Ergomania

Ergomania
My hubby competed in Ergomania on Saturday January 27, 2007.
He uses erging or indoor rowing as his offseason training for cycling. We own a concept 2 rower and many gyms also have the rowers. Concept 2 is a very cool company sponsering events like Ergomania and also holding on-line Challenges. Between Thanksgiving and X-mas they hold the Holiday Challenge if you get your rowing in your holiday calories are burned off and you can get through the holidays without gaining a pound in fact you might loose a few. Bob is a PBP Ancienne and is planning to ride PBP 2007

Weight Training for Long Distance Cyclists

We are not like those no upper body Tour de France riders we need to be fit all the way around. I recently started weight training at the gym so I will be able to complete endurance rides in the future. Wednesday night I found myself drawing a blank about what I was there for and what I was doing. I spent some time today putting together a cheat sheet to use for weight training I need to add neck exercises to it so I don't end up with Shermer's neck. But its a start- If you weight train let me know some good additional exercises. I don't plan on doing all of these every time I lift.
I found a good page that has exercises choose the ones that work for you

LEGS
Dumbbell Stepups
Dumbell Squats
Dumbell Side Lunges
Leg press
Hamstring curls
ARMS
Biceps curls
Bicep Hammer Curls
Tricep Kickbacks
Triceps extension
Triceps Bench Dips
BACK / ABS
Low back extensions
Reverse crunches
Crunches
CHEST
Dumbbell chest press
Lat pulldowns

Paris Brest - The Pastry

OH MY GAWD!!!
Have you ever had one of these?
My blogging was a bit sparse in November and December because I was on a 16 day cruise with my parents. Due to a gym onboard and spin classes I came back with only an extra lbs or 2. It would have been very easy to come back with many more lbs due to the great food - yep they had Paris Brest the pastry on the menu.
Here is an awesome link about making Paris Brest the Pastry.
I found another awesome link about making Paris Brest the Pastry they even suggest which vintage french wine to pair it with.
Glad to know I'm not the only fixated on this pastry. David has some more to say about it. Vist his blog here.

On Your Bike!!!!

Or not.
Please be careful out there - I got an email on Saturday afternoon that said one of my regular ride partners was in hospital with a broken femur and was going to be having surgery. His plans for the year included Paris Brest Paris - no more PBP for him. He is going to be AOK, the surgery went well I feel really sorry for his wife to have to take care of this cranky guy for the next few months. He normally works out some of his crankiness by riding.
If the weather outside is frightful - don't chance blowing your big adventure. The weather in Seattle finally was good this past weekend and I was able to get in 2 short rides so a 80 mile weekend to get me started.
Also don't forget if you haven't done long distance riding in the past it stresses your body more then anything you have ever done before. Be sure to eat healthy, take your vitamins, work on flexibility and building up those small muscles you will need in the wee hours of the morning to keep your head up.

87+ Hours on a Spin Bike - UGH

I heard about this on NPR and my first thought was that this was someone riding a life cycle not a spin cycle. I don't know why I thought that - after all I somehow have found myself to quote Lon Haldeman living among and being one of the "Exceptional Cyclists". Sometimes I think that means - those of us that have a screw loose and aspire to big events like PBP and more craziness like Race Across America. Yep - its a guy training for RAAM 2007. He got in some good training and raised $5,000 for the American Diabetes Association. Cheers to John!!!
John Jurczynski

Paris-Brest-Paris Blogs

Yep - that is the goal this year. I'm glad to know I'm not alone with this goal - I've discovered a few cycling blogs of other folks who also have Paris Brest Paris on the agenda for 2007. Follow us as we train for this incredible event. I'll update the links as I find them. If you find any links let me know.
About the Bike
Bookwoman
Higher Gear Coaching
Road to Paris Brest Paris
Slightly Lost in the World
Little Circles
John Kramer aka Kramer Cosmo
Crosswrench
The Big Fix
My Life on a Bike
David Kenning
Cat Trike

Snow Tires for your bicycle

If you haven't heard - we have snow in Seattle and it has not gone away like it usually does. My hubby is a shopaholic and bought snow tires for our bicycles. This weekend he got around to putting them on the bikes. My Soma Doublecross is now sporting a pair of the 700x35 studded snow tires. Yesterday I rode up the Burke Gilman trail which is covered in packed snow and ice - it was really fun and a good workout. I rewarded myself with a hot chocolate at Starbucks at Lake Forest Park - by now it was getting dark and I had left home without a light. I need to figure out where to mount one - my Doublecross has interruptor levers on it which limit handlebar space. I hopped Metro back to Lake City and rode home from there on Sandpoint way which is better lit then the Burke Gilman Trail. Hopefully tonight I can find a light mount that will work and I can commute in on my studded bike. If your looking to get a pair of these cool tires - they are stocked on-line at Peter White Cycles.