Giro di Coppi: I successfully launched a solo attack…off the back

Posted on by lindsay
The Race: Giro di Coppi The Course: 5 laps, 62.5 miles, holy balls that was more climbing than expected The Field: 1/2/3 men The Finish: 38th Since my focus lately has been on improving my climbing and overall stamina, it seemed like a great idea to race Coppi - a course I remembered from last year as never once being flat - with the 1/2/3 men's field. Going into the race, I had three goals: climb well, finish the race, don't get dropped. I accomplished two out of three. One of my goals was NOT to watch Rugg pee off the side of his bike and then hear him talk about his chest hair, but that happened. I felt good at the beginning. Two guys took off right after the neutral rollout, one of whom was on my team, and the field seemed intent on giving them a huge head start. We coasted through ...continue reading.

In Which The Light Dawns

Posted on by lindsay
I had a life-changing revelation the other night and I keep meaning to do a post about it, but every time I sit down to write, somehow that turns into sprawling on the couch watching reruns of Grey's Anatomy. This feels lazy and bad in theory, except that my body is bordering on dead from all the riding lately and I think the couch time counts as recovery. It just sucks that the fridge doesn't deliver. But back to my revelation. The last time I posted, I was all dark and anxious and moments from putting my furniture in the dumpster in a quest for clarity. And then, while lying in bed late on Saturday night, it popped into my head: I have been desperately seeking the answer to the wrong question. The question that matters is not, "How can I get a pro contract?" The only question that matters ...continue reading.

The Juice: Undetermined As To Whether It Is Indeed Worth The Squeeze

Posted on by lindsay
Whenever I think about making a plan, I immediately think "a man a plan a canal Panama" because it involves the word 'plan' and is a fascinating palindrome. It bothers me that "palindrome" is not a palindrome itself. Also, whenever anybody says "15 minutes" in any context, I can't help but parrot, "15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance." It used to be something I would do impulsively, but now I do it because I've been doing it impulsively for so long that to stop would feel like breaking tradition. Whatever Geico is paying The Martin Agency, it's probably not enough. This is my brain on stress. My life is currently a series of what we popularly call "first world problems". (Add to that list an apparent inability to generate a thought that did not come from the Internet.) I want a pro cycling contract. To ...continue reading.

Life in a Day

Posted on by lindsay
7:00am: My iPhone alarm goes off, bringing to a screeching halt a disturbing dream in which I try to ride my bike through neck-deep mud. Excessive post-ride hydration from previous night means I have to pee, pangs of hunger are starting, and yet...snooze button. 7:09am: Why nine minutes, Apple? Why not an even number?? I am awake. Time to roll out of bed and hit the floor, literally, for the thrice-weekly core work routine of push-ups, back extensions, and some Pilates. 7:38am: Words With Friends, Facebook, Twitter...an exercise routine that would take 15 minutes of uninterrupted effort stretches out impressively with the distractions of an iPhone and a healthy dose of avoidance. 7:54am: I have packed the refrigerator into a plastic bag under the guise of 'lunch' and am sitting down to eat the same breakfast I have eaten every day for years. Two eggs, whole wheat toast, homemade latte, ...continue reading.

Reston: Where Thousands Cheer (if only my father laughs at that, it will be enough)

Posted on by lindsay
The Race: Reston Grand Prix Criterium The Course: 8 corners, an hour, no idea of how many laps The Field: 1/2/3 women The Finish: 1st I really wanted to win Reston. It's a race in my own neighborhood, it's an important event for the XO team and sponsors, and I had family and friends coming out to watch. A few days before the race, I came down with the snotty, disgusting cold previously enjoyed by my Nature Valley teammates, but was determined to make the best of it. As for race tactics, I was undecided about how to handle being a marked rider with no teammates. Everybody knew I'd want to chase everything down and nobody would be willing to let me go without a fight. When the race started, I sat in for part of a lap and then went to the front to set a moderately high pace. My hope was that it would ...continue reading.

If I win this weekend, it will be brought to you in part by Nicki Minaj

Posted on by lindsay
When it comes to music preferences, I love Rufus Wainwright, Radiohead, Elliott Smith, Gomez, and a whole library of artists that would not be featured on a typical top-40 station. If you take a word and stick "The" in front, I will probably like their music (The Fratellis, The New Pornographers, The Like, The Black Keys, The Sounds, etc). When somebody asks what I listen to, I smugly answer "alternative" or, when I want to feel hip and edgy, "indie rock". I scoff at fans of Katy Perry or Ke$ha. "What obvious drivel," I think with a self-satisfied smile as I flip to an obscure song by Of Montreal. This is not the case while on a bicycle. When I have headphones in on a ride (blah blah blah, you can scold me all you want, my music is too loud to hear you anyway), I am listening to music most suited to high school ...continue reading.