I also think about...

I lately have been asked by a good friend of mine:

"Is cycling all you think about?"

"No. I also think about eating. And I dedicate a fair amount of time to thinking about eating while cycling. And to what I will eat after I finish cycling. And to how long I have to wait after eating before I can ride."

We can talk about

    We are people in otherwise responsible positions with predictable lives in which we are used to guiding events to our will, who now repeatedly subject ourselves to the elements, forces of nature and hard realities of riding at the edge of the envelope of our abilities, physical powers and endurance in a chaotic and not really predictable or controllable situation together. There is a reason.

You have found that reason.

We can talk all about the activism of the experience: our ancestors for thousands of years derived their existence from "the hunt", in which they exposed themselves to the rigors and dangers of the natural and unknown and unpredictable world.

We can talk about worship: the sheer beauty of the natural world in which nature speaks to us in the universal language of sun and sky and wind and waterfall, and touches our soul.

We can talk about the physical challenges our bodies were made to meet and are missing in our daily lives. The opportunity to push oneself beyond ones known powers and skills, and the cleansing simplicity of maximum effort.

We can talk about energy expenditure: feeling the recoil of our hearts pounding at 180 pumping 20 quarts a minute through our dilated capillaries, our lungs taking in 20 gallons of frosty air and expelling 20 gallons of vapor a minute, steam rising from our beaded sweaty naked legs into the frosty air.

We can talk about the simplicity of a single task in our otherwise complicated lives.

We can talk about bonding: in this age, which abounds in lack of trust and honor, we rest comfortable and sure in the knowledge that no matter what happens to any one person or piece of equipment, we will get through this together and come out together and share whatever knowledge and skill and material we have to do it, and solve problems together, like a tire and duct tape splint for a dislocated thumb.

We can talk about fear: and meeting it in a direct and simple fashion when the rest of our life has indirect and amorphous not really confrontable fears.

We can talk about focus: On the downhill, the absolute necessity to eliminate distractions, mental diversions and lack of focus in which we normally live our daily lives and focus entirely on what we are doing.

We can talk about spilling blood and its cleansing effect of washing us free of the fear of our mortality and of death that makes us hide from life.

We can talk about transcendental experience: The inner calm that comes when we have our weight back and loose on the screaming downhill and the bike is everywhere in front of and below us, our eyes and muscles communicating and adjusting faster than we can think, adapting to the events that come faster than any conscious mind can respond, and yet we are floating loose and still and free and calm in the midst of chaos - totally free as we cannot remember ever being free.

It is moments like these that make up the very substance of life itself.

But when you talk about this your friends will look at you a little funny. They will not understand. They will try to dismiss these experiences, which can not be surrounded by words, which do not fit words, and which can not be understood through words.

But nothing we can say can compare to the doing of it. You just have to do it! Tell them that!

Robert

The only difference...

... between the best performance and the worst performance is the variation in our self-talk and the self-thoughts and attitudes we carry around with us.

Rally di Romagna 2012 Stage 5-7

Stage 5^th

Palazuollo  - Riolo Terme

This is the genuine picture of Tuscany/Emilia Romagna, just like in the guide books: picturesque, divine-like countryside, lovely tracks, tranquil places and the coveted sunshine. Although, the latter was long time coming but midday, we got it abundantly. Also the route choice has been opted wisely, with much less hiking.

Drizzle at the start, and again the first 10km have been tackled in cross country manner, relentlessly, in order to eliminate as much riders as feasible.

I had to take a 10sec pit stop shortly for a chain lubing [as so often during the week]. But then I found my rhythm and was able to deal with the elements, and partially water soaked tracks, much easier. We rode [with my immediate competitors] a while, however I decided to up the tempo, and keep it as long as a healthy distance is created. This cushion was needed, first for the GC, second because of their gifted downhill skills, where I was handicapped [due to my vision].

I’m convinced that the majority was vastly affected by inconsistent track surface, eternally changing ups and downs [no rhythm to be found] and all those negative factors that sucked ones morale and spirits. I for one, being utterly positive, did better, and my mere focus was only on gaining time and having fun [up to a point] in the process.

What followed was a Garden Eden of singlet tracks one must totally relish. That made me beaming and had me push harder, even though much of the day has been ridden on my own, at times passing some rider ahead of me. Water points have been moved again, and were few and far between [everyday on 1or 2 places on the whole distance], but I didn’t care much about.

We faced the last horribly steep [we were literally on our hands and knees] and long slick-rock climbing that made rip off my shoes, was a turning point of the stage.

When I reached the peak I saw 2 guys at the bottom behind me [some 2min difference] calling out my name and undoubtedly all set to catch me. Oh no, Thomas Steger, Agnoletti and Bresciani were at my heels. All the effort has gone down the tube. 15km to go, and I got to up the ante, went deep and took way more risk I would normally take. But I didn’t want to let it happen. I meant to keep my placing, what’s more make up grounds.

The following downhill saw me flying, and the conclusive uphill was a hurt locker itself. When I entered Riolo Terme and had 3 km to ride I knew I sealed the day.

For the first time, the arrival and the subsequent refreshment was something really to be savored. 12. in the GC and 8. in my category meant, target met, even if there was still a small margin to improve on that.

Comfy hotel, delicious food, pleasant massage - all ingredients we were spoiled with, and are imperative to do well in a stage race. The last 2 stages won’t be walking in the park, but that’s more than OK, as the forecast calls for uninterrupted sunshine, hot temperatures and hopefully dried up terrain. I felt reasonable well and was up to the task [top ten in GC is still within reach, as well as 6-7 in my cat.].

Stage 6^th Riolo Terme - Riolo Terme

The general question wasn’t who has the power to do more but who is less dead. As the final length of the ‘tappa’ was still in the limbo, we were just guessing something between 80-90km. I for one, basically it didn’t  bother me if it is even 150km, just need to know so that some pacing and measured power application can be made.

And off we go. This called for a very intense riding because tomorrow’s ITT of 20km doesn’t give a big realm of improvement in the GC. So if one was about to move up, that was the day to do his/her best. The legs were good enough, regardless of the accumulating fatigue. Most essentially, though, if the mind is still fresh and spirits are high, that’s half the battle.

The first 10km was a race of attrition, even though on not challenging jeep-roads and some pothole-littered tarmac, the never ending ups and downs did enough damage; hence the field has been eliminated. I was blessed enough being in the second group and to be able to keep up with them. Sure, I hoped all along that the fierce full pace will level off somehow and I can take a breather, reshuffle, and finally, if there is something still in my tank, up the ante towards the end of the stage.

The group of favorites was very cohesive; none was successful with their on and off attacks, as those surges were responded immediately. We needed more challenging terrain, technical downhills or massively steep uphills to diminish the group. Lastly, 4 of us went, just by elevating the pace. I wasn’t sure whether I can endure this higher speed, and then pay dearly at the end. But I took my chances.

I lost some precious second at the water point, though [as there weren’t prepared filled bottles nor any assistance], so the following downhill called for taking more hazards if I was about to close the gap to those 3. That proved to be fatal as I went, for the first time, over the handlebars, and hit my head hardly in the process. Nothing disastrous, however, minus some bruises, bloody knees elbows and palm. In brief, I was caught by 2 higher-ups [in the GC] from the 2^nd group behind, and it took me a while to get to my normal self. I tried again and dropped them. That motivated immensely, undoubtedly, admittedly though, the surrounding scenery was a much bigger motivator.

I might be biased a bit [yes, I truly love this Country, and never get satiated with its eternal gorgeousness], I can’t help. It always enables to exploit all my power, to give more, to exhaust myself more than anywhere else.

The hot day played into my cards [I can deal with the heat pretty good]. The only bothering thing that concerned, not only me, was the lack of water. We found the first announced water point 10km behind the stated point; the second [and last] one was at km 63. I was at the mercy of some tifosi, and locals. I asked kindly for ‘acqua’ and they were kind enough [they are always unbelievable supportive!] to hand it over. As for the food, basically, I carried my 3gels, and if there was some banana at the water point, I took it. Otherwise there is no way to deliver a decent performance on cakes, cheese, etc. that were to be had on feed stations.

The last part of the stage was nothing but agonizing. I was much of the time on my own either way, only at Km 71 I was caught by Italian Christian Fabbri [4^th in the GC] who had a hard time as well. It seemed like some 8km to go [according to my Garmin], mainly downhill on jeep-roads. I checked with him whether that’s the ‘ultima dicesa’.

I was assured; yes it’s the ultimate downhill. Whoohoo – so let’s give it all in your power. And I meant it. Obviously Christian Fabbri is a charismatic downhiller; I hoped to keep up with him. Lo and behold, after 5km, I gained some 500m. Admittedly, in doing so; I took perils and was at times on the verge of crashing badly.

80km done, well no sign of the finale, neither Riolo Terme, nor any other sign of civilization. Quite the opposite, I was once again right out of the sticks. The narrow, off-camber beleaguered single track begun to rise, more and more, steeper and steeper. The speed dropped significantly. It became a riding in the nowhere. Christian caught up on me, and was, too in the unknown how many Km to go, where we are, etc. Given my intensity, thus far and my calculation [80km] this didn’t bode well for a good outcome. I mean, if I’m told we got to ride 200km, no big deal, I just need to know. And suffering from clinical [exercise induced] hypoglycemia, it’s not funny at all. I could crash in every given second, without big forewarnings.

The path took us deep into the mountain, and I assumed the worst: uphill [instead announced downhill] finish with an unknown length. Kudos to Christian for comforting me [“Ultimo chilometro…” well he said this at least on 3 occasions], however we both knew that been merely a self-bullshitting, in the hope that the pain lessens.

This situation was really irritating, and this anger kept me smashing big gears. 10 uphill km’s gone, some 8-10kph average, when finally, somewhere on the top if the hill we spotted a tent with time taking sensors. The guy gave us a hand gesture, we were finished – which I, frankly didn’t believe [after so many miss-announcements, my trust is gone]. Only after seeing some ‘dead bodies’ [the first top 7] around I was assured, yes the torture took its end. I was bluntly cross-eyed/light headed, got blurry vision, and my blood-sugar sank down to 2.1. Those 7 poor ‘soldiers’ that finished ahead of me were about to be re-animated and none of us was really talkative and up to nice chat.

Finally the resentment has gone and the rejoice about the great achievement replaced all those draining sentiments. After I regained my vision, we ‘took wings’ and headed downhill into the civilization, to the originally spa town of the finish, Riolo Terme. That’s been another 15km on undulating terrain and my fellow, Silvio [2^nd GC] was so down, that I almost had to watch and take care of him, just to prevent him from any, by exhaustion caused, crash.

 The God-send sunshine, massage, lovely company, relaxed hotel and all those niceties made amends for the brutality of the day. Most of all, though, my achievement that had me move up to 11. in the GC and 7. in my cat. kept me cheered till I fall asleep somewhere at midnight.

Stage 7^th Ravenna – Cervia Individual Time Trial

“Ultima tappa, ultima prove…” Ready for the rumble? Oh yes, bring it on.

We woke up to a charming sunshine, elevated mood, high spirits – mind you, dead legs. For most of the rider, it didn’t matter at all. The time gaps were not so significant. So there was no such thing as one being able to make up this time gap. Above all, though, only those rare contenders having a chance to move up in the rankings, felt like going all out. Well, sign me up - I knew the odds were that I could improve my position. But I also knew I must be willing cannibalize myself to accomplish it.

The Grande Piazza of Ravenna embraced us in full blossom look. Police escort granted via all those tiny historically relevant places and streets. Tons of onlookers that cheered us on, and finally we stopped for a while to make the show peak. Broadcasters all around, hunting for interviews, in fact the half city celebrated us and we had truly a great time – Goosebumps all over. That’s been an amazingly nice touch and an honorable crescendo of the whole event. Thereafter, we headed to a remote place for the start, basically next to the Adriatic see. The tension was growing with every second count down.

The strategy was to catch on the guy ahead of me [2 min distances] and to team up with him for the rest of the march. I got a hate-relationship with ITT, but so be it, that’s the last pain tenure and the show is over.

Off I was, and much to my astonishment the legs responded pretty OK, so I kept hoping, my plan is within reach. The surrounding scene was mind-boggling; an ancient pine forest and 60 % of the route led us via an avenue of pine – just gorgeous, most of all the helps to distract from the discomfort greatly. After 20min I caught up on, and immediately overtook him. After I while I signalized that it is his turn which he completely ignored. Neither my second hand gesture nor anything else yielded his cooperation. So I dragged him until the very last 200m where he outpaced me and took 2 sec. Chapeau, “Gentleman”.

A massive elation overcame me - plainly indescribable. Needless to say, the vibe, atmosphere in the finish area was a slice of heaven. Gone are all those bitterness and struggling. Euphoria and excitement were all over the place.

The bottom line meant for me 10^th place in the GC and 6^th place in my category [under 40], however the highest accolades go to the absolute winner in man’s category:

1.       Joao Marinho [POR}

2.       Silvio Wieltsching [AUT]

3.       Tiago Silva [POR]

As well as in the women’s category:

1.       Ivonne Kraft [GER}

2.       Ada Xinx [POR]

3.       Michela Ton [ITA]

Summary:

Next to all of my expectations had been exceeded. What really took me aback was the social aspect. So many amicable and personable like-minded folks that are eternally assisting and have always a cheerful word for you.

The divine like rural area – that’s exactly how I saw Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. The locals and support crew, just a big wow.

The route per se had my jaw drop constantly. Only after quite a while did we realize the obsession and passion of the organizer for enduro characteristic stuff. And I truly believe this concept worked out impressively. Certainly that’s not a one-size-fits-all type of route. But the general echo has been positive and as far as I go, I savored those thrilling sections.

Thanks for sharing and reading my wrap up

Until next race, Beskydy Trophy stage race, coming up next week.

Rob

Rally di Romagna 2012

Entering the sought-after race with a popping question mark behind doesn’t bode well. As good my off season preparation went as bad I ended up with a massive chronic insomnia, preventing me to fine tune and peak for the season openers.

I did reasonable well in the first 4 road marathons, but Rally di Romagna, being a stage race, is a different chapter.

So, now I’m here in Riolo Terme Tuscany and lining up for the first stage, basically an Olympic distance, not really my forte. The competitive field promised an exciting rivalry. My ambitions for high ranking had been lowered accordingly, and saw myself content with top 20, top 15 at the best.

All out from the get go, a downright poison for my diesel engine, so at the time when we finished I had just warmed up. Scored 24^th, which is less then mediocre. I had good sensation though [despite some GI distress], and hoped for moving up in the ranking on stages coming up.

2^nd Stage Riolo Terme - Marradi

The long feared rainy period came true and the Riolo Terme - Marradi stage made us want to gear up with heavier clothes. This is exactly not what I do associate with Tuscany, the cliché-like region blessed with abundant sunshine and warm weather. Most probably, though this weather turn is due to the earthquake we have been witness of last night. All the same, same condition for everybody, and I was just way too concentrated on making up ground in the GC.

What awaited us were soap coated tracks no tire can handle. So we were all along on the verge of keeping the ideal line and not losing traction. The lion part of the stage went along the lines of hiking-hiking. The biggest trial I had to tackle in general, however, were the inconsistent ups and downs. There was no way to find a rhythm. Not only came those hidden uphill’s way too abruptly, they were knee-breaking steep, urging you to be on the granny most of the time. Top cap it off, we took the wrong turn, whereby the general consensus was that the markings left a lot to be desired. A good 25min “back pack” had me lose my spirit and took me a while getting back my motivation and starting to pass my rivals.

That wasn’t enjoyable at all, even though I was all day in calculated-optimism mode. Bottom line, I moved up 3 places in the GC and was blessed to conclude this day accident free, albeit shivering no end.

The conclusive accommodation had us wonder whether that’s for real or an ill meant joke. Some remote barracks that doesn’t seem to be able to swallow this bunch of poor survivors, being on the verge of despair after these inhuman conditions. Bud kudos to the personnel giving it all in their power to make it for us as comfortable as doable.

3^rd Stage Marradi-Tredozio

I dug deep into my sport psychology toolbox to prep myself for this daunting cold and wet day. Basically, the name of the game is constant bullshitting our self and faking all along just to stay in the zone. For sure, per briefing announced stage shortening yielded huge unisono applause. They pledged to minimize the hiking section, and they actually did.  Mind you, even the slightest undulation called for dismounting as there were zero traction   - all the more tortuous maneuvering like walking on eggshells. Cursing all-around me, mostly casting blame at the organizers for putting us through such a mud bath. I kept quiet, pushed hard and paid high attention to the sparse route markings in the process. I’m just not keen to waste my precious energy to distract myself by elements I have no control over. And after that stage I made up my mind to keep my tempers at bay knowing this doesn’t yield any bettering either way.

That paid off greatly as I, despite draining circumstances became more and more better, passing my most respected rivals in the ranking. The first sign, I do feel things are starting to play to my favor is, when I pick my direct opponents, watch them cautiously, play a little mental game and calculate in the process. Their spent bodies and worn down spirits downright strengthens my spirits. That’s my card I always play. Gone are the second guesses as for the consequences for my insomnia. On the contrary, I felt the immediate effect of rarely happening great recovery. With this mental boost I was able to put myself really deep into the pain-cave in the last hour of the race, which I normally rarely do on the 3^rd stage knowing there is an immensely huge part ahead of us.

Principally, a well-established competing field is more than welcome. It’s just that your effort is more valuable. In the top ten ranking the usual suspects, the Portugese armada spearheaded by JOAO MARINHO ,  his teammate Tiago Silva, reigning RdR 2011 winner, Italian Christian Fabbri, the Austrian famous Silvio Wieltsching. It’s been meaningless for me to focus on them as they are beyond my realistic realm of competition.

One thing kept my head busy, however. I was keen to figure out how come the predominance of astonishingly big amount of challenging tracks. I don’t talk about any routes that are here and there bit technical skill demanding. No, the RdR is literally “assuming” on the rider. After some interaction with my fellows we come to the conclusion that the organizer must be fixated on enduro like routes, what’s more literally obsessed with those. Now that makes the race obviously colorful and demands highest concentration, with the hopefully final outcome of fun riding. Me, I love them, it is a sort of honest race, requires a complete versatile rider. There is no hiding. 

The stage ended up in a beautiful sunshine on the big piazza of Tredozio. Gone are the ambivalent emotions and hike-struggles, the hope for better weather in the coming days prevailed.

Some progress in the GC again, most of all though at that point I know exactly who I got to watch carefully and play an intelligent game/pacing.

4^th Stage

Tredozio – Palazuollo.

I was fairly fed up with makeshift accommodations, sparse food, unprepared staff [to accommodate and feed this starving biker-tribe]. So we all really longed for civil [hotel like] environment where we were able to get ready our gear [cleaning/drying, etc] under standard conditions.

I was set about to go beyond my planned racing effort today, seeing the real possibility to do top 15 was within my reach.

That stage proved to be a genuine challenger as far as riding skill go. The stage kicked off with rain coming down. I geared, nevertheless summer-like in the hope, it’s only a matter of time and the sunshine conquers the gloomy elements. Well, that wasn’t the case – sadly.

Business as usual, all out for the first 45 min, which is an apparent toxic for my engine. I acted wisely, and kept a controllable distance to my direct competitors, namely the Italian Thomas Steger of Green Valley, [his whole team that rode very cohesively], Pierpaolo Agnoletti [ITA], Carlitos Ramos [POR] and Pierpaolo Bresciani [ITA],

This time around there was no stalking anymore; we were attacking each other where even possible. I had some slight drawbacks in fast narrow slippery downhills. Due to my clinical retinopathy and not wearing my corrective glasses, I frequently lost balance and it’s been a hazardous ride all along. Once that turned into utter technical, rock-garden like sections, with steep stair-like paths, I was able to make up ground.

Apparently, my forte laid on the uphills, the steeper the better opportunity to surge and amend losses.

What followed was pure bliss for the enduro soul. After dropping all three, I kept a decent pace and was just absorbed in the rock littered track.

Partially I was flip-flopping on my decision whether or not to put myself at jeopardy and ride down the whole way with its mind boggling obstacles. I guess, the last 6km of that stage went beyond the ride-able stuff.

When I finally crossed the finish line, I was in total disbelief that I m still alive. We learned right after this that this part, and actually the larger part of the whole stage, has been the original route of the Italian Super Enduro Championship. Well, chapeau then – I did it all on my lightweight S-works 29” hartdail.

I was upbeat about the results, now 13. On GC and 10 in my category.

Generous Spa-Hotel welcomed our beaten bodies with all necessities. Could not wait the 5^th stage, where I saw myself riding offensively.

Please stay tuned for follow up on stage 5-7.