University of Minnesota Weekend

This past Easter weekend, I traveled up towards the Twin Cities for a collegiate race. Next weekend is collegiate nationals in Madison, and I needed one more race to be able to qualify. I was headed to Decorah anyway for Easter, and drove up early on Saturday morning, leaving at 5:30am, ouch.

Got up to the course, and was surprised to see so many riders. It was the Ken Woods Memorial Road race, and also a USAC race. Many, many riders took part, and I was happy to see this, wish there was this much in Iowa. The pro, 1,2 race 3 pro riders (Kenda Gear Grinder, Bissell), something we never get. I got my two numbers, chip and got ready for the race. I was running my powertap as it was collegiate and I didn't really care about a placing as all I had to do was beat the UND guys for Division 2 points.

We started off the race with 20-25 Mens A/B, for 3 laps on a 20mile loop. Right away, Iowa went to the front and just annihilated the pace. I got caught behind in a group of 6, and we spent the first 50 min full gas chasing this lead group. To show how fast we were going, we caught the Masters (35+) field about halfway through the first lap, and they started 5 minutes ahead of us.....we were flying. Eventually we did catch the lead group and were able to chill for a bit. Over the course of the next couple laps, Iowa used their strength and numbers to slowly windle down our single riders. David Carpenter (KSU), Kyle Sievers (ISU), myself( UNI) and a Kansas guy were able to work together to keep these all in check, and never let anyone get up the road. The course finishes on a 1 mile climb, averaging 5-6%. Coming into the last time up the climb after 63 miles, my legs were feeling pretty good, but when the pace picked up, I could feel my nice 1650gr powertap wheel wanting to hit the brakes :) I was dropped after a large surge up the final hill, and rolled in for 9th.

I was very happy with the power files, and leg speed, race pace work I did get during this race. It is one thing to race on a wheel set that is weight around 2200gr, when most of the guys who beat me are all on wheelsets weighing 1500gr, and deep dish carbon.

Excuse, excuse, for sure!!! It shouldn't always help like that, but having taken physics, biomechanics classes, I know what 500gr of rotating weight can do to a bike rider, and it is more than you think. Got my race wheels in, from my personal sponsor Velocity Wheels USA. The new set is an A23 wheelset. This new set is a clincher wheelset with a wider rim, (See HED, ZIPP) for relatives. Nothing but great reviews from this wheelset and I am looking forward to getting them rolling for the Old Capital weekend and collegiate nats!

Had a great Easter with my family, and now inside of last week of classes. I can say, even though finals are coming up, my focus is on my training, and school comes when it can :) Another hard week on the bike and a good taper next week for first goals of season.

Tour of Hermann Recap

Went to central Missouri this weekend with the American Equity boys to contest the Tour of Hermman. This race is put on by Jeff Yielding, so I hear lived in the Cedar Falls area for a few years according to the Twisted Spokes crew! Never got to see or talk to him about it, but a pretty decent race, very hard.

Paul and I drove down Friday afternoon and got in around 7pm. Our hotel as a Days Inn, fairly new and pretty nice, sporting the northwoods theme. The area however, could be something to recon with. We ate at this place called "cafe" right off the hotel and I70 exit. An all you can eat Friday night fish fry sounded good, but I tell you, the salad bar looked like something that would not be edible. Paul and I opted for a bit safer food, Paul still questioned my decision with the grilled chicken, but all in all was ok. This place had a median age of about 75 years old for the evening, as a bluegrass band was playing. Some interesting characters for sure, but I am sure there is nothing else to do in this area.

TT Report-

A 14 mile TT to start off the weekend. I had a decent warmup in, but they said I missed my start by 1min when I showed up 3min before my start??? 15 others had missed their start as well, and finally they realized the official clocks were not synced together....So I sat around for 15 minutes while waiting to go. Probably not the best for the legs. Started off alright, I just don't know how to TT yet, have never done many and just don't have enough confidence to really push into the red and know I can hold it. Passed by my 30 sec guy, but ended up passing about 5 people during the TT. Still only placed 3 places from the bottom, another bad placing in my eyes....but nothing but something to improve on. Good results from Paul, Chad, Lou, and JJ!!

Crit Report-

The crit course is right by the famous Stone Hill Winery in Hermann. It is a 1.2mile loop with a very very steep 500m climb or so, I'd say just as steep as Snake Alley but not as windy/etc. I would have done Snake Alley any day before this crit though. The pace was very high and everyone but JJ and Chad were popped after a few laps. Chad actually even got a omnium place preme on the 4th lap. I ended up just rolling in order to finish the 19 laps and get some good training in. After the race, most of us were out of the omnium chance except for Paul who was in 11th.

Ate at the StoneHill winery after the race, was good, had some grilled salmon which was awesome! It was also prom night in Hermann.

RR Report-

The final day of the Tour of Hermann was a 90mile rr that was actually the course used during the 2008 Tour of Missouri. This course was rolling the entire 30mile loop, but had 8 substantial climbs during the loop. My goal for the race was to see just how good my endurance was from the long rides I have been putting in this spring. Race started out pretty hot with a bunch of breakaway attempts. We covered almost every move and at one point had 3 guys in a lead group of about 9-10. With 90degree temps, and 30mph winds the break wasn't able to get much lee-way and we brought them back. After the start finish line, there is a 1k climb of about 18%!!! This thing was huge...even the lightest guys in the race couldn't sit and spin, everyone was pushing and weaving as hard as they could to get up the hill. And after the crest of this, the road rose again for another .5 miles or so. After the second lap, only Chad and I were left in the race for American Equity. We blew to much energy before the real race would begin. At the top of this "wall" I just described, I lost Chad, which meant I was it. I have never had to dig as deep as I did on that climb to hang on with the GC leader group. About 5 miles later however on another one of the big climbs, I couldn't hold it again and popped off the back with about 4 others. I wanted to turn around and head back for home. But we kept it rolling, David Carpenter (Z3 Coach), Jeff Barnes (ICCC) and Brian Dwieza (DogFish). At the end, David and I were all that was left of the group and we finished 12th and 13th on the day. I though it would be much worse, but we hung in there and placed very well!!! Ended up in 15th overall for the weekend out of 40+ starters! Not to shabby!

I definitely had a confidence boost from the RR, in that I suffered a lot and placed decently, and know my endurance is there. Now I know what I have to work on in the next few weeks. Time to stop worrying about the long endurance rides and start getting behind the motor and high power output intervals on tap. Coach Nick and I are ready to rock!!!!

Iowa Collegiate Crit

Saturday night, Bethany and I went out with my aunt and uncle to friends for the final four basketball games. A great first game, and a lackluster second game. I wish Butler could have won the national champs, but oh well. It's baseball season!!!

Sunday was the second day of racing for the Iowa Collegiate race weekend. A 1hr crit was on tap for the Men's A/B group today. Race didn't start until 12:15 so I was able to get up and watch the livestream of Tour of Flanders. What a great race! It was awesome to see the huge group at the front, and that no one guy could break away and win by a minute or so. Every person in the lead group seemed to be on the rivet and it was awesome to see Nick Nuyens beat Chavannel and Cancellara.

At the end of the road race on Saturday, I could feel my front derailleur was not shifting very well and sure enough when I got home on Saturday, it was shredded.....crap. Good thing was that Scheels opened at 10:30 on Sunday and I was able to get a cable and my shifting back to normal! Got to the nice race venue in a new development area, no traffic! Iowa had a couple extra guys to race today which was going to make it even harder to control. It was extremely windy, with 30-40mph winds, but 70 degree weather! We lined up with a few more guys today and the race started off fast. UNI was well represented with Finn, Will, Brian West, and myself. Brian ended up getting in a four man group off the front that lapped us towards the end of the race. Our group dillydallied around, with Iowa, ISU, UNI putting in some digs to try and break up the field a bit. The break lapped us with 2 laps to go and I was going to try and lead Brian out for the win. I got Brian on my wheel going down the hill and I punched it at the bottom, a little early to get a great result, but I was hoping Brian would slingshot past. Unfortunately, he must have lost my wheel and an ISU rider and 3 Iowa riders came around instead. I sprinted for 5th in the field sprint, and ended up 8th overall. A good win by AJ Turner. Not the result I wanted, but it was a decent workout and worked on fitness! A really great job by Iowa on putting on the race, and thank you to Mark Guthart and Brett Griggs for officiating!

Results can be found here

My USA Cycling write up here

On tap today are a couple tests to see how the power is "hopefully" increasing after the Tucson training camp! Tour of Hermann this weekend with the American Equity boys!

Iowa Collegiate Road Race

A great day in terms of early season racing in Iowa. Can be anywhere from 30degrees to 60 degrees, and it was on the later! Bethany and I got up and had a great breakfast at my parents house, a quick stop by Starbucks and we were on our way to Sharron Center. This race was on the same course as the Iowa City Road Race is, a loop of 13miles, and we were doing 5 laps for 65 total.

Got to the Mennonite Church and registered, bike all ready to go, and kitted up. UNI had Will Greenwood, Finn Kolsrud, and myself. One thing I have to mention is how low key collegiate racing is. Very loosely but well run by the Iowa group and everyone was just out to have a good time. Definitely makes it fun!

Our Men's A/B group started off with 20 riders. Right away Will shot off the front just looking to play around so it seemed, and we reeled him in after 5-6 miles. Again, he went off the front but this time with Alex Libin (Iowa). This was a strong move and all the guys from KU/Minnesota/North Dakota sat behind us UNI and Iowa guys??? So there went Will and Alex off into the sunset! We tried to help get the other guys to organize a chase so it wouldn't be the most boring 2.5hr of our lives, but they were so hesitant. We played around for the next 3 laps, and all of a sudden we saw Will coming back to the group. DOH! He was not able to hang onto the pace set by Alex and so Finn and I were forced to start working. At the start of the 5th and final lap, the gap was around 2+minutes I think. Finn and I put down some heavy work in the crosswind and tail wind section. Chris Moore and AJ Turner were able to hang on, along with Kevin Severs of ISU and we rolled it pretty hard. I was glad we dropped all the excess baggage. The winds had picked up all day, and the last home stretch was a block headwind into about 15-20mph sustained. We never quite caught Alex who soloed for a great win. Kevin went away unmarked by the Iowa guys and got 2nd. Chris (3rd), Finn (4th), AJ (5th) and myself (6th). I was pretty toasted after the work on the last lap and still have to find my top end power. Overall, feeling really good with endurance so now its time to get the high speed work in! Was a great showing in our first race for UNI and also that the state of Iowa is going to dominate the NCCCC this season!!

*Note: Alex Libin is a Zoom Performance Athlete who I am looking to see have a great result at Collegiate Nationals Triathlon in the upcoming weeks. He is also part of the Iowa Trihawk Team that I coach. This boy is gonna rock!

Results

Criterium this morning! Another good chance to work on leg speed. Trying to get a bit more fitness for Tour of Hermann next week. And still around 1 month away from wanting to be in tip top form!

Rest Week and Collegiate Racing!

After Tucson, my mentality and body were pretty thrashed. Had never put in near that many miles or hours before in my life. Coach Nick said I wouldn't wanna look at my bike when I came home and prescribed 4 easy days to recover. I felt decent on the bike, but it took a couple days to feel good again. Had my first professional massage on Wednesday which really felt awesome. I have a very tight back and shoulder area, probably from years of swimming and it did wonders on that.

I was beginning to feel my legs come around on Thursday, and really had to hold back on my rides to not go too hard. Today however, was a day to open the legs up and let it fly for this weekends races. Was very windy (20-25mph winds, gusts at 35ish) and it was nice to pedals nicely and see some good numbers. My legs feel great right now, and I hope to use this tomorrow to my advantage. I don't want to be going to well right now, and will train right through the next few weeks. Goals are still on the horizon!

Tomorrow I am doing my first collegiate races at the U of Iowa. Racing with Will Greenwood and Finn Kolsrud as a UNI contingent! Trying to get some good conference points to qualify for collegiate nats. Will post a recap, results, and pictures after the races! 65miles on the Iowa Road Course and a Crit on Sunday!

Good luck to my American Equity teammates in Hillsboro. Do it to it boys!