Endurance Nation | Triathlon Coaching, Ironman Training, Half Ironman, Beginner Triathlon

On the final day of the camp (not the Tour, those poor S.O.B.s have to keep going!), we rode about 70 miles all-in. The course was pretty challenging…not sure how the pros are fast every day, but we were all definitely feeling it today. The ride started easy but then began drifting up the ridge. All told there was 38 miles of climbing for 3800 total gain, but most of it was in the last few miles. Can you say OUCH? The headwinds didn’t help, but the fans were out to give us a nice mental push as we made our way up the KOM. Lots of folks out riding today — this was theh SoCal cycling community’s chance to finally get some TOC riding in. We even met Verna from the forum…way to ride girl!

Once we crested the ridge and got on the 2, it was a slight climb and then BOMBS AWAY! We flew down the big sweeping turns, with the only mishap being some motorcycle monkeys passing cars on a turn on the other side of a double-yellow line…right where Coach Rich happened to be riding. YIKES!!!

Once safely on the other side, we dropped into the Rose Bowl where, after a quick change, we jetted over to the finish line to watch the peloton roll by. They had five laps and while the crowd wanted Hincapie to win his second straight Pasadena finish, a few other doodes had their own plans. In the end, Nocentini edged Peter Weening for first place on the day. The crowd dispersed, with many apparently heading over to the Team vans and the doping tent to get some signatures or rider close ups.

We had other plans, coming back to Rich’s house to clean and pack our bikes…and then relax. All in all it was a GREAT camp…we couldn’t have asked for a better set of folks. Hard to believe the camp’s at an end…guess it’s time to plan for 2010!!!

Happy Riding!

Patrick

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Day 6 of the Camp found us in Solvang. After a great dinner at The Hitchin’ Post and a good night’s sleep, we were off to ride the TT course and then hang out in Solvang. This was also a rest day for the squad…after 5 days of 50+ miles, people were definitely feeling a bit under the weather.

The ride itself was uneventful and pretty easy. We rode no-drop through the first half of the TT course, then detoured out Foxen Canyon Road for a nice out and back session. After a few flat tires (including a screw that went in one side of the tire and out the other!), we were rolling smoothly. Got some great video of the team on the return trip too….just a ton of fun!

Once we re-integrated with the course, we climbed up the switchback section and then powered through the descents back to Solvang. We had a great paceline going and were just drilling it! After regrouping in town and storing our bikes, we hit the pastry shops hard and then went to watch the TT.

Solvang was jammed with fans…it’s just great to see how much the interest around the Tour has grown over the last four years (4 years!!!!). The team buses were slammed, the Astana bus was mobbed and the course was jammed. All of the riders looked as though they were out to crush it, and as we learned this year, the course ain’t easy!

At the end of the day, Levi just outdid Dave Zabriskie to claim top honors and add to his overall Tour lead. The group was psyched to see so many pros and to get so many great pics. Just killer!

More Soon,

Patrick

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When the Tour announced the routes for this year, we saw that Stage 5 was a lonnnggg trek across the central valley of California: long, straight roads, relatively flat to rolling, with HIGH potential for head- and crosswinds all day. Not so bad if you’re a pro cyclist in a 100+ man peloton, but not a great ride for civilians. So, rather than do the stage, we decided to ride one of Rich’s most-est favoritest rides in all of Cali: Naciemento-Furgeson Road.

After a long transfer to Paso Robles at the end of Stage 4, we loaded up the bikes and vans on Thursday morning to drive to the gate of Fort Hunter-Ligget. NFR is an incredibly scenic road that cuts inland from the the coast. It’s a point to point road that really doesn’t go anywhere.  Since most people driving the coast are there to…drive the coast, the road gets very little traffic. In 60 miles of riding to the coast and back we probably saw about 4 cars.

Our route took us through Fort Hunter-Ligget army base. This old Old California, the way the state probably looked before civilization came with roads, building, farms, etc.

Flat to rolling terrain, sweeping curves, and then the road tilts up a bit to about about 6% for a climb to the top of the Coastal Range. The road narrows, gets more switchback-y, and the trees close in. The weather was PERFECT, not a cloud in the sky and about 60 degree temps.

After cresting the ridge we then descended 2500ft in 7.3 miles. Views of the ocean and emerald green hills…amazing!

After a quick pit stop at a seaside campsite to get some food and fuel, we flipped it and started the 7.3 mile climb back up. The first 1.5 miles is a stunning 10-15% grade and of course, resident web-monkey/pain-giver Dan decided to lay the hurt on all of us. After a shot while we all retreated to our own respective pain places and worked our way up to the top.

Another refuelling stop and we were off pacelining our way back through the base to the car. We piled in and set off to Buellton; a long drive rewarded with a great dinner at the Hitchin’ Post (of Sideways fame). Tomorrow is the TT and a rest day…just in time!

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Day Four Recap: Modesto to Clovis (Oakhurst)

Just a totally epic day. We left Merced early to get in as much climbing as possible, and by all accounts we beat the peloton to mile 65 by about 30 minutes — PERFECT!  Rolling out of Merced was flat vineyards to slightly uphill. As we continued towards the Sierras the road just kept tilting up until we hit the first KOM of the day…nothing hard just good solid tempo riding.

Climbing out of Merced.

After a sprint through Mariposa, which turned a bunch of us around as a few decided to make an “unofficial” trip up to Yosemite instead of continuing on course! Once we got back on track, it was time for three KOMs in quick succession, with the final one of our day kicking up close to 3000 feet…there was even some snow!

Coach Rich pimping EN in the snow-covered Sierras.

We dropped from the KOM into Clovis at ridiculous speeds and then regrouped in Oakhurst for the long drive to Pasos Robles (with yummy pizza of course!). We are in Pasos for Day Five for a “Coach Rich Special” ride as we avoid the long 135-mile slog the peloton will make across the flat valley floor. More updates soon!

Check out our picture gallery for great shots and some videos and track us on Twitter!

Happy Riding,

Patrick

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We awoke to wind and rain, and a fast-moving hailstorm had everyone hanging their heads…what, another day of getting wet? But the prospect of climbing the Cat 1 climb of Sierra Rd and heading on past Lake Casitas had everyone amped up, weather be damned! A break in the weather came through just as the group rolled out. Maybe we are finally doing something right?

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