Hanging Out
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life
Having some time away from structured training and daily rides doesn’t equate to spending all of my days on the couch sucking down one coffee after another. Of course I have spent some quality time on the couch, and have enjoyed several quality cups of brew; but I am also enjoying having the opportunity to get out and experience that which I don’t get to during the hight of the riding season.
With my brother not having school on Fridays, we decided to make the most of his day off last week. After a sleeping in, we headed into downtown for some errands and a trip to one of Bend’s finest coffee shops. While he tackled a few to-do’s, I tackled the best latte in town. With our to-do’s ticked off, and riding high on my delicious brew, we rolled over to the Taco Stand for a quick lunch. Around Bend, the Taco Stand has become almost iconic. Inside an older deteriorating building, which is well of the beaten path, Bend’s population has found one of the best inexpensive ways to conquer hunger by means of the all-mighty burrito. As with most locations offering up quick Mexican food, the portions are large, and you could surely eat something other than a burrito, but I don’t know why. The flour tortillas are bursting at their edges with fresh ingredients that satisfy all but the biggest of appetites.
Having eaten our fill of Mexican, we returned home in order to pick up some climbing gear. While my brother never really took to the world of competitive sports, he has found abundant joy in climbing mountain after mountain, and rock face after rock face. I decided to join in on the fun for a day. With all the gear in the back of our Subaru, we rolled out to Smith Rock State Park where we meet up with a few mutual friends for an afternoon of climbing. I should note that it has been many years (like at least eight), since the last time I pulled on a harness or climbing shoes. While I thought I knew what snug fitting shoes felt like, pulling on a pair of “appropriately” sized climbing shoes was just the first of many surprises that would come my way that afternoon. After cramming my feet into the impossibly small shoes, and getting over the initial shock of how tight they fit, I found a world of enjoyment.
Lots of vertical rocks, and lots to accomplish here are Smith Rock State Park. The views are not too bad either...
One of my "appropriately" sized shoes. While they felt more torture devices at first, I got used to the feeling, and enjoyed the extra traction on the rocks.
We spent the afternoon tackling several different pitches and routes and climbed right into dusk. While my afternoon began with modest ambitions, and a chief aim of spending time with my brother doing something that he enjoyed, I left the state park with so much more. We made out way out of the park as the sun was sinking beyond the horizon, reaching the car just before the last rays of sun-light disappeared. The hike out left me anxious for more. An afternoon of challenging climbs, great time spent with friends, and a new found hobby were just the way to recharge my batteries.
As it turns out, spending time away from the bike is not as hard as I thought it might be. And with a new found hobby, I still have plenty to learn and plenty to keep me active while taking a break from the endless kilometers of tarmac which I plan to overcome in the coming season.
It was a long way to the top, but I made it. This is a shot on my favorite pitch from Friday afternoon, and I can't wait to try out some new routes.
Between now and resuming structured training in a few short weeks, you can be sure I will be making a few more climbing trips with my brother.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
Rolling Into Some Time Off
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life, Team Events, Training, USA Cycling Development Team
Back from the crazy circus that surrounds, and is, Interbike, I am finally getting around to taking some time off. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly, it does say time off. I will wait right here while you clean up the coffee which you just spit out, and which is now dripping down the screen of your computer; after all, I am just sitting around relaxing, and I have all the time in the world to do nothing but wait.
The 2009 season has been great, but also has been extremely taxing. Since February, my summer has been filled with more racing kilometers than any prior season, and has also included the proportional and prerequisite increase in training kilometers. My season culminated with a 7+ week trip to Europe where I raced as a member of the USA Cycling U23 Development Team. During those 7 weeks, I not only experienced some of the toughest racing that I have faced so far, but I also was riding on some of my best form of the season. Everything came together for me in an environment that was challenging yet supportive, while also pushing me to grow and develop as a cyclist. As my return home drew nearer, I could feel that the timing would be perfect. I had been racing 3 or more days a week for most of the trip, and my body needed a chance to rest and recover from all those hard efforts. I held on and made it through the last races, before coming home to start resting and relaxing in Vegas style.
Lest you think I am using the term “off-season” to disguise my cyclo-cross season and its related ambitions, let me correct you right here. This time off will truly be downtime, several days away from the road bike, while getting caught up on everything that I have neglected to do since January when I left the cool icy roads of Oregon, for the warmer and sunny roads of Souther California. But first, CrossVegas.
With Land Rover Las Vegas stepping up as a sponsor of CrossVegas, they were keen to have several riders pimping the bright yellow and green skinsuits under the lights of the Desert Breeze Soccer Complex. Along with my teammate, Aaron Tuckerman, I was more than happy to accept the invitation to race before spending a day or two on the floor of the Interbike Trade Show. It is my humble opinion that one needs to spend no more than 2 days in Las Vegas – 3 at the most. A testament to this fact can be found in the numerous descriptions by others who departed through the gates of McCarran Airport, and found that most of the passengers whom were departing looked run down, exhausted, and desperate to get out of the Sin City.
My first full day back in Bend was one of the last warm and sunny days in the immediate forecast, so I decided to make a trip to the coffee shop. I figured that an easy 60 minute spin, with a stop at one of my favorite coffee shops, would be just the way to get the staleness of the drive home out of my legs, while enjoying one of the last pleasant days of Fall.
Yesterday's hail storm signals what is likely the end of warm and sunny days here in Bend.
During the last few days, I have made serious progress in cleaning up my room, as well as unpacking all the bags and boxes which I have been living out of since January’s departure for warmer training grounds. With my floor devoid of the duffle bags and left over race food, I turned my energy to taming the piles of crap which have overtaken my desk. It wont be long now utill I have all of my old bank statements filed, and the pile of unread VeloNews Magazines eliminated. The goal here is that I will have everything cleaned and put away with time left over for a fresh coat of paint. My brothers and I have slowly been going through color cards, and having settled on a color more vibrant than white, I am looking forward to a change of scenery.
While unpacking and putting away all my clothes, I took the time to organize and hang all of my riding kits. Chronologically and in the same order; skinsuits, bibs, jerseys, and then jackets.
In between trips to the local second hand store (which is a great place to get rid of unwanted clothes and generally junk in general) and getting everything put away in its place, I have found some time to enjoy a bit of cooking. Spending time in the kitchen is one of those things which I really enjoy, and fancy myself as good at. These weeks away from structured training also provide a little extra “wiggle room.” While I might pass on the apple pie or plate of Oreo’s during the season, This is a time of indulgence, and enjoying that second helping of ice-cream simply seems like a good idea right about now. Soon enough, it will be time to tighten down the belt, figuratively speaking, and get serious about preparing for 2010, but for now, it is time to relax, and enjoy a genuine break from all the structure that I crave.
Starting the day off with a plate of Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict and Chipotle Almonds was a brilliant idea.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
Kermesses and My Porcelain Pillow
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life, Racing, Training, USA Cycling Development Team
For the most part, the last few weeks of craziness that is Belgian Kermesse racing has been good to me. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the results and performances have been outstanding, but going full distance in several events, while posting a handful of top 20’s has at least provided a little confidence and success to pad the so often brutal punishment that many riders associate with kermesse racing. Especially coming from America, these races were absolutely foreign to me. With the attacks going from the gun, it seems that the pace/effort could never remain so high all the way to the finish some 2.5 or 3 hours later. And yet some how it always does. As a rider who prefers to see the road tip up, fighting for position while racing down gutters has always been an area of weakness for me. Which is exactly why I am still here throwing elbows and fighting to hold my spot in the gutter. My ability to climb is worthless if I struggle through crosswinds and long flat stretches of road before ever reaching the climbs. Luckily, my pack prowess has been coming around, the these seemingly endless kilometers of suffering through kermesses has taught me a great deal about riding in the wind, or rather out of it, and holding better pack position. Now I just need to find some long climbs to exploit my strengths…
Last weekend, I fell victim what seems to be a variation of the “stomach bug” that has been going around the European peleton. While I don’t even put myself in similar to company to that of Andy Schleck, or Tom Danielson, I did find it interesting to note that they both fell victim to a stomach bug. I think our only similarities beyond a love for the bike, came in the form of some of our symptoms. Friday afternoon I noticed that my stomach didn’t feel good. I chalked it up to nerves, or some other random affliction which would soon pass. While I was out riding and warming up for a criterium that evening, I noticed that I was most “comfortable” on the bike when I was working hard. Every time my heartrate came down below like 155 my stomach would start to turn itself in knots as it worked out a bug. Simple enough I thought, I just have to make sure I ride really hard, and smart, in the criterium tonight, and I will have no problem. I suppose the theory was at least mildly beneficial, considering I pulled a top 25 after going in several breaks over the course of the 70km race. What followed that evening, was four days of laying in my bed, scarcely able to eat.
I spent saturday evening hugging a porcelain pillow as my body worked viciously to rid itself of an unwanted infection in my stomach. No such luck – just lots of time curled up over the toilet. After several days of forcing myself to eat small amounts of rice and other simple carbs, the writing was on the wall. Whatever sickness I had was going to take more than just rest and not eating to be expelled from my body. I went to the doctor on Tuesday morning, and was diagnosed with a stomach infection and given some medicine which will hopefully clear up the infection, and allow my to resume normal eating and training habits. So far so good. I have been able to slowly re-introduce more complex foods and meats into my diet, and the normallness is coming back on the bike too. Today was the first time in nearly a week that I have felt good on the bike, and I am looking forward to a weekend of kermesse racing to conclude my trip here in Belgium.
As soon as I get home, it will be back on the road as I head with my team to Las Vegas for the Interbike show and the Cross-Vegas race. I don’t know exactly how the legs will hold up to 2 days of steady travel before the race, but I had a blast being there last year, and I am excited to get in some racing under the lights this year. Its going to be a busy next 7 days, and I am excited for all that fills those days. See you in Vegas.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
Riding First Class
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life, Racing, USA Cycling Development Team
Since finishing the Vuelta A Ciclista Palencia on high note, with Daniel Holoway taking the final stage win, I have been riding in First Class on the recovery bus. You might say, “Rollin’ like a big shot…” on the recovery bus. Halfway through Palencia, the UCI sent some vampires to suck 2 vials of blood from each of the riders in the race. While the primary objective was testing for any signs of doping, the UCI also took time to check on everyone’s blood and mineral levels. Turns out I was probably one of the more tired riders in the race, with my hematocrit down 18% from normal rested levels. By the end of the race, I was maybe another one or two percentage points lower.
Wednesday was a day of traveling and sleeping for me. After getting up early, we drove 4 hours to the airport, where I enjoyed a 2 hour nap, er, I mean flight. Arriving in Belgium, we all enjoyed a small bit of ice-cream before jumping into a bus for the drive back to our house in Izegem. No sooner than I climbed in the bus, did I pass out, only to wake up as we took the exit ramp from the freeway into Izegem. After dinner, I got caught up on a few e-mails and tweets before spending a few hours at the square (towne center) with Cole House and Chris Butler. Coming off a big block of racing, it was nice to get out and relax for a bit. We all enjoyed a little Belgian brew before returning to the house to pass out.
A team of 7 riders plus staff, pac along A LOT of gear. After the vehicles returned from Spain and unloaded, this is what our Service Course looked like. Lots to unpack and put away.
From Thursday through today, the days have been pretty relaxed for me. With double-digit hours of sleep coming almost daily, along with a few short rides, and a daily napping session, my batteries are finally starting to feel recharged. When not sleeping away nearly half of the day, I spent a good deal of time in my bed or on the couch with my computer. I always laugh at how many quality hours us cyclists can kill with a computer (or phone) and a good internet connection. While most people back home have a hard time comprehending the laziness of a cyclist, we all embrace the world of technology, for its great ability to kill vast amounts of time. David Millar recetnly wrote a great blog about killing time. As a cyclist it was funny to read about someone else, who’s daily routine was so familiar to me, yet one that many cannot fathom. One of my recent time-killing discoveries has been the world of literature. Surprisingly enough, I generally love to exercise my gift of gab, yet find in painfully difficult to finish a book. Recently, I have found Out of The Silent Plant, the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia trilogy, to be an oasis from my electronic world.
Several rides this past week involved stopping at the coffee shop. While the coffee tends to not be as volumous as what I have become accustomed to back home, they definitely know how to make a good cup of coffee. All the extra's are a nice complimentary touch too.
When not behind the glow of my computer screen, or reading, I found another great way to pass time. Some will understand what is happening with this deck of cards. Others will wonder. I still need a lot of practice...
This afternoon I get back into the swing of racing with a 110km kermesse. The next three weeks will be packed full of kermesse races, internet, and my electronics before I fly home to kick off my off season, er, rather cyclo-cross season.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
How ‘Bout That
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life, Racing, USA Cycling Development Team
Today was the first Stage in La Vuelta A Palencia. Tonight, and for several to come, we are staying in the Hotel Valentin.
For a bit of irony, I attended Valentine Elementary School from Kindergarden through 3rd Grade. As my mom was dropping me off for my first day of Kindergarden, I turned to her and said, “Mom, college is nice. I am glad you went. But I am not going.” No joke, this shit really happened.
Now, 14 years later, I am traveling and racing in Europe with the USA Cycling U23 National Development Team pursuing my life’s dream of becoming a professional cyclist, and racing in the Pro-Tour. How cool is that?!?
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
Gone Fishing
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Racing, USA Cycling Development Team
Despite what the title of this post might lead you to believe, I am gearing up for my second European stage race in as many weeks. After last week’s hectic arrival into Belgium, and briefly getting settled into the USA Cycling National Development Team’s House located in Izegem, Belgium, I am back on the road. Once again, living out of my duffle bag and messenger bag.
Prior to last week’s Ronde Van Antwerpen 4.6km Prologue, one of the team’s assistants made a great observation; with all the fish-netting that wrapped and covered the abrassions left from my crash during the National Road Championships, perhaps I should go fishing in the local canal. With fishnets holding gauze and Tegaderm over my ankle, calf, knee, thigh, hip, and elbow, I was quite sight on the TT bike. Several of the locals were presumably making inquiry and comments over my plethora of bandages, but not understanding the local language meant that I simply smiled and rolled along. Luckily, after the last week of vigilant care, covering, and washing, most of my skin has begun to grow back, and my bandages have been reduced to just enough to cover the deep abrasion on my right ankle.
Here is a shot of the bandaging on my knee. I took this while riding, so it doesn't quite do justice, but you get the idea. Multiply this times 4, and cover my right side. That is what I was rocking for the first week of my time here.
For me, the Ronde Van Antwerpen was a good immersion into European racing. The team rode together as a unit, and for the first few days, we were high in the GC. Over the final few stages, we did fade a bit, but we all pulled through to take away many positives and many lessons learned. With my “baptism” to European racing complete, I have traveled south with the team to Spain where the Vuelta Zamora begins this evening with a 5km prologue. During the race, the team has many cards to play with a good mix of experienced riders, fast finishers, and some fresh young talent. For me, I am here to learn and progress as a cyclist. My goals and job for the race will be to look after the older riders who will be high in the GC, and to help the team achieve its goals over the next 5 days. Along the way, I hope to have a go in the early break, and if I can help the team to a high finish on Sunday, this week will be a success.
After breakfast this morning, the team got out for a bit on our TT bikes. Along the way, we passed this castle/fortress thing with these statues out front. Couldn't resist getting a picture - looking like a TT Knight? Not sure, but I will fight hard in tonight's prologue.
So far, the team is riding on high moral, and everyone is working well together. For the fast finishes we have Cole House, Daniel Holloway, and Austin Carroll. Chris Butler will likely lead our charge in the mountains, and then Larry Warbasse, myself, and Travis Burandt will be there to fill in the gaps.
This song and music video has swept over the team like a plague. It is good for a laugh, and the beat is certainly a bit catchy. There is also a good chance you could hear anyone of us singing the lyrics on the bike, in our rooms, or even at the dinner table. Wonder what the locals make of our singing…?
Our pre-race meal will be served shortly, and I have a bit of laundry to sort out. Better get to that before tackling tonight’s trip through the pain-cave.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
Milk & Honey = Waffles & Beer
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life
To say I have arrived in “the land of milk and honey” would be a figuratively accurate statement, however, quite literally, I am long way from THE “land of milk and honey.” The phrase “a land flowing with milk and honey” literally refers to Israel (modern-day Palestine), yet many English authors have picked up on this phrase and simply use it to describe any location of which they hold in high regard. And while Belgium is not even close to Israel, it is a land which I hold in high regard. So the phrase seems to work for me. Although, I could be more literally correct by referring to Belgium as “a land flowing with waffles and beer.” After crossing the pond during the past couple of winters for ‘cross racing, I am now back during the more enjoyable summer months for a stint of road racing.
After being selected to the USA U23 National Team, getting to come over and experience European road racing first hand is one of the many blessings which have come my way this season. After 2 days of HECTIC traveling, I finally arrived and settled into my room here at the USA Cycling Team House, which is located in Izegem, Belgium. To shorten an otherwise “feature length” story about my days of traveling over here, my trip began at 4:30 in the morning on Monday. After arriving at the airport, I negotiated ridiculous baggage fees, 3 different plans, and 20 hours spent in planes and airports to arrive in Brussels, Belgium. From Brussels, Izegem is just over an hours drive or train ride away. Riding the train from Brussels to Izegem will be one of many new experiences that I enjoy on this trip. Not knowing the exact train schedules ahead of time, I made some serious blunders which were exaggerated by some serious bad luck. What should have been a quick one hour on the train ride turned into an all day adventure of bouncing around a small foreign country by train, all the while totting along a back pack, double wide bike box, and my rolling duffle bag. After 7 long and frustrating hours, I finally came into Izegem, and arrived at the team house, with just a few hours to get settled before dinner.
Looking down the street which I finally found after 2 long hectic days. This will be home for me during the next several weeks.
Since that first day, things have steadily improved – how could they not? After a relaxed morning yesterday, I got out for a nice 2 hour ride, and was only ever semi-lost. Despite never really being exactly sure of where I was, I did have a good general feel for the area, and my ride turned out to be a pleasant one. I stayed a little closer to home on today’s ride, and was kept on track by the ever reliable canal which runs through Izegem. Following the canal is an almost fail-safe way to ride around here, as you can always follow the bike paths right back into the Izegem square, just a few minutes from our house. The ride was a pleasant one and a half hours where the legs really came around. Hopefully the upward trend continues tomorrow during the first 2 stages of the Ronde Van Antwerpen.
The roads here are a bit different than what we are used to back home. Your typical Belgium road is just over one lane wide, and winds through farms, ranches, and the surrounding countryside.
I saw this sign on my ride yesterday. I don't know if it is a sign or not, but it seemed pretty cool. This apartment building was under construction just a few kilometers from our house here in Izegem. Future residence...? Mr. Miller in the Miller Residentie Building. Sounds good to me.
That is all I have for now. Dinner is just about to be served, and then it is early to bed, as we will be on the road at 5:45 tomorrow morning before the 9 o’clock start for the Prologue.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
Getting Baked
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Racing
These last couple weeks in Bend have been HOT. With the temperatures regularly reaching into the upper 30’s (Celsius) and nary a cloud in the sky, everyone has been fighting the heat in their own way. From soaking in the river, to ice-baths, and everything else imaginable, the hottest summer weeks have been filled with racing action on the roads in and around Bend.
Last week’s Cascade Cycling Classic was rough on the team, but we all pulled through and put in some good solid efforts. Coming off of Cascade, I was hoping that the 6 days of hard racing over the courses to be used during the 2009 USAC U23 Road National Championships would be the perfect preparation for a good run at the National Championships before flying over to Belgium for a month of racing with the USAC U23 National Development Team. Unfortunately, my Cascade Classic had a premature ending when I lost several spokes out of my front wheel, and came to an abrupt stop – before getting hit from behind. I rolled home to bandage up the few wounds, and put some ice-packs on the areas of deep bruising and swelling.
This is the spoke that came out of my front wheel and brought my Cascade Classic to an abrupt stop.
During yesterday’s U23 National Road Race Championships, I was feeling g-ed up and ready to go. Unfortunately, my teammate Bobby and I lost out in the numbers game, and the dominance of the Holowesko Partners/Felt U23 and Trek-LiveSTRONG development teams was just more than we could match. Ironically enough, Bobby and I ended our races in the same round-about on consecutive laps – only we managed to use two very different exit strategies. Bobby had his line through the corner “chopped” by another rider, and he ended up going straight into the median which is well planted. The local florae made for a rather soft, and otherwise gentle ending to what was a very hot and hard day of racing.
My race ended in slightly more dramatic fashion. Much like Joseba Beloki found during the 2003 Tour de France, the high sun and searing temperatures had melted the tar in the local roads. As I made my way around the round-about (where Bobby had just crashed a lap earlier) I lost my front wheel as it slid out from under me on the melted tarmac. I came down hard and slid across several meters of melted tarmac before a wall of hay-bales stopped me in a mangled heap of body and bike. After the volunteer medics and corner marshals had my bike rolling again, I peeled myself off the road, before riding my bike 1200 meters back to the finish line where i had my wounds thoroughly cleaned and dressed.
Lots of Tegaderm and gauze needed to cover the wounds. Luckily I had lots on hand. Probably looked real good on my ride home from the race too - rolling along nearly half naked...
After being dismissed from the medical tent, I pedaled a leisurely pace 6 kilometers back to my home before calling it a day. The short easy ride home was a slow roll, but it felt good to move my legs a little bit, and to flush some of the toxins from my legs. Finally, out my torn kit, I endured a painful shower before eating some dinner. After dinner, I did a round of laundry and settled into my bed for a painful night of tossing and turning in my bed.
I awoke this morning, stiff, sore, and still eager to ride my bike – always a good sign. Not even 2 crashes in 4 days can stall my love for the bike, and I am working to make a speedy recovery before getting back into racing action within the next week.
The Tegaderm and gauze dressing have started to leak again, so after getting those changed, I will enjoy a dinner of Steelhead before another night of tossing and turning in my sheets.
Keep the Rubber Side Down (I will try to do the same),
C-
Baking, Boise, Bend, & Belgium
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life, Racing, Training
After last weekend’s Tour de Delta, the team returned to Portland for a few days of training and making the final preparations for the last part of the season. For many of us, our time is Portland and Vancouver was winding down this week. My week in Portland was all about recovering from the hard racing and training that I have done so far, getting the batteries recharged, and preparing for a final push through the end of my season.
Monday and Tuesday saw me spending quality time on the couch with my phone and computer, while managing to squeeze in the odd short easy ride to the coffee shop and even a bit of baking as well. In the last year, I have really picked up on a new hobby, cooking/baking. With the craziness of traveling, racing, and big training blocks, it has been a while since I had the opportunity to spend some extra time in the kitchen. Tuesday finally brought me just what I was needing; a day off the bike, just spending time stretching and relaxing. Also, a perfect day to whip up some tasty eats.
After breakfast, I settled into my favorite reclining chair with a steaming cup of coffee to watch the second of the day’s Tour stage. With the stage completed, I returned to the kitchen. The ever reliable Bob’s Red Mill came through for me again. Guided by one of their many recipes, I set about making up a batch of millet bars. My original intent was that the creation would turn out to be similar to a muesli or cereal bar. What I wound up with was more of a dessert/pastry style bar. Not what I expected, but not bad either. Judging from the speed with which the pan was emptied, it seems safe to say that what I feared was a “flop,” turned out to be a “hit.”
The pan of Millet Pastry Bars comes out of the oven. Not what I was expecting, but not a flop either.
In the evening, several of the guys rolled down to PIR for a little weeknight racing action. The races at PIR have quickly become a popular weeknight sufferfest for many in the Portland area. With an easy day on my schedule, racing was out of the question. However a second round of baking was a sure possibility. Inspired by the delectable peanut butter granola which my host family served up in Vancouver, British Columbia, I set out to create my own version. After consulting a few different recipes and suggestions, I was armed with several great ideas, and a plan to whip up some mighty tasty cereal. The results proved to be immensely satisfying, and after a day of relaxing and baking, it was back to getting the systems sharpened up for the coming races.
Wednesday’s ride was along a route which I can only assume has become Bobby’s favourite loop when he wants to put everyone else in the hurt box. Several hours of climbing, sectors of gravel, and rolling farm roads was just the ticket to get me going again. Since Wednesday, the training has been rock solid. With some specific work on the TT bike, and a few efforts to get opened up for tonight’s Boise Twilight Crit, things are coming along nicely.
Next up on my program is one of my favourite stage races in North America, the BMC Cascade Cycling Classic. I am stoked on the week of racing on familiar roads in and around the area that has spawned my love and passion for bicycle racing. After Cascade, Bobby and I will remain in Bend to contest the USA Cycling U23 National Road Championships before I make my way across the pond for several weeks of racing and training in Europe as a part of the USAC U23 Development Team.
So far, things have been coming along according to plan, and I am looking forward to final push in the second half of this road season. Boise is coming up in a few hours, so now would be the ideal time to top of the fuel tank before getting the bike prepped for some racing downtown tonight.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
Home Run
Posted by cgmride | Filed under Life, Racing, Training
It has been a while since the last time I made it to home-base. And so this last week, as well as the one ahead, have been nothing short of amazing. From my winter training grounds in Southern California, I went straight into the first half of the season.
From the middle of March through the middle of June, the team has had a fairly full schedule. Despite this being our first year as a DIII Professional Mens Cycling Team, and our more modest budget, everyone has worked hard to make the season a full and successful one. The result of this hard work, has been more traveling and NRC racing for the other team-members, as well as for myself – something that I certainly would never complain about. From our team’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon to my home in Bend is approximately a 3 hour drive depending on weather and traffic, and the result is that after returning from a long week (or more) of traveling and racing, the last thing on my mind is driving for another day to get home, before almost immediately turning around for the next trip, race, or team event.
Luckily for me, upon returning from the Nature Valley Grand Prix, there was a bit of a hole in our schedule. Back from Nature Valley, my teammate Roman VanUden and I spent a few days in Forest Grove as part of a USA Cycling Junior Development Camp. Working and riding with younger riders is something that I have always enjoyed, and I was more than happy to spend a few days training with some promising young guys and gals that are coming up through the ranks of cycling within the Pacific Northwest.
From Forest Grove, I returned to Vancouver for a few minutes where Bobby, Logan, and I loaded our bikes and gear into the Land Rover for a weekend of racing in Baker City. The Elkhorn Classic Stage Race has been on the Oregon Calendar for almost as long as I can remember and it always turns out to be a great race. This time around, the 3 of us were doing it old school, with no directors, no support, no feeders, or anything. We were simply 3 dudes racing our bikes together, and trying to make the most out of the race. All in all, the weekend was a blast. We came back with some great stories, some good results, and several memories that will last for years.
With Elkhorn finished, I finally had a few weeks with no obligations – racing, travel, team, or otherwise. It was time to come home, and get back to square one. Bobby came along for the first week, in order to preview some of the courses that will be used in the upcoming Cascade Cycling Classic as well as the USA Cycling National Championships.
Coming home after being gone so long was almost like going on vacation to heaven. Except that I live here, and can come whenever I want/need to (pending of course, my parents welcoming me back into the house). It doesn’t seem like the city has really changed too much. The roads are still the same, the best local hangouts seem to be busy, and the mountains certainly haven’t moved – save for maybe the bulge on South Sister, where geologists report that magma is pushing towards the surface. And even though almost nothing actually changed, it all seemed to new and exciting to me. After arriving last Tuesday evening, I spent a great deal of time walking around the house marveling at the views, the weather, and fresh mountain air. Even on my rides with Bobby this last week, the views and the mountains have seemed better than I remembered them.
Over the last week or so, Bobby and I have managed to punctuate our training with several extra-curricular activities. Highlighting these activities was Bobby’s first attempt at tackling the Boswell Challenge, which is served up at the Taco Stand. By the way, the Taco Stand is THE place to go in town for good, wholesome, and filling Mexican food without having to break the bank. Despite a first attempt failure, described by Bobby as an “Epic Failure,” he vows to prepare and return in order to conquer the 3.5 pound burrito which must be eaten in under 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Also sitting high on the list of non-cycling activities was our trip into downtown for a dip in the Deschutes River. While we were out riding on Sunday, I commented on how awesome it would be to sit/swim/soak in the river after returning from our ride. So after we returned from training, took showers, and made some lunch, we rolled down to the First Street Park for a quick swim/dip/soak. As Bobby quickly discovered, rivers fed by melting glaciers are a bit colder than those found in Florida. With neither of us wanting to go all in and freeze, we found some rocks to sit on while soaking our legs after a week of hard training. Along with eating copious amounts of food, and sitting in ice cold rivers, we made a few trips to the super market and spent several quality hours with our computers.
With one week down, and one more to go, I am looking forward to another week spent in here in heaven. The next races on the calendar are Tour of Delta and the Boise Twilight Criterium, after which I return home for Cascade and Nationals. The next month is shaping up to be a great one; time with the team, time traveling, a good amount of time spent at home with my family, and some great races which I have high ambitions for. See you between here and there.
Keep the Rubber Side Down,
C-
