Post season reflection

My usual procedure for writing a new blog post is to go back look at what I last posted and pick up the story from there. But my last post was about Melas Basin and before that Chequamegon. The story is a little fragmented at this point, something of a representation of how I ended this season.

I don’t really know how to describe it, but it’s been tough. No worries now, I’ve pushed through and figured it all out at least emotionally, but it’s a case of perspective. While you’re neck deep in it, you think it’s a much bigger deal than when you’re standing on the other side looking back.

Melas Basin Racin - Taking the Win at CCC #10

Ok, so it’s been a very long time since my last post. But I’m going to ignore all that and let you know about something recent, Sunday in Chicago for Melas Basin CX!

I have to tell the story about this race because I was excited for it, and it deliver. I drove down with long time buddy Alex Martin. Martin is a rad dude in every aspect. And like most rad dudes he’s exceptional at riding in the mud. But I love the mud too so we were both excited to get a good mudder CX race in before it got truly cold and it was all snow and ice. The forecast had rain all Saturday and Sunday so I made sure to have a guy in the pits. Before I could even contact him, Chandler Snyder. Better known as the Wookie, hit me up and asked if I needed someone. Of course I did and he’s the best. Check him out if you need some expect advice in the Chicago area.

http://wookieapproved.tumblr.com/

Chequamegon and Cross is in the air

Going back two weekends, it was the big race of the year, Chequamegon. I say big race of the year because this race has a personal meaning to me more than most. If you’re a long time reader you’ll remember that last year I said I’ve been racing it since I was a young kid. I’ve been up in the Chequamegon forest in September every year since I can remember in some form or another. I’ve been doing the kids races, and Sunday Funday since I could ride a bike. More than any other race, Chequamegon has informed my opinion about what mountain biking is and what kind of an experience racing a bike should be. To really make it stick, I should get some old photos together some time.

Dad trying to get fresh with me.

So going into Chequamegon there is always more at stake than just another race. It’s always been the way my dad measured his season’s success and as I am his son, it’s the same for me. Beyond that, This year has seen some milestones, but overall hasn’t been all that I hope it would be. I was looking for one more stamp of success to be satisfied with the mountain bike season for 2014. Certainly a top 10 and a top 5 was really what I wanted.

Meet Psimet Custom Wheels.

Check out this pretty sweet video from Psimet custom wheels. Happy to be riding wheels from a guy who knows his stuff.

Reforestation Ramble on CyclingNews

Check out the race report from cycling news about the WORS Reforestation Ramble

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/wisconsin-off-road-series-wors-reforestation-ramble-2014/results

Lake Geneva CX Clinic

In an attempt to keep up with everything I've been up to, keeping this one pretty short. Just some cool pictures. Action shots of teaching!

A Case for Mountain Bike Power Meters

Check out this blog post I guest wrote for PowerTap.

http://www.powertap.com/blogs/news/15155501-a-case-for-mountain-bike-power-meters

Nordic Mountain Preview

If you're a fan of WORS, sweet trails, plan on racing Nordic Mountain, or mountain biking in general, check out the preview video I did with WORS for the next race at Nordic Mountain, the Scarlet knight scramble. I had a blast making it, hope you enjoy watching it.







Hope to see you out there this Sunday!

WORS Cup and Nationals

After all the travel out to Montana and Colorado, I was really looking forward to spending a weekend at home to race in the biggest WORS race of the year, the WORS Cup. This year the race moved from Mt. Morris down closer to home at Cascade Mountain. The course at Cascade has taken shape over the last couple years and I was pumped to race on it this year. I spent the week preparing but was never able to get out on the course. So when I showed up on Friday night early enough to get two laps in, then grab some food and hang out before the race. The course was much more technical than what it had been in the past and I really enjoyed the changes that had been made. What I loved the most about it was the combination of slow grinding technical uphill and then fast big hit obstacles on the way down. It will never be riding in the mountains, but it lives up to the fantastic legacy of Mt Morris.

Back to the mountains for the Missoula XC and the final round of the US Cup

The past 11 days I made a trip out to the Rocky Mountains for 2 rounds of national level competition. Way back on June 19^th my girlfriend Kelsey and I packed up the car for 11 days of racing and vacationing. For me, mostly racing and training though.

The trip out was long and tough as always. The fastest way out is through the great plains of South Dakoda. The unfortunate thing about that drive, is the plains aren’t so great, until the turn into mountains in Wyoming and Montana. But we stopped in Rapid City on day 1 so I could hit up the trails from last year in Founders Park. Love the trails, but we got there as the sun was going down so I only had about 30 minutes to ride. Worth it. We grabbed a hotel and got some sleep after dinner and a few more hours of driving.

All Work and No Play...It's pretty much been all play

After all the fun in Rhinelander and rippin the snake, I had an even busier weekend coming.

I was lucky enough to get an invite from the Mt. Borah Epic, a tribute to the amazing trails in the Chequamegon National Forest. Unlike the famous Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, this race is something like 95% on single track. This had me excited. I drove up with Team Wisconsin Director, Dave Eckel and stayed with Wade Loberger and Melissa Putzer in a nice little cabin they have right near the start and finish. The race starts on Randysack road, a road that if you’ve ever raced the short and fat, you’re familiar with. But unlike the short and fat, the Epic takes a turn into the single track pretty quickly and doesn’t come up for air until the half way mark. And even then, it dives back in until the finish.

WORS Rhinelander and slaying the Snake

I’m a bit behind on race updates, but the good news is that means I’ve been racing a lot! After the big result at Iola I took a step back and realized that I was a little bit ahead of where I wanted to be so it was time to take it easier for a while. Last year, I did something similar, I was a little too far along at this time, but I didn’t take a step back then. I’m glad I did because this year I think I’ll time my peaks much better for big results when they really count. But long story short, it’s been some lower volume, high intensity training, with lots of rest.

The Trek SuperFly FS is wicked.

The title says is all.

I was lucky enough this year to get hooked up with a new bike and I have to say I felt like I took a little bit of a chance. Personally, coming from a hardtail 26, a 29er full suspension was a big jump. But to summarize, it was the right choice. That bike is miles past what I was on, and even more than that, doesn’t have any of the draw backs I was afraid of.

WORS #1: Iola

WORS started off this last weekend with the traditional opener in Iola. To say I was excited is an understatement. With all the early season racing in Texas and California, I was eager to get back on the start line. On top of that, my Mom’s birthday was the weekend before so we celebrated that while I was home. And on top of top of that, my sister’s new theater production Next to Normal Opened at the Theater on Main in Oconomowoc, so we went to that on Friday night. A great weekend all packed in.

JM Coaching Testimonial

Some of you may be familiar with Max Ackermann. He's a enthusiastic and hard working Freshman at UW and has some serious talent riding a bike. I was lucky enough to start working with him as a coach a few months ago and I'd like to think I've been able to help him, but honestly he's got so much drive and potential that I'm not sure I can take credit. He's the one doing the work.

Max and me being awesome

A little while ago, I asked Max Ackermann to write up a little testimonial about how coaching has been with me over the first few month. He was quick to respond with this:

"JM Coaching Testimonial

April 22, 2014

        Before I met Joe, all I knew of him is that he was that guy who always used to beat me in the 3’s, and that he was really fast on a bike. I first got to know him in the fall of my freshman year at UW, when we led the Madison cyclocross practices together. 

One day in October, I asked Joe if he wanted to get out and ride.  Somewhat to my surprise, he was more than willing to let me join him on his workout, and also to guide me and give me a few tips along the way. This was pretty cool of him, since a lot of guys just wouldn’t take the time to help a kid out for no reason. We ended up training together 2 or 3 times a week for the rest of the cyclocross season, and he helped push me to train at a high level with him. This not only made the training a lot more fun, but also made me a lot faster! More than that though, Joe showed a genuine interest in my progress as an athlete and an individual before he even mentioned to me that he was coaching.

Somewhere along the way, Joe mentioned his plans to start coaching in the spring and offered to coach me if I was interested. As a freshman and U23 rider in about the same place Joe was a few years ago, I knew it would be a great opportunity to learn from and be guided by somebody who has found success both on and off the bike like he has. Beyond that, it was really cool to hear from somebody that I looked up to like Joe that I had potential to excel in the sport.

Now, I’ve been working with Joe as my coach for just over 3 months. Right from the start, we had a sit down and Joe took the time to learn more about me as both a rider and a person. We set out some season and long-term goals, put together a schedule, and made a plan. The plan we’ve put together is one that’s fully tailored to my specific goals, strengths and weaknesses. Having not done a ton of long-term structured training in the past, I had to trust him and his years of training at a high level. Already, I’m beginning to see gains that I wouldn’t have expected. It’s pretty amazing how a fine tuned plan will bring results.

However, life is about more than bikes. I’m a student first, and a cyclist second, and this is something that Joe and I have worked into the plan. There are some days that I’ll miss a workout because I’m either too busy or stressed with school, and that’s okay. Having had to balance school and cycling for many years himself, this is something that Joe has a really good understanding of and works into the training very well.

Overall, I’m really pumped to be working with Joe this year, and very excited to see what the season brings!

Max Ackermann"

Thanks so much to Max for the kind words. Priviliged to work with such a talented guy, and humbled by the sentiments here. He's out with a broken wrist, so send him you're good vibes and I look forward to him getting back on the bike and picking back up with crushing it soon.

If you're looking to bring some structure to your training, structure that works within your schedule. And structure that accounts for all aspects of who you are, drop me a line( j.maloney.ii@gmail.com). I'd love to talk to you about where you are, where you want to be, and how we can get there together.

Checking in: Keeping it short.

The last few weeks have been pretty simple. Training, hanging out with family, friends, cooking good food, and resetting focus to hit the racing again. I did get a chance to pick up my sweet new ride from Emery’s and take it out a few time. Look for an update on that coming soon. First impressions? It’s got a bigger wheel, and once I got used to that, I love it. It’s fast, it’s nimble, and it goes where you want it to. I was worried I would have to change my riding style, but what it’s done for me is enhance my riding style. I’m going just as fast as I was before, but now I feel like there is a lot more speed waiting to get let out. Along with the new bike is the new clothing. Team Wisconsin changed it up a little this year with a new kit style. Like the look, and the new clothing supplier Hincapie makes some quality stuff. I wouldn’t say it’s perfect, but you can tell it’s made by people who ride as much as I do.

The coaching business has been doing well. I’ve picked up a total of 4 athletes and they are all doing well. There is always a transition period while you get used to the new relationship, but I’m starting to really understand them for the people and athletes they are and I think it’s gonna be a good year. One of my athletes, Max, broke his wrist while out playing around on the MTB. The bad news is that he’s out for a little while, but the good news is that most of his big goals are later so he should be back at it in plenty of time. It might even put some extra fuel on the fire for the later end of the CX season. Send him good vibes.

If you’re looking for a coach, hit me up and I’d love to work with you. See my coaching page for more info.

Looking ahead, it’s time to race! Motivation is high and I can’t wait to get the legs going again with some racing action. California was cool, but I wasn’t in any kind of racing shape. I can’t wait to hit the dirt with the usual WORS suspect and characters in Iola this coming weekend. The temps might be cold, but the company will be warm. I’ll be out pre-riding Saturday and anyone is welcome to join me. Just say hey and I’d love to do a lap with you.

Keeping it short today, check back for updates on the new bike, coaching and of course, WORS #1!

Visiting Mike's Mix

This past weekend I made a stop by Mike’s Mix Recovery Drink during my long ride on Saturday. I have been representing them for about 18 months and have been using their recovery drink for about 2+ years and if you read regularly, you know I love the stuff. So while I’ve been involved with them for a good amount of time, I’ve never gotten a chance to get to know Mike, Melissa, and the small shop they run the business out of.

They have set up shop in a pretty small town about a 90 minute ride outside of Madison in a very neat old building just off Main Street, in Mazomanie, WI. Mike gave me the whole run down. He bought the building and did a nearly ground up restoration and conversion to make the building suitable for the business. You could tell from his tone that he put in a lot of hard work, both planning and constructing. But the result is pretty spectacular and from what I gather is something of a dream come true for him and his family.

A week in California 2 of 2

After taking it super easy Thursday, I was anxious to get back out and ride on Friday. I rented a car for the weekend and drove to Fontana on Friday to pre-ride the course. If Bonelli is a punchy, European, newer UCI style, then Fontana is old school, super fun, and more about riding awesome trails than just thrashing your legs. Having said that, it’s still tough, and required a lot of mental focus and technical skill to really move fast. Overall, I love the course, so much fun to ride. I didn’t get any pictures during pre-ride, but my uncle got a few during the XC, below.

A Week in California: 1 of 2

This year has started off fast. It’s almost hard to believe it’s only the end of March. First there was Texas, my first time on the mountain bike this year and it was for a race. Now just a couple of weeks later I’m out in California racing again. The push for these early season races has been tough on me mentally so far, with the results not where I need them to be because I just am not fit yet, and the opportunity to really make a mark more present than it has been in the past. But all in all, I’m not complaining. I’m not complaining, because really, I can’t. I’m out in California, it’s warm, and I’m racing my bike. This is what I dream about doing, we’ll almost. Usually in my dreams I’m winning races. But the trip so far has been spectacular.

Mellow Johhny's Kicks off the US Cup Series

This past weekend was the first big race of the year, and also the first race of the year. It came much earlier than I was ready for. The decision to race was somewhat a last minute decision for me when the announcement was made that the overall purse for the US cup was increased to the largest in the world, $80,000. So with that kind of prize on the line, I decided to make the trip. And if I’m being honest, I also was looking for some warm weather.

So I would say I wasn’t completely prepared for this race, probably a big understatement. About a week before I flew in, my legs were just starting to come around and I was back in the groove. Previous to that I had taken some time off to rest and when I got back on the bike I was having to reach and really push it to hit the numbers in the workouts. I was just starting to come back into form and riding well within my zones from last year. So I was feeling excited and happy to be riding strong again. But then towards the end of the week before I made the trip, I started feeling a little sick. I t was just a little cold, so I wasn’t worried. But as the week went, I never really felt better, never felt that bad, but was out of it. And being out of it, I did a pretty horrible job of packing and skipped a few workouts. So things went from hopeful to less than hopeful as I made my preparation and travel out to Austin, Texas.

Introducing JM Coaching!

http://theaveragejoseph.blogspot.com/p/jm-coaching.html

As I have been diving deeper and deeper into the cycling world throughout the last handful of years I have become completely immersed into the different aspects of the sport, from the technical side to the training side to the social side. I am an engineer by trade, but also have an interest in the physiological side as well. This has lead me to study training techniques and science as a hobby. When I graduated from UW-Madison with my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering just a few short months ago, I had the thought that I could use the “spare time” I had that homework used to take up to help people get faster on their bikes through clinics, advice and word of mouth. Of course the natural outlet for this is to start coaching.

My hope is to help develop younger off-road athletes, to help grow that side of the sport. But my experience and interest is certainly not limited to that side. If you are young or old, off-road or on the road, male or female, I want to help you enjoy your racing more, accomplish your goals, and become a faster better all-around cyclist.

My coaching philosophy is that the most effective training plan can only be written by knowing the athlete as a person. It is important for the coach to know who they are coaching well, and just as important for the athlete to know themselves This is my focus. I understand that while training is a part of it, it isn't the only thing going on in someone's life. So a successful season or event is the product of an effective training plan with the flexibility needed to deal with the curve balls life always throws. Secondly, there is more to training than just rides. Training can take the forms of all types of activity and taking advantage of these different types can help make the most of the time put in, whether that is 10 hours or 30 hours. Core and strength training, cross training in other sports, stretching, and running can all be effective tools in improving a person's performance at an event when incorporated into the overall training plan correctly. Finally, I feel that the mental side of the sport is often ignored. Ignoring this side of a person is the first mistake that leads to not knowing your client, which goes against my first point. But beyond that, I know that a happy person trains harder. I make sure to maintain a focus on pure enjoyment of training, the excitement of reaching goals, and ups and downs that it takes to get there.

If I'm gonna ride my bike for a living, I might as well also do something useful.

So it’s time to be honest with myself. One the positive side, racing professionally is becoming more of a possibility each year, month, and week. I am training my heart out day in and day out and it’s beginning to make a difference. I’m not there yet, but as I keep pushing through to the next level, I’m finding out more ways to make this dream come true. On the not so positive side, racing my bike isn’t really something that helps people. Realizing this fact got me thinking about things a little bit deeper, it got me wondering how I can help people.

How can I help people? That’s a tough question. So instead I thought, how was I helped, specifically by cycling? How has my life been changed, effected, bettered by riding a bike? The simple fact is that on a bike I’ve become a more health person, with drive and focus on life goals. I have learned to live in an efficient manner. Sure a car is useful, but I get along fine day to day without one. In fact I’d say things are better by bike! A little fresh air on my way to work always gets the day started right and a calming ride home chills me out.  I have become more energetic and productive on and off the bike. Thinking about all these things, it became clear that for me I could help my community by getting more people riding bikes, embracing a healthy lifestyle, and truly believing in the power that bikes have to change our world for the better.

This idea isn’t something new. It’s something many of my sponsors do. Trek Bikes has a ton of programs and systems to help spread the message. They give away tons of money to tons of organizations that are helping the get the message out there and improve people’s lives. KS Energy Services is hugely charitable and with them I’ve help out at the Make a Wish foundation’s annual run/walk on Milwaukee’s lake front. This is on top of a ton of other work the entire company does to help people in all walks of life.

While a person could make a full time job out of this, and many have, I’m not in a position to do so, but I still want to help. So I will be working with the Wisconsin bike fed. Volunteering my time to help do whatever they need. I hope to work with some local WIN cycling teams to help teach kids how to ride bikes. I’ll start small, but who knows where it could take me.

I encourage anyone reading this to take a step to do this as well. Contact the Wisconsin bike fed, start riding into work, encourage your friends to join you even! Replace your short trips around town with a little bike ride. I know that the majority of the people reading this already do a lot of these things, but if you don’t consider trying it!

At the very least, check out The Wisconsin Bike Fed and consider becoming a member.

Thanks for reading!

Looking Back on 2013

Last time I looked back on last year, I didn’t have a ton too be super proud of. 2012 was a tough year in general, but I did have some success. 2013 was on the other end of the spectrum. Not everything went right, but I had good luck for things I couldn’t control and the support from some amazing people and an amazing community and on the whole everything was amazing.