State Championships

The cross season has finally come to an end. I was not expecting anything close to what it ended up being. The main goal of the season was to keep racing and having fun after the WORS season was over. I started the quest when I picked up a used bike from one of the best and then started taking it serious with at great coach. Not once prior to the start of the season did I think I would end up where I did, third overall in the Cat 4s. This has been so much fun. The racing this year was great and the other riders were a blast to race week in and week out. I know that next year is 10 months away, but I can't wait.

I'm already looking towards WORS. It should be Superfly.

Thanks to FRG (Keith) for the pictures.

Whitewater CX

From everything that I heard about WW was negative. No one seems to like any type of race that is put on there, whether road or cx. It did seem to be a tad unorganized, but it was still a WCA race and one where I needed to earn some points, so I got in the truck and made the drive Saturday morning. Got to the course plenty early and road a couple of laps before overdressing to stay warm. Looked at the Juniors and 40+, and during my warm-up and the looks were not happy. I know that most people despise cross when they are racing, but the faces were pure agony.

Race went well, Mike was out in an instant. I have no idea how he can rock that single so well. Spent the first couple laps just holding on and then passing a handful of people. Once again I ended up riding in no man's land and finished with another 5th place. I beat the people that I needed to so it ended up being a good race. This peaking should really come during the State Championships next weekend. You should come and watch.

It's been a while

I really haven't updated this since the first WORS race of the season; so here it is in short. Lackluster WORS season, and a rather impressive Cyclocross season so far. It has been a season of first. First CX race, top ten, and top five. There is even the possibility of finishing in the top 5 overall for the cat 4s.

The weather today supported an early run with the Jiggle Bells, and then a short recovery ride after watching some tv and warming up a bit. If it wasn't cross season there would be no way I would be on the bike in this type of weather. The inclement weather also let me find the time to read a great cross book. There was a ton of great information, but it seemed to be geared towards the professional rider.

I'm hoping to keep this going throughout the boring winter months with new training stuff and stories from work as well as whatever keeps me entertained.

Thanks to The Goat for the picture.

And the results are in

Just got home after Iola and Madison this afternoon. Weather was great to ride, but the legs were not. The nice bonk on Friday left me with only dreams and wishes of doing well at Iola, but an injury free race was still nice.

It was a huge adjustment from Citizen to Sport. The additional lap was manageable, but the starting pace put a huge hurt into me way to early, as was evident by a lack of shifting and a couple of gavomits (gagging on your own vomit). I am going to have as much fun as possible and try to earn a podium spot by the end of the year. If there is one positive to take away, I now know what training has to be done to compete the rest of the year. Next chance to show improvement is Geneva.

Danny placed third in his triathlon so kudos to him. Thanks to Virgin for the hand-up today, I really appreciate all of the support from the team.

Too much to pack in

Given the state of the move and the amount of boxes that are still acting as tables and chairs I had to make the difficult decision to skip on the preride for Iola. I am still racing, but going into a course blind is going to be tough. This summer is going to be difficult and I will need every point that I can get and this weekend will end up being just a training ride. I will do my best to stay with the leaders but I am sure that reality will hit when I get onto the starting line. Danny has his tri final this Sunday and I know that he is going to rock it. He should be first, but who knows what will happen. Best of luck to Team Pedal Moraine and the rest of the WORS family.

Moving On

We are getting ready to move to the new house this weekend. Officially we don't have occupancy until May 1st, which means that our house will look like a shotty college apartment. It will be nice to have everything figured out and working towards an end goal, but it is still nerve racking.

I was able to log about 10 hours of riding this past weekend and Monday. It's nice to get out, but I still feel that there is no way that I'm going to be ready for Iola. Fitness level is there but the technique is touchy and running into several trees on Sunday just proved the point. Fingers crossed that there will be a miracle before race day and the handling is on the money.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate with the move and the trails, both training and moving will have to continue regardless.