Huntsville, AL

I'm down in Hunstville, AL for a few days of meetings for a DARPA proposal effort, namely ALASA (Air Launch Assist Space Access, a program to look at concepts for cheaply 100 lbm payloads to LEO. Here's a basic concept:

It's frigid here, with a bit of ice or snow on the ground. My body's in shock after doing 100 miles on the road Sunday in sunny warmth.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday...

About 125 miles - Ouch. I did a 2x20 trainer workout followed by a 100 mile road ride. Wasn't supposed to be windy but it was - I guess that makes it more Belgium-like (?). Some pics from the ride.

And the impact of today's ride on the PMC...

PMC

Black Friday? Not for me...

Black Friday - day after Thanksgiving. I was supposed to work pretty much all day today but it was a beautiful day, warm and sunny. I decided to hit the road for an easy couple of hours - just wanted to work on form and cadence. I kept power in endurance zone for the most part, although I punched it on a couple of the hills, working on keeping cadence relatively high. I'm not a spinner by anyone's standards. I typically ride at a low cadence working on strength. The combination of the strength and the higher cadence works wonders. Luckily I didn't see any shopping crowds although I did pass through Williamsburg (New Town).

Thanksgiving Day Calorie Burn

Had a great Thanksgiving Day ride, although I was by myself. Did approximately 100 miles, a combined 2x20 indoor trainer and outdoor road ride. My indoor portion went reasonably well, considering the fact that I've been suffering a bit of physical and mental (more likely) burnout. My ride was my normal loop through Upper James City County, Charles City County and Williamsburg. And no static from insane/stupid drivers. Oh yeah - the calorie burn: 3700. A pic from the ride:

Here's a pic f the bike in current state, after upgrading to Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 (mechanical) components (except for the rear derailleur which is a 7800 (shifts too good to change)).

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day 2011. Heading to some friends house for dinner later this afternoon. Hopefully a morning 2x20 session followed by a 60-mile road ride - typical fall weather. Have been in semi-burnout mode recently, unable for past week or so to hit desired power level. General apathy, etc. and it seems mainly die to this inability to push to peak 20 min power. I had hoped to push up to 320W this fall but it seems that life has conspired against me. I've been working hard but the plan isn't working. So, shat to do?...

100 miler

Beautiful Sunday afternoon... mid 50s, slightly windy although really not bad. Did 100 miles by my lonesome. Felt pretty good, although not great pop due to a pretty good training week. No excuses, though. Just over 1000 TSS for the week. Here's my route:

One thing I cannot understand are stupid people in cars. I was on a hill somewhere near Old Church and some dumb-a$$ in a truck with a bass boat wouldn't pass me. I waved him by but he just sat right behind me. No oncoming traffic. I finally had to stop and make him go around. I don't trust people if they won't pass when I wave them by - means to me that they shouldn't be in a car.

Here's the latest PMC from TrainingPeaks: