Camp Review by Michael Lovato (from XTri.com)

Original post from XTri.com is here

Ever since the early days of our youth, the word camp has undoubtedly brought about visions of sitting around the campfire, of telling stories, of eating great food, and of doing memorable and fun things. Summer camp was always a time to escape the realities of being a kid: of having to do your summer chores or your summer job, and even your summer games or your summer fun. Mowing the lawn and throwing the morning paper were no longer of any concern to the eager camper. Being at camp was all that mattered. And being at camp was priceless.

As we age—and as responsibilities change from paper routes to real jobs—we tend to lose contact with the essence of camp life. We tend to get stuck in the ruts of the real world: of work and family and business. And we tend to lose sight of how fun it can be to escape reality for one week, and to rekindle the fun of just being at camp.

This week a group of individuals from Illinois, Georgia, Idaho and Colorado all gathered in the Santa Ynez valley of California to relive the glory days of camp, and to complete an epic week of training with Endure It’s version of the Solvang Triathlon Camps.
We started our week with great ambition: we would ride every day; we’d run and swim when our bodies would allow; we’d taste from the local wineries; we’d sample the local fare (some of us more than others!); we’d smile, we’d whine (only a bit), we’d sweat, we’d cough; and throughout the whole experience, we’d laugh.

Nearing the end of the week long camp, we can say that we’re earning a solid A+ for our efforts toward the goal.

To share the entire list of accomplishments and feats, of jokes and stories, of recipes and varietals, we’d run the risk of bragging. So rather than go that route, we chose instead to summarize our camp with this short list of highlights (with a few dim lowlights as well!).

• On Monday we did our best to slowly cover the Tour of California Time Trial course; but to challenge ourselves we rode it in reverse direction. Breakaways were chased down, and smack talk was at its peak. Nobody fell down.

• On Tuesday we chose to split the group in two. The riding had begun, but not all of us wanted to trash our legs until later in the week. Group 1 saw Arne of Idaho bridge every gap that opened on the Harris Grade ascent. While Group 2 enjoyed a leisurely stroll through Drum Canyon, culminating mid-ride with our only fallen rider of the week. We all shed a tear for Ron Good’s torn and tattered—but matching—vest. (He is OK now.)

• Wednesday’s ride was to be the marquis route of the camp. The beauty of the Jalama Beach ride is only surpassed by its relentless and challenging hills. Oh Jalama, why do you tempt us with your World Famous Cheeseburger? Do you not know we must climb up and out of this beach paradise on our bicycles, or that mustard and ketchup do not sit well with churning quads and cranks?

• By mid-week it became evident that our legs needed a break; however, our avoidance of any quality core work or gym sessions was wearing on a few campers’ psyches. Thankfully the campfire was hot; the campfire was large. And the campfire stories were just hilarious enough to keep our abs working hard enough to merit logging the storytelling hour as a training session. (Note: most folks’ abs are still sore from the “used car—poop” story.)

• Thursday’s highlight was arguably the trip to Solvang Town for a hot and toasty breakfast on the square. Most athletes’ greatest struggle was to choose between eggs and waffles and French toast. Everyone was a winner then. Later on, the day’s greatest test was to remain in the small chain ring, for this day was to be purely used as a recovery spin.

While “spinning” does not often enter into some of our crew’s vocabulary, there were no major violations on the day. The 1st Endurance rider of the day was Barry, who cleverly acknowledged that turning around and cutting the ride short was the best way to nail his recovery that day. Well done, Barry!

• Then Friday came. It came with the promise of sunshine and blue skies. It came with the promise of challenge, sprinkled with a bit of pain. It came with trepidation, wonder, and fear. It came with respect. It came with the FIG! Our goal was to summit Mt. Figueroa, a 9.3-mile climb with an average grade of 9%. However, to get the climb started, we had to first clear the 22% pitch within its first quarter mile. Ouch was the word most often muttered, but it was hard to hear it over the din of our huffing and puffing. Reaching the top and reaping the reward of expansive views and burning lungs was well worth the pain we felt. We’ll be back.

And now we turn to our final days of camp. Tomorrow’s miles are to be easy and slow; we hope to continue with our story telling and joke sharing; we plan to continue our laughter, and above all, we plan to drink fine wine, to eat more delicious food; and we aim to dance until our sore legs can move no more.

And when it’s all said and done, we hope to have a much fresher and clearer memory of camp life. And we hope to remember our time quite fondly all year long, right up to the day we return for the 2011 Solvang Triathlon Camp. Do come join us!

-Michael Lovato

More Solvang Photos

Solvang Day 1 & 2

Quarq Powermeter Club Purchase 20% DISCOUNT!!!

http://quarq.com/cinqo

The EndureIt! Club has arranged for a 20% discount to all club members who wish to purchase a Quarq powermeter as a group purchase order. A Quarq powermeter is a crank based powermeter, so unlike wheel based powermeters, a Quarq system allows the rider to use multiple wheelsets without having to purchase additional hubs (ie, you can now train and race with power without having to leave your expensive race wheels at home or worse having to purchase a second hub!).

We will make another announcement at next week’s club meeting, but we only need 10 orders to qualify for the discount. We will be ordering as soon as possible in order to provide enough time to take delivery since these powermeters are in high demand as evidenced by Quarq now taking deposits just to “hold a place in line to purchase.”

Please contact Drew at EndureIt as soon as possible if you would like to be included or have any questions about Quarq powermeters and how they might compare to other powermeters out there.

Here is a little info from the Quarq website:

Approximate Price for Quarq only, no cranks: $1495 before club discount
Approximate Price for Quarq and compatible crankset: $1695-1845 before club discount and depending on crank arm

Measures power at the crankset:
· The Quarq CinQo is a bicycle powermeter that is integrated into the crankset of the bicycle. Specifically, the CinQo is a instrumented crank "spider" that mounts on specific production cranksets.
ANT+ Wireless Communication:
· The ANT+ radio transmits the CinQo's power measurement digitally to other ANT+ compatible bicycle computers.
Bolt Circle Formats:
· CinQos are currently available in 130 BCD and 110 BCD.
Battery:
· CR2450. Lifetime - 400 hours of riding. User replaceable without tools. Lid is threaded and seals like a contact lens case.
Accuracy:
· The CinQo is accurate to within +/- 2%. Each CinQo is individually calibrated in Spearfish, SD. The calibration values are stored on the CinQo, for seamless interchangeability with receiving devices

Endure It! Sports Expansion Announcement!!

Endure It! Sports Expansion Announcement!!

Endure It! Sports LLC is excited to announce a fantastic new location! The current Endure It! sports on 5th Avenue, as well as Endure It! Life on South Washington, will remain intact as is.
The new operation will be located at the corner of 75th Street and Route 83 (Kingery Highway) in Willowbrook.

The new Endure It! location will offer much of what we have had great success with already as well as opportunities to expand on what our customers have requested... More, more, more!

The Willowbrook location will offer new bike lines including GIANT and FELT (triathlon, lifestyle and road). We will also offer CERVELO!

With the fantastic exposure, location, new bike lines, and HUGE floor space we will be able to offer many more bikes across numerous applications and price points including "lifestyle," cyclo-cross, road, triathlon, women-specific, mountain and more! We'll also have plenty of accessories.

Endure It! Willowbrook won't forget its training roots. The new location will offer a beautiful state-of-the-art stadium-style Computrainer setup that will take your breath away.

The "build out" of the new space has already begun and new developments will be announced as soon as they are available. We are forecasting a March opening date.

Stay updated on the progress of the new Willowbrook location and other Endure It! activity by following our new Endure It! Facebook fan page and right here on our blog.

20 West 75th St. Willowbrook, IL 60527.

INCLUDING:

Giant Bicycles

Felt Bicycles

Cervelo Bicycles

2XU Wetsuits and Apparel

Blue Seventy Wetsuits

Bont and Shimano Cycling Shoes

Shimano DI2 testing center

Castelli, Capo Forma, Gore cycling apparel.

Much more including accessories, service, Performance Bike Fitting.