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For some reason the weather last week was spectacular. Very atypical for March. I opened my season with a race just south of Albany, NY. The temps were in the 60s and the sky was crystal clear. The beautiful weather no doubt caused many riders to dust off the carbon wheels a few weeks early. …

Last week of base calls for a bit of top end speed work. I have spent the last 12 weeks working on solid aerobic fitness and power at LT. Now it is time to shift gears. Literally. The workout: WU: 10 minutes easy spinning, 5 minutes at LT, 5 minutes easy spinning. MS: 5 x …

Some folks take Monday off after two hard days on the weekend. Rightly so. I make Sunday either a very light day or I take it off all together. Mondays I like to do the following workout before hitting it hard Tuesday and Wednesday. Total Time: 90 minutes 45 minutes of endurance spinning 5 minutes …

Today’s team ride went well. I was tired, but I could still hammer with the boys. My legs are wrecked now, but I’m not irritable. Libido seems in-check too. Its a good thing ’cause the kids are elsewhere for the evening. I had a good recovery meal and took a little snooze which always helps. …

I would never normally worry about over-training this time of year for myself or other athletes I work with in northern New England. Usually the long winters keep training hours under control until April. Late April is usually when I see athletes (including myself) start showing signs of doing too much too soon. This is …

I continue to battle cold feet syndrome as the temps are still in the 30s. A team member recommended adding some cayenne pepper to my socks. I tried this with some success. Another colleague of mine remarked he had heard that your core body temperature is to blame. In fact, a 1 degree drop in …

I remember when I started riding. It was about ten years ago. I had allowed myself to become an overweight, workaholic during my 20s and was in desperate need of exercise both to halt the weight gain and to reduce the stress. My lawyer at the time was a cyclist and he invited me to …

Base 3 means it is time to starting getting a little uncomfortable on the bike. Yesterday I did 3 x 10 minutes at upper zone 4 or just a hare below really suckin’ wind. The power numbers were solid for the efforts and time of year. Today I did 1 x 30 minutes at the …

April 10th is the date for the Tour of the Battenkill. This race is the official opener to my season, as well as many other bike racers throughout New England. Many will race prior to April 10th, but those races will pale in comparison to the duration and intensity of “Battenkill.” What makes this race …