"If you were a full on pro, you could toss this season away," is what my doctor told me when explaining my diagnosis of EBV. He went on to say taking it easy would be the best thing I could do and racing would not be a good option.
I have felt like poop. Last weekend in Garmisch I could barely turn the pedals and felt exhausted. Training rides I have reduced in both volume and quantity to aid in the recovery process, hoping that I might be able to salvage a late mtb/ cyclocross season this year. So going to Neiderlinxweiler in Saarland this weekend I was just looking to go for a 'training' race to build on what little condition I have. Also, i promised myself to quit if it did not feel right or thought I was going to incur more damage to the body.
So from the start I took a conservative approach, letting others dice for position, buying my time to see how I felt on the first climb. Surprisingly enough, I felt pretty darn good, and quickly lept up through the field until I found myself hoovering in the top 5. It still felt strenuous on the climbs, and little wobbly, but good. The flats and descents I was flat out morting and was pulling people in and passing them. The one 'tricky' descent fun was to be had pulling mx-style block passes and finding much faster lines than what others were taking, aiding in my cause to move forward. Lap 2 I found myself in 3rd with 2nd in sight, a great feeling for sure. But towards the end of that lap I could tell the body was not liking the efforts I was putting in. So I settled in to a steady pace to see where that left me, and with no improvement, some overheating and seeing that continuing I was running the danger of doing some damage to myself, I pulled the plug.
Quitting is normally not an option to me, but given the circumstances it was the right decision. Besides I can take a lot of positive out of this race, and it gives me something to continue building on. Having a rough first part of this year have been a challenge physically and mentally with lots of set backs, but every situation has a positve and negative aspect to it. At first I rejected my diagnosis and then was depressed, along with being angry about it. But there is a positive, and I am starting to receive the message.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Garmisch Bike Festival
As a racer, I think it is inevitable to dream about riding up front, but at the same time be honest about your capabilities. Well, Saturday was a reality check for me. Giving up 'training' rides for family and work, 2 operations on hip this spring, recently being diagnosed with the Epstein Barr Virus and having just dabbled in racing since my 'retirement' all stacked up against me on the weekend. Still I thought it were possible to be top 20 maybe top 15...
Should have known in the neutral start already things would not go according to plan, but still I hoovered around the 10 spot when we hit the first climb. And when we did hit the climb, I went backwards like a brick sinking in water, in fact I think the whole field went by me. There was absolutely nothing in my legs and nothing I could about it. My only comfort was that as the climb got steeper, I was already going slow, and the others slowed down and then I was able to match pace and even pick up a spot or two.
The first half of the course was pretty much all road, up and then back down to the Eibsee. The foot path around the Eibsee riddled with pedestrians made for interesting racing circumstances, when drafting others you had to hope that around the next bend there wasn't a grandma, kid or dog in your path... After the lake cam a somewhat fun double track, that showed the advantages of a 29er, rough and undulating the big wheels rolled nicely and made the ensuing descent pretty alright too.
Another slog gaining vertical meters found more riders pulling me in and passing me as a labored with my virtual lead weight tied to my seatpost. But again my pain was rewarded on the back side with the gratuitous some what technical section + singletrack (sometimes I think that the German promoters but these sections in just so they can toss the word singletrack into the race description although the course lack any kind of technical ability or real trails). Once again this section played towards my bike abilities hand and the lack of riding skills in those around me and I was actaully able to gain some time on people.
Seriously, I was ready to call it a day after 1 of 2 laps, I thought "what was the purpose of suffering another lap that will more than likely be worse than the first?" But quitting is not in my nature, so I pressed on. By now I had settled into a groove and had a few riders around me riding the same tempo. on some sections they would roll ahead, on others I would pull back by. It wasn't until the last climb that some real racing happened. A larger group was pulling me back in and I knew if I could just make it over the top either in front or near the front of the group, I had a shot at beating them back to the line with the 'technical' & 'singletrack' between us and the finish.
Making it over the top in 2nd, I held on until we hit the techy section and sure enough the first guy bobbled. I lept past him, but still had the groiup on my heels. Not too long after we caught another rider going much slower than us, but it was really muddy back in the woods and with no passing options, we sat in. Then with a small glimpse of daylight to one side, I popped past the slow rider and punched it (well as good as I could with my rubberband legs). There was a super slick slick descent and then about 1.5k back to the finish. My cagey move scored me the distance I needed on the group to bring it home. I guess this old dog can still teach others a trick or two.
I was beat and exhausted back in the finish, 17th in age group, 34th overall. Not a result I can live with, but a reality given where I am at. It will take some time for me to get back into riding and racing at a level I can be content. While I have no ambitions to make a fulltime return to racing it would just be nice to gain a glimpse of my old glory.
Should have known in the neutral start already things would not go according to plan, but still I hoovered around the 10 spot when we hit the first climb. And when we did hit the climb, I went backwards like a brick sinking in water, in fact I think the whole field went by me. There was absolutely nothing in my legs and nothing I could about it. My only comfort was that as the climb got steeper, I was already going slow, and the others slowed down and then I was able to match pace and even pick up a spot or two.
The first half of the course was pretty much all road, up and then back down to the Eibsee. The foot path around the Eibsee riddled with pedestrians made for interesting racing circumstances, when drafting others you had to hope that around the next bend there wasn't a grandma, kid or dog in your path... After the lake cam a somewhat fun double track, that showed the advantages of a 29er, rough and undulating the big wheels rolled nicely and made the ensuing descent pretty alright too.
Another slog gaining vertical meters found more riders pulling me in and passing me as a labored with my virtual lead weight tied to my seatpost. But again my pain was rewarded on the back side with the gratuitous some what technical section + singletrack (sometimes I think that the German promoters but these sections in just so they can toss the word singletrack into the race description although the course lack any kind of technical ability or real trails). Once again this section played towards my bike abilities hand and the lack of riding skills in those around me and I was actaully able to gain some time on people.
Seriously, I was ready to call it a day after 1 of 2 laps, I thought "what was the purpose of suffering another lap that will more than likely be worse than the first?" But quitting is not in my nature, so I pressed on. By now I had settled into a groove and had a few riders around me riding the same tempo. on some sections they would roll ahead, on others I would pull back by. It wasn't until the last climb that some real racing happened. A larger group was pulling me back in and I knew if I could just make it over the top either in front or near the front of the group, I had a shot at beating them back to the line with the 'technical' & 'singletrack' between us and the finish.
Making it over the top in 2nd, I held on until we hit the techy section and sure enough the first guy bobbled. I lept past him, but still had the groiup on my heels. Not too long after we caught another rider going much slower than us, but it was really muddy back in the woods and with no passing options, we sat in. Then with a small glimpse of daylight to one side, I popped past the slow rider and punched it (well as good as I could with my rubberband legs). There was a super slick slick descent and then about 1.5k back to the finish. My cagey move scored me the distance I needed on the group to bring it home. I guess this old dog can still teach others a trick or two.
I was beat and exhausted back in the finish, 17th in age group, 34th overall. Not a result I can live with, but a reality given where I am at. It will take some time for me to get back into riding and racing at a level I can be content. While I have no ambitions to make a fulltime return to racing it would just be nice to gain a glimpse of my old glory.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Global Domination
OK, maybe we are not taking over the world of cycling, but our riders have been making some noise. This past weekend saw IFBRT riders taking part in two different round the clock races one in Lofa Austria the other in Finale Italy.
Sandi played guest heavy hitter on the Team Herzlichst Zypern squad in an effort to win the Lofa24 Hour race in the mixed 4 person category. Sandi had a blast doing her first 24hour race on their way to the win, but more so for her she had a strong race the entire time and had fun in the process.
While Sandi was off in Austria, the LosLobos (aka Italian Single Speed Mafia) was wreaking havoc in Finale. Our man Andrea Compri was debuting our new team kit courtesy of Biciclista. Los Lobos of course won the SS category while breaking hearts in the process.
The prior weekend our man Wolfgang did another race this season, the BikeMax Marathon, blowing himself out along with the competitors for a 31st in Masters, 40 overall.
Next up is Tegernsee Marathon, Willingen and then 24hours in Munich.
Sandi played guest heavy hitter on the Team Herzlichst Zypern squad in an effort to win the Lofa24 Hour race in the mixed 4 person category. Sandi had a blast doing her first 24hour race on their way to the win, but more so for her she had a strong race the entire time and had fun in the process.
While Sandi was off in Austria, the LosLobos (aka Italian Single Speed Mafia) was wreaking havoc in Finale. Our man Andrea Compri was debuting our new team kit courtesy of Biciclista. Los Lobos of course won the SS category while breaking hearts in the process.
The prior weekend our man Wolfgang did another race this season, the BikeMax Marathon, blowing himself out along with the competitors for a 31st in Masters, 40 overall.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Dream Test Ride at the Gardasee Bike Festival 30.04 - 02.05.2010
We are offering one rider a chance to ride and race an Independent Fabrication Ti Deluxe 29er during the Gardasee Festival. Those interested may submit their name, contact information, their sizing information (height, inseam and weight), and why you would like to ride and race our Ti 29er.
If chosen, you will get fit to the Ti Deluxe 29er on Friday during the festival at out booth F5 in expo area before going out to ride it on Friday and then racing it in one of the Marathon distances on Saturday. You will also receive a team kit (short sleeve jersey and bib shorts) which you can keep after the race. Not too mention you will get to hang out with the rest of the IFBRT Racing Team in our team area, sip some great espresso and be the envy of the rest of the competitors.
Requirements: must be 18 years or older, you have to sign a waiver/ liability form, provide a valid passport for security, be registered for the Marathon, provide us & Bike Sport News with feedback on your experience. You must bring their own pedals, ride with a helmet at all times, and we will also need your current bike setup dimensions.
The winner will be selected on Tuesday, 27. April 2010.
Bike specs:
Ti Deluxe 29er (58.5 cm virtual toptube/ 46 seat tube center to center)
FOX F29 90mm 15 QR
Chris King/ EDGE wheelset w/ Geax Suguaro TNT tires
SRAM XO
Magura Marta SL Mag Discbrakes
Thomson bar & post
Fizik saddle
Syntace bar
Ergon GA1 grips
Rotor Agilis 2x9 cranks
If chosen, you will get fit to the Ti Deluxe 29er on Friday during the festival at out booth F5 in expo area before going out to ride it on Friday and then racing it in one of the Marathon distances on Saturday. You will also receive a team kit (short sleeve jersey and bib shorts) which you can keep after the race. Not too mention you will get to hang out with the rest of the IFBRT Racing Team in our team area, sip some great espresso and be the envy of the rest of the competitors.
Requirements: must be 18 years or older, you have to sign a waiver/ liability form, provide a valid passport for security, be registered for the Marathon, provide us & Bike Sport News with feedback on your experience. You must bring their own pedals, ride with a helmet at all times, and we will also need your current bike setup dimensions.
The winner will be selected on Tuesday, 27. April 2010.
Bike specs:
Ti Deluxe 29er (58.5 cm virtual toptube/ 46 seat tube center to center)
FOX F29 90mm 15 QR
Chris King/ EDGE wheelset w/ Geax Suguaro TNT tires
SRAM XO
Magura Marta SL Mag Discbrakes
Thomson bar & post
Fizik saddle
Syntace bar
Ergon GA1 grips
Rotor Agilis 2x9 cranks
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Münsingen
Having been on the DL for a few weeks early this year, I benched myself and took the roll of waterboy for Sandi at this weekends first round of the Bundesliga MTB Series, the German National Series. Really it was a no brainer to take up the supprt role, still trying to build some sort of fitness following my surgeries, and the fact I like to support Sandi at events like this, Colin and I gladly handled hand-ups in between watching the racing, feeding lamas & horses, and gathering rocks.
Münsingen has been the first round of the German series for some time and typically draws top riders from around Europe, as was the case this year. The top ten in attendance here could easily be the top 10 at any World Cup event, and to top that, Münsingen is an autobahn course...fast as hell and void of any technical sections (at least in the dry).
The speed on display was impressive to say the least, the girls were drilling from the start and hardly faded through the race. Sandi played it conservatively going into the race, knowing that she was out powered, had only a fraction of the training that these girls have and it just wasn't her style of racing, she still found her groove out there, and hung tough with the World's elite.
After a rough couple inital laps, ASandi began to flow more with the course, and while she couldn't emulate the top-end of the other girls, she was able to clean, and do so at speed the short techy sections peppered throughout the course. Her own little triumph. Best of all she had a lot of fun out there, and actually faired quite well against some girls she will be facing later this season at some marathons.
We love going to races and the whole experience around it, having Colin around and seeing his enthusiasm for it made it even enjoyable. While our days off top level racing are numbered, if not already behind us, we can take solace in still being competitive at regional events and finding pleasure in the process.
Next up is Gardasee for us and some mountain style riding.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Long-Cross
Our man Wolgang Seyfried went out over the weekend and mixed things up between a couple of runs and mountaibike to tackle the 2. Crossduathlon der LLG Wonnegau long-course.
His Ti Deluxe saw some muddy action...
But of course was up for the task, and looked good all dressed up in mud.
17th overall, 11 in Masters. Nice work Wolfgang!
His Ti Deluxe saw some muddy action...
But of course was up for the task, and looked good all dressed up in mud.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Taking shape
This winter has been long. OK, I don't like much snow, rain and cold, but that's not the point. This winter has been longer than others because I was waiting for my new team bike. I've been riding as much as my body allowed to prepare for the coming season, but I couldn't stop thinking about THAT bike.
Last monday, the frame and fork finally made it home. I've seen a couple photos a few days before, but opening the card box was a whole different experience. I drooled over the frame the whole evening. The paintjob blew me away. I then spent a couple days enjoying its naked beauty.
Come the week-end and it was time to take the tool box out. I was eager to see the bike I've been thinking about for months. I finally got rid of all the boxes laying around and the result is worth the wait. I'm extremely happy of out it turned out, but make your own opinion.
Through the winter, I spent a lot of time thinking about the geometry of the bike and how I wanted to build it. The whole concept of the bike is oriented to all mountain riding. Laid back head angle, shorter and higher position than my XC rig were mandatory. I wanted the perfect machine to ride technical and rough trails. A brief description of the current setup:
- Frame : IF Deluxe 29er
- Fork : IF
- Chris King all over the place (headset, hubs and bottom braket)
- Thomson accessories
- Shimano transmission
- Avid Elixir brakes
- ESI Chunky grips and Fi'zi:k Aliante saddle, two of my favorite bike parts ever.
After the first short ride, it seems the bike is more than up for the job. Coming from the 26" singlespeed I spent the whole winter on, it sure feels very different and I have to tune my riding again to 29" wheels. But the bike behaves really good. Climbing is almost too easy. Grip is plenty and the front wheel stays on the ground, even with the short and high position I chose. The low bottom bracket helps for sure. And when the trail heads downhill... Well, I can't even describe how confident I felt immediately. Just let off the brakes, rail the corners and hold on!
Time now to make the final tuning, test a few things and get used to it, which won't take long anyway. I can't wait for the first event I'll ride on it!
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