You’re in great shape; yeah? Hammering up a local climb, racing hard, or just taking a “quick spin” with friends. That was me. But out of the blue, I experienced something last year, that I have since learned is way more common than you might think, and especially in the endurance athlete community in which we’re a part of. About a year ago, I was getting into some winter training, and I was feeling a little off. Not terribly, but just like, “holy cow, am I really that out of shape?” I was riding on an indoor trainer, and just feeling like I lost a lot of fitness. Every now and again, I’d feel more fatigued than I should, and way sooner than I should. I attributed it to just being a slug and out of shape, and vowed to fix that. The Symptoms Come (very) early spring, and I get on the bike outside, put on my HR strap and start riding. Up the Minuteman Bike Trail towards Lexington, in fact, to just do a nice easy Concord/Carlisle loop. I hit the Arlington/Lexington line, and I had to stop. I just could not get the bike to go, […]
Check it! Team Keep It Tight is excited to share a new venture with you: Squadra-PTHD. What is Squadra-PTHD, you ask? “Squadra” consists of riders within Team KIT who like to go big (centuries, gran fondos, long gravel rides, etc.) and welcome a little PTHD (put the hammer down) in their training sessions. Why Red? In honor of this endeavor, there is a dedicated “special edition”, thoughtfully designed Squadra-PTHD kit. This deliciously red kit is a nod to the Tour de France prize given to the “most aggressive” or “most combative” rider (like Lotto’s breakaway specialist Thomas deGendt). Squadra-PTHD isn’t a race team, so what is the connection here? Many of these Squadra rides will feel like a long breakaway, where working well together is key, sprinkled with the occasional attack and town-line sprints. Most importantly, we like red. Whatever the reason, this new kit will spice up your cycling wardrobe. Why The Belgian Flag? Belgium’s cycling history offers the quirk of a small population country of 11.5 million that has produced an enormous amount of successful professional road riders. The Belgian Classics, the history that predates Merckx (Rik Van Looy), the Lion of Flanders (Museeuw), and currently, stalwarts as deGendt, […]
This was my first year racing Purgatory, so although I was lacking a bit of course knowledge I did come in with some pretty good fitness. The course has two main distinguishing features—the 1 km climb up Lackey road followed by the open (to the wind) and straight false flat finish; and a 2.5 mile twisty descent on the back side, followed by some more rollers.
Francois du Toit has taken on the title of road captain for 2016. Francois lives in Lexington with his wife and kids. He is an ex-Cat3 looking to get back on the race circuit this year.
For anyone racing cross this season, I’m attempting to gather up details to help you all prep for upcoming racing in New England. I’ll use course descriptions, photos, personal experience, and link to any published content (including video) I can get my hands on. If you have any resources you’d like to share, please comment, tweet, or email me. Get in touch! We’re all in this sport together. If you are new to cyclocross doing your homework can help you mentally prepare for each race. Get ready! #CxisComing!