Coatesville Classic

After a three week hiatus from racing, I decided to make my return at the Coatesville Classic. After some interesting ups & downs in my life off the bike this past week I wasn't particularly excited to race a criterium in 90 degree heat, but once I rode around the course I instantly became eager for the start. Although I am a frequent adversary to crits, this course had a little bit of everything that makes a race awesome: smooth roads, straight power stretches, and tight, technical sections that demand good handling skills.
After a thorough warm-up in an attempt to snap my legs out of their fatigue-coma, I rolled up to the start grid. Anxious to begin the sufferfest, I was delayed to get on the line by the official in charge of roll-out who nearly caused me to miss the start. grr. Once the race had started it didn't take long for the first cat-5 crash o' the day! A gap opened up but I managed to sneak by and bridge back to the lead pack once the nerves had settled. Due to the twisty nature of the course, the race was riddled with quick accelerations and sprints. Unfortunately, my legs just were not willing to work with the rest of my body today. I managed to ride up front most of the time, but I was disappointed with my inability to attack or have a significant impact on the race. Despite the condition of my legs I managed to finish around 20th place, and I was satisfied with how I raced.

Some Highlights...
-Hitting my inside pedal in turn 6 on the bell lap and keeping it under control
-The cat 5 who thought it would be a good idea to come out of his pedal in turn 3 and lie on the pavement
-The red rear derailleur that ventured into my front wheel and got destroyed
-My cousin who managed to get to the race to watch with two laps to go!

Twenty-Eleven

This year is my first winter training on the bike, and I have quickly learned motivation does not come as easy when you have to dress like Bibs the Michelin Man in order to sneak a ride in before its dark. I almost always like being on my bike, but picking out the right base layers and other accessories while the remaining daylight ticks away can make it a cumbersome process.
I thought to myself on my last ride, "why am i doing this? whats all this hard work for?"
The first answer that popped in my head was "too get stronger+faster, duh", but what was I doing that for?
It was at this moment that I realized I still haven't made any 2011 goals! So last night I sat down and wrote some down that have been floating around in my head. They are just preliminary ones right now, and I'm sure the list will grow as the season progresses. Here's what i have so far. I figured 11 was an appropriate number to start with...

2011 GOALS
1. Compete in a licensed road race and criterium
2. Race in the Michaux Maximus
3. Win a race, any race
4. Become a Cat 4 (road)
5. Finish in the top 1/4 of a sport 19-29 mountain bike race
6. Score points in a MAC cross race (killa b's)
7. Top 10 in an elite junior field cx race (gloucester, USGP, granogue...)
8. Meet a new person to ride with
9. Get on a team for road/mtn
10. Discover what type of racing I'm best at
11. Race on the track

htfu.

After missing my SAT class this morning, i decided to put my kit on while snow continued to fall from the sky and blanketed wayne, pa. after a brief argument followed by a threatening text from my mother, i was on my cross bike drifting all over vacant, snow covered streets. I was only out for 90 minutes and stayed in the 'hood, but it was the most fun i've had on a ride in a long time.
on days like this its easy to stay indoors and maybe spin on a trainer, but for me riding when the weather is less than perfect is a refreshing change. when everything is covered in a white blanket, even the most familiar streets become foreign and offer a new perspective of whats close by. so please, all three people who are reading this: put the embro on and htfu.

Its good to be back

Since my season ended nearly three weeks ago, I was instructed to not even look at my bike for 2-3 weeks. It was a nice break at first, but coming home and not being able to go for a ride really started to get old.
Today was my first day back in the saddle since, and damn did it feel good. I left school as it started to snow, and by the time i was filling my tires up there was a solid layer covering the streets.
The sketchy conditions kept me from my favorite valley forge loop, but it was nice to see streets i havent rode on for months in a completely different season.
Riding in the cold can be brutal and intimidating, but being able to get outside on two wheels in the cold weather definitely makes up for the numb fingers and toes. I'm looking forward to the next few months filled with long, slow miles in the chilly weather; a drastic change from 3 months of intense intervals to prepare for the weekend cross races.
thanks for reading.

The Difference a Year Makes

A little over a year ago I pieced together a used surly cross bike with a beat shimano drivetrain. After 4 weeks of very unconventional "training" (no intervals, no recovery, no clue) I showed up at my first cyclocross race. Before the first lap was over, I was already hooked on racing cross. The next three months I begged and bribed my parents to bring me to races despite their pleas for a free weekend. I didn't let my minimal training and complete lack of knowledge or expertise stop me from what i would consider a successful first season, and it resulted in the overall win of the beginner U19 field.

Fast forward a couple months, to the MAC prom mid february. David Berson, a complete stranger at the time & host of Valentin Scherz, announced he was looking for a family to host another Swiss U-23 rider. My dad started a conversation with Dave, and over the next few months it was arranged we would host Anthony Grand, a top U23 cross racer from europe.

Skip ahead again to mid summer. At this point I have a coach and I'm beginning to put some real miles in. Aside from changes in my own bike-world, a shift is beginning to be made in my house. the pantry has been relocated to make space for water bottles and protein supplements, and the cabinet becomes filled with Bob's Red Mill products after my mom learns they sponsor a cross team. 

Eventually, our host racer Anthony settles in and we count down the days till the first race. The night before Nittany arrives, but instead of my solo routine of prepping for the following day I realize my whole family is getting ready. Last minute equipment adjustments are completed along side anthony dialing his own bike in. My mom is cooking all sorts of food for the team. And my dad is busy packing the car with the essentials for an all day event. 

After the first race, the season flew by and now I am realizing the amazing transformations that took place in just one year. I moved up from the junior category to the killer b's. I raced all over the east coast instead of just the tristate area. Races changed from my personal event to a family affair. And most importantly, I was constantly surrounded by teammates, friends, fast people, and incredible mentors who made this season rock.