What’s your numbers?

Saturday was a great day at the Bicycle Ranch Saturday Ride; more than a hundred riders came to ride.

Joe Friel http://www.trainingbible.com and Ron Arroyo http://www.arroyoracing.com were on hand to lead the group on a 3 hour plus Zone 2 base ride.

Joe gave a presentation on the value of base training, talked about Zone 2 and its importance.

When the group was asked to raise there hands as to who all wants to go on the base ride, just about everyone there was in.

And we off on down the road!

Riding along with the group I heard one of the guys talking about Zone 2 to his friend next to him.

“Do you know where Zone 2 is for you?”

“I have no idea; I think it means you go easy”

“Yea it means, go easy!”

So I thought it would be fun to ask guys what their Zone 2 limits were and how do they know?

Kind of interesting to here how people came up with their Zone 2 numbers.

Well out of the group that all raised their hands to roll out on a Zone 2 Base Ride here are the results of my little sub query of “What’s your Numbers?”

Several had the exact numbers, i.e. 132 is my Zone 2 limit. Plan on being there all day!

However the majority of people had no idea what there numbers were.

Funny most of them had the Polar or Garmin mounted right in front of them.

So I started to ask; How you ever been tested to know where your numbers are?

The majority said no!

The Moral of the Story is real easy; “Get Tested or Test Yourself”

Some people like this simple standardized chart.

Next time you are out on a ride and someone say’s Zone 2, Base or Zone 3 Tempo or anything you will know where your numbers are!

Hijacked from azCROSS.com:

Scott Keller was kind enough to use a helmet cam to capture the Men’s Open race on November 14th (Race 4 of the series).

Cycling Videos on CyclingDirt

Here’s a special Thanksgiving Day version of Dear Rusty. Actually, it has nothing to do with Thanksgiving except for the fact that I am posting it on Thanksgiving Day. Anyways, Happy Turkey Day, eat lots.

—————

Dear Rusty-

I am new to cycling, and not really a racer (yet), but a friend of mine told me about you and this site, and I really thought you might be able to help. You see, I was a great football player in high school (would have gone to the NFL if my coach wouldn’t have lied to the recruiters about my having poor work ethic). So as you can imagine I am super jacked. This is great for getting girls, but the problem is with shaving. My friend (the same one who told me about your site) says that to be a real cyclist I need to shave my legs, but my calves and thighs are so defined that they are really hard to navigate with a razor. Any tips? Also, how high on the leg do I shave? Thanks for the help.

Shaving in Sahuarita,

AZRider_2010

—————

It’s always a pleasure receiving inquires from elite athletes regardless of sport. Unfortunately, a lethargic 3rd string high school flabberback doesn’t qualify as “elite” or an “athlete” for that matter. None the less, my arrogance cannot be stopped; only directed.

True cyclists shave their legs for several reasons:

1. Ease of applying and removing a bandage after a crash

2. Less irritation during massage

3. To prevent gonorrhea

4. Tax bracket identification

During the race calendar I would suggest shaving everything, but the off season requires utilitarian alternatives:

The Bermuda: Starting at your ankle, shave only to the elastic gripper on your bib shorts. This keeps a protective layer of man hair underneath your kit. Like goose down in a sleeping bag, the loft will keep you chestnuts toasty during your holiday rides.

The Pele: Starting at the ankle, shave only the back of the calf. This creates breathability to the calf muscle yet leaves a “shin guard” to ward off the elements.

The Venetian: Starting at the ankle, shave several vertical strips up to the groin. Like a radiator this variation will keep your legs warm without the suffocation of total coverage.

The Greek Taxi driver: Don’t shave – starting at the ankle, submerse your legs in a vat of Icy/Hot. The petroleum product will insulate the legs and the burning sensation will trigger the incomprehensible dialect.

If your body is so grotesquely disproportioned that you can’t pilot your own razor you should solicit your cooperative “friend”. Anyone who boastfully describes themselves as a “jacked” football player proficient at “getting girls” is two Appletinis away from a bromance.

If you want my professional advice you should focus on mountain biking. Just as in football, you can be fat, lazy and hairy!

Rusty Chain

Bicycle Ranch is proud to have Two Great Coaches in this Saturday, November 28th to lead a nice long base training ride. Joe Friel and Ron Arroyo

Bicycle Ranch Base Training Ride

Saturday November 28th 7:30AM

Behind the Bicycle Ranch Store

Training Bible Coaching – Joe Friel

Joe Friel is an international Best Seller of the books “The Triathletes Training Bible” and “The Cyclists Training Bible” and endurance training. By helping National Federations set coaching standards and training, Joe has used his science and experience to help athletes and coaches of all levels. Through Joe’s hands-on instruction, and rigorous continuing education, TrainingBible Coaching maintains a staff of coaches throughout the world that is current on the latest, most effective, and efficient training methodologies.

TrainingBible Coaching has assembled some of the best coaches from around the world. Through their technical knowledge as well as practical experience, TrainingBible coaches have helped athletes who are just beginning their journeys to Olympians.

http://www.trainingbible.com

Arroyo Racing – Ron Arroyo

Arroyo Racing provides performance coaching and testing for all levels of multi-sport endurance athletes. If you are looking to improve your performance or you just want to get started, we are here for you.

Arroyo Racing provides one-on-one coaching as well as fully customized online training plans. If you are a triathlete looking to get faster or wanting to achieve the ultimate goal of Ironman we can get you there. If you need to improve your swim leg we can get it done with one on one coaching and video analysis above and underwater. If you are looking to make improvements in your running, Arroyo Racing coaches runners at all levels and distances. If you want to PR at your next event or qualify for Boston we can help you achieve your goals. We offer gait analysis and video analysis.

We also train cyclists at all levels from Pro to Cat 5. We coach athletes for criteriums, road races, stage races, time trails, as well as mountain bike events such as Leadville. Arroyo Racing is one of the only coaching services that coaches with heart rate and power with no additional charge for power training.

http://www.arroyoracing.com

Harry Ault of Wilier Bikes USA came to town yesterday in a big way.

He gave a presentation on the 2010 Wilier Collection http://www.wilier-usa.com/ at the Airpark Bikes Customer Appreciation Blue Wasabi/Sky Vodka party last night.

In addition to the informative presentation Wilier generously donated two limited edition custom Team Lampre frame sets for a auction donating all of the proceeds to The Arizona Masters Racing Team.

A BIG THANKS to Harry Ault of  Wilier Bikes USA for coming to Arizona to support our cycling community!

Hi folks.

The link below is for the 2010 Arizona racing calendar. Keep in mind this is the preliminary calendar as of 11.21.09 and is subject to change. In other words, don’t go reserving hotel rooms just yet.

But a sneak peek never hurts…

Click here.

2009 El Tour de Tucson unofficial results have been posted.

Check them out here.

Check out the offical El Tour site here.

I want to wish everyone the best for this upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday!

After the big turkey feast come join The Arizona Masters Racing Team for three days of great base training.

Everyone is welcome!

Friday November 27^th

“JITTERY SQUIRREL RIDE”

Tortilla Flats – EOP
Meet at Starbucks
North/West Corner of Power and McDowell
8 AM AM 4hour plus Base Ride

Saturday November 28^th

“CASTROLINI’s RIDE”

Ride with Joe Friel and Ron Arroyo

Meet at the Bicycle Ranch Store, out back

7:30AM 3 to 4 hour base ride

Sunday November 29^th

“HU HU KAM RIDE”

Valley of the Sun Road Race Preview
Meet at McDonalds
Arizona Ave and Riggs
8 AM 4hour plus Base Ride

An update from West Valley Cycle group ride organizer David Herzog:

————–

All,

This Saturday will be our last 7am start time. We also will be trying a new One Time route for this Saturday. For our East side riders, you will be amazed just how big Goodyear extends to the south. Plus this route offers 25+ miles with no stop lights. Leo/Shaun will lead out the A group and I will lead out the B group. We’ll take our normal route up to Estrella, right on Willis, left on Rainbow Valley. Go to stop sign and right up to the end of Riggs. Same route back and straight to the Store. Then to Verrado and home. Please bring two bottles, this will add approx 20 miles to the first half of our ride. Rainbow is a great open road for a nice pace line. If you drop off, it’s an out and back, so no one get’s left behind. The only caution is the first cattle guard on Rainbow, there is a gap down the middle we must avoid. This will be fun, come out and enjoy the extra miles. Considering what our Ironman and tour De Tucson friends will be doing this weekend, this will be a piece of cake. New sprint points are these signs at the end of Willis and Rainbow. Just keep an eye on Joe moving towards the front…

· Last week brought out 40+ riders. Joe won the first, Glenn won two, and Shaun had two wins. I continue to be amazed how strong the group is getting. Efforts by Daryl, Jared, Vicki, and John A are great to watch.

· Race results: Kathy posted a 4:25 half ironman at the world championship in Florida. Beyond fast, she also knocked off 20 minutes from her Soma time. A great finish to her season.

Best of luck to our Tour De Tucson riders. John C and Randy

If you can make it to the AZ Ironman, here are our friends to look for:

2651 Amy

93 Sally Aston

794 Jack (Joao) Raimundo

807 Brandon Sparks

1765 Gene Hindman

921 Mike Brown

291 Tim Conklin

214 Brett Bentley

Steve Donaldson

Founder Cyclists Against Reckless Drivers (and now IRS taxable donation approved!)

www.CyclistsAgainstRecklessDrivers.org

Velocity Group Cycling Link:

http://velocitygroupcycling.com

Saturday route:

West Valley Cycling Saturday Group Ride

Web Site:

http://members.cox.net/westvalleycycle/

Sprint Points:

1. Cotton: after you crest the top of Cotton, approx 100 yards from the end, there is a sign that says, BUMP

2. Estrella Parkway: approximately 100 yards from the end, there is a White no parking sign.

3. WestStar: 50 yards before the end there is a sign that says 35 MPH.

4. San Gabriel: the short climb before the first Market stop, at the beginning of the Center divider, 50 yards from stop sign.

5. Verrado: the far end of the second bridge. Where the pavement turns black.

Thanks!

David

949 212 4000 Mobile

david.herzog@aspect.com

Manufacturer and Sales of High Performance and
Racing Bicycles Online
Velo Vie Signs Sponsorship Agreement with Boulder Velo Racing

November 19, 2009

Scottsdale, AZ – Velo Vie, a leading manufacturer and consumer-direct marketer of high-end carbon fiber bikes, has announced the signing of a successful sponsorship agreement with the Boulder Velo Racing team, an organization consisting of more than 20 members who compete in the masters 35+ and 45+ open
categories.

The Boulder Velo Racing team is truly a Cinderella story in the making. The team formed three years ago under the title sponsorship of mix1 and consisted of only 12 riders. Within the first year of competing, Boulder Velo Racing blazed out of the gates and tackled Colorado racing by claiming the “best all around team” (BAT) competition. Team riders also took the 1st and 3rd place slots in the “best all around rider” (BAR) competition.

By the second year, the Boulder Velo Racing team had not only proven its worth in competitive rides, it also made a name for itself in the industry. As a result, it sought to create a more professional look. The first step was to secure a sponsorship with a bike manufacturer that was not only on the same wavelength, but also created and marketed great products.

Most importantly, Boulder Velo Racing wanted a partner that was fairly new that could easily grow along with the team. Within the second year, rider numbers had increased to 22 and more intense competition was becoming a key focus. Boulder Velo Racing needed a sponsor that promoted the same intensity in riding as it did in the products that it created.

2009 has proven to be a stellar year for Boulder Velo Racing. The team had four riders compete at the national level, one at the international level and in eight states. The team also won the BAT title again in the 45+ category and placed 2nd in the same competition in the highly competitive 35+ category. Now, with its Velo Vie sponsorship secure, Boulder Velo Racing is ready to emerge on the competition with high performance, lightweight design and sleek styling.

Through this partnership, Velo Vie will be able to increase its corporate identification, exposure and brand awareness, in addition to enhancing perception of its community support and involvement. In tying its brand to this growing and competitive cycling team in Colorado, Velo Vie will be positioning itself as a key provider in this specific region.

“We are excited about this new partnership as it will help to further the initiatives of Velo Vie and our approach to promoting a healthy lifestyle through cycling,” said Dan Barnes, Director, Velo Vie. “We partner only with those teams that demonstrate a winning attitude and a love of the sport. The Boulder Velo Racing team is in an exciting time of growth and competition, which is exactly where we aim to be with our teams.”

“Our racing team had in mind the type of quality partner we wanted to secure moving forward,” said Marcel van Garderen, team representative. “Velo Vie has surpassed our expectations in terms of quality, support and professionalism. We are excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to see what 2010 has to offer us both.”

Velo Vie

Arizona-based Velo Vie manufactures and markets high performance and racing bicycles direct to the consumers through its online marketplace. Founded in 2006, Velo Vie offers highly customizable bicycle frames featuring Velo Vie™ Carbon Axis technology. Velo Vie offers consumers top quality components through its relationships with manufacturers such as Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM, Fulcrum, Reynolds, Easton, Vision, Profile, Ritchey, FSA, Deda, Rolf, Time, Speedplay and Look. For more information about Velo Vie visit www.velovie.com. Contact info press@velovie.com or call 1-877-VELOVIE.