Dreams of Summer

At Marysville this summer some friends of ours showed up to film the race. They are starting a production company and just wanted to add to their experiece filming live events. This was just a (very) short clip (since it takes forever to upload) that they shot. Take note that I am not busting out of my skinsuit mid summer. Cold weather is crappy.

Did anyone notice who took the CX Elite National Title? Mr. Ryan Trebon, no surprise there. Tim Johnson ended up 5th behind his teammate James Driscoll, Jonathan Page (Planet Bike), and Never Trust a Man with Two First Names Jesse Anthony (Jamis). Powers ended up 19th about 5 minutes off the pace. Wes Schempf had a very respectable 22nd (of 74 finishers). Molly Cameron 28th about 7 minutes back.

Bad Andy was a DNF along with about 20-25 others. I will have to talk to him about that.

On the women's side...Katie Compton took her 5th National Title in a row. She's been kicking some butt over in Europe so that was no surprise either. Georgia Gould gave her a run for her money but in the end fell 45 seconds short. Laura Van Gilder (C3) took 4th.

'Cross Nationals

I was checking the updates at cyclingnews.com and saw that our Temporary Milkman Jake took 38th and Zach (C3/Slippery Rock) finished 28th in the under-23 category. Not too shabby considering the field these guys were up against. Wes Schempf of C3 took 3rd in the Masters 30-34 group and another C3 rider Kris Auer grabbed 8th in the 35-39 field. All of these races had over 50 racers at the start line. Rob Lea won his age group which I think was 60-69 but I'm unable to find the results right now. Awesome ride guys.

The best result so far for any Mid-Atlantic rider would have to be Jeff Bahnson (Van Dessel/Henry's). He took his second consecutive National title in the 15-16 age group. The kid is simply amazing. His margin of victory was 40+ seconds. That is an eternity in a 'cross race.

The Elite Men and Women are set to go tomorrow. I'm pulling for Bad Andy, Wes, Molly Cameron, and Jeremy Powers. Of those guys Jeremy has the best shot but I think it will come down to Powers' teammate Tim Johnson and Kona rider Ryan Trebon.

Johnson won last year after Trebon was taken out by a head on collision with another rider. Ouch!

In team news...

I'm pretty excited about the 2009 season because we have some new sponsors that will be revealed very shortly, uniforms are being slightly altered, and a flood of new riders. The road team has been given a big boost with the pick up of 3 new riders (two of which will race 'cross also).

The mountain team still has one opening left. If you are interested just leave a comment with your email address or phone number(I won't publish it) and I'll get back to you.

States

Yesterday was PA States. Seeing as it was just my second 'cross race of the season I figured I would be fairly fresh. Another good day to bust out of my skinsuit. I started warming up on the course and noticed that there was only one barrier section and no run-ups. It was pretty twisty though so I knew that blazing speed was not necessary.

Now let's go back to last week. In that course there were two sets of barriers, two run-ups, and a sand pit (this year it was rideable but last year the sand killed your brakes if you rode it). During the four dismounts per lap (I think I did 7 laps) I must have aggravated my "special" muscle. It was really a discomfort thing not a big deal.

Fast forward to Wednesday. I was walking my dog Skellington. Sometimes he likes to run so I run with him. I felt a little tweak in the special spot. I hoped it would be better by Saturday.

Now back to Saturday. During my warm-ups I like to hit the barriers with some speed to get a feel for what they will be like in the race. I did just that. I felt a "pop" in said "special" area. I raced anyway. Hey, I'm not some pansy football player or something.

From the start I was chasing. I missed my pedal and was stuck in the back. These things happen. Now not to give away my training secrets (like anyone reads this anyway) but I've been working on 8 minute and 20 minute TT drills so I felt confident that I could chase down most of the riders in front of me. Some of the others I knew would have too big of a lead by the time I got up to them. I picked my way though traffic. Passing little groups of riders here and there. Every time I hit the barriers though my special area hated me. With about three to go I heard the announcer talking about Vegan Rob being in 5th. I could see him and knew how many people were in between. I was sitting in 11th. I put in another big effort and got within 10 yards of Rob's group of four riders. Just as I was about to make contact the whole group took off. That move demoralized me. I had just put in a huge effort just to get close and had nothing left to respond with. One rider that I had passed earlier managed to get around me. I was just hanging on. When I crossed the finish line I felt pleased but also disappointed. I know that I raced well but if I had a better start I could've been in the top 5. Overall 10th. I don't think anyone could beat Zach (C3). He doubled up with the Collegiate and B's State Championship.


Big ups to my man Bad Andy (C3) too. He took the Elite field for (at least) his second PA State Elite title.

I have some exciting news about the Wonderland race...I finished 6th! (out of 7 finishers).

Looking ahead, this Saturday is the PA State CX Championship. I made the wise decision to drop back into the B race which is set to go off at 11am. I checked the weather forecast and it looks like another wonderful day for a 'cross race. I think the high was 35.

To get there...

Google Maps – 1401 Lehnert Road, Allentown, PA 18052

My only hope is that everyone else gorges on their T-day feasts and are all still bloated. I'm not feeling very fast.

Please Dewald Don't Hurt'em

I made a little trek across the city to Wonderland 'Cross yesterday. It was a beautiful day for a 'cross race. The wind was gusty, temps hovered around freezing, and there was even a little snow falling. Perfect weather to bust out (of) the skinsuit.

Let me just say that even though I haven't been racing, I have been training. Also, let it be known that I had no delusions of being anywhere near the front at the end of the race. Hey, I was racing A's. My goal was to not get lapped.

At the start line there were only 8 of us but they included guys like Ryan Dewald, Kyle Wamsley, and Jed Schober. I knew it would be a long day. As with any race that has a low attendance the start was uneventful. Actually, the gun when off and we all sat there for about a second or two looking at each other. When we finally took off I took up last place behind Kyle. I figured I'd be there anyway so why ruin someones race. To my surprise Kyle was moving slow so I passed him and a guy from Engin on the barriers. I flew over those barriers faster than I ever had before. I felt like Sven Nys, Neils Albert, or Lars Boom (soon to be Jeff Bahnson, no pressure Jeff). Pick your favorite. I was in the pace line with the front of the race in 5th! For about 2 seconds. I let a gap form while we were riding into a headwind and I just couldn't put the power down to keep up. I redlined. Kyle and the guy from Engin showed no mercy when they passed me. I was alone. I decided the best thing to do was to not get lapped, which I managed to do very well until two laps to go when Ryan came up on me. He'd be the only guy to get around me though. I'd have to say for my first A race I was pretty pleased with my performance. I had a good race and I had a lot of fun trying to hang with those guys. The best part was that I wasn't even last. Seventh out of eight. I just wish I had raced the B's race too. I love the Wonderland course.

Little Chad gets a Tattoo

For a few years now I have been throwing around the idea of getting a tattoo, but as we all know it is some thing that after its on you you can't change it. I never got one due to me not knowing what I wanted or even where to put it. I am a big dreamer, and most of the times I listen to my dreams. Well 3 months ago I had a dream, a dream about a tattoo, I knew where I wanted it and what I wanted. With in a week I had it drawn up and getting it done. When I went into the shop, I showed him my dream. It is a bike, but if you are not a cyclist you may not realize it right away. So I went in not expecting to get much from the artist, I mean came in with shaved legs, wanting a bike on my ankle. But as soon as I showed it to him, he was so excited! He said that he has always wanted to do a bike, and proceeded to ask me what Cat. I was and what bike I rode. All of the sudden I felt all my fear disappear. I knew he had that same passion as I did. I knew he would do his best. I told him I wanted it on my ankle because that way I can show it off but also cover it up if I ever make it to the higher ranks. As I was laying there while he was tattooing (which feels like lactic acid build up) me we talked about him racing in Colorado, and having about 4 bikes, what cleats he likes, and so much more. It felt like I was in a bike shop. After it was done I asked him what I needed to do to take care of it, and he said with a laugh..."For once I can tell a customer to take care of it like road rash and they understand what i am talking about."

After a month I was due for a touch up. After he was done, he said "Hold on, I have some thing for you." He goes in the back and brings out a small Cannondale bike model. He said "Here you go. I found this at a store and thought about you so I got it for you." I am all ready thinking about my next tattoo. As for me, who went in not thinking they would understand, turns out they understand more about me than I do. I have a feeling this friendship will be a lasting one.

The beat goes on...

The Allied Milk Cycling team has realized the dreams of yet another fine young rider. The rider formerly known as Fort James has inked a deal placing him in the center of the finest mountain bike team in the nation.

So apparently this is what sleep deprivation does to me.

Seriously though...James is a fine rider, person, and ambassador of the sport of cycling. He is heavily involved with the Delaware Special Olympics TT and is a regular volunteer at any MASS event. Dairy King James plans on competing for a podium in the MASS Sport Single Speed overall.

'Cross season is still going. Jake has a full schedule for the next 4-5 weeks and I will be finally getting out there at the Wonderland 'Cross in good old Lancaster on the 22nd. If you want to see me get my butt handed to me go here...


Directions: From Rte. 30 and Rte. 340 (Old Philadelphia Pike), proceed east on Route 340 for 0.5 miles to 2nd traffic light and turn right onto Oakview Road.Go 0.5 miles and turn left onto Hobson Road (before Rte. 30 intersection).Continue for 1.1 miles on Hobson Road (straight through stop sign at HarvestRoad) to East Lampeter Community Park entrance on right. If traveling from points east on Rte. 30, turn right at 2nd traffic after Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park onto Harvest Road, turn right at stop sign, and go 0.8 miles to Park entrance. Please park in designated parking spaces only.Google Maps or Mapquest: 2320 Hobson Road, Lancaster, PA 17602 .


I will be racing in the A group which is set to go off at 12:45. 60 minutes that will probably feel like 600 minutes.


Shawn had to have surgery on his thumb but is healing up nicely. He should be back to training at the end of December.