My planned race schedule for 2012 is complete. Specific date have not been confirmed for all of the races, so I’m not sure if there will be any date conflicts. I’m planning to race a few road time trial and duathlon events this year. I don’t anticipate and conflicts with my mountain bike and cyclocross racing, but changes will be made if necessary.
I’ll be opening my season on April 8th with the annual HRRT Easter MTB Race at Schenectady, NY’s Central Park nature trails. That race is always a good race for me to see just where my fitness is at the start of the season. New York State MTB Series will be one of my two main focuses of the year, racing Cat 2 Singlespeed. The Long Trail Brewery Time Trial (part of the Killington Stage Race), the New York State Time Trial Championships, a couple of duathlons and a couple of MTB marathon races will be mixed in throughout the season before heading into cyclocross in the fall. The NYCROSS.com Cyclocross Series will be my other main focus and will also finish up my 2012 season.
As always, everything is dependent on my work schedule, but I’ve been pretty fortunate to be able race without work conflicts. As more race race promoters confirm their race dates, my schedule date will be filled in and adjusted as needed. Check back for updates.
Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Now, here is an interesting bike. The Spider AT, from Sun Bicycles, is a bike that would probably peak the curiosity of most cyclists. Some years back, when I had my bike shop, a bike like this wasn’t available. If it was, I think I would have been selling them all day long.
The Spider AT, a cruiser on steroids that expands the limits of cruising the beach or your winter riding in the snow. No longer is the edge of the path the end of your ride. Massive 26 x 4in. tires and a vintage inspired Sturmey Archer kick shift 2-speed hub gives you high and low gearing to manage sand, snow, pavement and anything in-between. These features coupled with a very unique moto cruiser design make for a real head turner of a bike that is both high style & function.
Specifications
Frame: 6061 Series Aluminum, TIG-Welded
Fork: 1-1/8” Hi Tensile Steel, Threadless, Straight Tapered Legs, Single Eyelets
Headset: VP-A68, Semi-Integrated, Steel, 28.6 x 44 x 30mm, Black
Handlebar: Alloy, 720 Wide x 185 Rise x 22.2mm Clamp, Black
Stem: Alloy, BMX, Threadless, 22.2 Clamp W/4-Bolt Face Plate, Black
Grips: Kraton Rubber, 130mm, Grey
Rear Brake: Sturmey Archer Internal Coaster Brake
Sprocket: 20T x 1/2’ x 1/8’ (Deep Dish)
Seat Clamp: Alloy, 31.8mm I.D., with Q/R
Seat Post: Alloy W/Integrated Clamp, 27.2 x 350mm, Black
Saddle: Custom Cruiser, Elastomer Suspension, 3-Panel Covering
Crank Set: 3-Piece Tubular Chromoly, 170mm, Black
Chainwheel: Alloy, 25T x 1/2’ x 1/8’, Anodized Grey
Bottom Bracket: Steel, Caged Bearings, 8T Splined Spindle
BB Spindle: 8Tooth Splined, Steel
Chain: K.M.C. Z410 RB, 1/2” x 1/8”, Silver
Chain Guard: Steel, Painted
Pedals: VP-567 BMX, 9/16”, Black
Front Hub: Alloy, 36H x 14G x 3/8” Bolt-On Axle (135mm OLD)
Rear Hub: Sturmey Archer S2C 2-Speed Kick Shift W/Coaster Brake
Rims: Weinmann DHL100, 26 x 3.0-4-1/4’ x 36H x 14G, Anodized Grey
Front Wheel: 26 x 4.0’ x 36H x 14G Alloy-Fat Tire Cruiser, Bolt-On
Rear Wheel: 26 x 4.0’ x 36H x 14G Alloy-Fat Tire Cruiser, Bolt-On
Spokes: 14G Stainless Steel with Brass Nipples
Tires: Innova 26 x 4.0’, Spider Tread, Black
Tubes: 26 x 4’, Schrader Valve
Weight: 40 Lbs.
Weight Limit: 250 Lbs.
MSRP: $650-$700
| Week 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 15 minutes | Moderate pace. |
| Wednesday | 15 minutes | Moderate-fast pace. |
| Friday | 18 minutes | Moderate pace. |
| Saturday | 18 minutes | Moderate-fast pace. |
| Goal: to cycle continuously on a flat paved surface | ||
| Week 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 15 minutes | 1 minute standing then 2 minutes seated (medium gear when standing). Repeat 5 times. |
| Wednesday | 15 minutes | 1 minute standing then 2 minutes seated (medium/high gear when standing). Repeat 5 times. |
| Friday | 20 minutes | 2 minutes standing then 2 minutes seated (medium/high gear when standing). Repeat 5 times. |
| Saturday | 25 minutes | 3 minutes standing then 2 minutes seated (medium/high gear when standing). Repeat 5 times. |
| Goal: learning to pedal standing up | ||
| Week 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 20 minutes | Moderate pace. |
| Wednesday | 22 minutes | Moderate pace. |
| Friday | 22 minutes | Moderate-fast pace. |
| Saturday | 25 minutes | Moderate-fast pace. |
| Goal: cycle on grass | ||
| Week 4 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5 small hill climbs (approximately 1 minute) | Freewheel down, 3 minutes flat cycling. Repeat 5 times. |
| Wednesday | 7 small hill climbs (approximately 1 minute) | Freewheel down, 3 minutes flat cycling. Repeat 5 times. |
| Friday | 5 medium hill climbs (approximately 1.5 to 2 minutes) | Cycle down, 3 minutes flat cycling. Repeat 5 times. |
| Saturday | 7 medium hill climbs (approx 1.5 to 2 minutes) | Cycle down, 3 minutes flat cycling. Repeat 5 times. |
| Goal: going up and down hills | ||
| Week 5 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 30 minutes bridleway/grass/trail/loose gravel | Mainly flat at moderate pace. |
| Wednesday | 35 minutes bridleway/grass/trail/loose gravel | Mainly flat at moderate pace. |
| Saturday | 40 minutes bridleway/grass/trail/loose gravel | Moderate-fast pace. |
| Goal: taking the bike off road | ||
| Week 6 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 40 minutes, mix of terrain and surfaces, including hills | Moderate pace. |
| Wednesday | 45 minutes, mix of terrain and surfaces, including hills | Moderate-fast pace. |
| Saturday | 60 minutes, mix of terrain and surfaces, including hills | Moderate pace. |
| Goal: putting it all together | ||
My Rudy Project WindMaxhelmet just arrived. Wow! Merry Christmas to me! Right away I thought that the box might be empty. Yes, the WindMax is very light. Then I took it out of the box and I found a visually appealing cycling helmet. This is a very good looking helmet. I couldn’t wait to put it on my head and try it on. Hmmm, pretty good fit. Some of the pads need to be thicker for me, but have no fear, there are extra, thicker, pads included. And, another set, even thicker set, of side pads. Right away, I took out the “bug screen” pads that came from the factory and I installed the extra set of pads. It is very easy to change the pads, but there are also instructions if you need them. For the side pads, I used the thickest set. There are even extra velcro hooks to add if needed.Now it was time to adjust the strap for a snug fit. Have you ever adjusted the strap on a bicycle helmet in thee minutes or less? Neither have I…until now. This was the easiest helmet to get a good fit.“Technology and advanced science are at the heart of Rudy Project. Our craftsmen use the highest quality meterials and manufacturing techniques to create lightweight, comfortable and extremely functional helmets.”
The calendar begins on March 10 with the Spa City 6-Hour Mountain Bike Race in Hot Springs, Ark., before making two consecutive stops in California. The first stop in California is in Lake Morena for the Sagebrush Safari 50 on May 20 before continuing with the Big Bear 50 in Big Bear Lake on June 3. The calendar’s penultimate date is June 30 for the Galena Grinder Whit Henry Memorial in Galena Lodge, Idaho, which will serve as a kickoff to the 2012 USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championships in Ketchum, Idaho, from July 5-8. The Pro UET concludes on July 21 with 12 Hours of Snowmass in Snowmass, Colo.
In 2011, Manuel Prado (Huntington Beach, Calif./Team Sho-air) topped the men’s standings while Pua Mata (Huntington Beach, Calif./Team Sho-air) won three of four events to top the women’s standings.
Below is a look at the complete 2012 USA Cycling Pro Mountain Bike Ultra-Endurance Tour:
-March 10 – Spa City 6-Hour Mountain Bike Race – Hot Springs, AR
-May 20 – Sagebrush Safari 50 – Lake Morena, CA
-June 3 – Big Bear 50 – Big Bear Lake, CA
-June 30 – Galena Grinder Whit Henry Memorial – Galena Lodge, ID
-July 21 – 12 Hours of Snowmass – Snowmass, CO
USA Cycling previously announced the dates and venues for the 2012 USA Cycling Pro Mountain Bike Cross-Country Tour (Pro XCT).
This Article Published December 23, 2011 For more information contact: dgaylinn@usacycling.org
Road Race: Bear Mountain Road Race/Harriman Springfest, 12 May, at Harriman State Park, hosted by Rod Millott of Century Road Club Association (CRCA)
Criterium: Saranac Lake Downtown Criterium, 10 June, in Downtown Saranac Lake, hosted by Jim Walker of Team Placid Planet
Time Trial: NYSBRA Time Trial Championships, 22 July, Cambridge, hosted by Dieter Drake of Farm Team Cycling
armandarekian.com 