Mid-Sole Cleats

I recently started reading Joel Friel's blog, and he had several posts about mid-sole cleats. 

He kept emphasizing how much benefit came out of these. That there was a greater power increase due to the lower center of gravity.  One of the statements he made to back up the lesser use of calf muscles was the analagy of doing squats.  The difference is doing them on the balls of your feet versus pushing the weight toward the back of your heels. 

I can understand these points, and simply based on this there would seemingly be very little reason to not switch to mid-sole cleats.  However I would like to know someone who has had experience with these type of cleats.  From my experience a slight movement in the position of a cleat can result in a knee problem for several months.  I would assume that the benefits given by having the cleat moved backward would be vastly overpowered by any knee problems that could result. 

The other problem that I can see resulting would be from the greater use of some muscles and the lesser usage of others.  If an athlete that was in the upper levels of the sport switched suddenly to the mid-sole cleats I would think that there would be the possibility of them actually loosing power and not do as well in the various races entered.  I suspect this because they have already trained their leg muscles to work a specific way, and have stronger portions of their muscles.  If they changed their stronger muscles will no longer be the ones putting forth an effort while riding, but the weaker (previously less used) muscles are now the main source of their power.  If this happens it could be a several year setback in their ability.

If anyone has used these type of cleats, and can tell of some feedback in the differences resulting please do.

http://www.trainingbible.com/joesblog/labels/cleat%20position.html

MS Ride

Its finally here.  The Southern California MS ride takes place this weekend.  It is a two day event, the first day being 100 miles and the second being 60.  As a team the NOW-MS Society raised money for the MS Society in order to help rid the world of Multiple Schlorosis. 

I feel so blessed to be able to take part in such an event, and to have been able to help better lives by raising money, in search of a cure.  This ride is for all those who donated to this cause, and even more so for the people who are currently living with MS. 

It is really touching when I have talked to those affected by this disease, either from those who have it themselves, or people who know or are related to individuals with this disease.  I am really glad that I can contribute to the efforts to find a cure, even if in the long run it isn't by a large amount.  But as has been said several times, Every little bit counts.

Interbike Week!

Went to Interbike this week with Team SoCalCross!  It was really awesome seeing all the different products, talking to previous current and potential future sponsors, and meeting some very accomplished pro riders and awesome people. 

Namely:

Jens Voight

Joachim Parbo (4 time Danish National Cyclocross Champion)

Bob Roll 

and Steve Blick

Some of the Dealers



Belgium Budder

                                           Clif Bar/Luna




On the Wendsday night of Interbike we raced Cross Vegas.  In the UCI pro womens field our team represented with me, Alexis Ryan, Kendall Ryan, Dorothy Wong, and Christina Probert.  (Morgan Ryan raced in the ProMens field)  We were the largest womens team at the race.  There were some heavy hitters at this race, which made for the whole thing to be a pure suffer-fest.

Results:
1. Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team
2. Amy Dombroski (USA) Luna Pro Team
3. Mary McConneloug (USA) Kenda/Seven/Notubes
4. Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team
5. Susan Butler (USA) Hudz-Subaru
...   ...   ...

Los Osos' STAND- 9/11 Rememberance

On Friday September 10, 2010 the students of Los Osos High School joined together to remember the events of September 11.  The STAND organization at the school organized an event where 1,300 students (about a third of the student body) stood on the grass spelling out the words PEACE.  (Unfortunately I was not able to take place in this event due to being in the hospital, after being hit by a car the day before.)  Afterwords, the names of those lost in that tragic event were read on the loud speaker. 

The point of doing this was to promote peace among different cultures, and to remember the tragidy of those events and how they brought our nation together.   An article was posted on this event on the front page of the Daily Bulletin and online. http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_16045157?IADID=Search-www.dailybulletin.com-www.dailybulletin.com  .  

What is shocking to me is what some of the people commenting on the article.  Some are saying this event was pointless and that the kids of the High School are promoting false hope, and that attempting to obtain peace will be seen as a weakness to the other nations of the world.  Comments like this really infuriated me.  How is an act of PEACE and an attempt by the youth of the world destructive?  It isn't like we were saying that there is never a cause for war.  Our main comment was that a minor act of harmony and tolerance can in general make the various communities of the world a safer place to live.  I would think that being united as a community, country, or the world would NOT promote destruction, but instead it would minimize conflicts. 

Question of the Week #1

I have decided to start a new series to add to this blog. Along with all my race reports and some exciting events, I have decided to start a question of the week. This weeks question:

If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the door?

This is certainly one worth pondering. I would render that these locks are useless, but they could have a use if there happened to be a lockdown in the city because someone escaped from a prison or something. However for the most part the doors should remain unlocked, therefore they do not need a lock at all.

Road Nationals 2010

60K 2laps, hilly circuit

Started the race at the front of the group and stayed there until the first 'real' climb (up to the feed zone) where I started to dwindle off the back a little bit. I refused to get dropped so I fought as hard as I couls to regain my ground. As I did, I immediately moved to the front, talked to Kendall (my teammate) mentioning I didnt feel great but to counter my attack. I went, solo at the right turn before the really steep section, stayed off until the gradient eased up considerably. I got back in and soon the groups pace slowed. By this point I figured that I would do everything to get Kendall the win. On the descent of the second and final lap I attacked before the first roller, didnt gain much ground but Coryn was forced to work to pull me back. Waited a few K and the group was going super slow because noone would pull through to the front past Coryn. I was in 3rd wheel, and as Coryn was moving to the gutter forcing the girl in front of me to pull I attacked. I was at the base of a small roller right before a steep windy descent. I reach the top of the roller and see a shadow following me. Assuming its the group I swing off, look back and see only two other riders then a descent gap. I quickly yell to them that theres a gap and to go, so we do. We were working really well together, but were nearly certain the group was nearby. A motor pulls up, 50 seconds, then we really ramp up the pace. Pretty soon we had a minute and thirty. We hammer the descents, and the small size of our group allows us to take them fast. When we get to the hills though, I start to hurt (I had been doing a large chunk of the work) The two riders with me gap me just a little bit, but we are still off. Nearing the steep and long hill, Coryn comes flying by me and within a second is past the other two. Next is Katie Antonneau, and as soon as katie is at me I hear Kendall yelling for me to jump with her. She was off of Katie by a few seconds. I jump on Kendalls wheel and quickly pull through bringing her to Katie. The 3 of us work together to bring back Coryn, but before we catch her the group catches us. I make one last hard pull, and then drop back in the group when we finally catch her. I stay with the group up the steep part of the hill, but I am spent. When on the final little riser Coryn attacks, bringing Kendall and Katie with her, I fall off the group and crawl to the line. One girl catches me with 1k to go and I force her through with 500meters left. I put everything I had left into the sprint and beat the girl by mere inches. I ended up in 13th, and Kendall got 3rd.

As this road comes to a close, I would like to take a minute to thank and recognize our sponsors for the NOW-MS Society Womens Team.

Other Sponsors Include:

• Cardiac Imaging
• Autism Speaks
• Exoffico
• Prolong
• Panaracer
• Rebif
• Velofit
• Performance Concepts
• DeFeet
  
  
  
  

Fireworks Illegal?

Should fireworks be illegal in California? As it stands, they currently are. Yet in other states they are allowed. My stance on this is the creation of an illegal item, adds to the desire to use them. If a state wants to prevent injuries and fires, banning fireworks would only increase the sells of unsafe ones. Whereas, if they remained legal, a government would be able to regulate the safety of the items being sold. In the process creating less damage and fewer injuries.

10 Facts About Bagpipes!

As the Bagpipe is the best instument ever I thought I'd find some facts about it. People like to dis on the bagpipes, but you all know that if someone at a party could play them, they would be the coolest person there!


10 Facts About Bagpipes

1. The bagpipe was originally made from the whole skin of a dead sheep
2. Bagpipes were once used by Scotts to frighten away their enemies on the battlefield
3. Bagpipe classical music, which is catagorized by dificult strings of gracenotes is called piobaireachd
4. Will hold a continuous note, when the player is breathing, due to stored air inside
5. The pipes were originally made of bone or ivory, but are now made of wood
6. The bagpipes have been banned twice in Scotland, once in 1560 and again in 1746
7. Over 500 bagpipers were killed in World War 1
8. The most common types are the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe and the Irish uillean pipes
9. They are mentioned in 'The Canterbury Tales' written around 1380, "A Baggepype wel coude he blowe and sowne/And ther-with-al he broghte us out of towne"
10. In the late 20th century, electronic bagpipes were invented

Back in January our chambers group had our broadway nights. In this show we take differents songs from many broadway shows and perform them all at one time! For example, this year we used songs from: Les Miserables, Legally Blonde, Spamalot, Greese, Hairspray, and more...

The end of Act 1. One Day More: Les Miserables

The Boys' dance break in Greese Lightning. And their final "posses"

Do You Like My Party Dress

The song that goes like this

Well only 2 days of school left this year. Will have a summer full of racing and riding. Hopefully the race reports that come from them will be good ones.

Hey so heres a song I wrote a while ago. Its kindof cheesy now that I look back at it, but it meant a lot at the time;

You gave me something to live by
You saved me from myself
My world was turned upside down
You brought it back up

When the depths of despair
Engulfed me in its abis
There was a gleaming beam of hope and life
And you brought it to me

You're my redeaming angel
The reason I am here
You're the one I have faith in, to always be near
You're my personal Christ

It may be, it was only by chance
It just happened to be you were there when I needed
I can see that you're always right there
By my side, the only one that cares

You gave me someone to stand by
You kept me from myself
When I thought that love was gone
You brought it back to me

You're my redeaming angel
The reason Im still here
You're the one I look to, to always be near
You're my personal christ

If you decided to leave me
I wouldn't know what to do
I hope you'll believe me
When I say; "I love you"

Hey Everyone!

Its awesome that you came to look at my new blog! This is my first one ever and so Im still trying to figure it all out. (If you have any tips: what to write about, how to make it look cooler, ect.. Just let me know)

Well so Ill start off by just writing about my weekend =P

Saturday was Devils Punchbowl RR. My dad woke me up late, I cant set my own alarm clock because I dont own one, but this late wake-up meant that I couldnt race the women 1-3s. Despite this we rushed in an attempt to get there in time for the race. We get there 5min late :*(

So I decide to race the Jr 15-18 race. We went off with the 15-16 men and the feild pretty much shattered on the first hill. Needless to say, it was a long race after that. I ended up winning, but there wasnt much competition to begin with.\

That night went to see Little Shop of Horrors at the school. It was AMAZING!!! Congrats to the entire cast, I love you all! After that I can't imagine why anyone would ever watch the movie version. It had spectacular songs and the portrayal of the characters was incredible!

Sunday: Chuck Pontius Critt

To keep it short and simple 2 races back to back; womens 3/4 the womens 1/2/3. Got 3rd in the 3s. After following and trying to bring back many attacks by Incycle and Helens, I did not have energy for the final sprint. Was past by the vast majority of the group in the last 100 meters.

Well thats all for now! Ill try to find something more interesting to write about next time.