Hillbounding 2009 A Soft and Soggy Start

It had to happen. After three weeks with almost no rain we started the hillbounding season with light precipitation. The wet weather did not stop 17 athletes from enjoying what was actually nice conditions. The wet ground was soft and as you know the temps feel 20 degrees warmer whilst bounding. Just an FYI that it would have to be pretty nasty before we cancel, we have even been out in snow before this.

The semi soft start went well and we focused on the technical aspects of skiing rather than the pure workout. We did do a modest lactate interval at the end which as always proved to be unpleasant but was survived by all. There is some work to be done with technical skills but by and by it went pretty good, especially as about half the group was first timers. It was kind of a dry run of sorts but that said I do expect DOMS to rear it's head a little.

We did not need the lights tonight but that will end shortly and the hill lights will go on. Please note to bring dry clothes as even when sunny you sweat up a storm and water bottles are a good idea. See previous post for more ideas.

We start again next week at 5:28pm rain or shine. Nice effort goes to all especially to Bill, Coop and Andy who finished Ironman Madison just a week ago, whew! Stay loose and remember we never leave the door without ski poles starting in Oct.

HILLBOUNDING 2009 - Implement of Destruction

If XC skiing is your thing and being in shape is important to you hillbounding is what you do in the fall. Hillbounding is arguably the toughest yet most beneficial workout you can do to prepare yourself for the coming ski year. Hillbounding is the ONLY workout that combines conditioning with technique and strength into one. It is an incredibly productive use of time and will accomplish more in 90 minutes than you get in a week. There is only one problem: It's crazy tough. Evil, wicked mean and nasty is the name for this bad boy workout and that is why we do it as a group....it's too hard to do by yourself and besides, we have some fun with it as well.

Hillbounding consists of a series of drills that involve bounding, running, leaping, dancing and pulling yourself and others up hill. Did I mention poles? Yea we use ski poles as well as ropes and other cool implements of destruction. Is it hard?, you bet. Will you get better? Absolutely! Can anyone do it? Sure, we are all on the same hill and if you fall behind you just skip a rep, we will be right back with you.

So what is next?

Hillbound 09 starts next Tuesday the 22nd at the Bairds Creek Ski Area (Triangle Hill). We park and meet on top the hill with a warmup and briefing at 5:28pm. To get there you go East on University to Humboldt Road (two blocks from In Comp)and East 100' to Bairds Creek Parkway and right UP to the hill.

BEL
Basic Equipment List

• Good athletic running shoes.
• Lightweight workout clothes. Remember Hillbounding makes it feel 20 degrees warmer than it is.
• Water Bottle
• Short (preferably) to the armpit XC ski poles, cheap is good. I will have about 15 pair to borrow on a 1st come basis.
• Dry clothes for after the workout.
• Lots of your friends and a good work ethic.

We will see you Tuesday. Stay hydrated and don't believe what others say...........it's much worse!

TNR Farewell and Ironman and DCC 9/15

What a week. We have had three weeks of great summer weather and today is no exception. It was a busy week here what with Ironman preparations, Door County Century, Levis Trow WORS and my niece getting married (in LaCrosse). I have over a thousand miles driven this week, changed two crudillion flats and still managed riding the Bowery every day......a little.

Tonight a half a dozen riders rode what may be the final "official" TNR of 2009. The weather the past three weeks has been great and tonight put a cherry on that. Warm, calm and sun.... sweet.

The Wisconsin Ironman took place on Sunday with hot but good conditions. I know all out local participants finished and did great.

The DCC was Sunday as well with a big field and awesome weather. This was year 30 and was one of the best. There were a lot of crashes with at least three getting a ride in the rescue squad with some nasty but not [too] serious injuries. 1900 others made it uneventfully except for Todd and Erick who went down minutes from the finish when Todd tried to play Leap Frog with Erick's bike........at 20MPH. Boys will be boys. Neither was hurt but have a good story.

We start hillbounding next week so look for the next post but keep on the bike. The weather is good and winter can wait. The FTF is this weekend and the Fox Cities Marathon. Good luck to those folks and as always SO2...........stay on two.

TNR Sept.1 - Hillbounding - Kids Skiing

.................big legs was the motto on this ride. We had perfect weather, sunny, calm, warm but not too warm and leg's o' plenty. The long group mustered some serious horsepower and kept together and whipped up a torrid pace. The Rendezvous group stayed cohesive and had a stellar 21 mph average, nice with smiles all around. As everyone noticed the sun is setting earlier and nights are cooler. There will only be two more weeks before we will need to shift to 5:00pm with a shorter route.

Tuesday September 22nd also marks the return of Fall Hillbounding at Bairds Creek. I will have more details on that but for now some brisk hill striding would be in order to minimize the DOMS* effect that hits after the first few weeks. Dust off the poles and get out the running shoes as you do not want to miss any of the 11 sessions.

One another ski front and if you know of or have KIDS under 12 check out a new program created by Jen and Noel Versch called Bay Area Youth Nordic Ski Club. This will be great for kids and mirrors successful programs in other areas. Call them at 920-822-8982 for info or click on the poster at the top of the page to expand it.

* DOMS= Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Birkebeinerrittet 2009. Think you know MUD?

This link came from my buddy Jason in Olso. The Norweigian Birkiebeiner Mountain Bike race was held recently after a very wet summer and rains leading up to the race. Think you know mud? Check out this link: http://www.vg.no/bildespesial/spesial.php?id=7044&o=0&katId=-1 and hope that Chequamegon Fat Tire Fest is not like this.

TNR August 11th The Best of Times

Steve Peplinski reports about glowing conditions and a fab ride. Jason K's jersey shows why the Italian's are so good with fashion.

This is as good as it gets" said Andy as he slid past me in the left side of our huge rotating pace line on Nicolet drive. He wasn't just repeating a trite phrase popularized in a beer commercial. He was stating a fact. 72 degrees. No wind. Traffic free smooth pavement. A view of the setting sun over Green Bay to our right. And a well oiled pace line with over a dozen riders smoothly rotating while maintaining a speed in the neighborhood of 22 mph. How could it get any better? This morning as I was jogging, I was reflecting on that question. Tuesday was special because the "as good as it gets" moment lasted so long. We rode together as a group for the whole ride, but we WORKED together all the way down Nicolet. When we hit Benderville (that's the uphill that follows the 35 mph downhill just past the Red Rocket) Jason shot to the front, leading us up at 26 mph. Certainly maintaining 26 mph up that hill qualifies as an AGAIG climbing moment for me, but when Jason soft pedaled at the top (I had to feather the brakes behind him to stay in line) and we slowed to 22 so that riders who may have been dropped on the hill could re-group, I knew it was a special ride. The Perfect Ride. Steve

Sneek Peek at The Link Giant Dealer Demo

We just returned (last night at midnight) from the Giant Bicycle Dealer Sales Event in Keystone Colorado. The event is called THE LINK which is used to describe the relationship between Giant, their dealers and most importantly, you. About 100 select dealers are invited to this event to learn about Giant and their bikes and to ride them in a spectacular setting on challenging trails and roads. Check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/incomp/sets/72157621842208377/ for some cool pic's.

The Link is a awesome event. After 35 years in the bicycle business I had thought I had seen it all but this was really cool. We flew to Denver early Saturday and were greeted by Giant staff and wisked though the airport to a waiting road lunch and the first of hundreds of liters of water. The drive to Keystone as always was spectatular and we arrived by noon and a quick check-in to our lake side condo and off to the first of many great meals. Keystone is located at 9300 feet elevation and you only go up from there. Sunscreen, lip balm and lots of water are mandatory.

Anyone who knows Deb understands that she is not one to sit around so we headed to the gondola for a ride to the top of Keystone around 12,000 feet up and the first of many air sucking moments. Some light hiking and sightseeing later we headed back to the Lodge for dinner and socializing with other dealers. We found the exchange with others arguably the most beneficial part of the trip. There really are a lot of good ideas out there and we heard lots of them. Bike dealers are good folks who do what we do because we like it. The long hours and tough business climate are tolerable because we are doing what we love to do.

The next day started with a pre-breakfast ride from the Demo Site located at the mountain base a quick few minutes by shuttle even higher up the valley. We had our choice of hundreds of 2010 bikes, road or mountain in every size or type you can imagine. After another (great) breakfast we spent the days in seminars learning about everything from alloy frames to global economies with riding to follow and another awesome dinner and conversations about bicycles.

I learned a lot at this trip and am very stoked about next year and Giant bikes in particular. They are so cool; I have my new TCR ordered already! In the weeks that follow I will try to link in some new product info and some really cool videos. Be sure and check out the new Trinity SL at http://www.giantbicycles.com/ . It is the world fastest bike and is so sweet it will make you spit. Enjoy the photos and look for some updates.