March Madness

... or it blows in Las Vegas.  Yes, spring is here and so is the wind.  March is known for blustery, chilly weather.  Gone (maybe) are the 35 degree morning rides, but in their place are the breezy, blustery days of March.  In 2008 there were approximately 100+ days of wind over the late winter and spring, not dieing down until early June, when it just turned HOT.  We'll see how it goes this year.

Upcoming events:  Another Dam Race was cancelled due to a low pre-registration count.  I was one of the first signed up.  Needless to say, I'm greatly disappointed, since it would have given me well over 7000' of climbing over two days of racing. 

March 19th and 20th:  The Tour del Sol Stage Race in St. George, UT.  Two days, three stages of racing, including a hilly road race with an uphill finish.  Yeah!

April 9th and 10th:  Tour of the Depot Stage Race in Tuelle, UT.  Again, two days, three stages of racing.

Inbetween is another stage race that doesn't really suit me, and it's listed as a maybe.  It still is a maybe, the San Dimas Stage Race. 

I'll start afternoon training most days starting tomorrow in an attempt to bump my weekly mileage up over 300.  With longer days already here, and the time change this weekend, it is time. 

February re-cap:

Total miles: 1072 (1726 KM)
Average weight: 148.6 lbs
Average resting pulse: 49.8
Race results:  Callville Bay Classic Stage Race, 55+ - 7th, 7th, 7th, and ... 7th GC

Picks and pans:

Capo racing kits:  I wore Capo kit when I rode for Paramount.  I gave an early thumbs up on it back in 2009.  I have to take that back.  While the chamois in the bib shorts was of good quality, the shorts themselves didn't even last a season before losing their shape.  It was too thin and flimsy to stand up.  The jerseys, on the other hand, I still see as top notch.  Good cut and fit, color fast, and outstanding zippers.  Good stuff.  Too bad the bibs are so poor.

Rapha bib shorts:  I now have five pair.  Two of which are going into their third season.  The oldest still wear like new, have lost no shape, fit well, are comfortable, and indeed, show little or no wear.  Good stuff.
Try their chamois creme.  Expensive, but worth it.

Anything made by Louie Garneu:  it sucks.  Nothing holds up.  Shoe covers unravelled at the zipper after only two wearings, the glove self destructed in well under a full season.  Yuck.  They outsource everything to China.  I wouldn't wear a thing that company makes anymore.

Assos:  I still say the 851 Airjacket is the best piece of winter clothing made.  It's warm, fits like a jersey, and after three full seasons, still looks like new.  It's worth every penny. 
Assos Skin Repair Jell:  this stuff is freaking unbelievable.  I've had chronic saddle sores (not infections, just damaged skin under the sit bones) since 2002 and nothing would make them go completely away, not cortisone, a variety of other steriodal topical creams, Elidel, nothing.  Not even the four and a half years off the bike did it.  So since I came back to the sport, the best I could do was treat the symptoms, grin and bear it, and search for the perfect shorts/chamois/chamois creme combination.  I bought this Assos stuff (it's expensive, too, $40 give or take delivered) and it's been a dream come true.  I haven't had any discomfort since I started using it.  I don't know how it works, but it does.  I can't say enough about it.


Giordanna:  My current team's kits are made by Giordanna.  So far, they're outstanding.  The jerseys are well made and color fast (I know because I've got some that were made as long ago as 2008), the jacket, although not Assos, still keeps me warm in cold weather; I just need one more layer than I did with the Assos.  The shorts wear well over long rides, fit exceptionally well, and look good.  Whether they hold up over a season or more remains to be seen.  I'm optimistic, however.