Eagle's Peak and the Filthy Fifteen

Another local rider, Paul, is working on a series of Berks County climbs called the Filthy Fifteen. Unfortunately, I've been away from the blog and I'm only now catching his comment from February 11.

Lately, I've been climbing up to Eagle's Peak -- a brutal climb split into two sections with a much-needed short recovery descent in the middle.

Turn left onto Hill Rd at the Citgo station along 422. There's a short 6% climb over the railroad tracks. Turn left at the other side and the climbing begins. There are switchback turns that max out at 30%, but only for a few dozen feet. Hill continues up to the summit of the mountain and then descends to an awkward V-intersection at Eagle's Peak Rd. Turn right onto Eagle's Peak and the climbing continues. This section is longer, but not as steep as Hill Rd. Once you pass Eagle's Peak campground, there's a harrowing descent down to Newmanstown. The profile:



So Paul, if you're still around, drop me an e-mail at robertcesca(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Winter Update

I hate blogs that list a bunch of excuses for not posting. Nevertheless, here are mine: my blogging time was occupied with the election, and there haven't been any interesting rides to write about.

A few items for the record.

1) In September I finally crushed my back wheel on one of the many railroad crossings on my typical rides. Two of the spokes broke through the eyelits, so that was that. Finding a replacement was nearly impossible. Kona doesn't distribute the Sun rims by themselves, so I was off my bike for two weeks while the guys at Spokes searched high and low for a replacement. Finally, because they're awesome, the Spokes guys just yanked a back wheel off a new 2008 Jake they had on the floor; pulled off the cross tire, threw on some Bianchi road tires and I was back at it. And they only charged me for the tires. THAT is what's called Staggeringly Awesome Customer Service.

2) Through the winter, I've been doing some climbing, some hill repeats and some intervals, but only when temperatures have climbed above 35-40. Anything colder than that, and I nearly freeze to death because I'm an ass. My climbing is getting better, though, and by better I mean that I can make it up North Galen at a steady pace and I can get to the top of Sportsman without, you know, dying. Last Spring, I couldn't make it up North Galen (to the celebrity rehab center at the top) without totally falling to pieces. I've also slimmed down to 205 from 230 a year ago. That tends to help.

3) This Sunday... The Tour of California presented live in its entirety on Versus. Armstrong, Cancellara, Basso, Landis, Leipheimer, Hincapie, Contador, Boonen, Cavendish, Vande Velde, Horner, Popovych, the Schleck Brothers, Voigt, O'Grady, Danielson, Sastre, Hamilton. Has there ever been a field like this in a North American race? Ever?

Dog Bites Cyclist

Since I last checked in, I surpassed 1,000 miles on my bike computer (purchased last September). So it stands to reason that, eventually, crazy stuff would start to happen to me along the way. You know... getting hit by a car, stung by bees, caught in hail storms. But I never really thought I'd get bitten by a goddamn dog.

That's exactly what happened last night. I was climbing Gaul Rd. as part of a leisurely 25 mile "easy" ride, and as I hit the third section of 13% gradient, I heard a large dog barking like a maniac behind me and a male human being yelling "Shelby! SHELBY!" I turned my head to look and this large black dog was chasing me down. So as best I could, I started to "sprint" up the 13% hill which means 11mph at maximum effort.

Not fast enough.

The dog ran up and bit me on the back of my left leg just above my achilles tendon. Having a large dog myself, I instinctively yelled out "OFF!" And it worked. The dog turned and bolted back down the hill. In retrospect, it was probably the loud sound I made as it bit me and not my clever dog-training command.

So I stopped to check the damage and sure enough, it had broken the skin with one of its canine teeth and blood was running down my leg. Further down the hill, I watched as "Shelby's" owner attempted to get the dog out of the road while cars and a motorcyclist passed by (fortunately avoiding me on the side of the road).

Once the dog appeared to be out of sight, I turned around and coasted back down to the owner's house to check on the dog's vaccinations. As I pulled into the driveway, a group four rather large women on the back porch alerted the dog's owner that I was there. I waved and smiled politely as the man approached. Large guy -- bright red face, as if he has been drinking beer in the sunshine all day. First sign of trouble.

I asked, "I was wondering if your dog is up to date on her vaccinations. It got me on the back of my leg and--"

The red-faced man interrupted, "Look, ever since this area became part of the suburbs, I hear it from those people across the street. Cyclists and drivers yelling at me, so no offense but this is ridiculous!"

"I'm sorry, sir, but I'm not responsible for other people. All I know is that your dog bit me and I want to know if she's had her shots."

"Yeah she's had her shots!"

"Okay! That's all I wanted to know -- she broke the skin and--"

"She broke the skin?! WELL I DIDN'T KNOW THAT!"

"Yes! But she's had her shots?"

"YES!"

"Okay. Thank you."

I started to pedal back up the driveway when my temper spilled over and I yelled back at the guy, "You know, maybe you need to keep your crazy dog on a leash or in a fenced yard!"

He shouts back, "I have 7 acres!"

And as I started climbing again, I shouted, "Awesome! Then why is your dog running around biting cyclists?"

And that was that. As I continued to climb, I dumped water on the wound and took it easy down Wooltown Rd. It's remarkable to me that a guy allows his dog to run free in his yard, then is shocked and defensive when the dog attacks passers-by. I mean, how entitled (or drunk) do you have to be to 1) yell at the person who was just attacked by your dog, and 2) not apologize profusely for it?

Anyway, I've been riding every other day recently to improve my pathetic average speed over mixed terrain. And last night, even in easy mode with climb and, of course, a stop for the dog bite, I averaged 15mph. Really working on maintaining a circular pedal stroke and a faster cadence. Some intervals, too. I think it's paying off, though not fast enough to outrun dogs on 13% climbs.

Don't Touch Me!

-I don't think Evans can pull back time from Sastre after losing more than 2 minutes on the Alpe yesterday. And don't touch him! (Who says Cadel doesn't attack.)

-This is the new face of the "natural" Tour de France. A group of six clean riders within two or three minutes of each other. And imagine next year when Levi, Contador, Kloden and Horner are added to the mix.

-I thought of a replacement word for Paul Sherwen in lieu of saying "front end of the main field" every 30 seconds or so. That word is "ham". For example, "The big man of CSC, Fabian Cancellara is currently driving the ham."

Meanwhile, after suffering through slipping gears, I changed out my chain and... wow. It always amazes me what a major difference a new chain makes. My average speed ramped up from 15.5mph to 16 last night on my usual Thursday route -- but with additional climbing through the mountains and down to Newmanstown. Best ride of the Summer so far.

More Tour de France Observations

-Robbie Ventura's pre-race interview questions to riders follow this format: Random observation about the previous stage, followed by a totally unrelated question. For example, "George! Yesterday's stage blew apart the peloton and Cunego hasn't been a factor in the mountains which has left the GC wide open for someone to overtake Cadel, so what are your thoughts on carbon fiber aero bottle cages?"

-The recent flat stages have been more boring than usual, and since a Cofidis rider has been in every break so far, they all seem to run together.

-Phil Liggett has introduced a new pronunciation of "Chicchi." First it was "Chicky" and in Stage 13 it was "Chi-chi." I prefer "Chicky."

-Leonardo Peipoli is the most Italian-sounding name ever invented.

-Here's something to annoy other people watching with you. Everytime Phil and Paul mention Frank Schleck, blurt out: "Schleck-schleck-schleck-OOOOHH! Dit ist in drama. Dit ist in drama."

-And finally... Here's Beltran being chased down by Anti-Doping Control agents. This is more exciting than the last couple of flat stages.

Bob Roll Highlight Reel

Versus posted this on their site last year, but dropped it. Highlights of Bob Roll's racing career with 7-Eleven:

"Try Enthusiasm Even When You Don't Feel It"

That's the new road sign from the folks at the mental hospital at the foot of the mountains -- a sign which, I swear, is designed for those of us who ride up mountains on bikes for fun and recreation.

I've been riding the same route recently and working on my average speed. I'm taking the back way around Wernersville and attempting to avoid 422 entirely. Naturally, this is more fun and there are far fewer cars. I've also discovered a new route into the mountains behind Womelsdorf. Anyway, my 'moderate hills and flats' average speed has improved from 14.3mph to 15.6 in the last 10 days which is spiffy.

Some thoughts on the Tour de France so far...

1) Versus clearly spends more money on its promos than its broadcast booth. They have Bob Roll, Paul Sherwen and Phil Liggett dressed exactly alike in white business shirts which makes them look like kindergarteners getting ready for their first fingerpainting lesson. Meanwhile, this year's Al Trautwig, Craig Hummer (real name) is more fumbly with cycling speak than Trautwig ever was and is thus more pointless than Trautwig ever was.

2) Even though I like Bob Roll, I'm DVR-ing the morning live feed instead of suffering through Hummer and Roll in the prime time version. I don't know why Versus is doing this Americanized re-broadcast. Are they afraid that American cycling fans -- fans who know the names Liggett and Sherwen as well as they know the names Merckx and LeMond -- will somehow be turned off by the British accents and Liggett's pronunciation of the name "Chicchi"?

3) As for the riding... Soler is nursing an injured wrist from a fall in Stage 1 in which his arm went THROUGH the spokes of another Barloworld rider. Hopefully he'll be recovered enough to own the Pyrenees. Cancellara almost won Stage 2, but he attacked too early and was caught by the sprinters. Will Frischkorn kicked some ass in Stage 3 with a 200km breakaway which held for the whole race. It's always nice to see an American in the top three of the GC.

4) Jonathan Vaughters' gigantic turtle neck sweater could swallow his whole head without stretching or expanding.

5) Bernard Hinault decked a protester during the podium presentation after Stage 3. Hinault could probably hop on a bike tomorrow and drop half the field.



6) Vive le Tour!

At Least You're Not Frank Schleck

So last Thursday, I didn't get home in time for a lengthy ride, so I created a local circuit for myself: up Spohn, down Martins to form a 3-mile loop of climbing and descending. I should also note that I was sick as a dog with a weird head cold that usually hits me every couple of years or so. But I knocked out three of those circuits before my sinuses and upper lungular area were screaming.

But I made up for it on Sunday with a speedy ride out to Myerstown and back. 40 miles. I felt really strong/fast until about the 35 mile mark when I totally cracked. I was out of water and my banana had somehow collapsed in my jersey pocket (make up your own jokes), so I was only able to salvage part of it once I arrived in Myerstown. Maybe that's why I ran out of energy so close to the end of the ride (sometimes I pick up a little adrenaline when I'm close to home). Or maybe my endurance is shitty because of the crash. That makes a little more sense.

Also, it seemed like the wind direction changed. I fought the usual headwind on the ride westward, and enjoyed some tailwind on my way out of Myerstown. But after I ducked onto Main Street in Stouchsburg and reemerged onto 422, I hit another headwind all the way to Wernersville. Not fun -- and more than a little confusing.

Risser's Diner Sunday special: "Beef Heart on Filling." Speaking of which, it's worth noting again that I don't actually eat at Risser's. The 'specials' sign out front, however, is one of my favorite landmarks.

Wow

I had an MRI this morning (which is the worst kind of non-intrusive medical torture since turn-your-head-and-cough). It turns out that I have compression fracture of my T11.

Fun!

I had a weird reaction to the news... It's kind of a badge of honor. I broke my back in a cycling accident. Cool.

I'm lucky to be alive.

Oh Boonen, You Idiot!

Tom Boonen, like most Paris-Roubaix winners, is a member of my personal PRO favorites list (see below). So it's with a heavy heart that I say: What the hell is your problem, Boonen? Idiot!

Boonen tested positive for out-of-competition cocaine use. BKW says:

Boonen needs to get a clue. Every time one rider tests positive, the whole of the peloton is cast in suspicion. It may not be fair, and the dedicated fan might be able to see through it, but big-dollar sponsorships and television coverage demand that price be paid.

Right. Now, sure, if American professional football players were held to the same standards as cyclists, the only eligable player left would be... no-one.

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And for the record... My favorite pros (currently racing) in no particular order:

-Hincapie
-Cancellara
-Popovich
-Horner
-Soler-Hernandez
-Boonen
-Millar
-Danielson
-Zabriskie
-Contador
-McEwen