Our Listeners

This is a photo from the Western Superfan who is working at the Tour of Utah. He “customized” this State Patrol car with a 2JPC sign. Thanks!

I like hearing from you guys and what is going on in your cycling worlds. I feel badly that we did not properly record the listener feedback segment from the last podcast, there were some good ones. We’ll get back on track soon.

Interview from the Olympics

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (392)

Todd McKean lives in Beijing and is helping out USA Cycling’s efforts there during the Olympics. He tells us about the road race, time trial, and partying with Cindy Crawford in this interview. Enjoy!

Olympic RR

China Todd sends the following photos and brief report. Todd has lived, raced, and ridden in China for the past 2 decades. He runs Trek China. Thank you Todd!

Here you go. Thought you might like these for the blog. The race was incredible. The US team worked incredibly well throughout the race and was almost single handedly response for bringing the breack. Levi said that on the last lap they had dropped Cancellara on the last ciimbs but that, “he came back on and blew right past them like a freight train on the downhill before the finish. No one could get on.” What a great race.

Listener Feedback

I apologize for the problems  the podcast link has been fixed…I was recording podcast from the bridge of a boat on Lake Erie during family vacation and had some major technical difficulties- not the least was a very poor wifi connection (I want my $8.95 back!)

We start off with the listener feedback of the week from the Bear Wrestler….

 

2Johns, First off- I love the podcast.   Second- Was wondering about your thoughts on Critical Mass rides. I think they do more harm to the cycling community than they do good. Riders that participate are mostly trouble makers just using this as a vehicle to stir up trouble.  You would never see a bearded recumbent riding in one.   Third- John G, any chance you were the same “DJ Johnny G” from a few decades ago, that would go around to local Cincinnati area bars when they would let the patrons wrestle a bear for $5 ? Just wondering …..considering your music background and all.   Keep up the good work and thank you in advance for any prizes that I may win.   Signed “Bear Wrestler” (0 wins – 4 losses)  Hey guys,   I was hoping that you could say a few words about the type of training I should be thinking about doing in preparation for cross season. Due to family obligations, I can usually fit about 5 hours of riding in during the week (including a few days of commuting) and then maybe another 3 or 4 on the weekend. I plan on doing a Wednesday night cross practice most weeks, so that really just leaves me one more weekday and Saturday left to train. Any suggestion what types of training I should be doing on my Monday & Saturday rides – intervals, tempo, hills, etc? What should my training look like between now and October, and then how should it change as I get into the season?   I’m thinking my “A” races are going to be the Cat 4 races at the UCI weekend in Cinci (10/12) and the OVCX finale (12/7). I have a HR monitor, but not a power meter. And, no, I don’t want to get personal coaching from Kevin Livingstone.   Thanks for the help,   CX Poser

 

• Dear 2 Johns,

I was on my evening ride tonight, minding my own business when I started to see another cyclist in the distance.  As I approached I noticed the person was mostly staying towards the middle of the road but swerving a bit towards the outside.  I was far enough away such that the longer I saw this behavior, I decided I would slow as I passed and offer the suggestion to stay towards the right side of the road.  I mean, it’s the law, but it’s also for their safety.  Normally, this is something I don’t do because it seems most times people kinda get pissed when I offer constructive criticism.   With all the positivity talk thats been discussed of late on the 2JCP, I decided to help my fellow cyclist in the interest of safety, no matter how much of a Betty she may be.

That all changed when as I passed her, I saw she had wedged her cell phone under her helmet straps!  I’m fairly certain she was talking on it at the time.  I was dumbfounded and quickly decided that there was nothing I could/should say that would be constructive.  Rather than say anything bad, I kept my thoughts to myself at least until she was out of earshot.

My faith in karma was reaffirmed for not saying anything, however, when entering back into town after I was squawked at by some punk kids driving by.  This is nothing new – happens often enough.  What doesn’t happen often, tho, is the traffic light turning red close enough for me to catch up to them.  As I approached, the light turned back to green so I didn’t have alot of time to calmly discuss the matter so I went with the always fitting “a–hole!” that is innocent enough to not make them chase but still aggressive enough to get my point across.

So, from this I have two questions – In keeping with the positivity, should I have still slowed to suggest the finer points of bicycle safety with the unsafe cyclist on the phone?  And second, again with the positivity, am I supposed to feel bad for calling the kids a-holes?

Can’t wait for the next Podcast, by the way.  I’ll be rebuilding my Record shifters for the coming cross season while listening!

Thanks!

‘the Mexler’
Columbus, IN
Hi Johns-
 
I have been sick for over a month…not throwing up or anything, just feeling really lathargic.  I am starting to feel like Tom Danielson- I think he is sick 11 months out of the year.  I finally went to a doctor and found out that I have Mono.  It sucks when you live somewhere that only has a window of 2 months for good riding weather and those months are spent inside watching High School Musical 2 with your kids.  I won’t be able to ride for at least a few more weeks, and by then my life will be too hectic with travel to ride much.  With the new costs of luggage on airlines, I don’t even dare bring my bike with me during my travels, so I won’t have much time until October to get outside. By then there will be snow on the ground.  So the question is:  Can sessions on my rollers count as good soul rides?  Should I just give up on the year and start tuning up my skis?  Should I sell the skis and move to Phoenix?  I am conflicted.
 
North Idaho Mt. Man

Johns,
 
Thanks for reading my email and the subsequent feedback.  I feel a little better about wearing my “yellow jersey” — I’ll not be as self-conscious, now.
 
For clarification on the rolling speed vs. average speed question:   I do have a cyclocomputer with auto start/stop.  I just find that as I speed up and slow down at intersections, it does affect on my overall average speed, even when on the bike trail.  Which brings up a request I have for some advice.
 
I’m trying to increase my speed, as I’m finding out, that I’m just slow.   Last weekend I did 44 flat miles on the trail.   I was averaging about 17 – 18.  At the last water stop (7 miles from my finish – Corwin to Spring Valley), I started up behind someone who appeared to be just getting started and was about 50 yards ahead of me.   I thought I’d push myself to catch him and see if I could keep pace — he was going about 19 – 20 to start.  I caught up and found myself drafting.  I decided to not assume he wanted to ride together and started to pull beside, said “how’s it going?” and slowly pulled ahead.  I’m not sure if I was riding with proper etiquette, but still wanted to push myself.
 
I knew that I was pushing my limits as I pulled ahead at about 20-21 mph, but I wanted to give it a go at the end of my ride.  I was able to keep this pace for about 5-6 miles.  I never looked back.  I didn’t want him to think I was trying to do anything but just ride, so I didn’t know how far I got ahead.  About a mile or two from my finish, I was done and decided to ride the last mile as a cool down and slowed down.  He passed me in short order and subtly waved his hand as he passed.  So, my questions follow.
 
1.  What is the best way for me to increase my speed?  I’m currently training for a fall Century and I would really like to get close to 18-20 mph.  In reality, I’m expecting to do 16 – 17.  I’m 44, 6′3″, and 205lbs and have ridden on and off for 20 years.  My first and last Century was in ‘89 and I averaged 16.3 mph.
2.  What is the correct etiquette when trying to keep up with or pass other riders — so as not to insult them when passing, nor look stupid as you are caught again after passing?
 
One more thought, I’ve been listening to all the back episodes and thoroughly enjoying them — even laughing at all of the non-pretentious technical “gaffs”.   Hold on, I’m going to take a break in my email…. OK I’m back.
 
Please keep them coming.
 
Sincerely,
 
Wright Brother, not a contender
Dayton, OH

Dear John & John -
 
Here is a topic I have yet to hear on the podcast, what are your favorite pre and post ride meals when doing longer rides, say 3-5+ hours.  I’ve always had an interest in this and know how important fuel is before and after and I like to try new things.  What are your favorites?
 
Thanks
Soul_Rider

Okay – finally at the latest podcast

I think you are wrong.  I think Riis was always planning for Sastre since he
is older and this is his last realistic chance at a Tour win.  The Schleck
boys have plenty of time.

I think he figured that everyone would let Sastre go because they needed to
cover Schleck, and in fact Riis knew that in the end it was going to come
down to the final TT, not what happened on Alpe d’Huez.  Therefore, he had
to set up the rider who had the best chance of holding off Evans in the TT.
While Sastre is not the greatest in the TT he is certainly better most of
the time than Schleck.  While I am sure Schleck was disappointed, I think
Riis actually planned it to happen exactly the way it did.

China Todd
Hi guys,
Have you seen these caught-short bike shorts?
http://quickrelease.tv/?p=549
So…would you wear your bib shorts over these shorts or under or…just kidding.
Kirstin.

Hello Johns, Long time listener first time e-mailer. What do you think of gunner bikes, I thought I would go back to steel. Second question, Im having problems keeping my rear wheel in tune there a set of Ksyrium elites any help would be great . Keep up the great podcast.  
 
                                                                    Campy Crusher

Johns, 

Out here the weather is still pretty good and with a new high speed train from the north to the city, quite a few people are riding their bikes from the train to work.  This has turned into Grown Men Battling for the Ultimate Prize.  There are several riders who go up the same road and branch off at different spots.  This means that we race each other up the road to see who can get to the turn offs before the other person.  Of course we can’t talk to each other or anything like that.  There is one kid who is smug and race faces me on the train even before we get off, this means that I do all that I can to beat him.  He has beaten me a couple of times but they are usually on Mondays when I bring in my clothes and gear for the week of riding home.  There is a certain amount of pride when you are the first one to each check point.  Once again it’s amazing what grown men will do just for pride.  

Western Superfan

PS  Getting ready for the Tour of Utah and I am planning on going to almost all of the stages.  If something cool happens or I get some neat pictures I’ll pass it along.

 
                                                                             

08/07/08 Podcast

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (570)

This is not the intended product of the Two John’s 2-hour effort today, but this is what we’ve got.  The content of the podcast is between John myself and the fish around the boat I was recording on.  In lieu of re-recording the content the emails will are posted… Bear Wrestler wins!  send me your contact info and I will send out the swag.  What we do have is an interview talking about brakes & cyclocross brakes.