More Cowbell
Preparation for the Cowbell 12 Hour in Charlotte is in full swing. Hotels are being booked, support is being recruited, and my Hei Hei needs some love as I have been riding the heck out of it the last 3 weeks.
I’ve even been doing my road rides on it because the position is a little different than my road bike (by design). I’m feeling pretty good after three 20 hour training weeks in a row. Along with the high volume, I’ve been doing a lot of the leg speed and high intensity work that were missing in the early part of my season. I can feel the difference now. Much faster on the flats and the climbs. This training block has given me a lot of confidence despite my lackluster results so far this year.
While I have won this race the last two years, I can’t afford to think this one will just follow suit. The race is part of the NORBA Endurance Series this year, which should bring out some talent. There is also a cash prize now, which would be nice to have. Nat Ross is leading that endurance series and should be there to contest the Cowbell. It doesn’t look like he’s raced in 4 or 5 weeks, so he’ll be fresh….which means he’ll be fast.
At the Cowbell, heat is always a factor. Right now the NWS says mostly sunny (ie intense rays) and 88* (ie feels like 95 with the humidity and rays). Sounds great! I’ve been planning my training rides to begin at 1:00 PM for the last 3 weeks, so I can acclimate. The temps were similar about the same this weekend and all went well.
Nam will be racing this year as well. She bowed out last year and did support for me. I rather she was racing and she is really strong right now. She has been putting in similar hours to me and taking on a bigger gear on her single speed. Look out world, she is ready to crush it!
More Cowbell!
Eddie O