In Europe we refer to them as directeur sportif. In English that translates to sporting director. For the sake of the VCC I'm giving myself the title "sportif dictator." Properly defined the word dictator means, "a ruler who is unconstrained by law," which for the purpose of the VCC I am.
My first executive decision as the sportif dictator of the VCC was made today. Because I'm starting this tour mid season I had to think of a reasonable way to level the playing field between the MSC and WP. To accomplish this I decided that the same number of races from each event had to be accounted for in the overall series. This means I needed to modify the original tour schedule outlined in yesterdays post.
All six races from the WP series will be counted and only six of the MSC races will be counted in the VCC.
These races have been eliminated from the series:
April 12 -- Rabbit Valley Time Trial
May 3 -- Chalk Creek Short Track
May 26 -- Chile Challenge Cross Country
August 3 -- Sol Survivor
Leaving these races as the official races of the VCC:
April 13 -- Rabbit Valley Cross Country (MSC)
May 4 -- Chalk Creek Cross Country (MSC)
June 14 -- Hill Climb Kick-Off (WP)
June 22 -- Wildflower Rush Cross Country (MSC)
June 29 -- Cross-Country (WP)
July 13 -- Blast The Mass Cross Country (MSC)
July 19 -- Valley Point-to-Point (WP)
August 2 -- Crankworx Colorado Cross-country (WP)
August 16 -- Mountain Circuit (WP)
August 24 -- Eldora Escape (MSC)
August 30 -- King of the Mountain (WP)
September 7 -- Fall Classic (MSC)
I was a little disappointed I had to eliminate the TT from the schedule because what good tour doesn't start with a prologue? Well, maybe I'll find a way to add it in 2009, but for now it will have to be left out by order of the sportif dictator.
July 21, 2008
MSC & WP Results Mashup (a.k.a. VCC)
The two largest racing series in Colorado are going to be virtually mashed together to create a virtual Tour of Colorado. Real results from each of the races are going to be used to crown the VCC (Virtual Colorado Cup) champion.
Both series host some of the best riders from Colorado and both reward champions based on overall performance. But which champion is better? Which rider attended more races? Where am I going with this? That is why I created the VCC.
What is the VCC?
This series isn't to be taken seriously, but I thought it would be fun to mash the results from each of the races in the series to provide an overall leader in the state or a VCC champion.
I'm still working on the details of how I'm going to do this, but I'll have some preliminary results up in the next couple days. If you see ways to improve on what I'm doing, feel free to let me know. Otherwise, this is what is planned.
The VCC is based on 16 races from both Mountain States Cup and Winter Park. I plan to mash the results into a single Tour and see which pro is getting it done in Colorado.
Races in the 2008 VCC Tour:
April 12 -- Rabbit Valley Time Trial
April 13 -- Rabbit Valley Cross Country
May 3 -- Chalk Creek Short Track
May 4 -- Chalk Creek Cross Country
May 26 -- Chile Challenge Cross Country
June 14 -- Hill Climb Kick-Off
June 22 -- Wildflower Rush Cross Country
June 29 -- Cross-Country
July 13 -- Blast The Mass Cross Country
July 19 -- Valley Point-to-Point
August 2 -- Crankworx Colorado Cross-country
August 3 -- SolVista Basin Ski Resort
August 16 -- Mountain Circuit
August 24 -- Eldora Escape
August 30 -- King of the Mountain
September 7 -- Fall Classic
Both series host some of the best riders from Colorado and both reward champions based on overall performance. But which champion is better? Which rider attended more races? Where am I going with this? That is why I created the VCC.
What is the VCC?
This series isn't to be taken seriously, but I thought it would be fun to mash the results from each of the races in the series to provide an overall leader in the state or a VCC champion.
I'm still working on the details of how I'm going to do this, but I'll have some preliminary results up in the next couple days. If you see ways to improve on what I'm doing, feel free to let me know. Otherwise, this is what is planned.
The VCC is based on 16 races from both Mountain States Cup and Winter Park. I plan to mash the results into a single Tour and see which pro is getting it done in Colorado.
Races in the 2008 VCC Tour:
April 12 -- Rabbit Valley Time Trial
April 13 -- Rabbit Valley Cross Country
May 3 -- Chalk Creek Short Track
May 4 -- Chalk Creek Cross Country
May 26 -- Chile Challenge Cross Country
June 14 -- Hill Climb Kick-Off
June 22 -- Wildflower Rush Cross Country
June 29 -- Cross-Country
July 13 -- Blast The Mass Cross Country
July 19 -- Valley Point-to-Point
August 2 -- Crankworx Colorado Cross-country
August 3 -- SolVista Basin Ski Resort
August 16 -- Mountain Circuit
August 24 -- Eldora Escape
August 30 -- King of the Mountain
September 7 -- Fall Classic
July 8, 2008
Show Some Respect...
As I progress in years I learn more and more about myself. During a ride yesterday I realized that as a social being I tend to reflect my surroundings. Meaning, if I meet a person who is social and outgoing, I too, try to be social and outgoing. If I meet someone who treats people with a lack of respect, I too, treat that dis-respecting person with a lack of respect. It isn't something I do consciously. It just kinda happens.
The reason I bring this up is because I experienced the latter of the two scenarios as I rode my bike yesterday. I was riding my single speed on a paved road towards a trail when a fellow mountain biker passed me. We looked at each other and I smiled and said, "hello." He in turn stared at me as if I was a few cards short of a deck, proceeded to ignore me, and then passed without a word. My first thought was, "What a tool."
As he rode away I did not feel compelled to challenge the rider as I was on a single speed and couldn't if I wanted to. However, about 5 minutes later I turned onto the trail I planned to ride and I noticed that the rider was slowly pedaling ahead of me.
In no time at all I caught up with him. I wasn't interested in trying to challenge him so I just took a back seat on his wheel and paced behind him. As we started to ascend a hill I couldn't help but start passing the guy due to my gearing. He was in a low gear and I needed to keep up my momentum with my single gear. As I started to pass he realized I was there and quickly stepped it up a notch. Again, content to follow behind him I hopped on his back wheel and zoned out as I stared at his rear wheel.
As I zoned out I didn't realize I was following his rear wheel really close. As he stood up his bike slowed just a bit. Unprepared for the change in momentum I couldn't help but bump tread with the stranger. As I snapped out of my zone I heard a "brrrrraaaap" as his rear tread and my front tread rubbed.
Now, this is where I realized that I'm a mirror of my surroundings. Earlier, I had tried to be nice and was given a reflection of pure disrespect. When this happened I returned the same reflection back.
The guy looked back at me as if I had committed a sin. If he had treated me with a bit of respect earlier I know I would have been nothing but apologies when he looked back. But due to his previous nature I didn't say a word. Instead I looked at him and my expression said, "hurry up you slow sack of shit. I'm fat and slow and I can still kick your ass up a mountain."
Yesterday's interaction was a bit eye opening for me. As I said, I'm not usually conscious of my reflection towards others from others, but yesterday in that moment I was fully aware. I'm not saying I'm proud of it, but I do it none the less.
The reason I bring this up is because I experienced the latter of the two scenarios as I rode my bike yesterday. I was riding my single speed on a paved road towards a trail when a fellow mountain biker passed me. We looked at each other and I smiled and said, "hello." He in turn stared at me as if I was a few cards short of a deck, proceeded to ignore me, and then passed without a word. My first thought was, "What a tool."
As he rode away I did not feel compelled to challenge the rider as I was on a single speed and couldn't if I wanted to. However, about 5 minutes later I turned onto the trail I planned to ride and I noticed that the rider was slowly pedaling ahead of me.
In no time at all I caught up with him. I wasn't interested in trying to challenge him so I just took a back seat on his wheel and paced behind him. As we started to ascend a hill I couldn't help but start passing the guy due to my gearing. He was in a low gear and I needed to keep up my momentum with my single gear. As I started to pass he realized I was there and quickly stepped it up a notch. Again, content to follow behind him I hopped on his back wheel and zoned out as I stared at his rear wheel.
As I zoned out I didn't realize I was following his rear wheel really close. As he stood up his bike slowed just a bit. Unprepared for the change in momentum I couldn't help but bump tread with the stranger. As I snapped out of my zone I heard a "brrrrraaaap" as his rear tread and my front tread rubbed.
Now, this is where I realized that I'm a mirror of my surroundings. Earlier, I had tried to be nice and was given a reflection of pure disrespect. When this happened I returned the same reflection back.
The guy looked back at me as if I had committed a sin. If he had treated me with a bit of respect earlier I know I would have been nothing but apologies when he looked back. But due to his previous nature I didn't say a word. Instead I looked at him and my expression said, "hurry up you slow sack of shit. I'm fat and slow and I can still kick your ass up a mountain."
Yesterday's interaction was a bit eye opening for me. As I said, I'm not usually conscious of my reflection towards others from others, but yesterday in that moment I was fully aware. I'm not saying I'm proud of it, but I do it none the less.
July 7, 2008
TdFR Commercial on Versus
I absolutely love this commercial! From the moment I saw it I had to watch it again.
The music, the images, it nails it on the head! It was wonderful to see all these athletes who have been busted for drugs going backwards; as if their highlights never existed. My favorite part is when Floyd Landis appears to step out of his yellow jersey.
I don't know who made this commercial, but well done!
The music, the images, it nails it on the head! It was wonderful to see all these athletes who have been busted for drugs going backwards; as if their highlights never existed. My favorite part is when Floyd Landis appears to step out of his yellow jersey.
I don't know who made this commercial, but well done!
July 6, 2008
Investing In My Commuter...
These past couple weeks I've made a push to revive my commuter. As many of you know I've been riding my bike to work this past month. I justified the expense of the project because of the money I was able to save from not purchasing gas for my car.
I'm glad to say this past weekend I finished the rejuvenation of my Surly 1x1. The most exciting part of the project was building the new wheels. This will be the first set of wheels I've hand built for my bike.
During this rejuvenation project I made a lot of little changes and I did it on a budget, which I'll try to post about later, but today I just wanted to highlight what I'll be riding to work on in the morning.
Work I did on my Surly 1x1:
1. New Brake Levers
2. Converted my brakes from cantilever to side-pull
3. New egg beater pedals so I can wear the same shoes on both my commuter and XC bike
4. New chain and single speed freewheel
5. Hand built front wheel. XTR hub on Mavic XC 717 rim
6. Hand built rear wheel. Surly hub on Mavic XC 717 rim
A fine looking rear wheel. Not that I'm bias because
I built it, or anything...
Surly (New Hub) on a Mavic XC 717 rim. You don't buy
a Surly hub to save weight. It is heavy, but it is durable.
Plus, it looks great on a Surly 1x1 frame...
An equally fine looking front wheel.
Shimano XTR hub, Mavic XC 717 rim.
July 2, 2008
Dangerous Roads For Commuters
For the last month I've been commuting to work by bicycle. I am like many others who have drawn the line in the dirt and now refuse to spend my hard earned money on fuel. In general I really enjoy my morning commute. It is a chance to wake up and energize myself for the day ahead. However, there is a section of road I need to ride on every day that makes me wish I was in a car; simply because the road is dangerous for cyclists.
For anyone who has gotten on their bike to commute; I'm sure one of the first lessons you learned was that not all roads are equal. In fact, some roads are darn right dangerous for cyclists.
In an attempt to better the situation I've created a Google map. A map which anyone can contribute. The purpose of the map is to highlight those sections of road that are dangerous for cyclists. My hope is that other commuters who will one day be looking for a route will be able to use this map to safely navigate to their destination.
I've started the map by placing my mark. Please, take the time to mark a section of road which you feel is dangerous and then pass this link around to all your commuter friends who can in turn mark sections they feel are dangerous. Together we aren't able to make the roads safe, but we are able to choose the safest roads to ride on.
Link to the map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=114290139151454608817.0004510d06af27f328ad5&ll=39.928431,-105.139503&spn=0.088987,0.149689&z=13
View of the map:
View Larger Map
For anyone who has gotten on their bike to commute; I'm sure one of the first lessons you learned was that not all roads are equal. In fact, some roads are darn right dangerous for cyclists.
In an attempt to better the situation I've created a Google map. A map which anyone can contribute. The purpose of the map is to highlight those sections of road that are dangerous for cyclists. My hope is that other commuters who will one day be looking for a route will be able to use this map to safely navigate to their destination.
I've started the map by placing my mark. Please, take the time to mark a section of road which you feel is dangerous and then pass this link around to all your commuter friends who can in turn mark sections they feel are dangerous. Together we aren't able to make the roads safe, but we are able to choose the safest roads to ride on.
Link to the map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=114290139151454608817.0004510d06af27f328ad5&ll=39.928431,-105.139503&spn=0.088987,0.149689&z=13
View of the map:
View Larger Map
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
