circle C riders on Fitzhugh. They proved slightly more formidable, creating a rift in the pelo as the usual suspects (Dykes playing the role of Keyser Sose') made a point of hopping to the front of their group ride. Some strong riders in that pack. A Masters National Champ and another State Champ. They were disinterested in conversating with such a band of misfits, so we let them go at 12 and Fitzhugh, resorbing the gruppetto and rolling nice and easy (mostly) to our turnaround spot, Texas Hill Country Olive Company.

While waiting for the guys to accumulate in the parking lot, we saw our coach, KL riding the other direction with what I presumed was one of his pupils. Here was my reaction:

Hey Dad! It's Me! Buddy!!

Maybe there was a little too much excitement in my salutation "HEY KEVIN!! KEVIN!!" Sorry, but he is kind of a big deal. The ultimate irony here? He was riding with some guy named Lance. Both of them waved at me, but I think I cost KL a little street cred with his boy. Sorry Coach. By the way, what's your favorite color?

The lovely Melissa at THCOC greeted us warmly, opening the doors a little early for us. She brewed up some java and plied us with sugary snacks (cookies and pecan pie). Dykes feared some Grimm Fairy Tale subplot, which proved false. That place is pretty cool. We had lost Frank and Scheibs at this point, both pulling the rip cord somewhere on Fitzhugh whilst slow cooking in the gruppetto.

 HCD, reflecting a typical elevation profile on Fitzhugh

Pardon me, would you like to partake of my Pecan Pie?

The way back was a total blast. Nice tempo until we got to the trailer park jailbreak (Inigo Stage), whereupon Dykes opened a large can of whoopass, and the rest of us tried to form a coalition to shovel our way out of the Dykes-induced shite-storm. But it was just a 10-ish minute knife fight, and as such did not unspool anyone too severely. Veej hung tough, and Ullrich was smiling the whole way.

Great roll back to Lola, and some excellent Slowing at the coffee shop.

Inigo Results as of January 3, 2012

360 Hills South Escape from the Trailer Park to 290! 12/27/2011 Campbell 0:05:03 12/18/2011 Dykes 0:11:45 11/22/2011 Coppedge 0:05:18 12/18/2011 perkins 0:12:15 12/10/2011 perkins 0:05:29 12/18/2011 Isaak 0:13:45 12/9/2011 Dykes 0:05:48 12/18/2011 Scheibs 0:17:09 12/9/2011 Henry 0:05:49 11/24/2011 Marcoux 0:06:42 11/24/2011 Steward 0:06:44 11/24/2011 Scheibs 0:06:45 11/24/2011 Isaak 0:06:46 1/2/2012 Carlson 0:06:49 11/23/2011 George 0:07:22 Andice - 272 To 1432 Flattie for the Big Guys! 11/27/2011 Scheibs 0:05:33 12/31/2011 Dykes 0:07:29 12/30/2011 Henry 0:06:20 11/12/2011 Steward 0:07:31 12/30/2011 perkins 0:06:26 12/31/2011 Coppedge 0:07:31 12/17/2011 bergman 0:06:40 11/13/2011 Marcoux 0:07:35 12/17/2011 Marcoux 0:06:42 11/6/2011 perkins 0:07:39 12/17/2011 Isaak 0:06:56 11/24/2011 Scheibs 0:07:49 12/30/2011 George 0:06:57 11/24/2011 Isaak 0:07:49 12/31/2011 George 0:09:07 12/31/2011 Carlson 0:09:12 12/10/2011 Henry 0:10:15 1/1/2012 Campbell 0:12:44 Andice Northbound Effort Jester 11/5/2011 Scheibs 0:07:56 12/18/2011 Campbell 0:04:01 12/30/2011 perkins 0:09:30 12/22/2011 perkins 0:04:24 12/30/2011 Henry 0:09:35 11/12/2011 Steward 0:04:58 12/17/2011 bergman 0:09:50 12/9/2011 Dykes 0:05:04 12/17/2011 Marcoux 0:09:52 12/9/2011 Henry 0:05:10 12/17/2011 Isaak 0:09:54 11/25/2011 Scheibs 0:05:24 12/17/2011 George 0:09:54 Bell Springs Hills Lime Creek Loop (downhill 3-B's) 11/19/2011 perkins 0:07:28 11/19/2011 Dykes 0:57:52 11/19/2011 Steward 0:07:31 12/26/2011 perkins 0:57:58 11/19/2011 Henry 0:07:34 12/26/2011 Steward 0:58:47 11/19/2011 Scheibs 0:07:48 12/10/2011 Marcoux 1:05:30 11/19/2011 Marcoux 0:08:08 12/16/2011 Scheibs 1:07:23 11/19/2011 Carlson 0:08:15 11/19/2011 Isaak 0:08:26 11/19/2011 George 0:09:13 Bull Creek Sprint Livestrong Rollers 12/30/2011 perkins 0:01:30 11/19/2011 perkins 0:17:45 12/30/2011 Campbell 0:01:39 11/19/2011 Isaak 0:17:47 12/30/2011 Henry 0:01:43 11/19/2011 Carlson 0:17:47 1/1/2012 Carlson 0:01:47 11/19/2011 Steward 0:17:48 12/31/2011 Marcoux 0:01:48 11/19/2011 Scheibs 0:17:50 12/26/2011 Steward 0:01:49 11/19/2011 Henry 0:17:50 12/10/2011 Isaak 0:02:06 11/19/2011 George 0:17:50 12/10/2011 George 0:02:09 11/19/2011 Marcoux 0:17:51 12/10/2011 Scheibs 0:02:10 11/25/2011 Coppedge 0:02:25 Climb from low water Redbud-Westlake to the top 11/26/2011 Dykes 0:03:38 12/18/2011 Campbell 0:04:17 11/26/2011 perkins 0:04:24 12/29/2011 Steward 0:05:01 11/26/2011 Steward 0:05:03 12/9/2011 Dykes 0:05:20 12/18/2011 Scheibs 0:05:16 12/9/2011 Henry 0:05:27 11/26/2011 Isaak 0:05:16 11/10/2011 perkins 0:05:46 11/26/2011 George 0:07:05 12/18/2011 Scheibs 0:06:59 Climb from Pedernales out to 12 Spicewood Steamer (Nowhere Near Cleveland) 11/23/2011 perkins 0:21:06 11/24/2011 Coppedge 0:07:36 11/23/2011 Marcoux 0:21:12 11/24/2011 Steward 0:07:37 12/23/2011 Henry 0:22:45 11/24/2011 perkins 0:07:44 11/23/2011 Isaak 0:23:16 11/24/2011 Marcoux 0:07:45 11/6/2011 Coppedge 0:23:49 11/24/2011 Dykes 0:07:47 12/18/2011 Scheibs 0:25:52 11/24/2011 Scheibs 0:07:50 11/24/2011 Isaak 0:07:53 1/2/2012 Carlson 0:09:03 12/31/2011 Campbell 0:09:05 12/10/2011 George 0:09:27 12/10/2011 Henry 0:09:28 Dam Hill Climb Trautwein Descent 11/19/2011 Dykes 0:05:39 11/19/2011 Steward 0:04:07 12/10/2011 perkins 0:06:04 11/19/2011 perkins 0:04:15 11/24/2011 Coppedge 0:06:09 11/19/2011 Marcoux 0:04:21 11/24/2011 Henry 0:06:14 11/19/2011 Isaak 0:04:22 11/12/2011 Steward 0:06:32 11/19/2011 Carlson 0:04:41 11/13/2011 Marcoux 0:06:33 11/19/2011 Henry 0:04:44 12/31/2011 Carlson 0:07:42 11/19/2011 Scheibs 0:04:45 12/31/2011 George 0:07:54 11/19/2011 George 0:04:59 11/24/2011 Scheibs 0:08:23 12/10/2011 Isaak 0:08:28

Rapha's Festivus for the RestofUs

No real blog entries over the Holidays. Cause attributed to combination of blog-post weariness and lack of posting time due to the Rapha Festive 500.

As those of you reading likely know, I am a sucker for a challenge. This is particularly true when the challenge involves cramming ludicrous amounts of bike time into a limited (typically Holiday) time frame. Challenges of this sort provide airtight alibis for overuse of the bike. Statements like "but Honey, I am only 50 clicks from 255th place!" are common utterances. More proof that my wife is a Saint. Would that we were catholic.

To accelerate this languishing literal dalliance, let's summarize the Festive Rides in one succinct Posting:

Day 1 - 12/23/2011 - Johnson City-Marble Falls Double Loop. 150KM. 

Participants: Me, Tyler, Dykes, Stanton

Highlights: 40degrees, 2 bloodthirsty dogs, made whole trip on 2 water bottles. Portage!

Lowlights - 2 bloodthirsty dogs, 12mph headwind from North

Day 2 - 12/26/2011 - Full Oz + Lime Creek. 117KM

Participants: Me, Hoodie

Highlights: Catching up with the big fella

Lowlights: Hoodie's tank went empty about 90K into the roll. Max suffering...


Day 3 - 12/27/2011 - Mod Oz Recovery Pace. 65KM

Participants: Me, the Badger

Highlights: Nice easy pace, great conversations with the HB

sLowlights: Passed by a ScooterStore sales rep.

Day 4 - 12/28/2011 - Eastward Ho! 91KM

Participants: Me, Hoodie

Highlights: Warmed up nicely about halfway through ride. Lola double machiatto!

Lowlights: No arm warmers. or Leg warmers. 40 degrees at ride start. prompted stop at MJ's...

Day 5- 12/30/2011 - Cheech Re-U. 82KM

 Participants: Me, Panozz, Cheech, VJ, Stanton

Highlights: Cheech! good times rolling and chatting with a founding father. Also good to get Panozz in the pelo.

Lowlights: Week's worth of saddle time starting to seep into bones. Also, no chamois cream was a mistake...

Day 6 - 12/31/2011 - Rapha Redemption Victory Lap. 81KM

Participants: Me, VJ, MC and the Badger

Highlights: Yeti is back on the bike!

Lowlights: Actually got sick of riding. Previously considered an impossibility, this ride proved that I have a breaking point. Now where is my patch?