USGP - Mercer Cup Roundup

Sunday's race came around much too quickly after the mud on Saturday. Spent most of the morning packing up and loading, unloading, and reloading cars. Its truly incredible how big of a mess we can make in such a limited amount of time. My bike's shifting was freaking me out a little bit before my race. Luckily I tracked down Tom, who won earlier in the day (!), and he was more than able to straighten everything out. I'm reminded regularlly how lucky I am to have his and Bil's support at races.

The course was interesting. Crazy ruts and some huge banks in turns. Made choosing your line imperitive to holding the speed of TJ, who was kicking out a leg (moto cross style) and taking a downhill corner at Mach 10 thanks to the inside banking. There were still sections of mud that had hardened up so that you could get traction, but the mud clawed its way onto your bike and tried to pull your wheels into its speed killing mixture. Tires were a hard choice. I was wishing I had some file treads with me to run, David, said his were hooking up good and shedding mud all at the same time.

Anyway, I got my typical starting position. Crammed into the 5th or 6th row, but this time the seas parted and I saw the light after the whistle blew. I was on the left side, and for the first time I could actually see the leaders taking the hole shot. I was sitting pretty, right on David's wheels, and right next to Troy or Brady. I held my position for the first half lap, but when I hit the sticky stuff my body didn't have it. My back was doing more work than my legs and my back eventually was nothing more than a ball of strained muscle tissue. I had to come to the realization that if I didn't back off the gas, I wasn't going to be walking the following day.

I did take my foot off the accelerator, it sucked. I finally loosened it up and picked up some speed a couple laps later, but by that time the damage had been done. TJ was closing in one me and my motivation was fading. It sucks from having a good race the day before, and fighting tooth and nail to not progress from your starting spot. Then having a kick-ass start and not being able to hold on to any of it. Tough realizations for sure.

Now, I'm just relaxing. Rebuilding both bikes, and my body so that they'll be in good shape in 10 days for Jingle 'Cross. I've got a long drive ahead of me this weekend, always a good time driving through Kansas.

USGP #5 - New Jersey

As usual, thanks to Lyne at PodiumInSight.com

Today was MUDDDY. It wasn't soupy muddy it was the kind of mud where the grass was shredding and it was impossible to keep the bikes cleared of the gunk. It was great to have my new Challenge Fangos. It was a rush to get them so late in the season, but this was the first race that I REALLY needed them and hearing Dave say that they (Plan C) just got their Challenge tubies too made me realize how backed up Challenge has really been. Geuss its not a secret they're importing some of the best tires. Got our new Verge thermal skinsuits with the tires, oh-my-god. They're soooo warm and toasty very nice to have in the gloomy climate.

What made the race for me today was getting that fresh bike from Tom and Bill every half lap. Not to mention I was being handed a SCOTT CX Money Machine without a doubt the most unbelieveable bike I've ever ridden, and I've been on 2 different S-Works Carbon Tricross's...they don't stand a chance against this bike. This thing just floated over the nasty stuff. Plus having the same amazing tires was "spot on."

I got a pretty bad start, missed my pedal several times. I moved up as much as I could in the first stretches, but the swisty sections were as Joseph put it, "parking lots." Too many square pegs trying to fit into a round hole. Anyway, I didn't have any major bobbles and I certainly handled myself better in the mud than I did in Boulder 2 weeks ago. Not sure of my result. 55th I think, but the U23 results are all screwed up on CyclingNews so I don't know what to believe. A lap down, sucks, but I know I'm improving. Speaking of improving; Summerhill, and McDonald. Wow.

Morale of the story, the new equipment is amazing and the aroma of the belgian waffle stand was primo. The Fangos, the Verge skinsuit, and the easton wheels all amazing. SCOTT Addict CX... git ya some!

Waiting and waiting

I've been doing lots of waiting here. Waitied for over 3 hours in DIA till my plane took off. Now we're waiting to head to the race.

Marshall, Tom Price, and Chris have already headed to the course. Tom is the 3rd race of the day and Chris races right after him. Joseph and I will likely head to the race and watch LB go, but thats 2 hours from now. I'll get some more studying done. The rain is coming down lightly but the amount of moisture already on the ground will make today very very muddy.

Ran into TJ last night at Whole Foods. He played down his chances of winning, and said he didn't even know Trebon was talking smack on the inter-web...yeah right. Anyway, nice guy. It was a convention last night at whole foods. TJ, Jesse, Kabbush, and C-Dub were all present.

Boulder Cup Weekend

Just finished up a long weekend of racing down in Boulder. Its nice to be able to sleep in my own bed, and just drive to races in the morning. It makes preparing, cleaning up, and eating much less stressful.

The first day, Blue Sky Velo Cup C2, was a mudfest 'cross race/parking lot crit. It seemed like it was split 50/50 and you were either going balls-out on the pavement or you were slogging through some mud. I had a decent starting position, 4th or 5th row, but I missed my pedal a couple times and had a terrible start. Joseph had a decent start, as he was on Adam Craig's wheel flying up the start/finish climb. Unfortunately, Joe would snap the bolts on his stem and go head-over-heels, Trebon style (minus the hissy-fit). Brad rode a great race displaying his superior bike handling and taking 27th on the day, without even pre-riding the course. I suffered in the mud, couldn't find a rhythm and my day ended much earlier than I would have liked.

Thanks to Ashley Hudson, founder of Outlaw Earth for the photo. She makes the best messenger bags in the U.S., and they're made in the U.S.

Day 2, the Boulder Cup C1, was unfortunately re-located to the Boulder Reservoir. The course was crazy fast after all of the ACA categories were through with it, and all sand sections were rideable. That's until our friends at DBC Events decided to add 2! sand run-ups, both very long, and both very hard. Again, I had as a good a starting position as I've had all season, 4th or 5th row. I had a good start, and I was riding everything well. I stayed up in the mix, up until a crash on an off-camber, gravel filled, up-hill corner. Joseph's group caught me there, and I would be playing catchup with those guys for the remainder of the race. I had a better day all-around even if I still got pounded by the boys in Green n Black. I finished 57th Sunday and 51st on Saturday, but I was further back on Saturday.

This coming weekend, I've got some high-altitude racing (8,000 or 9,000ft) for the RMCCC 'Cross Championships. Then its off to New Jersey for some more USGP racing.

Valmont Bike Park 'Cross

Sitting in my dining room. Writting a lab report. Its about why some seeds germinate in warm temperatures and some in cold temps. Well, beans like warm temps and peas like it cold. I think I'm more of a bean. Yet, I like the sports that come with the cold temps. I digress...

This past Saturday was the opening day for the Valmont Bike Park in Boulder. Really cool idea that BMA has been dreaming up for the past few years, and I can't wait for it to be done. Then the tracks will get burned it and maybe it won't be soooo BUMPY. I wish I had 34c tires. Actually, I wish that I could fit 44c tires into my beautiful SCOTT's frame, but they won't.

The race started as per-usual. Call up the Hudz-Subaru boys, Dubba, Toast, etc. Then let everyone else take their place. I start DFL. What else is new, I start here every weekend. I tell myself, but this week will be different. This week, I'll part the sea of incompetent 'cross handlers and bounce on up to the Russian Immigrants, or at least to Spencer.

It wasn't different. I had to go half speed for the first lap. Let gaps open until I can get around someone, and then close them. No fun. No fun. No.Fun. O, and did I mention it was bouncy. Damn, it was bad. 3 dismounts, I made up some serious ground on those. Lost ground on the sandy off-camber 180 turn and ate it twice, on the...you guessed it, bumpyness. Anyway, I finished a lack-luster 30th. 1 lap down on the top 3 JHK, Pacho, and then Brady. I didn't see their battle, but I heard Brady killed it! Toast was 4th or 5th.


Thanks to Ashley from Outlaw Earth for the photos. She also makes some of the best bags in the U.S. check 'em out!

I'm off to race at New Belgium Brewery. Its looking like it wants to rain...I hope so.

I want to hear that bell

My 'cross season so far has certainly been below what I had hoped.

I think I've read that sentence or a simile of it on 12 to 37 blogs. Some people tend to whine more than others, and I try not to. I really do, but I know I do.

So rather than recap every race so far that has seen me not meet my expectations I will say this. I have been yearning to hear a 1 Lap to Go Bell all season. I've done 5 races, and not once have I made it to that final lap. Granted, in Madison I did finish (kinda), just not on the same lap as the leaders. I can finish on the same lap as those guys. They're 6-10 minute laps. I would never let Justin beat me by more than 6 minutes in a TT, less I fall apart physically and mentally. Which, did happen once this fall. So I will not let a few guys, who always win, get 6 minutes ahead of me. It won't happen, I don't care if I have to run over Molly Cameron in a turn, thus leaving 34c Grifo marks all across his pretty white skinsuit. I will fight tooth and nail to hear that bell.
The Valmont Bike Park CX race is Saturday, and regardless what my twitter says I will be racing. Hopefully its an awesome course. Hopefully, the sweet music that is the 1 to go bell will ring in my ears, and I will hear the never ending cry of "HUP! HUP! BUTTERCUP!"

...and I will not return to regular programming

USGP Round 1

There's not much for me to say about these races. These guys are fast, really fast. I fully expected to get dominated, and I knew I would not be up there going shoulder to shoulder with Vervecken, but I did not fully understand how fast they are. Faster in the technical stuff, faster on the run-ups (because they can ride them), faster, faster, and FASTER.

The first day, I was in awe of everything around me. The riders were still these guys who I had only read about in magazines. When we took off from the 7th or 8th row I was nervous. I was afraid to even work my way through the field because I felt like I didn't deserve it. Not the way I usually race. I struggled mentally and my physical performance suffered. I was several laps down from J Pows. Joseph finished on the podium in 20th overall and the 2nd U23.

Day 2 was a much less technical course, with not so many off-camber sections and the rail-road ties section were cut out. So I could ride the steep section rather than makes faces like this;
I started running again yesterday, let the fun begin.

I was amped for day 2, but relaxed at the same time because I knew it could only be a better day for me personally. I got an ever-so-slightly better start and began moving through the field immediately. I had a good couple of laps, and was only slowed by one poor bike handler. Then my race went south for a few laps. I lost focus, I slowed my pace, and then I went down hard in the hair pin turn. From there I picked up my pace. I got caught by Page, Trebon, and Vervecken so there after. I was still 2 laps down, but I was very close to only being 1 down, and I know I can finish on the same lap as these guys. I've got work to do.
Thanks to Lyne at PodiumInSight for the photos. She's got loads of albums here.