Crossniacs

CJ Takes The Bronze At Masters Worlds

royadver — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:48:57 +0000

Over but not done…

david — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:32:53 +0000

The Goeriga Series ended right before Christmas. I certainly did not have the season that I had hoped for. However, there where 191 different riders in CX4 this season and I ended up 28th overall. That’s not too bad considering my lack of fitness, missing a couple of races, and going to an Alabama race instead of a Georgia race on occassion. I had plans to go the Lousiville, but there is simply no way I can justify that with my lack of fitness this season. I will have to regroup and try to get some kind of workable plan for better fitnes for next season and then go to Louisville. but that doesn’t mean that I’m done. This is the only time of the year where I’m able to get out and race, so I always look for races this time of year. Since we have a more moderate winter, we can keep the cross season going for awhile. this past weekend there was a small independant race that was put on by a local Hup rider. We had been having rain so I expected mud, but it didn’t happen. I got a great start and was in 2nd after the initial paved climb. We ended up with a group of 5 in the lead and I felt good with that. I was really hoping for a top five even though I had been sick and on antibiotics the week prior. The 5 of us stayed together for about a lap, then it split up a little bit. I was barely hanging on to the lead group as we hit a sharp uphill coming out of the woods. For some reason my handlebar decided that it no longer liked that position and moved about 45 degrees. So I had to make my way back and then stop and fix it. I managed to pass a few guys after I fixed it, but I still ended up in about 15th. Looking forward to the Rome race this Sunday. Good luck to the guys going to Louisville. Hopefully I will see you next year.

Talk to ya’ll later. DS

GA Finals

david — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:50:58 +0000

It was the week before Christmas and all through the house, I was slammed with work and chores, and not on my bike. But it was the final race, and hope against hope, I wanted a good place. I traveled to the Serenbe Farm with a smile on my face, and hope against hope, for at least one good race. I hit the start good, and was in 5th as we hit the woods. But a rider in front of me went down, and my luck left town. My chain came off as I hit the pile, and so I was stuck for quite a while. I got it back on, but it was never quite right. And the chance for a top 10 went out of sight. I actually felt good as I scrambled to catch up. But my chain continued to cha-chunk. I rode hard, and passed quite a few, but 18th place was the best I could do.

More Cowbell and Merry Christmas Ya’ll

GA State Championships

david — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:35:50 +0000

I had high hopes…I know, I’m 25 pounds overweight and no training; But I can still have high hopes, right? Once again we had a big field in the 4′s. I was on the second row for the start. I got a decent start, but slipped a pedal. So, by the time we got up to the top of the paved start hill, I was sitting in 10th place. I still felt pretty good and settled in for the long haul. But after a coupe of laps, I started fading. I liked the course with its rolling terrain through the woods and the long beach crossing. You had to slow down coming into the sand, so I was never able to ride the whole beach. But I had some good efforts. I was yo-yoing off the top 10 about midway through the race, but then I cracked on the last climb before the finish with 2 laps to go. I had several guys pass me in the last two laps and the legs just wouldn’t respond. I still ended up in 21st. It was just disappointing that I wasn’t able to get in decent shape before this season. But it still is fun, right!

More Cowbell!!!

Talk to ya’ll later. DS

Today, the neighborhood. Tomorrow, the World!

jd — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:34:34 +0000

Looks like racing season is not quite over. “Really?”, you say. Yep. I’m headed down to Louisville tomorrow morning to the UCI Cyclocross Masters World Championships. It’s a big name and sounds pretty impressive, doesn’t it?

I wish I could say I’d show up and post some impressive results but the reality is I probably won’t be top twenty. Not trying to run myself down. I know, I should be more positive with myself and abilities. Self-reinforcing behavior and all that. But I’m trying to be a realist here. I did pretty good in the regular season given how much (or little, really) I got to train. I have been getting after it more in the past two weeks. The motor is there, the skills are coming along, but I didn’t spend enough time with the wrench tuning the engine in the prior year.

So why am I doing it? Long answer: At first, good friend and racing nemesis Chris Freter was talking with me about it and said “It’s the first time it’s been on U.S. soil, it probably won’t happen again any time soon. Might as well.” Good point. Then we raced the USGP in Louisville and saw about where we stacked up in our age group. Because it cost a fair amount extra to get an International racing license (as opposed to a regular domestic license) and the cost of entry we both figured it wasn’t worth the cost to get shelled in the elimination round. And then… and then… I was talking with my father shortly after his surgery and his statement was “Why not?” It is a once-in-a-lifetime event for me (I doubt I’ll be flying to Europe even if I do get phenomenally faster) and his thought was there’s little reason to not actually race in Worlds. Consulted with several other friends as well and Dad wins out. So packing up our bags and moving to Beverly… er, Louisville. For a short time, that is.

What’s the plan? I already said I don’t think I’ll be top twenty. My smart-aleck answer is “not last”. I am hoping to make the top 40 going in to Championship round. That’s the main goal for now. If I don’t make it, I’ll probably be in the consolation round. But top 40 is the goal for now.

Then what? Take a few weeks off. Look at the mountain bike schedule. Probably the Muskingum Mayhem as I did last year. I’d like to hit the Mohican 100 this year. I’d like to do the Pan Ohio Hope Ride with my brother as well. And of course there’s the next cyclocross season that I need to start tuning the engine for.

To all the Crossniacs who are coming to Worlds, I look forward to seeing you there and heckling… er, I mean, cheering you on.

Thanks for reading.

And the beat goes on…

jd — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:01:30 +0000

Headed to the bike barn to get this party started

What? Quoting Sonny & Cher? What has gotten in to my little mind?

It (my mind) is probably still a bit frozen over. Yes I ride my bike when it’s cold out or when it’s snowing. Typically not as long but I still ride.

Why?

Because Masters World Championships is coming up. Because I could stand to drop a few pounds. Because I need to get out and ride sometimes.

And because you don’t see this from your bedroom window:

Part of Blacklick creek, and a bit off the road.

Today’s weapon of choice:

Late '80's Bianchi Campione D'Italia, set up for single speeding

It still needs some tweaking but overall works great. Big thanks to cyclistconnection for building up the rear wheel for me, it’s perfect (Paul components flip/flop hub laced to a Velocity Deep V rim). Should stand up to my abuse.

And yes, water bottles don’t do so well on the outside of the bike when it’s 22 degrees F outside. Doh!

Thanks for reading.

To, CJ, Josh, Chris, Wah and Anyone Else…

fpa — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:53:23 +0000

Now’s the time to Rock.

Do or Die.

Ace High

WAH getting the press

fpa — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:37:16 +0000

http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/health-and-fitness/articles/portland-cyclocross-racing-january-2012/

Happy Holidays and Season’s Greetings

paul — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:24:21 +0000

May you and yours have a wonderful holiday. And for those with riding and racin aspirations right around the corner (Natz, Masters Worlds, etc.) good luck!

Paul, Edmonds Wa

USGP in Bend, OR

royadver — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:57:09 +0000

What a difference than Nationals the past 2 years. Bone dry and fast as hell.