So what is it?

Have you pondered enough on the double handlebar setup below? Well, I hope you didn't spend the whole weekend adding new parts to your bike.*

It turns out the Espresso Ride at Chain Reaction is also a good place to buy and swap used parts from other riders. One cyclist wanted to try out these nifty handlebars before he bought them. Rather than unhook all his brake and shifter cables, he simply lowered his existing bars and attached the new set to the head tube. It looked funny but it worked well and he ended up buying them. That was all.

Sorry, I don't have a secret new riding setup to share but the best thing to keep ahead of the other teams is just good solid riding. We've been doing great at this and we've only got a few more days to go. Keep doing what you're doing and we'll get there in style.



*If you did happen buy an extra set of bars, don't worry. Just drop them in the mail to "Bunny, P.O. Box 123...."

Baffled Bunnies

It's clear and very cold outside. That's a good reason to stay inside and RIDE. We're getting down to the last days of the NCC cycling stage. Let's finish strong and keep our spots on the podium.

Speaking of indoor cycling, Bunny got some good inside info from the crowded and jovial Chain Reaction Espresso ride this morning. CR is a good hangout to keep up on the local cycling scene, racing, equipment, news and such, and that's where I spied this:



Look carefully. There are TWO sets of basebars and aerobars on this bike. What could this be all about? Could it be a new cycling trend in development right here in Anchorage? Will it be all over the Tour next year. Remember, you saw it here first.

Bunny knows the real explanation but I will let you ponder it for a while.

(subliminal message)

River Swim

Lots of rabbits showed up to play at the second H2Oasis River Swim and it was oh so much better than swimming laps in the usual concrete rectangles. I don't know about you but after a while that loooong black line at the bottom of the pool just drives me batty. It's such a welcome relief to change things up and try something new. So what did you think it was like?

• Was it like swimming an obstacle course or maze? Were you able to keep alert and watch for the turns and other swimmers. Be honest; how many of you took an accidental turn into the stairs?

• How about an open water swim? Did you get a chance to draft other swimmers? Did you get bumped? Could you feel the current when we changed direction at 8:30?

• Or was it like a swim criterium? Straightways, twisties, blasting through the corners, passing, getting passed (not this bunny), drafting. Wooo hooo! Hey, sounds like an idea for a future event.

Treats were provided afterwards but someone, somewhere had coffee. Who was it? This bunny enjoyed some carrot cake.

Busy Bunnies

There were all sorts of events going on around town.

Rabbits were spinning at the midtown warehouse to video entertainment by Bruce Willis and cycling coach Chris Carmichael. (Not at the same time of course but I'm sure that would be interesting). Lots of intervals.

Some Tri rabbits including Deenie the spin coach showed up at the Chain Reaction ride in South Anchorage.

The weekend is still young and there are more events on the way (hint hint). Get out there and join your fellow rabbits.

Fire and Ice

Time to return. Bunny is sure going to miss this place and going from 80 degrees to 8 degrees is going to feel a little cold. The retreat has been good and has helped inspire all sorts of wicked plans to keep the Alaska bunnies at the top of the Tri charts. Sorry GAGE.

Bunny seeks wisdom

Oh so many questions...

Why am I here?
'Cause I'm skipping out on training this week while the other Rabbits are freezing in Anchorage?

Where does the path lead?
Umm...To the finish line?

What is the cause of suffering?
Hmm...A three-hour trainer ride without food or water is a good start.

How do we nourish our soul?
Hammergel or Powerbar?

Hmm...Seems to easy. Maybe there's more to it. Perhaps one day this Bunny will more fully understand.

Welcome to the jungle

They say, "It's not the heat but the humidity". Ever been cooped up in a spin classes when there weren't enough fans? Now you get the picture. Too much fur! I need to shed a layer!

And just like Bunny's jungle hike today, GAGE will begin to feel the heat of the Alaska teams as we close the gap.

New running teammates?

I met this couple running wild over here. They are nice folks and they have lots of friends and relatives living here. We've got to get them on our team before running month. Seriously, you should see them race cars across the road or chase small children through the park. Just look at those legs. Maybe I'll go on a recruiting drive before I leave and see if we can load up our team with these track stars in training.

Can we credit time on a board towards the National Challenge Competition? I thought I was a good swimmer but two hours today totally wiped this bunny out.

Bunny

Keep On Keepin' On

I must stay out of that noonday sun or I'll burn my bunny fur so I'll take a moment to enjoy a cool libation and catch up on news with you rabbits.

We've been doing an excellent job of logging consistent high mileage. Just keep doing what you're doing and the other teams will continue to worry. Consistency wins races.

There are some good rides scheduled this weekend so don't suffer alone in a garage or rec room. Get to a ride with other rabbits and have fun.

Bunny

Remote training

Here's a shot from my altitude training at 4,000 feet.

Back down to sea level for some open water swimming. Those waves can stay on the other side of the break while I'm doin' laps. I'll welcome them on board somewhere else tomorrow.

Bunny.

You Spin Me Right Round Baby Right Round...

We've taken a couple of days off, but it's time to get back in the saddle and bust out more miles! We are only 7 days into January and we need to get a move on! Many of you went the EXTRA MILE (pun intended) for the club, but it's just never enough, let's just say I'm greedy!

SO.... drop me a note via the comment button and let everyone know where you plan on riding this weekend?

Bunny

Special Assignment

Hold my calls. This Bunny will be heading out at 0800 tomorrow to an undisclosed triathlon training location where I will conduct research in salt water buoyancy rates and vitamin D absorption. I will post some occasional blog updates here and also relay some text to Ms. Beaker. So where am I off to? All I can say is that it's a lot warmer than here.

The Bunny.

Here we go again.

The Bunny gets a late night phone call. Who can it be at this hour? You won't believe the news; the Biting Bunnies have surged ahead from third place passing GAGE and the Wabids to take first in the nation.

This is like one of those movies where instead of ending the story, they do a "here we go again" and start off on another adventure. The sequel begins tomorrow morning. 

 

Bitting Bunnies cross the line

Wow. In just five days the three teams rode over 11,000 miles!

Wabids did it!

Late meeting at office?

Escape any way you can then go home and ride. It's that close! Meanwhile let's hope for heavy evening commutes throughout the entire state of Arizona to keep the remaining GAGE riders stuck on the freeways and off their bikes.

Saturday morning cartoons

Have you seen the ride pics yet. Oh so fun.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/akjayhawk/sets/72157603633739745/

Do you know what I'm planning for Saturday morning? I'm going to sleep in late then watch cartoons. Now I know you're saying, "But Bunny didn't you tell us not to do this just last week?" Well here's the deal. Our teams are getting very close to the 5,000 mile goal and the uglies from GAGE are getting close to us. We need to cross the line TONIGHT (or sooner!) so other teams don't have a chance to rally tomorrow. So I'm going to ride my rabbit tail off today then schedule tomorrow as my long-needed recovery day and I urge you to do the same.

Do whatever it takes bunnies. Take a long lunch and ride. Modify your usual Friday night routine if needed to include riding. Dinner and a movie while riding trainers - it's a date. (Bunny suggests adding a little Barry White to the spin mix). Game Night with a twist - the one with the most miles at the end of the night wins. Pizza and beer while spinning - uhh won't digest easy but it's mileage. Just go out there have fun and ride.

Got ink!

Bunny is so proud. Today we were featured on the front page of the Alaska section (B1) and the front page of the adn website. Read the ADN story here

- Robin S was featured in the photo on B3 with a drip of sweat on his nose. Bunny watched the ADN guy work for a while to get the shot.

- The article mentioned Marsha D who hauled her bike out of storage a few years ago and started riding again. Too bad it didn't mention she put a 100 miles on it. Good work.

- "...who is better described as Tri Chick Cheerleader..."  I didn't know she even had another name.

- "Andy...rode a device that was like riding a bike on rolling logs."  This brings to mind a plaid lumberjack bike jersey with suspenders and a wool hat. 

Word will get around to other clubs about our big fun event and it's gonna' start things. Oh yes it will! If the 4,000 miles we posted on the boards wasn't enough, then the USAT link, newspaper article, or our even our Yahoo group postings (spies!) are going to wake them up. Yes Pretties, we've kicked the beehive!

This bunny predicts we will see moderate mileage buildup from the uglies over the next few days then a big slam on the weekend as everyone does long rides to catch up. Other clubs might try some quickly planned weekend events and rides but nothing like we just pulled off. 

Don't let 'em catch us. 

Warehouse Rideku

New Year sweat.

warehouse trainer spin galore

Clif bar waitress

Thanks to Brian Richardson.

Takin' care of business.

What a ride! Now that's how to lay the smackdown on the uglies from the Lower 48. The bunny teams logged over 3600 miles in one morning and easily took first and second place. Six members rode centuries and just those miles alone topped 3rd place San Diegos' 599 mile total.

It looks like no other club out there tried a ride like this. Too bad. While they were gruntin' away on trainers in lonely garages and rec rooms, we filled a warehouse with riders, cranked the tunes, and partied down.

• Hey Spin Coach Deenie - great job but no more standing hills please! My legs can't take it anymore.

• Rock-N-Ron the DJ played a pretty good mix of old stuff and new stuff including Queen's Bicycle.

• A prominent member of the German National Ping Pong Team showed up however there were no tables in play at todays event.

• Jason L showed up but couldn't stay cause he was sick with some sinus crud so he went home and rode 76 miles anyway. Dude!!

• Are you ready for some football? Of course there was a TV showing Bowl games and there was at least one portable DVD. Was there a PlayStation back there too?

• Stupid Bike Roller Tricks will be on Letterman tonight right after Stupid Pet Tricks. No falls but both riders bonked.

• Got ink? Reporters and photographers showed up. Watch the Sports section.

• Who was that redhead delivering snacks and water during the ride? Thanks Cheryl C.

• A few riders walked out with door prizes like gear and gift cards from Moose's Tooth and Chain Reaction (but no doors).

• There was a great spread of food but who took the last piece of carrot cake?

• The bunny couldn't be everywhere at once so if you got a tidbit from the event add it to the "Comments" below.


This bunny thought the "Frozen Lake" ride last year was fun but if I had to choose...