Chieffrey's Corner

The training cyclist means two things: Lots of time on the bike and thousand of calories consumed. I once read in an article, I believe on a Team Garmin rider, discussing how he no longer eats for pleasure, rather more as a business. Which makes logical sense seeing if you do not eat enough, you'll have no energy to train, and your performance will suffer.

A pastime I have come to enjoy and one I wish I could partake in a little more, is cooking. This is a nice hobby to have seeing cooking means food, food means energy, energy means I can kick my butt on the bike. I feel bad for the cyclist that can't cook because if you're cooking sucks, then most likely your not going to eat enough. Or your stuck eaten the same things over and over again.

My goal is to share recipes I come across, to help feed the need. But I will advise you try any recipe in advance and never before an event and to read ALL directions before cooking.

Colavita Pasta with Kidney Beans

ingredients:
1 pound Colavita ditali (or any short pasta)
5 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 teaspoon tomato paste
8 ounces fresh spinach
1 14-ounce can kidney beans
Pinch dried oregano
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Heat 4 tablespoons olive oil in skillet until hot. Add onion and cook until soft (1-2 min.) Add garlic, stir, and saute for 30 sec. Add carrot and celery and cook until tender. Stir in the tomato paste until combined. Add spinach, beans, and oregano and stir until will blended. Pour in broth and simmer for about 30 min. until all ingredients are tender. Salt and pepper to taste.

While veggies and beans are simmering, prepare pasta al dente and drain. Place cooked pasta in a serving bowl and toss with bean mix and fresh parsley. Drizzle with remaining tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle with grated cheese and serve. Serves 4-6, normal people, or 2 cyclist.

Tip/Variation: You can add a little more broth and can serve as a hearty soup.

And for you fans of the hydroxyl functional group serve with a Sauvignon Blanc.


I found this recipe in a Bicycling magazine. Hope you enjoy!!

Introducing SLMBA

SLMBA (Pronounced Slim-Ba),n, An organization to promote the sport of mountain biking to people of all ages with a special focus on youth. Also known as the St. Lawrence Mountain Biking Association.

Well, now that you know what SLMBA is I want to invite you to their first official event. On November 6th and 7th SLMBA will be heading down to the Stone Valley Trails from 9-5pm to do trail work on the mountain biking trails. Several projects are lined up and the group can always use some extra help.

Feel free to meet us at Stone Valley or at Mark Simon's house (225 Lenny Rd, Colton, NY). For more information please email wearonearth@gmail.com or visit our facebook page.

SLMBA has many other great events planned for the rest of the year to get the trails in shape for the 2011 season. Several great events will also be held out on the trails in St Lawrence County so check back to see when Team Wear On Earth will be helping out this great organization.

Core Body

I came to some very important realizations today as I was sitting in Whole Foods over what might possibly be the worst cup of tomato basil soup I have ever had.  1) I am fat, 2) I am out of shape, 3) this soup really does suck, and lastly 4)  I have the weakest core body known to man kind.

Today, for me at least, the training has started up again.  As the above facts mentioned it will be starting with nutrition, gym work/core body, and once I get home lots of time on the trainer/rollers/skiing.  My nutrition plan is easy, dont eat foods with words on the ingredients list that 4 or more syllables long.  Workout wise I took a page out of Lance Armstrong's book and tweeted that I was going to workout...and needed core body routines.  To my surprise a response came with two routines.

I will share one with you now.  It is from beginner triathlete.com. I dont know much, but I know this kicked my butt so give it a try.  I did 15 reps of each.  Here they are...

1. Standard Crunches
2. Half Up Crunches
3. Leg Lifts
4. Side Crunches (left side)
5. Side Planks with dips (left side)
6. Leg extensions (left side)
7. supermans
8. Planks with leg extensions
9. Push ups
10. Side Crunches (right side)
11. Side Plans with dips (right side)
12. Leg extensions (right side)
13. Heel touches
14. Bicyles (fitting no?)
15. Half ups with a twist

Well there it is.  With 15 each it is 325 various twisty turny crunch things.  I know this much, I wont be able to get out of bed in the morning.  As I said...weak core.  This will help.  Give it a try.  Have other good routines?  Share.