Journal of professional cyclists Ian MacGregor and Timmy Duggan

In B Town, Finally With A Bike

Loren and I returned from Europe and are now back home in Boulder.  Being in Europe this last month was a good experience for me.  A big part of why I went was to test myself in new situations and new places, speaking French and Spanish, and see if any mental deficits came about, like finding the right word, not understanding spoken language or just feeling a little slow.  Fortunately everything felt really normal.  I even totally forgot while I was over there that it was almost expected I may run into troubles in that area.  My doctor said that if there were any issues hidden they would surely show themselves being in new places with new people and speaking a 2nd or 3rd language, so it was very encouraging.  Its good to see Karli, our dog, again.  When we got back she was tired and muddy from spending the month with our parents playing with other dogs, hiking, or hanging out at the construction site.  She welcomed us back so she could rest a little bit I think.  I’m glad to be back in Boulder and now I will attempt to ease into some structured training and a regular routine.  It was an adjustment for Karli too…the first day I rode from home and returned, she was barking at me as I walked into the door, unsure who this argyle-clad clown was clomping up the stairs with a bike.  She hadn’t seen me with my cycling gear on since February and wasnt sure what to make of it!  Anyways, hopefully Ill be walking in my door with my bike every day with a giant grin on my face because I’m so happy to be riding again!  I did some testing intervals a couple days ago to see how I would react to higher power output and heart rate.  At the end of the last interval I punched it for a couple minutes and got my heart rate to 190, feeling no ill effects, no dizziness, no headaches, nothing, so that was a little confidence booster for sure.  I will continue to slowly push myself with caution to be ready for the National Championships Time Trial at the end of August in Greenville, SC.  Thanks for checking in 

Colorado High Mountains

It may be 90′ and hot ‘n sunny on the plains of Colorado, but all it takes is a few thousand more feet of elevation, a bit of rain and you’ll find yourself shivering like the middle of winter.  Yesterday I was out doing a training ride in the mountains that turned into a bit of an adventure. In addition to the freezing 10,000feet rain, 20km of muddy dirt roads helped to completely ruin an entire team kit.

Tomorrow is the mt. Evans hillclimb. Nothing like a 25mile uphill race starting at 7,000 feet and finishing at a touch over 14,000 feet. It’s a race that I’ve never won and hopefully come tomorrow morning I’ll have the legs to change that.

Tough Girl Cycling

The Just Go Harder Foundation is a new supporter of the 2008 Colorado women’s mountain bike team, Tough Girl-Contessa. Tough Girl Cycling embodies the spirit of the Just Go Harder Foundation; providing new athletes with the chance to be in a positive environment while learning and growing under other more experienced athletes. Learn more about the Tough Girls at www.toughgirlcycling.com, and watch for them on the podium of mountain bike races all over Colorado this summer.

Back on the Bike!!!

I’m spending a few weeks here in Girona with my wife and I’m really happy to say I’ve started riding outside again.  Its been great.  It has really reminded my how much I actually do love riding a bike! I’ve been taking it really easy, being super safe, going slow around corners, and riding with another person or two.  I harass everyone in town to go ride with me because its probably not too smart to be riding by myself quite yet.  But, things feel really good, and I’ve felt no strange symptoms or fatigue or anything like that.  I even did over 4 hours with some climbing the other day.  As long as I keep it upright all is good!  Also, my parents are visiting us in Girona for a bit so I can take my cycling-mad Dad out for some good rides as well.My goal for now is to come back to racing at the US National Time Trial in Greenville at the end of August.  If I can get some solid and really specific training the next 6 weeks I know I can be in it for the win.  I’m just taking things day by day and seeing what I am capable of physically.  Its kind of interesting because every day is really an experiment.  I haven’t gone hard or done any intervals, I’ll save that for when Im back in Colorado.  Ill hang out in the mountains for a while and soak up some altitude too.  In a couple weeks Ill have another MRI scan done on my brain and see what they say about that.Thanks for checkin in 

Funny Story…

My little cousin Alex is apparently following in my footsteps…don’t know if thats a good thing or a bad thing…. Alex was doing huge loops around the playground the other day, and would count out loud and was going around numerous times trying to beat his last time - usually improving each time.   Every time he picked up some speed he’d say “Look at me - I’m just like Timmyyyy!”  On his last loop around the playground he took a turn WAY too fast and flew off his bike.  Luckily he was on the edge of the playground and completely landed in the grass.  He cried for a minute, but was just fine and as soon as he quit crying he said “I’m just like Timmy!  Good thing I was wearing my helmet!”  However, he said he did NOT hit a crack in the road - he just couldn’t turn fast enough!  Just wanted to let you know the update on the racing fan club in MO and the latest up and comers! (Timmy I don’t think you have much to worry about though cuz while he was going fast on the playground that was the ONLY time he’s gone fast - he’s generally too worried about going down even the smallest hills and breaks the WHOLE WAY or just gets off his bike and walks to the bottom of the hill!!  We’re still working on that, but hopefully that will go away quickly!)  Alex has also even figured out how to get his training wheels higher than his back wheel (such as stradling a crack or low spot) and then pedals as fast as he can and goes nowhere - just like on a trainer!!  Isnt that cute?? 

Fitchburg Longsjo Classic

After putting up a pretty slow time in the opening TT at Fitchburg I was able to come back and take a victory in the mountain top finish of stage 2. It was good to win, but also to win out of the field as opposed to a break. Team Type 1 had a solid four day race, three podium finishes, and three in the top 15 overall.

In bigger news; did you see Will in the tour today? 2nd on the stage, I know him well enough to know that he is happy but mad all at the same time. He came within a bike length of winning a tour stage. I’m still beyond impressed with 2nd!

New Partnership for the Just Go Harder Foundation

The Just Go Harder Foundation has formed a partnership with The Pros Closet that will help create some much needed cash to further our support for cycling and ski racing.

The Pros Closet sells new and used team-issue gear and will be donating profits for sales of merchandise given to the Just Go Harder Foundation. Timmy and I have each given a bunch of our Slipstream Sports clothing to be auctioned off - if you’ve got any extra clothing or sports equipment just lying around, donating it to the Just Go Harder Foundation is now an easy way to help make a difference. If anyone is interested please feel free to contact us.

Furthermore, if you are looking for some nice stuff to improve your outdoor lifestyle check out the Pros Closet!

Bike to work day

Do I get a gold star for ‘biking’ to work? I mean I rode my bike, but technically I guess I walked to work. I had to walk downstairs to get my bike and start working, I just couldn’t think of a way to bike to work when work begins with riding.

It was pretty funny; usually I have most of the roads and bike paths to myself here in Golden. But yesterday riding in Golden was like riding in Boulder! I’ve never seen so many people out riding, I wonder how many of them will be riding to work again before next years bike to work day?

In the Alps

Im enjoying some time in Les Deux Alpes, France while my wife Loren is coaching a training camp for the Eldora Mountain Ski Club. We are only a stones throw away from the famous tour climbs of alpe d huez and the Galibier. I wish I could ride my bike to do a
little reconn training here! I’ve been doing a little hiking instead, which is nice, because summer time hiking in the alps is hard to come by when I’m racing and training all the time! Yesterday I did a bunch of bushwacking and eventually found a trail that was little more than a cow path. I made a giant 5 hour loop and didn’t see a soul the whole time. a good section of it was literally on the side of a cliff. Some particularly sketchy parts had a rope bolted into the rock to hold onto as you passed! Pretty neat.
I’m also trying to vary my training a bit hanging out with the ski team athletes. In the afternoon after they ski I join them for a game of soccer or speed ball.
Also, don’t tell my doctors, but I started riding my bike outside a little last week. Just really easy and slow and safe on the mountain bike but it felt really good to get out. In the coming weeks I hope to add a little more gradually as I are how I feel.

Thanks for checking in,

Tour de Beauce

The final stage of Beauce was a tough day. We started the day with 3rd, 4th, and 5th in the overall and really wanted to go down swinging. While we weren’t able to crack Tuft and take over the race lead, Team Type 1 did take the stage victory. TT1 also walked away with the team classification, the points jersey, the mountains jersey, and 3 in the top five overall.