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Friday, April 30, 2010

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# posted by Michelle Grainger @ 9:17 PM 0 Comments

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

2011 Paris-Brest-Paris/ Audax Club Parisien

RMCC in Colorado riders getting ready for an early Spring ride.

OK Everyone. Time to get serious about the 2011 Paris-Brest-Paris. http://www.paris-brest-paris.org/pbp2011/index2.php?lang=en&cat=accueil&page=edito

If you're interested in riding in the 2011 Paris-Brest-Paris, there's a little more to know and be ready for this year. There's a preregistration rule that's new to 2010. This is in addition to finishing your qualifying ACP SR series next year. The preregistration rides allow for you to be placed on a "list" of some sorts-or a place in line, until you have finished your 2011 qualifiers.
You WANT to be on that list if you want to go to Paris. At least this is my opinion.

There are several places you can go to to see what this event is all about.

First I'd start with the RUSA web site. http://www.rusa.org/announce.html. This site will lead you through all of the rules and regulations to the ACP Brevets leading you up to PBP. Start with this excerpt from the RUSA site:

"January 1, 2010
At RUSA we're looking forward to another fine year of long-distance cycling. Many of our members are already getting excited about the next Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) in August of 2011. Brevets ridden in 2010 will have a potential impact on PBP registration. Here's what we know so far:

In the past, the ACP has required RUSA membership at the time the first qualifying event is ridden, so we're encouraging everyone to renew as soon as possible since some of your 2010 events may be used as preregistration enhancements for PBP.

We think that preregistration reserves your place "in line" among the registrants, which you can claim if/when you qualify in 2011 - hence no penalty to folks in northern/wintry climes. We'll let everyone know how this will work as soon as the details are finalized by the ACP.

The ACP may impose country quotas, but the details of how their plans will be implemented have not been finalized. Our country quota will probably improve based on the ACP-sanctioned brevets that our members ride in 2010.

The ACP says highest preregistration preference will be given to members completing a 1000k in 2010; those completing shorter brevets, will have incrementally less priority based on longest event ridden (600k, 400k, 300k).

RUSA is recommending that members wishing to participate in PBP 2011 should try to ride a Super Randonneur (SR) series in 2010. This will help our country quota and give you some individual registration priority. Of course, as always, final qualification will also depend upon successful completion of a full SR series in 2011."

You can also go to the Paris-Brest-Paris web site and read a little more at http://www.paris-brest-paris.org/pbp2011/index2.php?lang=en&cat=accueil&page=edito

You can also go to your own Randonneuring club. Our club in Colorado is called Rocky Mountain Cycling Club (RMCC). http://www.rmccrides.com/

________________________
Here's what our local Regional Brevet Adviser (RBA), John Lee Ellis, had to say about the 2010 rules and sums it all up, quite nicely.

"USA has posted the new Paris-Brest-Paris brochure from the Audax Club Parisien. The brochure has quite a lot of info about pre-registration, qualifying, registration, inspection, start times, and many other details. Some salient ones:
Event is August 21-25.
Starts are:
5pm (80h)
6:30pm (90h)
5am (84h)
This is earlier than in years past for the 80h and 90h riders.
Pre-registration in 2011 is available starting as follows, depending on your longest ACP brevet in 2010:

1000km* - April 3
600km - April 17
400km - May 1
300km - May 15
200km - May 29
*A Randonneurs Mondiaux 1200km+ event such as the Last Chance may be substituted for a 1000k brevet. This is a change of policy from what the ACP earlier stated.

General registration starts June 4. Pre-registrants keep their place in line, as we understand it, so long as they satisfy their qualification requirements by late June.

This is a very well-done and content-rich brochure, so please have a look if you may be interested in PBP'11".
______________________

If you're thoroughly confused by now, check out the glossary on the RUSA site; "Randonneuring Terminology" compiled by Bill Bryant and pronunciation guide by Johnny Bertrand.

Bill writes " Like all other sports, "randonneuring" has a vocabulary of special terms and phrases not readily found in a dictionary. Many of the terms are French words or adaptations of them, owing to the origins of "randonneuring" there over 100 years ago. Today, these terms are commonly used by randonneurs around the world."

I like to think of the rules for this year as a "Gentleman's lottery". I think it's wonderful to ask riders to invest in their local club, their rides, and the rides offered all around the United States.

What does this all mean? It means you should have your calendar out and write in all of the ACP rides you think you can do. Start with the earliest 200km (ACP) ride you can do. Then add in a whole SR series, if possible. That's a 200km, a 300km, a 400km, and a 600km. If you want the mack daddy of events on there, add in a 1,000km or a 1200km event.

Too, that you should have had several long-ish rides (75-100 miles) already done by a week out from your first 200km ride. You know, have your base miles in by now and be ready to start gearing up your volume for the ride season.

Good luck and I'll post more information, tips, and advice as the season unfolds. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 10:40 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, January 7, 2010

I'm back! Happy 2010!

I know it has been forever. And forever is a long time. So many new things. Most importantly, a new year. So, happy 2010.

Still hiking the Girls. On one of our New Year's weekend hikes, Lucie was quite attentive. This means only a few things. Deer, fox, or lion. We don't know which but these are some great photos of Rhodesian Ridgebacks doing what they do best; keep it in sight and don't take your eyes off it.

Don't give up. Keep it in sight.

Stay still.

I could not see anything. Lucie refused to leave this spot for some time.

I do know, however, if a cat does not want you (me) to see it, I won't. Steve and I know this from experience. Kind of a "now you see it, now you don't. Hmmmmm. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 10:23 AM 1 Comments

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Smog Smog Go Away. I know. Can be much worse. I could live in Cali where the fires are really bad. But I don't, I live here on the Front Range.

Was going to ride with Steve today on the mountain bikes. Worked in the gym this AM, did the dog beds at the Laundromat in town, and then was on my way home to ride. But... Steve put the kibosh on the ride. He said the smog/haze from the California fires was just too bad. Would not be good for my Asthma. He's right. Plans changed and now I'm trying to get computer and house work done before I go back to town for PT and then the afternoon shift at work.

Good news is, my back has been doing much better this week. Neck is a little tweaked but the low back and hips seem to be holding this week and that's a great thing and gives hope that I am getting better.

Unfortunately, my wrist is much worse. I started doing more things with my clients, in the gym, and it has tweaked my sprained wrist. Also, using the stick shift in my car, carrying the laundry and the grocery bags makes it tweak out. I may get a small brace to help keep it straight.

I have started lifting in the gym. All very light. Need to build up the ligaments and tendons first, then can start on the muscles. It has been a long summer-and yes, I know it could be a lot worse.. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 12:43 PM 0 Comments

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Meet The Locals of Paint Gun Park. The title is going to be very obvious when I can post a photo...

Did two mountain bike rides today. It was a little hard but it felt so great to ride the mountain bike. I realize that I need to get on the mountain bike more, now that I'm healing better. I miss it and it is such good core work and glut strengthening. Oh and I really love the views.

I'm still having trouble getting photos to upload on this blog but will get it worked out soon.

So the two rides were the same only the ride Saturday was in a clockwise direction and yesterday, S and I rode from our house up to Gold Hill, up the dirt road to Peak 2 Peak and then south to the Glacier Lake turn off and rode the Switzerland Trail backwards. It's a great way to get in some good climbing. I think I'll start to climb more for the rest of the summer.

Firday we both have the day off and will do the Glenhaven Gallevant. SHold be a nice day for it and we should be able to leave early enough to avoid Labor Day Traffic.

Well, I'll try to get more pics up soon. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 10:26 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, August 27, 2009

More Hikes Than Rides.

We do live in an amazing place. I never tire of looking at the mountains or living in them.

I have been hiking more consistently then I have been riding. Seems the riding makes me more tired and the Girls still need a hike/walk every day, so that's what comes first. If they're happy, I'm happy.

Not to say I haven't done a crap load of miles (even with the truck accident), but it is not the normal ride every day that I'm used to. And I've only bike commuted once since the accident. I still get very tired and it just seems like a long way home when I'm really tired.

The pile of insurance papers and EOBs just keep getting higher and higher on my desk. Once I found out the hospital sends bills to the car insurance AND my health insurance-meaning getting paid by both, I lost all of my steam to stay on top of it. I mean, really! They get a check from both places and will only return one of the payments when asked for it. The system in our country really sucks. So there the pile grows. On my desk. Maybe I'll go through it this weekend.

I have been able to get in a few centuries each month and am keeping up with the 200K each month. Shooting for the R-12 Award. Have to do and finish a 200K Permanent each month through March of 010. It's doable.

My back seems to be a little better. The neck is still pretty locked up. Each day I wake up and it feels like I slept on it wrong and it is hard to turn it from side to side. Good news is, when the neck is locked up, the lower back is better. Then visa-versa. Not that is really is a good thing. A good thing would be to not have had this happen. Oh well.... life does go on.

With less riding, that means more time to socialize. My twinnie sis does so much of this and I am usually envious. But, man, does it take a lot of energy. I love all of my friends and wish I had time for more social events but I do all I can do and that makes me tired. I hope everyone understands.

I'm very close to getting the IPhone. Just don't know if I'll use all of the cool functions and features. Also, those "data" plans, voice plans, and texting seem, well, expensive. Have to do something, though. I'm starting to blow through my minutes and that gets very expensive.

I started ligting in the gym. Very light but it's something. Today I did bi, shoulders, upper back (trap) and some rows. I'm trying to build up a little muscle in hopes that ti will make my back and neck feel better. Nothing hard, just something to start the base phase. We'll see how it progresses.

The weekend looks good for one long ride, some insurance stuff, and a few hikes with the Girls. I'll also post more photos. Tried to do more tonight but they won't upload from the desk top. Have to find out why. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 11:27 PM 0 Comments

Sunday, August 16, 2009

I"mmmmmmm Baaaaack.

OK. I'm back. Sorry it's been a long while. Just did not feel like writing about how my back is not better and neck is out of whack, etc..blah blah blah... You've heard it all. And quite honestly, everyone has a pain or two or three, and who wants to keep hearing about mine?

I have been riding this summer, in spite of the truck accident. It has not been easy. I know people think I'm OK because I have been riding, but I have had to cut the rides back from every day, commuting and super long distances, to short and moderate distance and about 3 x per week. I've only commuted once since getting hit.

The gym workouts are pretty much nil. As a coach and trainer, I know that it's important to get the muscles built back up for a good strong skeletal foundation. It's everything I can do, just to do the rehab and PT exercises. The other stuff gets my back and hip into a mess and then I have to start over. The other stuff just throws my back and hips into spasms. Not good. Moderation is the key here. So not me!

I'm not complaining ( I know I sound like it) as I know I could easily have had a crushed leg or broken pelvis. Those injuries would have me out of work, into a no training pattern and, well, in a very depressed state of mind.

What I can do is continue to get better and move forward. I just can't sit on the couch and feel sorry for myself. That does no one any good. I can be sore on the couch or sore off the couch- a no brainer.

Now for the fun news

The plans to visit my birth place and family, in Australia, are set. Leaving late October. We have the plane tickets, the itinerary and the dog sitter/friends all set up. It will be incredible for Steve to meet more of my family and for him to see where I "came from". Fun fun fun.

Due to the truck accident, length and cost of the Fall trip, we have stayed close to home all year. Doing a lot of road riding (cannot mt bike very much or long, due to the accident) and some very short and easy mt bike rides.

The hikes with the Girls have progressed to about 45 minutes. The Girls don't mind the distance or the amount of time, as long as they get in a hike with the "parents" at least once a day.

Steve and I were able to manage getting out riding the 200, 300, 400 and 600K this summer. See http://www.rmccrides.com/brevetsuperrandonneur.htm. This was a feat that we thought would not be accomplished because of the accident. I'd have to say they were awesome events. We are looking forward to doing more of these rides. We were planning to do the Last Chance 1200K but had to cancel and get our refund. Just can't do that much this year. Next year it will be on out list.

The rest of out time the last few months have been visiting with friends, entertaining visiting family, and odd jobs around the house. (I broke our dryer-woops).

Next week my gym is closed for three days and I think I'll do some easy long rides and hikes with the Girls.

Thanks for checking in and again, I am sorry I have been so bad at making entries.

# posted by Michelle Grainger @ 12:22 PM 0 Comments

Sunday, June 28, 2009

?MTD and Getting Better.

OK, it's been about a month since I wrote here and also a month since the car accident. Good news, I am riding again. Not perfect and not always very comfortable.

This is why I love living here! A little fog on the ground makes for a great photo.

Still able to get the Girls out for some walks and hikes. Can't run with them (yet) but they are so happy to get out and run after each other in the woods.

The rides are not as fast as I would like, but it really is so important to be able to ride

On another sad note, we had to put one of our kitties to sleep this week. She had cancer and we knew it was up to us to keep her dignity and make sure her pain or suffering would not be prolonged.

The rest of the summer will be spent training, working, a few more family visits, and getting better from the accident. Need to get back to lifting in the gym, as that's what helps build the foundation to good riding. Soon......

Good views on the plains near Boulder.

# posted by Michelle Grainger @ 6:07 PM 0 Comments

Friday, May 29, 2009

4071 YTD and Then The Big Fat Car Accident! OK. Haven't been here for a while. Did the great ride on the Ward 150 and then a few shorter rides and then I got hit by a car.

Broken ribs, lots of bruises, lots of cuts, and many many stiff body parts. Oh yes.... and my identity, my bike, well, it's toast. Burnt toast that is. A throw a way.

I wondered when my time would come.I think everyone I know has been there. Just never thought it may happen. And let me tell you, it does hurt.

So now Steve is trying to rebuild one of his bikes (we actually ride the same size bikes) and get me going again until it/the accident is all settled. Have to change several things. The pedals, the stem, the bars, and the seat. I think almost everything else can be the same.

I am very very sore. I have had a lot of x-rays and seen lots of docs. This really is no fun-not that anyone would think so.

I am trying so hard to heal and maintain my life as normal as I can. I am very resilient. I am of hardy stock.

I got on a bike today for the first time in 7 days-since the accident. Oh man, not an easy thing. It was on a very upright, hard tail mountain bike. I was able to go 45 minutes before getting sore. I mean, we're talking 13-14 mph, not the usual 17-19 that I'm used to.

My own training plan had me doing 150-200 last weekend and another 100 on Wednesday to get another stacked week in before the Brevet season headed into full swing-into the big miles. Didn't do it. Got one mile and of course today's recovery ride and assessment ride. uuhhhggg!

I rode by the accident sight and found myself wondering about it. Don't want to think too hard right now.

Well, I'll keep posting as I gain progress. Have to get back on the horse when things feel better. It's what I do. I am a coach. I am a rider, I am an athlete. It IS how I make my living. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 8:24 PM 1 Comments

Monday, May 18, 2009

3975M Hard Ward 150 Minus 50. Last week was one recovery ride and about 30 hours of yard work and house work.

Relatives are coming to town and the yard needed Spring cleaning and planting. Lots and lots of time in that area this week.

Was pretty easy to recover from the Fleche and then just did a couple of really easy short spins.

Last Saturday Steve and I rode in the Ward 150. That's three loops of Ward to Lyons and back up to Ward. It's about 5500 feet of climbing per lap. We only had time for 2 laps. I don't know how Steve went to work after wards. I was so brain dead that I actually forgot my front wheel and we had to drive back for it.

The rides was very cold and some rain in the first 50. Due to that we were not on top of out liquid replacement and by the second warm lap we both had leg cramps. That's the first time, ever, for me.

Came home from that, worked a bit in the yard and then hiked the Girls for an our. Got back just in time to go to the launch of Vanessa Kemp's, and Bill's, Inyangi Launch Party. organic and homeopathic skin products. It is really great stuff. They will do well.

After the party I came home and actually fell asleep on the couch.

Up the next morning, Sunday, to water the yard and then headed out to ride. The ride was great as it was a touch faster than I may have done after the century on Sat. My legs cried a lot. Too bad. It's good to stack the training from time to time.

After the ride I headed to the laundrymat to wash 10 dog beds. (yes the Girls are spoiled). Took 2 hours so I ran errands and went to Home Depot for more mulch-for the yard.

Got home, worked in the yard and cleaned the house until midnight. I was so tired but happy to get it all done.

Today, off from work and finished up the yard, watered and walked the Girls.

Now ready to go to the airport. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 11:37 AM 0 Comments

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