Thursday, March 17, 2011

CALIFORNIA

For the last five years, my friend Byran (from Portland, Or) and I would visit our friend, Ray, in Lompoc, CA for a week of riding. Originally we came because the Amgen Tour of California was in February and we got to see the pros in action. Then they moved the tour to May, but we still came. This year Byran couldn't make it, so it was just me.
I came for a week and rode six days. The first day we cycled to Surf Beach, on the ocean, and I took several pictures. The next morning, early, my wife called to inform me of the tsunami that would be hitting in an hour. I was tempted to later send her the picture from the previous day and tell her we went over to see it come in, but in view of the seriousness of the disaster, decided that would be in poor taste.
Anyhow, we had some great riding, although somewhat chilly. I only took my tights off on two half days (first half of the ride with them on, took them off on the way back), and always had two layers on my chest (the very windy day also had the wind jacket on).
This is the last year of going to California. Ray is moving to South Carolina. I guess I can go east just as well as west.

Friday, March 4, 2011

GOAL SETTING WOES

50 years ago, Business 101 advocated: 1) Determine your goal; 2) Research and develop plans how to achieve it; 3) Implement the best plan; 4) Monitor progress to be sure you are on track; and 5) Adjust if the plan is not on target. Of course, variations mutated, but the basis is the same today. As an aside, the new generation of managers seems to have forgotten 4 and 5 and take it as an affront if anyone says their plan isn't working. But, you ask, how does this pertain to my cycling?
At the beginning of the year I thought it would be good to get into USAC racing to help improve my overall speed and stamina. After last year's State Championship race result (last) I harbored no hopes of winning, but just the effort gave me encouragement. I researched the standings and while there was no chance of coming close to first or second in accumulated points, the large gap to third gave me a goal to shoot for. Additionally, even placing last, I gathered a handful of points. Taken with my second place finish in the time trial, my final placing (with only two USAC races) was 21st. Thus, I reasoned, if I entered sufficient races this year, I could gather enough points to compete for third in the final standings. That became my goal, and my plans to achieve it.
Now that I have two race week-ends under my lycra, reality has set in. I had done a really, really poor job of research. For instance, I knew I'd be racing in the 60+ category, that they didn't have a 65-69 bracket except at State. What I didn't know, but should have, is in the races the 60+ guys are grouped with the 50+ guys. The older guys are shelled in a hurry, and at the moment, I'm the first one to go.
The other factor not taken into account was the number of really fast 59 year olds who this year are in my bracket. Last year there were 8-12 in my age group; this year 16-20 and all faster than me. Thus, my points gathering has now been seriously diminished.
Unlike the current crop of managers, I have no problem admitting an error in planning. There is no plan adjustment I can make to get me to the goal, so the goal will have to be reset. Still a challenge, but rather than a podium finish, I now am shooting for top ten.