Relegated to the Trainer

The insane weather swings that are synonymous with the Front Range have gripped the Bubble very tightly. Last week it was 60s, sun and skin showing. This week its snow, ice, sub-0 temps. We definitely need the snow in this state but I'd prefer to not experience the sub-0, single digit temps. Not wanting to dress like Randy. Rode slightly under two hours with some 2.5min PPEs, peak power efforts. Definite hurt but they will pay off well when I 'm in the breaks and attacking the Germans.

Last night made some delicious palak tofu and chana masala. It was muy tasty. Been a little while since i made the Indian so it was a nice trip back. Weather is suppose to improve this week so I'm looking forward to some outdoor riding.

Things are coming together nicely for the adventure. Getting my gear and clothing situated and maximizing my bike shop discount prior to leaving. Leaving for 6 months and figuring out how to pack is a little mind boggling. I made a spreadsheet the other night. yeah, I geeked out a little. But getting bike stuff ready for 6 months of racing takes a lot of gear. I will have access to sponsor stuff but not sure how and much just yet.

Tschüss,
Matthäu

~22 Days~

So the pleasant and uber delightful weather we had last week, 60s and sun are all but a distant memory. Snow today, snow tomorrow and cold all week. Reality of January is back. Hit the trainer this afternoon. It was a struggle like all days on the trainer. I love to train but riding my bike is what I enjoy. Tomorrow 3-6" of powder. Perhaps a little mtn bike action on the road and then some skate skiing. Might be hitting the North Boulder Rec Center for some final strength tuneups before the Euro Adventure.

So today marks 22 days until I board British Airways and fly to the motherland of velo racing. When I went to Belgium in 2007 it was easy, I was going to be gone for 5 weeks and it all encompassed one weather season. This year's program presents a new set of challenges. For those of you who know me well, I like challenges but it can be a little daunting. Now its pack for late winter/spring/summer. Keeping in mind that I travel uber light, it still poses a few challenges to escape the excess baggage fees which I refuse to ever pay. The team is providing me with a new frame. Not sure of the maker but its free. I have to provide the gruppo, wheels, etc. I'm going to bring the Lemond, current racing rig, as a backup and training ride until I get the new frame. Below is a tentative list of items to be brought over. Please feel free to suggest additional stuff. Keep in mind that I will be returning to the states for my brother's wedding in June. Not sure if any time trials as that would encourage me to bring the TT bike.

Bike Stuff
Lemond Zurich
DT Swiss Monchassral 1450 Wheelset
Mavic Ksyrium Elite Wheelset 12/27 cassette
1 DA Gruppo
1 12/25 cassette (additional)
1 11/23 cassette (additional)
1 DA 10sp chain
Chamois cream (2x)
Rudy Project Actyum helmet
Training kits~old~ (2x) This could change if I get my new clothes as soon as I arrive
Cycling vest
Rain cape
Warmers: arm, knee, leg
shoe covers
cycling shoes
compression tights
compression socks
lots of riding socks

Hoping this all fits in my bicycle travel case. I have about 14lbs to work with before tipping the scale to extra pounds of dough out of the pocket.

And of course I will be packing a skeleton crew of non-ride clothing. Probably pick up some G-Star Unit and some euro shoes. I do need to get a nice piece of neck bling that I can let hang out when i'm sprinting. And of course any interviews will always talk about the "good sensations" I had in the legs when I attacked.

I'm already giddy like a kid on Christmas morning...
chow,
Matthäus

ps. I figure I should start adding as much german to my daily life as possible so its not complete insanity. I just learned how to type special german characters and I am now on Lesson 3 of my audio Pimsleur method of german language.

Summit County Cross Training

Inside a Month

Well, I am inside of a month for my departure to Deutschland. The anticipation is high. Doubts about current fitness gains were put to rest last Friday after my 10mi time trial on Hwy 36, also known as the Boulder TT course. Since I last took my fitness test in mid-November, I've increased my threshold wattage by 13%. The coolest thing is that I haven't done any "threshold specific" training yet. It all been strength and short VO2 efforts. Barring no unforseen injuries or sickness, I am approaching the start of the new season with my best January fitness ever. Strangely, I haven't really put any long weeks in yet, the most being 19hrs. So I'm not wearing myself down, only to peak in March which would be no bueno. I believe the combination of having one more year of racing and training in my legs along with a strict post-season strength training binge of core work, cross riding, downhill skiing, weight lifting, and skate skiing are the keys to my improvement. It takes a long time to fulfill your potential on the bike, and I'm really beginning to see the gains.

As far as the team situation, things are super well. I received a very supportive email from the team director along with his wife. So any worries that I am going into a bad situation of rats, leaking pipes and disease can be put to rest. I think I will be taking well care of lol. You can check out the team's press release about me on the team's website
http://activity-racing-team.de
Its obviously in German but you can use a Google Translator which I suggest adding to your toolbar so you can keep up to date with my team and my progress. If you add it to your toolbar as a tab, then you can just log onto the team homepage and click on the translate tab and whoolaa, you have a rough translation. You can also look at the sidebar and click the "TEAM" tab then the "Fahrer" tab. Then a drop down menu will allow you to see my profile.

What i just realized was that a member of the team, Leif Lampater. Leif is a pro track rider and the team leader. He just won 6 Days of Bremmen with the never-going-to-quit Erik Zabel, one of the most successful sprinters in the peloton in history, 6 Green Tour Jerseys. So kind of a big deal. So I will be riding and racing with some real world class talent. I can't wait!

On the non-riding front, Kristi and I hit up Summit County this weekend for two-beautiful blue bird days of downhill skiing at A-Basin and a 3hr skate session at the Frisco Nordic Center. I demo'd a $600 set of skis and boots at the nordic center. My technique for my first "real" day of skate skiing greatly improved. It's such a great sport for the entire family. Climbing is my nemesis but as soon as I improve my technique I'll be all over the place. Next year I'm going to get some private lessons which will allow me to keep pace with the uber fast Miss Wah Sun. A-Basin needed some serious snow but we got some nice turns on a few spots. Got some nice drop ins off some sick cornices. The Montezuma Bowl was horrendous. I felt like we were skiing on a rock quarry. Overall good day though. Finished up with a nice top-to-bottom Super G run. For the unknown, this is an all out run with big sweeping carves in tucked position the entire time. Super fun and great way to get that lactate burn that I love to feel when skiing.

Well its going to be low 60s today and tomorrow, so I will be getting some good training in.

Chow,
Matthew

The Countdown...

Well, the date of my leave is quickly approaching. Feb 16 is the official day. Its a little overwhelming with the prep work much of which doesn't include on-the-bike time. Still left to do...find storage for belongings and auto, find Mallorcan lodgings, get insurance, pack, pack some more, find apartment in Stuttgart, resolve computer situation(my iBook is dying)...

On the bike stuff is going well. Just finished my first big week, 19hrs. Thur I went up to the Camp Eden Training Center and did my plyo/VO2 workout. 9300' will put you in the pain cave. I'm pretty satisfied with current fitness. Strongest that I have ever been in Jan. So watch out =)

The week redux...lots of training and Kristi went with me to the Lafayette Oatmeal Festival. I love oatmeal and they had over 140 toppings. I also entered the oat baking contest with my Apricot-Almond Oat Scones with a blueberry reduction sauce. I received several compliments but no ribbon. After careful debriefing with Kristi it was agreed upon that I should have entered the healthy category. Being the athlete/health conscious person, I can drop 12 tbs of butter in my scones or 2 cups of sugar. The judges sweet tooth ruled mine out. They were sweet but not overpowering. Good for energy not extra skin in the hips. Ohh well, I just have to market better to my market. it was fun, and it definitely brought out my competitive side. I got a little joshing from my lady after I explained to the senior citizen about my scones as she made scones too. I guess you can take the person out of the game but not the game out of the person.

So its snowing pretty good today. Hopefully they will groom in town for some skate skiing.

chow,
Matthew

Euro Bound

Feb 16, I leave for Deutscheland. The Euro racing dream will finally have arrived. First thing I will meet with my new director and stay with him and his wife for a few days. Then I will head to Mallorca for a proper training camp of 10days. Then its back to Stuttgart to get some more training in and get acquainted with my new team and the German culture. Racing starts end of March.

I'll be racing for a top amateur squad in southern Germany. Its very well supported and managed. I already feel like its pro.

The Sherpa and I went up Estes Park on New Year's to do a little exploring. Hit up the Stanley Hotel, made famous in the movie, The Shining. Took a fun little tour then drank some delicious tea at a shop in town. Yesterday, we both went skiing with Zach, (manny gig). Eldora was the choice spot. Bluebird day but super icey. I was a little doubtful of my ability as I'm not keen on these east coast ice conditions. But it was fun and beautiful.

Got in a big ride with EK last Friday. 3300+kjs. 4.5hrs. We did a canyons tour, ie lots of climbing. Legs were pretty good. Happy with form but still much work to do. Hit Jamestown, Lee Hill, Sunshine, and finally Flagstaff.
chow,
Claw