Race Report

Hello Everyone,

Wanted to share with all of you a little glimpse from a race report that John Singleton sent me. John was part of "Team Klipsch" who raced the "Race Coast to Coast Indiana" on August 2-3. The race traverses the state of Indiana from South to North. For more info on the race, check out the web site: http://www.bigeastern.com/c2c/ One thing that you may not know is that these races are often way below the radar of the media and the only spectators tend to be your team mates, support crew and friends/family members (if they are not sleeping). It's a lonely sport that is never done for the glamor or glory, only as a test of one's endurance and Spirit.

I've know John for several years. He's been a huge supporter of all the crazy things I've done over the years from Spinning classes, to Yoga, Twisted Sage days, and now he is one of my Test Pilots for "Project: Bridging the Wellness Gap". John is an inspiration for me on many levels and I wanted to honor him and his teams 3rd place finish in this years race. Way to go John. Oh, and did I mention he is racing this season after having knee surgery just months ago?? Talk about crazy.

Here are some insights from the man himself:
Coast2Coast was epic. 200 mile "pack" race the first stage over hilly southern Indiana and with a pretty fierce head wind most of the day. For 150 miles my team (four guys) fought to stay with the lead pack - four teams in it, with occasionally dropping one or the other. Whenever we got dropped, it was my place to bridge us back up, which I was able to do twice - BIG work, to say the least.

When I was with the lead pack, one team suspected our strength and worked together to attack the DAYLIGHTS out of me on every climb. I was able to respond and never dropped: But after two epic chases, I was unable to bridge back up a third time, so with 50 miles left in the stage,we were third, and stayed there. It was hot, it was very hilly (the kind I like, though, longish gradual affairs), and did I mention the head wind???

Day two was a time trial format. We decided to ride two at a time. We'd hoped to put time into the second place team, who was 8 minutes ahead after the first stage.Well, we didn't do that (the second place team ended up breaking the second stage record!), but it was a fun ride: We did 15 mile sections. One guy would exit after about 7.5miles, with a new guy coming in - so we had a fresh guy every 7-8 miles, and you rode in 15 mile blocks. Well, that was, until one guy had a flat about 1 mile into his stretch, I'd just come out,and so I went RIGHT back in for another 15 mile stretch. that was hard, too.We rode, well I rode, about 25-27 mph. With the relief I'd get behind the other guy from time to time, I'd average about 25mph for each leg.

Lots of interesting things to share: Heart rate average on first day, where I rode a total of 66 miles, was around 148 or so, with peaks starting out in the 165's, but later in the day dropping to 150's. Tracked each leg. On the second day, my peak heart rate was 150, for the whole day! Averages were about mid-130's. It'd drop like a rock once I went into the second position, and never got all that high anyway even when on the front (had a nice tail wind, AND I had to always be careful not to drop my other rider: even in my gi-normus draft they eventually had trouble hanging on). I'd recover breath and lungs and heart rate VERY quick, like 20 seconds, but the legs, they would scream and ache for a LONG time, even in relief. Interesting....Second day I did 70 miles.No shoulder/neck aches, no specific back pain, and no knee pain in my left knee (my right knee squawked a little in the middle of the second day, but it went away). No saddle soreness, no bike problems, it was good. Brad from Klipsch was STOKED, and somewhat relieved after we were permanently dropped on the first day, I think I was stressing him out over chasing back on and putting us back into contention for the win. Anyway, he wants to try to get TWO Klipsch teams for next year!

john

Below, John (on the right) providing a mega draft for his team mate.

I've ridden behind John before and can attest to the slipstream he provides,

yet I still can't keep up with him...

Below, John (far left) and his team recieving their 3rd place honors.

Way to go Team Klipsch!