One season ends as another begins.

This week marks a turning point. We just passed the shortest day of the year here in the northern hemisphere and I look forward to getting a few bonus moments of sunshine each day for the next six months. Soon my commute will not be completely shrouded in darkness, yet it will be quite some time before temperatures rise predictably above the freezing mark around here.

A few days ago, I officially ended one season and began another with the same ride: an indoor (6 hour) century on my trusty Cycle-Ops trainer.  I submitted this ride as my final effort in the 2009 UMCA Year Rounder competition which pushed my total over 3000 miles and allowed me to achieve my goal of the 3000 mile “Gold Award.” I also consider this indoor session to be the first official base-building training ride of the 2010 season. Having spent the past few months taking it easy with both mileage and intensity, I’ve been picking up the volume recently with indoor rides of 2 hours or more and this was my first full-out distance effort with 2010 goals in mind. I hope to log at least two indoor centuries per month between now and April to deepen my base and add raise my position in the UMCA Indoor Challenge.

With 2010 bearing down on us, it’s also time to look back on the past year and plan for the season ahead. In 2009, I:

1. Completed my first 1200+ event on London-Edinburgh-London.
2. Missed the sub-100 hour goal on LEL by 45 minutes: roughly equal to the amount of time spent at a pub celebrating the (near) end of the epic event.  Glad to have chosen the social over the symbolic. It wasn’t a race after all.
3. Successfully upgraded my equipment to include a Schmidt dynohub and an Edelux headlamp, both of which work beautifully.
4. Reached Gold classification (3000+ miles) in the UMCA Year-Rounder competition.
5. Finished a double century race in less than 12 hours. (11h34m)
6. Placed second in the Rapha Gentlemen’s Race.
7. Did not win the Saratoga 12-hour race, but placed 4^th and finished with a respectable 226 miles.

Under the tree this year:

1. The above photo (framed) taken by my darling daughter.
2. A Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS. I’ll report back once I’ve spent a little time figuring it out.
3. A black PACE Sportswear Merino Wool Cap (available from Boure)
4. Spinervals 2.0 Lake Placed Training Ride DVD. Trying it out tomorrow at 6:00 a.m.

Next up: Goals for 2010.

Bicycle Quarterly: My favorite piece of mail by far.

As the new issue of Bicycling Quarterly arrived in the mail the other day, I was again reminded of how much I love this journal with its esoteric preoccupation with classic French and English mid-century randonneuring bicycles. Jan Heine, the journal’s editor and principle writer, is a seemingly tireless advocate of all things rando and Bicycle Quarterly rarely disappoints.

BQ is part bike porn, part how-to-manual for the D.I.Y. set, part product review compendium and part travelogue. The crisp black and white photos of classic and modern handbuilt frames are drool-worthy and the high quality paper on which BQ is printed ensures that back issues will land on a special place on a bookshelf for future perusal rather than in the recycling bin like so much else being published about bicycles today.

Major features of BQ are the bike tests and product reviews undertaken by Jan and his friends in the Pacific Northwest. The bike tests have a decidedly scientific methodology and read like a cross between a scientific paper and an episode of "Mythbusters." Jan and his crew tackle the big issues of bicycle efficiency like aerodynamics, the impact of rider weight on speed, tire width on comfort, etc.  Many of their findings seem counterintuitive, like the fact the wide tires are generally faster than skinny tires; that shock absorbing forks are not as effective as wide, soft tires at shock absorption along with many others. Having developed tons of bad habits over the years, I have recently changed aspects of my cycling technique as a result of the BQ articles I have read. I now break with my front break almost exclusively and my handling skills are better than they’ve ever been on descents and elsewhere.

The reviews of equipment and gear of particular interest to randonneurs like lightweight baggage and lighting hardware are peerless. What material is best for waterproof luggage: canvas or synthetics? What lights are better for fast descents at night: LED or HID, dynamo or battery powered? The pages of Bicycle Quarterly are also filled with exciting stories of epic rides both recent and historical from around the globe as well as profiles and historical essays on epic races, bike builders and their products.

I walk away from every issue of BQ inspired, having learned something important and immediately applicable about the sport I love. What’s more, BQ is validation of the beauty found in the esoteric corner of the cycling world known as randonneuring. As I sit here in mid-winter contemplating the season ahead, BQ provides me with inspiration and specific tips to make this year my best ever.

BQ is a must-read journal for all cyclists interested in randonneuring, touring or cycling generally for that matter. BQ does what all great journals can do – provides engaging entertainment, accurate and hard to find information and even creates community. If you do not subscribe – do yourself a favor and sign up today. Subscriptions are $30/year (US) and $55/year (International).   More information can be found on the BQ website.

A lap of Puerto Rico in February? What’s not to like about that?

If I had a thousand bucks burning a hole in my wallet, I’d certainly be riding with the La Vuelta gang in PR this February. 375 miles in 3 days. Temps in the 70s. 9 historic lighthouses. Where’s my Christmas bonus? In this economy, I’ll be lucky to afford a new pair of wool socks and some chain lube.

Early bird registration has been extended until December 14, 2009. Check out their website for more details. If you have the cash and the time, La Vuelta 2010 looks like an outstanding way to spend both. Do me a favor, though, just don’t post the photos like this guy did when you get back. It's just mean.

“Bike Rides: The Exhibition” Carbon, titanium, bamboo – oh my!

As David Byrne famously sang, “what a day it was.” David Byrne has been on my mind lately, you see, since he was the driving force behind the “Bike Rides” exhibit at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, CT. Bryne, a major bike advocate and life-long urban commuter, recently published Bicycle Diaries which should be high on your holiday list as it is on mine. After reading about the show at a small art museum 60 miles from my home, I realized it was a perfect destination for late season Sunday ride. So after a few emails, I arranged to team up with my pals Andrey (local) and Don (in CT) for a ride, lunch and museum stroll. For this trip I tried the Bike Route Toaster mapping program and, boy, was it a pleasure! Forget "MapMyRide" (!), this web interface is clear, quick and easy to use and the instant cue sheet function is outstanding; all turns were clear and accurate.

I awoke on Sunday morning early and after large cup of fresh coffee, hit the road shortly after dawn to meet Andrey at the new Walkway over the Hudson and covered a nice assortment of secondary roads over the hills of eastern New York on our journey to the Connecticut border where we met Don for lunch. The three of us sat outside a local deli and enjoyed a fresh sandwich in the warm late morning sunshine. On the final mile to the museum, Andrey stopped into a CVS to get supplies to tend to a nasty patch of road rash he incurred on a stretch of wet pavement we encountered on the way over.

The exhibit at the small, lovely Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum begins before you enter tall glass doors that front the building. A modern red bike rack welcomes riders to the museum. While it was not entirely clear to us how to best use the rack, it did feel good to be a “part” of the exhibit in some way. My wife would later berate me for not locking my $4000 bike before entering. The first thing you see as you enter the museum is a tricked-out Piragua cart favored by urban “icey” vendors. The bright orange hue wagon contrasted nicely with the multicolored syrups in glass jars above. Video screens and stereo speakers completed the effect. This was one bad-ass rig. Further inside we were treated to a collection of fully customized single-speed wonders on loan from the Brooklyn-based Puerto Rican Schwinn Club. In addition to these customized bikes, visitors can view a collection of high-end concept bikes from Cannondale, Parlee, Seven and Richard Sachs up close. Hung together from translucent wires, these bikes were beautiful to admire.

A major disappointment for me was the utter lack of classic or contemporary handmade light touring or brevet bicycles. While a copy of Jan Hein’s Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles was prominently displayed in the museum’s gift shop, there were sadly no historical or contemporary examples of this fine craft. One only has to think of the wonders at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (Feb. 26-28, 2010 in Richmond, VA) to realize all of the missed opportunities. The closest thing to a drool-worthy rando training bike was the fixed-gear Viridian bike crafted by Seven Cycles president Rob Vandermark with its custom titanium frame, wooden fenders and cork bar grips. Did I mention the two bikes that Lance loaned the show? They were cool, too.

After a short, yet satisfying, visit to the museum we were back on the road in an effort to make it home by nightfall. Sadly, we missed the discussion scheduled for 4:00 p.m. with Bob Parlee and Rob Vandermark, but it was a great afternoon for a ride and the fact that we rode 120 miles to see this show sits a lot better than driving down just in order to chat with the builders. So grab your bike, and hit the road. The show is up until January 17, 2010.

My wife's yoga class kicked my butt (in all the right ways)!

I think Vinyasa is Sanskrit for “make your husband look like a silly fool.” At least that’s what it seemed like this morning as I peered around my wife’s yoga class. This was not the first time I jumped into some form of physical activity thinking “how hard can this be . . .” nor, sadly, will it be the last. Yet as I bent in ways I did not think possible and felt the burn in my hamstrings, abs, and muscle groups I don’t even know the names of, I realized how good this was for me despite my inexperience and self consciousness in the class. While it's nice to be "corrected" by the teacher, is she coming over to me because I look like an idiot?

I’ve done some yoga in the past, but I’ve never made a practice of it. This will be the year! It’s amazing how a good class can make you feel stronger, more limber and mellow all at the same time. More developed core strength will make me a better cyclist. It will also just generally make me feel fitter. I also hope that yoga will help take the "little old man" curve out of my posture that hours on my bike only seems to make worse. Now that my cycling has tapered off considerably with reduced light, colder weather and the psychic need to give myself a break to maintain my love of riding, it’s time to switch gears to other forms of exercise and training. Taking yoga classes with my wife this winter will bring us some real joy doing something together and that’s no small thing after spending so many hours away in the saddle.

Planning for next season: the RUSA 2010 calendar is live.

October is truly a magical month in the Northeastern U.S. The leaves are majestic and, when we’re lucky, the air is crisp and fresh. Another great thing about October is the release of the upcoming brevet schedule. Last week, the official 2010 calendar appeared on the RUSA website. After realizing that the calendar was live last week, I immediately began the process of entering all potential rides into my on-line Google calendar. Superimposed over family and school commitments, I'm now beginning to see the possibilities and the shape that my upcoming season will assume. Since my main long-term goal is to participate in PBP in 2011, I want to make sure that my events correspond with and support the evolving requirements set out by the French organizers.

At the moment, it appears that:

• NATIONS will raise their total rider allotment through the total number of events ridden during 2010 by all riders.

• INDIVIDUALS will be able to register according to deadlines associated with the highest total distance event they complete in 2010.

Today, the weather was marvelous and I enjoyed riding more than I have in weeks. The wonderful beauty and warm air all around me started me dreaming of next year. So check out the new calendar and see what’s in store for you . . .

Outside Magazine's Commuter 101

I can’t believe it, in the glossy pages that usually feature the latest carbon fiber wonder frames, am I really seeing a photo of a Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen with full fenders and handlebar bag? Described as capable of "dreamy handling on high speed descents?” 650B wheel size explained? Has the word “randonneuring” actually appearing in print? Did I slip in the shower and hit my head? Is this really happening? Is it “opposite day?” Well folks, it seems that bicycle commuting has finally hit the mainstream, which is good news for all of us. The more bikes on the road, the safer we are.

Follow this link to the on-line version of this article which includes sensible answers to the six biggest excuses for NOT commuting by bike to work. Also included are some gear reviews and slick photos. Ortlieb’s Backroller Classic, Acorn’s Boxy Rando Bag and the Kona Africa Bike One all get favorable nods. The print article has a few more tips and accessories not included on-line and it’s worth the newsstand price if you don’t have a subscription. In addition, David Byrne is interviewed this month about his new book, Bicycle Diaries in which he details his love of and reflections upon bike commuting around the world.

If that isn’t enough, there’s an article on mysterious detached human feet washing ashore near Vancouver, B.C. How sick is that?

Catskill Climbfest 200K Permanent

After LEL, I kicked it into low gear with no real long rides to speak of in either August or early September. Instead, I enjoyed a restorative vacation on Block Island for several weeks with my wonderful family. My riding fell into the 1-3 hour variety for the past six weeks or so. The end of August always means that school is on the horizon and faculty meetings and the hustle and bustle of planning and executing a new school year means less time in the saddle for yours truly. Needless to say, within this context, my ride last weekend on the Catskill Climbfest 200K permanent route I manage was most welcome. The Catskill Climbfest is a route I pieced together taking in several of my favorite climbs and back country roads through the amazing Catskill Mountains. I tend to ride this route about 6 or more times each year and it always feels like a homecoming when I do. I was lucky to have the companionship of my friends Don and Andrey last week which made up for the fact that we encountered the first significant rain of the month.

Don and I arranged to ride on the last Sunday in September to be sure to net the miles needed for both Don’s R-12 and my Year-Rounder awards. I long ago gave up on the prospect of an R-12 as a reasonable goal at this point. I would much rather squeeze in a fun race or build to a 1200K than use up my family cycling “credits” to simply get out to complete 200Ks on a monthly basis. Cycling year-round in New York State is hard enough. Mabe when my kids are a bit older. Don drove over from Connecticut on Sunday morning and Andrey rode over from his house which is just a few miles from the start. We met at a few minutes before 7:00 a.m. in the rain and brought our brevet cards into the Stewart’s Shop to be stamped. A woman who works the early shift reached for the store stamp as she saw us walk through the door. While she didn’t remember my name, she knew who I was and why I was there.

Anyway, as luck would have it, the weather forecast was ominously wet for this one day so we all planned accordingly. We headed out shortly after 7:00 with fenders and rain gear into the rain, which fell on us with great consistency, but never very hard. It was more of a steady drizzle with temperatures up in the 60s so that, while my feet were drenched the whole day, I never really felt too cold. In fact, for much of the day, riding in the rain felt like a blessing. The air smelled heavy and alive and the sounds were more muted than they would have been on a sunny day filled with cars on the roads and wind in the trees. I felt strong on the two major climbs of the day and it was comforting to see that my conditioning had not totally disappeared over the past month. It was also a treat to ride with friends after so much time training solo. I look forward to our next 200K in a few weeks.