Boulder Series #1

So I drove down to Boulder this morning to race the first of four races in the boulder series. I get there a little early to watch some of the other races and see how the course is. The course was fast with a couple of barriers and a large sand pit.

I tried warming up but wasn't feeling good. My legs wouldn't loosen and my whole body had this dull ache feeling. I figured that I was going to race anyways in hopes that it would just go away. We all lined up waiting to be placed for the start. I got a call up for the first row. Not to bad for only racing one race so far this season. Unfortunately I was on the inside of the front line. The start was fast and hit a hard right which bottle-necked immediately right into me. I got pinched by two riders which meant everyone on the outside came around. The second turn I was sitting around 10th when two guys went down in front of me, and again people went around. I fought back and was sitting around 18th on about the second or third lap when I dismounted for one of the barriers and almost instantly had my calf cramp. I shortly after (about 35ft later) pulled myself from the race. I got to sit there in frustration watching the race go on.

It just wasn't my day. I am going to take some time off the bike this week and try to become healthier before heading up to Frisco, CO to race the first of the Frisco series.

For now.

J.

A break in training and Mountain bound

This week I have been putting some time on the bike [More then usual]. I try and ride with one of my friends (George, for everyone who does not know George think of European, ex-pro fast) at least once a week possibly twice a week. A lot of our rides consist of attack after attack, fast tempo, and constant learning. George has helped me with my training in regards of becoming an overall better rider.

A couple of weeks ago I went on George's Time-trial ride which is a loop from Loveland, Co through Eden Valley, Masonville, and back to Loveland. It is LT from the gun. What is unique about the ride is that there is climbing, false flats, flats, etc. It has everything. Our average was 28.5 mph. For me this is good. I was extremely comfortable on the bike. I felt like majority of my power was actually transfered trough my pedal strokes.

The past two weeks I have tried to be consistent with my training, which is hard since I work full time at Breakaway cycles, loveland, Co. In the past I have started strong early season and became to fast, to strong, to quickly. In a sense a shock to my system leading to the self-distruction of my immune system as well as my hard work[training]. And because of this I have decided to build in relax time into my already overwhelming schedule.

This past Tuesday, I drove up near Cameron Pass, Colorado. I stopped near Poudre Falls. Water to me is like a drug. It is an instant tension releaser. I walked around the falls, took some pictures, admired the incredible power and destructive force the falls have and just relaxed.

Here are some of my pictures: Better seen in person.
Me near the falls:
The leaves changing: Fall already!!!some more views:This weeked coming I will be racing my second cyclocross race of the year. It is #1 of the Boulder series in Boulder, CO. Should be a good race. Larger fields, more traditional cross layout, etc. For now enjoy.

J.

Pike's Peak Supercross #1

This past weekend was officially my first cyclocross race of the year, and my third ever. I traveled down to Colorado Springs, CO to race the Pike's Peak Supercross. I wasn't sure how I was going to do since I had only ridden my bike three times over the two weeks prior to this race. I had also upgraded to Cat 3.

I get to the race early so that I am able to watch some of the other races and check out the course. The course was constantly changing. It had rained a little over three inches the night before, which meant mud and lots of it. The earlier races were slow due to the conditions and amount of mud. around noon the sun came out full bore. The course started to dry out and become faster.

The layout of the course was more of a mtb race then a cross race. You started on the flat hard pack road and did a loop leading into single track which was technical, but fast. about half way through the course you come to the beginning of the climb with a barrier, then you climb more till you hit a steep intense climb followed by a mud pit that shot you out onto a road where you continued to climb....still climbing...followed by another technical section, a fast downhill and then back to climbing. Once you finally hit the top you made a fast decent through numerous terrain transitions, over a bridge, and back to the single track section before you start climbing again.

If you hate climbing this wasn't the race to do. There were no breaks between obstacles. You were maxed from the gun.

At the start we were all sitting at the line talking about the course and what we thought about it and things of that nature. The conversation led somehow to my bike and the low down on it. A guy from some magazine, paper, website (not really sure) wanted to take some pics and get the story. The weapon of choice is my new 2009 Giant TCX, decked with SRAM Force, FSA carbon k-force seat post, stem, TRP carbon brakes, Ksyrium SL premium wheels, Selle Italia team seat, etc. all weighing in a 17lbs. AND, then it lead to what people were running for gears. I set mine up as a 1X10 (45X11-25). Everyone was pushing a 42 and wishing for smaller. A lot of the guys basically said that I wasn't going to do well because I was running way to big of gears...blah, blah. I just listened and figured we shall see.

The start was fast (almost killed a unleashed dog on course). I was sitting tenth for the flat fast section and saw a gap start to form and jumped on it. Three guys and myself opened a gap leading into the single track section and continued to push it up the climb. By lap two the race was between us. I sat third for the majority of the race. Two laps to go I could no longer push the gears I had up two of the steepest parts of the climb and was forced to run it. The gap opened and first and second places we sealed. I ended up being passed on one of the climbs and couldn't close the gap before the finish. I finished forth, 45seconds behind the leader.

Overall, I thought it was a good starting point for me. Already I have ridden more this week then the two prior. The next race is Boulder CX series #1, 9/27/08. Should be a good race and hopefully one step closer to upgrading. I am looking forward to see how things differ since the race will resemble more of a CX course then a MTB one.

Tuesday I was sent to the 2009 release of the Yeti line in Golden Colorado. It was a pretty nice set up. We get there and all of the 09 bikes are set up and there for our taking. Yeti is by far ahead of most companies when it comes to how their products perform. The basis of their products is the insight from races and people who actually use the bikes to the full extent. Everything is made in house in Golden throughout all stages of development until it needs mass produced. This is vital to how they are able to put out such quality products at the rate they do.

We toured the factory and got the down low on all the unique steps and ways of Yeti. It was cool to see that one guy basically ran the actual making, machining, and overall build-up of the framing, which was literally half of the shop.

After being fed we were each set up with a 2009 bike of choice to demo. Of course racing XC I choose to demo the new ASR-C. Everyone split up into groups based of the trails they wanted to ride. I choose to do Mathews which is a really tech trail system with basically everything across the board terrain to ride. When we went to leave there were only three of us in my group (out of 30 or so people). Myself, Ariel Lindsley, and Abby Hippely (both Pro Yeti riders/Reps in yeti Cali Territory). Not a bad situation for me. I get a tour of the boulder trails by two pros that know it best. I was a little worried about keeping up since after all they were "PRO" but honestly I think I held my own(not bad for only riding a MTB like 7 times this year). I think I surprised them with my tech skills and oddly down-hilling abilities.

The ride was good fun. Ariel and Abby were chill people and extremely insightful both on the products, riding and racing scene. They sealed the deal with what MTB I will hopefully be riding next year.

The ASR-C. All I can say is "WOW". I haven't ridden anything like this. If you want a race bike that has everything this is it. Cornering at high speeds with nothing but predictability, light weight, stiffness, unprecedented climbing, smooth transitions, etc. I could go on but words can't explain this bike. If you demo one you will know what I am talking about.

Enough now for that convo. This weekend is my cross race in Co, Springs. I will post later what happens.

for now enjoy, be safe and ride lots.

J.

Soon to come

This is the first time that I am taking a semester off from school. It is honestly not what I wanted to do, but since I am not in school I am planning on making the best of it. I have been putting in some quality riding. I will be starting out as a cat 3 for cross and hopefully it wont be long till I get the points I need to get my upgrade.

I just put my new cross bike together with the following specs"
-Giant TCX frame set
-SRAM Force groupo
-Ksyrium SL Premiums wheels
-FSA K-force carbon seat post
-FSA K-force stem(white)
-TRP Carbon brakes
-Connie Speed Kings
-Selle Italia team seat(white)
It weighs in around 17.2 lbs. and looks fast. I am going to be pushing a 1 x 10 (45 x 11/25) which should be interesting since I know a lot of guys will be using a more original set up of 42/44.

With the time that I have had since I am not in school I have been fortunate enough to be working for Breakaway cycles in Loveland Colorado. If you ever get a chance and want to meet some great guys who know probably the most about cycling in general I would recommend stopping by. They also have some really sick bikes. Who knows you might even see mine around the shop. Breakaway cycles is sponsoring for the cross season which is a pretty sweet deal.

I haven't had time to put up some pics of my bike or anything but hopefully soon.

So, the races that I will be hitting up this season are mainly on Saturdays due to scheduling.

09/13/08CXPikes Peak SuperCross #1 Colorado SpringsCO

09/21/08CXGreen Mountain Sports Cross #1 LittletonCO

09/27/08CXBoulder CX Series #1 BoulderCO

09/28/08CXSchwab Cycles Boss of Cross Series #1 DenverCO

10/04/08CXFrisco Cyclocross #1 FriscoCO

10/11/08CXBoulder CX Series #2 BoulderCO

10/18/08CXBlue Sky Velo Xilinx CX LongmontCO

10/26/08CXBoulder CX Series #3 BoulderCO

11/01/08CXBoulder Cup BoulderCO

11/02/08CXBoulder Cup BoulderCO

11/15/08CXBoulder CX Series #4 BoulderCO

11/29/08CXOn The Cross # 2 Highlands RanchCO

12/06/08CXDBC Boulder Cyclocross Colorado Sr/Mstr Cyclocross Championships BoulderCO

12/07/08CXDBC Boulder Cyclocross Colorado Sr/Mstr Cyclocross Championships BoulderCO

Cross Nationals Kansas December 11,12,13 (I think the dates are something along this time frame)

Also, I will be doing the New Belgium Series starting at the end of this month on Tuesday evenings for some good fun/practice.
I will hopefully keep this updated more once the season starts.

J.

Prep for cross

I am taking the next semester off to work and race cross. Originally I was only going to work but the opportunity came up for me to race. I am fortunate enough to have been sponsored (when time comes you will see by who...). I will post pictures when I get my new bike and kit. Its kind of crazy because I just bought a new specialized tricross at the end of last season and had only raced it twice. For now I will just keep it looking "BLING". The bike I will be riding isn't released till next week so when it is and I get it together it will be up.

I have started cross training with some shorter runs and higher intensity over and hour with a combination of intervals in the mix. I haven't chosen what races that I am going to be doing besides the Boulder series which are more of a priority.

Thats all for now.

J.

Uncertainties and plans changed

At the beginning of the year I thought I had everything figured out. I trained like crazy, planned on being able to upgrade from fours to twos by the end of the season. I started strong. After wrecking in a crit and re-injuring my hip followed by bronchitis things have certainly changed.

My season became no-existent. I finished school (3rd year) with the best grades to date. I recently found out that next semester for me isn't going to be happening. Things fell through and unforeseen bills came. I was fortunate enough to get a job at Breakaway cycles via Ainslie from Gemini Training. I work full time for them and loving every second of it. The owners have opened some doors and eyes for me that weren't there previously.

I am planning on getting my life in order so that I am able to return back to school for the 2009 Spring semester. In that time I am planning on coming back stronger, faster and smarter then I began this year. Skipping MTB season [selling my bike to take care of some things] and concentrating on cyclocross and working I think is a good spot for me.

Its weird to think that I am not going to be in school, but rather working and training. Who would have thought. Its going to take some time to get my lungs back into pristine condition after the thrashing they received from racing two months with bronchitis.

Honestly, I am happy. For the first time I am not stressing even though my situation is probably the hardest in my life to date. Its different. I am able to concentrate on myself and whats really important to me. Rich [my boss] has really been insightful and helping with my individual growth.

Anyways, not sure when I am going to be racing next so in the mean time this is going to mainly be about whats going on in my life.

j.