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Training Camp Day 1
 
     Thursday, April 16th, nine of us rolled into Alpe d'Nooga for a 4 day suffer-fest.  Our top-secret training location, secure from the prying eyes of the paprazzi, is a nice, 3-story pad with beautiful downtown views at night.  After the scrum for the bedroom placements, we headed out for a 3 hour, 65 mile ride.  Naturally, everyone had rested up for this camp and the legs were feeling great.  The author would like to give a big "Thank you!" to Noah and Jeremy of River City Cycles for providing sag support with both their personal vehicle and shop van.  If you are in Chattanooga and need a great shop, check out River City Cycles. 
     We dropped off the ridge on which the cabin is located, and headed through some of the less scenic parts of town.  We turned up the four-lane road that goes up and over the front shoulder of Lookout Mtn. and went south to Georgia.  Todd easily smoked the sprint for the state line, much to the joy of the roadside crowds.  We rolled a tight, disciplined double rotating paceline until the first climb.  Apparently it is a no-name climb near Trenton, GA on Hwy 137, about 3 miles in length with some nice changes in pitch and a few switchbacks.  Some serious power was being thrown down on the first major climb of training camp.  The climbers on the team came out to play.  After a brief regroupment at the top, we moved along back around to Lookout Mtn.  We hit the Nickajack climb, which, if you haven't had the privelege of riding, can only be described as a "leg-crusher".  It starts out steady, a few small pitches before a hard right hander up a wall.  Overall, the climb is not that long, 1.6 miles, but the steep parts easily hit a 15% grade.  Proper gearing is critical, as a few of our riders found out.  Let's just say an 11-23 cassette is not recommended unless you are ProTour.  Incidentally, an individual TT was run up that climb during the Tour de Georgia in 2006.  Over the top, on the the incessant rollers on top of Lookout Mtn, the team was strung out and crushing it.  We finally got to the turn down the mountain passing by Ruby Falls.  Despite some nice Frank Schleck-style descending impersonations (think tripod and oncoming guardrail) we all made it to the bottom in one piece.  Thad put on his usual display of descending prowess on the nice curvy/switchbacked descent.  Back up over the shoulder of Lookout and up the 3/4 mile switchbacked climb to the cabin with a 20% driveway. 
     Our recovery began in earnest at that point with the knowledge of what was to come: the 3 State 3 Moutain route.  It is always interesting to see what other riders' recovery regimens are.  Keith was sporting some Skinz, Kevin some Hop Hound beer and Clarke whipped up protein smoothies.  Jay gets the Green Apron award for bringing his super-automatic Gaggia espresso machine.  The espresso was flowing.
     In summary, it was a beautiful day with strong riders on great terrain.   
 
--The Spin Doctor