Awesome ride today folks. We experimented with a new 65 mile route today heading all the way out Kelly Creek to Cook Springs and back in the usual way with the climb up Vandiver. Great turnout with at least 75 riders making it out to the ride. The only hiccup was an uncooperative country store and a cracked frame. Jacob Tubbs road on ahead after the nature break to get pictures of the group as we passed by. Check ’em out!

Hey BBL! I was sad to miss another week, but here it is only Monday and I am already looking forward to this coming Saturday’s ride! Terry led the way home this week, and here is his recap:

The second BBL of the season kicked off with beautiful weather and a super turnout! Fifty-four riders came out for a day of endurance BBL training. The group saw a moderate pace out of around 18.5 mph with everyone tightly tucked in to a two abreast group. We rolled the traditional route in style out 78 right on Winnataska with all in tack. After turning right off Winna we had encountered minor casualties as we made our way to Sterrett. Everyone stopped enjoyed some snacks, good weather and good conversation. After the stop and once we began the climb on 25 we started with everyone in single file formation. At some point a group of 20-30 riders had separated itself from the remaining riders of which were spread across the mountain. I for one had lost contact with that front group. From this point on I can only comment from what was said about the remaining ride. It seems that after the big climb on 25 that the pace intensified and was quite aggressive at times with riders going off the front. That seemed to be the momentum till the end of the ride with cemetery hill being a full out attack zone!

So here are my comments: I take full responsibility for the ride and place no blame on anyone or group of individuals for the periods of intensity. I am responsible for controlling the pace and failed to do so by making the decision to stay behind with my wife Monika. The periods of high pace, was not the intent of this ride unless there are designated attack zones mentioned prior to the start of the ride. Again my apologies if anyone was upset with the ride this past Sat, better control will be present in future BBL rides.

IMPORTANT: If anyone has any comments, concerns or complaints please address those directly to me DO NOT SEND OUT SEPARATE messages, I will address all! tduran@scottusa.com

I agree wholeheartedly with Terry. While I am excited that there are people ready to ride hard and go for it in the attack zones, we have to restrain that excitement until the official attack zones. We will have our first official attack zones on December 5 using the new handicapped point system to give everyone a better shot at getting points. OUTSIDE of those attack zones we have to keep the pace steady so that newer riders can keep up AND so that faster/fitter riders aren’t bored/frustrated. Keep in mind the following goals that Terry, Darryl, and I have discussed extensively over the past couple years and that Terry summarized in an email last night:

Fundamentals and purpose of the BBL:

1. Safety first and foremost
2. Fun and fitness
3. The intent is a structured winter training medium for riders who compete (Racers cat 5 – pro) not specific to just road.

Structured training ride:

1. The ride is an endurance pace averaging 18-20 mph with multiple hard efforts (attack zones) Attack zones will have much higher avg speed!
2. The riders will briefly regroup at the end of designated attack zones
3. There will be at least one store stop unless announced prior to the start that there will not be any stops.

Notes:

• While any and all are welcome to join the ride those who are not familiar or have never competed may or may not be able to keep pace therefore those that can not keep pace, it is up to them to be responsible for knowing that route as well as having all necessary items to in able them to get back to the point where they started.
• In some cases the ride may or may not totally regroup it depends if a particular rider or riders can or cannot maintain the average speed during an ATTACK ZONE or OUTSIDE an attack zone.
• THIS RIDE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A CASUAL GROUP RIDE. IT IS A STRUCTURED WINTER TRAINING RIDE FOR THOSE WHO COMPETE.

Thanks to one of our new co-title sponsors for 2010, Dan Taylor at Infinity Med-I-Spa hosted us for a laid back fall mini training camp at his house on Lake Martin. Absolutely beautiful base location for three great rides. Thanks Dan!!! Check out the photos and details below.

Friday, 11/20/2009
A few people were able to take off work early on Friday and head on down. With crazy Friday traffic so close to Thanksgiving holidays, the guys only had time to do a short 55km ride before sunset.

Saturday, 11/21/2009
This was our big ride day with a 75 mile ride around Lake Martin on tap. We kept the pace moderate throughout the ride except for two designated attack zones near the end of the ride where we split up into two teams and practiced team tactics for winning the attack zone sprints. Team “One” came out on top for both attack zones. Check out the topocreator.com map of the ride:

Sunday, 11/22/2009
We woke up to a wet cold morning with a strong wind coming off the lake – but nothing was going to keep us from having another amazing ride. Dan picked out some great roads (Tallapoosa County 20 is awesome) and even though it misted a bit we were able to get in some good pacelining and echelon practice. Also, we revisited the same two attack zones for Team “Two” to try and rework its strategy to come out victorious for the attack zones. But alas, Team “One” still had it worked out to come out on top for both attack zones — all in the name of good fun, practice, learning, and hard training. Check out the topocreator.com map of the ride:

I was out of town this week, but Darryl sent in the ride recap below:

What a great way to start off our series. Perfect weather! Thanks so much to Birmingham Bicycle Company (BBC) and Scott USA for stepping up as our first sponsors for the series with some great SCHWAG and food.

We started with approximately 55 rides and finished with about 40 as various riders peeled off during different parts of the ride. We averaged around 19 mph for the ride. There were at least 10 riders missing because of the Cyclocross race Saturday night, so we are really happy with the start. We want to break 100 at some point of the year so keep spreading the word. Also on our website you can write comments about the ride, feel free..be nice:).

The food from Wendy at Dish’n It Out was a great way to replenish my lost carbs. We did a good job with that large of a group in double pace lines to help us continue to be safe and keep us rolling a constant effort. Remember the goal over the next few weeks is solid pace lining with no gaps in riders and solid consistent pace on all flats, uphills and downhills.

We still have a few riders accelerating on the hills and a few not pedaling through the downhills, but overall it was a much smoother start for this year’s BBL season.

This weekend’s ride will be led by Terry Duran, and it will be starting from the Irondale Starbucks but the ride will be missing several Tria rides. Our gracious sponsor Dan Taylor of Infinity Med-I-Spa has set us up a Fall mini camp at Lake Martin for us…NICE! With Brian planning several big rides I’m sure it will be like a death march.

Rest assured that I and the rest of the Tria team will be back next week!