Dog Days of Summer
The temperature gauge has shot up a few notches as we have officially entered the Dog Days of Summer. This time of year was always talked about during my baseball career and referred to in that manner. As athletes it's the most difficult period of any season since it usually represents the third-quarter of the season, and of course it's always the hottest weather wise. The athletes who are mentally strong and persevere through this time of the year are usually the ones who finish off the last month or two with great results.
I had never correlated the Dog Days of Summer to the sport of cycling, but it's certainly applicable to our sport. The last couple of days as I was training I thought back to a few of my baseball seasons when the games lasted from spring training the first of March through the middle of September; every day a game with maybe two days off during a month. In total there would be well over 160 games for a minor leaguer and nearly 200 for major leaguers. The mind and body become pretty worn down as you can imagine, but early August was always the make or break time of year.
Cycling has the same potential pitfalls since the racing season usually begins about the same time as baseball. By the time August rolls around everybody has a lot of racing and riding in their legs with the last races of the season just around the corner. Training rides become a little tougher, the intensity is high, and the motivation to push yourself isn't as evident as it was in months prior. However, while it's on your mind to slack off it is actually the most important time of year to become stronger mentally. Mind over matter; if applied there's a lot of truth in its success. The more disciplined and focused we are this time of year the more likely we finish off the season successfully.
What's interesting is that if you look around you, currently, there are examples everywhere of people either cracking under pressure or rising and excelling above expectations. The Dog Days of Summer typically highlight either a peak or valley moment for a lot of athletes. Just look around you, or better yet, go look in the mirror. As for me, well, I see examples of good and bad all around me.
On to more interesting things.....
Allanti Cycling Classic
It's the Tennessee State Road Race Championship as well as an overall great race weekend. If you aren't racing and would be willing to volunteer and help then contact the race director at adam@allanti.com.
Sure, getting the 'test' call is scary, but it's worth it
Bobby Julich had more to say about Rasmussen being allowed to compete in the Tour, and there are still more questions than answers.
Dismayed Rasmussen speaks
Rasmussen brings up more information that has not been mentioned elsewhere, such as the fact that his racing license is in Monaco, not Denmark! He also brings up there are inconsistencies in the application of rules and procedures regarding the warnings issued by the UCI. Moreover, he claims others have the same problem yet it hasn't been brought up about them. It's almost as if there are two forms of justice going on in cycling, but nobody is the ultimate arbiter or judge. It's still a free for all. If what Rasmussen says is true then this raises many more questions, and you really have to wonder who should have been wearing yellow in Paris. Until he pees positive then I will side with the Dane.
La lanterne rouge
If he can do it, so can I! Scroll down to read about Wim Vansevenant of Predictor-Lotto and his second consecutive victory for the Lanterne Rouge. I must find out how he set this target goal and then hit the mark since I have the opportunity in 2008 at Edgar Soto!
Kloden considers retirement
Let's hope his despondent attitude doesn't get the best of him. Kloden raises a good question about the dispute between the UCI and the ASO (the Tour de France organizers). I have gotten the feeling lately the big picture issue isn't about doping but rather about the power struggles inside the sport. The battles between the three big tours and the governing bodies of the sport are flying somewhat under the radar of scrutiny. Are we being distracted by doping while the real fight is elsewhere?
Costas zings Bonds over 'midget' comment
I would never recommend anyone trying to verbally get the best of Bob Costas. It really is too bad that sports fans are being robbed of enjoying the most cherished sports record being broken. Nothing is left to our imaginations anymore with a 24/7 news cycle.
Barloworld's Cox dies following surgery
This is a sad situation, but also further proves we should listen to the counsel of our doctors. It appears Cox allowed the financial impact of his surgery to override what was best for his health. Having been in a situation where I racked up tremendous hospital bills without insurance I'll tell you the last worry on my mind was how to pay it off. I realize everyone isn't like that, but I knew if I didn't get out having been taken care of properly then I wouldn't be able to pay it off anyway!
A Guest Commentary: The Credibility Gap
A situation where our perception is not reality? According to this commentary by Jim Ferstle retired cyclist Lance Armstrong cannot claim to be the most tested athlete. The writer brings up a good point, and that is an athlete shouldn't claim to be clean because they've passed numerous tests while at the same time their lawyer is arguing the tests are unreliable. Of course any good commentary wouldn't be complete without discussing the inconsistencies of rules being applied.
The category fives learn new ways to dismount their bikes...
We will not be teaching this strategy at the coaching clinic next Wednesday.
Nashvillian Katharine Carroll drives the pace at Tour de Toona
Head down and stringing them out.
Katharine Carroll leads race leader Kristin Armstrong at Toona
Give it a few years and Kat will be the one with yellow on her shoulders.
Iban Mayo's Saunier Duval-Prodir Scott Addict Limited
This bike's owner isn't the only one who is dope. Throw on a 200 gram weight and only then will the UCI allow it.
Man Rows Boat to Work in Lieu of Sitting in D.C. Traffic
Planes, trains, automobiles and bikes. Add rowing to the list. However, only after he rides his bike from home to where his rowing shell is located, and then gets on bike number two to finish off the trip to work from the water. Smart man.
Contador, a Young Spaniard, Riding With the Wisdom of Age
Alright, we aren't out of the woods yet to see if Contador will actually be able to keep the yellow jersey. I think if he can get one week of post-Tour time to pass then the likelihood of a positive test result throwing another bomb into the mix is unlikely. However, consider this, he did start professional cycling with ONCE and Manolo Saiz in 2000, and there are links to Operation Puerto (of which Saiz was involved). The Puerto links are supposedly by mistake, but others have made the same claim only to find out they were lying.
Let's hope Contador is clean and rises above the scandals, but at the same time the comparisons to Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich should stop. Ullrich had similar success at the same age and we see what happened. Let's let him develop and mature before putting that responsibility on his shoulders.
Contador says Rasmussen mistreated
Even he knows the victory shouldn't have happened in the manner it did. Why? While not all riders are guilty of doping many of them are guilty of the administrative mistakes made by Rasmussen. Let's not forget the reason Rasmussen was thrown out, and that is because an Italian reporter and former cyclist claims to have seen Rasmussen training in Italy when Rasmussen was supposed to be in Mexico. If ever there was a he said she said this is it. This method of justice makes no sense at all. Even if Rasmussen is lying shouldn't there be more documented proof than this in order to weed out the axe-grinding potential?
Saul Raisin vs Alberto Contodor
My prediction as to who will be the next tandem of male riders to battle for the next decade. I still see an American on top of the mountain!
Katharine Carroll vs Mara Abbott
My prediction as to who will be the next tandem of female riders to battle until they're 40! I see a Nashvillian on top! Although, both are incredible American talents.
I had never correlated the Dog Days of Summer to the sport of cycling, but it's certainly applicable to our sport. The last couple of days as I was training I thought back to a few of my baseball seasons when the games lasted from spring training the first of March through the middle of September; every day a game with maybe two days off during a month. In total there would be well over 160 games for a minor leaguer and nearly 200 for major leaguers. The mind and body become pretty worn down as you can imagine, but early August was always the make or break time of year.
Cycling has the same potential pitfalls since the racing season usually begins about the same time as baseball. By the time August rolls around everybody has a lot of racing and riding in their legs with the last races of the season just around the corner. Training rides become a little tougher, the intensity is high, and the motivation to push yourself isn't as evident as it was in months prior. However, while it's on your mind to slack off it is actually the most important time of year to become stronger mentally. Mind over matter; if applied there's a lot of truth in its success. The more disciplined and focused we are this time of year the more likely we finish off the season successfully.
What's interesting is that if you look around you, currently, there are examples everywhere of people either cracking under pressure or rising and excelling above expectations. The Dog Days of Summer typically highlight either a peak or valley moment for a lot of athletes. Just look around you, or better yet, go look in the mirror. As for me, well, I see examples of good and bad all around me.
On to more interesting things.....
Allanti Cycling Classic
It's the Tennessee State Road Race Championship as well as an overall great race weekend. If you aren't racing and would be willing to volunteer and help then contact the race director at adam@allanti.com.
Sure, getting the 'test' call is scary, but it's worth it
Bobby Julich had more to say about Rasmussen being allowed to compete in the Tour, and there are still more questions than answers.
Dismayed Rasmussen speaks
Rasmussen brings up more information that has not been mentioned elsewhere, such as the fact that his racing license is in Monaco, not Denmark! He also brings up there are inconsistencies in the application of rules and procedures regarding the warnings issued by the UCI. Moreover, he claims others have the same problem yet it hasn't been brought up about them. It's almost as if there are two forms of justice going on in cycling, but nobody is the ultimate arbiter or judge. It's still a free for all. If what Rasmussen says is true then this raises many more questions, and you really have to wonder who should have been wearing yellow in Paris. Until he pees positive then I will side with the Dane.
La lanterne rouge
If he can do it, so can I! Scroll down to read about Wim Vansevenant of Predictor-Lotto and his second consecutive victory for the Lanterne Rouge. I must find out how he set this target goal and then hit the mark since I have the opportunity in 2008 at Edgar Soto!
Kloden considers retirement
Let's hope his despondent attitude doesn't get the best of him. Kloden raises a good question about the dispute between the UCI and the ASO (the Tour de France organizers). I have gotten the feeling lately the big picture issue isn't about doping but rather about the power struggles inside the sport. The battles between the three big tours and the governing bodies of the sport are flying somewhat under the radar of scrutiny. Are we being distracted by doping while the real fight is elsewhere?
Costas zings Bonds over 'midget' comment
I would never recommend anyone trying to verbally get the best of Bob Costas. It really is too bad that sports fans are being robbed of enjoying the most cherished sports record being broken. Nothing is left to our imaginations anymore with a 24/7 news cycle.
Barloworld's Cox dies following surgery
This is a sad situation, but also further proves we should listen to the counsel of our doctors. It appears Cox allowed the financial impact of his surgery to override what was best for his health. Having been in a situation where I racked up tremendous hospital bills without insurance I'll tell you the last worry on my mind was how to pay it off. I realize everyone isn't like that, but I knew if I didn't get out having been taken care of properly then I wouldn't be able to pay it off anyway!
A Guest Commentary: The Credibility Gap
A situation where our perception is not reality? According to this commentary by Jim Ferstle retired cyclist Lance Armstrong cannot claim to be the most tested athlete. The writer brings up a good point, and that is an athlete shouldn't claim to be clean because they've passed numerous tests while at the same time their lawyer is arguing the tests are unreliable. Of course any good commentary wouldn't be complete without discussing the inconsistencies of rules being applied.
The category fives learn new ways to dismount their bikes...
We will not be teaching this strategy at the coaching clinic next Wednesday.
Nashvillian Katharine Carroll drives the pace at Tour de Toona
Head down and stringing them out.
Katharine Carroll leads race leader Kristin Armstrong at Toona
Give it a few years and Kat will be the one with yellow on her shoulders.
Iban Mayo's Saunier Duval-Prodir Scott Addict Limited
This bike's owner isn't the only one who is dope. Throw on a 200 gram weight and only then will the UCI allow it.
Man Rows Boat to Work in Lieu of Sitting in D.C. Traffic
Planes, trains, automobiles and bikes. Add rowing to the list. However, only after he rides his bike from home to where his rowing shell is located, and then gets on bike number two to finish off the trip to work from the water. Smart man.
Contador, a Young Spaniard, Riding With the Wisdom of Age
Alright, we aren't out of the woods yet to see if Contador will actually be able to keep the yellow jersey. I think if he can get one week of post-Tour time to pass then the likelihood of a positive test result throwing another bomb into the mix is unlikely. However, consider this, he did start professional cycling with ONCE and Manolo Saiz in 2000, and there are links to Operation Puerto (of which Saiz was involved). The Puerto links are supposedly by mistake, but others have made the same claim only to find out they were lying.
Let's hope Contador is clean and rises above the scandals, but at the same time the comparisons to Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich should stop. Ullrich had similar success at the same age and we see what happened. Let's let him develop and mature before putting that responsibility on his shoulders.
Contador says Rasmussen mistreated
Even he knows the victory shouldn't have happened in the manner it did. Why? While not all riders are guilty of doping many of them are guilty of the administrative mistakes made by Rasmussen. Let's not forget the reason Rasmussen was thrown out, and that is because an Italian reporter and former cyclist claims to have seen Rasmussen training in Italy when Rasmussen was supposed to be in Mexico. If ever there was a he said she said this is it. This method of justice makes no sense at all. Even if Rasmussen is lying shouldn't there be more documented proof than this in order to weed out the axe-grinding potential?
Saul Raisin vs Alberto Contodor
My prediction as to who will be the next tandem of male riders to battle for the next decade. I still see an American on top of the mountain!
Katharine Carroll vs Mara Abbott
My prediction as to who will be the next tandem of female riders to battle until they're 40! I see a Nashvillian on top! Although, both are incredible American talents.
posted by NashvilleCyclist.com at 8/02/2007 11:47:00 AM
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