Yikes, I am writing

So this past summer I did not race track, I didn't race much of anything. What I did do was to work A LOT! But that is life.

Anyways, it is cross season which means a lot of races. So far i have done 5 cross races and one mountain bike race. Being a cat 3 cross racer means if you are not in shape you will finish very badly. Not a good reason not to blog, but honestly who wants to admit they are truly out of shape? Plus if I were to state that I had an injury it would sound like an excuse. I don't like excuses.

On a more positive note, I did the last WORS race in Sheboygan. I must say the course was a BLAST! I sort of got off on my own a few times and I could have swore I was just out for fun and not racing. I did not make it up the Equalizer any of the three laps, but I did out run everyone on the hill, riders and walkers. I guess my cyclocross training is paying off. I plan on heading back up to Sheboygan to ride there again. I was also about to explain the city, aka I drove around it, and it seemed kind of cool. I might have to head back up there and explore some more.

Shifting gears back to cyclocross, a few of my bigger races are coming up. I am signed up for the Louisville GP, and Jingle Cross. While I am officially registered for the races I have yet to find a place to stay.... I really should work on that soon.

My Future

So i have been thinking all about what i want to do this year, as far as cycling goes. in the past i would do road races, crits, track races, and mountain bike races before cross season. I am thinking i should dial it back some, but to what? I enjoy all the different disciplines of cycling but i believe to be good i need to work on just on.

my gut instantly says stuck with the track, you have had success stick to it. but this does require me to get a new bike seeing the current on might only last half a season. (see post before it you need to know why) and buying a new bike means more $$$ i would stick with mountain biking, but that involves a lot of travel and that means less time at home, for races and practice. i could do road, its for the most part close, but my weight and size is a huge issues with that. Cross, well that is sticking no matter what.

This leads to be believe, that if i want to be good at cross i should do a discipline that helps benefit cyclocross. Well Jpow and Tim Johnson both races the road, while Todd Wells, Ryan Trebon, and Barry Wicks are all mountain bikes. So which do i choose. If you noticed i didnt say anything about track. (hint for later) I am thinking that i would work on mountain biking the most due to the handling aspect and its relation to cross.

This by no means, means i am giving up on the road. The road is a great place to train and i have already signed up for Hillsboro 4-10-10. So i guess this means i will not being racing at the track this year. It will allow me a year to work on my spinning for the next time i race on the track. (i cant believe i said i will not be racing the track this year. aurg! before this post i have fully intended on getting a new track bike and racing this year.)

And with that bomb shell i am off to class and to let you think about what i just decided.


PS i reserve the right to change my mind at any point in my life that i darn well please!

PSS this wasnt editted so if you want do it for mean and email me a proper copy, feel free

Big and Tall?

As the cross season is officially over with the world championship being done, and with the road season fast approaching, i signed up for hillsboro monday, i have noticed a very common tread in cycling. I always keep an eye out for new bikes, new wheels, and other new things for cycling, and the tread i keep noticing is that everything is made for 150 lb 5 foot 10 inch tall cyclist. What about us, the big boys of cycling? I can't, and don't really care to, hide the fact that i am 6 foot 4, and 240lbs. this with the combination of the fact that the cycling industry has it's target cyclist being the small guys stated above makes it very difficult for me to find proper fitting equipment. I need big tall long bikes that can handle the abuse of uneven roads, combined with strong stiff wheels. I have been riding Trek for so time and they seem to put out a pretty good frame that can handle the abuse i give it. (i currently have a madone 5.5 pro) while the wheels are good, with the abuse the winters of wisconsin puts on our road, my wheels can only handle so much before they need to be either trued or replaced. Most of the wheels i look at don't suggest anyone over 175-200lbs ride them wheels, with the exception of zipp. they used to have clydesdale wheels, aka wheels for guys JUST over 200lbs, but it seemed they are now just called cyclocross wheels.

what does this really mean? this means the cycling industry seems to be ignoring a decent and rather big part of its community. I wish, but highly doubt, that the cycling industry will do something to change this. But is it really that hard to ask for a pair of wheels that i can ride without having to get them trued or replaced often, or a bike long enough that i can properly fit without adding long stems, 180mm or longer crank, or extra tall angled back seat posts?

if anyone knows of any company that makes or produces cycling gear for us tall and big cyclists or know of equipment that can withstand a beating PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!!

floppy disk

that is right i have been recruited to reformatted my parents computer which means i will be using http://www.dban.org/ and since it gave me the option of using a floppy disk I AM GOING TOO. that trick now is to find one that i can formatted on my computer. yes i have a floppy drive on my desktop, and yes i did pay a lot extra when i got this computer and yes this is probably the first time i have used it, but it SOOOOOOOOOO worth it now. now off to find a functional floppy disk, if one exist in this house

Deal Time

in a deal with Marne Leigh (wow her site looks professionally done) i promised to update my blog. So you all, like 3 people, might have asked yourself what i have been up to for the last 6ish months and the short answer is riding my bike. (this is the point in time that i remember why i do not blog, i am getting distracted. right now i am on steven cozza website) (now on to hulu.com to find a movie to watch while i attempt to type this blog.) still looking but o well this needs to be written.

So the last 6ish months have been all about bikes, either mountain, road, but especially track. (pause again to look for a video, but i think i found a Veggie Tales movie i can watch.) anyways i have spent a lot of time this summer on my track bike. the problem was i didn't spend ENOUGH time on my track bike or any bike for that fact this past winter. I did manage to prove i can out sprint people in shorter events, but i have no endurance when it comes to longer races. so this off-season i need to train harder than ever.

BUT the off season hasn't started yet because cyclocross is in season. that season hasn't been the greatest because i am back in school. but the season is almost over. The state championship is the 22nd, and than the most fun race of the season, Jingle Cross Rock is the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving. want proof its fun, watch this video.

anyways that is all have for now, ill try to update more often.

Pro

What makes you feel like a pro? for me it could be as simple as riding with no gloves, which isnt advised. what makes you feel pro?

Quote of the Weekend

Bike Haven guy, talking after the race, "every time i attacked, i looked and DAMN! that yellow Trek was still there." LOL i was riding that yellow Trek