[BHV] We Want You!

[Bob Nunnink]

Greetings: (now there is a phrase that strikes fear into every man of a
certain age)

 You are in invited to join the elite group of BHV cyclists collectively
known as the "Race Team".  This years 2008 team is shaping up to be very
exciting and dynamic.  We have a hardcore of veterans returning;  Brian "Cat
4 soon to be Cat 3 Klotz", Dave "Boy did he get fast" Prugh, Jeff "Riding
gets me away from these dang kids"  Frutchey,  Ryan "Triathlon Finisher,
Restaurant Owner, New Home Owner Whew!" Morales, George "King of Cross"
Hluck,  and Tim "work all Winter ride all Summer" Carlson and myself Capt
Bobbo "He like to ride in the cold?" Nunnink.  Joining us for the new season
so far are our first woman rider Vanessa "I love my Cervelo" McCafferty.  We
are currently in negotiations with the member of the Amish Pursuit team;
Scott "the Artiste" Ouderkirk and his talented leadout soon to be lead
riders Dan & John Hertzler . Any rider interested in racing is welcome to
join.


2008 Highlights

   - We become an official USCF licensed Team
   - New Race Jerseys with a New Title Sponsor
   - A full Race Calender of events 56 races Wow!
   - Our own race the BHV Circuit race in Corning coming this May
   - Weekly training rides

Need more motivation then that to join us here is an excellent article by
Jim Langley
"
*I joined Team Bike Trip, a masters racing squad. *

At 54, I wasn't at all sure I wanted to be on a team or whether I could meet
the 10-race-a-year requirement. But a friend on the squad encouraged me to
give it a try. As a direct result cycling changed significantly -- and for
the better.

Many of you in the RBR audience are middle-age guys and gals who define
yourselves as "fast recreational" roadies. You don't pin on a number often,
if ever, but you may be curious about what racing offers those of us whose
main cycling incentive is simply that we love to ride.

I'm happy to share 6 lessons I learned on my race team in 2007:

---*Goals keep you motivated.*  Obviously, after so many consecutive rides I
don't have motivation issues. But the team gives me even more incentive to
ride regularly. We have a coach and riders all trying to improve and
succeed. An important part of this process is setting reasonable goals, such
as achieving certain times or placings in specific events.

Once you're committed (sending in race entry fees helps), it's easier to eat
right, find time to stretch, do your push-ups and crunches, get enough rest
and so on. Weekly team workouts provide short-term objectives that build
confidence and keep you focused on seasonal goals.

---*You still have it.*  By "it" I mean fitness, strength, athletic prowess.
Even though I never missed a ride in the last couple of years, I felt like I
was slipping. Guys were starting to catch me on climbs (sound familar
Paul?), which I always felt were my strength. I was seeing slower average
speeds even if I tried hard to match my old times.

I'm happy to report that getting into racing changed all that. At 54 I'm
feeling as fit and fast as ever. The main reason is because . . .

---*Intensity gets results.*  This may be the most valuable lesson of 2007.
I give full credit to our coach, *Mark Edwards*, also a masters racer, who
has us on a strict diet of intense intervals to prepare for NorCal's typical
hilly 50- to 60-mile road races.

Gone are the days of steady 5-hour rides, Saturday and Sunday group
hammerfests, and 60-minute kill-yourself lunch rides. Instead, 4 days a week
you'll find us pushing ourselves up local hills doing multiple 6- or
20-minute repeats. They train our metabolisms in just the right way for
racing.

I wasn't sure such short, hard training could make a difference, but it has.
It takes less time, too, compared to the hours I used to put in. Intervals
are not as difficult as you might think when you're chasing teammate
training partners or trying to keep them from catching you.

---*Easy rides are even easier.*  When you go as hard as we do during
interval sessions you feel wasted afterwards. The only way you can recover
for the next tough team workout is to take a day off or, if you ride every
day, pedal very easily.

I thought I knew how to soft pedal, but in 2007 I took it to an even lower
level. I no longer react when riders pass. I just spin along, focusing on
loosening my legs. We've all heard that's how pros ride for recovery, and
it's kind of cool knowing that the slower you go, the better you're
training.

---*Technology counts.*  As a bike nut I'm totally into cycling technology.
But there's nothing like racing to fan the flames. At events I see guys on
sub-14-pound rigs thanks to super high-tech parts like $5,000 carbon
wheelsets. That kind of weight savings can make a huge difference and it
spurs a separate race: I need to keep my bike as competitive as my body.

Power meters are another big development. Everyone's got one, and it's clear
that if you're not tuning into the key numbers (or you don't have a coach
doing it for you) you're probably not achieving your potential. I got a
power meter for Christmas so Coach Edwards can further refine my training.

---*Cycling is more fun.*  One of the nicest surprises about getting back
into competition after many years away was rediscovering how enjoyable
racing is. I was worried that it would be dangerous and that if you aren't
competitive you have no business being out there. But racing is actually
very user-friendly. Whether you ride with the leaders or are just hoping for
a top-20 finish, it's thrilling to be out there and getting the best out of
yourself.

Racers are bike fanatics just like you. Given half a chance they're more
than happy to tell you about their bikes, the training they're doing, their
favorite local rides and more. You'll make friends and feel right at home.

You can visit the official web site for the race team here

 http://groups.google.com/group/kingsbury-bhv-race-team

We have racing ebooks in the files section, the race calendar and it's a
email listserver that keeps the BHV server unclogged with race business. So
act now if you are not on the race team google group I will add you.


See you at Dana's fund raiser

Bobby Nunnink
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