Sorry Vulcans, I’m not talking about the movie…. I’m talking about team Astana riding their TREK machines in the 100th running of Giro de Italia May 9 -31. Team Astana looks to be the team to beat this year despite one of its members coming off a broken collar bone…..but it also helps that the recovering rider is Lance Armstrong. I’m guessing if Lance can come back after being diagnosed with cancer and win seven French glasses of champagne, a little collar
bone won’t be too much of an issue. Just in case Lance wasn’t enough to give Team Astana notice, maybe Levi Leipheimer, Alberto Contador are. Levi and Lance participated in the recent Gila 5 day stage race in New Mexico-1st and 2nd isn’t too bad of an overall finish. Alberto is last year’s winner of the Giro d’Italia and this year, the race has more mountain finishes and individual time trial miles than past years. This plays right into the hands of Lance and friends. But Italy isn’t shaped like a boot for nothing – the local riders would like nothing more than kicking some foreign butt, no matter who they are. I know I’ll be watching and following the coverage whenever possible. Stay tuned.
Back Stateside and closer to home, despite the gloomy weather last Saturday, the trails were perfect for the Gowdy Grinder Mountain bike race at Curt Gowdy State Park in Wyoming. The weather scared all but the determined riders away, leaving the expert class with the most participants. Those who stayed home missed out; because up until the last 15 minutes of the last race, it was perfect riding or should I say, “racing” weather. I talked a friend into making the drive and entering the race because the trails in CGSP are some of the most fun around and it was a good enough excuse just to ride them. I also talked the same friend into signing up for the Expert class. He didn’t finish last but it sure took him a while to unlock the car door for the ride home. If you have not been to the park, I highly recommend the trip and not just to ride mountain bikes. They have great campsites, a couple of boating lakes, streams, hiking, and did I mention mountain biking? They have trails and obstacles for any level rider to enjoy, and you will, with many more miles of trails planned to be built this summer.
If you’re going to be around Fort Collins this weekend, you are in for a treat; the USA Cycling Collegiate Nationals Road Bike Races are in town May
7 – 10 and are part of the Fort Collins Cycling Festival. You can also what the races live online here. Races are just a part of the events of the weekend with plenty of fun events and group rides for everyone. For more information, times, and course maps visit fccyclingfest.com . It’s never to late to volunteer to help out for the races either, and for more information about volunteering, visit the Fort Collins Bike Co-op web site.Tuesday was the last night for the New Belgium Short Track Series and the racers were out in mass- some of the biggest fields yet. There were also plenty of spectators to cheer each of the riders on each of their laps. Next year should be interesting. Those who entered all four races had the chance to win a sweet cruiser bicycle that was raffled off along with a bunch of other goodies. I walked away with a nice backpack from Deuter which will come in handy since my camelback is on its last leg and would not have made it through the summer. Thanks again to all the volunteers who came out weekly to make it happen. Look for the NBB cyclocross races this fall at the same location!
Now it’s time to switch gears and get to this week’s bicycling tip – it just so happens to be about switching/shifting gears. Each time you shift gears, a tremendous amount of stress can be put on your drive train which can damage and wear your components out prematurely. A rider can minimize this stress and add many miles to their drive train with some simple techniques.
Now get out there and enjoy your ride!
1. Shift in advance of a hill or obstacle – avoid shifting under power.
2. Shift smoothly without shifting multiple gears at one time.
3. Avoid riding with the chain on the big chain ring in the front and big gear in the rear or on the small chain ring in the front and small gear in the back.
Steve Lacey
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