Read, Ride, Repeat: The Weblog of a Student Athlete

Saskatoon Tuesday Nighter

2011-09-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

Video Courtesy of peter Steckhan.

Bookwormed

Cuylar Conly

cool morning breeze

2011-09-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

It ain't summer anymore. In the last week I have had a fast transition back to the life of a student. It's like running full on into waste deep water. School is full on and all structured training has screeched to a halt   It's hard not to notice, and it feels significant. My non cycling friends even comment that I have become "more human".

   Instead of squeezing in academia, I am now trying to squeeze in some physical activity. More than half my saddle time right now is just riding to and from the University campus. Speaking of which, I just had a refreshingly crisp ride to school this morning. Just one more reminder that summer is closing fast. It makes me wonder; Does school begin because summer ends? Or, does summer end because school begins?

That's just way too deep for me.

Now that I am "commuting", I also think about bicycles in a different way. For instance. What if bicycles where like cars? As a societal institution. What if everyione rode every day? I imagine there would be regulations and conventions, much like cars. In particular I am thinking of the controlled infrastructure commonly reffered to as roads.

If everyone rode every day, there would be considerable bicycle traffic. With so many people on the roads it would be necissary, from a safety perspective, to regulate the rate of locomotion. AKA speedl-limits. Just like with cars, this would be accomplished by posting maximum and minimum speed limits in different areas. Imagine the bicycle version of residentials, freeways, highways and schoolzones. Unlike with cars the minimum speed would need to be enforced with greater regularity. It would be very dangerouse and inconvenient for someone to be traveling less than half the speed on the "freeway".

On the freeway I expect it would not be possible to ride much longer than 2 minutes by yourself. For extended highspeed travel it would be necissary to band together with a group of mates and "carpool". Or in this reality, economize your metabolisms. Imagine a group of one-hundred comuters roaring down the freeway at >50km/hr...      BLISS.

Training shall be based solely on feel,

while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Text Books

2011-09-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

Bellow I have posted my text book list. I guess I have a little shopping to do. Does anyone have any of these books? I would like to buy used and save some bones.

University of Saskatchewan - Online Shopping ListPrinted on: September 1, 2011 4:22 pm

BIOC 310 (01) - Biochemistry		Sep 6th, 2011 to Dec 2nd, 2011
Proteins & Enzymes (Lee, Jeremy S.)

Guide To Writing In The Sciences (Recommended)

978-0-8020-8366-1 / 40000029461

Gilpin (Paperback - Ed. 01)

Price: $20.95+GST

Lehninger Principles Of Biochemistry (Recommended)

978-0-7167-7108-1 / 40000123666

Nelson (Hardcover - 2008 Ed. 05)

Price: $140.95+GST

Lehninger Principles Of Biochemistry Absolute Ultimate Guide (Recommended)

978-1-4292-1241-0 / 40000123667

Nelson (Paperback - 2008 Ed. 05)

Price: $66.95+GST

Lehninger Principles Of Biochemistry Loose Leaf Version (Recommended)

978-1-4292-2263-1 / 40000146727

Nelson (Paperback - Ed. 05)

Price: $80.95+GST

PHYS 252 (01) - Physics		Sep 6th, 2011 to Dec 2nd, 2011
Foundations Of Modern Physics (Steele, Thomas G.)

Modern Physics (Required)

978-0-534-49339-4 / 40000073157

Serway (Hardcover - 2004 Ed. 03)

Price: $209.95+GST

RLST 314 (61) - Religion & Culture		Sep 6th, 2011 to Dec 2nd, 2011
Contemporary Catholic Thought (Hrynkow, Christopher)

Amazing Church (Required)

978-2-89507-570-7 / 40000159380

Baum (Paperback - )

No Price Available

Evening Thoughts (Required)

978-1-57805-130-4 / 40000159387

Berry (Paperback - )

Price: $25.95+GST

Models Of Contextual Theology (Required)

978-1-57075-438-8 / 40000159386

Bevans (Paperback - )

No Price Available

Put Down Your Sword: Answering The Gospel Call To Creative Non-Violence (Required)

978-0-8028-6357-7 / 40000159415

Dear (Paperback - )

No Price Available

10.

What Happened At The Vatican Ii (Required)

978-0-674-04749-5 / 40000159385

O'Malley (Paperback - )

No Price Available

*All prices are subject to change

Brain Training

Cuylar Conly

Home a Few Days Now

2011-08-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

You think a cross country move would be a complicated and taxing endeavour, but it almost felt like flicking a switch. I had almost no change in routine before the move. I packed all my things in less than 3 days, totalling two duffle bags and a bike box that was over filled. According to Google Maps, for a cost of $0 I could walk the ~2800km to Saskatoon in 24 days. I elected to buy a plane ticket and was back in Saskatoon in little more than 4 hours. Now how's that for perspective.

Since coming back to Saskatoon I have observed that the week preceding September 1st has the highest turnover of 20 somethings of the entire year. There is a simultaneous rush of students retuning to town and a mass exodus of those leaving for schooling elsewhere. Thank goodness I am unemployed, so that I can attend all the homecomings and sendoffs three times a day. I have some very good friends who I only get to see a couple times a year, and it feels good to just drop whatever I am doing and go catch up.

To facilitate my transition back to school I feel like I have become a professional pencil pusher. There seems to be a whole lot of administrative papers involved in your final year of school. And "they" said computers would be the death of paper. At least this is conditioning me for the mental work that will come come this winter. Sometimes I feel like my brain has become really lazy, nay I know it has.

On the sporting side of life. I spent a couple days cobbling together a cyclocross bike. Seems to be the only bike I have right now. (My Time Trial Bike is on it's way to Saskatoon, and is still for sale). Even though I am riding on a cross bike I am not ready to hit the mud. Right now I am running slick road tires and yesterday went for a great tour around the north end of Saskatoon. I forgot how flat it is here, I also forgot how windy it can get. It's a completely different way of riding, even to the point of changing your equipment selection and altering your riding position. Yesterday was my first "real" ride in some time, and it was great. I think I will have another good ride today. This is the "not training time" when you just go ride around until you think it's time to go home.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Bikes for Sale !!!!

2011-08-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

2011 Marinoni Rewind Time Trial & Triathlon Bike

Ideal for Triathlon or other timed solo events. This bike has been used for two months. This is your chance for fall pricing in the middle of summer. On display at Fresh Air Experience (1291 Wellington).

Handmade Carbon Fiber Frame, Size Small (53cm, fits 5'8"-6'0")

Ultegra deraleures

Dura-ace shift levers

FSA Gossamer TT crankset

Deda Elementi cockpit

Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels

Mechanic Owned

Retails for $4200

Used for $2300

ALSO

Giant TCR Advance SL

Giants top end ultra light frameset, with affordable ultegra groupo. Stiff and agile this is a real racing machine.

-High modulous hand made carbon fibre frame

-Complete Ultegra 6700 groupo

-- DT Swiss Tricon R1700, Giant LTD-edition wheelset

-mechanic owned

Size Medium

Retail price $4200

Used for $2400

cracked

2011-08-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

Summer is coming to a close. I have no races remaining on my calender. This is okay, I have had a long season and my mind has begun to loose pace with my body. My appetite for riding hard has hit rock bottom but that's okay too. Normally I place allot of pressure on myself, so right now I am allowing myself to ignore these demands. I have plans to move back to Saskatoon at the end of the month, so the next couple of weeks will be more about collecting a couple paychecks than stacking kilometers.

The big question is where to from here? I have plans to go to school full time this winter. I will continue my undergraduate degree in Biomolecular Structure Studies, and I plan to graduate in April 2012. I wont lie, I have my work cut out for me. I have stacked allot of classes into my final year as well as a research project. I have a daunting 8 months ahead of me. So much in fact, that I find myself incapable of planning beyond April. There is a defined finish line, but instead of a ribbon it is marked with a curtain. I know a few directions that I would like to take on the other side. But, I have never been good at multiple directions. I have a Goal until April, and some time to realize what comes next.

Cuylar Conly

About those Shoes

2011-08-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

FOR SALE!!!!

Diadora Speed Racer Road shoes (size 9.5)

Brand New! In the BOX!

These shoes where used for three days. They are not right for me, and I am selling them at a big Discount.

Retail $120

Asking $90

FIrst and Last Time I Swear!

2011-08-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I drove 7 hours into upstate New York. My Team and I will be racing the Tour of the Catskills, which begins today with a 20km Time Trial. Despite the car being packed floor to ceiling I awoke this morning to the realization that my helmet and my shoes remain on the closet shelf back in Ottawa.

What followed was a complete systems crash. My brain become scrambled eggs my legs like noodles and my heart dragged heavy on the floor like an anchor. I didn't think a solution was possible, and I could not bring willpower into my body or my mind. It's true the season is wearing hard mentally at this point. It seems I have motivation enough as long as everything goes smooth. Unfortunately when I come to a block I haven't the force of will to solve the problem.

Thank god for Michael DeKelver my team manager and directer sportif. Without him I probably would have just wandered off into the woods and become some harry mountain man. "There's always a solution," he says. "You are ridding this race. That's obligatory. We can tape your feet to the pedals if we have to, it's been done before." Right away Michael started on solutions, and eventually he had me coming around too.

Here is the solution. After aggressively networking we found a man from Rochester, NY who will loan me a helmet for the weekend. He found me through the twitter-verse, our world really is shrinking. If you appreciate the kindness of a stranger please follow @k0demonkey and thank him on my behalf. As for the shoes. The good semaratin k0odemonkey has also offered his extra shoes, which are 1 1/2 sizes too big. After some deliberation and a visit to the Local Bike shop to plead my sob story I have decided to purchase a second set of shoes. This is justified as either rainy weather training shoes or resale. I bought an entry level shoe in the same brand and size that I always wear. Big thanks to Windham Mountain Outfitters for hooking up a deal on that.

I am once again equiped to race. My Time Trial start time is at 6,54pm. My mind is still like mashed potatos and I will spend the rest of the day relaxing and getting my head screwed on straight. My focus will be the two road races tomorrow and Sunday. Each is over 150km long and includes several mountain passes.

pray for wings

Cuylar Conly

RE-structured

2011-07-31T07:43:00.000-07:00

This is my restructured scheduled for August.

Today -Quebec provincial Criterium championships.
Aug 5-7 Tour of the Catskills, NY
Aug 14 Niagara Classic or Montreal du Quebec?
Aug 25 move back to Saskatchewan and start University

Thought you ought to know

Cuylar Conly

So what else is on your mind.

2011-07-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

Today I entertained my right brain. I went on a walk about in the National Art Gallery. From my doorstep its about 4km to the museum, plus wandering the halls and galleries for a good 2 hours, and then I plodded my way home. This is the most walking I have done in months and my feet agree. I suppose I could have taken the bus but I felt like walking. It was worth it.

The Art Gallery was super deadly. Although I have little artistic talent, I do have a great appreciation for art and those with talent. I particularly liked the contemporary exhibit and the collection of Inuit sculptures. I would go into more detail except I neglected to take a note pad. Instead I thought it would be a good idea to just take pictures of everything. I was immediately chastised. photographs are not allowed... DUH. I guess I didn't think that one through.

I probably could have spent more time wandering around and I might even go for a return visit before leaving Ottawa. It is strange I have been in Ottawa almost four months now and I have neglected investigate any of the monuments or museums. I suppose that's what locals do though. Now with only one month left in Ottawa I want to commit to a little tourist activity. Maybe I can awaken my brain from its hibernation before returning to school in the fall.

Cuylar Conly

What are your goals

2011-07-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

As the saying goes, "you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone." I had some big goals for the month of August. I was presented with the opportunity to travel to the Caribbean and race in the Tour of Guadeloupe. This 10 day race would dominate the remainder of my summer. All training was to prepare for this race and all other events became secondary. In fact this became the only race I planned to do in August.

When this project was cancelled the sensation was that of a misfire. I had been so focused and dedicated, and still felt that way. Except that I was now aiming at a void. My goal, the target, had been removed. All my work and planning now had end point. The rest of my summer was suddenly void of any racing. I find myself with no goal or target event and my motivation has taken a serious blow.

I have been scrambling to organize a new calender for the rest of the summer. Unfortunately all my plans remain abstract. I could list for you races that I would like to do, but for each one I cannot say if it will actually happen. So, I remain with out target races. I don't know if I will be racing and so it has been very difficult to motivate my training and diet. I feel broken, and it's only because I don't know where I am going.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Now What do I do.

2011-07-23T04:33:00.000-07:00

Last Night I arrived home to a heartbreaking e-mail letter. The tour of Guadeloupe project, has been cancelled. The reason behind this cancellation is that certain mandatory logistical deadlines could not be met. Essentially the managers ran out of time to fill two more spots on the roster.

I feel lost. I have devoted so much focus and energy into this project and now, I don't know where to go with it. I have been training hard the last two weeks in preparation sometimes fueled only by the goal. Now without the big goal it is hard to be so dedicated. I need to find a "plan B" race calander for August, so my fitness does not go unused.

I want to take this time now to thank the individuals and organizations that pledged to fund my travel costs for the Tour of Gudeloupe. I was amazed and grateful to those that came forward offering to make this project possible. For offering financial support I would like to thank 1% for the planet, My trade Team Fresh Air Experience/Ottawa Bicycle CLub, The Saskatchewan based Western Cycle Development Team, the Saskatoon Racing Club Cycledelia, and of course The bank of Mom&Dad. I also want to thank my landlord who offered to cut my rent for the month as well as the mechanics at Fresh Air Experience who assured me that they could all balance out the scheduling for me to go away for 12 days.

Thank you to all my supporters. I was so amped to do this race, and it wasn`t going to happen without you. Unfortunately it is not happening now, and this is beyond my control. I am currently working on some contingency racing plans and I will update later on.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Guest post. The Art of Cycling

2011-07-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

Today I am bringing you a blog entry written by my very good friend Michael Spehar. Michael is not a cyclist. Yet as an outsider he has written a piece that clarifies the complicated simplicity of bike racing. There is this never-ending analysis of technique, training method, tactics, and physiology. All of this vocabulary can creat barriers to improvement. What a cyclist needs to focus on is just one thing... Turning the pedals.

The Art of Cycling: A Layman’s Perspective

Watching professional cycling is always an entertaining venture, avid fan or casual viewer alike; albeit for vastly different reasons. To a person indoctrinated and baptized into the world of cycling, the intricate nature of strategy and rhythm is no doubt akin to a general mobilizing his troops. Planning a dozen moves ahead, taking into account the terrain, the time, the weather, barometric pressure, the capabilities of your enemy, the perpetually shifting face of the engagement. I imagine to the enthusiast, a 4 hour race would be akin to a slow dance which culminates in a blitzkrieg of muscular and pulmonary prowess. Reading signals and responding in turn with grace and practiced ease, a balance of violence and control. A world where one might lay in wait for an eternity only to spring forward, when a few seconds can make or break your day. A world where a strategic move may be made and the fruits of your calculated act will be reaped hours from now. A world of multi-layered complexity coupled with the peak of mental and physical prowess; the perfect sport.

Or so I would imagine.

I have glimpsed into the looking glass of cycling while watching the passionate, animated, and frankly zealous reactions of my cycling friends gathered around the television during the Tour De France. Hearing the big names of Jan Ulrich, Eddy Merckx, and Alberto Contador being tossed around with the same fervor as 16 year old girls gushing over the “hunks and hotties” of the week. Yes, there is much entertainment to be had in the month of July.

It should be mentioned that it took all of my willpower not to include Lance Armstrong in that list out of an effort to appear knowledgeable and cultured in the cycling world. A world that I am admittedly not schooled in. While my bicycle buddies will utilize only the edge of their seats, eyes unmoving from the television while the two-wheeled battle plays out in front of them, I am there to laugh in utter confusion at their reactions and steal their beer. Most often the ale is given willingly, since beer has too many calories. Or so I’ve been told.

To be blunt, they watch the race, and I watch them. And I would suspect I’m not alone. For those of us who feel that 20km by bicycle is a marathon and $500 is a lot to spend on human powered locomotion, this world of “drafting” and “crits” and “cadence” is strange and amusing. It is a culture of funny looking men using funny words, and the funny people watching and whooping.

I was watching the Tour last year with my good friend Cuylar Conly. He mentioned how the team leader often would have a headset or earpiece, with the coach relaying information and strategy. At this mention of strategy, I was utterly baffled.

“Strategy?” I inquired. Lowering my/his beer and raising my eyebrows, “How so?”

Cuylar was about to launch into what I am sure would be an explanation of long term cycle strategy that would have no doubt been very informative, detailed, well structured, and looooooong. I opted instead to state what I believe all this hifey-fifey biking guff really amounted to. A simplistic view that I feel is the root of all bicycle “strategy.”

The root of all bicycle strategy is peddling, moving your legs in a circle, nothing more than doing the same thing over and over for the appropriate duration. All of the instructions that one will receive from their coach will ultimately amount to doing the same thing faster at times, maybe a little slower at times. A cyclist is made to do the same thing up a hill, down a hill, standing up or in an aero tuck. Doing the same thing behind some other guy who’s doing the same thing you are, but he’s working twice as hard. Ha, brilliant. In the end if you do the same thing faster and longer than anyone else you get to wear yellow and be on cereal boxes in the UK.

So I’m sure it should become apparent why we laymen find the hype surrounding and saturating televised cycling so humorous and enjoyable. It’s a lot of people doing the same thing for a long time, and other people wishing they could do the same thing as good as Jacques Anquetil could do that same thing. Perhaps this strategic breakdown will provide much needed perspective and clarity to any cyclists that over think the sport that they love.

Now I’m off to watch the NFL and squeal like a little girl. Excuse me.

-Spehar

Invited

2011-07-11T19:30:00.000-07:00

Last week I came across a BIG opportunity. I have been invited to attend the Tour of Guadeloupe as a member of a Canadian composite Team. A composite team is one that only exists for a couple of events in the year. Rather than have a contracted roster and staff, a composite team will "borrow" from other teams in order to attend big events world wide. I have been invited to join the composite Team 1% for the planet.

This is a huge opportunity to attend an international Stage race. The race is August 5th -14th, and will cover 1197km in ten days of racing. It is a UCI 1.1 Event and will feature many top professionals from South America, Caribbean and France. A project of this magnitude guarantees the race fees, accommodation, ground support, meals and staff for the entire composite Team. The only cost left to the athlete is that of airfare. Unfortunately this is the biggest obstacle I face to attend this race.

This is how it breaks down. Th advertised cost of airfare is $1100-$1200, After tax this will be closer to $1500. Then there are bike fees to consider. The bike fees are an area where airlines really take a gouge. It will cost me $250 each way to transport my bicycle, for a total of $500 just in bike fees. The Estimated cost to the athlete is just under $2000. That's a daunting figure for someone who's monthly budget is less than $700.

It is frustrating to think that dollar bills are the ultimate limiter. Since I received the invite last Wednesday all of my spare time has gone into the penny hunt. I have balanced and re-balanced the books. And I am grasping at any and all strings that I can think of. As it stands I have secured 45% of the associated travel costs. By my best estimates I need to arrange at least another 25%. Time is running short, and decisions will have to be made. For the next week I know exactly what my spare time will be used for.

To compete in a National Tour would be a great honour,
I would love to contest this race.

Cuylar Conly

FOR SALE Time Trial Triathlon Bike

2011-07-11T05:15:00.000-07:00

2011 Marinoni Rewind Time Trial & Triathlon Bike

Ideal for Triathlon or other timed solo events. This bike has been used for two months. This is your chance to for fall pricing in the middle of summer. On display at Fresh Air Experience (1291 Wellington).

Handmade Carbon Fiber Frame, Size Small (53cm, fits 5'8"-6'0")

Ultegra deraleures

Dura-ace shift levers

FSA Gossamer TT crankset

Deda Elementi cockpit

Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels

Retails for $4200

Used for $3000

Writen

2011-07-08T07:09:00.000-07:00

Anyone who reads this blog knows that from time to time I like to toss my thoughts at the world-wide-web. For better or worse I type whats on my mind and then forget about it. This little habit that I have developed has given me two pretty cool opportunities in the last few months.

The first gig that I found myself in was doing a little race reporting for pedal magazine. playing journalist was a truly unique experience and something that I never imagined myself doing. As it turns out I could not have imagined what it takes to follow arace with a pen and a pad. I found a new understanding and respect for the reporters that bring the action to the masses.

The second opportunity is actually the first. I began to pursue this months ago in Tucson, it's just only coming alive now. In FebruaryI contacted the new Editor of Road Bike Rider. RBR is an e-book and internet publishing company. I solicited myself to contribute content with a new perspective. To make a long story short, we are several months down the road and I share a new rotating column on the weekly newsletter. My first piece was published yesterday. You can read it HERE.

I remain insistant that my words are nothing special. I have come to enjoy scribbling on this blog, and I guess I am reaching for a new level. There is but one draw down... Now that there is some expectation of me I have become a victim of severe chronic writers block. That is defined as, a lack of inspiration when prepared to write and a lack of preparation when inspired. My solution is to emulate the work of 1000 monkeys at 1000 typewriters in the hopes that I too may produce the works of Shakespeare.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Where You been

2011-07-07T05:36:00.000-07:00

When asked, "What's been going on?" most people might just say "I've been Busy." It's one of those knee jerk vocal reactions, that really leads a conversation nowhere. So although I have crossed the country twice in the last week I won't qualify that as busy. Instead I will just explain where I have been and what I was doing.

First I drove from Ottawa to Hamilton for the Canadian National Championships. Where I made a 7thplace result in the Under23 Time Trial Championship. After the National Criterium Championships I was taken straight to the airport where I caught the last flight to Saskatchewan. It was important to fly immediately after racing so that I would arrive in time for my Sisters Graduation ceremony the next morning. It is strange to think that only 4 years ago I was graduating. It is also a little unnerving when you begin to evaluate the progression of your life.

While I was at home I did not ever touch a bicycle. I packed light, taking only carry on luggage meant that I left all my cycling gear in Ontario. I think this was a good decision. The mental break was quite welcome and it gave me a chance to focus on my friends and family who are often neglected while I am training, traveling and racing. While I was home 90% of my time was spent just hanging out with all the people I have not seen in several months. I also had the chance to enjoy some summer activities that I have missed over the last couple years including a a game of "golf", and the chance to spend a couple days at the lake.

Of course there are certain chores that I can only accomplish while in Saskatoon. I arranged to meet with a couple of University professors. This was tricky because I had such a narrow window in Saskatoon, and allot of them wanted to skip town early on account of the long weekend. The meeting s where necessary to arrange my academics in the fall. I will be entering the final year of my undergraduate degree. I am pursuing a bachelor of Science in Bio-molecular Structure studies and in the fourth year I am required to complete a research project. Admittedly I am intimidated by the task, but the professors I have met with assure me that I have the aptitude, and I am sure that I can make it look like I know what I am doing ;) The good news is that I have been accepted into Dr. Palmers Lab as an undergraduate research student.

I really enjoyed my little home visit. It was a great opportunity to really turn things off. There is nothing better than close friends and family to really recharge. Now, back in Ottawa I can turn things back on. In one week I managed to get a little fat and more than a little slow. I have my work cut out for me and I am working on the logistics of some very big racing goals.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

OH CANADA

2011-07-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

OH CANADA
Greatest country in the world.

Cuylar Conly

Holiday

2011-06-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

Back in Saskatoon for the week.
No Bike.
No pressure.
Friends, Family.
BSC (Beer, Sun, coffee)

Cuylar

2011 Road Nationals

2011-06-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

The National championship is a really big deal. There is allot of honour in this race, and it demands your respect. If you win this race it will immortalize you. For the rest of your life you are a National Champion. There is a lot of weight, focus and pressure placed on this one day. In my last year as an Under23 racer I was here to validate my strengths. Unfortunately I did not do enough to control my own destiny.

I am proud of my Time Trial result. To place 16th in the country is no disappointment. I managed my strengths for 45km, a distance that few can master in a solo effort. Thursday was good, but I would rather forget the rest of this weekend. I raced only ¼ of the intended distances. I showed neither strength nor weakness, only poor execution.

On Saturday, in the Road Race, I knew exactly what must be done. The roads were narrow and the pace would be very high on the flats. There was one climb each lap, very narrow with 20% grades. With over 150 starters it was absolutely critical to maintain a good position at the front of the peloton. As soon as the race started I stuck right into the front 20 riders. I was amongst the likes of Meir, Tuft, Britton, Rollin. I was in the right place. As we approach the base of the climb a moments lapse into passivity and I have given away 20 positions. Now I am in a position where the mistakes of others will reveal my own.

We ascend the climb like a box of sardines, with hardly room enough to turn your pedals. There are accidents in front of me. Some people crash, someone breaks a chain or pedal, others just go to slow. Each time by my own fault I am losing ground. At times we are almost standing still and I am literally spinning my tires. I have slipped behind weaker riders; there are gaps over the top of the climb. We chase but the time between us and the leaders hopelessly balloons. After 50km I leave for the showers. I did not do what needed to be done.

On Sunday is a criterium. It is not a UCI sanctioned event but is none the less a National Championship. This race has earned the nickname “The Nationals Revenge Criterium”. Revenge is what I was after. I was fresher than most of the peloton and again Knew exactly where I fit amongst them. The course is very technical with two punchy humps. No matter what the outcome of the race I am motivated to show my face amongst the leaders. Little did I know, I am lined up for what is likely to be my most anticlimactic race this year.

I made sure to be on the start line just behind the call ups. I was ready to defend my space or die trying. When the gun went off I rode 100m on a flat tire. I went to the service pit and exchanged for a fresh wheel. The race went hard from the gun and was in a long single line. I was released near the middle, but the peloton resembled the fragments of a hand grenade. Almost 75% of the field did not survive the first two laps. I rode in vain for 15minutes; jumping from group to group until the commissars informed me we would be lapped and needed to pull out.

My time as an Under 23 has finished. There really isn`t another chance next year. Next year everything will be different, but somehow the same. The Under 23`s have never raced separately, just a race within a race. Next year I will be racing against all the same competitors. What I want as a senior athlete is the same as an Espoir. I want to be a bike racer.

I need to have greater control over my own destiny and make my own luck. I need to do, what needs to be done.

Cuylar Conly

Focused Violence

2011-06-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

Focus

Violent

photos courtesy of candiancyclist.com

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Report. National Championship ITT

2011-06-23T15:35:00.000-07:00

Well whats to say. The race was 44.8km in length. Located in the country side south of Hamilton, the course fits no definition of the word flat. The course was either up or down. Elevation change came in the form of climbs, punchy rollers and faux plates. The effort was more like a fartlek than a controlled burn.

Mother Nature was not without her say either. Dark clouds rolled around and over head all morning. The rain had held off for all the early starters. Just before the third and final wave of racers started the sky opened up. I was treated to a good soaking while warming up. It was a warm rain and was over in 20min, so no bother. It was the follow up wind that really had an effect on the final starters.

The course changed directions 6 times and moved between wooded areas and open meadows. This treated us to tailwinds head winds and crosswinds. With all the broad aerodynamic gear the crosswind was considerably distracting. I was told after the race by my director sportif that he had never seen someone leaning so hard into a side wind and that several times I skipped several inches to the side.

Going into the second lap created a unique mental challenge. In one split second there was self doubt. In my minds eye I cast it to the side of the road like a useless bidon. I knew full well what was coming and I wanted to raise the bar on the second go around. My splits where identical. I did not slow, but damn did it feel harder the second go around.

I was gunning for a Top five finish in the espoir category. This was a very tangible goal. However in the end it did not materialize. My final placing was 7th in the espoir category and 16th in the Senior category, in which espoirs are included. I am not disappointed with my result, but I cannot help to want more from myself.

Find complete results here.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Focus

2011-06-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of buzz in popular media about the end of the world. The year 2012 is just around the corner, the rapture is happening twice per year, and aliens exist. If the world is going to end then what reason is there to plan for anything. Every time a story breaks about the imminent demise of the human race people are spurred to into immediate extreme action. From the couple that gives all worldly possessions to charity, or the bands of survivalists stockpiling guns and generators in the woods. If the world is going to end tomorrow then you need to act now.

Heed my word. Draw your focus to the present. The world will end. Right after this bike race. Now go and do something about it. Ride without fear, without concern for your body. Your muscles, your lungs, your mind, you have no need of them after this race. Do not make plans, not even dinner, there is nothing. Your focus and action belongs in the present. So forget about worldly things, take as much ammunition as you can carry. Ride your bike to end this world, and it will be a better place.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

New Levels of Badassery

2011-06-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

planning ahead vs staying focused

2011-06-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

All of life is full of trade offs. planning and focus sit on opposite ends of the minds teeter-toter. Devoting more time and effort to one results in less time and effort for the other. And somewhere in the middle nothing ever gets done. I find it allot easier to live in the present. In fact I think humans are inherently bad at planning ahead. A problem which is exacerbated by the our culture of instant gratification.

Living in the present results in a focused linear life demanding the most of myself and neglecting almost everything else. While planning ahead involves dropping everything you are doing and hurling your brain through space and time to organize your future self halfway across the continent.

What I am getting at is the organization of my Fall Semester at the University of Saskatchewan. It was always my intention to return to my studies in September. I just haven't done anything about it, and now its crunch time. I have spent the last week getting super organized, while sacrificing the little things like laundry, vacuuming, my tooth brush and stocking the pantry. If I'm planning to be a filthy university student I might as well get in the right, err funk.

I have jigsawed together my schedule. I am able to include all my required courses and I have selected some appropriate electives. Unfortunately my short list of electives was much more like a long list and some interests will remain on the sidelines. All that remains is the monumental task of joining a research group for my fourth year honours project.

This task feels both intimidating and perplexing. I wish I cold say I am at square one, but frankly I don't even know where square one is. I feel that the largest source of my difficulty is my lack of presence in the department over the past two years. physically I have simply been absent for the second semester of the last two years. I am like a man without a face. I have also had poor conversational presence throughout my academic career. I do not struggle, and therefore do not badger the professors for assistance. I am neither the super keener trying to badger the prof for un-needed assistance, nor am I the protege being tapped on the shoulder. I am just hard working student, with above average intelligence, who is quietly maintaining GpA of 3.72.

This week I have to write some letters, beg, plea, and badger as much as I can. Yes, I know, I should have been on top of this sooner. I should have been on top of this over a year ago. It's just so much easier to live in the present and ignore the future. Until now.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Early morning Curse.

2011-06-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

Ah, Sleeping in.

I don't care who you are, one of the simplest pleasures in the world is being able to wake up on your own time. You know when your body says so, not when the guy on KBBL comes on to say its raining. When your "ready" to get up it probably means that you are well rested. Unfortunately most people schedule a very rigid "wake-up" time, while allowing for a rather ambiguous bed time. This results in significant sleep shaving. It also explains why that extra 15-120min of sleep in the morning feels absolutely heavenly.

Not unlike the majority of the population, I am a victim of the rigid wake-up schedule. Seven in the morning every day. Not unlike clock work. In Fact, better than clock work. My affliction goes far beyond the flat nasal beep of an alarm. I have the early morning curse.

Curse is a strong word, to be fair its not all bad. I never worry about whether or not my alarm is set properly, and my mornings are never rushed. The CURSE presents itself in in three ways. First, Eagles are not owls. Eagles are up early and owls are out late. I must be an Eagle because I often struggle to hold my eye's open by 1030. Second, a circle cannot fill a square. My "extra" time in the morning although relaxing is not enough to be used for anything substantial. Third, and worst of all. I cannot sleep in!

I can't do it. When presented with the opportunity to snooze until 8 or nine or unlimited I will awaken at five to 7. Even if I bend my will and make a conscious effort it will all be lost. This morning for example I had license to sleep and I intended to. I watched the hockey game and stayed up late. I fortified my windows with heavy drapes. And I committed myself to not get out of bed until 830. I slept like a log and was awake just before 7. FML.

That's ok. I just wont move, I'm committed to 830. Damn, I have to pee. Fine back to bed after. Damn, now I'm hungry. Commit... Screw it, I can't win. I managed an extra 40min of lying down but no extra zzz's. Help me. please. What should I do?

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Almonte 40km TT

2011-06-06T05:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I woke up really early. That's 530am early. Team Fresh Air Experience sent Phillipe Bergeron and I, two "Time Trialists" to contest th Almonte 40km ITT. The Race started at 830am and was located aver an hour away in the Calabogie highlands. So I was up early, 530am early. We arrived with just enough time to sign in set up and have a short warm-up.

The race course was through the Calibogie highlands. This is Canadian shield country featuring lots of lakes and rocky forested terrain. Over 40 km there where no substantial climbs and no substantial flats. I used the full range of my casset with my speed either 30km/hr or 60km/hr. Although I am lacking in the Top end right now, I was able to stay in control and ride the fine line for a steady output.

After the finish my body was angry as it should be. Had the race been much longer I would have had some major muscle issues. Fortunately the finish line came just in time. When all the times where in and ordered it was revealed that Fresh Air Experience/Ottawa Bicycle club was on a good day. I took my first victory of the season and Phillipe rounded out the podium in third place.

For our efforts we where rewarded with 2 hrs of motor-pacing 100km back to the outskirts of Ottawa. Then I rewarded myself properly with lunch and a nap.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Nutrition

2011-06-04T15:11:00.000-07:00

What a head-ache! There is just way too much to think about to manage a diet. Every Time I try to really get on top of things I just end up with an OCD headache. Balancing your intake, to stay lean and produce power, is both an art and a science. In this regard I am neither Van Gough nor Einstein.

There are just too many variables to think about. Carbs, proteins, vitamins, fats, iron. Am I eating too little am I eating too much. The last thing I ever want to do is sit down and do math before every meal. Now, you are probably thinking that I should quit whining and just eat what my body says to. Alas, I wish it were that simple.

I have recently been instructed to step up my nutritional management. This assessment comes from some rather qualified individuals and cannot be ignored. I have been given some homework, a shopping list and lesson in basic math. Now I have a headache. This is not a quick alteration and I am going to have to form some habits.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Killington photo's

2011-05-31T18:41:00.000-07:00

Stacked into the Van like animals

Last stop Canadiana before hitting the border. No road trip complete without one.

For a good time.

Allot of ppl think I am too aggressive early on. Saturday was spent staring at Ben's ass.

post Time Trial Floor time.

Mason. Stretching the Mahogany.

Team Dinner

What a pile of junk.

...WTF!

The Team came together well this weekend. Unfortunately I am struggling with my form lately. Some sort of rut.

Cuylar

Dope, Cancer and The Red Scare

2011-05-25T05:37:00.000-07:00

This is my Rant.

Did Lance dope? It is becoming almost impossible to claim that he didn`t. The stories coming out lately are not coming out lightly. No longer is it simply hearsay, now racers are admitting that they doped and that Lance stood right next to them. This is a powerful statement, to ruin your own name. To give back a gold medal that had no positive test attached to it. Unfortunately there is no "real evidence". All of this is still the same old circumstantial testimony that has plagued Armstrong's Career. I think the only hard evidence that could be found is if investigators can find proof that Lance had a positive test covered up at the Tour de Suise.

In the last year the investigation has become more than a doping investigation. It is now a federal fraud investigation. Armstrongs Team US postal service was backed by the federal government. This means that if Armstrong and his team mates are found to be doping then they have defrauded the federal government of millions of dollars and could face some serious jail time. The US government has allot of power to be able to demand testimony and paperwork, aparently allot more than the World Anti Doping Agency. With the US federal government involved The case of lance and dope may finally find some hard evidence.

So far the federal investigators have manged to gather allot of testimony from lances former teammates and staff. All of which was carried out supinad backroom interrogations. Some of the testimony has been released, most of it is kept closed. Tyler Hamilton has gone public with his testimony and has openly stated that he was offered immunity should his testimony be found truthful. This is an historically favorite method for federal investigators to draw the conclusions that they desire.

Remember the Salem witch trials, or the Red Scare. Well it went something like this. Take suspect into custody, and inform them that they are a witch, a communist or a sports cheat. Tell them they will be killed or sent to prison for all eternity. Unless. Unless they can provide the names and damning evidence of another witch, communist or sports cheat. The investigators would particularly like it if this other WCSC was thier intended target, in this case Lance Armstrong. You can see where this method of gathering testimony can lose its authenticity as those interrogated scramble to save their own skin.

Until we see some hard evidence it will be impossible to say that Lance was doped. However with no way to really proove that he was clean all along the voices of others will always say he was doped. Regardless of whether lance can win or not there will be some big losers if this continues. The image of cycling is being dragged through the mud and its not Lance that is driving the tractor. Lance has done so much to expand the sport and now investigators and media vampires insist on slapping the sport in the face with used needles and open pee jars. Then there is the LiveStrong foundation. You know those yellow ruber bands everyone wears, there not to support Lance. Those yellow bands are a symbol of strength for cancer sufferers world wide. Not to mention the millions of dollars the foundation has raised to research treatment and to ease the financial burden of those afflicted by cancer.

I would prefer if we never caught the biggest sports cheat in history. If only for the reason that the most beautiful sport and a miraculous charity can live on.

Cuylar Conly

LiveStrong Cancer Foundation

2011-05-24T05:23:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it. Some serious sh*t hit the fan on 60minutes. Below are parts one and parts two of the broadcast.

part One

part Two

I would like to hear anyone's thoughts.

Cuylar Conly

Re-Racing

2011-05-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

Two races this past weekend. They both involved a similar pattern for me.

Gp Outouais

A short circuit race only 108km. Wide roads, wide corners On the gas the whole time. Lots of early aggression. I was not at 100% but I seemed to be constantly in the right place at the right time. Which made things rather hard. I took of early in a huge group of about a dozen. We where flying but had allot of baggage. With the lack of cooperation it came back to the group after 65km. I survived the rest on softened legs.

Gp Hudson

130km circuit race on the river bank. Steep rollers and narrower roads. Again I was taking on allot of early action. Another big group of about a dozen takes off early. I decide I am some kind of engineer and try to build a bridge. 4 others come along, and we pin it for over 60km to make it across. Again it all comes back. At this point my top end is nuked. With 25km remaining I fail to punch it over a steep hill. Day done, cruise back to the feed zone in a foul mood.

Lessons

patience is a virtue. I ought to wait for the last hour of racing rather than the first.

Optimism

Jen`s Voigt says that riding in the breakaways all day is how you get really strong.

Comming Soon

Killington Stage Race in Vermont.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Back to racing

2011-05-21T05:39:00.000-07:00

Three weeks without racing sure feels like a lot. I have been getting in some good training miles and even collecting a part time paycheck. This combination leaves little time to be a multi-dimensional person. I did have a really cool opportunity to branch out this past thursday. I watched the women's UCI chrono Gatineau, where I did a litttle foot work for pedal magazine.

The day in the life of a journalist is nutty. Go to bed late, wake up early, run around the race site chasing riders like man-tracker, skip lunch, then spend the rest of the day going through notes and photos and fighting with computer formats, and finally go to bed late. That's all the rough stuff. Whats really cool is an all access media pass, getting way to close to take photo's, cruising on the back of a moto to get action shots of Clara Hughes and then seeing your words on the magazines website.

That adventure has ended and so too has my three week block of training. I am going to start racing again this afternoon with the Gp Outouais followed by the Gp Hudson tomorrow. After that we will go to Killington Vermont for a stage race. All I can say is I am itching to get back to racing. My schedule for the next couple weeks will be divided between racing, travel and recovery. Looking forward to it.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

All Hail Three Square Meals a Day

2011-05-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

In the life of an athlete almost as much time is dedicated to eating as it is to training. As any athlete knows consuming 3000+calories a day is not at all that uncommon. In fact this can be a daily routine. This would be relatively simple if humans had cravings for bags of flour and sugar. Alas this is not the case and even the simplest pallets crave flavor and preparation. Kraft-dinner just doesn`t cut it. The amount of time an athlete spends obsessing over nutrition can often parallel them with religious nut jobs. I suppose I am not excluded.

I am not going to profess nutritional values and rhetoric. I just want to express phenomenon of "athletic food worship." Athletes are notoriously OCD, and nutritional awareness only fuels that fire. Always on your mind are thoughts such as, "am I eating too much? not enough how many grams of fat? carbs? protein? vitamins?" I was discussing with another cyclist the other day that I do not shop based on price/weight rather I calculate price/calorie. Its just to pricy otherwise.

As soon as you finish breakfast you ask yourself, "what should I make for lunch?" Lunch is followed by the question, "What should I make for dinner?" And before you go to bed you already decided what you will eat in the morning. Not that traditional meal labels mean very much. Meals are always timed around your training. Breakfast may be at 6am or at 9am, Lunch might happen any time between 11am and 330pm dinner could be any time after that.

With so much brain power going to food amount and quality, I think it heightens your sense of taste. Now longer will Kraft dinner and hotdogs satisfy the pallet. In everything I make my taste-buds demand that no flavor be underrepresented. The OCD athlete may spend 1-2 hours preparing a meal that they will devour in less than 10 min. psychotic really.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Baked potatoes

2011-05-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

Today I woke up, baked some potatos and went bicycling.

NOM NOM NOM

Great ride food.

potatoes. bake 'em, salt 'em, pocket and ride.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Totally Kick Ass

2011-05-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

Did he just play a trance song on a guitar? brought to you by Funny Tube

Sloth

2011-04-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

Today I hardly left the couch. My day has consisted of several movies and allot of internet trolling. In fact it was almost like a sick day. Except for the fact that I am not sick, and so I feel a little guilty. I was feeling a little worn down. The only activity I have done today is to wash my bike and ride it around the block. I think I am bringing a whole new meaning to the term "Rest Hard". To be honest though I feel like this is just what I needed.

The last few days have had me feeling a little displaced. I raced twice on the weekend. Not much to note. Mentally I was not fully there and so physically I suffered. Then a couple Easter celebrations, which were awesome. Then Monday I hit the ground running back to work and full training. Trouble was I was beginning to feel as if my house existed only for sleeping in and not for living in.

So today I went about the task of ironing the couch. I have done a pretty good job of that, and I think its safe to say that my house is starting to smell like home. Now that I am feeling grounded and settled, it will be much easier to focus on what really counts. Training hard and racing my bicycle. Now if you will excuse me I have to go find out whether Tyrone or Kevin is the father of Molly's baby.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Tuesday Night

2011-04-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

Across the world there must be something special about Tuesday Night. No matter where you go, if the locals ride bikes, Tuesday night is Hammer Time. The formats may vary but the premise is always the same. A weekly "Tune up" race, where riding as hard as you can is more honourable than winning. On Tuesday there is no prize money and no Title. No one is afraid to lose, so everyone goes for it.

In Saskatoon we race 55km handicap road races. With three ability groups staggered at 5 minutes. Often the weather plays a strong role. The scratch group catches the leaders 90% of the time and then the racing explodes. Often there is a bunch kick but bold attacks are very common as well. Tuesday in Vancouver is a 30min Critt with a hill not enough to slow you down just to add some burn. If this race where longer it would surely come undone, but almost always finishes with a bunch sprint. In Ottawa I rode the first Tuesday Critt of the season. A simple square loop on the research campus owned by the NRC. The format is a standard 50min criterium. Flat and simple this race is not made by terrain but by the riders.

Lots of Ottawa locals come out to race. For many locals this is the weekly world championship, others will just be glad to finish. Then there are others like myself who will only be interested in working hard. Tuesday is for Tune ups. Stretch the legs, get the lead out and to get the kind of training that you simply cannot achieve by "training." To put it bluntly. The best training is racing, but you have to be careful because that is putting it bluntly.

Thoughts on that later.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Calibogie

2011-04-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

Above is the layout of the Calibogie race track. The local auto enthusiasts ensure me that it is Canada's most dangerous race course. I am not surprised. The track is continuously changing directions in all three dimensions and rather exposed to the prevailing winds. Racing on bicycles I think is considerably safer, although you will still feel your tires slide when you throw some watts into the corners.

To race on an auto track is unique. The tarmac is smother than you can imagine and every section of the course can be used to capitalist on velocity and efficiency. The result is a peloton that is in a constant state of acceleration. When you add in strong cross winds and the occasional snow storm the race resembles some sort of musculo-pulmonary warfare.

The race start was slightly delayed. A Sqwall blew in with a hit and run snow drop. In ten minutes there was early an inch of snow on the track. This was cleared by the track crew while all the under-dressed cyclists dove for shelter in cars and in the stadium house. The tarmac is really fast and so everyone is feeling fast. The aggression starts immediately.

With the full squad in attendance the team wants to be represented in everything that goes off. As we constantly change directions so to does the angle of the wind. The enthusiasm of the bunch keeps the surging peloton intact and at a high pace. Eventually the attacks take their toll, and a group forms off the front. The group is 5 strong and we are not there.

BRIDGE!!!

Life and death YO. I rip off the front, diving into no mans land. Crossing this open space is the only way to survive. When I jumped I took along some baggage. A rider from Garneau and on from Gaspesien. Both had a teammate in the group ahead and would be doing me no favors. I put my head down and poured my legs into the pedals.

Made it. Time to asses the situation. 3 riders from Garneau, 2 from gaspesien (one of whome would become victim to our pace), 2 others and myself. Less than a minute to the charging field behind. This could go forward or backwards either way crossing the gap took me down a notch. The break away group floors it. For almost an hour we are less than 1 minute advantage and fighting for every second. Then slowly our gap begins to grow. eventually the chase behind must have slowed we maxed our advantage at about 4 minutes. The pace became a little more civilized. For now.

Our gap moved around between 3 and 4 minutes, trending towards 3 minutes. With 30 km remaining it was apparent that we would not be caught. I knew what was coming. Garneau had the numbers advantage and with 25 km remaining they took the gloves off. I made my day earlier on the bridge. I cold not follow the acceleration. Our lead group split with 2 garneaus and one other in the lead. I and the remnants of the group made valiant chase, but the front of the race had moved on.

I spent all day in the break. 95 kilometers and finished sixth at the line. At least it puts hair on your chest.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Tour of the Battenkill

2011-04-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

I`m not sure where to begin. The tour of the Battenkill is America`s Queen of the classics. Held in Cambridge NY. The race tours around the back roads of upstate new york including over 50km of gravel farm roads and some explitf steep climbs. It is a hard-man race where the terrain and the prestige refuse to let anyone hide. This race is truly something special in North America.

When I looked over my racing calender this winter The Battenkill jumped off the page. This was a race that excited me and stole my focus. I wanted to come to this race. To be strong. To be aggressive and to ride for the W. I did all that, all that I could.

The race began slow out of town and wound up as we approached the first of many gravel sections. With a peloton of 150 racers your position in the group is critical. Each time we hit the gravel the road becomes narrower. The terrain is dusty and rough. There are many riders who crash or fall in the ditch or puncture their tires. Every gravel section results in disaster for someone. You must keep yourself safe near the front, with fewer people to have disasters nearby. You must trust those around you, trust your team mates to stay safe and to keep you safe.

In the first 50km there where many crashes. Too many to count. Many riders do not feel comfortable on the gravel. It is very rough, the dust clouds your vision, there is less draft and it is harder to pedal. I fell very comfortable in the gravel. In Saskatchewan we ride gravel every couple of weeks just to mix it up or take a short cut. I must be rough rider at heart.

The team stays vigilant. We are looking for a good attacks and waiting for the race to come undone. We are riding aggressively and it starts to take its toll. With 50km remaining the race remains wide open. With short lived attacks and groups off the front constantly re-shuffling. Fatigue is setting in. The pace has slowed but the aggression is increasing. The peloton has lost nearly two thirds of its volume. What remains are once civilized cyclists, coated in dust and gnashing at the pedals like animals.

The riskiest thing I can do is wait for the finale. I need to make my race and with 30km and 3 gravel sections remaining I start on the offensive. I am not the only one of this mind. There are fluries of attacks before during and after gravel section 3. The group remains intact albeit now less than 50. Attacks continue and in Gravel section 2 there is a hesitation and I go for it. I bridge hard to a single rider out in front we are then joined by a third and fourth from the rear. There is just over 20km remaining, and we ride.

As they say in poker, I am all in. For nearly 15km we nurse a gap of barely a minute. Then before gravel section 1 two of the breakaway riders stop pulling through. They seem to think this is futile. We exchange some "words" and they are riding some more. Gravel section 1 is entirely up hill for over 1km. I punch out from the breakaway but the peloton is surging hard. I am overwhelmed on the lower slopes. Already cross eyed I force myself blue in the face to cling to this group. Over the climb I survive 5km more to finish in the lead group of thirty. I cross the line 23rd.

I was strong. I was Aggressive. And I tried to win the bike race, but I want more.

Much More.

Cuylar Conly

Setting in

2011-04-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

Moving is pretty busy work. I have spent allot of time getting set up. New city. New Bike. New roads. New Job. Check Check Check Check Check. It has taken nearly a week but I dare say that I have moved in. I am in a pretty cool neighborhood. It's called New Edenburgh and I am only two blocks from Rideau Hall and #24 Sussex drive. If you don't know that is where the leaders of our country reside. Also within the range of projectile granite is the embassy of almost any country you can think of. New Edenburgh.

View Larger Map

Now in case you forget how to read. I have summarized the above in a few photos.

home

Neighbors

More Neighbors.

Capital Hiil. Capitol bike.

Race number one is coming this weekend. Cambridge, New York for the Tour of the Battenkill.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

He`s got the Whole World in His Hands

2011-03-31T17:32:00.000-07:00

The world is impossibly small. Get this,

In February Halifax hosted the Canada Winter games. My sister was competing and my mother went along to watch. My mother is an Artist, and lately she has been working with digital film, photo and society. While in Halifax she walked the streets and gave away over 300 home made chocolate-chip cookies in an endeavor to meet 300 strangers. Ironically facebook is the media chosen to present this collection of personal interaction. Take a walk through the page, Hi I'm Bonnie. I helped with some of the technical aspects and became pretty familiar with the footage. The links discovered between complete strangers are astounding.

Yesterday I moved to Ottawa. I am renting the second room of a townhouse in New Edinburgh. When I knocked on the door for the first time, who should answer but a familiar face. No, it is no one I have ever met before. Wallen was in Halifax during the Canada Games and, he was the recipient of a single chocolate-chip cookie from a complete stranger.

KABOOM!

Cuylar Conly

Can't sit still

2011-03-29T19:03:00.000-07:00

I'm moving again. Tomorrow I fly to Ottawa where I will spend the summer racing my bicycle. I just finished packing and now I have no idea what do do with myself. The last couple days I have been whirling my life together into an Air Canada baggage limit. Now I have it all together but the feelings of focused chaos remain. I keep bouncing from room to room thinking there is something more that needs doing. All the doing is done. How can this be? Am I really prepared? I think so.

I can't even sit still long enough to write this blog. My mind is still whirling in ADHD chaos command mode. And the post is getting cut off.

Capital City here I come.

Cuylar Conly

Case Closed

2011-03-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

Does anyone remember this?

Yea that business of car vs. Cuylar that went down in July last year. Well I have to reiterate how fortunate I am to be alive, let alone riding my bike. The physical recovery went well enough and I bounced back to win the Provincial Cyclocross Championship. Then a couple months later to run for the U of S Huskies at Cross-Country Nationals in Quebec.

Legally this sh*t dragged on forever. With the amount of red tape and bureaucracy we have in the world it is amazing that anything ever gets done. I got in there and I pushed pencils like you wouldn't believe. Number two pencils, mechanical pencils coloured pencils you name it. Lame jokes aside, the process involved busting my ass for weeks followed sitting on my thumbs for months while I waited for requested documents from various official bureaus. The most helpful of which was Lawrence O'Neil, Personal Injury Attorney, and the most difficult was Service Canada. Eight months later and its a wrap. I have been told that this is some kind of record for an ICBC claim, but I am just glad to have it off my back. For all the trouble I was granted a bag of financial peanuts and clean legal slate. Now what to do with the peace of mind that I just got back?

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Where is your Mind?

2011-03-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

This blog has been seriously neglected. I guess I just didn`t feel much like writing for the past couple weeks. I can trough around a series of excuses. Such as. Writers Burnout from a post a day for two months. Being home for a couple weeks gives a feeling of "business as usual." Which makes events seem less noteworthy. Also I have been cramming several months of errands and appointments into my short time at home. Most of all I just did not feel like writing anything. So I did not, and it was good.

For two weeks this record of mind lay dormant. Lately I have been thinking about it. pondering and rolling it over. Now, I suppose, it is time to return some regularity. I am making no commitment to any sort of time period. I simply feel that my thoughts are returning to an expressive state. What that will entail I don't know. I'm just going to go with it.

Now a little of what I have been up to. It's still winter in Saskatoon so when I ride it is mostly in the basement. A real test of focus after coming off the open roads of Tucson, AZ. I watched the world shrink as I found a place to live in Ottawa. If the world shrinks anymore I might even find myself a part time job. Fingers crossed. At the end of the month I am flying to Ottawa, where I will "home-base" for the summer. Hopefully Saskatoon can get it's melt on in the next couple days and I will hit the roads for realz.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Shouldn't I be Training?

2011-03-08T07:58:00.000-08:00

Saskatchewan is in the Deep Freeze! Full on record breaking snow and ice for this time of year. It is beyond bundle up cold. I feel like I have to wear a space suite to go outside. This makes riding my bicycle a bit of a challenge. With lots of mandatory down time, coming home feels like a vacation.

Down time seems to be just what I need. physically, mentally and logistically. Sleeping on an air mattress for two months and driving across the continent sure does a number on you. I can`t tell you how glad I am to be in a real bed every night. Logistically It is far too cold to train outdoors so my focus has shifted a couple days from pedals to the dreaded to-do list. This list contains some real whoppers and seems to be growing twice as fast as I can knock it down. The current big fish include finding a place to live and a Job in Ottawa.

Other than that I am really glad to be home to see my friends and family. I was able to make it home in time for my mothers 50th birthday. This was a great time with family. It felt just like Christmas because we had a chance for the whole family to be together for a couple days. Happy Birthday Mom. Now with everyone back to business and my feet up in the air, I wonder I f I havn`t become some sort of vagrant liability. Then I get motivated to tackle my own business.

The lack of riding just seems to bring my energy down. When you go from 25+hrs a week to a "home-cacation" the body says great lets sleep all day. It's like classic vacation syndrome where the more you sit around the more you just can't get up. I am constantly assured that rest is good, but I also can't help the thought, "Shouldn't I be training?" Then again shouldn't it be spring time already? Bah, maybe I will just clean something.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

All Things Come to an End

2011-03-03T21:36:00.000-08:00

I have made it home safe and sound. Julia Garnet and I drove non-stop from Tucson to Saskatoon in 30.5 hours. Impressive if I do say so myself. I am glad to say that the drive is over. I am more than certain that road trips, although worth while, cannot be good for your health. In the last 30 hours I was seated 95% of the time and my diet consisted primarily of nayonnaise and chocolate coffee beans. And now, it is over.

Also over is my time in Tucson. I had quality weather. I had quality training. And, I had quality adventures. In two months I rode over 4,100 kilometers, climbed over 36000m and got my tan on in a big way. I would even consider myself spoiled by the warm weather. I feel like I have come home to an absolute deep freeze. If I intend to train over the next few weeks I am in for a healthy dose of HTFU. The fourteen day trend predicts highs between -8C and -18C. I cannot wait for that to come to an end.

Just like my drive and my life in Tucson, I supose that my daily posts will also come to an end. It's hard to believe but I have made one post a day for two months. This was never something that I planned to do. Rather it is something that I just began, and continued, and now have finished. Sometimes writing was just something to do. Sometimes thinking of a post was a chore or a challenge. Most of all, I enjoyed flexing my literary brain waves to maintain this personal web-log. Furthermore, in some strange way I enjoy that it is anonymously read. For some reason you all keep coming back for more. I hope that it is more than just frequency, because now that I am home the posting will have a more casual regularity. I still intend to keep the world updated on any noteworthy action or opinions that come through my life.

Thanks for reading.
Thanks for giving me reason to write.

Cuylar Conly

I`m going (going) back (back) to Saska (Saska)

2011-03-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

I`m in a Car.

I`m going Home.

Are we there yet?

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

What is Left in Tucson

2011-03-01T16:44:00.000-08:00

Well, today is my last full day in Tucson. I am half-assed packed and the house is half-assed clean. Whats left to do is not all that stimulating. More cleaning and more packing.... These are two of the most exhausting things I can think of. No matter how badly I want to go home it is still hard to get the ball rolling. That being said I am so ready to come home. Tucson has nothing to offer right now to keep me here.

I have enjoyed the weather and the training has been superb. Tucson as a whole is just not somewhere that I could live long term. There is something so strange about the desert. So dry, and everything is prickly. Nothing is green and water is nowhere to be found. I have often wondered to myself, why would anyone have settled here in the first place?

I don`t mean to sound jaded. I suppose I am just home-sick. I guess its official if its in print. Once again I have an epic road trip ahead of me. Tucson, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Canada, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. 3,050km non-stop if I can help it. I am really looking forward to some familiar suroundings and to see my friends and Family in Saskatoon. Now as I mentioned above I have some things to do. pack, clean and make sandwiches.

The plan of Attack

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Mount Lemmon a Tribute

2011-02-28T22:39:00.000-08:00

Many days in Tucson have I rode on Mount Lemmon. This iconic climb is 27 miles long and ascends over 1800m topping out at over 2500m above sea level. The climb is absolutely beautiful the twisting road takes your breath away around every corner on the way up as well as the way down. From bottom to top you travel through a spectrum of climate and foliage. Begining in the desert at 30 degrees by the time you reach teh top you might think you are in the boreal forest and it is only 5 degrees.

Often my training dictates that I have business to attend on the slopes of Lemmon. Unfortunately this mans that I am often ignorant to my amazing surroundings. Instead electing to chew my handle bars until my heart beats like a jack-hammer. Today I was out with my bike on the side of mount Lemmon and I worked up a sweat. Maybe call it Stockholm Syndrome, but I have made some connection with this climb that is more than superficial. Once finished with my masochistic task I cruised down hill snapping photos all the way. At the bottom I stopped, gave the mountain one last look back and aloud I said, "Good Bye."

Note the following photo's are mostly scenic in Nature.

Big Mountain.

Just after Windy point. All Natural Sky Bridge.

I was way down there once.

Windy View

Hoodoo View

More Hoodoo View

7 cataracts view

Hmm looks like I broke a sweat.

Cannonball

That's Tucson in the back.

Self Shot. The road cuts the side of the canyon.

Self-explainitory

Short?

Mile Zero. This is where you punch in for the day.

The sign in the back ground says "Summerville 27miles."

The view at mile zero. Already high above Tucson.

The Cool Church.

I pass the cool church going to and from Lemmon.

I am curious what makes it so Cool? I puttsed around but no one was home.

Lemmon, Tribute.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

One Random Thought Deserves Another

2011-02-27T17:30:00.000-08:00

Last year I was living on the West Coast. It seemed no matter where I went the rain would follow. Apparently even after crossing the entire continent to one of the driest locations in North America the rain has finally caught up to me. You guessed it. Its raining in Tucson.

I could hear it last night. I needed a moment to recognize the sound since I have not heard or expected rain for quite some time. It came down good in the night and was still going when I got up this morning. Thankfully I had no plans for a big day in the saddle. With the comfort of knowing I could wait around for the driest and warmest part of the day there was absolutely no stress. I can even say that the rain was refreshing.

Out of nowhere I got super motivated to do some thorough house cleaning. Well the motivation is not entirely unknown. We need this place clean before we move out, but the amount of motivation summoned was considerably more than expected. I hit the kitchen and I hit the bathroom. Two things stick in my mind as noteworthy. First auto clean ovens are the shit! I just hit go, and 3hours at 900F later and the oven is spotless except for a small pile of dust. Second I think that the bathroom needed a barber more than it needed a maid. Gross!

Coffee. This day was made for coffee. There was just enough sun peaking through to keep you cheery, a pleasant off and on rain, and an ambient temperature just cool enough to see your breath. This gave the perfect excuse to slow down with a few cups of coffee. One in the morning while I contemplate breakfast. Another before I tackle the chores. One more in the afternoon with my bike and a skype-phone.

Turkish Coffee. I have been looking forward to this for a few days. For most of my time in Tucson I have been getting my cup-on at Le Buzz. They are good, excellent even. In fact Le Buzz is the number three ranked coffee shop in all of Tucson. Upon learning this several weeks ago I became curious. I sought after the #1 ranked coffee shop. Lo, it is 25min easy ride from my apartment. Savaya Coffee.

Savaya Coffee is the best coffee I have ever had. With limited experience that may not hold much weight, but I feel my bar has now been set very high. Savaya is 100% organic, fair trade, and they only serve daily in house roasts. Their selection is exclusive, but still covers all corners of the globe. They know coffee and they want you to enjoy it. This is my choice location.

Turkish Coffee. Savaya's menu is simple just coffee, any kind anyway you like it. The big chalk board said Turkish coffee well that peaked my interest. Last year my Dad went to Isreal, he cam home talking of Turkish coffee and pronounced the best brewing method he has ever had. I have never known any coffee shop to serve Turkish coffee so I promised myself I would have one before I leave Tucson. Savaya did not disappoint. They say Turkish is an acquired taste but I only needed one cup. Dad was right. The Turks make good coffee, I need to learn this one at home.

There is an unmistakable sense of things winding down here. Evan is leaving tonight, he will shuttle to phoenix and then fly to Toronto. My mind swirls around with all the details of the trip home. Travel plans and packing and the pile of little jobs to do before moving out. The return trip is in three days. It seems so far but approaching so fast. I'm going to ride my bike a few more times and stop for a cup at Savaya.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

A Day at the Races

2011-02-26T20:10:00.000-08:00

Today There was a small criterium at the University of Arizona. A number of Canuklehead-Snowbirds entered in the race. Since my racing license is back in Saskatoon I did not race. Instead I elected to ride the shootout in the morning and play photo-logger in the afternoon. I always find it interesting to be on the sideline of a bicycle race. I have to say that watching sure got me fired up. After only a couple laps I was itching to be in the race.

Here`s the catch of the day.

Julia Dictating the pace

post race Julia, right Jiggered

Alberta Boyes

Brad getting pricked

Best ever helmet, glasses, jersey combo

pre-race Colt

Cody Canning

Cannucks on the Start line.

Money shot. These guys went right over my head.

Wildcat second wheel

Colter's $100 attack

The shootout was fun but these guys sure got me itching to race. Last time I ever leave my license at home. Its good though, to get a small dose of motivation. Too bad its still snowing at home. I wont get my first race for another month and right now I just wish there was one tomorrow.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Broken Focus

2011-02-25T19:41:00.001-08:00

Two months may be long enough to be considered permanent, but when you come to the end game it is just a long time to be away from home. As an athlete there is much to be said for doing everything you can “right.” In addition to training on the bike your focus must also extend to include core strengthening, flexibility, diet and proper sleep. It feels as if your whole life demands focus and discipline. I have done very well for my stay in Tucson religiously dedicating my time like some kind of pedal worshiping pagan. Only now with my remaining time in Tucson shortly numbered do I find my focus to falter.

It begins with fatigue. Heavy exhaustion drags everything down and you just want to slump. This is aggravating when you have no furniture to slump into. Then the cloths don’t quite get folded or put away properly. Things exist in either a clean pile or a dirty pile. You begin to seek the path of least resistance. Some things will get “put off until later” such as a core workout, cleaning your bike, or stretching.

Then the diet begins to go. Not that I am trying to lose weight. Rather I try to control the quality of what I eat. Well you begin to seek food prep with as few steps as possible. The result of which is a combination of cereal, pasta, cookies, trail mix chocolate,, granola bars and so on. This has been building to an apex last night though I did not realize until today that I needed a slap to the face.

Last night we went out to see a movie. We often need something to do to refresh. The problem is, I couldn’t help myself. I went straight to the snack bar for XL popcorn and drink combo. I thought nothing of it. The movie was awesome, popcorn delicious. When we got home I couldn’t sleep, probably the pop. So I sat up late and ate a half box of cookies. WTF that ain’t right. It seems the slope is slippery because at the bottom is a big bag of buttered popcorn.

Now when I was riding today it seems I could not even focus on the task at hand. With the return home in 4 days time my mind was wandering scatter of thoughts. Already I am thinking of packing and driving and getting home to see friends and family. As my thoughts drifted my legs slowed and I realized that I need a slap to the face. Two months is enough in this town, my focus is being tested. I gave myself a mental shake today. My mind rings with advice in an accelerated and gruff matter of fact voice. “Focus! Live like a monk. Do everything right.” I was doing so well but I strayed from the path, it’s time to bring it back.

“Focus! Live like a monk. Do everything right.”

Cuylar Conly

Music or No Music

2011-02-24T15:28:00.000-08:00

Music is awesome. Almost inexplicably so. The right music can get you jacked up or can calm you right down. We can put ourselves to sleep with music or we can get up on the beat. I love music, all kinds for all different reasons. Yet I would be hard pressed to name my all time favorite band, album, or song. My taste in music is eclectic to say the least. Thanks to the digital age that we live in I have a pretty vast collection of tracks (3925 songs to be precise). The genre`s are as varied as that number is large. I have songs to get me up, bring me down, to unleash the imagination, for getting pumped or calming down, for work, play and party time. Music helps me to set the mood, enhance the mood or to change it all together.

Another musical revolution of the digital age is The i-pod. Can anyone even name another portable digital player? I didn`t think so. The i-pod allows anyone to carry their entire music collection in their pocket. So convenient that you can keep your eats going from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed. In fact I know a few individuals who in their waking hours keep no fewer than one ear-bud on at all times. As much as I love music I`m not like that. Something about 24/7 music just doesn`t work for me. Too much all the time and music just looses its magic. Maybe it becomes white noise, or redundant. It might have to do with the ear buds, I always prefer music from proper speakers. perhaps what it comes down to is that music has all these amazing qualities, but it wont substitute for good company.

As a cyclist I spend 2-7 hours a day training. It is often assumed that I must have the ear buds in the entire time. In fact, at least for myself, this seems to be some kind of mainstream misconception. I think it must stem from "Oprah athletics." You know those people you see at the gym or jogging in the morning and their only purpose for working out is just to be trim/fit/healthy etc. Every single one of them it seems is incapable of breaking a sweat without their ear buds. Many athletes prefer to train without music; either to focus or because their intensity is such that they will not hear music anyways.

I will take good company over good music any day. When I am alone I may train with music from time to time but mostly I prefer to go without. In fact there are times in the winter when I ride the trainer in silence. Just me and the plain white wall. When I do listen to music I make sure it pumps me up and keeps me going. I often turn to music after several solo days, once I am bored with my own thoughts or need to amp my but out the door. Today I considered the i-pod, but given that I had some specific intensities I elected to leave it behind and just to focus.

Now I`m sure your all curios as to what is on my top ten. Well with more digital wonders I have consulted my iTunes music player for my top ten most played songs. They are,

10. Meaning of Life -Disturbed
9. the ex - Billy Talent
8. River Below - Billy Talent
7. Hush Hush - Natalie Portman's Shaved Head
6. piano Sonata #5 in G minor - Mozart
5. Robot Boy - Linkoln park
4. 100 Degrees - Fort Minor
3. Out the Back - Fort Minor
2. promise - Eve 6
1. Satin in a Coffin - Modest Mouse

Hmm... not sure how accurate that is, but those are all good songs.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Bon Aniverse

2011-02-23T16:05:00.000-08:00

Bon Aniverse!

Julia Garnette, Born February 29th, 1992

This year Julia is turning 4+3/4 years old

Bon Aniverse!

Bradley Clifford, Born March 12th, 1990

Brad is turning 21, legal everywhere.

Ok, so it is not actually anyone's birthday today. Many of us will be scattered to the winds in the next week. So this is a good Wednesday for the celebrations. We are getting all the Canadians in Tucson together for a double-dipper birthday pool party. Bring on the cake.

pictures have followed

Canucks

The Crew

More Canucks

Cake!

The heater on the hot tub had been disabled. Apparently no one pays for it and management shut it down. Instead of getting wet we all just stood around munchin' and hangin' out. Was a good time. With three events covered it was probably the most time effective gathering ever. We toasted to Julia's Birthday, Brad's Birthday and to Janness' farewell for Belgium. pizza is good cake is good, but I better ride hard today.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

A Good Explanation

2011-02-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

6hrs, 180km, Climbed Madera Canyon.

I'm pretty tired and I can't think of anything original to write. Instead I am going to share with you the thoughts of another. This is a cycling blog that I follow. Writen by a Canadian who is transplanted to Australia. It is always filled with information, entertainment or a rational well informed opinion.

This latest post is a good explanation for all the non-cyclists about the whole leg shaving thing. Check out the latest from Cycling Tips Blog.

I'm a dude, I shave my legs, and I'm proud of it.

Cuylar Conly

Grave Digging

2011-02-21T21:33:00.000-08:00

If you dig deep enough you will come out the other side. Training is all about pushing your limits in a controlled way, so that latter you can race uncontrollably. In training you break everything down. You stress your muscles, your heart, your lungs, your blood and even your mind. Everything gets worked on, stomped on, fed and worked again. Eventually fitness becomes drilled into you.

Training is no secret, the real trick is recovery. You dig that hole as deep as you can and then you climb out and scramble to the top of the pile. That`s your fitness, on top of a mountain that you dug from below. What does all this mean? This week is my last week here, and I am digging a grave.

There is no such thing as over training, only under recovery. I have been told this for years. Now I think I am starting to understand. This week its go big, big, BIG. Spelunking if you will, digging deep into a cave. So what does it take to recover every day. I get to eat almost anything I want; I nap in the afternoon, and sleep nine hours a night. HAHA. Grave digging is awesome. “light weight!”

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Munchies

2011-02-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

What's in your diet?

Rest days give me the munchies. Big time. Like Harold and Kumar Big Time!

30 sliders, 5 french fries, and 4 large cherry cokes

OK so I think I make better choices, but man I could have gone for that today. After several days of riding all day I guess I wracked up a pretty good calorie deficit. Now on light day with sour weather I have nothing to do but have myself an all day buffet. I knew this would be the case and I wanted to distract myself. I rode over to the University to do some shopping. Turns out today is Sunday, who knew? That means most stores are closed. So I rode home. U bought Groceries on the way and then ate most of them this afternoon.

So, what does a cyclist eat in one say? Well since you asked, I kept track.

Breakfast

- bagel with cream cheese, 2 eggs and a banana in a bowl of yogurt

Snack

- an apple and couple ounces of trail mix

-2 ounces of chocolate covered nuts.

Lunch

- large chicken enchilada

Snack (non-stop all afternoon)

-4 granola cookies with a glass of milk

-2 handfuls of chocolate almonds

-1 tapioca pudding cup

- 8 licorice sticks

Dinner

- two bowls of mushroom soup with added rice, fresh mushrooms and 1/3 pound of ground turkey

Snack

-bowl of yogurt with chocolate almonds.

Don`t you just care SO much?

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Wind vs Hills

2011-02-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

What is worse, riding up knee busting climb or boring into a relentless headwind?

The question is interesting because you can work just as hard in either situation. Weather you are on a climb or you are bucking a 40km/hr head wind you can find yourself begging for mercy. On the climb you are fighting gravity, 9.8m/s^2. If the climb is steep enough you find yourself grinding away your smallest gear and working way to hard for a speed of 14km/hr. Riding straight into a head wind you are fighting the very air you breath. If the winds are strong enough you find yourself grinding away your smallest gear and working way to hard for a speed of 14km/hr. So how do you choose the lesser of two evils.

Now the answer may depend on your characteristics. perhaps you are ultralight and you float uphills with angel wings, then your answer is simple. Or maybe you are a big powerhouse envied by small cars but cursing the slightest rise in elevation, then your answer is simple. I suppose I am something in between. And so, it comes to the mentality of it. A psychological battle against a logical frustration.

When I am going uphill there is something that makes sense about how hard you work versus how fast you go. Its simple and easy to wrap your head around. When the road gets steep life gets harder and you ride slower. Going uphill you can still feel the rhythm, there is rhyme and reason. Everything still responds the right way around. Harder equals faster, stand and sprint you go faster.

On the other hand. I love to go flat and fast, but start drilling into a head wind on the flats and nothing makes sense anymore. The road is flat you should be going fast. With the amount of effort you are putting into the flat road you should be going really fast. Instead of fast, you ride as hard as you can to go just as fast as some people can run. Everything is backwards. If you ride harder you red-line for 0.5% increase in speed. If you stand and sprint your body becomes a sail and you go slower. The head wind is far more mentally taxing.

I think my answer is clear. Working equally hard in either situation, what is your lesser of two evils?

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Blogger Block

2011-02-18T20:10:00.000-08:00

I rode first thing this morning. I had all afternoon off. Everyone else was out riding all day. I had the house to myself. I really wanted to write something good. I suck it didn't happen.

I stared at the computer. I made tea and stared at it more. Then I vacuumed, stared, scrubbed the stove top, and stared at the screen. I searched for inspiration. Read a book, read online, stare at computer. Nothing. Go old school read through note book. Stare at blank page with pen in hand. Fail.

Update resume, while Downloading movie. Dog Day Afternoon staring Al pachino. Good movie. Stare at computer screen. Eat cookies and drink milk. I love cookies. Stare at computer screen. It's 9 o'clock, I am waking up at 5am to get to the shootout. Stare at computer screen. I am just giving myself a head ache. Give up, and tell you all about it.

Maybe I was trying too hard.

Cuylar Conly

Looking Ahead

2011-02-17T19:58:00.000-08:00

Since I left home at the start of January I have managed to post a blog once every day. I enjoy actually sitting down and putting some effort into writing a post. Then sometimes, especially of late, I find its 1030 at night and I just have to smash something onto the web. Lately I have occupied my mind with endless foresight.

The unknown. That which is unknown causes human beings a lot of stress. In fact it is often the unknown that is the source of a mans greatest fear rather than something he tangibly understands. It is very comforting to know where you will be and what you will be doing in one week, one month, 3 months and so on. As for myself in one month I know where I will be and I know what I will be doing. I just don`t know where I will be sleeping.

Most of my free time of late has been devoted to shopping. Apartment shopping. Remote Apartment shopping, via the internet. It goes slowly. In April I will be moving to Ottawa and I need a place to live. I have been perusing Craig`s List and various other classified adds in search of summertime sub-lease and room rentals. So here goes the shameless Blog plug for somewhere to call home for 5 months.

I am moving to Ottawa for the summer. I am interested in a sublet or room rental from April 1st Until August 31st. I will be in Ottawa to race for the Fresh Air Experience/Ottawa Bicycle Club Elite U23 Cycling Team. I am a student Athlete who is professional and goal oriented. That being said I am a man of little means and I am seeking terms between $300-$500 per month.
I also have several Team mates who are seeking accommodations under similar circumstances. Thus I am also interested in any information regarding a 3 or 4 bedroom sub-lease.

If you or anyone you know has information on available rental properties I would greatly appreciate the connection. Contact cuylar(at)hotmail(dot)com

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Unstopable

2011-02-16T23:00:00.000-08:00

You gotta get out of the house. If you don't you go steer crazy. When your credit card is breathing fire you gotta do it on the cheep. When you ride all day you gotta do it chill. The perfect fit is movie night. We found a dandy little secondary theater. I paid $1.50 for a ticket and $5 dollars for a large soda. We had the whole theater to ourselves. Super chill, bit of a dive, but come on a dollar fifty. That's unheard of.

We watched Unstoppable and for a the price I paid it was awesome. Based on "true events." The plot followed the most predictable pattern of old dog/young buck, adrenaline disaster escalation. But, it`s a formula that works. Denzel is a BOSS! I was totally drawn in to the desperation of the situation. Bottom line good times in the cheap seats.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Mount Lemmon photoBOMB

2011-02-15T19:02:00.000-08:00

photo's From the Mountain Side. It took a couple days to upload. Check it.

Mile 20, School bus WTF

I don`t know why this kid races in Belgium. Janess just floats up hills.

Evan, looking a little crinkled. I asked him to smile and this what I get.

Wildcat and Springbok

I just can`t take good pictures.

But, can u believe there is a ski resort in Arizona

Backside view.

After a big Day like that We meet the Alberta boys for "Family Dinner potluck."
So much good foodness!

Tender pork (cody)

Mac and Cheese (julia) to die for

Beans (Colter)

Garlic Bread (CCCp) prepared by julia

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-14T12:27:00.000-08:00

If you deserve it, then it's for you.

Happy St. Valentine Day

Cuylar Conly

Lemmon Crushes Back

2011-02-13T22:18:00.000-08:00

Mount Lemmon is one of the most iconic climbs in the USA. The climb is known nation wide not because it is incredibly steep but because it is incredibly long. The road to the summit is 26 miles of nearly continuous positive gradient. Between mile zero and mile 26 you gain in elevation a total of 1700m topping out at over 2500m above sea level.

I have been meaning to cross this one off the list since I got here. Although I have used the slope many times for drills. Until today I have yet to ride all the way to the top. Some days too cold, other times to alone. I wanted to ride this one to the top and share with some pals. Today a great group of Canadians where decided to ride'er all the way. I was so ready to go.

Rout profile

Ride Stats,

5hrs, 136km, 2380m climbing, 2500cal. $2 for a can of coke at the top so worth it!

I'm pretty bombed. Time for a nap. Something like 8 or 9 hours ought to do it.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

Shootout

2011-02-12T20:01:00.000-08:00

Today was pretty all right. I did one of my favorite, and most effective training rides. This kind of ride is fun, fast, long and not for the undetermined. The best training ride is six hours long with a tune-up race in the middle and averages over 30km/hr. Why is it the best? You ride long, you ride hard, and racing cannot be replicated outside of racing.

So what is a tune up race? Back home it`s a 55km handicap road race called the Tuesday Nighter. In Vancouver it`s a 30min Tuesday Critt or a Spring Series Road Race. No matter where in the world you are, if they race bikes there`s a weekly hammer fest. No one holds back, no one conserves, and the glory is not so much in the win but in how much others curse your backside while sucking wheel. In Tucson Arizona, its called the Shootout.

The shootout is known world wide as one of the toughest "races" you can ever ride. The reason for wide spread knowledge is the same reason for the notoriety. Cyclists, including pros, from around the world come to Tucson every winter for warm weather training. So the ride is filled with lots of fast guys who would rather work hard than "win" this one.

The Shootout ride Begins at the University leaving promptly on Gord Fraser`s watch at 730am. (no one breathes unless this man says it is OK). A large group of over 60 rides real chill through town. Chit-chat, gossip and speculation. We pass through the last light on the outskirts of the city. Gord says, "GO" and it's on.

The entire ride is a false flat uphill, with a few perceptible pitches, only the finale exceeds 4% (in excess). The result is that you are working harder than the speed you are moving. We race full boar, with a cross-wind to boot. Attacks, scrum, gutter, scrum, echelon, scrum, gutter and so on. This is my first taste of the Shootout. I told myself I would just follow wheels and check things out.

Fourty Five minutes and 30km later we had ascended 375m to an undefined yet unmistakable finish at the top of a hill. I was very near to the front of the group. Having not once looked behind me I now realized that our group was less than 20. Hot dawg at least we done right. Now the pace is chill, we loop around the quarry and the group divides. Some go off to climb Modera Canyon, I and the other Canadians head back to town with a big civil double pace-line. I think next week I will ride the Modera loop as well.

Next is the part we call training. I ride home with the others, 4 hrs back to the door. I lose a couple layers and off I go again. Two more hours makes six, and a couple drills keeps the brain fuzz away. Which brings me to today\s totals. Six hours ride time, 189km, Shootout, Endurance, and Drills. Cool.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly

what 9-5

2011-02-11T20:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I don't know what to say.

Some days are just not all that extra-ordinary. Compared to the events of yesterday, today was just another typical day at the "office."

My day. Breaky. Ride. Lunch. Internet. pool. Read a book! Dinner. Laundry. Blog. Bed.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.

Cuylar Conly