tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43956684404435459722024-03-05T12:31:02.584-05:00Spoke the NurseMike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-24383447957777221562010-02-13T20:20:00.004-05:002010-02-13T20:22:07.336-05:00I'm Not Dead Yet!Contrary to popular belief, I'm still alive. Major updates coming shortly, including my sorry excuses for not updating my blog in a year!Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-65069958254371815852009-02-27T13:41:00.003-05:002009-02-27T13:58:33.922-05:00Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'...Later today I will leave for my first stage race of the season. In honor of this, I've put together a new iPod playlist for my warm-up. In no particular order, it is below<br /><br />Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train<br />Disturbed - Down With the Sickness<br />Metallica - Enter Sandman<br />Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash<br />Rolling Stones - Shattered<br />Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff<br />Limp Bizkit - Nookie<br />Queen - Fat Bottomed Girls<br />The Beatles - Get Back<br />Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff<br /><br />The race is on the north shore of Lake Mead, outside Las Vegas, and consists of an uphill time trial, a long rolling road race, and a twisty criterium. The plan is to kill the time trial so hard that no one bothers showing up for the road race or crit. I'll let you know how that goes...Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-60160055888223146822009-02-16T14:52:00.004-05:002009-02-17T00:53:19.574-05:00UCLA Road Race and Time TrialThe more observant of you may notice that I skipped the race report for Poor College Kids Road Race and the Mothballs crit. That's because my performance was less than spectacular and I'd rather just move on.<br /><br />While my softer-shelled compatriots were off in sunny, warm, Arizona racing at Valley of the Sun, I was at the UCLA Road Race on Saturday, rolling around the Devil's Punchbowl course. Sunrise on Saturday morning revealed a spectacular scene of low mountains and rolling hills with a dusting of snow, all without a cloud in the sky. By the time the Men's 4/5 field started at 9:15, though, temperatures were just above freezing, and most of the ice on the road had melted.<br /> <br />I got to the line early and assured myself an excellent starting position. After leading the pack for the first two miles the serious uphill started and I started getting passed. I'm no climber, and this just wasn't my day. I picked up a few people who had passed me, but there wasn't anything organized. In the end, the race was essentially a twenty-five mile uphill time trial. I took thirty-sixth out of a full field of seventy-five.<br /> <br />Sunday saw me in Lancaster for the UCLA Time Trial. A slightly rolling, out-and-back, 23km course, I liked my odds going into the day. Time trials have always been something I'm good at, and this year I have some new equipment. My new time trial bike, a Rudy Project Syton helmet, a bitchin' Liquid Fitness skinsuit, and a rear wheel cover were all ready to go at noon on Sunday.<br /> <br />After getting my start time (12:23:30) at sign-in I headed out to warm up. I stopped by the starting tent for a time check and headed south from there. Despite thrashing myself on the road race Saturday, I felt great. I rolled back up to the line with five minutes to spare and tried to stay loose. I rolled to the line and held the bike steady while the marshall got a grip on my saddle rails. I clipped in and awaited the countdown.<br /> <br />As soon as the starter said "Go," I let go of my brakes and started started cranking. After a hundred yards I tucked into my aerobars and focused on cranking. Throughout my race I focused on keeping my Powertap over 300 watts; everytime I saw it dip I pushed harder. Everytime I felt the pain releave I pushed harder. And everytime I saw a rider ahead of me I made up my mind to pass them. As I passed the 500 meters to go mark I dropped the hammer even harder and poured every ounce of strength into my cranks. I blew across the finish line to post a 29:52, good enough for a win in the Cat 4 race.<br /><br />The credit for this success goes to my legs and to my Powertap, which gave me something objective to focus on, and distract and motivate myself to fight through the pain. Thanks to the guys at UCLA for putting on a terrific weekend; I look forward to coming back next year.<br /><br />And in other news, the location for Elite Nationals has been announced as Bend, OR this year. I sense a road trip in my future...Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-757643700266591322009-01-12T01:29:00.004-05:002009-01-29T19:06:20.215-05:00Reluctantly Crouched at the Starting LineI'm a bad, bad person. I don't blog enough, as I have been informed by several people, including <a href="http://benjacat.blogspot.com">Dave Almighty</a>. With the race season upon us, however, I felt I should reassure my hordes of loyal readers that I am not dead! I did not waste away to nothing out here in the Land of Fruits and Nuts. Rather, I have been training extensively in preparation for my first race as a Cat 4: the <a href="http://scnca.com/2009raceflyers/poorcollegekids.pdf">Poor College Kids Road Race</a> in Santa Barbara, CA. The next day is the <a href="http://scnca.com/2009raceflyers/poorcollegekids.pdf">Mothballs Criterium</a> also in Santa Barbara. My new ride, named Viviane, and I will be headed up there to take names and kick ass.<br /><br />I promise that a race report will follow on Sunday. Really!Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-21362742500546552612008-11-26T01:46:00.010-05:002009-01-25T20:05:10.569-05:00Red Roubaix ResaleSo it's been an awfully long time since I posted anything. Nothing terribly exciting has been happening in Mike's World of Cycling lately, other than lots of training (and let's be honest, how exciting are base miles, really?), and falling off the training schedule due to various side trips. As I write this, I'm sitting in the Windy City visiting with family for Thanksgiving. I am, of course, bike-less, so there's three days down the tubes.<br /><br />In October I rolled down to the Grand Canyon with a crew of folks I met in the Chicago Basin last year and had a Grand time. Another five days gone, though I can write off a lot of that to cross-training.<br /><br />And at the end of September I traveled up to Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park for a few days of backpacking and had an absolute blast. Sequoia is, hands down, the most spectacular place I've ever seen. I cannot wait to go back, to drink in the fantastic scenery and clean mountain air again.<br /><br />On second thought, I guess there have been some interesting developments in my cycling career. As I already noted in my previous post I am now a Cat IV road cyclist. In addition, I have a new team. I will be racing for <a href="http://www.liquidfitness.com">Liquid Fitness Cycling</a> this year on their Cat IV/V squad. I'll have new photos and sponsor links up as soon as I have them, hopefully towards the end of this week.<br /><br />I will also be bidding fairwell to Beatrix, my faithful, if short-lived, road bike (so if anyone you know wants a 58cm Cervelo Soloist, drop me a line). She's just too long and my pelvic angle is all wrong when I'm on top of her. Yeah, all you followers of Freud can have a field day with that. Instead, I'll be running a <a href="http://www.specialized.com">Specialized Roubaix Pro</a>, with a <a href="http://www.willyoumaketheleap.com">SRAM Red</a> build. The added head tube and shortened top tube are, according to several fitters at the <a href="http://www.cynergy.com">LBS</a>, exactly what my freakishly long femurs need. Looking forward to that, though not to re-learning how to shift. As in keeping with custom, I shall take suggestions for a name. Only requirements are that it be female, and you be able to tell me why I should name my bike whatever it is you suggest.<br /><br />That's all on the Western Front for now. May everyone have a happy Thanksgiving, and a festive and joyous holiday-of-choice. Until next time, keep the rubber side down.Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-45983302548603118172008-10-17T12:11:00.002-04:002008-10-17T12:14:47.736-04:00MotivationJust in case I needed motivation to train this off-season:<br /><br />The following request to change your USCF category has been approved and by USAC:<br />Member: Michael Nies<br />License: Road Racer<br />Request to change category from Cat 5 to Cat 4Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-87615477810396355312008-10-10T00:17:00.001-04:002008-10-10T00:18:39.415-04:00Your license upgrade is pending approval from USA Cycling.No more a Cat 5, I hope?Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-44326216966245375482008-10-04T17:33:00.003-04:002008-10-04T18:50:45.093-04:00We Don't Need No WaterThis week I flew back to Ohio briefly. Unfortunately, Ohio requires your physical presence to renew a driver's license, and mine was set to expire on October 19th of this year. I took a redeye flight from LAX into Cleveland, then took a commuter flight to Dayton. It wasn't a bad trip, but I was a little fried when I got into Hopkins. So I grabbed the biggest, most potent coffee the Phoenix stand in C Terminal had to offer, and a Plain Dealer; comics are an important part of de-stressing when you've just spent the last five hours being elbowed by a smelly, obese, insomniac.<br /><br />And it was then that I got the best news I've received in at least the last three years.<br /><br />The headline for the day was, of course, something about the bailout. Or maybe it was the Palin/Biden debate scheduled for that night. Either way, that wasn't what got my attention.<br /><br />What got my attention were the seven smiling children just above the fold.<br /><br />I had seen those faces before.<br /><br />All of them had been in the paper three years earlier.<br /><br />On May 21, 2005, I was working in an Emergency Department in Cleveland. My shift ended at 3:00 AM, and I was getting ready to leave when we got word that seven ambulances were headed our way with critical patients, five of them receiving CPR at the time. We were already short-staffed that night, like most nights, so I stayed to help. The first ambulance arrived a short time later, carrying a teenage boy. As soon as the doors opened, we knew what had caused his cardiac arrest. The smell of smoke hit us even before we saw his half-burned clothes lying under him on the gurney, where the paramedics had cut them off his thin, wiry body to start IV lines and determine his injuries. He was rolled into the room where I was waiting, along with two nurses and several ED doctors. We tried to resuscitate him, but every time his pulse returned it faded quickly thereafter. After several tries, we had to give up in order to focus on the other victims coming in. <br /><br />That was the story with all but one of the people who came in from the fire that night. She survived to head up to the burn unit for three weeks, and is still alive today. The ED staff found out before the end of the night that the house which burned had been hosting a sleepover that night. The teenager I had helped try to save was the guest of honor; he had been only three hours into his birthday when the fire started. By the next day the fire had been ruled first "suspicious" by the investigators, and "arson" shortly thereafter. Whoever set the fire poured gasoline around the doors before lighting the blaze. Even with working smoke detectors in the house, no one had any warning. All the victims were likely dead from smoke inhalation even before the flames reached their sleeping bodies. The only consolation there was that they likely felt no pain before they died.<br /><br />The investigation stalled after the fire. The PD didn't report any more breakthroughs, and I stopped wondering if the arsonist would ever be caught. Until I picked up the Plain Dealer for Thursday, October 2, 2008 and found <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?/base/iscri/122293626790590.xml&coll=2&thispage=1">this story</a>. The only thought that ran through my head until my flight landed in Dayton was "Holy s***, they got the motherf***er." It was a good flight.Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-1470301389707287102008-09-07T17:46:00.003-04:002008-09-07T18:22:28.683-04:00His Actions Are Graceful, All the Girls He Does PleaseMy sister <a href="http://sneezeknits.blogspot.com/">Sara</a> came out to LA for a visit a couple weeks ago, and on a trip down to the Santa Monica Pier we noticed a <a href="http://www.trapezeschool.com">flying trapeze school</a> there. So we signed up. Let me assure you that, after the shear, gut-wrenching terror of the first flight, it's awesomely fun and quite easy. Observe the following:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vxanzFjVGF0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vxanzFjVGF0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The first thing they teach you is how to get yourself from hanging by your hands, to hanging by the knees, then back to your hands. After you've done that once they add a backflip dismount, which is what my sister capably demonstrates above (while I demonstrate shaky camera work).<br /><br />Once you get really good at that move they prepare to have someone catch you from the other trapeze. Of course that person has to get up there first...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5e4n6KCiJ2Q&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5e4n6KCiJ2Q&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />After Dean got himself up there, if was time to be plucked from thin air by a complete stranger. Again, Sara demonstrates below.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nwKatd3YllE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nwKatd3YllE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Alas, there are no shots of me on the trapeze, since Sara was too busy staring in awe at my perfect form (or possibly the muscles on all the trapeze staff) to be bothered with the camera. Guess I'll just have to go back and try it again...Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-58061423253788525592008-08-10T22:14:00.004-04:002008-08-11T13:28:36.978-04:002008 US Elite National Championship Time TrialWhile at the time trial for the Summer Solstice Stage Race, I overheard another racer say "Time trialling is about pain: if it feels good you're not going hard enough."<br /><br />Whoever designed this TT course was of that school. There was climbing. And then descending. And then more climbing. All in the sun. All in dry, California heat. Needless to say, it was hard. Really hard.<br /><br />My performance was rather disappointing. With a time of 0:59:17, I managed a DFL almost 15 minutes behind the winner. No PM sitings at the TT; guess he's saving his legs for Sunday's road race. TIBCO's Ms. Miller was also saving her legs, and that <a href="http://www.velonews.com/article/81580">paid off</a>.<br /><br />Beatrix is still not quite tuned in how I would like, so I'll be sending some photos to Sean and Mike V. at Bike Authority as soon as I can track down a tripod so they can help me work through the fit.<br /><br />Oh, and I did manage to get a few pictures. They're posted at my <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mikethenurse/">Picasa site</a>.<br /><br />Perhaps I'll have a better time next year. That's all for now, folks!Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-81029661048478028012008-08-05T02:33:00.006-04:002008-08-07T00:22:05.220-04:00ButterfliesThe <a href="http://www.usacycling.org/events/2008/JrU23EliteRoadNats/08JRU23EliteTT-startlist.pdf">start time list</a> was posted for Wednesday's time trial, and it turns out I'm not the only Clevelander who will be throwing down in Anaheim. From Texas Roadhouse, <a href="http://www.texasroadhousecycling.com/Roster/PaulMartinRiderProfile.aspx">Paul Martin</a> managed to snag bib number one, starting next to last of the Elite Men at 9:35. He's signed up for the road race, too; knowing that, I might be heading down to watch over the weekend. Our hometown hero <a href="http://www.brookecycling.com/">Brooke Miller</a> of Team TIBCO, made famous by Snakebite's own <a href="http://stiffcrankbrassnipples.blogspot.com/">JimmyNick</a>, starts at 9:49. Your's truly starts at 9:26, nine minutes ahead of PM, and twenty-three minutes forward of Brooke.<br /><br />Today got me thinking about my goals for this race. I'm not well prepared, and my overall fitness level has certainly dropped since the Summer Solstice Stage Race in June. At the same time, I have far superior <a href="http://www.cervelo.com/bikes.aspx?bike=SLC2008">equipment</a> to my last time trial. With that in mind, my goals for Wednesday are as follows:<br /><br /><b>3.) Finish in under 48 minutes.</b><br />Fifty minutes for a 33km course works out to 25.63 mph. This would be a moderate improvement over my last two time trials (22.89 mph and 24 mph, respectively). Of course, neither of them were nearly this long, but Paul Martin wasn't chomping at my heels either.<br /><br /><b>2.) Don't break myself.</b><br />Some would argue that this should be priority one. I argue that while I can heal for free, the bike cannot.<br /><br /><b>1.) Don't break the bike.</b><br />While Beatrix and I are new to each other, I like her a lot and I don't want her to run away just yet. Of course if she doesn't behave, David Miller might be onto <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqTKaDmUr1w">something</a>...<br /><br /><b>0.) Ride my race, not someone else's, and represent my team with honor alongisde my fellow cyclists.</b><br />My high school cross country coach always said "Run <i>your</i> race, not someone else's." I have no illusions about the caliber of riders I'm up against. I'm going to get passed. I can't hold a pro-level time trial pace for more than a few hundred yards. I'm going so I can pour every watt my legs can generate into the pedals for 33 km of beautiful California roads, while surrounded by some of the best cyclists in the country. I'm going to get a benchmark, get some exposure, and meet some SoCal teams. I'm going because for me, showing up is half the fun. And hanging out with a bunch of other cyclists, surrounded by bike porn, watching people turn in blistering time trials, is plenty of fun indeed.Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-33687514059210161592008-08-03T22:59:00.005-04:002008-08-03T23:53:11.978-04:00On Training and ThingsSaturday saw me spend pretty much the entire day on the bike. This is the first time I've put the aerobars onto the Soloist, and getting them positioned took a little trial and error. I also picked up a set of <a href="http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=33737">Specialized S-Works road shoes</a> on clearance last week, and I took the day to get my cleat position dialed in, too.<br /><br />I met up with Jonathan G., a fellow rider I met randomly while he was changing a flat. I stopped to offer assistance, and we ended up riding together the rest of the way back home, since we both live in the same neighborhood. We headed towards the coast and cruised down to Manhattan Beach. At one point I looked up and noticed six guys, heading the opposite direction, holding a nice tight group two abreast. All with shaved legs. All riding high end De Rosas with Campagnolo Record spec. That was about when I realized that I had just passed the Rock Racing squad. Jonathan and I did an about face and caught onto the back of the pack. Michael Ball was leading the pack, and Tyler Hamilton was there, too. We just said hey, asked about upcoming race plans, and parted ways. I'm quite glad that my first celebrity sighting out here was for the sport I love so much.<br /><br />Oh, and the Soloist now has a name: Beatrix, after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_Kiddo">Beatrix Kiddo</a>. Why, you ask? Because she's sexy, nimble, and takes down the competition at the knees.<br /><br />Other than that, an uneventful week. Can't wait for Nationals on Wednesday!Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-27032084716440568462008-08-01T17:31:00.002-04:002008-08-01T17:34:03.778-04:00Taking the Plunge...The US Elite National Time Trial is in Anaheim this year. I will be there, representing Team Snakebite Racing to the best of my ability. This will be far and away the highest profile race I've ever done, and I don't feel anywhere near ready, but how often is the national championship for your favorite kind of race an hour away from your front door, on a day you already have off from work?Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-68592685793454706292008-07-29T22:32:00.006-04:002008-07-29T23:24:24.283-04:00The Soloist Races At LastOn Sunday I took the Soloist out for its virgin race, the <a href="http://www.ranchoscycling.org/events.php">San Marcos Circuit Race</a> just north of San Diego. Most of the riders I had talked to around here, including the UCLA road squad, recommended it highly as a well run, fun and challenging course, and since there aren't all that many races left in the area (surprisingly enough), I figured it was worth the trip.<br /><br />The race organization did not disappoint. The <a href="http://www.ranchoscycling.org/">Ranchos Cycling Club</a> lived up to their reputation, and put on a very professional race. The course was closed to traffic and two lanes wide the who way, the road was in great shape, corners were swept, and registration was a breeze. The first thing I learned on Sunday was that Cat 5 races here fill up FAST. Of the 50 open slots, 45 were taken by preregistered riders, and the other five were full as soon as registration opened. Fortunately, I was third in line.<br /><br />From the start I knew I wanted to be in the lead few. The course was a 1.7 mile circuit, with a 60 foot climb just before the finish, and all the downhill immediately after the start/finish line; Cat 5 was scheduled to do 30 minutes plus three laps. I quickly fought my way to the front of the pack (it wasn't hard, with the entire road open), and sat in around third wheel. On the fourth lap I wound up in the lead after the climb, and I pulled around the first bend until an attack came around on the downhill. It was instantly caught, and I held about fifth place for a while longer. A few teams were well represented, including Sun Coast Velo, and San Diego Bicycle Club, but the best tactics came from two guys from UC San Diego: more on them later.<br /><br />With three laps to go, several people took off. I stayed with them until just after the second time up the hill. My attack came a lap too soon, and I was left with nothing for the final climb. It didn't help that just before the penultimate climb I got an intense ache in my lower back. I suspect that I'm over-reaching into the bars, still, but I haven't had time to prove it (or time to find a shorter stem; I'm already riding a 90mm). With no real motivation left after the leaders took off at the top of the last climb, I settled for 16th out of 50. The two UCSD riders I mentioned earlier worked together, with one giving a fantastic leadout; they broke fast enough that they actually took first and second.<br /><br />Before the race, I met Paul K., and several of his friends. Paul is a helicopter mechanic in the U.S. Navy, and raced mountain bikes about eight years ago. This was his first ever road race, and he hung in to the end, despite being on one of the most challenging short courses I've ever ridden. His friends were there simply to give him support. One of them took pictures of several of the races. The Cat 5, juniors, and some Cat 4 photos can be found <a href="http://www.cchanphotography.com/biking/bike_race_2/">here</a>. I hope I get the opportunity to ride with them in future.<br /><br />Finally, I must ask for your help, oh great, wise, and mighty readers. My new bike needs a name, and I'm fresh out of ideas. If you have an idea, leave one for me in the comments section of this post. Whoever provides the winning name will get a prize yet to be determined. Go!Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-3602656934751583542008-07-25T22:02:00.004-04:002008-09-07T01:24:04.758-04:00I Really Dig the Styles They WearI must apologize to my glut of regular fans; I have been lax in my updates since arriving in sunny LA. I have no good excuse, other than I just haven't felt that anything blog worthy has happened. Since arriving in LA, I haven't done anything that special. I moved in my stuff (not hard, since it all fit into my rather small car), I found some yummy places to eat (too many to list, but the sushi place is closest), found the nearest grocery store (two of them, a Ralph's, and a Whole Paycheck) and figured out how to get to work (walk three blocks, turn right, walk one more).<br /><br />Riding wise out here, it's spectacular. The Cervelo is in hog heaven out here, since nothing is flat. I took a ride through Bel-Air a couple days ago; in three miles I gain twelve hundred feet of elevation. To put that in perspective, Old Mill Rd. on the east side of Cleveland gains 320 feet in exactly a mile. And most of the riders I've met out here look at a hill like Bel-Air as a good start to the day.<br /><br />If climbing isn't your thing, there's always the Pacific Coast Highway. The PCH is a little four to six lane road running along...that's right: the Pacific coast. Bikes are allowed on it, in fact it's usually the only way to get to some of the better rides through the Santa Monica Mountains. It is not, however, for the faint of heart. Most of the road has a very nice shoulder on which cyclists can ride. Sometimes, though, the shoulder is taken up with parked cars and every so often, like when you cross a bridge or the like, the shoulder just goes away. Usually the cars will let you in. Usually.<br /><br />Riding on surface streets here is something of an adventure as well, though less so than on the PCH. The amount of traffic in LA means that often a cyclist can keep up with, if not entirely out-pace, traffic. So far, this has meant that I've not had any issues with rude or inconsiderate drivers; I'm not delaying them at all, so they mostly leave me alone. Of course this isn't always the case, <a href="http://www.velonews.com/article/79771">as was demonstrated on July 4th</a>.<br /><br />And otherwise that's about it. Work is a lot like work, but I like the other staff on my unit, and the new hospital UCLA just opened is awesome to work in. It was designed by I.M. Pei, so it's very big, open, and full of natural light. It also doesn't hurt that I'm on the top floor ICU, with a fantastic view of the Santa Monica Mountains out one direction, and a look downtown in the other. For now it's time to chill and fine tune the bike in preparation for my first California race on Sunday. Race report here afterwards, I promise!Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-80919435812121108732008-07-04T03:10:00.002-04:002008-07-04T03:20:18.557-04:00From Every Mountainside...In honor of all of those who gave their lives, that we may have this day; in honor of those who place themselves in harms path, that we may grow old with this day; and in honor of those who will come after, that they may enjoy the continued blessings of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, may we hold this day with honor in our hearts. To all those who consider themselves American: Happy Independence Day.Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-81453051328044298932008-07-04T02:48:00.003-04:002008-07-04T03:06:20.837-04:00Swim Out Past the Breakers...At long last, I am in sunny Los Angeles. I checked into my apartment today, and started getting moved in. It's definitely easier when everything you have to put in there fits into a compact sedan. More details on the trip later, once I have time, but I shall leave you with the following:<br /><br />1.) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zion_national_park">Zion National Park</a> is quite possibly the most stunningly beautiful place I have ever seen, is wholly deserving of its name, and should be on the list of places to see before you die. Period.<br />2.) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojave_Desert">The Mojave Desert</a> is really big, really hot, and surprisingly pretty to look at.<br />3.) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_vegas">Las Vegas</a> is really big, really hot, but air conditioned and carefully engineered to make parting with money as enjoyable experience as it has ever been.<br /><br />And now it's time for bed here on the left coast. I promise pictures from the trip at my earliest convenience, and more details of good times and debauchery from Vegas et al. Best of luck to all my fellow Snakebiters at the Sizzler this weekend!!Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-3368496907514391262008-06-30T20:31:00.005-04:002008-07-05T23:59:41.951-04:00Chillin' in BoulderAfter shoehorning all my worldly possesions into my Honda Civic equipped with a Yakima rack and cargo box (the box was arranged by the great guys at <a href="http://www.bikeauthority.com/">Bike Authority</a>) I set out to drive across the country. First things first: a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine does not appreciate having something with the aerodynamics of a toaster on top while being loaded with the contents (no furniture, thankfully), of a two bedroom apartment. Seventy-five miles per hour was out of the question. Even 65 was a challenge in a few places. So this was to be a slower than normal trip across the country. OK, that's fine. I made good time on Saturday, making it from Cleveland to Lincoln, NE, before stopping for the night. Sunday had me in Boulder, CO, by dinner time.<br /><br />I opted to hang out in Boulder for a day, and visit with some family friends who live near the green space backing up to the Flatirons. Took the old road bike out for a spin this morning, and definitely noticed the altitude. The flats weren't too bad, but climbing was even harder than usual. Still lots of fun, though, since I had a great view of the mountains, and the sky was crystal clear. For lunch I went down to the Pearl Street Mall with Ed, my friend driving out with me. We had lunch and wandered for a bit. After dinner we drove up to Nederland, always a scenic drive. Tomorrow the plan is to head down to I-70 and stop at Zion National Park for the evening, then Vegas the next day, and into LA the day after that. Only three more days until LA!!Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-81397498552736240472008-06-26T15:19:00.004-04:002008-06-30T20:31:39.341-04:00Damn Baby, That's a Good Ride...Another excuse for poor performance flies out the window...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcIdMsMiGpsHWM_axEqap7onFDtiaAMRYUpq1GCzIlqHm2t9NuwFoEZfTN_kMYtVNxc6Mcsu7Kv2PVlf4R60okbi3aBKxCP6Ykh5AKIBu2MUFxlHucn-S6HlC_DjBKFkwuX9m4Ssir4A/s1600-h/Cervelo-Soloist.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcIdMsMiGpsHWM_axEqap7onFDtiaAMRYUpq1GCzIlqHm2t9NuwFoEZfTN_kMYtVNxc6Mcsu7Kv2PVlf4R60okbi3aBKxCP6Ykh5AKIBu2MUFxlHucn-S6HlC_DjBKFkwuX9m4Ssir4A/s320/Cervelo-Soloist.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216274192622870706" /></a><br /><br />Much thanks to Sherman and the guys at <a href="http://www.bikeauthority.com/">Bike Authority</a> for hooking me up with this sexy piece of engineering, and to the folks at <a href="http://www.ritcheylogic.com/">Ritchey</a> for making the most comfortable race saddle I've ever experienced (also awesome handlebars). I'll be taking it out on the team ride tonight, then back to Bike Authority tomorrow to be shipped to California.<br /><br />Now back to packing...Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-26282377486584952892008-06-16T01:33:00.004-04:002008-06-16T01:52:07.623-04:00Stage 4: More Flats<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/oh/new-vienna/18126819">Stage 4</a><br /><br />With three stages survived, twenty-five seconds behind first and a solid fifty seconds ahead of third in the general classification, all I had to do was survive for thirty-nine more miles and an excellent finish was all but guaranteed.<br /><br />But who the hell wants to drive four hours and work that hard for a boring, second place finish? Not me! So as soon as the race started I began throwing attacks off the front, dropping back a couple wheels and recovering, and doing it again. I was working with Mike Abney again, but we just couldn't get anything to stick. The Buckeye Cycling team was out in force for Sunday's stage, and they were actually doing a good job of protecting their leading man. They were in front chasing down all my breaks, and they held the pace at a comfy 22mph for almost the entire race. On the final lap, the third place rider tried to make a break for it but was pulled back even faster than usual, since half the support he had organized (me) got boxed just as he launched his attack. With around a half-mile to go, a couple guys shot off the front, and I went with them. At one point we had about a five second lead on the field, but then the front guy just stopped working. I screamed at them to rotate the lead, hoping to ride into the sprint straightaway and pour every last watt I could into the pedals, but they weren't interested, so I shot in front and pulled the group through. Three of them whipped around me to sprint for the pay places, and I held on for fourth in the stage, and second in the GC. For my troubles, I added a <a href="http://www.rudyprojectusa.com/products/helmets/kontact.htm">Rudy Project Kontact helmet</a> to my winnings for the weekend.<br /><br />This is likely my last race before I move to California, unless I can find time to hit the state time trial in Groveport next week. Not a bad way to end my Ohio racing career. Hopefully my California days will see some glory, too.Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-21674381167938527412008-06-16T00:48:00.004-04:002008-06-25T23:41:50.185-04:00Summer Solstice Stage 3: Time Trial<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/oh/wilmington/344993842">Stage 3</a><br /><br />I've always liked time trials. There's something to be said for not being able to use any tactics on the bike. In time trials, the only tactics that apply are to keep the rubber side down, and go fast. No one to draft off of, no one to run into in a pack sprint to the line, just you and the bike.<br /><br />It's also an event where your equipment matters. A lot. Aerodynamics are everything in a time trial, and since you're not likely to crash into anyone during the race, all sorts of fun new toys are legal: <a href="http://www.zipp.com/Products/Wheels/tabid/85/CategoryID/2/List/1/Level/1/ProductID/135/Default.aspx?SortField=ISBN%2cISBN">super-deep section wheels</a>, <a href="http://www.zipp.com/Products/Wheels/tabid/85/CategoryID/2/List/1/Level/1/ProductID/136/Default.aspx?SortField=ISBN%2cISBN">disc back wheels</a>, and <a href="http://www.zipp.com/Products/BarStems/tabid/76/CategoryID/5/List/1/Level/1/ProductID/100/Default.aspx?SortField=ISBN%2cISBN">aerobars</a> all grace the various <a href="http://www.cervelo.com/bikes.aspx?bike=P3C2008">bikes specifically designed for time trials</a>.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the only TT specific equipment I have are a set of removeable aerobars for my regular bike. So I pulled those out, installed them after a very nice nap following lunch, and headed down towards Wilmington once more. This time the family decided to join me, and brought a picnic dinner along with them.<br /><br />The start/finish line for the TT was the same as for the stage that morning, though the course ran in the opposite direction. Like Friday's route, this one was flat as a pancake, and only ran for seven miles, and had a downhill with a tailwind going out of the start and coming back into the finish. They even had someone holding riders at the start line so you could start with both pedals clipped in.<br /><br />As I said before, time trials have always been something of a specialty for me, so I expected to do well in this one. And I did, right up until I hit the backstretch. The whole thing was directly into what had been a tailwind on the way out. My average speed had been 28mph going into turn two, and it quickly dropped to around 23, when my current speed started reading 20. Ouch. I pushed through as hard and as fast as I could, and turned back onto the finishing road where I quickly took advantage of the tailwind and the downhill, slight though it was. My finishing time was a 17:30 for seven miles, almost exactly 24 mph. This got me third place in the time trial (behind one of the Buckeye Cycling riders and the aforementioned Mike Abney), and landed me in second place overall, 25 seconds back of first.<br /><br />EDIT: The correct standings, as reported at <a href="http://www.ohiovalleyracing.org/">Ohio Valley Racing</a> actually had me in fourth place for the TT. My time and overall standing were correct, however.<br /><br />After the race my girlfriend and I headed over to <a href="http://www.youngsdairy.com/">Young's Jersey Dairy</a> to get me some much needed calories. Their strawberry ice cream is probably my favorite in the world. Fortunately the Cat 5s had a 12:30 start on Sunday. Home again for some much needed ibuprofen and rest.Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-36646902590304008272008-06-15T23:27:00.004-04:002008-06-16T00:38:33.722-04:00Summer Solstice Stage 2: The Rollers<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/oh/wilmington/416096645">Stage 2</a><br /><br />Ah, rolling hills. There's nothing like going up and down all day to make you appreciate flat straightaways. Saturday's course, like Friday's was aptly named, as much of the course resembled a sine function. Still, the amplitude of these waves was pretty small compared to those at Chippewa or most of the other courses around here. They definitely played a part in Saturday's race, though.<br /><br />Once again we lined up for a 12-ish mile circuit, three full laps this time, and were informed that part of the course followed a gravel road. This news was not welcomed by the peloton, but there was little we could do about it. So off we went, wary of what the course might throw at us.<br /><br />On the first lap we found out. The second turn took us onto a freshly graveled downhill road, complete with an S-turn in the middle. Not cool! Fortunately no one got stupid and everyone slowed down. A few even managed to pick decent lines down the road, not helped by the six-inch deep gravel everywhere. At the bottom of the road was a bridge, blissfully clear of gravel. So everyone, myself included, sped up to try and catch those who picked a better line. This was very nearly a lethal idea, as the gravel started again after a semi-blind ninety-degree left-hand turn immediately after the bridge. The gravel then continued for three miles, or about 25% of the course, including several sets of rollers and another sharp left. After we finally got back onto real road, it felt like riding on glass.<br /><br />Needless to say, the gravel had a large impact on the race. Many of the riders dropped back, severely impairing the GC hopes of several riders, including my new friend Mike Abney. I plunged down the hill and managed to catch back onto the lead group on each lap. Apparently the roving official went down it on his motorbike and was slip-sliding the whole way, too, so the officials changed the course for the afternoon starting groups. The Cat 5s were a little peeved by that, to say the least.<br /><br />Once again every break attempt failed. I was feeling beat from my lack of calories at breakfast and lack of food with me on the course. I hung back during the field sprint, but still held onto ninth place. After a quick cool-down, I hopped in the car to head home for some much needed lunch and rehydration for the evening's time trial.Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-4792880620234931072008-06-15T21:04:00.006-04:002008-06-16T01:56:28.674-04:00Summer Solstice Stage 1: The FlatsAs my last post suggests, I spent this weekend at the Summer Solstice Stage Race near Wilmington, OH. Run by Ohio Valley Racing, this conglomeration of four races in three days had a good reputation among my fellow riders, and I had the weekend off from work, so I made the trek down to the Dayton area with my girlfriend (my wonderful, patient girlfriend who actually doesn't beat me when I ignore my spellcheck). Each stage will get it's own post, so stay tuned; there's more to come shortly.<br /><br />Friday's Stage: The Flats<br /><br />Despite the crummy weather, my dad opted to go down and watch me race. Even though he got lost when trying to find the course (it was a couple miles from the staging area, and not all the roads were labeled well), he managed to watch most of the finish. He also provided much needed support and patience while I waited for results and prizes. All in all my family was definitely incredibly supportive throughout this weekend, especially my girlfriend who was very understanding when I wasn't terribly attentive, being somewhat focused on kicking immense amounts of ass. At least the first day, it paid off.<br /><br />Stage One was aptly named: the only things even close to hills were the overpasses across I-71. This 12-ish mile circuit was nicely paved, fairly clean, and pancake flat throughout. Due to impending doom in the form of thunderstorms, the 2.5 lap race was cut to 1.5, so the first time we saw the finish area was the bell lap. No one managed to get a break off the front, though several tried. With such a flat course blockers were really necessary, and no team had enough riders in the field to commit to a break and block. I worked quite a bit with Mike Abney from 7 Hills; we alternated lead for a while, but when it looked like we were both getting set up to lose on the last lap, we dropped back into the field to rest and recuperate for the inevitable field sprint.<br /><br />That field sprint was to be held on a narrow road recently soaked with rain. No one had clarified whether the yellow-line rule was negated in the last 200m (some races it is, and others it isn't), which led to an even tighter finishing sprint since no one wanted to get DQ'ed for crossing the line at the end. With around 150m to go, one guy from Buckeye Cycling Club went up the middle through a hole that was <i>maybe</i> 45cm wide. With him off the front people started moving. I planted myself on the white line and hauled ass up the side. Along the way another rider started to come over into my line and we bumped shoulders. Unfortunately he went down, taking another rider with him. The rest of the sprint was clean, and I wound up taking second place by several bike lengths. Prizes for this race were a case of Gu and some Performance gift cards, both of which will find good use in the coming months.<br /><br />As it turns out, the rider who went down in the sprint was the sole Cat 5 from <a href="http://www.starkvelo.com/">Stark Velo</a> in attendance this weekend. He was pretty scraped up, and his rear derailleur was trashed, but he fortunately had spares of both with him. After claiming my winnings for the evening, I headed home to prepare for Saturday's road race.Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-61700338962744988992008-06-14T15:47:00.003-04:002008-06-14T15:51:40.174-04:00Summer Solstice UpdateJust a quick update before I go bolt the aerobars onto the bike in preparation for tonight's time trial. The Summer Solstice Race goes well. I took second in yesterday's stage, and ninth today. The GC is still very close, and tonight's time trial is likely to be decisive. The 5/Cit pack is definitely one of the faster I've been in, and no one seems to mind working. Now back to the bike!Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4395668440443545972.post-68487035479973149502008-06-09T20:42:00.003-04:002008-06-10T23:15:07.272-04:00California DreamingOn June 27, 2008, I will be leaving Ohio.<br /><br />For my entire life, I have lived in Ohio. I was born in Dayton. I grew up in the house my parents bought when they got married. College was a big step for me; moving to Cleveland was the furthest I had ever been from home, and I stayed here after graduation--and for most of the summers before graduation. Even then, my parents were less than four hours by car, and I would certainly never think of flying to go see them. I have family all over the state, too: Cleveland, Akron, and Dayton. Such has been my life for the past twenty-four years.<br /><br />As my regular readers know, I <a href="http://spokethenurse.blogspot.com/2008/04/we-can-live-beside-ocean-leave-fire.html">vacationed in SoCal</a> at the beginning of April. While I was there I realized what I had been missing. This is a place where I could train year round, outside. I would have, at my fingertips, all manner of parks, forests, and wilderness in which to pass the time. When I tired of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_David_Thoreau">living deliberately</a>, I could return to a bustling metropolis with many highly regarded medical centers, all of whom demonstrated a need for nursing staff. As I returned to Cleveland, I vowed to explore this opportunity more.<br /><br />And so I did. Thanks to several weeks of phone tag, faxing documents, writing large checks to government agencies, and playing the waiting game, I will be starting work in the Liver Transplant Surgical Sub-specialty Intensive Care Unit at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Westwood Campus, on July 7. Since the commute would be prohibitive otherwise, I will be moving to Los Angeles on July 3. Since I'm driving out, I leave Cleveland on June 27, with plans to visit several national parks, Boulder, CO, and Las Vegas on the way out. The next several weeks will be a whirlwind of planning, finalizing a few things on the LA end, and compressing my life into a 2003 Honda Civic Sedan with an extra eleven cubic feet of space, courtesy of the fine folks at Yakima and <a href="http://www.bikeauthority.com/">Bike Authority</a>. So if you're in need/want of some furniture drop me a line; I'm looking to be rid of most of what I have here, and most of it can be yours for the cost of coming to get it. I have bookshelves, a couch, chairs, dining room stuff, you name it. Please come get it. Please...Mike N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10073971208634206274noreply@blogger.com0