SuperFred Bay Area

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:34:00 +0000

IMG_3329, a photo by tedketai on Flickr.

Ted Ketai captures me in full on poseur-face at the SSCXWC 2011 "gears are for losers" race!

Kitten of Flanders Collage

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 07:56:00 +0000

Kitten of Flanders Collage, a photo by Slonie on Flickr.

Stage 4 of final edition of AToC (2006-2011); photos of action from Tecate Neutral Service Area...

Linkage to Latest ProCyclingPocalypse 2011

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:13:00 +0000

That's how I'm feeling.

I'll add that @inrng's website http://inrng.com/ is a sage voice of reason when confronted by this rabble that is pro-cycling, and a shining beacon through all the rousing from the hinterwebs.

Meet Alberto Contador's Lawyer

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:09:00 +0000

Andy Ramos Gil de la Haza (from bikeworldnews.com)

Just got a hint about Alberto Contador's lawyer's possible upcoming strategy thanks to a tip from @TdFLanterne :

Open Letters (St. Paddy's Day Hangover Special)

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:01:00 +0000

This little "nugget" of craziness dropped on the cycling world today and over the course of its audacious breadth I'm surprised the word "troll" wasn't utilized at least once by its author, UCI Supremo Pat McQuaid. With tactics ripped directly from the pages of the Tiger's Blood Tactical Manual of PR Management, Mr. McQuaid wrote an "Open letter to the Riders," wherein he promptly stuck his virtual foot in his virtual mouth, placed his fingers in his ears, and started screaming, "I can't hear you! I'm not listening! I can't hear you!" over and over again.

Photo: © Sirotti Cyclingnews.com

Pat McQuaid & his best friend, Johan Bruyneel

This letter has gone viral in the cycling world like a bad rash irritates, or an equally well thought out ode regarding Friday as a day of the week infects. Now don't get me wrong, personally I would like to see a reduction in the use of the radio as a tactical tool in the peloton:

The safety argument is reasonable, especially when one considers a situation like Pedro Horrillo's at the Giro. What seems to be ignored by both sides of this argument is that these issues can be readily addressed with the use of different channels. Let riders have their earpieces and microphones so as to be able to speak with each-other and to their car, all the while listening to safety road condition updates from a neutral feed (could be provided by an ex-pro on a moto ahead of the race). Riders could notify car of a flat, an accident, need for bottles, food, etc. as they do now. They could communicate strategy amongst themselves, and they could warn of safety and/or unforeseen incidents. The riders on the road would be controlling their strategy and adjusting their team tactical situation (for good or bad) all by themselves on the road: Who follows which attack? Who's keeping track of the bib #s in a break? Are their interests threatened? Who should go on the attack? Who should protect who? And so on...

All I want is to see is the immediate coaching from the car diminished... a well run team will know its roles and be prepared for many different scenarios on the fly, like a good jazz band with no need of a conductor. I'm interested to see how some teams respond to having their music notes taken away, because they haven't yet mastered all the tools of the trade. Take the microphone out of the team car...

It's unfortunate that this issue has turned into the only FOR and only AGAINST rope on which the sport's politics currently choose to tug; a solution is readily available that would satisfy race organizers, fans, and TVs' concerns while equally allowing for the advancements in team communication (and safety) that have entered the peloton...

-Me (commenting on Felix Hemsley's Blog "Cycling in the Crowd")

a "tactical tool"

Unfortunately McQuaid's letter most likely closes the door on compromise on this matter, and it seems to me, this is exactly what he wants, as his "Mirror Universe" counterpoint @UCI_Overlord (Not Pat McQuaid) so eloquently satirizes on Flammecast.com.

As others have pointed out, it takes a certain lack of insight to take on one of the fans' most beloved riders in such a pedantic and patronizing way, and I'll let Jens have his ear-piece because of it. One tidbit McQuaid squeezes onto his steaming pile of sophistry warns of an equally dark future for fans of the sport:

UCI is aware of steps being taken to set up a private league, World Cycling Tour, outside UCI, by certain team managers. I wonder will the financial benefits they are chasing benefit you, the riders. Somehow I think not! I quote Johan Bruyneel “I've been laying the framework for something great… But you'll just have to wait and see…”

Open-wheeled car racing in the United States has yet to recover from the IRL vs. CART war (Car & Driver). If the UCI and a League of ExtraOrdinary Cyclists go head to head, Beljum Budder will have to formulate a special cream for the reaming us fans will be forced to take.

"Professional" Cycling

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:54:00 +0000

Where to begin... as fans well know, the past few weeks of Pro-Cycling headlines have been dominated by everything (and almost anything) but actual racing action.

1. Bert's ban/Bert's *un* ban (de-ban?)
2. Matt White/Trent Lowe
3. Ummm, Floyd retires
4. Floyd, "J'accuse!"
5. UCI shenanigans: pay to play stickers, radios, Pat McQuaid's pub band, "the Cronies"
6. Underwhelming TdU
7. Sastre/Menchov out of Tour
8. Is it delivery? No, it's Di Luca...Vino, Vidi, Vici, Sella, and so on.
9. ASO vs. UCI
10. J. Fuglsang and A.Schleck are now neighbors! (two wild and crazy guys)
11. Ricco takes idolization of Pantani too literally
12. Lance retires (again)
13. Spanish Cycling Federation (Bert's fan club)
14. Grand Juries
15. And whatever's happened since I started typing away...

It's enough to make a fan all go all "Cat Deeley" on the sport's rowdy ass

I'm exhausted...

2011 Season Preview (Nick of Time Edition)

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 07:10:00 +0000

Team LEOPARD TREK finally unveiled its remarkably "meh" kit in the most overblown and underachieving press conference since this on January 6th, 2011. The Tour Down under starts January 18th. Here, cycling fans, is my rundown of the major teams that will factor in the upcoming campaigns:

All photos/graphics/logos relating to The Warriors courtesy The Warriors Movie Site

These are the Armies of the Peloton
1.

Garmin Cervelo
SOMMELIER: Johnathon Vaughters (Ajax)
WEAPONS: Everyone... but who's Michel Kreder?

2.

HTC-Highroad
THE BOSS: Bob Stapleton
PHAROAH: Mark "I'm not a fookin' animal, you know..." Cavendish

3.

Team LEOPARD TREK
TEAM MANAGER: Brian Nygaard
WEAPONS: Scarves (thanks to The Pit Walk), Fabian Cancellara, Jens Voigt, Andy Schleck's stomach, hair-gel.

4.

Liquigas-Cannondale
WEAPONS: These (from pezcyclingnews.com)

5.

Omega Pharma-Lotto
WEAPONS: their website, the Pride of Wallonia (thanks to The Service Course)

6.

Saxo Bank Sungard
CAPTAIN of SHIP: Bjarne "everything is fine" Riis

7.

Sky Procycling
WEAPONS: Team bus, doing what every other team does with more pretension , free television

8.

Katusha Team
BOSS: Andre Tchmil

9.

Quickstep Cycling Team
WEAPONS: Tommeke and his his song (via Cycling Fans Anonymous)

10.

Movistar Team
WEAPONS: This dude (who's featured on their their 2011 kit)

11.

Rabobank Cycling Team
ALL THEIR HOPES REST UPON: Robert Gesink, oops, I mean Robert Gesink

12. the Baseball Furies:

Team Radioshack
BOSS:Johan Brunyeel, Lance "On your LEFT!" Armstrong, & this guy
FUTURE DEPENDS ON: Jeff Novitzky, battery sales, who am I kidding?
WEAPONS: Snicker Bars, In & Out Burger, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, Chevrolet, Tiago Machado
TEAM SONG: This

13.

BMC Racing Team
BOSS: Jim Ochowicz
WEAPONS: Cadel "Cuddles" Evans, "Big" George "I had good legs on the Molenberg..." Hincapie, Taylor "not so mini" Phinney, Brent Bookwalter

14.

Euskaltel-Euskadi
TEAM LEADER: Igor Anton (image from Anne Cubberly)

15.

AG2R La Mondiale
WEAPONS: Pantone #19-0192 "Tawny Ultressa", Nicholas Roche
MISSING: Sebastian "Bernard's not related to" Hinault

16. the Gladiators:

Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
WEAPONS: Johnny Hoogerland, Stijn Devolder

17. Satan's Mothers MC:

Pro Team Astana
LEADER: Alexander "blood in my thighs" Vinokourov

18.

Lampre-ISD
WEAPONS: Alessandro Petacchi, Damiano Cunego, Michele Scarpone

19.

HTC-Highroad/Garmin-Cervelo/womens' pro-cycling
WEAPONS: Tough, Mara Abbott, Emma Pooley, Kristen Armstrong, Jeannie "Betty Norris" Longo-Ciprelli, and many, many, many more!

20.

Team Pegasus/Fly V Australia/Geox-TMC

21.

Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni/
Acqua & Sapone

Breaking News: 2011 WorldTour Kit Alert

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 08:59:00 +0000

Innerwebs, Anywhere, the World:

Garmin-Cervelo's website crashed today after the entire UK mistakenly linked to its website in the hopes of finding British Sky Television's New Year's marathon broadcast of the entire EastEnders catalogue:

As of this post a cause for the misdirection has yet to be posited by the numerous reputable websites and investigative Twitterazzi that have commented on the confusion, as seen here and here:

2011 Garmin-Cervelo Kit

2010 Team Sky Kit

Through the use of hypothetical and imaginary contacts in the cycling world I've surmised that British Sky Television has planted a graphic-design intern (posing as a Sommelier) inside the vaunted Vaughters' wine-cellar for the purpose of obscuring Bradley Wiggins' team affiliation.

Bradley Wiggins

This ironic obfuscation is for the sole purpose of easing Mr. Wiggins remorse for having left Garmin in the first place (thereby allowing him to subconsciously think he is once again among his old team-mates when in the peloton) and allowing him that psychologically perfect place to go for the podium in the 2011 Tour de France (no stone is left unturned by Team Sky's Dr. Steve Peters). As seen in the sublimely observant ELCYCLISTA's post I'm not the first to notice the similarities:

from ELCYCLISTA 11/29/10

Stay tuned for reports of this

becoming Team Sky's new bus!

2010 Year in Review (Prologue)

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 00:18:00 +0000

Of course re-hashing the past year is the cycling-blog equivalent of taking an extremely short pull, but at least I'm taking one before I get dropped.

First things first... I've been sucked into the Twitterverse (@sfc750) and I'm finding that my perennially adolescent brain finds 140 character capsules of thought ideal. Inside The World of TwitCraft I've found a wonderful community of bicycle racing enthusiasts, fellow travelers, and knowledgeable cycling bloggers from which to constantly peruse (and that's when I'm not captivated by an @GhostfaceKillah rant). As a fan of pro-cycling I've had more interaction with PROs in Twitterville than standing outside a team bus while its raining in downtown San Jose (unless I use my Mother to cut in line). Levi Leipheimer once told me what gearing to use when riding up Kings Ridge (didn't help), Taylor Phinney told me his early season goals, and numerous PROs often tweet about their "sensations" and why they love (insert bicycle product here) so much. Sometimes they will allude to a fine cafe in Lucca, or its equivalent in Belgium. They don't Tweet about Spanish doctors much. Even The Lance often posts about his favorite musicians and movies. It is a never ending Xanadu of bike geekery and it's much easier Twattling along about riding up hills than actually going out and doing so.

Additionally I have succeeded in letting another year pass w/o jumping on the CX bandwagon. It is, of course, much too popular now and I'm having trouble finding a suitably underground cycling activity to suit my *Aesthetic* (as riding a Fixie has long ago "Jumped the Shark" and doing what Danny MacAskill does is simply not possible without computer aided visual trickery). Similarly, in keeping with the Fred Coda, actually racing is incomprehensible.

So in future posts I will be re-hashing what others have written better about the year in cycling 2010 (12AFA). Here's a spritz of whats to come (thanks to MrThehiddencucumber):

The Inner Ring: Some thoughts on Vaughters' licence proposals

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:34:00 +0000

The Inner Ring: Some thoughts on Vaughters' licence proposals: "Jonathan Vaughters has written a must-read article over at cyclingnews.com. He takes a look at the worries concerning Geox, where their excl..."

Vive l'Alpe d'Huez! Dauphiné Libéré 2010 - Stage 6 - Final kilometers climb Alpe d'Huez

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 06:44:00 +0000

Flahute!

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 07:03:00 +0000

Fondo Photos

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:06:00 +0000

Roadies!

Holy Shit!

Bitchin' camero if "camero" meant "cove."

Bobke!

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:06:00 +0000

Waiting in line for the start... hoping l'autobus won't move much faster.

100+ miles, 6500' elevation gain, 40-50mph wind gusts, pretending I'm Peter Van Petegem on one mile of gravel bike path, riding next to Tyler Wren of Colavita/Sutter Home for 100 meters, and a pint of Fat Tire Ale all inured me enough to meet the one and only Bobke himself: Mr. Bob Roll.

"TRAINING"

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 06:45:00 +0000

After spending the past 38 hours perusing the Internet for training strategies, nutritional advice, and mental focusing mantras the first thing I've realized is that FRS is very expensive. I've also managed to put myself into "sleep debt," but the innerwebs once told me sleep deprivation is "...no big deal." Huzzah! More FRS please! (If I take 3 Five Hour Energies, will that = 15 more hrs, or will I do things three times faster for 5?).

The first thing I've learned is that I need to locate my training "zones" by using The Karvonen Formula, which I first assumed was Bjarne Riis' recovery shake recipe circa 1996, until I stumbled across the simple directions at http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/thr.htm. Since I hate homework, I've cheated and noticed that target HR charts were posted on the wall at the gym I "toured" with my free trial coupon (between the three main gyms' multiple locations and a copy machine, I figure I'll have the two weeks of my strength-phase covered). Apart from worries about "ghost pulses hidden in my thumb" and the fact that the 220-age HR formula was invented by a 12th century alchemist, I doubt Fausto Coppi even bothered to check his, so I'm counting beats and making a mix tape. Also, I saw "Lars," a "personal trainer" very personally training the woman next to me spread over a giant rubber ball, point at a chart. First problem: Some charts say 3 zones, some up to 6! Plus, some only count age in 10 yr blocks (round up?) and others calculate by graphs! Shit.

Second problem: http://www.training4cyclists.com/ says I have to perform a "threshold test" by riding an hour long time trial, or uphill over and over again, or something equally ridiculous like entering a criterium. Fortunately, I've managed to keep one entire year of Bicyling Magazine on hand (doesn't matter which year, any 12 issues will suffice, as only the pictures of the bikes change per issue), and have found solace with these words: "breathing based training zones."

Duh!

My Zones therefore:
1). Asleep
2). At work
3). Reading Cyclesport while comfortably holding a conversation, at work
4). Reading Ride while comfortably holding a conversation at my LBS
5). Riding my bike to Peets
6). Driving to Peets and trying to find a parking space

Next-up, the routine!

Il Grande Bicicletta

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:03:00 +0000

Post Tour depression is ugly and debilitating and only two courses of therapy are proven to ease the suffering: one requires copious amounts of disposable income and a Velonews New Product Guide (the new Time RxR Ulteam is aero, Euro, and stiff, just like the DJ last night!), and number two is, of course, going on a bike ride and suffering like the dog that I am until I can no longer contemplate a certain existential malaise. Aside from sharing some Nutella with Scarlett Johansson during a mutually therapeutic "post-ride" massage, remedy#1 is currently the least likely, and that means only one thing...

"Training."

And since this Tour was so jammed packed with "who shot JR?" drama, and Schlecks (twins or triplets?), this time I have to "train" for an actual goal:

Levis GranFondo!

Actually being dropped by numerous PRO riders and their friends is the only thing that can make me worthy of staying up all night to read live webcasts of races on Cyclingnews. "Neutral roll-out. Still neutral roll-out for the next 7 km, looks like Jens Voigt has his leg-grippers rolled up so we expect him to be on the attack, or he's working on his tan, and look at that, Pozzato is actually getting a tattoo from his team car, I think its a Spongebob-Bibpants!"

Six weeks till D(rop)-day! I have to get a base, build cycling specific strength, follow endurance specific nutrition plans, work on my CORE strength (whatever that is, but I think it helps with constipation), develop all sorts of "intervals," which I'm shocked to find out are not periods of "temporary cessation" at all, and practice "active-recovery," a little oxymoronic I realize, but wait until you hear about "hill-repeats!"

Stay tuned.

Lance Armstrong represents clash of cultures in Tour de France - The Bonus - SI.com

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:49:00 +0000

Lance Armstrong represents clash of cultures in Tour de France - The Bonus - SI.com

Shared via AddThis

A tale of five seconds - The BesanÃÂ§on-Hincapie polemic, in their own words - VeloNews

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 07:52:00 +0000

A tale of five seconds - The BesanÃÂ§on-Hincapie polemic, in their own words - VeloNews

Shared via AddThis

The "conversation"

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:43:00 +0000

We've all heard it, or have been sucked into it. . .the random conversation with a fellow traveller while out on a ride, and it always goes something like this:

(mid-afternoon: it's raining and 45 degrees, with an Arctic wind)

rider A:"Beautiful day for a ride."
rider B:"Yeah, sure is. I got off to a late start though. I've only been out for 41/2 hours."
A:"I know what you mean. I had to hand-auger twenty fencepost holes this morning after babysitting the octuplets. I'll be lucky to get over to the coast and back. . .again."
B:"No shit. At least all you have to do is babysit. My kids are always getting into trouble when I'm carrying the re-bar for the velodrome I'm building around my house. I could only manage 200 bags of quickcrete today!"

(turning into a vicious headwind)

A(while up shifting):"Thank goodness I'm only building my base now. I gotta stay in my my zone numero two-oh. I haven't ridden in six weeks."
B(shaking head, getting out of the saddle):"What are zones?"
A:"Good one."
B:"Seriously, nothing like a nice easy 200k to break the legs in. Since my back surgery I've had to take it easy."
A:"CAR BACK!"
B:"GLASS! wait, no, POTHOLE!"
A:"Thanks."
B:"Back at cha'"
A:"Thank goodness I brought Duct tape today. After that school bus clipped me, I didn't know what to do with two broken collar bones. What are you training for?"
B:"Oh I don't race (big ringing it)"
A:"Me neither (sprinting), it's all about the. . .ri. . . .de. . ."
B:"Ex. . .ach, ach, ach. . .t. . ly. . ."
A:"Damn lights."
B:"I curse this intersection."
A:"I was just getting into a rhythm."
B:"I can't afford a ticket though."
A:"We gotta wait."
B:"What's your name?"
A:"Ferdi Juliper. Yours?"
B:"Felice Ghirotto."

(third rider approaches)

C:"Nice day for a ride, eh?"
A/B:"Sorry/What's that?"
C:"Green light." (third rider sprints off and rapidly fades into distance.) "Ciao."
A:"Probably in a hurry for his fattacinno."
B:"Fenders; like its wet today."
A:"Right!?"
B:"Well I gotta run if I'm going to get my hill-repeats in."
A:"Yeah, me too or I'll only get a couple of hours of motor pacing in tonight."
B:"Word."
A:"2 my momma!"

(if it's sunny and warm: mid-afternoon)

A:"This is why we do it."
B:"What it is all about."
A:"Where ya headed?"
B:"Oh, I'm headed home"
A:"Me too. It was a little chilly when the sun came up but it's warmed up nicely."
B:"Yeah just a tad crisp. Where's Home?"
A:"Paso Robles. You?"
B:"Santa Rosa. Enjoy the tail-wind."
A:"Tailwind is earned at 45."
B:"That's what my youngest says. Have a great ride."

(both riders make a u-turn in opposite directions)

Paging Dr. Heiden

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:45:00 +0000

Among his numerous accomplishments, Eric Heiden's record of sub 15' up Old La Honda Rd. must rank as his greatest. Tour de France rider, US Pro Road Champion, five-time gold medal winner, promoter of Slurpee's and burritos in a bag, and, oh yes, Stanford Medical School graduate and acclaimed doctor of orthopedic surgery, Heiden's relentless ascent of this local mur is legend.

What is rarely mentioned when bay area locals contemplate the enormity of this athletic accomplishment is that Heiden routinely posted sub 15' climbs on his commute to and from Stanford because he lived at the top of the road in a small hut made of Belgian cobblestones he built himself, carrying the stones on his back along with 48lbs of medical reference books, and his supply of raw potatoes that Jim Ochowicz allowed as a diet. His times would grow slightly if a coed was riding on his handlebars for one of his infamous all night tutoring sessions. I can almost hear him humming along to Mr. Mister on his Walkman!

Like most road cyclists of the Golden Era, and "student-racers" in particular, Heiden employed some common hill-climbing equipment adjustments on his campus Huffy: removing the inner chain ring and front derailleur being the most practical as the 55 proved to be adequate with a straight block for his massive 52" thighs, carrying only one lead-filled bidon, and of course, Specialized Turbo-S clincher tires with latex tubes mounted to 36 hole 3X (tied and soldered) Mavic MA2s. Heiden's achievement is focused when its remembered that Old La Honda Rd. wasn't paved until 2002, and he had to carry a shotgun for protection from the numerous Grizzly Bears and Portola Valley Pumas that inhabited the area. On campus he was known as Eric Stouffer and Grizzly Heiden for the beard and skins he preferred to wool and lycra.

I once witnessed Heiden lap a collegiate criterium field on his way to the campus library while captaining a tandem beach cruiser... the Stanford Tree laying back, trunk on handlebar, in the stokers seat!

Sure, George Hincapie can climb OLH close to Heiden's mark while talking on his cellphone, but George's bike wasn't cast from wrought iron like Eric's, and it should be pointed out that Eric Heiden had to ride into a head wind his entire career and that he preferred a measure of brake block rub to settle his frame upon corner exit under power (that's a free tip for uphill cornering Mr. Menchov). All cyclists can learn from the achievements of our fellow warriors, and I for one have taken Eric Heiden's to heart:

Go to a hospital!

The first column

noreply@blogger.com (superfred) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:05:00 +0000

Stoplight Intervals:

At an intersection the color Red is your friend, Yellow is a cheap ticket to Vegas, and sweet, sweet Green will put the emo on your ipod. Green will devour you. If riding towards an intersection that is Green, the successful rider will soft-pedal in the big ring, in the drops (hoods are ok if the rider can ape Jens or Fabian) until Yellow will allow the rider to sit up with a head-shake of frustration. Remember, "safety first" is your excuse. The successful interval ends with various back and leg stretches while late-braking to a stop. The No-Hand-Arm-Shake-Sit-Up is also appropriate. Never, ever track stand. One back pedal is ok if the bike is still in motion before coming to a complete stop and unclipping one leg only (important!, unless performing the advanced Hampsten Giro TT start-ramp finish).

The meat and potatoes of this workout, as CTS would say, is the Start Line Pose. The unclipped leg is placed straight out, unbent at a forty-five degree or greater angle with the clipped foot at the one o'clock power position (taking up more of the width of the road shoulder, the better). Chain is in big ring and only one thigh or butt cheek rests on the top tube. Forearms are folded or resting on handlebar tops (a classic pose, perfected by Davis Phinney, and one to be mastered before attempting more advanced moves).

Always breathe with your nose at the stoplight and at anytime other riders are in the vicinity.

Never drink from your bottle at the intersection but it is appropriate to unwrap one pre-cut ham sandwich quarter from its wax paper, or to look at a small piece of paper that fits into your palm as if looking at directions. Drinking is ok only when in motion and preferably when riders are approaching from behind at a rate of speed where Wheel-Sucking cannot be attempted as they pass and if the rider is already sitting up. Other activities to practice while being passed or dropped is the Cramp-thigh-Shake (again a Cancellara from Roubaix 2008), sucking down a gel (but never the one stuffed under your shorts thigh gripper), adjusting cable-tension, listening for mechanical drive train gremlins, and very many one legged thigh and back stretches of the Cirque variety.

Starting an interval from the intersection is as important as arriving at one. Green's envy can be reduced by a successful launch. The first move to master is the Neutral Roll-Out; big ring, still chewing, and/or checking the cell-phone are all good roll-out moves until any other riders have overtaken (always start from the front!) and are well ahead. Remember to pull your ear bud out only if spoken to twice, you're concentrating!

Remember always pass a wheel-sucked rider when approaching the Red, prepare for a cramp if the Green is stubborn, and hide your smile when winning Yellow. Use a mirror while on the trainer to practice facial expressions and leg-flex repeats when it's raining. Saturday afternoons are the best time for stoplight intervals. Drive to the area with the most stoplights (Hwy 17 bridge in Los Gatos is the parking place for West Side Santa Clara Valley, and Blossom Hill-Camden-Almaden expressway loop). Behind Bicycle Outfitter for Foothill Expressway, or Roberts Market in Woodside (Canada Rd is good for practicing being dropped + two stop signs!).

Don't smile and have fun!

SuperFred Bay Area

SuperFred Bay Area

Kitten of Flanders Collage

Linkage to Latest ProCyclingPocalypse 2011

Meet Alberto Contador's Lawyer

Open Letters (St. Paddy's Day Hangover Special)

"Professional" Cycling

2011 Season Preview (Nick of Time Edition)

Breaking News: 2011 WorldTour Kit Alert

2010 Year in Review (Prologue)

The Inner Ring: Some thoughts on Vaughters' licence proposals

Vive l'Alpe d'Huez! Dauphiné Libéré 2010 - Stage 6 - Final kilometers climb Alpe d'Huez

Flahute!

Fondo Photos

Bobke!

"TRAINING"

Il Grande Bicicletta

Lance Armstrong represents clash of cultures in Tour de France - The Bonus - SI.com

A tale of five seconds - The BesanÃÂ§on-Hincapie polemic, in their own words - VeloNews

The "conversation"

Paging Dr. Heiden

The first column

A tale of five seconds - The BesanÃÂ§on-Hincapie polemic, in their own words - VeloNews