I'm saving my legs. This will be about survival in the Malibu Hills.

I'm shaving my legs.

Erika Tarte said:

Jules, in addition to our handle and relevant sponsors' handles, do we have a dedicated hashtag for camp? I've used #kcccamp2014 and have noticed others I follow on Instagram have done the same.

All, having never done 3-4 days of back-to-back rides such as the one we have planned, I'm just wondering what (if any) openers I might do today or tomorrow... or if I should give it a rest. I have a sprint session on the calendar for tonight and was planning about 30-45 mins of east spinning with a few bursts tomorrow before my flight (late evening flight) but would love some advice.

#KCCcamp2014 is the hashtag

Oh, and I just shaved my legs for the first time in a month.

I am going to be a stickler this year about going easy on the highways and rollers hard on the climbs. Ppl can always do what they want, but there will be plenty of chances to get 40-60 min of threshold+ in on the climbs alone.

Back home early from work and beginning to do final packing. Getting really excited now about escaping this snowy sadness. Last night's leg shaving felt almost like a anti-winter ceremony (performed to NIN's Year Zero album)... Blood was spilled.

Full disclosure, I've had a tough last month with a bum knee and battling a sickness, so I'm really just going to take these rides day by day. I've been riding consistently (short indoor work) since November & basically living in the gym to prep for track racing, but just a couple of long rides since New Years won't make me a world-beater this week.

My last few Cali camps I've tried to kill myself and stay with the main group (since we only had a handful of folks) on all climbs and finish all the days, while this year I'm really going to take it a lot easier (or at my own pace?) and enjoy the sun & atmosphere. I am not beating anybody up any mountains and will be just looking to have a good time with steady miles. May call it a day early on lots of these rides if I feel I'm hitting a wall. Just FYI, cause I think it's good to share our goals for this week.

Now time to finish packing. See you guys soon!

@ros

My goal is to ride easy-ish and joke around a lot except on climbs where I will be having it out bloodbath style w certain skinny, younger ppl intent on beating me (mainly my brother Kyle but possibly others)

Fatboy is down to 175 from 190 on New Year's.  Still got another 10 to go, but I plan on holding onto as many cars going uphill as possible, ala Cav.

California is a great place to practice descending, and work on the mental aspect of climbing.  My man goal is to stay upright, and enjoy the company of my teammates.

What am I forgetting?  Besides my shoes?

Your phone charger and Garmin.

sunscreen. Blinding whiteness leads to fluo pink skin which makes recovery harder.

+ the Garmin mount.  I had to "rent" one along with my bike.

Mandeville is a local residential hill that has become a go-to for quick morning training rides. A steady 5-ish mile climb with some other really steep hills that can be accessed along the way should you want more.

Training camp day two.
Lunch update. Warm outside, but raining. This to keep me warm.

@Ryan - oh damn, I remember that.  During the descent, I came across a driver who was pulled over for speeding.  Real cops and everything!  It was kind of amazing.

In the past two days, my bike has taken more showers than I have. And she's still not as clean as all the CA bikes I see on the instagrams & internets. #campstory

Semi-camp ride 2

Training camp day 3.

Things have gone sour. It is from Italy, so it must be related to cycling.

Sours training camp.  

We call him Jeff (but secretly I strikethrough the name in my mind and replace it with "Gary").

I don't know, but I have introduced myself to him twice now.  The second time his beard gave me The Look.

Post ride recovery.