White Hot!

In the bike industry, the latest trend is white, white, and more white. As the saying goes, "white is the new black."

I'll be rocking a full white kit at some races this year. It is not only stylish, but also functional on hot days to keep the core temp in check.


I'm also building up a Giant XTC C carbon hardtail with full XTR and some Race Face carbon goodies. It is mostly white too!


I like my Fizik Gobi saddles a lot. There is one on just about every bike I own and there will definitely be one on the XTC. You guessed it, in 08 Fizik rolled it out in white. Giddy up!


Both my Anthem Advanced and XTC will sport 2007 Fox FX series forks. 100mm of travel for the Anthem and 80mm on the hardtail. Both are white, sort of, maybe more like cream. I went with the older FX series over the new 2008 Fox RLC series, because I prefer the terralogic dampener (i.e., auto-lockout) over a manual lockout on the fork crown. For some reason, Fox stopped making the FX series, which I believe was a mistake, especially because Fox doesn't offer a remote lockout kit for their new forks.


I'm thinking maybe some white gloves too, but I've been warned I'll look like a mime. Although, I think it would be pretty funny do to a mime in a box finishing line salute if I were lucky enough to win a race this year.

Blue Star

V02 Max Intervals & Disc Brake Powertap Update

I've been ramping up the intensity in my training as the season's first big races are just about a month away. The past few weeks I've been doing some VO2 Max intervals during my long rides on Wednesday. 5 sets of 3 minutes at CP6 power with 3 minutes recovery between sets. CP6 power closely equates to power at VO2 max. A total of 15 minutes at an intensity I can only manage to do consecutively for 6 minutes. Let's just say these are a recipe for some suffering. I've been digging deep and definitely am seeing improvement. I'm really hope I'm able to increase my top-end this year. I've already seen some good gains in my LT power, so if the high intensity power improves as well, I should be a better rider and able to hold my own in the semipro ranks.

The folks at Saris are showing off the new disc brake compatible Powertap. I've been waiting for years to get a power meter on my mountain bike. The cost and reliability issues associated with the SRM MTB meant it was not a feasible option. According to my sources, delivery of the disc powertap should be in 6 to 8 weeks. I can't explain how excited I am for some power data from the MTB. I think I'm going to lace it to a Stan's Olympic Rim to offset the additional weight associated with the hub and upgrade the bearings to ceramics. I'll pair it with a front wheel based on a DT Swiss 190 centerlock front hub and an Olympic rim as well. With some light spokes and a 28 spoke count out front, I think there should not be too much of a weight penalty. Bring on the watts and the data analysis using Cyclingpeaks software!

Let the countdown to Fontana begin...

Blue Star

Qualified and Season Prep

This blog has been dormant for too long. Sorry for the delay, but not much to report on. I've been skipping the local Budu races on my schedule in favor of some longer training rides.

I am officially qualified for Mt. Snow in the Semipro ranks. See the USA Cycling list here. I'm already looking forward to the annual trip back east for some sweet 1track and good times in Vermont.

Other than that I just keep plugging away at the training at about a 13 to 15 hour a week clip. The weather finally broke recently and we had a few sunny days. The sun and a little warmth brings out a few extra watts from the legs. Not sure if its the extra motivation, the vitamin D, or the warmer muscles, but it is good to see some improvement regardless of the reason. Daylight is also starting to hang around past 5pm, so I should be able to kick up the training volume a little more as the season approaches.

I recieved a new Giant carbon hardtail frame for the smooth courses this year. It's a thing of beauty and matches the Anthem Advanced perfectly. I've got to rush to build it up in time to get a few rides on it before the first NMBS in Fontana. I'll post some pics this week.

That's about all. Maybe, now that the sun is out, I'll take the time to shoot some photos during some training rides. More content is good.

Out,

Blue Star