Camp.Bike.Beer

Not necessarily in that order according to Topher...

When it comes to mountain biking, camping and beer seem to go hand in hand.  Maybe it's from years of conditioning; driving hours and hours to bike races and camping at the venue. Maybe it's driving across country to camp and ride the mountains of Colorado or camping at the edge of the Grand Canyon after a days ride. Perhaps it's the mandatory beer guzzle at Belmont Plateau training races or even slamming the occasional beer before NORBA downhill races when they held us just a little too long a the top. Whatever the case may be, fond memories and good times with friends resonate in my mind.

No need to hurry

This past weekend was the yearly assault on Raystown Lake for Dirtfest. Like hungry lions, friends arrive early and stake their claim on Ridge Camp Loop. We already know the riding is awesome. But let's not forget about how much fun the camping is too. Dutch oven competitions, tales of the days rides, and stories around the campfire. And beer. And a Jager surprise. Who knew?

Fire!

I grew up in the city surrounded by concrete walls and urban animals like pigeons and rats. If you consider living along the polluted Delaware amongst nature, so be it. My favorite book as a child was "My Side of the Mountain" in which a little boy runs off to the Catskills to live and hunt in the wild.  A tomboy (I use the offensive term loosely) at heart, longing for a different kind of wild. I often daydreamed about the adventures I could have, eating berries and sleeping under the stars. After all, chasing bums and prostitutes for entertainment gets old after a while.

It wasn't until I started mountain biking that I had the opportunity to connect with nature. We traveled extensively to ride all the hot spots like Crested Butte, Moab and Joshua Tree. Whether it was for leisure or bike racing, we camped. When I say we, I mean the Philly contingency. There could be upwards of 20 of us camping at one time. Upon arrival, there was the frenzy of finding a good spot and setting up tents and gear. It was not uncommon for a roast to be tossed in the DO, ready for the mornings breakfast. If we arrived late, we threw our sleeping bags on the grass like ducks in a row and snuggled up for the night under a blanket of stars.

Quack Quack

As time wears on, I realize I have beat myself up pretty hard biking. Sleeping on the ground has its pluses, but mostly I wake up stiff, sore and not well rested. So last May, after camping in the pouring rain with a puking child in the tent, we decided it was time to upgrade to this:

Taunt all you will. Now I sleep like a baby...





My friend in crime, prefers this option:

Donna's Digs

 

 

How cool is this? A sleep pod and a box of wine is life according to Donna. In fact, I don't think that is morning tea in her cup. A word to the wise; when hanging between trees, be sure there are no poison ivy vines running up it. 

Camping is all about the process. Setting up, cooking on fire, hanging out, riding and enjoying being outside. Most of all, it's the time spent with friends. Whether near or far, or if we haven't seen each other in years, there is a comfort that simmers and wafts through the air. We pick up where we left off with an ease that warms me almost as much as Donna's box of wine.

Ain't Misbehavin'

Some of the cooking highlights were Penne Rustica and Mexican Lasagna in the DO. The big treat was Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll Ups (recipe) in the DO for dessert. I was amazed (but not surprised) how all the single guys flocked for dinner and treats fresh from the flames. Bellies full and beers flying...happy campers indeed.

Oh yes, and the riding was fantastic as always!

Spring Fun

The east is finally thawing, birds are calling and the winter whining from those who shall remain nameless has finally come to a grinding halt.  The season is in full swing and chock full of fun cycling activities.  The racing season (for those with a need for speed) has waved goodbye to the some of the early spring tours in Europe.  Some east coast dirty girls have already crushed it in Africa, rocking the trails at Cape Epic and the local racers are seeing if their early fitness is paying off on the local circuit.  But what if you don't race?  There is tons of fun to be had this spring.

APRIL

04/09/11 is Indian Valley BikeWorks SPRING CARNIVAL in Harleysville, PA.  From 10-2 there will be bike demos (Trek, Fuji, Colnago and a host of others), a kids bike rodeo, Rita's water ice and other family fun activities.  So dust off the bikes and head on over.  While you are there, spend some time getting your child's helmet fit properly.  Their heads are still growing and will need proper adjustments regularly to ensure safety.

Already in full swing is STURDY GIRLS Monday ride.  They meet at 6pm at the fountain behind the Art Museum in Philly.  It's an all girls ride and the average speed is 14 mph.  No rider left behind.  Check out their calendar for complete info and other ongoing rides. 

Each month, there is a Ladies Bike Workshop which is hosted in Saverna Park, MD.  The first one is 04/09/11.  The workshop is conducted by a certified coach.  You will learn to change tires, maintain your bike and other bike safety issues.  The workshop is at 7:30am for you early risers and the ride is around 8:15 am.  If you are in the MD area and new to cycling, check out the link for more info.

Rally in the Valley is making it's 5th annual appearance on 04/16/11 in Philly's Fairmount Park.  This one day mountain bike festival runs from 8-2.  There is something for everyone.  Family rides, kids obstacles course, guided trail rides from beginner to expert and a super feast in the afternoon.  Many vendors in the industry will be there too.  Be sure to tell them you know Jay!  This is a terrific event for the whole family to enjoy.  Kids 7 and under are free!  This is an event not to be missed.

MAY

Bike Flea Market is May 7th at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center from 8:30-2 rain or shine.  Kids 12 under 12 are free.  Come on out and buy, sell or trade your cycling gear.  Say hi to friends.  Breakaway Cafe open for grub.  You will find everything from clothing, bikes and wheels, to random bike parts.  There are some great deals to be had. 

DIRTFEST 2011 is coming May 20-22 to Raystown Lake, PA.  If you have never been, what are you waiting for?  The peeps at Dirt Rag know how to throw down.  Rides, demos, kids rides, chick rides, vendors, beer!  Allegrippis trails are fast, furious and fun.  Just don't leave any body parts behind.  Seriously, a great time for the whole family.  You can camp remotely at the festival or opt for more sophisticated camping just up the road if you prefer showers and flushing toilets.  Cabins are also available.  I can't wait for this one!

 
Kinetic Sculpture Derby is on 05/21/11 in the Kensington section of Philly.  I am truly torn that it is the same weekend as Dirtfest.  The artists and cyclists of Philly have brought this area back to its feet with their infiltration to the neighborhood.  House fronts are being restored, as is the dignity of this once downtrodden area.  The Derby is a spectacular parade of Kinetic sculptures designed and realized by the participants.  Anyone can be a part of this event either as voyeur or Derby rider.  So decorate that bike, design a human powered machine and be prepared to take on the mud pit.  This ride is police escorted through the streets of Kensington and is about 4 miles in length.  I did this with my son on tandem and he LOVED being part of the shenanigans!  There is an arts festival and lots of great food that coincide with the Derby.  Bring the family and your camera!

Virginia Mountain Bike Festival is May 27-30 in Stokesville, VA.  Can't get enough of the festival atmosphere?  Head on down to the VMBF.  The folks at Shenandoah Touring Company do it VA style.  This weekend is packed full of riding for everyone.  Kids, women, co-ed, it's all there.  Pot luck dinners, bonfires, and other activities abound.  This is where friends are made for life.  Bring the family.  Kids under 10 are free!

JUNE and Beyond

What would summer be without the Philly Race?  No silly, we're not doing the race.  We're heading down to Philly on June 5th to see the 27th running of the bulls.  No wait, I mean THE bike race.  It's the Pro Cycling Tour and Liberty Classic.  Pack a picnic, the kids and bikes and head on over to Lemon Hill to catch some of the hottest, fastest pro riders in the sport.  I don't think I have missed one race in 20 years.  Having competed in this race twice, I know first hand the suffering, sweat and strength required to hang with the likes of Tuetenberg.  And Tuetenberg I ain't.  You can even pre-ride the course prior to the start of the race.  See what it feels like to climb "the wall".  Riding around the race and watching from multiple vantage points is my recommendation, culminating on Lemon Hill.  It's truly not an adventure unless you get out to the wall for a few laps.

And don't forget, there are multiple Grand Fondo's, fun rides and charity events happening now and throughout summer, so check out the calendar of events!  Don't get left behind.  Get moving and have some fun with the fam.

Hills Are My Friend

Not Haiku:

Wind smacking pain

Brain freeze

Icy roads

Yogi is hungry

Winter is sadly coming to an end.  Spring is here, but you wouldn't know it with the pile of slushy, icy, rain and snow that crept in during the night the other week.  Now they are calling for another 6-12 inches by tomorrow night.  Is this a cruel April Fool's joke?  We shall see.

Typically, I'm like these two in the winter:

Yogi always packs a picnic basket-Photo by Gene D

I eat well and go into hibernation.  There is great joy in watching snow fall softly and the comfort of lazily passing the cold harsh days until the buds peek out and the birds sing.  It is also a time of great awakening to the reality that I have been slovenly all winter and need to get back in bike shape.  Trails get snowed in early and the roads become unrideable from December til March.  It remains sketchy even as April fools looms.

When I resided in the flat lands, hills were my enemy.  Sprinter at heart, loather of anything that went upward.  Anytime I was out on a group ride, I dreaded the "climbs", struggled to keep up and mentally defeated myself before I even began the inevitable ascent upward.  Pigpen always said, "race your strengths, train your weakness".  I always said, "screw you".  Now that I live in the mountains, my options for a flat escape are few.  So I have come to embrace my arch enemy.  Hills. They have become my friend.

As much as they may hurt, it's the quickest way to get my spring bike legs.  Since I can't ride 6 days a week, I get the most bang for my buck.  I'm not looking to blow any doors off.  My goal is to ride my bike for the sheer joy and not have it be too painful.  Thus begins spring training:

I'm not proud

Ya gotta start somewhere, right?  In my defense, the gradient is somewhere around 15%.  The Manayunk wall is 17%.  So go chew on that for a while.

It is clear to me that you can do anything for 10 minutes.  At least this is what I have always told my pals whenever I wanted them to follow along on some hair-brained training regimen.  Now these are words to live by. (You know who you are)

I used to think I had to kill myself to climb. In hind site, this is truly not the case.  Everyone climbs differently and is at a differing level of fitness at any given time.  So why torture myself?  I'll get there when I get there. While I am no fitness trainer, nor coach, I have learned a few things.

Do I need to attack every climb?  No.  All it does is pushes me into anaerobic debt and crushes my legs with lactic acid.  In turn, I am ruined for the rest of the ride. Instead I have adopted the old tortoise and the hare technique.  Slow and steady wins the race.  When climbing, I actually try to stay within an aerobic zone.  What I have learned is that over time, I train my heart and legs to efficiently do more work with less suffering.

When climbs are attacked, lactic acid quickly builds, leaving nothing left to get over the top.  It's different if you are already in climbing shape.  However, If you are just getting your legs moving, I have found this tactic to actually hurt more than help.

What goes up, must come down

The other discovery is this ten minute thing.  Everything comes down to mental perception.  If you know you are going to be climbing for an hour with crows screeching at your back, waiting to peck your eyes out as they bleed in pain, do you forge ahead or run for cover?  Of course you go forward, cuz your a cyclist and you like to suffer.

As if!

I have a super loop that involves a 9 mile climb.  Now don't get excited.  While it climbs steadily, there are dips and breaks to catch your breath.  So I break it down.  Ten minutes at time; section by section.  Before I know it, I am cruising to the top.   

By twelve weeks time, I start to see vast improvements.  I am climbing faster, with less effort.  Climbing actually feels fun.  Now all I need is some clear weather.  At this rate, I should be feeling good by July.  Just in time to piss and moan about the sweltering summer heat.

Some things to remember:

• High RPM
• Easy gear
• Sit back, relax, enjoy
• Drink a lot of water
• Pack a small picnic basket

Want more info on climbing?  Check out this video from Cannondale:

Here are some other helpful links:

Bicycling Magazine-Alex Stieda's Tips for Climbing

Harvard University Cycling Association-Tips on Climbing