TNR 4/29/08 Balaclava is not Greek Pastry

TNR for April 29th.

Cool 40 degree temps with moderate winds from the SSW kept the group size to 17 cold hardened riders. Carl and Sue brought out the 1st tandem in recent memory and instantly warmed the effort 10 degrees! Everyone likes a tandem when they are in front of them. Note the "racing panniers".

Heading East for the 50km Bay shore route the group picked up a rider or two en route. History was made as three riders flatted, all on the same piece of metal left in the road. After a pit stop the bunch reformed and completed the ride intact and without further incident. The cold was showing on the cheeks of those without face protection but the long forecast is for temps next week to be in the 60-70 range, at last.

The weather this "Sprinter" (winter/spring get it?) has been a little nasty but it seems that we are finally turning the corner but it could be worse. Check out the photo from MN yesterday http://www.skinnyski.com/trails/photos2008/maplelag/apr29-01.jpg We roll again next week at 5:25 pm. I predict NO TIGHTS.

SO2

WOMEN'S RIDE {WWW}

Melissa Dupke, the famous one, has taken upon herself to reincarnate the womens only ride. In conjuction with that we are helping to coordinate it with maps, ride support, techwork and facilities. The 1st is Monday nights (see Melissa's letter) at 5:30 pm from here. The Monday ride is a no drop ride but it is a road ride. Please have the appropriate bike. This is not a brutal ride but expect an 16-20 mph pace which is very "do-able" by those in shape or by those who want to be. A great place to learn we have several women who will lead.

Greetings All!

Hope this message finds all of you well and anticipating the great riding to be done now that spring has finally sprung! We have decided to try to regroup and start a Monday night ride again. For those of you new to this list, our ride is a women's only ride and we have a "no-drop" policy. This means that no one will be left to ride alone, and will keep our pace comfortable. Our goal is to build cycling skills among women in a fun, non-threatening environment. Our ride will start and end at In-Competition in Green Bay.

For more information, contact me or In Competition and watch for updates on In Competition's Website @ www.incompetition.com.

Our first group ride will be on Monday, April 28 and we'll leave the parking lot at 5:30.

Please forward this to any other women who might be interested in this!


Melissa Dupke

TNR 4-22-08 Ride and more

The rain had passed over and 22 riders were greeted with warming temps and more moderate winds. The only casualty was a jammed chain early that required a crank removal. Two groups split up at the 50 km turn (Mercier) and the rest heading to Rendezvous Road and then a trip into Bayshore after little side trip into Dykesville but the strong legged but lost junior contingent who had mid season legs compared to the rest of the group. Bill S. led the pasty white leg group straight into Bayshore and the group came back together on Nicolet.

The ride started on time (yahoo) with most riders ready to go. That is going to help as we start going longer. We had our 1st woman join us (Jennifer) who also has the legs of June already. Note in a later post today about the upcoming women’s only ride. No evil men.

I noted a wide disparity in the kits folks wore last night. Raw jersey’s to winter garb. The sweaty guys guessed wrong.

Sounded like a good ride. Send informed comments in. We meet at 5:25pm next week.

If you are a scofflaw you will like this. ROMS 2008. Give back the night.
More info to follow.

TNR deux

Surprisingly, everyone took it very easy all the way to Bay Shore park. With the tail winds on Michaels Road (also known as Mercier?) We were almost coasting. I was surprised when a small group did the park hill. With only about 50 miles on my legs so far this season, I sat out the hill interval. But one of my pet peeves about the ride lately has been that the riders who skip the hill take off without waiting for the rest of the group. Therefore, I waited at the top. That turned out to be a mistake as I got shelled somewhere around eagles nest. That hill is a tremendous opportunity to build strength and power. But if challenging oneself in a lactate interval results in the additional punishment of riding home alone, why bother with a group ride? If the riders who skip the hill would wait, Those who elect to do the hill, but can't keep up to the strongest riders in the group would be assured that they'll have a group to help them home. Getting more riders to participate will involve intelligent ride logistics so that everyone can challenge themselves without fear of dire consequences.Steve

Soft Start 2008 TNR 4/14/08

Like swallows returning to Capastrano the riders have returned to the TNR. Spring returned just in time as well as temps reached the 50’s as 20 riders pushed off into 20 knot winds on the inaugural ride of 2008. The bunch rolled out the traditional Luxemburg route taking the Mercier cut to Gravel Pit and Bayshore before turning in on the homeward leg down Nicolet for a 50km circuit. Since no one was extolling their fitness virtues and that at least for the first several weeks the pace should be soft and controlled it stayed mostly together until the return leg when headwinds, pace, winter legs and festering ego’s strung it out and shelled a few. A few longer pulls at the front should cure that nicely.

A few notes:
· We roll out at 5:30pm with the ride brief at 5:20pm, Central time, not P&G time.
· Next week is expected to be warm but dress appropriately.
· Bring spares. Know what they call riders without extra tubes? Answer: Pedestrian…..you will be walking.
· I should have a ride map posted by Monday via the Mapmyride wesite. Pretty cool.
· This is a PACE RIDE. If you need to exceed the pace of the group this is probably not your ride. If you remember anything remember this: It is only a group if it stays as a group. You can ride alone all by yourself. Think about that.
· We will discuss what an echelon really is.

Todd reports that he got a call from 1974 and they want Bill S’s wool outfit back. Save a sheep.

Good to be back. I hope your sore butts will remind you to get out more often and we will see you next week.

Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and say’s Dam!

Welcome

Welcome to the In Competition web blog. You will hopefully see a lot of news here and information that you will want to read.

This site will serve (along with others to be linked in later) as the vehicle for event, reviews and important notices. We are more than just riding so expect relevant news about skiing, running or triathlons here as well.

You can expect other tidbits as well. Using websites like Mapmyrun/bike/tri we can link in ride/run routes, course information and the ever popular Tuesday Night Ride Review (TNRR).
We can link in photo's, videos and comments although they will have to get moderated though this site. As always I have an opinion on everything so expect that as well.

Periodically I would like to link in others web addresses and remind everyone of special happenings or accomplishments. Expect this to go year round as we don't stop when it snows. You can contact us through our website www.incompetition.com or directly at incompetition@tds.net. Let me know what you think. I certainly don't have a monopoly on good ideas, so climb on board the Magic Trolley (yea I have young kids)and we will see you soon.

Mark Ernst (ME)