Big Brother Is Watching Your Shoe Covers

Posted on by lindsay
There was an article on VeloNews.com recently about new rules imposed by the UCI with regards to lawyer tabs on forks, sock length, CamelBak placement, and several other areas. The backlash from readers was immediate, with many thinking it was an early April Fool's prank and others irritated by the absurdity of the regulations. I don't disagree that the UCI is wasting time regulating silly things when they could be serving a much better purpose [insert section in which I climb on the soapbox about women's racing], but it's the other readers' comments that are worth reading: On the requirement for lawyer tabs on forks... "It's about time the UCI addressed this issue, look at how many times we see front wheels flying down mountains unattached from their bikes because the professional mechanics are inept at tightening a skewer." "Don't be ridiculous, the UCI knows what they're doing. It's been a long ...continue reading.

In the words of my race videographer, “winning at second place”

Posted on by lindsay
The Race: Black Hills Circuit Race The Course: 10 laps a of 1.5 mile circuit The Field: 1/2/3/4 Women The Finish: 2nd I never understood why people would say, "I won the field sprint!" "Oh, so you won?" "Well, no, but I won the field sprint." That seemed like boasting that I was the first person to cross the line wearing orange. But after yesterday's race, I totally get it. I came in second at Black Hills, but I won the field sprint! Let's just focus on that part. There were two goals for the day: help my teammate Ky earn upgrade points and remember how to race. It had been exactly six months since my last race and in that time, I'd forgotten how to do things like pack for races, warm up in a structured manner, and wait calmly on the start line while not struggling to hold back ...continue reading.

Season’s Greetings

Posted on by lindsay
My racing season starts this Sunday. I've said a number of times in the past month that I am not ready. I've heard others say they are not ready either. What is ready, though? Who peaks for their first race of the year and shows up with everything tuned and perfect? My plan is to show up, try to keep the extreme nerves quiet, and race my bike. Part of tuning the body is racing - there is no better training than stomping the pedals wildly in an effort to get away or stay attached. The nerves part is easier said than done. I am a basket case; on the bright side, I could eat the entire aisle of Easter candy at Target, shelves and all, and burn it all off before Sunday morning just from fidgeting. My stomach is wondering if we ate a rabid bat earlier today and why we ...continue reading.

ElliptiNOFINGWAY

Posted on by lindsay
The CEO of my company just walked by my office, paused, backed up into my doorway, and told me to sit up straighter because I was slouching. I told him I'm used to slouching over on the bike with a death grip on my handlebars. He said he does the same thing and that it leads to back pain, and then suggested that I try the ElliptiGO. "Well, I race bikes, so that wouldn't really work out so well," I replied diplomatically. He said, "Ahhh, so you're a bike snob. You probably see those things and laugh at the people on them." Of course not! (Yes, absolutely, without hesitation.)

Things A Competitive Cyclist May Want To Consider When Traveling For Work

Posted on by lindsay
1. A hotel towel can take the place of the Pilates mat you didn't pack. Do not touch the carpeting. There is a reason hotels choose dark, loud patterns; unimaginable stains are hidden on that floor pelt of filth. 2. You can adamantly intend to do a ride on a bike in the hotel's fitness center as much as your little cyclist heart desires, but if there is no bike in that fitness center, you're still screwed. 3. Bring snacks. Normal people who are not training eat three meals a day, not eight, so conference schedules are built around that structure. If you do not bring extra food, you will be stuck waiting hours between scheduled meals and will end up wanting to eat PowerPoint slide printouts or worse, the things office people believe constitute actual food (donuts, Peeps, Doritos, etc). 4. Practice shamelessness. Normal people do not drink 100 ounces ...continue reading.