Pages

Saturday, February 28, 2009

No Pressure


After starting the day making waffles, perfecting my French press technique and watching it rain. I ran across this picture from Molly Cameron’s flick’r site from his trip to Belgium. Being under 150lbs., I generally shrugged off racing in Belgium as not fitting my body type. Maybe I should just gain some weight.

With bad weather and the same course, again, I decided to forgo the pleasure of a third race at Donaldson Center. Instead, I'll be going to the Team Mountain Khakis launch in Winston-Salem, NC. I'm really looking forward to meeting all the guys and getting a jump start on the work I'll be doing for the team this year. It should be a great way to spend the weekend and relax a bit before the last big push for the final upgrade points.

This week has been up and down. The training has been going great. The weather wasn't so bad and I was able to take full advantage of it since I'm not racing this weekend. My form is rising rapidly and I'm already much stronger than ever before. Maybe the antibiotics were killing me more than I thought. I also found out that I can get my hands on a power meter that I can afford, supposedly. With my eyes firmly set on making it to the next level, I don't want to leave anything to chance. I want to do everything possible to maximize my performance legally and get results, 100% clean, and training with power is a part of that.

The down side of the week was learning that there is going to be about a three week gap in my job. It has worked out great so far. It was the perfect balance I was looking for between a 9 to 5 and part time job. I made enough to live off of but was still able to train like I needed to. However, we were not able to lock in a job until early April so it looks like I'm out of work for a while, in that job. I'm pondering possibilities but regardless, I think it's going to be a tight month. Luckily, all my bike stuff is paid for so it's a matter of paying rent and bills, and oh yeah, eating. I honestly don't yet know how I'm going to do it. I've talked the talk, now it's time to walk the walk. I think this is going to be the first month that really tests my commitment. I've looked up to guys that had trouble finding gas money and entry fees and became bike racers the hard way. No national team or big pro contract out of the gate, they fought for their spot in the pro peloton and EARNED it the hard way. Fighting tooth and nail week in and week out. I've dreamt about it, now can I live it? Man, I'm getting so jacked up just talking about it I've got to get on the trainer before heading to Winston.

Next up, details on the weekend with the pros.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Do stars and stripes make my butt look big?


Last weekend was spent at the Greenville Training Series races in South Carolina. It was my first weekend off antibiotics and I wasn't so sure how the form was. I hadn't felt good the previous week but upgrade points were needed so it was off to SC. A big thanks goes out to my cousin Will for letting me crash on his couch in Charlotte, NC. The training series seems to rising in popularity. The fields were huge. Next to The Fitchburg Longsjo Classic, they were the largest fields I've ever been in and it's only February!

I was traveling by myself which makes the trip fairly expensive. That, combined with the need for upgrade points and the disappointment last weekend meant I had the game face on. However, the game face would not last long. Upon arrival Saturday morning I was riffling through my bag getting clothing sorted out for the day and I couldn't find a jersey. The team clothing still isn't in yet so I thought I had thrown in a plain jersey but evidently I was mistaken. Then the panic set in. I couldn't find anyone with a spare jersey until I spotted the BMW-Bianci cars in the distance. (They are basically the women's counterpart to ITS-Kane, both run by the Capital Cycling Club) Next thing I know I'm cramming into a women's team national champion skinsuit. It was the only thing they could come up with that fit. Thanks Evie, you came through strong. Serves me right for screwing up and I couldn't help but laugh along with everyone else. Is it wrong that a women's skinsuit fit me like a glove?

I don't know if it was trying to compensate for the emasculating skinsuit or what but it was one of the best races I've ever ridden. I had good sensations in the legs and was able to maneuver through the 80 whatever rider field with ease. Mentally and tactically I was golden. Even when things seemed bleak, I kept my head in the game, didn't give up and did what I needed to. I felt stronger mentally than ever before. Mainly due to late crashes, the result was not good but I left feeling positive about how I had ridden.

Sunday was a different story. The wind was ripping the course and set things up for a day of attrition. I knew what was going to happen in the wind, crashes and splits in the field so I was in every single move off the front. Nothing was going to get away without me in it. I said I was going to make a break happen and I did. After attacking multiple time, five of us opened up a large gap and held it for most of the race. Then we were caught by a what was left of the field, less than 20 guys. I couldn't believe we were caught but I kept my head in the game and stayed attentive. That group stayed together to the line and I managed fourth in the sprint after being off the front in the wind for most of the race. I was not content with fourth but felt I did the right thing getting into the early move and I still beat a lot of guys that were fresher than me in the sprint. It is also not a course, especially in those conditions, that suits me at all. Flat and windy is not my style. So I came away with positive vibes, confidence that my form was coming around and most importantly some upgrade points.

The weekend was marked by lots of emotions. The drive down on Saturday was enlightening. As I cruised along I-85 rocking out to race mixes and savoring the heavenly nectar that is coffee, I was reminded why I chose to pursue cycling. I love everything about it. I love the feeling of driving to a race while contemplating the battle of legs, minds and wills that would inevitably be accompanied by pain and suffering. I love the camaraderie between teammates and fellow racers. I love the travel and the never ending stream of challenges. I love the sacrifice and the dedication. I love the elation of success and the motivation of defeat. I love cycling.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

The Fire Inside

This weekend was nothing short of atrocious. I'm finding it hard to put my emotions into words. I was looking forward to getting back to racing at the Wolfpack Cycling Classic but it was not meant to be. The road race on Saturday started off well. I was aggressive and stayed at the front, following attacks and throwing some in myself. I felt good. I kept telling myself before the start that I was going to do everything in my power to make a break happen and I was sticking to my plan. Then I attacked and was off the front alone. The road was a little wet and up comes a corner of fresh, uneven tar. Thigh meets road, but I get up immediately and chase back on. Everything seems OK except for some road rash but the adrenaline was pumping so no worries. Next up, I follow an attack and my chain slips. I almost ate it but kept it on two wheels. After that, every time I stood up to put power down the same thing happened. It sucked, I felt good but was helpless. Today was even worse. I used a different wheel and cassette and thought I had the bike dialed in. But when I was warming up I cranked up the power and it happened again, day over. There was nothing to do except sit in the car with a towel over my head and try not to lose it. As it turns out, my entire drive train was so worn the chain was slipping over the cogs in the cassette. I was putting it off till my new bike arrived but I had to bite the bullet and replace everything(thus, part time job at a bike shop totally paid off).
As I write this, I'm still fighting off explicative hours afterwords. I still need a few upgrade points and the pressure is on to get them before the first team race. I'm on a Cat 2 team, this upgrade needs to happen soon. However, next weekend will be a different story. I have the bike worked out and the events of this weekend have uncontrollably motivated me. It's like someone hooked up nitrous to my engine. All I can think about is how hard I'm going to ride, it's going to be guns blazing for sure. I'm not remodeling houses for some profound reason. I'm doing it because I want to be a professional cyclist and it allows me to train and race like I need to. Results are not going to just happen, I need to make them happen. It's time to effing step it up. No half measures, one goal, one mission.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Team Camp

Team camp last weekend was great. It seems like forever since I've been to the beach but it was nice to be back. I'm really more of a mountain man but I will take riding anywhere other than Chapel Hill right now. The same old roads are getting to me and the fact that I rode in shorts helped matters immensely. Hanging out with the new teammates was good as well. Everyone seemed to gel so I think it's going to be a great year. I'm looking forward to traveling to races with the guys almost as much as racing, almost. Everyone was also going well and seemed to be where they wanted at this time of year from a fitness standpoint.
We also went to Jack Kane's bike shop in Jacksonville, NC. I'll have to say it was impressive. It was by far the cleanest shop I've ever been to. Even the mechanic area was spotless and he also had leather couches stacked around a big screen playing cycling videos. It's definitely worth stopping by if you're ever in the area. We also met Jack himself. He's a very personable guy and really knows his business. After meeting him I have complete confidence in our bikes and am glad to be riding with his name on my jersey. I also got a look at one of the new team frames. It's gong to be a really flash ride. Stay tuned for a full (and completely unbiased) review of the bike as soon as I get it, hopefully within a month.
In short, it was a relaxing weekend with some great training and a good bonding experience. Now it is back to the grind. Work, training, eat, sleep, repeat. I also learned I am going to be doing some PR work for Team Mountain Khakis this year. I'm really stoked to have the opportunity to work with such a great group of guys and put my degree to use. I think it's going to be a great experience and hopefully I can help the team make a positive impact in the sport.
I'll put up some pics from team camp as soon as I get them. Until then, ciao.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Waffles, Coffee and Racing

I'm a bit tired from the weekend of great riding. Speedway races kicked things off on Saturday. Not my preferred venue and due to tactical issues, 5th in the B race was the best result I could manage. Things definitely could have been better but they also could have been worse. A couple more upgrade points was nice so I didn't walk away empty handed. Sunday was brutal but tons of fun. I'll take any hard ride that has hills in it, no matter how big or small. After it was said and done, I had about 7.5 hours in the legs, along with a lot of lactic acid at times. It feels good to get back in the swing of racing again and I'm content with where I'm at physically, so things are good. I'm extremely motivated to get the last few upgrade points so I can get down to business with my ITS-Kane teammates and I'm looking forward to the long, hard season.

I'm also looking forward to the ITS-Kane team camp next weekend. The weather is looking good, if we can get some 4-6 hour rides in shorts it will be perfect. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Pictures will certainly accompany the team camp post so stay tuned.

Nutritionally it was a very international weekend. I hoped to obtain some extra push from European influences, French roast coffee, Belgian waffles, pasta. The trifecta of fare from cycling crazy countries must not work on speedway races. I'll try again for the first weekend of REAL races.