It’ s been a while since I’ve posted an update. Lots has happened.

I interview for a helpdesk position with Limited Brands (Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body Words, Express) as a contractor, late in Sept. Turns out, while I was in the interview, which was only 10 minutes, my firm was being texted saying “ we want him”.

While I really didn’t want to go back to helpdesk, I knew that it provided the best chance for employment. And I’m certainly appreciative of landing where I did. The work environment is great, the people I work with..the best group I have EVER worked with.

My hours have been kind of wacked, meaning changes in my lifestyle and habits. I’m working midshift, meaning I haven’t spent near as much time on the bike as I should have. This has been a sacrifice to this household. Mr. Mom has gone back to work. But I think we are adjusting. And it means my days off have been rather busy.

Funny thing. In the past, my temperament has been  working against me, especially in a helpdesk situation. My patience can wear thin, and I’ve been told that I can be loud and contribute to a bad work environment. Maybe true to a point, but… I had one work environment that can be described as nothing but the shits.

Over the past few, I’ve been able to hear others, and say to myself  “that must be how I sounded”  and it was an enlightening experience. I’ve been on the phone for something like three weeks, and I have done an unbelievable job in being patient, and it has been communicated to be how patient I am.  Things have changed, and hopefully, there is a new me! I really think I have changed.

This past week, Limited Brands extended to offer, and I will shed the title of contractor, and will become an employee, effective Nov 15. Benefits once again!

Chapter coming to Columbus in 2010

Chapter coming to Columbus in 2010.

ZteaM Cycling is a national cycling club that supports club riding and racing. We cater to men and women — beginner, novice, or experienced, as well the more serious racer types through our Local Masters Racing Programs and our National Elite Team.

Local ZteaM chapters operate independently throughout the USA and are aligned with all ZteaM financial and product partners who pass on significant discounts on our gear, clothing, and other benefits to our nationwide member base. While we have the benefit of being a national organization, local chapters operate autonomously where members convene to ride, socialize, learn about cycling, and to support their various communities.

Can’t believe it’s been this long since I’ve provided an update. Got to get better.

Nothing new as far as job situation is concerned. Still unemployed. I’ve had a few interviews, but I think the problem is people are thinking I’m overqualified. Sorry folks…..I want a job. The time off has been great. Lots of time on the bike, which has been great. Some projects around the house (guess I could do more).  We’re OK financial..for now, thanks to a decent severance package.

In the meantime, I have taken on some network opportunities:

Watkins associate ID 385718

Associate ID 2003686

Cloudy, drizzly. At least it’s in the mid 70’s. Otherwise, it looks like a winter day in central Ohio.

At least I did get in a great 50 miler. The forecast is for hot and humid weather thru the weekend, which wont be all bad!

A long overdue update which will start with Happy Birthday to me on my 52nd birthday. Fifty two years young! I had planned on a 52 mile ride to celebrate, but the weather had other plans. The morning started out with a lot of thunder and very little rain. The heavy rains have been less than 20 miles to the west of us, all day, moving to the southeast. I’ll try again tomorrow.

Birthday present to myself…Garmin Slipstream team kit. I’m not really one for pro team kits, but I have to say, this kit rocks, and is so comfortable.

As for employment, or should I say unemployment, there has been no changes. Got me severance, drawing unemployment, which isn’t that bad. But, it’s not what I’m accustomed to and is requiring some sacrifices. Fortunately, July was out last car payment, so that is a HUGE help.

I’ve had some interviews, but nothing real solid at this point. I know the Obama Administration is saying that  we are “at the beginning of the end”. My challenge to them is to  convince those of us who are unemployed. It’s not the beginning to the end to me. Thank God I got a decent severance, but I really want work. I need to get out of the house really bad. As much as the dogs have gotten used to me being around.

At least I have been able to get in some decent miles.  Actually, I think I’m in the best shape that I’ve ever been in. And I’ve been able to work on some home projects. So it hasn’t a total waste.

Right after the Tour de Grandview, I discovered that my bike had a cracked frame. Since I bought it at Performance (bad mistake) I tried to work with them.

That was like pissing in the wind, and after three weeks of nothing, I went and picked the bike up and tool it to an Fuji dealer a few blocks away, Paradise Garage. While their primary customer base is urban cyclists, they took exceptional care of me, and my replacement frame was here within a week. Dan and Paradise Garage Rocks. Performance SUCKS and I will never buy anything from them, not even a Power Bar. And on top of that I actually received a bit of an upgrade.

Why date a cyclist That bulge isn’t just the chamois. It’s balls of steel. We can go for hours and hours even when it hurts. We know how to take it easy. We know not to go real hard right from the beginning. Smoother legs than you. Skin tight lycra is real easy to take off. Can you say perfectly sculpted legs? Better power-to-weight ratio than a small car. We don’t need booths to get our amazing tan lines

The race I love to hate, but I will go back every year!

Title sponsorship was not found for this year’s event so it was down to only one day. Too bad. Grandview has always welcomed us. They really get into the race and make it a great atmosphere. Hopefully, next year we will see the return to two days racing.

If it’s Sunday, it must mean the hill. Tough course. The weather was not bad, a bit breezy from the west. Warm, in the mid 80’s, but humidty went down since a front passed thru right before noon.

I really did not go in with high expectations. My goal was to ride better than last year. While I was better prepared than last year in terms of riding more, I really havent raced as much this year as I had hoped. Crits.. Hate em. But it’s part of racing, which means I gotta do ‘em.  (Gotta make that weekly crit series!)

I went in feeling rested. Legs felt great during the ride up and the warmup on the coarse. The hill even felt good! As usual for Masters, a strong field of about fifty riders. (I gave thought to racing in the 3-4 race. If there had been strictly a Cat 4 race, I would have opted for that.)

To say this was an interesting race, for me, is an understatement. At the start, I fumbled around getting clipped in (one reason I have to do more mass start races). Got clipped in and settled in at the back of the back, and was with them until the first climb. On a positive, I was able to stay closer to the field in this years race.

I was involved in a Tortise and Hare race, literally. There was a guy entered who was riding a relaxed street bike, upright bars, and bar ends which he had to take off to start the race.

Before I go on I have to say something about egos. Cycling is full of them. I feel I’m not taken serious, maybe for a good reasons beyond the $1000 bike I ride. But I do think some guys can be to judgmental. Here I go back to the money issue, but people riding $2000-3000 bikes (which I consider the average cost) can look at someone like me and say “Pack Foder”. And I have to say, I was thinking the same thing when I saw Mr. Tortoise (Tortoise, if you read this. I apologize for calling you this. I only do that because I don’t know your name. And I apologize for my ego issue).

On the second lap, the race began. I was on the flat, rough section on Goodale Ave, pushing 27 to 30 MPH, when Mr. Tortoise , with his unique riding style, came flying by me as we turned onto Broadview Ave to make the climb. As he was passing, I screamed “WTF!” I showed my frustration (I apologize to you, Mr. Tortoise, who’s name I wish I really knew. I have to say, on hindsight, it more out of respect than frustration. I also apologize to any families who might have had their kids in the vicinity)

I managed to beat him up the hill, but I knew what my race was. Forget the field. I wasn’t going to get back in it, and I had my own race. As for the field, it got pretty strung out. And there were a few more guys dealing with the same person I was. And I think there frustration level was way more than mine.

This was my race for the next 16 laps. I was thinking that for the spectators they were able watch a second race, and wondering who they were supporting. I suspect it was Mr. Tortoise against the aging and slowing Mr. Hare. (Actually I think he was older than I am). I could take him up the hill. Making the turn from Broadview to First, there was a pretty stiff headwind, which slowed me down. I could get some distance on the turns and downhill on the back side. But more times than not, I would see him fly by me on the Goodale stretch. There were a few laps where it did not happen, then just when I think I established a lead…here he comes.

As we came to the line to start out last lap, I had about 10 feet on him. I kicked in the afterburners and rode as hard as I ever had. I almost lost it on the downhill and turn onto Goodale Ave. That hill really hurt on this lap. But I wasnt looking pack, I was assuming he was on my wheel.

Turns out, I had about 20 to 30 yards on him. After I crossed the line, I soft pedaled wanting to catch my ole nemesis, and my new hero, to congratulate him on his race. I have to admit, if we had come down to the finish, and we were neck and neck like we were on so many laps, I would have had to relinquish and let him cross the line ahead of me.

I was pleased with the effort. I was in better shape than last year. I  rode much harder (thank you Tortise… I salute you!). And that last lap.. I rode as hard as I ever rode.

Thanks to the promoters, the officials, volunteers, and the fine citizens of the great city of Grandview (thanks for the hospitality once again!)

Can’t wait for next year!

Got up early yesterday to drive over to Versailles, OH for the Ohio State Time Trial. Thanks to Roger Bowersock and all the volunteers for a class event. And thanks to the really neat village of Versailles for having us!

I went over hoping for a better ride than I had two weeks ago at Groveport. For me, personally, it was worth the drive.  I finished with in 00:53:15. This was definitely my best time trial effort in more years than I can remember. (24.9 pace)

Nope, I didn’t set the course of fire, but I came away pleased in knowing that I gave it all I had, and somewhat pleased with the final result. Though it was not even closed to placing in the Masters 50-54. There were a lot of low 40’s in that group.

I still believe ultimate TT success goes to the the motor and not the machine. And while I may sound bitter and jealous low budget racer, there is no such thing as parity when it comes to time trialing. (OK, I fess..I am jealous. Severance package coming soon..if I can find a job with money coming in…that could be fun money for me to help stimulate the economy of my LBS))

I rode my Fuji Roubaix Pro:

The only changes for me were Mavic Cosmic rims from the late 90’s (not aero), aero bars, skinsuit, and aero helmet. Guestimating I had about 1500 bucks into the total package.

Now put that against bikes that cost twice as much, weight about 3/4 of what mine weighs. Designed to slice thru the wind.Let’s be honest. While it does come down to the motor, how could I really be competitive against machine AND motors like that.

I was proud of what I personally accomplished yesterday. For me, it was a great effort , especially considering I was not a prepared for it as I should have been considering the time that has been available for training the past six weeks. I gave it all I had. That’s all I asked for.

But at the end of the day, it’s frustrating to see that lack of parity that exists. If I hadn’t been out of racing so long, I probably wouldn’t feel this way. Although its been just over a year since my non triumphant return, in a way, I still feel like Rip Van Winkle. I’m still in awe of how technology improved while I was asleep.  And how training has evolved from guess work and/or heart rate monitors, to power meters and high tech gadgetry. (Which I will avoid, I dont have time to sit in from of a spreadsheet crunching numbers. I can do that when I go back to work.)

I really appreciate the non-aero division of the Groveport Time Trial. And while I was riding like crap that day, it did level the playing field. And I think it would be great for more promoters to add that category to their time trials. For all of those who are in the same boat as me, or for all of those who may want to compete, but have the attitude of “What’s the use?”

OK, I’m done with my b*tching and will  jump off my soap box. Still, personally, I had a great day yesterday and had a efing blast

On to the Tour of Grandview next weekend. Then looking at the July race calendar.

Stella Artois| The Race,Do it for Papa!

Just submitted my entry to the state road race this weekend.

I’m not as well prepared for it as I should, but what the heck. This will be my first road race in about eight years