Waiting

Seems like these days all I do is wait.

Wait for the days to tick off the calendar till the weather gets nicer and the races start. I've been pretty dedicated to training which compared to some might not be that much but I'm feeling good about it. Can't wait to see if it was all worth it.

There will be no early racing in Iowa or Missouri for me this year.

Here's my tentative race schedule for 2009:

Durand RR
An Opus or 2

5/17/2009 Erik's Spring Cup, Inver Grove Heights, MN
5/31/2009 Afton Avalanche, Afton Alps, Hastings, MN
6/28/2009 Bluff Riders Charge, Mt Kato, Mankato, MN
7/12/2009 Memorial Classic, Red Wing, MN
7/26/2009 Hillside Park Single Track Attack, Elk River, MN
8/09/2009 Buck Hill Birch Bump, Burnsville, MN
8/16/2009 MNSCS/WORS Trek Border Battle, White Tail Ridge, River Falls, WI


I'll probably add some more races for the latter part of the season but we'll see how it goes.

It's too bad that my teammates haven't real bought into my mtb schedule. They still think that I'm racing on the road. Where's the faith? Maybe I should look for another team? Ha ha! Lets face it, who would want me. Maybe they'll believe after I kick the Grizz's ass at the Spring Cup!

What a day for cycling; Pugfest, Ride with Fin, Lalla in AZ, AToC

The Grizz and I got out to Elk River to get some footage of the 2009 Pug Fest. Tom Miller took top honors by catching and then passing the Pugsley leaders. Nice work Tom!

I think we got some great footage that the Grizz is cutting up as I write this. Can't wait to see the final product. We'll have some stills up soon as well with links to the video on MORC.

So that made for a great morning but it got better when I arrived at my house. Finley was dressed and ready to go riding with Dad. Way cool! We ended up riding for almost an hour and a half. He is way more hardcore than his old man. Speaking of old man, I hear this a lot from Lalla, I wonder how racing went for him this weekend down in Phoenix for the Valley of the Sun race. I'm expecting a race report soon...

Now I'm ending the day by watching the AToC that I recorded from earlier today...

Just got a quick update from Lalla, 10th in the crit today. Very well done Mike. You're livin' the dream!

Back to AToC. too bad to hear that Fabian had to drop out with illness. Guess that makes it a little easier for Saxo to pick their guy for the week. Wonder who it will be. I'm hoping for Jens. We'll know after today. Either way though it looks like Rock Racing is going to score big today. This will be a great week of racing.

How about Lance wearing a mtb visor on his helmet, NICE! So how many people will be sporting them at Durand and Ken Woods?...

I'm not Tuft

Read this article from the NY Times.

Poor Michael

They're tough on swimmers.

Forget Belgium

Lalla put your euro plans on hold and check this summer job out.

Cabin Fever

Yeah it's really starting to settle in now.

Got a race recap from Lalla last night and with the Tour Down Under about to start I'm really getting the itch.

The training has been progressing, I've been out skiing a few times but I'm sooooo looking forward to May 17th so I can start my season on the dirt. I'm guessing that the Cat 2's (previously Comp) will be pretty tough with the existing pool of riders plus all the roadies making appearances through out the season.

It's going to be a great year!

bjorn gets picked up by livestrong www.velonews.com

http://www.velonews.com/article/86531/the-trek-livestrong-u23-team-tunes-up-in-austin

lacin' em up | 26'er, 29'er, 69'er, why not 24?| 24 | Skiing

On the skates again

So it's been ten years since I last laced up the hockey skates. Finley had his first skating lessons on Saturday and so we went out again yesterday at the neighborhood rink. I was able to bring my stick and slap the puck around. Man it was nice to get out there again. It all came back fairly quickly. Come to think of it I haven't played in a hockey game since my days at Erik's playing with Lalla and Erik himself. Those were the days.

New bike, what to get?

Now that things are finally happening at work I might be able to afford a new mtb for my return to the dirt. So the question remains, do I get a 26, 29 , or some funky combination of the 2? I remember this whole 29 craze back when Dave Wiens was racing for Diamondback. The Overdrives were 700c mtbs. They didn't last long with only a handful of other manufacturers jumping on the band wagon. It makes me wonder if this trend will really last. Sure the wheels are better engineered now but what about the physics involved here. Is a 29'er really any better than a 26, especially on tight single track? I've heard they are good for taller riders, is 6'1" considered tall?

24

Jack is back. I'm guessing Tony is actually good and working for the now defunct CTU. We'll see...



Skiing

Got out this weekend and did a few laps at Lake Elmo. I've been struggling with my climbing. I've felt like a deer on ice. My legs would get further and further apart. But yesterday I think I figured out that you want to keep your strides short. I used to have a hard time getting my legs back together in time for the next push. I've found that if you keep your legs from getting too far away from you that you can find a rhythm and climb more efficiently. So all you experienced skiers, am I correct here. I'm kinda learning this on my own and would appreciate any advise.

Need a bike rack?

It's that time of year again when we hang 'em up. So if your looking for a good way to organize your stable check out Dero's line of home and commercial bike racks.

http://www.dero.com/index.html

BTW- I designed the Wall Rack :)

xc ski tomorrow

so far me adam and dan are in. how 'bout you?

lake elmo around noonish. let me know if yer in.

-------
Updated 6:49 pm 12/21/08

Okay, so I chickened out on the skiing thing today. I was too excited that the snow made for more favorable conditions that I totally forgot about the temps. Oh well there's plenty of winter left.

Ain't got time for posts

Maybe this will tide you over?

http://theblackkeys.com/strangetimesgame/

Good bye 2008

Unimpressed...
Well yesterday brought another cycling season to it's end for me, and not on a good note. I was pretty disappointed in my performance at the State CX Championships yesterday. I had a great start and was with the heads of state. So the excuse of spending energy to get by traffic wasn't applicable. In fact I was the traffic out there. Halfway through the 1st lap I imploded. I wouldn't even call it a bonk. It was like I had only enough gas for a half a lap. I might as well have pulled over people were passing me so easily. The outcome of the race for me was completely opposite of my expectations. That made it a tough pill to swallow at the end of the year with no chance of redemption. I know that's racing, it just happens to be the sucky part.

What to look forward to...
Since my racing on the road has plateaued I will be making my way back to the dirt and continue to ride for the Bent Crank Racing squad. I'm really excited to focus again on racing the mtb and rollin with the BCR crew again. The venues have changed a little and I hear there will be a new categorization structure next year. It'll give me some new motivation to train and a reason to get a new mountain bike :D And since the mtb season starts a little later I can take a few more weeks off before I need to start training :)

I missed this...

Wow! The similarities.

My inspiration for next season

Green Acres...

...was the place to be.



Sorry, had to say it.



Well we finally had some cross conditions on Sunday. Completely different than Saturday at Afton. It was cold but I actually enjoyed it. Sure I almost lost my finger tips but it was worth it. And I really liked the course too. It had a little bit of everything, even sand! I think the toughest part of the course was up on top. After blowing up my lungs to make it up the hill it was hard to make it around the greasy fields and catch anyone.

Thanks Grizz for the pic!

More pics here

Racin' @ the Y

Wow what a day!?

Nice weather and a pretty good venue I thought.

I'm kinda a fan of off-camber and turny courses so I enjoyed the course that Big Wheel Flyers setup today.

It was a big day for my team today too. Ty got 16th in the 4's. This was his 1st cross race ever, NICE work Ty! Dan ended up 5th in the 45+ race, awesome! And yours truly finished the day in 10th, eh! Need more power.

Nice work guys! Let's keep the Orange train rollin'.

Next weekend I won't let you pass me Jason. At least that's my goal anyway. You either Kolyn. :)

Wirth Cross

Well I decided to toughen the F up and head out to Wirth Park for the race today. Glad I did. It was a fun race, tight in places, maybe less than 3 meters, but a nicely laid out course (thanks Paul and crew). The only complaint I could make was that it was too stinkin' hot for a cross race. And since that can't be helped it looks like I have no complaints. Well maybe the start. I think it was just before the first barrier and some guy flailed in front of me just as I was starting my dismount which caused me to flail and get passed by at least 10 riders. Oh well, that's racing.

Now if I could only get faster...

Get Your Superprestige Here...

http://www.vt4.be/home.php

More info here

Hudson/Hudson

For my first cross race of the year I decided to double up at Hudson--B and A races. Heck why not. Since I'm 33, race age 34 for the 2008 season and 35 for the 2009/cross season, I might as well.

The B race went pretty well. I was able to finish 12th which is good for me at any point in the season. Hudson has to be one of my favorite courses for cross. Some say it's more of a mtb course but I disagree. Sure it has some rocks and ruts that you don't typically see but the mud is always a treat. Then there is the Beach at Normandy. That thing kills me every year. Talk about mental focus. I think next year they should have us run through the water.

The A race...

This was more for training than anything else. However, from the start I actually felt good. I remember thinking that maybe the warm up from the B race would make this easier. I was for the most part hanging with the group with the leaders just in sight (first lap). Then we hit the beach and my legs said HELL NO!

So I spent the rest of the race in survival mode keeping an eye out behind me so I could get out of the racers way. I Think Bjorn passed me 4 times.

But just like any cross race, it was fun just being there!

Anyone seen any posted results?

Next up: Theo

Training for cross in 80 degree weather...

Are there any rules agianst wearing tanktops during a cross race? I think there is which is too bad with all this warm weather.

It makes me look forward to 50 degree days, yep I said 50.