Friday, May 12, 2017

Jovial Pursuits

Rob, Dan, and Sarah

Many people practice speed with long rides on the road. A few more thoughtful specialists break their speed down into short blasts. But only a few practice the brutal and discouraging FIVE MINUTE INTERVAL.

Dan "Double D" Dhonau
Five minute intervals are for elite athletes. Folks like Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins or Coryn Rivera work these "pursuit" intervals. At the elite levels, five minutes means about 4 kilometers.

Last Tuesday night at the Alpenrose Velodrome, three Cyclisme racers turned in efforts for
The Green and Black.  Sarah Joy Miller, Rob

Double D is a long time leader of Word RCB byCyclisme racing program out on the Alpenrose velodrome. When our new racers arrived on the recent Tuesday Night, they were encouraged to see Dan "Double D" Dhonau ready to go fast in full aero regalia.
Dan, a motorcycle mechanic for Harley Davidson played a pivitol role at the 2011 Nationals when Jake Hansen was having trouble turning in good times in the Omnium.
Jake's cone bearings on his rear wheel had been over tightened and were presenting huge drag on his speed.
Dan discovered and repaired the problem, and Jake went on to win two National Medals.

Sunday, May 07, 2017

Adam and the WORD

Mentors turn the Team.



Flowing like water through the back streets of South East Portland, requires Team work.

Saturday's journey taught a new racer and kid's mentor, Adam, how to both throw out some recon at the front in the intersections, as well as how to pull through in a paceline. Meanwhile, stalwart Captain Sarah Miller posted up back with her familiar Lieutenants, as the children moved on down
quickly through town.

Saturdays with the children allow time to cultivate good form. Knees in, elbows bent, with legspeed, so the next day, a new mentor can throw in his hat with some real big boys.

Sunday, starting from the edge of town where civilization ends and glorious roads begin Word RCB was visited by an Oregon great, Bob Grummel. Bob rides with the team, ROGER that is filled with Oregon legends and is named after the great Belgian who was known for riding down Eddy Merck's stairs. (amongst other things)"The Gypsy" Roger De Vlaeminck was a great cobbles man famous for Paris Roubaix.

Bob Grummel was once a pro racer in Colorado, who narrowly beat Davis Phinney. So in two sunny weekend days, our new guy Adam went from throwing traffic blocks for three Oregon Cup Individual Time Trial Series winners, to riding with a retired pro who has raced and beaten a Tour de France stage winner in a pro race.
Fergus's selfie includes Rob, Alex, Bob, and Adam,
Not bad Adam. You've chosen a good program to develop your racing in.