That lead me to spend the $900+ to go and participate in the “Challenge Ride” in Austin, TX.  It is the year’s final charity ride that raises money for the foundation, and those who have raised more than $10K get invited to this “Event within an event” called The Ride for the Roses (RFTR).  It would be a time to see first hand, the community of “soldiers” fighting this good fight, and to renew my faith in the system (when you get as big as the Lance Armstrong Foundation, it’s definitely a “system”) and the cause.  Well, it did all that and more.  The stories I heard from single individuals, families, and larger groups were both inspiring and heart wrenching at the same time.  It became more and more apparent that this disease affects (directly or indirectly) virtually everyone on the planet.  We need this level of effort to beat it back.

On Saturday night there was a big dinner for the RFTR participants.  Lance spoke as well as a number of other award winners from the current year.  There were messages of how folks struggled together, and raised both money and awareness, and found new ways to contribute something extraordinary to this fight.  I was also priviledged to meet 6 time Leadville 100 winner Dave Wiens.  He was in town to help layout a MTB race course on Lance’s property (sort of like Jack Nicholas designing a golf course right?).

No, Dave is not standing on a stack of books

Outside of needing this renewed hope and confidence, I also wanted to have some fun on the Sunday ride with Lance (and about 4,000 other riders).  Saturday they put my bike together (part of the super service they extended to RFTR participants)  I took the bike for a spin to check it out, and asked them to just adjust the handbars slightly upward after I came back.  They did, and I was all set.

The day of the ride, we were told that we could stage “up front” as a part of our perks as a RFTR participant.  Cool!  My number 1 objective was to ride just a few miles with Lance.  Even if I had to bury myself to do it, I wanted a few minutes riding with the big guy.  Well, I not only got myself up front, but I some how “mistakenly” got up in the super front with the Fatty folks who raised the highest amount for the year.  I was so ready!

As time went on though, more and more “special VIP” type folks came in, slotted even further in front, and now I was about 7 rows back.  I figured that was ok, because that could be easily made up for on the bike.  However, once Lance showed up, and said a few words, he and just the first two rows took off, and the rest of us were held up – for what seemed like an eternity (I think it was actually only 10 or 15 minutes).

I was so close... until the SPECIAL VIPs filled up the front of the front

Now I was getting nervous.  I’ve had no warm up, and I’m going to have to chase down a lead group with a 15 minute head start, with LANCE setting the pace!  YIKES!!!  I was undaunted though.  As soon as they let us go, I started finding my way around the pack and within seconds the trains started to form and fly.  I hooked on to every group of riders I could hang with.  We were averaging between 25 and 30 mph through the flats, and in less than 5 minutes I was already anaerobic!  Yikes, I didn’t know how long I could keep burying myself like this, but I wasn’t going to back off now.

Then I noticed how my handlebars were just a little to far forward and down.  I thought I had them adjust that yesterday, but it still wasn’t’ right.  I wasn’t going to worry about it at this pace.  I decided it could wait till after we catch the big guy to make any bike adjustments.  SO… flying along we went, and then we hit the first significant decent, and the pressure to go fast just increased.  As I pushed it into a higher gear and started pedaling even faster downhill, it happened… my handlebars came completely loose and flopped forward and down, as if they were about to fall off.  This was WAY too much déjà vu from my first crash for me, and so I slowly and gently reached way down for my break levers, and squeezed them just enough to slow me down and pull over.  WHEW!!! No crash, and unfortunately, no chance of riding with Lance.

While not one of the teams that FLEW to catch Lance, one of the many "gravy trains" of the day

I was still grateful to be in one pieces, so I continued to ride enjoying an awesome day with the fastest group of “charity riders” I have ever ridden with.

I had one particular “special moment” during this ride that was almost too perfect.  I was at the end of about 60 minutes of riding just below threshold, looking at one of the modest climbs ahead, but not feeling so great because of the pounding I was doing with no warm up.  As I hit the bottom of the hill, I realized I hadn’t even turned my music on (virtually a sacrilege in my book).  I flipped it on, and the song “Stand Up” by Remedy Drive came on.  After a short intro, I found my climbing legs, the lyrics found their way to the chorus “Stand up now, they can’t hold us down“, which got me right up out of the saddle (my preferred climbing position).  If that wasn’t enough,  just as I was nearing the top of the climb, the next song “Daylight is Coming” (by the same group) came on, just as the sun started peaking through the trees at the crest of the climb… it was such a “moment”, I had to thrust my hands in the sky and just thank God that I was there in that place at that time, lovin’ life!

That gave me renewed enthusiasm to continue the sufferfest.  By the end of the 2^nd hour though, I was in some serious pain (thinking it was hip at the time, but now know it was probably weak muscles from the hip replacement).  I wasn’t sure I would finish, and I met a young lady who was in the same boat.  As we bemoaned our mutual situation, we agreed to ride to the finish together and keep things “under control”.  I’m sure the consistent hammering was what got me into trouble in the first place.

We hobbled across the line together

Finally, at the line, I met Fatty himself (from the Fat Cyclists blog fame) – being the generous guy he is, waiting to meet each of his team members as they crossed the line.  While I’m not one of his team, I couldn’t resist taking a picture with him… after all, it was I who took the picture of his sister and DELVIS (which he blogged about this week as well).

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend, and encouraged me to double my efforts for next year.  Within hours of returning home, I completed my last blog post giving the top 10 reasons to do the Giretto in 2010.  If you haven’t considered it, NOW is the time!

How is it that I obviously out weigh a guy named "Fatty"

We select 5 consecutive stages of the Tour of Italy, ride them in their entirety, just 4 hours ahead of the pros; the same stage, the same route, the same distance, the same conditions.  The only difference is that we will take much longer to get there, hence the earlier departure.  After all, for us it’s not a race, it’s a ride, and we are not pros.  However, that being said, we have to maintain a reasonable pace, or the 4 hrs head start will be erased, and they will beat us to the finish.  We Paceline through the flats and rollers, we regroup at the top of all major climbs (subject to hill specific cut offs), and in general, work as a team for every stage.

There are so many things that are unique about the Giretto, it amazes me that I don’t have a waiting list a mile long to enroll.  I can only surmise that it is still so new that most riders just don’t know about it.  Consequently, I’ve put together the top 10 reasons to ride the Giretto.  Read them, share them, and sign up!

1.            Italy is Cycling Paradise: I can’t count how many times I either said that or thought it during the Giro last year.  Last year it seemed like more than 50% of the roads we cruised on where newly paved; something each town tries to accomplish before the Giro comes through.  Since cycling is such a natural part of their culture (it’s the 2^nd most popular sport next to soccer), vehicle drivers are well accustomed to cyclists, and you get a completely different feel riding there.  In the 7 times I’ve ridden in  Italy, I never remember one time being yelled at from a car, or being forced off the road.  It’s simply magnificent.  The scenery is also breathtaking to say the least, and the food, well – it’s absolutely off the charts.

2.            Cancer Must Be Defeated: Few people have not been either directly or indirectly affected by cancer at some point in their lives.  This year, I’ve multiple family and friends newly attacked by this heinous disease.  Raising money and raising awareness makes this ride something of a higher calling.  If you do a lot of riding, do this little bit – 5 (or 3) hard days for something bigger than yourselves.  Livestrong is making the biggest impact on the fight against cancer in the history of the disease.  How do I know that… well, I have no facts, but with the global army they have inspired, and the money they raise each year, I doubt if ANY disease has had this kind of war waged against it.  Now is your time to get on board, and help us fight the good fight here!

3            A Reason To Train: We have a winter training program at our club in Pittsburgh.  This is a 16 week program that completely transforms each person who dares to enroll.  If the 4.5 hr workout every Saturday isn’t enough, we also track their workouts through the week to make sure they stay “on track”.  One of the requirements of the program is that each person have an event to train for that is “outside their comfort zone”; something they are not quite sure they can do, something that will take a level of commitment and focus they’ve never applied to their riding before.  Believe me, 5 stages of the Giro d’Italia is just such an event.

4.            Self Discover On A Whole New Level: There is something inextricable from training for something “bigger than yourself” – it’s the process of self-discovery that takes your beyond the physical fitness aspects of training.  The Giretto isn’t just a physical challenge.  If you think it is, you don’t “get it”.  This will challenge you emotionally, spiritually, even socially in important ways.  Do you think just working out & riding a lot will get this done.  Unless you are independently wealthy, have no family or friends, and can do just about whatever you want whenever you feel like it, this will challenge and stretch you in multiple ways.  That’s not a bad thing, just know however, that this process does not happen in a vacuum.

5.            Start Your Racing/Riding Season Feeling Like Lance: The two times I went through a training program to prepare for Italy, I came home a different rider.  I remember feeling like I was having an “out-of-body” experience – wondering who was pushing me up the same hills I used to do 20% slower, or in 50% more pain.  The ability to blow apart your own personal records in races, training routes, and with the local club rides is priceless to say the least.  If you do local races, I guarantee you that your results after the Giretto will surpass previous years.

6.            Fantasy Cycling Camp: You’ve heard of the Fantasy sports camps where those with enough $ can play their favorite sport with recently retired pros?  It exists for almost every sport.  While we aren’t riding with the pros, we are almost riding IN their event.  Read my blog post from last year’s Giretto: “Smallest Window, Biggest Opportunity” to get the feel for what I mean.  It was a surreal experience.  The closer we got to the finish line of each stage, more and more people would be out on the streets with their family or business group, tailgating Italian style.  Eager to see the pros, and already waiting for some time, they cheer for you as if you are one of the pros.  More and more roads are closed until you get into the city proper which is lined with barriers, incredible decorations, and hundreds of people in every little “citta” – all excited to see us, the pre-show.  Try to beat that feeling.

7.            Get Professional Training: Everyone who commits to the Giretto d’Italia will receive weekly training plans from Cycling Fusion for 16 weeks, as well as an annual subscription to FitnessJournal.com, where all of their workouts will be logged.   Normally this is a $24/month for 4 months.  In addition, I will personally review or coach every rider who is interested, each week from January to the week before we leave for Italy.  Another savings of $99/month.

8.            Vacation Before or After or Both: The logistics and cost of getting to Italy are such that once you are there, you will want to take some time and see the country.  The ruins of Rome are mind blowing.  The canals and streets of Venice are unforgettable. There are so many reasons to love Italy, but the food has to be up there in the top 3 reasons.  Aside from having access to the best Italian food on the planet, you’ll be able to eat as much as you like – given how much fuel we will need for the consecutive 100+ mile days.

9.            Discover The Secrets of Cycling Fusion: The original idea for the Giretto came about from the desire to prove how powerful indoor training can be for the dedicated outdoor cyclist.  In Pennsylvania, we see cyclists riding in the most brutal and even dangerous conditions outside because, well, the weather can be so lousy that if you don’t ride in bad weather, some years you might not ride at all.  Aside from a steady diet of bad weather, there have also been very few real cycling training centers to offer as an alternative.  Cycling Fusion was founded when Global Ride Training Center opened in the suburbs of Pittsburgh.  The intent was to show how any fitness facility that has Spinning® or Indoor Cycling can also create this type of training, and offer the cycling community something they can relate to, benefit from, and even look forward to each winter.  If you have a trainer for your bike, or somewhere you can take indoor cycling classes, we will provide the information you will need to harness this incredible training.

10.            Make A Memory You Will Never Forget: This will be especially true for couples or two friends who sign up together.  From the 4 ½ months of winter training, to the 5 amazing riding days in Italy, to the self discovery at new levels, you will have a hard time topping this total experience.

I’m happy to report that during my 3rd week, training harder than the previous 2 weeks, the pain has subsided, and I feel better than ever. I’m making a point also of taking no supplements, no Advil or aspirin of any kind, nothing to mask the pain; I want to listen to my body to know what it feels, how it is responding to the training. It’s not a walk in the park, but the fact that I feel better under more difficult levels of stress gives me a great sense of relief.

As you know, I am a big supporter of the Heart Zones™ system of training. In addition to knowing and understanding the need to manage and structure workouts according to your time in zone, I’ve also begun to use the Heart Zone point system to manage the progression of my training. The graph you see above is how these points have steadily increased this year (base building actually started in December however).

By the way, we use the Fitness Journal online to track literally everything related to our training. I’ve researched a lot of training logs, and this one totally rocks! Maybe I’ll do a post exclusively on their system sometime in the future. You will note on the graph above, the significant jump this week in Heart Zone points. This is actually a bit contrary to Heart Zone principals, of 10% increase per week or so, but this was primarily due to beginning my first outdoor ride this Sunday (since September). This will bump everything up a notch, and we should be able to resume a 10% to 15% rate of increase going forward.

I am also looking now looking for a partner or sponsor to work with to add power to my workouts. These days there are multiple choices, and I want to work with the group that is willing to work with me and our group of athletes and clients at my local club, Global Ride.

I have to tell you, the more I work on this, the more excited I get about it! I spent the weekend creating the content for the site that my web master magician, Jeff (see him in a crazy video here) was able to assemble in just one day today. We have 95% of everything we need to launch this thing already done, and tomorrow morning I will call the Livestrong office to see if we can get a press release approved for rapid distribution. I am very thankful to have the support of Global Ride Productions behind me in order to make all this a reality.

What is the big deal!?! I’m not sure where to start, but maybe a list would better illustrate the plethora of things I am excited about:

1. This is Lance Armstrong’s first Giro, and we will be wearing his colors, and riding on the exact same roads and route that he will be riding on, just a few hrs behind us. Who knows if he will ever ride the Giro again.
2. To my knowledge, this is the first charity event to attempt the exact same mileage, even if only for a few stages, during a grand pro tour.
3. Serious cyclists who race typically do not ride in Charity events because of schedule conflicts and the fact that the level of effort does not challenge them – this event, however, holds the possibility of being an annual “tune up” event for all serious amateur cyclists given how early it is in the season, and how arduous the terrain is.
4. This may break new ground for charity events, creating opportunities to attract both the racer and the serious cyclist.
5. Upon successful completion, I hope to get much needed respect for the indoor cycling classes that so many cyclists shun.
6. On a personal note, this is my daughter’s first trip to Italy, and my first century ride(s) (I’ve ridden for 9 years now, and I was waiting for a “special” first century – I guess I found one)

Well, I hope some of this rings true with other cyclists out there, because without some additional riders and supporters, this will become a footnote in the cycling online journals. If you’re interested in helping out in ANY way, please visit our main site at http://www.cyclingfusion.com.