February, 2011 | Tam High Mountain Bike Team

Don’t Forget The Cookies

By Patrick LePelch| 2016-09-20T17:47:53+00:00 February 26th, 2011|

We’ve got a big day Sunday. Now is the time to take a few minutes and set aside everything you need. Think about going on a ride that is un-supported and has no stores to stop in. If you grab everything you need for that situation you’ll be in good shape.

A few other items to think about.

-warm jacket/coat

-waterproof layer for on and off the bike

-gloves

-hat-

-cookies (for me, not you)

Its gonna be a long day so bring even those things you think you may not need..you’ll probably use them.

If anyone has any last minute questions give me a call.

510-229-7415

See you manana.

-paul

The “Last Chance Crew”

By Patrick LePelch| 2016-09-20T17:47:53+00:00 February 25th, 2011|

I hope those who are racing Sunday had a chance to get out on their own if they didn’t join us on Wednesday. We got in some good technical skills on Tenderfoot and fast down-hilling on Hoo Koo E Koo. A steady tempo and lots of regroups made for a great ride.

I know some on the team have competing commitments with school activities but if you are available to ride with the team you really need to do so. I cannot stress enough the importance of practice. A simple ride up railroad, regardless of speed and intensity, has tremendous benefits. Riding is not always about going hard all the time.

A well known coach once said “my best riders do the least amount of work”. To translate, they do only what they need to in a race…sitting in, conserving, metering out their effort. Those same riders “always practice” he went on to say.

Something I’ve always said to my junior riders is “if it comes down to a strong rider or smart rider….I’ll take the smart rider and I’ll win every time.” Does a win in cycling come down to a sprint? Well…yes, quite a bit. But its the back story of how those riders got to that sprint that is more important. In my mind cycling is very close to chess. You need to understand what you can and can’t do and when “to go”.

Developing skills in cycling demands repetition through steady, focused practice. As I said a few blogs ago, those riders who have been to more practices (and I know who you are because I’ve been to every ride) are showing tremendous improvements. Practice….’nuff said.

Question of the day on the blog. Can you pick out who has the new bike and who has the demo? The first to respond with the correct answer gets a small prize. (riders on the ride are, of course, excluded)

-paul

We are in the news!….sorta’

By Patrick LePelch| 2016-09-20T17:48:04+00:00 February 24th, 2011|

Check out the post in Velo News.

http://singletrack.competitor.com/2011/02/news/high-school-mtb-racing-set-to-start_13548

Please check your email over the next few days. Lots of updates regarding Sunday’s racing!

Wednesday Ride Is On!!

By Patrick LePelch| 2016-09-20T17:48:04+00:00 February 23rd, 2011|

3:30 from the Depot. Sorry….no longer ride as I’d hoped. Railroad Grade to the top of Tam and down Rock Springs. If we run out of daylight we may need to adjust. This is the last chance to practice as a team before the race. Hope to see as many of you there as possible.

-paul

Awesome Ride!

By Patrick LePelch| 2016-09-20T17:48:04+00:00 February 21st, 2011|

Clear skies, warm temps and great company made for an unbelievable ride. Railroad, coastal and diaz ridge. Stunning! Where were you?

Who wants to go big on Wednesday? Maybe an earlier start? Let me know.

More to come.

-paul

Tomorrow’s Ride

By Patrick LePelch| 2016-09-20T17:48:04+00:00 February 20th, 2011|

Because of ski week and the number of rider’s who will be away we will have our usual departure. 9am from the depot. Intended route is up railroad, coastal and diaz ridge. Wear layers and bring plenty of food and water. Lots of regroups.

I was out on Tam today in the snow! Three pairs of gloves did the trick. Check it out.

Also..we only have a few riders who are registered to race, and fewer that are “race ready” with all their paperwork filled out and submitted. The following riders are registered to race:

Bob S, Isaac, Nick, Dylan K, Shane, Jack B, Spence and Max. Shane, John and Max are the only riders showing as “race ready”.

February 23rd is the last day to register for the league and to race in Granite Bay. The 21st is the last day to mail in paperwork. If you have any questions regarding registering you can contact me at [email protected] If you have questions about paperwork you can contact Blair at [email protected]

We have talked with each of you about this during nearly every ride. Please…if you want to race you need to get yourself registered and you need a parent or guardian to assist you.

Hope to see you all tommorrow!

-paul

Just Ride

By Patrick LePelch| 2016-09-20T17:48:04+00:00 February 17th, 2011|

Weather got you down? Throw an extra layer on and get on with it……and just ride.

Thats exactly what our small but dedicated crew did this afternoon. Despite threatening skies, a chill in the air and a little wind we pressed on….which is an integral part of cycling.

Maybe a little rain will delay or cancel a baseball game, teams take time-outs whenever they feel its necessary in football and the referee in basketball can stop the clock on a whim. Cycling is a little different. No time outs, rarely a cancelled race due to weather and…..most importantly…the clock never stops. And if you do you can be sure that your competitor hasn’t.

As a team we take every precaution to exercise safety. If weather is threatening to make conditions hazardous we do put safety first.

Today’s ride was a great example of checking the blog. Those who did benefitted from a great ride up railroad and a fast descent down Hoo Koo E Koo. Ninety minutes on the bike. Done. (and you missed a wicked wheelie dual between Bob and Spence)

I encourage everyone to ride under various conditions. Dressing correctly, with layers that can be peeled off coupled with a rain jacket and knee and arm warmers is perfect for this time of year and will go a long way to an enjoyable ride. For those who are not sure of what type of clothing they should have please let me know.

Paul

Today’s ride is ON!

By Patrick LePelch| 2016-09-20T17:48:04+00:00 February 16th, 2011|

I recommend a waterproof/repellent outer layer just in case.

-paul

Sketchy Weather = Check the Blog!

By Patrick LePelch| 2016-09-20T17:48:04+00:00 February 16th, 2011|

From Tiburon at 10:30 I see sun. As we all know the weather in this area can change on a dime. Please check the blog for a ride/no ride status if the weather looks as though it may cancel a ride. Questionable rides will be posted with an updated status on this blog by 3pm for Wednesday rides and 8:30am for Sunday rides.

-paul

Time Trial #1

By Patrick LePelch| 2016-09-20T17:48:04+00:00 February 14th, 2011|

Team,

Here are the results from our first TT today. Everyone looked like they gave it their all. Keep riding (and racing) and you’ll see a big difference when we do it again.

	Tam High TT #1		Old Railroad Grade
	13-Feb-11		Cascade Creek to Hogback
			1.3mi, 5.6%, 396ft

Start	Rider	Start	Finish	Time
1	Spence	10:05:00	10:12:34	0:07:34
2	Shane	10:05:30	10:15:49	0:10:19
3	Dillon	10:06:00	10:13:53	0:07:53
4	Isaac	10:06:30	10:16:22	0:09:52
5	Jack	10:07:00	10:17:05	0:10:05
6	Dominik	10:07:30	10:15:56	0:08:26
7	Nick	10:08:00	10:18:50	0:10:50
8	Cody	10:08:30	10:19:05	0:10:35
9	Max	10:09:00	10:19:20	0:10:20
10	Dylan	10:09:30	10:18:18	0:08:48
11	Bob	10:10:00	10:18:08	0:08:08

(Remember this was hand-timed, at clock-time start intervals, so don’t get hung up on a few seconds here and there)

Here’s a link that shows a map and profile of the Tam High TT Course.

Good riding,
Blair

February 2011