Well, no, its not really quite ski season yet...but cycling season is over. Same as last year, I finished the season with a bang by going out to Las Vegas for a week. I attended the Interbike tradeshow and competed in the USA Crit Series Finals. The trade show was overwhelming as always and the Crit race was really scary as always. I survived both and did a good job considering. I even rode a mt. bike at the outdoor dirt demo - a Specialized S-Works Enduro...a bike that if I hung around with it too much, would probably get me to quit road biking! Not really, but it was so fun to ride.
In the crit race I had my first crash in 2 1/2 years. I had it coming though - at the trade show I was bragging to Mike Sherry (who runs the Empire team) how I don't even need to knock on wood about not crashing. The next night at the race I got a slow leak in my front tire and slid out at 35mph. A couple guys piled to me - and doled out plenty of verbal abuse my way. Jimmy (my bike) and I somehow managed to get up from the crash pretty unscathed though.
I got back in the race, but was a little tentative. I was riding towards the back and kept getting caught behind gaps as the quick pace dropped riders. I'm still on some descent form though and was able to force myself up into the top 10 with 5-6 laps remaining. The field had been whittled down from 100-120 guys to 39 that would finish.
Little did I know though that my samurai sword had fallen out of my pocket when I had crashed earlier. So, when the real US Crit, big money, Las Vegas, nighttime, knife fight started with 3 laps to go...all I had was a damn butter knife. I nearly locked handlebars with both Mark Hekman and Steve Tilford in the last couple laps and let myself get badly cut-off two or three times. I came into the last lap around 25th and could only move up a couple spots to 21st. I'd really wanted to win this one (just like everyone else!) and I didn't - so it was nice having my good buddy Scott Oliver there to sit down with and talk and drink some water with after the smoke had settled. The guy who won, Hilton Clarke, is a pretty damn smart criterium rider. You can really see why they pay him the big bucks, the way he's able to handle himself in these big races.
Fall plans are pretty straight forward...keep up some riding, but really get ready to do a good winter of x-c skiing and ski racing. I'll be working at the Skirack and getting down and dirty with the nordic floor. I'm also planning to do 3 running races this fall in addition to the 12-13 x-c ski races this winter. The Northwest Vermont ski club is just a blast to be with in the wintertime. Then, come springtime - I'm finally going to be a full-time bike racer. I'll let ya'll know about that asap.
My first running race is this coming Sunday! I better get out and start jogging!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Getting amped up as things wind down
So, there are only 2 bike races left...meaning the season is winding down to an end. However after taking a mental break following the back-to-back stage races I am getting myself amped back up to get in the action and make something happen in these last 2 opportunities. I've been making sure my equipment is 100% (Jimmy, the bike, gets tired at the end of the year) and put on fresh cleats, a new bottom bracket, and new shift cables and housing.
This Sunday, over in Portsmouth, there is a great crit. Its a true downtown crit...right in the shopping area, with restaurants and cafes and whatnot. I have a hard time getting pumped for crits if there aren't a lot of people there watching...but when there is a good crowd...ohhh! I get jazzed. It'll be the last race of the season for the Blue Team - and we want to go out in style. I've got a plan in mind and I think it will work out just wonderfully. We've had a great season this year. We've raced really well together as a team and that has been SO satisfying.
The morning after Portsmouth I fly out to Las Vegas - where the Interbike trade show will be going on - but more importantly I'll be lining up again to do the USA Crit Series Finals. The race is Thursday night and is going to be crazy. I managed a top 10 last year...so I'll roll the dice again and see what lady luck has got for me this year. Thanks in advance to Spike and Rodger for letting me stay with them...and MAJOR thanks to my sister for helping me get the plane ticket. She's far to nice to me.
The following are some reminisces of those back to back stage races.
First, a Very cool time lapse video piece from the Burlington Criterium.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvCrevlhQ3M
Second, a picture of the sprint finish in the rain from Tour of Quebec.
**One side note...Michelin Pro3 Race tires are fantastic! In the race pictured above almost everybody in the race except the 4 CCB riders (all on the Michelins) had a crash...some of the guys crashed 2,3,4 times in the course of the race. Granted, it was tretcherous - a 2.7km loop with 12 turns, a cobbled roundabout, and it hadn't rained in 2 weeks. We all had Pro3's pumped up to about 90-95 psi and we were rockin' everybody - at least cornering wise. I couldn't help but start laughing as everybody kept crashing. Guys would be going SO slow through turns and then their rubber would just slip out. It was hard to tell why the difference, and all I can think of is the tires. So, thanks Michelin!**
This Sunday, over in Portsmouth, there is a great crit. Its a true downtown crit...right in the shopping area, with restaurants and cafes and whatnot. I have a hard time getting pumped for crits if there aren't a lot of people there watching...but when there is a good crowd...ohhh! I get jazzed. It'll be the last race of the season for the Blue Team - and we want to go out in style. I've got a plan in mind and I think it will work out just wonderfully. We've had a great season this year. We've raced really well together as a team and that has been SO satisfying.
The morning after Portsmouth I fly out to Las Vegas - where the Interbike trade show will be going on - but more importantly I'll be lining up again to do the USA Crit Series Finals. The race is Thursday night and is going to be crazy. I managed a top 10 last year...so I'll roll the dice again and see what lady luck has got for me this year. Thanks in advance to Spike and Rodger for letting me stay with them...and MAJOR thanks to my sister for helping me get the plane ticket. She's far to nice to me.
The following are some reminisces of those back to back stage races.
First, a Very cool time lapse video piece from the Burlington Criterium.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvCrevlhQ3M
Second, a picture of the sprint finish in the rain from Tour of Quebec.
**One side note...Michelin Pro3 Race tires are fantastic! In the race pictured above almost everybody in the race except the 4 CCB riders (all on the Michelins) had a crash...some of the guys crashed 2,3,4 times in the course of the race. Granted, it was tretcherous - a 2.7km loop with 12 turns, a cobbled roundabout, and it hadn't rained in 2 weeks. We all had Pro3's pumped up to about 90-95 psi and we were rockin' everybody - at least cornering wise. I couldn't help but start laughing as everybody kept crashing. Guys would be going SO slow through turns and then their rubber would just slip out. It was hard to tell why the difference, and all I can think of is the tires. So, thanks Michelin!**
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The King of Cool
Marvin Gaye doing what he does best. I saw this for the first time the other day. I wish I'd been there for that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Rose Long
I went and visited my good friend Rose Long this evening in the hospital. She was the unfortunate victim of a hit-and-run while riding her bike down Pearl St. in Burlington, VT. A car coming in the other lane of traffic took a left turn through her lane...and through her.
She's a 100% rock-star though and is already trucking down the road to recovery. She got pretty banged up and has been in the hospital for a couple days and has been, and is going through, some different surgeries. Its amazing though - she has had so many visitors, and the nurses and doctors think she's a hoot...which she is. When I was there visiting today after work, there were so many people coming and going, you would have thought there was some sort of cool party going on. She's hooked up to lots of Morphine....but she can still wrap a crowd around her finger.
I've been helping mentor/coach Rose this year as she's gotten into road bike racing. The one, set in stone, rule I set forth to her as we were getting started with training last January was that she was not aloud to crash. She is a very forward, energetic person and her bike handling and cornering skills reflect that (which led to me making that 1 rule). She can corner and descend a bike on par with the great Liz Harrison - but is still pretty green when it comes to doing it in a pack of other women (who maybe can't corner quite as fast). I was really impressed last Monday when she finished the Green Mountain Stage Race Crit - which concluded her first road season - and realized she'd made it through the whole season without crashing. Rose had an awesome season, winning the ECCC season overall, winning the UVM race, many regional top-5's, a 12th place in ther first NRC race, and some top-10 stages at GMSR.
(*authors note: I did crash when I first started racing - crashing and destroying myself and my brand new racing bike in only my 3rd Category 5 race*)
One week later - boom - the universe strikes - she doesn't crash...worse...she's hit by a Jeep. Oooohhhfff. Rose is going to be aok in the long run - but has some serious resting and healing-up to do for now. I will tell you this though...when Rose comes across the Finish Line at next years Burlington Criterium with a 5-bike length gap - you're going to be seeing a very emotional win. I wouldn't want to miss it! I had a pretty emotional release after finally winning in Burlington this year...with so many friends and family there - but I can only imagine what Rose is going to be feeling like.
Rose has got quite a team caring for her and thinking about her - her family, friends, UVM Cycling, the Burlington cycling community, everyone at the Skirack, and basically anyone who's ever met her for more than 5 seconds.
On a side note, Lance Armstrong - the attention hore that he is - is trying to steal Rose's "comeback" thunder and is apparently making a little comeback of his own. Whatever.
She's a 100% rock-star though and is already trucking down the road to recovery. She got pretty banged up and has been in the hospital for a couple days and has been, and is going through, some different surgeries. Its amazing though - she has had so many visitors, and the nurses and doctors think she's a hoot...which she is. When I was there visiting today after work, there were so many people coming and going, you would have thought there was some sort of cool party going on. She's hooked up to lots of Morphine....but she can still wrap a crowd around her finger.
I've been helping mentor/coach Rose this year as she's gotten into road bike racing. The one, set in stone, rule I set forth to her as we were getting started with training last January was that she was not aloud to crash. She is a very forward, energetic person and her bike handling and cornering skills reflect that (which led to me making that 1 rule). She can corner and descend a bike on par with the great Liz Harrison - but is still pretty green when it comes to doing it in a pack of other women (who maybe can't corner quite as fast). I was really impressed last Monday when she finished the Green Mountain Stage Race Crit - which concluded her first road season - and realized she'd made it through the whole season without crashing. Rose had an awesome season, winning the ECCC season overall, winning the UVM race, many regional top-5's, a 12th place in ther first NRC race, and some top-10 stages at GMSR.
(*authors note: I did crash when I first started racing - crashing and destroying myself and my brand new racing bike in only my 3rd Category 5 race*)
One week later - boom - the universe strikes - she doesn't crash...worse...she's hit by a Jeep. Oooohhhfff. Rose is going to be aok in the long run - but has some serious resting and healing-up to do for now. I will tell you this though...when Rose comes across the Finish Line at next years Burlington Criterium with a 5-bike length gap - you're going to be seeing a very emotional win. I wouldn't want to miss it! I had a pretty emotional release after finally winning in Burlington this year...with so many friends and family there - but I can only imagine what Rose is going to be feeling like.
Rose has got quite a team caring for her and thinking about her - her family, friends, UVM Cycling, the Burlington cycling community, everyone at the Skirack, and basically anyone who's ever met her for more than 5 seconds.
On a side note, Lance Armstrong - the attention hore that he is - is trying to steal Rose's "comeback" thunder and is apparently making a little comeback of his own. Whatever.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Even MORE Pictures
This batch is from my sister
Helen watching the women's race go by. The honorable Catherine Curi-Mattis was in control. Catherine let me crash on her couch for god-knows how many monthes at her apartment in Winooski when I returned from my year traveling in Asia...way back in....2002.
There is so much to be learned from Amos. Relaxation is one thing I've learned. This is Amos and myself, 3 minutes before they call the racers to the line...down the street on the steps of the Skirack in the shade.
And we're off...what perfect weather we had.
**SO HAPPY**
Colin is rediculous...thank you Colin. If you ain't first you're last...and if you ain't rediculous you're boring.
Interview time. Only minor fidgetting and no "umms"....pretty good.
People who've really believed in me. Helen, Sarah, and Scott O (and my sister taking the picture!). It would have been awesome to have my parents there but they work overseas at International Schools. They are here in the summer but have to head back before Labor Day (so I put way too many pictures up on my blog, so that they feel like they were here). They did see the Hilltowns race though - which was really cool.
Helen watching the women's race go by. The honorable Catherine Curi-Mattis was in control. Catherine let me crash on her couch for god-knows how many monthes at her apartment in Winooski when I returned from my year traveling in Asia...way back in....2002.
There is so much to be learned from Amos. Relaxation is one thing I've learned. This is Amos and myself, 3 minutes before they call the racers to the line...down the street on the steps of the Skirack in the shade.
And we're off...what perfect weather we had.
**SO HAPPY**
Colin is rediculous...thank you Colin. If you ain't first you're last...and if you ain't rediculous you're boring.
Interview time. Only minor fidgetting and no "umms"....pretty good.
People who've really believed in me. Helen, Sarah, and Scott O (and my sister taking the picture!). It would have been awesome to have my parents there but they work overseas at International Schools. They are here in the summer but have to head back before Labor Day (so I put way too many pictures up on my blog, so that they feel like they were here). They did see the Hilltowns race though - which was really cool.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
More GMSR Pictures
Amos arrives for dinner and I have a surprise for him - its Jake & Amos brand pickles. Courtesy of Helen's sharp grocery shopping eye.
Joe Bazzano going nuts with the chalk on App Gap. Joe's an ace feeder and awesome guy to have on our side at the races.
That's Pucci to the right of the picture. Me and boys rolling up to him after 2-3 victory laps. We like ham...and We like hamming it up!
Dinner at Shalimar (awesome Indian food) with the teammates and friends the evening after the road race. Colin is epoxying his broken shoes at the table...Dan is amazed and disgusted.
Matt Colby getting to the top of App Gap the easy way. Matt, Merlin, Butch and everybody at SRAM did a fantastic job this weekend. Quick wheel changes, awesome wrenching, and fast wheels.
Pumped - who wins the big money, crowd prime and the race?! John Murphy...and me.
Dan and Will. Front row at the Crit - 5th and 6th overall. These boys can ball. Both are Super-Cat1's. Its a new category that the USCF doesn't know about.
Will, Scott and Sarah and the Girls, George Deane, Slim Jim and the Downhillers (USA Flag folks), and myself all in a bit of shock about what just transpired.
Jabberwalkie (will be taking the win at Portsmouth), WD-40, Yahor - so European in those shades, and Karl. Its only 1 day a year that grown men in spandex get to block traffic, ride bikes and put out the vibe on Main St. in Burlington, VT - so they are soaking it up.
Joe Bazzano going nuts with the chalk on App Gap. Joe's an ace feeder and awesome guy to have on our side at the races.
That's Pucci to the right of the picture. Me and boys rolling up to him after 2-3 victory laps. We like ham...and We like hamming it up!
Dinner at Shalimar (awesome Indian food) with the teammates and friends the evening after the road race. Colin is epoxying his broken shoes at the table...Dan is amazed and disgusted.
Matt Colby getting to the top of App Gap the easy way. Matt, Merlin, Butch and everybody at SRAM did a fantastic job this weekend. Quick wheel changes, awesome wrenching, and fast wheels.
Pumped - who wins the big money, crowd prime and the race?! John Murphy...and me.
Dan and Will. Front row at the Crit - 5th and 6th overall. These boys can ball. Both are Super-Cat1's. Its a new category that the USCF doesn't know about.
Will, Scott and Sarah and the Girls, George Deane, Slim Jim and the Downhillers (USA Flag folks), and myself all in a bit of shock about what just transpired.
Jabberwalkie (will be taking the win at Portsmouth), WD-40, Yahor - so European in those shades, and Karl. Its only 1 day a year that grown men in spandex get to block traffic, ride bikes and put out the vibe on Main St. in Burlington, VT - so they are soaking it up.
GMSR - pictures first.
Sitting atop App Gap with my sweetie after the road race - 2k to go and my legs went kah-put.
Eric Tremble (all around good guy), Dan Cassidy (2nd place on the day = big smile), and myself.
Lovely ladies of Winooski, Shelburne, Essex, and Colchester at the top of App Gap
Burlington Criterium = Greatest Criterium in the World.
What you looking at Jamey? Its Game Time!
Podoim with Francois and Karl (Karl = Shark from "Finding Nemo")
Interview time (Steve Pucci just happened to be in town and just happened to have a CCB podium hat with him...that guy is some sort of Oracle)
Eric Tremble (all around good guy), Dan Cassidy (2nd place on the day = big smile), and myself.
Lovely ladies of Winooski, Shelburne, Essex, and Colchester at the top of App Gap
Burlington Criterium = Greatest Criterium in the World.
What you looking at Jamey? Its Game Time!
Podoim with Francois and Karl (Karl = Shark from "Finding Nemo")
Interview time (Steve Pucci just happened to be in town and just happened to have a CCB podium hat with him...that guy is some sort of Oracle)
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