The Huntington Clusterf&#k

Hi all. I have not posted in a while because I have not been up to anything. Mainly because the road season ended. I did however get a cross bike that I have been spending an inordinate amount of time on. I am going to throw my hat in the ring and do some racing which should be interesting. Here are a couple shots of it. It now has a white stem and I cut the steerer tube.




All of these were taken at the start of what should have been a cool race. However, when something is terribly organized and perhaps too ambitious for its own good the results can be disastrous. For those who do not know the Huntington Challenge is a "road race" that includes road, gravel, grass and singletrack. It started off and I went pretty hard to get things going, while at the same time angering the local old men who pride themselves on winning this pointless charade. One of them said "Its not time to go fast yet!" Sorry but it is always time to go fast. Well we hit the first wooded section and I went to the front and rode hard but within myself. To my surprise (somewhat) I came out of the woods with several minutes in hand. I then did about a 40 mile time trial into headwinds on flat roads while maintaining by advantage. Albers was closing but was on a road bike and I was confident that if he did close the gap I would be able to lose him seeing as the race ended on technical single track. This is where it all unraveled. I hit a grass and wide trail section leading to the single track. Upon crossing a creek I came to a gate with no markings. After stopping and contemplating my options I saw a tiny path to the left and decided to continue around the gate. Awesome work guys, all it would take is about 4 ounces of spray paint. This led me to a gravel road. After about 2 miles of gravel with about 8 miles left of racing I came to an intersection with a course marshal. I paused looked at him and with no indication to the contrary via markings or signaling from this hillbilly continued straight. After a couple miles it became evident that I was no longer on course so I turned around. Knowing I had just lost was the most deflating feeling ever. I went back and this awesome guy says.."My bad..you were supposed to go right." You chubby worthless man burn half a calorie, raise your arm and point!! Or I don't know simply say RIGHT?!?!? At this point I just wanted to be done. I hit the singletrack came over a hill and was going down a fast descent when I discovered that someone had crashed and failed to move is bike. I hit it my front wheel stopped and I endo'ed into woods down a hill and into a thorn bush. I was pissed. I crawled back up inspected the rig and was officially shattered. I just wanted to be home. Then....to top it all off discovered that the wreck had dislodged my PowerTap head and it was nowhere to be found. Ridiculous!! Then I flatted.....most bad ass day on a bike of all time.
So here are my complaints.
1. If you are going to put on a race, mark it accurately and find volunteers that care or simply do not bother!
- I met the course designer who was not a bike racer or even a rider so therefore had no idea what is and what is not a good idea.
2. Truesport.com please do not promote these catastrophes. I do not want to go to a race and discover it is a clusterf&#k devoid of common sense.

This race should be canceled and never again considered. Seriously what I thought would be fun was terrible. To anyone considering doing this in the future, I beg of you do not waste your time or money.

Warsaw

I raced the crit in Downtown Warsaw last night. It was one of the strangest races I have ever been apart of. Attacks went flying from the gun and with Alderfer having 4,000 guys it was difficult to cover them and keep track of who was up the road. Eventually several guys got up the road and Sherer and I somehow missed the split. Eventually we got clear and started chasing with people constantly getting popped off of the front group. We eventually lapped and joined the other 4 who had lapped. I thought we were going to be like the 9th and 10th people to lap but I was pleasantly surprised when the announcer said that we were 4 and 5 on the road. Once we were all together the rest of the field got out of the way and let us 6 battle it out. It was myself,Leibo, Sherer, Will Nowak (more on that later), Jacobs and Strock from Roadhouse, and someone in blue. The Roadhouse guys traded attacks and I followed hoping me and Jacobs could get clear because I knew I would have a hard time beating Sherer or Nowak in a sprint. It was about 150 yard drag race out of the last of 4 corners, not my kind of finish. It came down to the last lap and I tried attacking on the back stretch but did not quite have the legs to come around the train of Nowak and Sherer. However, I did manage to disrupt their train a little. I dove the last corner really hard to take the inside line and then tried to sprint. However, I could not come around either Sherer or Nowak with Mike winning and Will second. I ended up third...yet another podium. It is not surprising it was Alderfer's home race and they had to win. It was a fun race, with one exception.

Nowak flatted early and was put back in a group that was ahead of the group he was originally in. It is partially the official's fault for not being aware but the lion's share of the blame goes on Will for not speaking up. I know I would not be comfortable being in a group that would eventually lap the field without having actually earned it. But hey if that is the only way you can get up the road then that is just fine. Don't get me wrong Will is super strong and has been riding very well but that was a really lame move. Come on man have some faith in yourself and when you get put back in the race have the decency to speak up and do it the right way. Sherer also had a mechanical and had to take a free lap but was put back in the main field and worked his ass off with me to make our way across. Without him there is no way I would have made it. He is riding awesome with a top 10 at Elk Grove and that sprint that has now thwarted me twice this year. I just get annoyed and wish people would play by the rules and do things the right way. I do not train my ass off so that I can be taken advantage of by cheaters. Step up your game or step aside. Trust me it is much more satisfying to do things the right way.

The new ink

Here is a picture of my new ink...for those of you who have not seen it. Big thanks to Colin @ skinquake for the incredible art work.

Sweet Pictures

So my awesome Girlfriend happens to be a great photographer (even though she wont admit it) Here are a couple of my favorite photos she has taken.

Big Crit season

Since getting my upgrade I have done 3 rather large races: The Chicago Crit and the Tour of Elk Grove. I have yet to do a Pro/1 event but they have been learning experiences nonetheless. The legs feel fine in these things I just have trouble maintaining my position. I am just not a big enough ass. I need to be more assertive and take more risks. I will just have to turn the brain off especially in the last couple laps of these things.

The Chicago Crit was a good time racing in Downtown. There is no result to write home about but it was awesome because of the company. She even took some post race photos. Also Caroline made me lunch which was awesome!



Tour of Elk Grove went better. However, I wimped out a little in the final sprint and ended up 30 something. I moved up towards the end but should have fought harder for wheels towards the end. A learning experience for sure.
Sunday was much better. I went for a prime and was caught just before the line. However, there was a split in the field with only 17 guys off the front. ( It later ballooned to 28). I rode aggressively and tried to make another move, since I knew the field would split again. I managed to stay in the money and ended up 21st. I could have played it smarter but would rather fight for it and end up 21st than play it safe and still not come away with a decent result. I am glad I made the split, it was a bit of a confidence boost. I am looking forward to the rest of the year especially the Marion Crit. Summer is winding down and I desperately want to continue to get some results and end the year on a high note.

Upgradde (with 2 D's, for a double dose of pimpin')

Oh by the way, I finally got my 1 upgrade after months of failed attempts. I am excited to finally be able to do the Pro/1 races at the upcoming NRC events such as Tour of Elk Grove, Downers and Marion. Although I am upset that they changed the Marion course and took out the hill. Should still be a good time go. Lets see how I stack up.

Long Overdue Update

Fort Wayne Crit- 2nd....got tag teamed by the Alderfer Boys, still a little bitter. Awesome ride for Mike and Issac though

Tour de Champaign (Day 2)- Was a pretty difficult race. Huff and Mead from Jelly Belly showed up. I missed the race winning move consisting of Schroetlin, a RGF and Jonathan Jacob from Roadhouse. I got up the road with Uberti (RGF) and we miraculously managed to stay away till the end. I ended up 5th. A great day of racing I really had to push seeing as how the legs never seemed to come around.

Next was the much anticipated World Championships of cycling aka The Bloomington Criterium. The pace was fast and furious from the gun. I found myself up the road with a good friend; Jason Fowler. The entire Cutter crew was there cheering, it gave me goosebumps. Unfortunately with some heavy hitters still in the group we were pulled back.


As the race progressed it became evident that it was going to end in a bunch sprint, and I knew the Nuvo boys had the man for the job in Hubbell. I went to the front with a lap and a half to go and rode myself inside out. Coming out of the last corner Hubbell yelled go wide so I obliged and he obliterated everyone easily winning the sprint. I managed to hang on for 3rd which was an unexpected surprise.

sweet picture (check out the Radars)

Podium (Pretty cool being up there with Fowler and Hubbell who has been so supportive of my racing, like the entire Nuvo squad. Thanks guys this summer has been awesome so far!