Quick Recap: (Alterra, opps) Colectivo Coffee Bean Classic

Time for a quick recap and opinion on WORS #8 in Franklin, WI.

This race can be considered my home race. Although it might be better to call Cam-Rock my home race, I grew up about a 15 minute drive from then Crystal Ridge, now The Rock. I rode there a lot when I was just getting started. And once I had a drivers license, I was there after school as often as I could borrow my parents car. To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve ridden there, but it still has the feel of a home race. My family and friends always make it out.

Taking some rest

The season is over for me. About a week ago there would have been a finally added in there, but since then, I have already had a hard time staying off the bike. I had my Wisdom teeth out on Monday, and not even that is stopping me. The season went really well, but I defiantly got burned out toward the end.  I learned a lot about myself, my body, and what I want to live like for the rest of my life.  I never stop running though; I’m already looking to next year.

Last Sunday was the Wisconsin State Cyclocross championship race in hales corners. I did not plan my year around cyclocross at all this year, and it had been showing for a while now, but last weekend was a reminder of my poor planning. I was feeling alright, but the competition in the pro/1/2 race was stiff. Tristen was there, and Isaac seemed determined to go down swinging.  This made for a really fast pace, and a hyped up Joe thinking he could take it. I couldn’t. I rode pretty well though, felt really good, but started to fade a bit faster than everyone around me.  I was also really lacking in pop. I didn’t have any fire in my legs. But I held on for 12^th, so I wasn’t too sad.

I got my wisdom teeth removed on Monday, I would love to tell everyone all about it, but I really don’t remember much. I went to the doctor and woke up 2 days later missing 4 teeth and my mouth hurt. I kinda felt like the horse in Charlie the unicorn at the end. But I didn’t miss them all that much. I healed quickly, so I was almost able to eat Thanksgiving dinner to my full enjoyment. But my mouth got tired, that was new to me.

Today I went to a Badger game with my Dad, I had a blast! Not only did the Badgers kill Northwestern, but they did it looking good. Here we come rose bowl! I really did have a lot more fun than I thought. It was good, it showed me how much fun things besides biking can be, and made me second guess bikes a little, which is good I think.  The rest of the weekend is homework. It will be nice to get back to getting things done after a week of lying around. I feel rested and ready to go!

But without fail, my brain turns to next season already!

Next year should be a lot of fun; I plan on involving myself more with the cycling club here in Madison. I want to race a lot more collegiate next year, because I feel that although the competition isn’t as good, I will be able to showcase my fitness on a bigger stage than what I do now, and possibly get noticed for some bigger opportunities in the coming years. My plan is to race a nearly full collegiate road race season with just a few Wisconsin state races peppered in, in addition to ToaD. My team for next year wants to make a bid for an GC win next year, and I know I’m not going to be the guy, but I think I will be an important player in making it happen. I want to race as many collegiate races as possible though, to help my teammate win the national road race. He is a strong freshman and I think with a good team he could win, and beyond that I bet he could clean house no problem.

For my own exploits, I was in a personal struggle. I really do love cross, and nationals will be here in Madison next year. I was thinking of making cyclocross my priority and trying to win the national cyclocross collegiate race next year. After thinking about it, although I think I can still make a serious attempt, I don’t think it’s in the cards yet for me. I think that a national mountain bike collegiate title could be possible though. MTB are my first love in cycling, and I am much better off road with fat tires than with skinny ones.  My plan is to have a small peak for road season and then really hit it hard and peak again for the mountain bike championship. As I see it, I will still be strong after MTBs and I can make a strong showing at cross nats. Good to get this down, I’m done with bikes for a few weeks!

One step closer to turkey

This weekend was the Sun Prairie Cyclocross race at Sheehan Park. I have to say right off the bat that was an amazing course! It was a little long, but on a fast dry day, it would have been crazy fast and not even close to how hard it was. My Dad came out to Madison that morning and drove me up there. It was really good to see him; he is getting in cyclocross, which is fun to see. He was really getting into the race on Sunday. I don’t know if anyone else’s dad is crazy about football, but when he watches football, he gets really loud. Well, apparently he does the same for cyclocross. He was going insane, not just for me either. He was cheering everyone one. This surprised me, because I know him as a quiet guy.

The race was a lot of fun, I felt pretty good, until the start, my buddy Isaac was there too. He took off like a bat outta hell at the start, strung the field out really long. I was able to make some of the selections, but ended up with a smaller 3-5 man group that was third on course. I felt in control during the race, which usually only happens when I’m in shape, so it was a welcome felling. I ended up making some passes and got myself in a good position with 2 laps to go. I passed a guy at the bell, and was closing in on the next guy on course. As I closed in to make the pass on a run up, my pedals didn’t unclip, and I ate shit. I landed on the top of my head after doing a half front flip. My head started hurting I slipped back, but managed to stay in the top ten my head continued to hurt the rest of the day, but I’m fine now.

I need to do a quick homework rant. I have been getting things done all over the place. But every time I get something done, it seems like there is another crisis. I know, welcome to college, but man, it does get old. Thanksgiving is coming up, so I get a break.

I will try to write again before Thanksgiving, but if I don’t, I want to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving. Eat much turkey, enjoy family and friends, be merry!

Oink Oink

This weekend was bound to be awesome from Wednesday night on. I checked the weather that night and saw that rain was possible for the weekend. To be honest, it was mixed emotions. I was applying for an upgrade to cat 2 in cyclocross, and already didn’t know what to expect. Mud and rain would just make it worse! Turns out it rained, not too bad on Friday night though.  I checked my email late on Friday, and holy shit, I got the upgrade, kind of exciting, but nervous at the same time. I had my sister come and get me, as I wasn’t racing until 2:15, so the hour drive was nothing. We got to my home in Milwaukee, and grabbed a few things. To my surprise, my sister seemed not only willing to go, but enthusiastic about it. I was a bit shocked, but wasn’t about to complain.

We got to the race about 1pm, and the place was somewhat muddy, but to be honest, I was expecting a bit more mud. I was happy it wasn’t too bad though, again I was not sure what was going to happen to me in the pro/1/2 race. The course was awesome. My sister and I walked around and checked it out and I told her where cool pictures might be. There was a guy giving out little party noise makers, and my sister got one. She had just got her wisdom teeth out, and her checks were still somewhat puffy. When she tried to make some noise, she couldn’t close her month and the air just blew right through her lips, hilarious. I went back to the car and got ready, warmed up, and headed over to start. The start was pretty good, although I was expecting more of a sprint. I ended up seeding about 6^th or so, and ended up stepping on the third corner, losing a few spots. The really fun was the run up, absolutely murdered me! Ended up top ten though, so all that worrying about cat was for nothing. I think my sis got some sweet pictures. Ill post as soon as I have them.

Here is where things get fun. Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Cam rock was on Sunday. Let me tell you, It rained like hell Saturday night. Shit, it rained like hell on Sunday morning. I got a ride out to the course in the morning with papa Grady, a guy from the uw club. He was racing 4’s, and I was happy to cheer all day. Getting there, the first thing we see is a giant mud puddle in the grass to get to some of the parking. We ended up getting a sweet spot right by the start. IT WAS CRAZY MUDDY!!! The juniors, the women, the 4s and 3s all had the craziest race. I cheered and yelled for Grady, while myself and Alex, another uw guy walked the course.  Good times, cheering for cross is almost as fun as racing! I was going nuts for the 3s too. I had a buddy from uw racing, he had just upgraded, and just suffering. Plus my teammate matt was racing; he was smiling way too much. Out race was pretty muddy, but things dried out a bit, but only a bit. It was possible the most epic thing to ever occur. My bike seriously weighed like 40 pounds. The grass and mud, the bike just soaked it up like a sponge. Ended up 6^th I think. Alex and a few other friends didn’t finish, which goes to show, just finishing that race was something to be proud of.

Good times!