Musings while logging the miles

Just a couple musings at this point, the things that have stuck in my mind while I have been putting in the long miles that make up this part of the season.

Group Rides. I continue to be surprised at the wasted time, effort and miles that are put in at this time of year with "team rides" or group rides. Certainly there are times of the year for this as long as the participants all have similar goals or are meeting individual goals as part of their training plans. This is not to publicly slam teams out there - hell, I've noticed this happening with group rides on my team. To further explain my thoughts here, let me identify specific examples. Team X is a very large team with riders extending all the way from very competitive Cat 2s to unlicensed riders looking to get their feet wet for the first time in organized races this season. Group rides for the team have been occurring since early December and include any and all riders (all are encouraged to attend). These rides have moved from drills about moving through a pack to paceline training to enjoyable social endurance rides into the fast tempo rides traditionally found as we all start into speed work. I have great regard for those teams who take the time to work new racers in, mentoring them on riding, mechanics and training by the more experienced racers. I applaud them. But is it me or isn't it a tad ludicrous to be bringing out Cat 5s (or lower) into the rolling paceline rotation worked in among the Cat 2s. This is not meant to discredit lower category riders in regards to technique or skill this is more in regards to fitness levels. I find it hard to believe that the Cat 5s are doing anything for building threshold and endurance when they are hanging on for dear life and can't even speak to you as they roll through, snot and drool slinging down their jerseys. Additionally, I find it hard to believe the Cat 2s are getting much out of a ride when the Cat 5s are moving through right at their tempo zone if that would ever occur (note: I don't see that often right now as there are always the riders with a point to prove - the offseason rainbow jersey challengers). Don't get me wrong, group rides and team building have their place, especially in drills, tactics and technique exercises...but to think everyone is benefitting from group rides that have such a broad spectrum of riding levels is ridiculous. I get questioned all the time why I choose to ride alone much of the time and its because I value my training time and like to use that time efficiently with my own personal goals in mind to overall fitness. Blowing out my legs over 120k at LT isn't going to do me a lot of good when the next three days will be spent in AR zones and at least one night with restless sleep due to the throbbing in my legs.

Music. Without getting into the iPod/earphones while riding debate, I will admit that I do pass the time riding long endurance miles with tunes off the marvelous little Apple box. Honestly, it exists between my ears more like a friendly voice keeping me company than anything I ever did for tempo or to a beat. Usually the music matched my mood and had little if anything to do with the workout at hand. Interesting aside, last summer I found I usually rode faster sans music than with it. This past Saturday I rode out to do my first intervals on a road I love only for this purpose. The road is a perfect distance from my house for a nice organized warmup and during that time I listened to some new music I had purchased. Just as I started into my first interval, the music switched to Tool's Aenima. Lets just say that I am a huge believer in the power of music as incentive and will carefully choose my music for the harder workouts in the future. It had never been a priority to me, but I can say that honestly, at least that day, it indeed made a difference. The time past quicly and I was very well aware of the task at hand, staying right at my zone for all the intervals. Thank you Steve Jobs for creating this wonderful device, thank you Dawn for understanding my need for training and cycling....and thank you Maynard- you'll be between my ears often when the time comes to feel that heaviness that only comes from pushing power past where it should be.

Da Bug