Wherein I Ramble And Make Very Little Sense At All
I have so much story to tell, and so little energy to tell it.
Luckily, the good folks at CyclingDirt are taking the time to talk with me after some of the stages of the Breck Epic, and letting me just ramble on, stream-of-conciousness style. Watch:
Watch more video of 2012 Breck Epic Stage Race on cyclingdirt.org
Five days of racing down, two to go!
Time for me to see if I can force down some breakfast, and then get the bikes ready while The Hammer puts together our aid station drop bags for the day.
Comment by Mark J. in Dallas | 08.16.2012 | 7:25 am
You look whipped man. Get some rest. A day or two off the bike and you’ll be jonesing to get back on.
Comment by ClydeinKS | 08.16.2012 | 7:31 am
Missin’ the chin growth, I keep mine as I figure grow it where I can. Guessing you’re aerodynamics and drag have improved though – carry-on, you’re doing great! Just keep thinking how smooth that Shiv will feel this “training session.”
Comment by Ed | 08.16.2012 | 7:52 am
Who needs to make sense during an interview?! You’re lookin’ good, keep it up!
Comment by Doug (Way upstate NY) | 08.16.2012 | 8:16 am
New Hampshire 100. That’s the race I wanted to do (till I found out it was scheduled for the same day as LiveStrong Philly)….
I’ve got a better idea. Time for Tour Divide.
Comment by RodNeeds2Ride | 08.16.2012 | 8:54 am
Dude, let’s attack Suncrest the day you get back. You’ll still beat me (IF I even make it) but it will be slightly less humiliating for me. :)
Comment by Obstinate Roadie | 08.16.2012 | 9:18 am
You sound more and more like Dave Zabriskie as the week wears on. I think we now know why “Dz Nuts”. Hang in there.
Comment by sdcadbiker | 08.16.2012 | 9:45 am
I just noticed that you shaved your beard off; twitter haters getting to you? ;-) Ironic or not, you look much better without it. Keep rollin’ man, almost there!
I grew it specifically for these races, with the understanding I would have to shave it off before the end of the Breck Epic, so the tan on my face would even out. See, I’m going to be standing in front of lots and lots of people next week, presenting as part of my day job. I gots to look respectable. – FC
Comment by bikemike | 08.16.2012 | 11:01 am
Bacon will solve all of your stomach issues…or make you projectile hurl for hours on end. Could go either way, really.
Elvis Pressley died 35 years ago today, have a peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwich in his honor.
I’ve been told i’m not a nice person, sometimes.
I actually have a story from today’s ride that involves bacon. A very cool story. I’ll tell it soon. – FC
Comment by davidh-marin, ca | 08.16.2012 | 11:07 am
Bummer on the beard! I was SO looking forward to the ‘X Wing Fighter’ beard by Levis Gran Fondo. I would even have brought the helmet for you.
I hope there’s trail video that gets put together for your team of ‘armchair coaches’.
Twin Six- “there’s such a thing as too much Singletrack”
Looking forward to The Hammer’s report. Fair and Balanced, that’s what we fans seek.
Comment by Jacob | 08.16.2012 | 11:35 am
I’m just curious, talking about the SS in Leadville. How much faster could you have expected to be on a geared bike? I have no experience in this area. I know your SS time was impressive. You actually beat a lot of guys in the men’s pro division.
Last year I was in similar condition as this year, but rode a geared bike. My finish was in 8:18. – FC
Comment by Lorraine | 08.16.2012 | 12:25 pm
I love these video commentaries! When do we get to see the Hammer in one?
Also, the inner geek in me immediately thought that you need lembas bread.
But the me that is currently dealing with ulcerative colitis feels nothing but compassion for you as that is exactly how i am feeling pretty much all the tome these days…
Comment by mtb w | 08.16.2012 | 12:35 pm
Way to go! Two words for now that you are riding Colorado singletrack for days on end: CTR 2013. Just do it!
Comment by Kyle | 08.16.2012 | 12:59 pm
I only did the 3 day, but I had trouble sleeping the days leading up to it. I thought I would eat like a pig and sleep like baby once the race started. I was glad to hear that I wasn’t the only one with the eating and sleeping issues. It seemed completely crazy after riding 5-6 hours a day, I wasn’t hungry, I was falling asleep at 11, having crazy riding dreams and then waking at 5 AM. Great to meet you guys out there, have fun the rest of the week, I’m home now eating food that isn’t gel and actually finally slept well for the first time in a week.
This race does amazing things to you. Humans (normal humans anyway) aren’t built for this kind of sustained effort. – FC
Comment by Andrew | 08.16.2012 | 1:01 pm
Best new phrase I learned today: lung rash. Does that come before or after saddle sores? :-)
Concurrent. – FC
Comment by Skye | 08.16.2012 | 1:08 pm
A little rambley, yes, but still mostly coherant, at least in my opinion.
Exactly 2 weeks ago you posted “Honestly, climbing a15%+ grade is the most awesome thing in the world.”, but you kinda didn’t sound like you still believed it, even with granny gears…. All I can say is maybe you’re getting a taste of how the rest of us feel!
Comment by Susie H | 08.16.2012 | 5:21 pm
dude! you ARE cooked! so funny…:)
Comment by Erin | 08.16.2012 | 7:20 pm
You are even more endearing in “person,” which can only mean one thing: The Hammer must be AWESOME.
More Hammer, please.
Comment by Nurse Betsy | 08.16.2012 | 9:16 pm
Fatty, you look very tired. How’s the Hammer holding up? Hang in there.
Comment by Matt | 08.17.2012 | 12:06 am
I’ve done a bunch of 4-6 day stage races now – I’m solidly mid-to-back of the pack tho – and you are so right about the sleeping and eating.
What you don’t quite realise is that it is so much easier for the fast guys – sure, they are hurting a lot on the bike, but they also get a lot more recovery time. The last 4 day race I did, the winner spent literally half the time on the bike that I did. It all adds up.
Comment by Austinite | 08.17.2012 | 8:32 am
I had to take 5 days off after finishing the Leadville 100 to recover. My hat is off to you and the Hammer, Keep up the good work.
Comment by Jenni | 08.17.2012 | 10:07 am
Fatty, we could use some love for Livestrong this weekend. Philly starts in a few hours. Can we get a shout out?
Comment by AKChick55 | 08.17.2012 | 12:34 pm
I love tired Fatty. You are too cute with your comments. It has made you more relaxed because you have no choice and also, has upped your sense of humor. I wish they’d interview The Hammer…maybe she doesn’t want to be interviewed. I miss hearing about her.
I think the pros can do it because that’s their job, that’s what they train for which is all the more amazing that you and the Hammer are able to do these two races back-to-back. Not sure about the MTB pros, but the roadie pros have mechanics,chefs, someone to drive them around, someone to get whatever they need, they get massages, etc. So you two are both rockstars in my book!
One of the amazing MTB ladies I follow – Sonya Looney – raced Leadville with a broken wrist! Then she was considering racing the Breck Epic, but common sense won out. She finished Leadville in 8:16 and did I mention, WITH A BROKEN WRIST!! Wow. Amazing. But that is what she gets paid to do – race and perform.
So I’m really, really impressed with your and The Hammer’s supreme athleticism. Just wow. You two are incredible – both have jobs and kids and you can still have this level of fitness. Hats off!
When are you going to quit the day jobs and hit the pro MTB tour? :)
Comment by Dr.Bryce | 08.17.2012 | 2:32 pm
Fatty: Check out “Clear Lungs” by Ridgecrest Herbals in Utah.
It is designed to help heal the lining of the lungs that is injured with severe effort or infection. I guarantee you’ll love it.
Comment by Fat Chick on a Bike | 08.18.2012 | 2:20 am
Check out the posterior view of the Breck Epic riders in this blog:
http://singletrack.competitor.com/2012/08/rider-journal/breck-epic-diary-day-5-bacon-with-a-view_34482
Could it be?
Comment by Colorado Mama | 08.18.2012 | 4:42 pm
So have you made it home and getting some rest?