Cycling « Yancy Lent

23Jul/090

Roller Racing

roller racing

Every once and a while a video smacks you in the face. A friend of mine is putting on a charity event, the focus, Roller Racing at a local bar. It was nice that he included in the invite... "google it", so I did. This was the first video I watched and goosebumps were a fly'n. This video rocks, the music and the intense counter culture that I remember vividly from my OR visit a couple years ago. I truly would like to make the event this Sunday. If you live in the Boston area and want to show off your spinning skills visit Bike Dirty.

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16Jun/090

Let it Ride… I’m doing the Pan-Mass Challenge!

After many conversations with my better half I have decided to join her in doing this years 192 mile Pan-Mass Challenge bike ride in August. This will be my second year in a row which had something to do with the decision. I plan on doing this Cancer fundraiser as long as friends and family; you, continue to support me. Johanna very much wanted to do this years ride however she isn't sure if she will do it 'ever year' (in a perfect world she will). We both felt that consistency in my doing this event was the most important factor.

This was no easy decision to make, Johanna and I are now on the line for $8,400 in donations to raise. We are just over half way there and would greatly appreciate your support. I have no clue how to get to this magic number in this awful economy, I only know that I can try, if you have given in the past please consider CHOPPING that donation in HALF! Any amount will help.

To donate - > http://www.pmc.org/YL004

For those new to why I do this ride and learn more about my Son’s successful year long battle against Leukemia, click here.

The other reasons I'm riding:

I can help, I can do something that will chip away at this nasty disease that affects so many of our loved ones.
The overwhelming envy that i will feel watching and cheering my wife on, I'm not a good spectator.
I can.
My good friend Dave Tyler announced he is doing the ride. It was a sign.
Momentum, last year I was able to raise a lot of money, knowing they need it more then ever this year is a driving force.
Making a donation today, no matter how small, will make your day; guaranteed.
I can.
Having Ethan around after his cancer battle is like Christmas and My birthday rolled into one, every day. This is my way to give back.
I want to ensure no family goes through what mine went through.
Fuck you cancer.

Filed under: Cycling, PanMass Challenge No Comments

9Mar/082

When does Cycling season officially start?

Ever sport I've ever followed has had an opening day. Cycling is no different. It starts with the Spring Classics (one to a few days in length) and then leads up to the grand tours, Italy, France and Spain (there are only 3) with other major races sprinkled in between.

The part I struggle with is, not only is cycling my favorite sport to watch but its also my favorite sport to take part in. I don't race per say but i do ride a lot either alone, with clubs or in triathlons. So the opening day is two part, my version and the established sports version.

So the question is what is my opening day. I've heard Paris-Nice is the opening race of the season as the history of the sport goes; the almost brand new Tour of California has already passed. But when does it start for me.

It seems to happen in stages, all leading up to late Spring where I am slightly/completely (depending who you ask) obsessed with it all. The first spark this year was watching the Tour of California on my treadmill. I was running for the first time not as prep for road races but to prep for the cycling season. Don't get me wrong i still love running; its just this Summer I'm focusing on the bike.

The next spark was Bicycling Magazine's Annual Buyers Guide that arrived a couple weeks ago. Now this year i didn't walk around the house with it in my hands all weekend like last year when I was in the market for a new bike, maybe just a few hours. I actually have to stop myself from spending too much time memorizing all the new details on all the new bikes and components. It's just like any other hobby.

The next trigger, tonight's event on Versus which starts a string of other races on Sunday nights that are all already in my Blackberry; with reminders set.

There are two other steps to follow. Getting out there for the first road ride and going for the first group ride of the season.

The more it snows the longer it stays cold the longer I find myself starring at my bike as I walk past.

My Bike