Donald’s Daily Draft

I just finished reading Johan Bruyneel’s book, “We Might As Well Win.” 
My thoughts?  I really liked it.  Actually, I thought it was great.  A quick read… and it’s full of pretty cool behind the scenes conversations.  Bruyneel takes you back to his days as a professional cyclist, how he got started and how he became an 8 time Tour de France winning Team Director.  As Phil Liggett says, “Johan Bruyneel could inspire a tortoise to sprint.”  Robin Williams says, “…you have to lack a pulse not to be inspired.”
I say… buy it and add it to your collection of cycling books.  I don’t want to go into too much detail but it felt like I was either in the team car or on the bike next to all the action while I was reading (and dreaming).  Just as you anticipated those great attacks from Lance… you can’t wait to get to the next page.  Johan Bruyneel is a smart man… and you gain from his insight not just on cycling but life as well.  Have you already read it?  What did you think?

It was great because I have two wonderful boys to celebrate…  Troupe and Mac.  Of course, I owe all the credit to my beautiful wife, Jan.  
I woke up early and was on the bike by 6:30am. 

Cloudy at first… it turned into a beautiful day as I pedaled for 94 fantastic miles. 

I was solo for the first 60 which gave me a chance to think about my wonderful family.  Then, I met up with a buddy for the last 34.  Great ride! 

I got home, cleaned up and headed out with Jan and our boys for a Father’s Day brunch and Kung Fu Panda.  I hugged my boys a lot… and smothered them with kisses. 

Of course, I do that on a regular day but it was extra special to recognize all that I have on Father’s Day!  I trust all you other cycling Dads out there had a great day as well.       

Who’s the best stage racer going into the Tour?  Alejandro Valverde is showing   great form in the Dauphine’… especially with his smashing stage 3 ITT  performance.  Levi had a strong ride as well but finished 19 seconds behind Valverde.  But thanks to the ASO… we all know Levi will be watching the Tour on TV, maybe even having a beer alongside Alberto.  Then there’s the Aussie favorite Cadel Evans.  With such strong finishes in past Tours… he’s determined to wear Yellow into Paris.  VeloNews has talked about this year’s race being a “classic course with many unnowns.”   Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme has said,  “We want to create a race that is not predictable.” 
I’m sure I’m leaving out some of your favorites or at least possible contenders. 
So, what are your thoughts on who’s got the legs to wear yellow?   

As I, and I’m sure many of you, anticipate the start of the Tour de France… I’m especially excited NOW to see I’ll have TV access to the race here in the States for years to come.  Versus is the cable network that runs the race live everyday.  The great news is that Versus has signed a contract to carry the Tour for another 5 years!  Along with the announcement, Versus has a new ad campaign called “Take Back The Tour” …  Here’s the spot:

Here’s what Versus is saying in their new advertising campaign to counter the sport’s bad image, “Screw the dopers, politics and critics, the false allegations and the fair weather fans. They ripped the soul out of this race. But the Tour doesn’t belong to them. We’re the ones grinding every mile, pushing past the limits of pain and exhaustion. The most gruelling competition in the world – it belongs to us. We’re masochists. We’re believers. And it’s our time. Take back the Tour.”

So… I’m curious… what’s your take?  Especially… those of you who live outside of the US, love the Tour and watch it on other networks. 
What do you think of the “Take Back The Tour” campaign? 

OK… It’s not the Bird Flu… and I’ve ruled out Dengue Fever.  So why have I gotten this rash on the top of my legs the last two times I’ve been on the bike.  I was in the heat/sun for a while on both rides.  Last Thursday’s ride was 60 miles and then yesterday’s ride was 70 miles.  As you can see by the pics, they’re reddish bumpy splotches on each of my quads.  It doesn’t hurt… no itch… no pain… maybe a slight burn feeling… very slight. 
I say heat rash because the two times it has happened the temperature was in the upper 90’s and it felt even hotter.  I was also in direct sun most of the time.  Now, I do use Coppertone Sport, a waterproof sunscreen.  It’s one I have always used and never had a problem.  But could it be a combination of that… the heat and all the salt on my body from sweat?  I just don’t know.  I’ve ridden in hot conditions in the past and never experienced anything like this.

STOP THE PRESS!  How funny… as I wrote the paragraph above… I remembered a random comment from Ron (Cozy Beehive) talking about how some waterproof sunscreens might make you overheat by blocking the sweat from escaping your body.  We were talking about getting too hot and needing more fluids than normal.  Well check this out.  I just went back and found this under a heat rash description:

“If sweat cannot reach the skin’s surface, it may break through the duct wall and remain trapped in an inner layer of the skin, where it can cause inflammation and a rash.”
So, maybe Ron solved this before it even happened.  Has anyone else experienced the same? Let me know because a second opinion never hurts (no offense Dr. Ron).     

Man… did I drink a lot of fluids on the bike yesterday.  I could have used more because after 60 miles I still didn’t feel the overwhelming urge to take a “natural break”.    I drank a total of 168 ounces…  that’s a combination of Gatorade and Water.  I’m not exaggerating… we truly are in a heat wave.  When I wiped my forehead it burned from the salt scraping across my skin.  But if I didn’t catch it in time… it would hit my eyes and then more burn.  There was a bit of a breeze but unfortunately it felt like a convection oven. All of a sudden, we’re in 90+ degree temperatures.
 It was 94 yesterday on my ride but factoring in the humidity it felt like  the upper 90’s.  Today, there’s a forecast high of 97 with a heat index or “feel like” temp of close to 105.  I think it was harder on me because I just haven’t ridden in temps this hot yet this season.  Even on my vacation in Florida last week, it was in the low to mid 80’s with low humidity.  I’ll take that again.  Funny, it seemed like yesterday when I was cursing the arm warmers… leg warmers… base layer… full finger gloves and booties.  Now, my cycling tan lines are looking like I’ve ridden a Grand Tour (sorry no picture).  I know sunny and 78 degrees would be an ideal day for most cyclists… but I’m wondering what are your favorite conditions.  What’s your take on the temperature when on the bike?  

You may have noticed I didn’t post anything over the past 10 days.  Why?  VACATION! 
You may have also noticed my header picture changed.  It now has a picture of me cycling up a snow covered Sugar Mountain even though we’re heading into the Summer season.  Why?  VACATION!
I had trouble fixing a problem so I had to go with what I had.  At least it has a picture now, thanks to the help of Mr. Cycling Challenge.  Thanks again Will!
Anyway, I’m refreshed, stress free and I have a little less of a farmer’s tan.  My Florida vacation took me and my family to the beach, the pool, on the boat and for some great rides.  I was able to get in 190 miles last week.  My course was A1A… the road that runs along the east coast.  I was south of St. Augustine… near Hammock Beach.  Oh, did I mention the massage I had at the Hammock Beach Resort Spa.  It was a great refresher before my 60 miler the next morning.  And…  my massage therapist, Alessandra, is a cyclist and she told me about a great group ride that I caught up with early Sunday morning.  I was able to capture this shot of the sunrise on the way there.  The group was made up of about 25 cyclists in Ormond Beach and we rode ”The Loop” which was about 26 miles.  But these guys and gals were out to get their heart rates up.  At times, we were cruising 25-27 mph and then they would sprint.  So, I got a pretty good workout even on my last day of vacation.  All those miles helped me burn off the calories I consumed over the week.  Great eats, great drinks, great times… now it’s back to work.       

A lot… I’m sure that would be the answer for most of us. But of course we all have other expenses that are priorities (food and shelter for family and… GAS). Anyway, I’m talking about this because Sprocketboy left a comment on my post about Fatty’s new jerseys. He was also talking about the decision of which jersey to wear for a particular ride.

It sounds like he’s got some pretty cool ones: “Should I wear the green Tour of China climber’s jersey, or the contrasting Louis Garneau Canadian national jersey, or maybe the yellow Warsteiner.”
So, I thought to myself… I can kind of relate. I have also wondered which jersey to wear on a particular ride.

The difference… I’m choosing from a total of six jerseys. I think this is a lower number compared to most avid cyclists. For me… it’s sufficient but I would love to have more. I think cyclists collect jerseys like some people collect t-shirts. How many jerseys are in your collection and what’s your most unique one?

Tonight… join cyclists worldwide in the Ride of Silence.  It is a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. 
Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.  This ride is held every year during Bike Safety Month.  You can link here to a US or International map and find organized Ride of Silence events in your area. 

Just as we all expected… Fantastic news as Fatty’s new jerseys sold out FAST.  He told us all they were on the way… when Twin Six would post them for sale… he even provided us with a link and updates.  Still… I’m sorry and a bit embarrassed that I missed out.  I work an early shift… at work by 3am.  So, I checked the Twin Six website around 3:15 & 4am just for the heck of it.  But I missed out on the accidental early release of a few jerseys overnight.  For other crazy reasons, I couldn’t order one in time before the sellout.  So, I’m asking around.  Did anybody happen to buy an extra Medium?  If so, here’s my offer.  I will pay you the $70.00 for the jersey.  I will then send another $70.00 to Susan’s Win Fund.  Any takers?