Got up this morning and had a good breakfast in the room, oatmeal, raisins and a banana. Met the guys downstairs and we went out and rode for about 45 min, stopping at a Starbucks and getting some good joe!
Left for Devils Den State Park, and amazed when I got down south of Fayetteville. Some big hills down here, (I have never seen Rockies up close). Driving down into the valley was like swirling around in a toilet. Got to the bottom and got unpacked. Punk Rock Cycling was nice enough to lend us their trailer for the week!
Helmet and bike put together, it was time to get numbers pinned and relax for the next 1.5 hours. My scheduled time off of the start ramp was 4:22. Started warming up around 1:30 and got a good warm up in = climbing back out of Devils Den == 10 min climb, warmed up for about 45 minutes with a nice 5 min piece to open the legs up the climb. Legs were feeling good.
Pulled up to the start line a little late (30 sec to spare) and got ready to go, took a deep breath and was off. Started out fairly fast and then hit the climb. This climb was flattish for .8 miles and then kicks up for the next 2 miles. Found a decent rhythm with a slight tail/cross wind and already saw the heartrate going above 185 and feeling ok. 30 sec man was up the road the whole day and by the end I had almost caught 1 min man. Coming to the line the lungs and legs were burning, and started to close my eyes towards the end fending off the visual pain of going up and up. Finished with a time of 10:29 which was good for 61 place out of 106 starters. The ride data :
2.5 miles
10:29
Avg. HR 191
Max HR 197
Rode back to the bottom and then spun around for another 15 min to rest the legs. Changed and back to Bentonville. Duey ended up 3rd, 5 seconds in the rears of Bill Gault of Tulsa Tough and Joe Schmalz of Mercy Cycling Team. Great place for tomorrow as for the first time in 3 years, Duey gets to be on the offensive, and takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders to set tempo. Will try to keep him fueled and in position. Paul/Lou and Jeff Bradley are with and boy what a group to learn stuff from, I am still trying to absorb tactics and stratagies. This race is won on time bonuses at the finish. Hope luck is on our side tomorrow!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Bentonville, AR
So the drive down was a little longer than we had expected yesterday. Made a couple stops, one to eat in Bethany, MO. Reminded me of Bethany :) Go figure....
Then we stopped at a small hicktown around 6 and rode for 45min to try and loosen the legs up. Then in Joplin for dinner at Olive Garden. First time I have ever gone to an Olive Garden and didn't get pasta. Lou and I got a chicken dish with a citrus sauce with asparagus on the side broccoli. Have to say it was amazing. Also was weird as we walked in and saw Steve Tilford and his gang on the way to Joe Martin as well, talked with them for a bit about the course/doping. Really funny guy!
Got to Bentonville (Home of Walmart) and this was evident right away. We stopped at what we believe is the first Walmart in America and are staying at an extended stay on Walton Ave. No doubt named after Sam Walton, who began the franchise.
Overall a good experience so far, and will update after TT today, but I forgot my camera...so no pics! DOH!
Then we stopped at a small hicktown around 6 and rode for 45min to try and loosen the legs up. Then in Joplin for dinner at Olive Garden. First time I have ever gone to an Olive Garden and didn't get pasta. Lou and I got a chicken dish with a citrus sauce with asparagus on the side broccoli. Have to say it was amazing. Also was weird as we walked in and saw Steve Tilford and his gang on the way to Joe Martin as well, talked with them for a bit about the course/doping. Really funny guy!
Got to Bentonville (Home of Walmart) and this was evident right away. We stopped at what we believe is the first Walmart in America and are staying at an extended stay on Walton Ave. No doubt named after Sam Walton, who began the franchise.
Overall a good experience so far, and will update after TT today, but I forgot my camera...so no pics! DOH!
Monday, May 3, 2010
La Crosse Criterium
The past week as seen the highest volume of work so far this week, and some good speed work in the legs. Over 15 hours on the bike with a 90 mile stroke and some fast work.
Sunday was the LaCrosse Fitness Festival Criterium in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. This course is right downtown on a 4 corner rectangle that is extremely flat and fast. 80 starters took to the line in the Cat 1,2 race. Duey and myself representing the Mercy-Specialized boys, Jeff Bradley in his VeloSport gear and Jerome in the All9 kit. Pace started very fast, and wouldn't really let up most of the day. A break of 10 got up the road with all major teams, I was just a bit to far back when the acceleration came...almost got it. My whole goal for the race was to try and stick to no-less than 10-15 wheels back in the group. Jeff Bradley rode for 7-11 in Europe and the Tour de France and always knows where to be, this was my spot for pack positioning. It took some mental and physical work to stay up in the front, but it worked and I am feeling better fighting for wheels and open spaces!
At the end of the race, I made it to the line and finished in 30th place. Not bad, and went much better than Old Cap. Legs are coming along good and ready to kick ass this week in Arkansas for Joe Martin Stage Race.
Mercy-Specialized and VeloSport are combining to bring a winning team to Fayetteville, AR. Paul Deninger, Lou Waugamon, Jeff Bradley, Duey Dickey and myself will try to bring home the yellow jersey at the end of the week.
5 days with more climbing than I have ever done in my life. A tough day 2 with a 110 mile stage with a 10mile climb at about 60 miles in. Will have to make sure I eat and drink my fill during the stage and work on pack positioning to conserve energy.
Will be taking some pictures and updating daily! Stay tuned!
Sunday was the LaCrosse Fitness Festival Criterium in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. This course is right downtown on a 4 corner rectangle that is extremely flat and fast. 80 starters took to the line in the Cat 1,2 race. Duey and myself representing the Mercy-Specialized boys, Jeff Bradley in his VeloSport gear and Jerome in the All9 kit. Pace started very fast, and wouldn't really let up most of the day. A break of 10 got up the road with all major teams, I was just a bit to far back when the acceleration came...almost got it. My whole goal for the race was to try and stick to no-less than 10-15 wheels back in the group. Jeff Bradley rode for 7-11 in Europe and the Tour de France and always knows where to be, this was my spot for pack positioning. It took some mental and physical work to stay up in the front, but it worked and I am feeling better fighting for wheels and open spaces!
At the end of the race, I made it to the line and finished in 30th place. Not bad, and went much better than Old Cap. Legs are coming along good and ready to kick ass this week in Arkansas for Joe Martin Stage Race.
Mercy-Specialized and VeloSport are combining to bring a winning team to Fayetteville, AR. Paul Deninger, Lou Waugamon, Jeff Bradley, Duey Dickey and myself will try to bring home the yellow jersey at the end of the week.
5 days with more climbing than I have ever done in my life. A tough day 2 with a 110 mile stage with a 10mile climb at about 60 miles in. Will have to make sure I eat and drink my fill during the stage and work on pack positioning to conserve energy.
Will be taking some pictures and updating daily! Stay tuned!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Old Capital Crit Race Report
Been a bit since my last post so I will update you on school and training, about the only things I am doing. School is winding down, and I just finished editing my senior paper, a total of 40 pages. The paper was written on Nutrition in Endurance Athletes. Couldn't believe I wrote that much one one subject, but it was very interesting to research and I will present on May 12th to the HPE faculty.
So back to the main priority of life :) Cycling
This week was good, putting in over 15 hours on the bike with 2 VO2 days and a couple longer tempo rides with the boys up here in Decorah.
Had the swim banquet yesterday at Luther, and then rode back with parents to Cedar Rapids for the night, so I could race Old Cap today. The threat of rain almost made me not wanna race, but have to learn how to do it sometime! A great atmosphere, and venue for the race that drags many teams from the midwest to Iowa City for battle. Steve Tilford and his team, ISCorp, Texas Roadhouse were all regional powerhouse teams that took part today. My legs were feeling more open than earlier this week so I was looking to do well.
Fast forward a couple laps and I already find myself at the back......what? I started off well and didn't really get passed by many people, but I guess the insane pass set by Texas Roadhouse at the front popped off guys earlier than me. I came unglued about 12 laps in to the race and rode tempo for a few laps before Chris Eastburn came up. We rode for another 5 laps or so before being pulled off the course. Pat Lemiuex took a great win, riding solo for all but 8 laps or so?
A big blow to the mentality so far this year, have been putting in so much more training than I ever have before, but no results to show yet. I guess it doesn't matter good your preparations are when you only start on the bike in Feb. Most of these guys have been riding all winter, or December. I guess I just have to work, work, and work some more to try and gain the fitness needed. Also need to become more comfortable at higher speeds within a pack. I have no problems being 2 inch from another persons handlebars going down a hill or cornering, but I always seem to tap the brakes when it is un-needed.
This next week is pretty chill at school, so I look to have another good week and will be incorporating more high intensity VO2 type efforts to try and find my top end speed.
Schedule coming up looks like LaCrosse Fitness Festival Criterium next Sunday and possibly Joe Martin Stage Race the week after.
So back to the main priority of life :) Cycling
This week was good, putting in over 15 hours on the bike with 2 VO2 days and a couple longer tempo rides with the boys up here in Decorah.
Had the swim banquet yesterday at Luther, and then rode back with parents to Cedar Rapids for the night, so I could race Old Cap today. The threat of rain almost made me not wanna race, but have to learn how to do it sometime! A great atmosphere, and venue for the race that drags many teams from the midwest to Iowa City for battle. Steve Tilford and his team, ISCorp, Texas Roadhouse were all regional powerhouse teams that took part today. My legs were feeling more open than earlier this week so I was looking to do well.
Fast forward a couple laps and I already find myself at the back......what? I started off well and didn't really get passed by many people, but I guess the insane pass set by Texas Roadhouse at the front popped off guys earlier than me. I came unglued about 12 laps in to the race and rode tempo for a few laps before Chris Eastburn came up. We rode for another 5 laps or so before being pulled off the course. Pat Lemiuex took a great win, riding solo for all but 8 laps or so?
A big blow to the mentality so far this year, have been putting in so much more training than I ever have before, but no results to show yet. I guess it doesn't matter good your preparations are when you only start on the bike in Feb. Most of these guys have been riding all winter, or December. I guess I just have to work, work, and work some more to try and gain the fitness needed. Also need to become more comfortable at higher speeds within a pack. I have no problems being 2 inch from another persons handlebars going down a hill or cornering, but I always seem to tap the brakes when it is un-needed.
This next week is pretty chill at school, so I look to have another good week and will be incorporating more high intensity VO2 type efforts to try and find my top end speed.
Schedule coming up looks like LaCrosse Fitness Festival Criterium next Sunday and possibly Joe Martin Stage Race the week after.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
First races of the season don't go that well I guess...
Having upgraded to a cat 2 this year, I knew what I was getting into in terms of race length and intensity, but not the fact that many guys have been training all winter in the south to come to races nice and fast this early in spring.
Went to Iowa City and then on to Hillsboro, Illinois for the Hillsboro Roubaix Nature Valley Grand Prix qualifier race. Only Cat 1's are able to make the 8 man team, but this meant that some strong teams and riders were going to show up. Texas Roadhouse, ISCorp, Kenda-GearGrinder, Panther Cycling all brought squads of about 8 guys. Now racing with Mercy, there was Duey, me, Ryan Neninger, John Olney and Jeff Barnes.
Got all suited up in my new kit, which is pretty nice....really like the LG shorts and chamois.
Race started pretty neutral for about 10 miles, then the crosswinds started, and immediatly it was gas on. The course is very nice in the back country of illinois, on european sized roads with chipseal. Constantly were turning left and right, so the winds didn't have great impacts right away. Coming into town, there is a nice hill through the feed zone and then a 40mph decent on cobbles. This was very hairy, having never ridden the race before.....I counted a dozen bottles coming out of bikes and even about 3 bottles with bottle cages still attached. Anyway, I made it through the first 2 laps, but coming into town on the start of the third lap, I was caught to far back in the pack and starting to cramp...As the crosswinds hit again, Texas Roadhouse put the hammer down and I was popped off. Caught up to Paul Deninger a couple miles up the road and we rolled to the finish.
A little dissapointed, but I have only been on bike for about a month, and this is my longest race ever this early in the season, so nothing but good training. Looking forward to some more road races coming up.
Sunday, I was coming back through Cedar Rapids and Mark Guthart was nice enough to let me fly the "Luther Norse" colors in the NCCC cycling confrence race at Hawkeye Downs. Raced the mens A/B race, and immediatly guys from Minnesota, Iowa and Kansas went up the road and lapped our field. With this happeneing, I had no chance of a great placing and ended up being a good hour of motorpacing. Looking to do more college when I go to graduate school next year.
Now back to school, where I totally lack motivation to keep my studies going...that is not good as I have 1 month to go before finals even start ! Training will keep going as I try to be going my best at Joe Martin.
Went to Iowa City and then on to Hillsboro, Illinois for the Hillsboro Roubaix Nature Valley Grand Prix qualifier race. Only Cat 1's are able to make the 8 man team, but this meant that some strong teams and riders were going to show up. Texas Roadhouse, ISCorp, Kenda-GearGrinder, Panther Cycling all brought squads of about 8 guys. Now racing with Mercy, there was Duey, me, Ryan Neninger, John Olney and Jeff Barnes.
Got all suited up in my new kit, which is pretty nice....really like the LG shorts and chamois.
Race started pretty neutral for about 10 miles, then the crosswinds started, and immediatly it was gas on. The course is very nice in the back country of illinois, on european sized roads with chipseal. Constantly were turning left and right, so the winds didn't have great impacts right away. Coming into town, there is a nice hill through the feed zone and then a 40mph decent on cobbles. This was very hairy, having never ridden the race before.....I counted a dozen bottles coming out of bikes and even about 3 bottles with bottle cages still attached. Anyway, I made it through the first 2 laps, but coming into town on the start of the third lap, I was caught to far back in the pack and starting to cramp...As the crosswinds hit again, Texas Roadhouse put the hammer down and I was popped off. Caught up to Paul Deninger a couple miles up the road and we rolled to the finish.
A little dissapointed, but I have only been on bike for about a month, and this is my longest race ever this early in the season, so nothing but good training. Looking forward to some more road races coming up.
Sunday, I was coming back through Cedar Rapids and Mark Guthart was nice enough to let me fly the "Luther Norse" colors in the NCCC cycling confrence race at Hawkeye Downs. Raced the mens A/B race, and immediatly guys from Minnesota, Iowa and Kansas went up the road and lapped our field. With this happeneing, I had no chance of a great placing and ended up being a good hour of motorpacing. Looking to do more college when I go to graduate school next year.
Now back to school, where I totally lack motivation to keep my studies going...that is not good as I have 1 month to go before finals even start ! Training will keep going as I try to be going my best at Joe Martin.
Monday, April 5, 2010
New Bike
Brand new frame with a big thanks to Geoffs Bike and Ski, Mercy Specialized and Specialized. Got it built up this weekend and ready to get it on the road and ready for Hillsboro next weekend!Frame Size 61
Components 2010 Ultegra 6700 with Dura Ace rear derailleur
Went to Geoffs today and Kevin McConnell performed a BG Fit session. It was very informational and ended up changing cleat position, saddle position and handlebar position. Using Specialized Rro Road shoes this year, and the insoles that are inside helped a lot!
Keeping the training rolling this week, as I would like to be on top form for Joe Martin.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Training Training Training
With only 7 weeks to go of my undergraduate career at Luther, I am definitely trying to slack off and not put much emphasis on school :), at least in the classes that I don't care about. All of my graduate schools have my transcripts and I should hear from the last two soon. Minnesota State Mankato and UNI are the last, and probably the two I am looking at going.
Been putting some good quality hours on the bike this week since coming back from a rest week in Florida. 3 days in and already up to 9 hours, with another good block of training this weekend while at home in Cedar Rapids for Easter Break. Decorah has to be some of the best riding around the midwest. Being located in NE Iowa, the hills and climbing is awesome and you can easily ride on roads 1 time in a week without crossing it again. Plus it helps when you have a Cat 1 rider in Novian Whitsit to kick your ass everyday on the bike, will only get stronger! Another ex-cross country runner still living in the area, Karl "Moose" Larson is also a force to be watched.
Novian on left and Karl
Next week will be my first race as a Cat 2, and its a big one. Hillsboro Roubaix down by St. Louis. A 90 mile road race with some of the really good domestic pro teams in the midwest attending, Kenda GearGrinder, Mercy Cycling Team just to name a few. Look to be in the mix and not just sit in all the time. Going down with most of the Mercy team, should be a good squad. Jeff, Duey, Adam, Andy and myself for the pro race.
Just picked up my team gear today and will post some pictures soon of the new ride!
Been putting some good quality hours on the bike this week since coming back from a rest week in Florida. 3 days in and already up to 9 hours, with another good block of training this weekend while at home in Cedar Rapids for Easter Break. Decorah has to be some of the best riding around the midwest. Being located in NE Iowa, the hills and climbing is awesome and you can easily ride on roads 1 time in a week without crossing it again. Plus it helps when you have a Cat 1 rider in Novian Whitsit to kick your ass everyday on the bike, will only get stronger! Another ex-cross country runner still living in the area, Karl "Moose" Larson is also a force to be watched.
Novian on left and Karl
Next week will be my first race as a Cat 2, and its a big one. Hillsboro Roubaix down by St. Louis. A 90 mile road race with some of the really good domestic pro teams in the midwest attending, Kenda GearGrinder, Mercy Cycling Team just to name a few. Look to be in the mix and not just sit in all the time. Going down with most of the Mercy team, should be a good squad. Jeff, Duey, Adam, Andy and myself for the pro race.
Just picked up my team gear today and will post some pictures soon of the new ride!
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