Hammer Head Racing Blog

Dog, Anne, Geek, Hank, and Pops went out at 11:00 with no rain. Also Bull and Toad went out and rode together.

Anne was doing interval training so we joined her. After a 10 minute warm-up we did 1 minute all out, 1 minute rest, 2 minutes all out 2 minutes rest, etc up to 5 minutes all out, 5 minutes rest. Then we came back down the scale skipping the 4 and 2 minute on the way back in since we were running out of road. We need to incorporate intervals one day a week into our lunch rides. They will benefit everyone and should make the group stronger and faster. We used the Dutchman route for the training and with all the go fast and then slow we averaged 19.5 mph.

Toad and Bull did a team TT on the Dutchman
Time from sprint building 52.25.46
Average speed 18.4 (Still making gains!)

(JB, Toad, and Bull went out early, then Dog, Sgt, Nag, Kong, Pops, and VG) Typical Monday. I don’t want to miss it, but I’m not wanting to take my HR over 90% (165bpm) either! That wasn’t easy with Pops attacking hard on every hill. We went out quick making it to the turnaround with 21.6 mph avg. VG took 100S to get ahead of the charging pack.

Heading home we are all pushing hard, but I notice Dog is hurting. I’m not planning anything. Then through the flats it looks like Dog might be cracking a little. Actually if I were referencing the shorts I would say, “He was Cracking A LOT”! Those shorts really only belong in a parade, in San Francisco.

About 400 hill, we came up on VG. He put out a frantic last minute pedal storm to try and stay ahead and cried out, “Oh No!” But the pack was cruising at 26.6 mph and he didn’t stand a chance now. Another 1 miles ahead and you might have done it VG?

Pops was weakening on the way home. Maybe he burnt up to much energy going out like a mad man?

Then Nag tired of the view and charged out for an awesome lead out for .3 miles at 29 mph. I was leaving him up there as long as possible. Then I charged out late, when I thought I could accelerate to the end. I couldn’t though. I topped out at 36 mph and Dog worked up on me. Then nearing the line I thrust up to 38 mph and pushed the bike forward for the line. But dog was thinking the same thing and just barely inched me out at the finish. Final average was 23.1 mph.

Dog later told me how much he was struggling to breathe out there today. He said, “Even Hank was almost dropping him”. I told him, “That is pretty bad! Especially since Hank didn’t ride today!”

I expected a few people to be off due to the upcoming holiday weekend but not everyone except me. It was nice and cool compared to what we’ve been riding in although I wasn’t too happy about riding alone with the annoying crosswind. I took the regular 200S hill route and averaged 20.5 to the turn.

I lost a few tenths off the average going north and had to back off to recover as I went past the lake. Then I picked up the pace as I got past the egg plant and ended up with a 20.8 overall average. I still have quite a ways to go to get back to where I was before the accident.

(Bull, Toad, Geek, Nag, Pops, Sgt, Kong went out and TT’d later) I asked for a slow ride today and FINALLY got it! We went out on the 18 mile Dutchman loop at a talking 18.6 mph into a very stiff head wind.

Heading north Toad went out and pulled the whole mile. Then turning home on 25 I told Bull to go up there and earn his keep. But he got excited and ended up breaking away. I wasn’t willing to endure the acceleration required to catch him so I just yelled at him until he came back. He responds a lot better to verbal commands than the Geek does when he is off the front. But actually the Geek was well restrained today, even with those Zipps singing at him to go faster!

Our return trip was about 19.4 mph netting a 19.0 mph overall pace. Nearing the end Bull broke off the front a little too early dashing for the finish but then losing steam before the finish goal - city limit sign. Toad reacted a little late, but did a valiant effort working all the way to the front of the pack and then getting off the front in time to watch the Bull claim the sprint win!

Kong went out later on the regular route and gave a good Time Trial effort. But todays wind whipped him down to a 20.8 mph speed. Overtraining with 130 miles in the last 3 days probably didn’t help any. For those of you TT’ing tonight don’t expect fast times? I’ll be surprised if anybody beats 23.5???

H2, Tan and Hank participated in the TT last night. Hank had a pretty good time considering the gale force winds battled. Tan started 2 minutes ahead, and H2 started 1 minute ahead of Hank. At the turn Hank had passed H2 and had a couple yards to go to catch Tan.

Hank’s first mile was at 20.4, then at mile 2 my he dropped to 20.0 then pulled up the average in the next mile and averaged 20.2 at both the 3 and 4 mile marks. Hank didn’t look again until after the finish and averaged 21.4 over the 10 mile course.

H2 passed Hank back as He started East slowly. But then later, Hank passed him back and then passed Tan thinking that he would put some distance on them and finish by himself. Once they saw him ahead of them they continued passing each other back and forth and stayed closer than Hank thought they could. When they finished, the two of them were just a few seconds behind Hank.

Both Tan and H2 did remarkably well for their first time trials. The wind from the South West was the ultimate winner as it significantly slowed them on the way out and did not seem to help nearly as much as they had hoped on the way back.

I have not seen the final official times yet.

(MJ, Sgt, Dog, Bones, Nag, Pops, Kong, VG, JB, Bull, Frog) I asked for a slow ride today, but MJ and Dog just laughed at me. I guess there is no use trying for nice anymore when we get those two together? We are no longer even wasting time pretending. In the first mile Dog attacked off the front. I was happy riding easy and letting him go. But of Course MJ worked up and closed the gap. It took some effort to get through the hills into the head wind with a 21.4 mph pace.

The first mile heading north was at 29 mph. Unfortunately we lost a few bikes before we finished the north leg at 25. Then heading home on CL at 26 mph was intense, but we had 6 bikes that all did an excellent job keeping up the pace and even pulling. After Nursery hill Nag pulled the pace up to 28/29’ish. Then MJ attacked hard. Bones led out after him on MJ’s right. There were trucks coming and going so I hesitated. Then when it seemed clear, I went after his left. MJ pulled away by about 2 bike lengths. I managed to catch his wheel again for the finish doing 42 mph when his pace dropped a smidgen.

When I went left it broke Dogs momentum because he was going there. But once he got on my wheel and up to 42 he was looking good for the sprint win. But before he stood to claim his prize he noticed his front tire was almost flat and wandering around on the rim, so he shut it down. And I couldn’t go any faster so MJ collects the win. Not to belittle MJ’s win. MJ was very strong today and hit a peak speed of 44 mph! But for once we had a good shot at him. For that we are very happy!

Also I am very proud of how many people we had out front still providing competition at the end! GREAT JOB GUYS!!! We had 3 bikes over 42 and at least 2 more over 38.

Afterwards MJ was understandably a little frustrated with Dog’s flat tire excuse since I used it on him last week.

(Sgt, Geek, Hank, Nag, Kong, Bones, Wild1, VG, JB) Kong just about rode me off his wheel on this mornings 30 mile ride, and my legs are still sore. So I was willing to do a nice group ride today, especially when I saw 9 bikes! But, Geek was feisty and started gapping off the front. When Nag, (Mr. Lets keep the group together and have fun.), started to inch up I slowed him down saying, “Leave him up there.” “Let’s keep the group together.” But a little later Hank took off and bridged. I’m still not worried for the group with just 2 up there. But then Nag abandoned what he always preached and bridged up to Geek.

Now, with 3 up there picking up speed, I see a problem. So I took off and bridged up to them and asked for a slow down. They responded with acceleration. So I dropped back to the middle pack with Kong, Bones and Wild1 and asked, “We either have to chase them down or drop back to pick up VG and JB”. They responded with acceleration so I worked with them closing the gap. At the turnaround we were close and averaging 21.4 into heavy cross wind.

Turning north into the wind was very brutal. I used the head winded slowdown as an opportunity to bridge up to them. But the wind stripped the chase group down to just me and Kong. Kong did an awesome effort helping me complete the bridge. They rewarded us by letting us draft until they cycled out 1 pull each. I gave a brisk pull around the lake. Then Kong pulled us up to an awesome 27 mph past the egg plant and tapped just before the hill out of the flats. Nag attacked him instantly dropping Kong on the climb before he even reached the back. I yelled forward, “Back it off! Dropping”! Then Nag dug deeper to grow the gap on Kong.

Nag’s attack instantly ticked me off. I was ok with everything up until now, but this didn’t seem fair to me. Maybe it would be ok on MJ or Dog because they can come back. In the heat of the moment I was furious. I had to choose; go back and help Kong or go make sure Nag does not win? I knew Kong would want the later so I stayed tight on Geeks wheel.

Then as Nag patted out Hank charged forward to attack him. This suits me fine! Nag gapped off the back. As soon as Hank started to fade Geek relieved him to keep growing the Nag-gap-age. Apparently they are both a little miffed also? So of course I took my turn holding the pace. Nag is way off now! Later the Geek pulled so hard Hank gapped. So I left Geek up there until he faded and I coaxed Hank back up to us. But as soon as he pulled back on Geek got a second wind and charged up Nursery hill shattering Hank.

I took over on the descent to the sprint but could only get up to 28. That was just enough to stay In front of the Geek since he still can’t stand in a sprint due to his injuries. Final average was 22.5 mph.

We are all calmed down and happy now.
This was the most wind this month.
We also hit 370 miles for the month. This betters 2007’s-352 and 2006’s-337

This still leaves us behind both years in YTD miles; 2008-1300mi 2007-1578mi 2006-1608mi. We have a lot of catching up to do on miles!

(Sgt, Kong, Bones, Hank, Pops, out at 12:00 were Toad, and BS or-aka-Bull) I made sure I brought air today. In fact I put in about 15 extra pounds just to help make up for running 50 low yesterday. Hank has been chomping at the bit the last few days. So he was out early circling in the lot anxious to ride.

We headed out a little easier today getting to the turn back at 21.2 mph. I think Pops might still be suffering a little from that nagging Keos syndrome. But he still has that uncanny ability to come back from behind. Come to think about it. I think the Nag has always been there when there was a crash? Besides taking Pops out his prior crash, He was even there leading Hank into the truck. Hmmmm?

Coming home in that heat and humidity is still all about the suffering. My eyes were burning so bad from the sweat it was often hard to see very well. When I reached Nursery hill it was down to Kong and me today. Kong stayed on my wheel, suffered everything I suffered and rode everyone else into the dirt. I took the last pull down to the sprint and thought he might get me. But he ran out of steam with 20 yards to go and couldn’t come around. You know if Kong is riding away from people he is really getting it, because following him is almost like sitting on the back of a tandem. His air wake has quite a vacuum! Final average speed was 23.1 mph.
Awesome ride KONG!!!

(MJ, Sgt, Bones, Geek, VG) I had let my air down to 60 lbs to prevent expansion in the heat of my truck. But now I forgot to bring my pump. I pushed down on the front of my bike to see the tire squat. Boy I don’t know if I should ride on that? I’ll get air from someone else. But then Geek was in the same boat, no air. I saw Kong’s truck and checked it, but no air. Everyone else biked here from elsewhere. Maybe if I miss all bumps and don’t sprint too hard? I pinched my tire with my thumb, a little less hard this time, “yea it’ll work”.

We headed out into the wind with a high tempo getting to the turn back with 22.0 mph. Once on 200S Geek hammered up a hill right after Bones’ pull and dropped him. But then 2 hills later Bones returned the favor as he exclaimed, “What goes around comes around”. MJ laughed out loud at our little rivalry.

Then we regrouped for the north leg that was a fairly easy 26 mph. But heading home was all about the suffering to hold a 25 mph pace. Of course MJ was pushing the pace, but he was doing it nice. No attacks. Geek gave his last bit to get us up the hill out of the flats and then expired. Bones Did the same on 400 hill. Now it was just Sgt & MJ. When MJ tried to tap out at 28 mph on Nursery hill I had to say, in my whiniest, weakest voice, “I can’t”, “After the hill I’ll give you all I got”. So MJ pulled the last hill for me.

Then I came around him and pushed his 28 up to 30 on the down hill. But even at that I didn’t last long. MJ came around and went for the line. He seemed a little surprised as he looked back a few times for me. But I wasn’t coming. I can’t touch you today MJ. I’m just trying to breathe in this humidity! Final average speed was 23.6 mph.

Shortly after we finished the storm rolled in just missing us.

(TK-aka-Toad) There was rain most of the day keeping all the pretty boys inside polishing their bikes and shaving their legs, but the Toad was out on the road. Toad has been a yo-yo when it comes to dieting & biking. But when he puts his mind to it there is no stopping him! And nobody works their heart rate monitor any harder than the Toad!

Today he put in 15 miles at 16.4 mph with an average 154 HR. Just a month ago he was doing 15.4 mph with a 174 HR. Keep it up Toad! We are all about biking at all levels. The important thing is to being out there just doing it!