TRANSLATION OF A CYCLIST ONLINE DATING PROFILE

"I am an outdoors type of person."
Really means: I train in any type of weather. If its raining, snowing, 90 degrees w/100% humidity, or winds gusting at 30 mph. I don't want to hear any complaints because I will still train in it and you're just a big wuss for complaining about it.

"I enjoy riding my bike."
Really means: alone or in a peleton, I don't care. If you can't do a spur of the moment 50 miler then you're not my type. I will let you draft, but if you can't hang and I drop you - I will see you later.

"I enjoy dining out."
Really means: I enjoy eating out, in or anywhere else I can find food. Don't be shy because with the amount of food I eat, you can have that main entree instead of a salad and you will still look as though you eat like a rabbit in comparison. Don't get your limbs too close though as I may take a bite out of you. Most importantly don't expect any taste off my plate unless you can bring something to the party like more food. Oh, and don't ask me any questions during breakfast, Mid Morning Lunch, Lunch, Afternoon lunch, Dinner or Recovery Dinner as it does not lend to efficient food intake.

"I find fulfillment in charitable work."
Really means: If I am not racing, I am volunteering and I expect you to be there along side me as I stand out in 90 degree weather for 8 hours handing out sports drink to cyclists going 20 mph. Just stick the ol' arm out there and hope it doesn't get taken off.

"I enjoy sharing quiet moments together."
Really means: It's taper time. Just back off because I am strategizing and in a pissy mood because I am worried about my "A" race and can't workout.

"I enjoy site seeing."
Really means: Lets grab a bike and get our HR's up to 90%. There's plenty of time to look around on the descent as trees and bushes whiz by you at 40 mph.

"I like stimulating conversation. "
Really means: while we are riding, we can talk about food. Then we can talk about how we decided what to wear on this ride based on the temperature at start time versus the temperature at the time we expect to finish, how horribly out of shape we are, how many miles we did last week, and how many we will do this week and next week. Then we can talk about food.

"I am an active person."
Really means: Aside from my 40 hour job, and the 8 mandatory hours of sleep a night. 10 hours a week are devoted to me during the off-season and 20 during race season leaving us 4 hours. 2 of which are spent inhaling food and you not talking to me, so lets make the best of the 2 hours we will spend together on average each day. If you are a licensed massage therapist or doctor this would make the most optimal use of our time together. Nutritionist is also acceptable, but I probably already know just as much as you.

The Ride of Silence

Tonight we number many but ride as one
In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons
With helmets on tight and heads down low,
We ride in silence, cautious and slow
The wheels start spinning in the lead pack
But tonight we ride and no one attacks
The dark sunglasses cover our tears
Remembering those we held so dear
Tonight's ride is to make others aware
The road is there for all to share
To those not with us or by our side,
May God be your partner on your final ride

- Mike Murgas

Ride for World Health (R4WH)

Ride for World Health by fdaugherty at Garmin Connect - Details

The organized team photo, yeah that's my sweet BMC in the middle

 For the third year in a row, teamroll: rode in the Ride for World Health event.  This is an event sponsored by our primary sponsor roll: bike shop in Central Ohio.  The route takes us from the roll: store at Easton Town Center.  Up Sunbury Road and out into the country, loops around the north east side of Columbus and then takes the bike path back from Westerville to Easton.  There was a ton of food when we got back and ice coffee from Starbucks.  There is nothing like ice coffee after a bike ride.

teamroll: gathers before the ride

We had good weather for the ride, it was overcast with 30% chance of rain and temperatures were in the 60s.  A lot of the conversation was around "let's make sure we do not get lost this year."  We didn't necessarily didn't get lost as much as we just took a different route.  Let's face it we live and drive/ride this area all the time, so its hard to get lost.  Off the route?  Yeah that happens daily, but we still know 'where' we are most of the time.

Mike is starting to review the route

A big thanks to Panera, Chipotle, Starbucks, and P.F. Chang's for their donations.  Breakfast and lunch was great and we received coupons to P.F. Chang's for a free lunch or something. 

Ya think they're looking for the big red X that marks the treasure?

The route was all familiar roads, but it is interesting just how much five bridge closings in something like a 20 mile radius can change traffic patterns.  In the state's superior wisdom, they decided to repair or replace about five bridges at the same time.  This construction will continue throughout this summer.  So this cycling season will present some more fun.

Vicki is ready to ride and as usual smiling

  As a group we are finding our way riding together.  We have riders are various fitness and skill levels, which can cause the group to break up and have to regroup.  We are getting better at the group dynamic, but we have room for improvement.  Typically, the thin fast guys get up front and start to run.  This causes the group to stretch out and we lose the benefit of drafting.  Working in a peloton the goal is to conserve energy and work more efficiently.   Riding in a peloton there is a delayed reaction when the pace picks up, much like a rubber band.  It stretches out and then contracts, allowing the group to ride in a tighter pack.  The problem is when the group starts to expand and contract.  The motion tends to cause stress for the riders in the back, because there is typically a delayed reaction to increase in tempo.  This increase in temp always leads to tapping the breaks only moments later. So you are constantly accelerating and decelerating, which is wasting energy.

Ever notice how Julie always knows where the camera is?  :o)

We are talking more and more about the need to slow these events down, because they are not races.  I have noticed an improvement over the past couple of years.  We have declared Tuesday nights as Hammer Time.  Thursday, charity, and other rides are for social / recreational riding.  We are starting to ride by this credo, but there is always room for improvement.  Typically, things get better with good dialogue and we are having better dialogue.  We really do have a great group of people and we generally support each others efforts.  Oh they will bust your chops, but it is in a big brother way - where I can say it, because I'm wearing the dots, but you cannot.

Kevin is ready to go and looking fast

The weather in Ohio this spring has been a little rough as far as the wind goes.  However, this weekend - both Saturday and Sunday have been fantastic.  Little to no wind with lots of sunshine has finally made us feel like spring is here.  Less wind has made the riding this weekend much more enjoyable. 

Amy and Amanda

Here are a couple shoots from the road.  Even with a little overcast it was a great day, because we were riding with our team in little wind at a comfortable pace and for a good cause.  What more could you really ever want?

Lots of dots

Moving up Sunbury Road in a long thin line

I've noticed that everyone is always smiling behind me.  Why?

 Here are a couple shots of the college kids riding across America for R4WH.  Unfortunately, I didn't see them gathering for the shoot until almost too late.  These guys/gals are riding 3300 miles across the country.

Here is the t-shirt from the event.  The orange is not the best color for the Irish, but hey what are you going to do.  :o)

Front

Back

Couldnt Say It Any Better Myself

A Frame of Mind

http://www.nowness.com/day/2010/5/5/601/frame-of-mind

Things Cyclist Say That You Should Be Wary Of.....

Some cyclists say things that you should always be wary of. They'll say anything to soften you up for the kill. Don't let this happen to you. Study this handy list of rider's phrases to find out what they really mean when they say:

"I'm out of shape"

Translation: I ride 400 miles a week and haven't missed a day since the Ford administration. I replace my 11-tooth cog more often than you wash your shorts. My body fat percentage is lower than your mortgage rate.

"I'm not into competition, I'm just riding to stay in shape"

Translation: I will attack until you collapse in the gutter, babbling and whimpering. I will win the line sprint if I have to force you into oncoming traffic. I will crest this hill first if I have to grab your seat post, and spray energy drink in your eyes.

“I'm on my beater bike"

Translation: I had this baby custom-made in Tuscany using Carbon Fiber blessed by the Pope. I took it to a wind tunnel and it disappeared. It weighs less than a fart and costs more than a divorce.

"It's not that hilly"

Translation: This climb lasts longer than a presidential campaign. Be careful on the steep sections or you'll fall over........backward. You only have a 39x23 low gear? Here's the name of my knee surgeon.

"This is a no-drop ride"

Translation: I'll need an article of your clothing for the search-and-rescue dogs.

"It's not that far"

Translation: Bring your passport.

AND THE EVER POPULAR CLASSIC… "It’s about a three-hour tour."

Translation: Think Gilligan’s Island and check on your life insurance policy, being sure to leave a parting note to your loved ones.

Bike Lane Slalom course, or WATCH THAT POLE

Thursday Night Ride or Dude, Where's My Bridge!

teamroll: Thursday Night Ride by fdaugherty at Garmin Connect - Details

OK it is a well known fact the that our team is a little directionally challenged at times.  Last year as a group we logged over 25,000 miles, not all of those miles were planned.  We have faced adversity through wind, rain, hills, 6 and 12 hour challenges, getting lost, rough roads.  But today was a little different, someone moved the bridge.

Road closed?  HA!

The state has decided to repair or replace basically every bridge between Westerville and Johnstown area.  Basically, every where we ride.  This creates two problems (1) we have to alter routes, which can place us squarely into our biggest weakness (directionally challenged) and (2) traffic patterns change as people look for different ways home.  This increases anxiety in drivers because some of them are directionally challenged as well.  Luckily, we haven't seen too many of them yet.

Still not convinced that the road is actually closed

 Ya see, the thing about teamroll: is you can give us obstacles, provide adversity, even take the bridge away.  It will not stop us.  We find away around it, through it, over or under it, because that's how we roll:

Bridge?  We don't need no sticking bridges.

There is a beam to the lower right hand side - approximately 12 inches wide.  So we walked across a steel beam about 3 feet off the water in cleats, carrying the bikes.  Is this considered cross training?

Safely on the other side the ride continues

Getting Ready For TOSRV

Its Thursday and as I plan for the weekends trek down to Portsmouth for the 5th time. I ask my self why? Our new team kits won't be here until next week. So there is disappointment before the ride starts.

The weather is always questionable. This weekend is no different. High in the low 60's and lows in the 30's. Gusting winds on both days and never at your back and throw in a chance of rain. So the big question is how to dress and what to carry on the bike? Knowing this, I ask myself again why do this ride.

Teamroll is a team I help start 3 years ago. We are a team of 30 riders men and women. I have been fortunate to surround myself with strong cyclist that enjoy these type of rides. Yeah, we all bitch at the conditions, but take the challenge head on. In the end. We have another story to tell and share with each other about the experience. These our my friends and enjoy riding with them and wouldn't have it any other way.

See you on the road.

Don't try this at home

From Joao Correia of Cervelo Test Team: Here is how you peed in a bike race. Left to Right (Joao Correia, Ignatas Konovolovas, Ted King and Theo Bos)

Watch Your Line

Hope you have good balance and bike handling skills, or you can swim!