It's not too often you find yourself in a town like Yellow Springs. It takes a city with character and personality (very stoner character) to have a storefront called Dingleberries. But of course, it's towns like these that are happy to have us lycra clad fools running around on grass and jumping over bit wood boards! I'm living the dream, what can I say.
Again Ohio shed it's face of stupidity giving us 90 degree temperatures and singletrack. Dirt singletrack. Lovely dusty singletrack. I got the front row callup I was hoping for, but of course I blew it, like I always do. The first few laps were a little hectic but finally mid way throught he second lap things were starting to slow and split. I found myself in a good group of 6 or seven guys including Gamm and Rish, Keirin, Dave Emmig, and a few others. Again the cycling god's chuckled away as Rish and Swain of A&F decided it would be a splendid idea to bumper tag each other into a conveniently placed stalk from hell...Thank you breaks and bye bye good finish. I managed to squirt through but there was no luck, my day was finished. Knowing the two guys ahead of me in the standings were up the road I decided to play it safe and be a series whore and sit in with the guy behind me in the series standings, Dave.
Now at this point it got entertaining. As we road around all we kept hearing was "Go Dave!" and "Yeah Dave!" Finally I yelled at an unknown spectator saying "specify which Dave your rooting for you idiot!" Everyone got a kick out of it. In the end, Dave and I dragged it out for a wimpy 12th place finish, with me taking him by half a bike. Again I finished just out of the money, but for a stupidly open course with wallnuts of death strewn stupidly in all the technical turns, I was happy for the day to be over. After a coke and a cliff bar it was home sweet home.
Here are some pictures:
Dave and Dave
Dave and Dave again!
It was a bit hot!
Next weekend I'm off to the last road event of the year. Downtown Greenville Cycling Classic. I'll have an official announcement to make on Monday! Wish me luck racing with George Hincapie and Craig Lewis!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Michigan UCI Double Cross, Louisville Cross and My Rant
Last weekend didn't go so well! I headed to Michigan for the Tailwind Double Cross with Mr. Page and some other pro's looking to get their UCI on. The course was pretty sweet, nothing too hard, yet nothing too easy. Your typical cross course. I got a good start and was sitting in the top half of the field until boom! On the deck thinking "what the *$&*". I untangled myself from a pile of guys to see the field GONE. Nowhere to be seen. I jumped back on and drilled it catching back on coming into the barriers. Things went alright through there until I passed the pit. Just past the pit my shifting completely went nuts and I was struggling to peddal without busting the chain or ruining a cassette. Needless to say I didn't do well. After that it was a long 5 hour drive home and after a ticket in a construction zone for "impeading traffic", stinky butt Gammers tooting over the river and through the woods, and being impressed with BG's ladies sitting outside of starbucks was a fun night in Oxford. Overall NOT the way to experience your first big UCI race. AT ALL! Now for the part I've been waiting to get out. THE RANT
RANT
This past weekend as any pedal pushing, shaved leg timmy knows marked the 2007 UCI World Championships in Stuttgart Germany. I was absolutely elated when I realized that WSCN.com was covering every race this year! Nothing like way too many hours spend watching people let a break go up the road for a few laps of relaxing racing then ripping each others legs off for the last two! What I will say is this. Paolo "the cricket" is an amazing person to watch. Seeing him instigate the decisive move then talk to the guys about not working hard enought then work his butt off only to end up taking them all to the line. If I were a rider in the break and saw how he was riding I would have been like "Piss off you little ball of Italian way-too-ephin strongness!" Either that or I would have done what Frank Schleck essentially did and drove myself into the ground knowing I stood the same chance as a volkswagon falling from the sky flaming only to land next to me catch my pants on fire and singe my leg hairs away. Yeah, I dont have leg hairs... my point precisely! Either way Cadel again showed that he truly is a pansy who isn't willing to work for a freaking thing in his life, only to STILL get outsprinted by everyone. And to think, I used to think Sastre didnt work for anything! In the end, the strong little cricket scampered his way to the line for a repeat and an amazing ride with an exciting finish. Not too shabby!
A good salute for a man being "targeted" by some UCI snob noses!
Louisville Cross
Finally Mr. Neiport and I headed to Louisville for the 4th race of the Ohio Valley series. A fun course + no crashes finds me working my way into the top 4 of the series standings behind three WAY stronger guys than me. But hey, for my first season, not too shabby. Especially since I have absolutely NO goals for this season and will most likely be heading down to fulfill my roady obligations in Greenville at the Michelin Downtown Greenville cycling classic the same week as the UCI double weekend in Middletown and Fairfield. Nothing like leaving for a 12 hour collective trip south when the races are in your home town and less than an hour collect travel time all weekend! We'll see how it plays out! Ill post pictures when they come out and hopefully next week I can get a picture of my FRONT ROW callup ill hopefully recieve for the overally standings:
1 Brandon Jessop -- BioWheels Racing
2 Mitch Graham -- BioWheels Racing
3 Phil Noble -- BioWheels Racing
4 David Hutton -- OneCallNow/Miami University
5 David Emig -- Fulcrum Coaching
RANT
This past weekend as any pedal pushing, shaved leg timmy knows marked the 2007 UCI World Championships in Stuttgart Germany. I was absolutely elated when I realized that WSCN.com was covering every race this year! Nothing like way too many hours spend watching people let a break go up the road for a few laps of relaxing racing then ripping each others legs off for the last two! What I will say is this. Paolo "the cricket" is an amazing person to watch. Seeing him instigate the decisive move then talk to the guys about not working hard enought then work his butt off only to end up taking them all to the line. If I were a rider in the break and saw how he was riding I would have been like "Piss off you little ball of Italian way-too-ephin strongness!" Either that or I would have done what Frank Schleck essentially did and drove myself into the ground knowing I stood the same chance as a volkswagon falling from the sky flaming only to land next to me catch my pants on fire and singe my leg hairs away. Yeah, I dont have leg hairs... my point precisely! Either way Cadel again showed that he truly is a pansy who isn't willing to work for a freaking thing in his life, only to STILL get outsprinted by everyone. And to think, I used to think Sastre didnt work for anything! In the end, the strong little cricket scampered his way to the line for a repeat and an amazing ride with an exciting finish. Not too shabby!
A good salute for a man being "targeted" by some UCI snob noses!
Louisville Cross
Finally Mr. Neiport and I headed to Louisville for the 4th race of the Ohio Valley series. A fun course + no crashes finds me working my way into the top 4 of the series standings behind three WAY stronger guys than me. But hey, for my first season, not too shabby. Especially since I have absolutely NO goals for this season and will most likely be heading down to fulfill my roady obligations in Greenville at the Michelin Downtown Greenville cycling classic the same week as the UCI double weekend in Middletown and Fairfield. Nothing like leaving for a 12 hour collective trip south when the races are in your home town and less than an hour collect travel time all weekend! We'll see how it plays out! Ill post pictures when they come out and hopefully next week I can get a picture of my FRONT ROW callup ill hopefully recieve for the overally standings:
1 Brandon Jessop -- BioWheels Racing
2 Mitch Graham -- BioWheels Racing
3 Phil Noble -- BioWheels Racing
4 David Hutton -- OneCallNow/Miami University
5 David Emig -- Fulcrum Coaching
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Jumping right in... Stampede's and Tailwinds
This past weekend was a great reace put on by darkhorse racing in Burlington KY. The turnout was pretty nice and a strong field worked its way to the line. The start of the weekend was spent with John Verheul of JVB coaching coming into Biowheels for some pizza, beer and watching cyclofile. Pretty fun stuff.
Saturday a group of us headed out for some skills work with john, lunch and figuring out how to race the course sunday. Sunday the race picked up with a great crowd. At the start I slipped a pedal and almost went down. Nothing like going into the first 180 degree turn in last wheel. I knew I wasn't going to be able to get to the front group so i slowly and patiently started working my way through the people ahead. It's nice being fit passing guys dragging their jaws on the top tube. Everything was going really well until this happened:
yep... thats a broken seat stay on a 3 week old bike! Tears are welling. So now i have the challenge of getting this bike warrantied while getting ready for Tailwind sports UCI double cross in Davisburg, MI. Nothing like going into your first ever UCI race with about an hour on a bike thats not yours with a field including:
1. WORLD SILVER MEDALIST JONATHAN PAGE (who is now living full time in Belgium as a euro cross pro)
2. Trek VW rider Tristain Schouten
3. The great Steve Tillford, who seems to be one of the greatest all around american riders to date
4. First year crosser and bikeless senior transfer student David Hutton. In case you havent hear of him, he's basically awsome.... people know him!
anywho. It's going to be a long day with class, my coaches husband mark most likely coming into town for the day, and going to pick up Jason's bike down at Reser Bicycles in KY. Thanks for saving my season jason!
Until later. try not to break your bike and know that Apple Fritters are AMAZING! Yaaaay pastries
Saturday a group of us headed out for some skills work with john, lunch and figuring out how to race the course sunday. Sunday the race picked up with a great crowd. At the start I slipped a pedal and almost went down. Nothing like going into the first 180 degree turn in last wheel. I knew I wasn't going to be able to get to the front group so i slowly and patiently started working my way through the people ahead. It's nice being fit passing guys dragging their jaws on the top tube. Everything was going really well until this happened:
yep... thats a broken seat stay on a 3 week old bike! Tears are welling. So now i have the challenge of getting this bike warrantied while getting ready for Tailwind sports UCI double cross in Davisburg, MI. Nothing like going into your first ever UCI race with about an hour on a bike thats not yours with a field including:
1. WORLD SILVER MEDALIST JONATHAN PAGE (who is now living full time in Belgium as a euro cross pro)
2. Trek VW rider Tristain Schouten
3. The great Steve Tillford, who seems to be one of the greatest all around american riders to date
4. First year crosser and bikeless senior transfer student David Hutton. In case you havent hear of him, he's basically awsome.... people know him!
anywho. It's going to be a long day with class, my coaches husband mark most likely coming into town for the day, and going to pick up Jason's bike down at Reser Bicycles in KY. Thanks for saving my season jason!
Until later. try not to break your bike and know that Apple Fritters are AMAZING! Yaaaay pastries
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
IT has BEGUN!
The cross season has officially started. I headed north to Heath, Ohio for the kick off of the Ohio Valley Cyclocross Series. For my first race on a cross bike I was pretty happy to pull in a top 10 finish and work my way into the top half of the finishers. I was suprised that my fitness was where it was. I was able to hold with the from group for a few laps but I just couldnt get through the barriers as fast as them, and once the elastic snapped "WHAP!" it hit me right in the jaw. I was able to keep my composure but still I realized there are some major technical things i need to work on. Clipping in being the major! I know... pathetic. But i tell you what, finishing ahead of a guy who's been riding cross for 7 years and basically coaches mostly cross riders, I was satisfied (not not happy) with my performance. I thought I would throw up my cross schedule on here for anyone to check out. It looks like it's going to be a busy semester of class and racing. Just how I like it!
Sept 9 OVCX #1 - City of Heath Festival Cross Columbus, OH
Sept 16 OVCX #2 - Cyclo-Stampede presented by Darkhorse Racing Burlington, KY
Sept 23 - Pedal Power Cyclocross-Masterson Station Park Lexington, KY
Sept 29 CapCity #2 - Alum Creek State Park presented by Echelon/Trek Store Columbus Columbus, OH
Sept 30 OVCX #3 - JP Morgan Tour de Louisville Louisville, KY
Oct 6 CapCity #3 - Worthington Area Park presented by Team Awesome/Jeni's Ice Cream Worthington, OH
Oct 7 OVCX #4 - John Bryan Fall Classic Yellow Springs, OH
Oct 13 OVCX #5 - UCI C2 - Java Johnny's - Lionheart Cross Middletown, OH
Oct 14 OVCX #6 - UCI C2 - BioWheels/United Dairy Farmers Harbin Park Cincinnati, OH
Oct 21 OVCX #7 - Riverside Cross Cincinnati, OH
Oct 27 OVCX #8 - UCI C2 - US Gran Prix Louisville #1 Louisville, KY
Oct 28 OVCX #9 - UCI C2 - US Gran Prix Louisville #2 Louisville, KY
Nov 4 OVCX #10 - Gun Club Cross Cincinnati, OH
Nov 10 CapCity #4 - Grandview Area Park presented by Team Awesome/Jeni's Ice Cream Grandview, OH
Nov 11 OVCX #11 - Brookside Cyclocross Cup/USCF Indiana State Championships Indianapolis, IN
Nov 18 OVCX #12 - Promotion Cross Lexington, KY
OR
Nov 17 & 18th- North Carolina GP- Hendersonville, NC
Nov 25 OVCX #13 - Team Columbus/USCF Ohio State Championships Lexington, KY
Dec 1 CapCity #6 - Lane Rd. Park Upper Arlington presented by Echelon/Trek Store Columbus Arlington, OH
Dec 2 OVCX #14 - Storm the Greens/USCF Kentucky State Championships Louisville, KY
Dec 9 OVCX #15 - Series Finale - Wendell Moore Cross Buckner, KY
Dec 12-16- USA CYCLING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS! Kansa City, KS
Hope some people can make it out
Tough Run Up section
NEW BIKE courtesy of Van Dessel Bikes! PRETTY!
Sept 9 OVCX #1 - City of Heath Festival Cross Columbus, OH
Sept 16 OVCX #2 - Cyclo-Stampede presented by Darkhorse Racing Burlington, KY
Sept 23 - Pedal Power Cyclocross-Masterson Station Park Lexington, KY
Sept 29 CapCity #2 - Alum Creek State Park presented by Echelon/Trek Store Columbus Columbus, OH
Sept 30 OVCX #3 - JP Morgan Tour de Louisville Louisville, KY
Oct 6 CapCity #3 - Worthington Area Park presented by Team Awesome/Jeni's Ice Cream Worthington, OH
Oct 7 OVCX #4 - John Bryan Fall Classic Yellow Springs, OH
Oct 13 OVCX #5 - UCI C2 - Java Johnny's - Lionheart Cross Middletown, OH
Oct 14 OVCX #6 - UCI C2 - BioWheels/United Dairy Farmers Harbin Park Cincinnati, OH
Oct 21 OVCX #7 - Riverside Cross Cincinnati, OH
Oct 27 OVCX #8 - UCI C2 - US Gran Prix Louisville #1 Louisville, KY
Oct 28 OVCX #9 - UCI C2 - US Gran Prix Louisville #2 Louisville, KY
Nov 4 OVCX #10 - Gun Club Cross Cincinnati, OH
Nov 10 CapCity #4 - Grandview Area Park presented by Team Awesome/Jeni's Ice Cream Grandview, OH
Nov 11 OVCX #11 - Brookside Cyclocross Cup/USCF Indiana State Championships Indianapolis, IN
Nov 18 OVCX #12 - Promotion Cross Lexington, KY
OR
Nov 17 & 18th- North Carolina GP- Hendersonville, NC
Nov 25 OVCX #13 - Team Columbus/USCF Ohio State Championships Lexington, KY
Dec 1 CapCity #6 - Lane Rd. Park Upper Arlington presented by Echelon/Trek Store Columbus Arlington, OH
Dec 2 OVCX #14 - Storm the Greens/USCF Kentucky State Championships Louisville, KY
Dec 9 OVCX #15 - Series Finale - Wendell Moore Cross Buckner, KY
Dec 12-16- USA CYCLING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS! Kansa City, KS
Hope some people can make it out
Tough Run Up section
NEW BIKE courtesy of Van Dessel Bikes! PRETTY!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
It Begins.... the CROSS SEASON!
High 77 Degrees... swwwweeeeeeeet
Winds 5-10 mph... NIIIIICE
Chances of rain 80%. localized heavier rain possible..... HAHA!
Thats right. cyclocross kicks off this week in Heath, Ohio and for the 8,000 time this year the cycling god is laughing his hind end off at us spendex clad worriors! It's been rainless here in Ohio for the past month and a half and of course, just in time, it poors for two days strait. It killed my powertap yesterday and is going to make today PREEEEETY interesting. Hopefully I can get some pictures or heck even a video or two up tonight or tomorrow. Until then this will keep you more than entertained.
LOVE OF SPORT!
---Cheers---
Winds 5-10 mph... NIIIIICE
Chances of rain 80%. localized heavier rain possible..... HAHA!
Thats right. cyclocross kicks off this week in Heath, Ohio and for the 8,000 time this year the cycling god is laughing his hind end off at us spendex clad worriors! It's been rainless here in Ohio for the past month and a half and of course, just in time, it poors for two days strait. It killed my powertap yesterday and is going to make today PREEEEETY interesting. Hopefully I can get some pictures or heck even a video or two up tonight or tomorrow. Until then this will keep you more than entertained.
LOVE OF SPORT!
---Cheers---
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
I have to wait 3 months!!!!
This weekend, simply put, was a rockin' fun time. Not only did Seth and I head down to SC, but I had a pretty good race, got to watch the US ProChamps Road Race, take part in one of the most awsome parties ever, and then come home to a cross bike! HOLY SCHNICKIES!
Greenville was awsome. I got a chance to do my first race in the area im hopefully living in starting in January and it was great. I good agressive ride, with some hills, sore legs, and lots of attacking, chasing, and all that fun bike stuff. Overall I finished 18th. Nothing to be happy with, but considering we had almost 60 riders and only 20 some finished it was a pretty good day!
Good Size fields are normal here i guess!?
Coming through for a feed...
Sunday after resting up all night and eating a GREAT bunch of pizza from Mellow Mushroom Seth and I headed for a late afternoon ride with some guys from Furman and then headed into town with all 70,000 other people to watch the national championship road race. It was awsome to see those guys ripping around town like they were. 4 times up Paris mountian for good measure too! WOW. Levi Leipheimer took the big time win showing how strong he really is. He soloed nearly 20 miles for the win a full minute ahead of what was left of the race!
Food time on the ride in Publix
Picture time with Saul Raisin
Levi taking the win!
Picture time with Tyler Hamilton... nuf' said
Fast Freddie with John Vaughters of slipstream.
After all the hustle and bustle of the race and getting out of town we headed back to the Hotel to change and head to George's (Yes THE George Hincapie) afterparty. It's a long story and one that i will soon be able to explain more. Let's just say there are some changes coming. Any way. It was a great time to just chat with some very awsome people over some drinks and stories of everything we love. Enjoy the pictures. They are PRETTY cool.
Newly Crowned National Champion and Tour de France podium-er Levi Leipheimer
Big George and the little one. He had actually "heard about me".
2 Daves... Yes thats Dave Z, current US TT champ
Tony Cruz of Discovery channel. Hell be around a little more joining BMC next season.
Bobby J. taking off from the hotel we were staying at. he explained that pros too cramp!
Fast Freddie home after being on the Belgian squad with McEwin all season.
Race announcer Dave Toll and Soignier Sarah from Navigators. Dave grabbed her butt. Funniest two people I talked to all night.
Just hangin out... yeah pretty sweet eh?
So yeah. Crazy times in Greenville. Totally great. As for now, I have some ripping off of my legs to do on the bike. ITS CROSS SEASON YA'LL!
Greenville was awsome. I got a chance to do my first race in the area im hopefully living in starting in January and it was great. I good agressive ride, with some hills, sore legs, and lots of attacking, chasing, and all that fun bike stuff. Overall I finished 18th. Nothing to be happy with, but considering we had almost 60 riders and only 20 some finished it was a pretty good day!
Good Size fields are normal here i guess!?
Coming through for a feed...
Sunday after resting up all night and eating a GREAT bunch of pizza from Mellow Mushroom Seth and I headed for a late afternoon ride with some guys from Furman and then headed into town with all 70,000 other people to watch the national championship road race. It was awsome to see those guys ripping around town like they were. 4 times up Paris mountian for good measure too! WOW. Levi Leipheimer took the big time win showing how strong he really is. He soloed nearly 20 miles for the win a full minute ahead of what was left of the race!
Food time on the ride in Publix
Picture time with Saul Raisin
Levi taking the win!
Picture time with Tyler Hamilton... nuf' said
Fast Freddie with John Vaughters of slipstream.
After all the hustle and bustle of the race and getting out of town we headed back to the Hotel to change and head to George's (Yes THE George Hincapie) afterparty. It's a long story and one that i will soon be able to explain more. Let's just say there are some changes coming. Any way. It was a great time to just chat with some very awsome people over some drinks and stories of everything we love. Enjoy the pictures. They are PRETTY cool.
Newly Crowned National Champion and Tour de France podium-er Levi Leipheimer
Big George and the little one. He had actually "heard about me".
2 Daves... Yes thats Dave Z, current US TT champ
Tony Cruz of Discovery channel. Hell be around a little more joining BMC next season.
Bobby J. taking off from the hotel we were staying at. he explained that pros too cramp!
Fast Freddie home after being on the Belgian squad with McEwin all season.
Race announcer Dave Toll and Soignier Sarah from Navigators. Dave grabbed her butt. Funniest two people I talked to all night.
Just hangin out... yeah pretty sweet eh?
So yeah. Crazy times in Greenville. Totally great. As for now, I have some ripping off of my legs to do on the bike. ITS CROSS SEASON YA'LL!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Rippin!
for those of you who ride bikes, do you ever have those days where you go out and feel like your absolutely ripping the pedals off your bike. Yesterday was once again a tough day on the bike courtesy of the Uber secret mission impossible training program Kim has me on right now, and boy was I ripping! Nothing putting out sustained power WELL over your normal! yaya.
Back to Greenville
That being said, im excited to be coming back to racing. After a two week slip from racing, to bust my butt into shape, im excited to give the Greenville Road Race a run! Seth and I are heading south to check out US prochamps and to party with the pros for a night. I can't wait. Sunday should be a fun ride with some of the locals before we watch the big boys rip up Paris mountain. Should be a hoot.
The show that is Professional cycling
Although it has been a touch season for cycling, it is now getting to a very interesting and in my opinion a very interesting point. With the Vuelta Espania and Worlds just around the corner there are some big things to look forward to. Also with teams and sponsors changing a little its cool to see that an American team is going to be a heck of a show. Team Slipstream is getting not only the fun american additions of Tommy Danielson, And Dave Z. but also are getting magnus backstead, david millar, as well as matti white. Tony Cruz is heading to BMC so that should be a BLAST racing against him next year. And finally Big George is heading to T-mobile... wow. NUTS!
A look at doping puts the spotlight now on Alejandro Valverde... hes out for worlds which sucks considering he has always been one I thought was clean. It would be sad to know he's doping if he is, becuase this year it must not be working becuase he's been struggling and he doesnt look like this....
either way it's a pitty. 2 weeks until cross season. this should be a blast!
Back to Greenville
That being said, im excited to be coming back to racing. After a two week slip from racing, to bust my butt into shape, im excited to give the Greenville Road Race a run! Seth and I are heading south to check out US prochamps and to party with the pros for a night. I can't wait. Sunday should be a fun ride with some of the locals before we watch the big boys rip up Paris mountain. Should be a hoot.
The show that is Professional cycling
Although it has been a touch season for cycling, it is now getting to a very interesting and in my opinion a very interesting point. With the Vuelta Espania and Worlds just around the corner there are some big things to look forward to. Also with teams and sponsors changing a little its cool to see that an American team is going to be a heck of a show. Team Slipstream is getting not only the fun american additions of Tommy Danielson, And Dave Z. but also are getting magnus backstead, david millar, as well as matti white. Tony Cruz is heading to BMC so that should be a BLAST racing against him next year. And finally Big George is heading to T-mobile... wow. NUTS!
A look at doping puts the spotlight now on Alejandro Valverde... hes out for worlds which sucks considering he has always been one I thought was clean. It would be sad to know he's doping if he is, becuase this year it must not be working becuase he's been struggling and he doesnt look like this....
either way it's a pitty. 2 weeks until cross season. this should be a blast!
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