Hi all,
So after much consideration and a series of "sleepless" nights I've decided to attack the 2008 Race Across America as a SOLO rider.
I recently had a revelation that spurred my interest in the SOLO aspect of the race and believe that I will be well suited and prepared for next June.
You might be thinking "this guy is crazy" and you know that I actually appreciate that thought because it acknowledges the lunacy of racing a bicycle 3100 miles in a very short amount of time. I'm choosing to carry the momentum from our 2007 effort and parlay that excitement, intensity and passion into next year.
Of course, my race effort will not be possible or complete without a complement of crew and supporters for the journey. If you would like to be a part of this Team Strong Heart endeavor, please contact me directly at timothyleecase2005@yahoo.com or through your Team Strong Heart contacts.
Keep the rubber side down...
Tim Case
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Wounded Eagle
Alrighty then...
So I was doing laundry late last night and guess what I did??? That's right folks, I broke my damn foot! Sweet! I was walking down the stairs in my basement and hit a bitty half step, rolled my foot, heard an excellent snapping noise and the tendon in my foot snapped a bone in two places. After it happened I went to bed and woke up early to go to work and could feel the pedal pulse throbbing down there. The ED doc thinks I'll be out of commission for 4 to 6 weeks from work and perhaps as long off my bike.
Fall riding anyone?
You know, I had gone on an amazing road ride out on Peak to Peak Highway, and was generally having an a-okay day. Heck, it was even my birthday yesterday! Happy birthday to me. What do you get the man who has everything? A pair of crutches!
If anyone has suggestions for recovery while maintaining my cycling fitness with an immobilized foot, drop me a line. This is pretty much a nightmare come true, especially after RAAM. Luckily the Tour de France is in full swing and those badboys are in the mountains as I type this.
I miss Lance and Jan...
Goodnight and goodluck.
TC
So I was doing laundry late last night and guess what I did??? That's right folks, I broke my damn foot! Sweet! I was walking down the stairs in my basement and hit a bitty half step, rolled my foot, heard an excellent snapping noise and the tendon in my foot snapped a bone in two places. After it happened I went to bed and woke up early to go to work and could feel the pedal pulse throbbing down there. The ED doc thinks I'll be out of commission for 4 to 6 weeks from work and perhaps as long off my bike.
Fall riding anyone?
You know, I had gone on an amazing road ride out on Peak to Peak Highway, and was generally having an a-okay day. Heck, it was even my birthday yesterday! Happy birthday to me. What do you get the man who has everything? A pair of crutches!
If anyone has suggestions for recovery while maintaining my cycling fitness with an immobilized foot, drop me a line. This is pretty much a nightmare come true, especially after RAAM. Luckily the Tour de France is in full swing and those badboys are in the mountains as I type this.
I miss Lance and Jan...
Goodnight and goodluck.
TC
Saturday, July 7, 2007
The Day After Christmas
Remember when you were a kid and you had a birthday or a holiday where there was at least one gift that you received? I remember the sound of the wrapping paper crumpling in my hands, the sound of the ribbon straining as I tried to tug apart anything standing in the way between me and the gift. When I finally got to the gift I thought it was the best moment in my young life, how could this get any better. I played with the gift, inspected it from various angles, slept with the gift and then........BAM! The next day there was a major letdown, because you know what? NO more gifts until next year! A sort of melancholy crept in because the power and emotion of getting that gift wore off, almost overnight.
The 2007 Race Across America experience, the crew, the race, my teammates, the connections and pain and wonder and suffering and joy was like a big ole' gift that somehow I was lucky enough to receive. We rode across the country on our bikes, drove our sore behinds back to Minnesota where I met up with several long lost friends and opened up new connections, did some riding, drank some coffee, watched some bike racing, etc., etc. Could it get any better than this?
As I sit typing this I'm at work, working the job that I love in one of the most beautiful places in this country (I can say that now, having visited 14 states recently), yet I can't help but feel a sort of melancholy for this too feels like the day after Christmas.
My cycling form is starting to come back and I've found that the 80 miler just doesn't feel that long anymore and the next hill is just that, a hill. Perspective is a blessing and a curse. For about a week, several weeks ago, I received the gift of being able to race in the "world's toughest bicycle race," with a collection of some of the most genuine, down to earth, intelligent, complicated people I've ever met.
What each of us decides to do with this gift is solely our responsibility. I've chosen to tackle the 2008 RAAM on a two person team. Ever since I got the call from Bernie that he wanted me on Team Strongheart I've been thinking about RAAM and ever since I've gotten back to Colorado not a day passes where RAAM isn't still on my mind. I've decided to take the gift of RAAM and use it, keep it and tuck it away for those times when riding feels more like a job and that hill seems like a mountain. What will you do with the gift?
The 2007 Race Across America experience, the crew, the race, my teammates, the connections and pain and wonder and suffering and joy was like a big ole' gift that somehow I was lucky enough to receive. We rode across the country on our bikes, drove our sore behinds back to Minnesota where I met up with several long lost friends and opened up new connections, did some riding, drank some coffee, watched some bike racing, etc., etc. Could it get any better than this?
As I sit typing this I'm at work, working the job that I love in one of the most beautiful places in this country (I can say that now, having visited 14 states recently), yet I can't help but feel a sort of melancholy for this too feels like the day after Christmas.
My cycling form is starting to come back and I've found that the 80 miler just doesn't feel that long anymore and the next hill is just that, a hill. Perspective is a blessing and a curse. For about a week, several weeks ago, I received the gift of being able to race in the "world's toughest bicycle race," with a collection of some of the most genuine, down to earth, intelligent, complicated people I've ever met.
What each of us decides to do with this gift is solely our responsibility. I've chosen to tackle the 2008 RAAM on a two person team. Ever since I got the call from Bernie that he wanted me on Team Strongheart I've been thinking about RAAM and ever since I've gotten back to Colorado not a day passes where RAAM isn't still on my mind. I've decided to take the gift of RAAM and use it, keep it and tuck it away for those times when riding feels more like a job and that hill seems like a mountain. What will you do with the gift?
Friday, May 25, 2007
Why I'm Here
The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of bad luck during some races, lack of will at others and then the usual assortment of ups and downs that keep us cyclists/masochists coming back for more. I've taken some time recently to reflect on where I've been and where I'm going...
So here we are, just a couple of weeks to go before the start of the race and I just want to affirm several things, both for my benefit and the benefit of any poor sap who might be reading this. Here are some random thoughts on what brings me to the 2007 RAAM and Team Strong Heart...
Why I'm Here:
-For the kids and counselors and anyone who might be remotely impacted by Camp Odayin
-For my own psychological benefit, knowing that I can compete and achieve success on and off the bike
-For my parents, who raised me to believe that the hardest fought victory is sometimes the sweetest and most satisfying
-For my cycling teammates, present and past, who have taught me the meaning of friendship, selflessness and courage, on and off the bike
-For my friends off the bike who have shown me hospitality and generosity through the entire RAAM training and development process
-For my co-workers at Boulder Fire Rescue who understand why I need to eat that organic pasta and push away from the chow table when "Trainwreck" is being served up
-For my roommates in Boulder who put up with my incessant mess of bikes and gear at our home
-For the one friend in Boulder who is always up for a coffee and a ride, even if he whines through the entire ride about how tired he is
-For the people I've met, ridden with, trained with and bounced ideas off of along the way
-For the selfless crew who will help us get across the nation in one piece
-For my teammates on Team Strong Heart who will be sharing this arduous, epic race with, from beginning to end with no questions asked
I am forever changed by all of you and I am ready to lay it on the line on June 12.
So here we are, just a couple of weeks to go before the start of the race and I just want to affirm several things, both for my benefit and the benefit of any poor sap who might be reading this. Here are some random thoughts on what brings me to the 2007 RAAM and Team Strong Heart...
Why I'm Here:
-For the kids and counselors and anyone who might be remotely impacted by Camp Odayin
-For my own psychological benefit, knowing that I can compete and achieve success on and off the bike
-For my parents, who raised me to believe that the hardest fought victory is sometimes the sweetest and most satisfying
-For my cycling teammates, present and past, who have taught me the meaning of friendship, selflessness and courage, on and off the bike
-For my friends off the bike who have shown me hospitality and generosity through the entire RAAM training and development process
-For my co-workers at Boulder Fire Rescue who understand why I need to eat that organic pasta and push away from the chow table when "Trainwreck" is being served up
-For my roommates in Boulder who put up with my incessant mess of bikes and gear at our home
-For the one friend in Boulder who is always up for a coffee and a ride, even if he whines through the entire ride about how tired he is
-For the people I've met, ridden with, trained with and bounced ideas off of along the way
-For the selfless crew who will help us get across the nation in one piece
-For my teammates on Team Strong Heart who will be sharing this arduous, epic race with, from beginning to end with no questions asked
I am forever changed by all of you and I am ready to lay it on the line on June 12.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Frozen Dinner
Well it had to happen at least once racing out here. Today I was dropped and dropped out of my first Colorado race. So far this season has been looking great...I've had decent early season form, have battled a few colds but nothing too bad and have been looking forward to the RAAM and a great season of racing. So I suppose today was a foregone conclusion and was just a matter of when, as opposed to if.
I was blasted right off the line and I believe that I wasn't mentally prepared to race in mid-40's rain/slush/heavy wind. I spent most of the day trying to recover from overnight at work where we were shelled with 4 calls resulting in about 3 hours of interrupted sleep. In between naps before the race I kept checking the weather which of course looked fine until about 20 minutes before the race when the rain and wind picked up, resulting in a terribly cold field. Right off the gun the pace was ridiculous and it appeared that 2 riders got off to an early break. I had 4 other teammates with but wasn't able to make any sort of attempt at even sitting in. Today's event reminded me that it's: A. early season, B. Colorado racing isn't what I'm used to quite yet, C. good to eat some humble pie in a new race environment with a new team.
Back to work tomorrow, with a couple of heavy training days sandwiched before the RAAM simulation next weekend. I'm headed to the allergist on Thursday to see if I have any recurring or treatable allergies. My breathing has been hard/heavy, especially in the morning, which may be a diagnosable problem. Time will tell.
The next big race weekend comes on the 19th and 20th of this month, just a couple of short weeks away. Have two big criteriums to battle through and should ante up for at least one of them, especially since my team (GS CIAO/Wild Oats Presented by Al's Barber Shop) is co-hosting the race on Sunday. It would be special to race the North Boulder Criterium to a top 5 finish or ride in support of a teammate who may finish strong. Time will tell?
I'll check in post RAAM simulation, early next week...until then...
Keep the rubber side down.
Tim
I was blasted right off the line and I believe that I wasn't mentally prepared to race in mid-40's rain/slush/heavy wind. I spent most of the day trying to recover from overnight at work where we were shelled with 4 calls resulting in about 3 hours of interrupted sleep. In between naps before the race I kept checking the weather which of course looked fine until about 20 minutes before the race when the rain and wind picked up, resulting in a terribly cold field. Right off the gun the pace was ridiculous and it appeared that 2 riders got off to an early break. I had 4 other teammates with but wasn't able to make any sort of attempt at even sitting in. Today's event reminded me that it's: A. early season, B. Colorado racing isn't what I'm used to quite yet, C. good to eat some humble pie in a new race environment with a new team.
Back to work tomorrow, with a couple of heavy training days sandwiched before the RAAM simulation next weekend. I'm headed to the allergist on Thursday to see if I have any recurring or treatable allergies. My breathing has been hard/heavy, especially in the morning, which may be a diagnosable problem. Time will tell.
The next big race weekend comes on the 19th and 20th of this month, just a couple of short weeks away. Have two big criteriums to battle through and should ante up for at least one of them, especially since my team (GS CIAO/Wild Oats Presented by Al's Barber Shop) is co-hosting the race on Sunday. It would be special to race the North Boulder Criterium to a top 5 finish or ride in support of a teammate who may finish strong. Time will tell?
I'll check in post RAAM simulation, early next week...until then...
Keep the rubber side down.
Tim
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Critacular
Hi,
Just came off racing a crit in Golden, CO that was packed with riders eager for some recognition and a bit of cash money. I didn't make it into the running for greenbacks today but had a great race and accomplished exactly what I set out to do, namely, survive, move around in the field, try some aggressive moves in the field and at the front, but mostly survive. We had a field that was approximately 70 strong for our afternoon race. I had a couple of teammates along for the race and it was great to see some familiar jerseys in the pack (speaking of which we are styling in our new Wild Oats Presented By Al's Barbershop team kits). The course was a 1k rollercoaster ride with some nasty road conditions, especially across the last sweeping high speed corner headed into the uphill sprint to the start finish (for the Minnesota readers think a cranked up version of the Opus Crit course). I was scared to take a look at the speedometer which was working OT to keep up with my wheel magnet.
Anyway, the race went well and I'll be back at it on May 6 for another crit, this one out in Broomfield, sponsored by Rocky Mounts (also one of my CO team sponsors). Have a hard week of training planned upcoming...big miles, big days out on the road. I'm also starting to think about mountain bike racing and getting back on the trails. I've got a new team bike coming out to me sometime next week (Bianchi San Lorenzo w/full DA and Ritchey accessories, Rolf Prima wheels, etc.). Although my wallet doesn't think it's great, I'm definitely psyched for some new gear to beat up on. All in all, not too shabby...
Keep the rubber side down...
TC
Just came off racing a crit in Golden, CO that was packed with riders eager for some recognition and a bit of cash money. I didn't make it into the running for greenbacks today but had a great race and accomplished exactly what I set out to do, namely, survive, move around in the field, try some aggressive moves in the field and at the front, but mostly survive. We had a field that was approximately 70 strong for our afternoon race. I had a couple of teammates along for the race and it was great to see some familiar jerseys in the pack (speaking of which we are styling in our new Wild Oats Presented By Al's Barbershop team kits). The course was a 1k rollercoaster ride with some nasty road conditions, especially across the last sweeping high speed corner headed into the uphill sprint to the start finish (for the Minnesota readers think a cranked up version of the Opus Crit course). I was scared to take a look at the speedometer which was working OT to keep up with my wheel magnet.
Anyway, the race went well and I'll be back at it on May 6 for another crit, this one out in Broomfield, sponsored by Rocky Mounts (also one of my CO team sponsors). Have a hard week of training planned upcoming...big miles, big days out on the road. I'm also starting to think about mountain bike racing and getting back on the trails. I've got a new team bike coming out to me sometime next week (Bianchi San Lorenzo w/full DA and Ritchey accessories, Rolf Prima wheels, etc.). Although my wallet doesn't think it's great, I'm definitely psyched for some new gear to beat up on. All in all, not too shabby...
Keep the rubber side down...
TC
Monday, April 16, 2007
Back in the Swing, 24-7
I got back from England a couple of weeks ago and have been trying to get in the swing of training, back at work, etc. I was welcomed back to the States with yet another cold that is still holding onto me after two weeks. I'm finally catching my breath these days, but not without a bit of a struggle to do so...
Sitting in Minnesota right now waiting for my flight back to Denver to leave this afternoon. Spent the past couple of days hanging out in the Twin Cities and working with Team Strong Heart in our preparations for the 2007 RAAM. We got together this past weekend and rode for 24 hours with our team and with Bill our main crewman and tech guru. The riding was fun and I came out the other end with minimal damage and fatigue despite my condition going in and riding with the team. Although the rides out in Boulder are absolutely amazing and fruitful (usually) it was great to get out here and ride in my old stomping ground near Stillwater, Scandia, etc. Colorado is an amazing state but part of my heart (and sweat) stays in Minnesota.
Next up is a crit back in Golden, CO this upcoming weekend and more training...looking forward to the next phase of training, including ramping up to the serious miles and races this spring and some new gear (bike, clothing, etc.) from the team I race for back in CO...www.gsciao.com.
Stay tuned and keep the rubber side down...
Tim
Sitting in Minnesota right now waiting for my flight back to Denver to leave this afternoon. Spent the past couple of days hanging out in the Twin Cities and working with Team Strong Heart in our preparations for the 2007 RAAM. We got together this past weekend and rode for 24 hours with our team and with Bill our main crewman and tech guru. The riding was fun and I came out the other end with minimal damage and fatigue despite my condition going in and riding with the team. Although the rides out in Boulder are absolutely amazing and fruitful (usually) it was great to get out here and ride in my old stomping ground near Stillwater, Scandia, etc. Colorado is an amazing state but part of my heart (and sweat) stays in Minnesota.
Next up is a crit back in Golden, CO this upcoming weekend and more training...looking forward to the next phase of training, including ramping up to the serious miles and races this spring and some new gear (bike, clothing, etc.) from the team I race for back in CO...www.gsciao.com.
Stay tuned and keep the rubber side down...
Tim
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