I am here. FaceBook seems to be the online place to hang out....maybe we could
start a KOM group there. I'm still riding and loving the climbs here in Western
North Carolina USA. I've been racing the last several years and not enjoying
the climbs as much as I used to, but I can hear and feel them calling me
back.....along with the mtn bike. I have not updated my Southern Appalachian
Road Climbs website....been wanting to do that, but just dont have the time
right now. http://www.mountainmapper.com/sarc.htm But, maybe one day.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Frank




________________________________
From: Ivana <yvana@...>
To: kom_@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 4:15:07 AM
Subject: [kom_] Re: Where is Everyone?


Everyone is gone?

Just rumbling through Yahoo memberships and checking on groups that
I'd set on 'quiet'.
Wouldn't you know that the last time I rode for more than 25K was
slightly more than 6 years ago. Last substantial hills climbed was
August 2003 when I participated in PBP (Paris-Brest- Paris).
Alas, I've been unable to ride a bicycle for over 3 years after
getting ill early 2004 (a rare bacterial infection in the spine and
psoas muscle did me in).

What really did me in was starting a business in 2005 (Pasio
Ingredients) , buying a car (2006) and .. falling in love with both a
guy and strength training. As of late 2008 even weight lifting.
Looking & feeling better than ever before, but alas, cycling is
not .. yet part of the equation.

Revamped the bike though late October, but the cycling bug hasn't yet
reinfected me.
Anyone who can rekindle the fire? The only thing that inspires me now
to resume cycling is the fact I'm at least 10kg lighter than before
and would henceforth go up hills far more easily than before. Alas,
leg strength also isn't what it used to be. For example, late 2003 I
could leg press 220kg for 20 reps with 1 leg and for 40 reps with 2
legs! Now I full squat (ass to grass) 60kg, clean 40kg and snatch
30kg.
In case anyone still doubts whether strength training has its'
purpose for cycling, I saw a small video of Lance Armstrong doing a
hang clean (not entirely perfect though, but hey he's not a weight
lifter). Olympic lifting as well as just generic strength training
(preferably free weights) can really offer a a truly wonderful
strength base to improve on explosive strength.

Oh well, I'll be quiet again. Will you be quiet too? Or is the group
just dead and buried?

Yvana







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