If there is one way to sum up my experience on a bike this year it would be rain.  Every big event I went to had some sort of precipitation. In way I felt like Forrest Gump the rain was constant. There was drizzle, summer storms, mud coldness mud bike cleaning triumph, failure, self-doubt, self-pity, anger, relaxation, exhaustion but most importantly happiness. I rode around 7500 miles this year some with old friends, some with new. I spend just as much time on road bike as I did on cross with MTB taking a back seat. There were memorable moments this year but sitting in the Kansas tool shed in middle of summer storm with TK takes the cake, that was a first.
I learned a lot from various people, MOD, RF an Shim took it to me whole year and made me a better cyclist. Thank for all  your help this year.

I did experience some new things couple of new states. I rode in first national event and watched the pros, a stark contrast to AGRC.  Guess what all those people love to bike  and for them what they do is what they think is awesome about biking.  The awesome part  about cycling there is room for everyone.

The most exciting thing  about this year is getting MK into biking, she got a little cx bike and has been riding some with some of the new found lady friends.

On non-biking front

Megan and I went to Poland, that was great. If you never taken 3-4 weeks off,  you should do so that is the way to vacation. MK was super excited about meeting the rest of the family and Poland in general.  It was awesome…

I will leave you with this. See you in 2012

Originally I was going to  do this whole racing thing all the way to Nationals, but man that’s another month or racing, training now being  home.   My reasons for calling it a season are 3 folds. One I needed a break, since October I spend many weekends on the road,  and I’m sorry this stuff get takes toll on your body,mind and your wallet. Second reason is  MK, she became a head coach for swimming I would like to go to some of her meets and see her toughing some kids up. Third reason was I like holidays and as much fun as CX is I like to enjoy my holidays and not trying to stay in shape for Nationals.

Friday

Friday I lined up  in back of the field, about row 6-7 and proceeded to donate my 32$ to ride for 45 minutes.  Big field make starting position very important. If you not in first 3 rows it’s pretty much just riding around with bunch of dudes. It was forgettable day. Everything that could of went wrong did I moved up 15 spots  at the end… Awesome… I know. Mark continued his redemption  tour or 2011, if you ever wronged him in the past he will challenge you to some sort of competition make you look like an idiot and think about what have you done to him…. So there, I guess what I’m saying is be nice to Mark. He will let you draft for a bit longer…

Saturday

I knew I was going to rain  rest of the weekend.  The ground was all ready soft on Friday.  Knowing that I opted out for 40-18 and set of Limus  tires.   Sure enough it rained, sure enough it was muddy.  For one reason or another my sweet second row starting position got moved to 4th row? (Dudes who registered day of were in front of us, planning is over rated) That wasn’t cool oh well. that was even less cool was only 45 second gap to the 2/3 ladies. That resulted in less then desired riding. Having the back position with small  gap and mud equals craziness. I muddled my way through the field and was sitting 3rd when dude came out of nowhere and attacked with 2 laps to go. I was staying with those guys pretty well until the run up section. I slipped running up the mud and that was pretty much the race. I couldn’t maintain my footing lost about 20 seconds and was the race.   I realized that the gearing those guys were running was at lot smaller as they were spinning crazy mad cadence. Make a mental note and hammer down every straight away the next day.

looking fresh as Butchie said.

BTW if you ever in Iowa city and you like Indian food check  out this place good food for sure.

Sunday

Sunday was  crappy, muddy and a lot colder.  I finally got second row start. This made all the difference in the world. After getting an okay start I high banked all the goobers who didn’t pre-ride the course and got stuck in the mud and I was in fourth place. Plan was stay smooth on the muddy bits, run up the muddy hill descent  like MTBer not a Roadie and hammer on each straight away to take advantage of my larger gear.  With one lap to go I had 2nd and 3rd in my sight. I caught the guy in 3rd on the decent and was just matching his moves. I pulled even in the spiral and go past him and was ready to lay my polish hammer down when I slipped on the last possible corner.  Foot down and everything. He got by me and I knew I would have to ogre the last 500 meters to get the 3rd. That’s what I did. Pass him with about 30 meters to go.  Got 3rd on the day.  As it turns out it was all Twin Six metal podium. I’ve got a picture somewhere to prove it.

I had awesome time. Ne crew did really well. Mark went 3 for 3.  Liz went 2 for 3 o. Matt had 2 podiums, and Noah rode himself into 7th place in the masters… Great job all..

So that is 2011. Thanks for all the sponsors cool people I met. Trek stores of Midwest, TWIN SIX, War-axe.  I will probably ride my separate man crush post thanking all the people for the past year.

What on docket for 2012? Sorry can’t spill it all but I need to get get my post card ready for this Friday.

Saturday Morning Mod, Mk and I loaded up the van and headed south to Kasas City, kansas. I decided to race my single speed as racing that division is just really fun for me. Plus it simplifies things  no shifting  just pedal.

Day 1

You never know what i doing to happen when you go out of town for racing. You do not know whom to watch and who might be the sleeper. I was bit nervous as I saw one or two guys in SS riding a steep run up. I figured they were running super low gear, which they were.  This formulated my plan for the  race.  With bigger gear i should be faster on the flats and downhills  and if I could so ogre on big climb on the day I would contest the  race.

The start was pretty mellow and 1/3 in to the first lap I was in the lead pack on  of 3 building a gap.  I was running the steep run up and two guys were riding it. I would say  it was about even. After 2 laps it was just me and other guy up front.  And on the long ridge climb I powered past him.  I was using all the flats and downhills to my advantage just pedaled away from him for about 20 second gap.   Last lap the  gap grew and I won.  First race win since i was cat 3 mtb dude. I was stocked.

Afterwords we watched Mark, Slug through some mechanicals  but still ending up in 5th place. Nice. Shim and Randy got podiums good day all around.

Day 2

Second day would be  a bit flatter and longer  course.  The big difference was the fact we we were starting behind 3/4 people. with only 30 second gap.  It didn’t take us that long to catch all these fellows. I saw someone in 3/4 dab as we were coming into the technical turn. I was off the bike and running as people were just being crazy…  That was faster  alot faster i passed several people doing that.  Then we went to the technical off camber stuff.  My gear might of been a bit to steep for the climbs I knew I was loosing time to people  in that section. Lap one was also time when I discovered  my seat was all jacked up. I stopped and try to adjusted but it was no use. I had jacked up seat whole race… The amount of standing was increased.   I build a good space rest of the field  of the field but somehow the dude in 3rd caught me right before the straight away section. It was going to be sprint finish.

After he passed me I he took a corner really wide. I saw my  opening got ahead of him and used the guys in front of me to shield me  from the attact. On the last turn it was just matter of getting good jump and going for it.  Good sprint effort netted me a second place.

Sandpit, accually this was not a good line for me. After taking left side whole day I took right and ended up loosing a spot for 1/2 lap.

Photo credit Keith walberg

Mark rode awesome to 3rd place finish. After dusty 2 days looks like it might be back to mud for Wed night race

Let’s just say ft. Collins was pretty hard racing and resulted in sudden stop day 2…  But i’m getting ahead of myself. The whole trip was fun the MCC bus was hoot so was seeing Chris Wolff.

Day 1

Let’s just say that I kind of knew I might be over my polish breeches when everyone in the front row was rolling on tubulars and carbon rims. I was like crap one of those wheels is worth more than my bike put together.  But you got to do  your thing. I race and I did my best. This altitude thing is different  I had not  acceleration. Last lap the rain started coming down and i had my wheel slip couple of time. I should of picked off 2 more guys in front but it didn’t happen worst some dude wont the sprint for 19th… ahhhh!!!!! I spend rest of the day pitting for Mark/Matt and Jay and for Ray Smith riding the elite race….  It was cold rainy and crappy…

Day 2.

I had  decent start. Avoided a big crash at the first turn,  someone did hit my wheel out of true and i heard some crunching.    Lap 2 I  decided to inspect the a pole right off the flyover. Ran straight into it with my handlebars almost broke my collarbone and that was it for racing for me.

It almost looks like i know what i’m doing here. This hill was actually a lot tougher on ss speed. It was straight up form the double barriers.

After everyone got done racing we watched the elite man race which was really crazy and awesome.

Best part of the weekend was having MK with me. She is a super  fan she had blast… I will take it easy next two weeks and then continue on at spooky cross.  That’s it  from the rockies.

Omaha cx weekend, is opening cross season for majority of the people we usually ride with.  I must say Velo Veloce and Randy stepped up their game. Designed a great course and did heck of job whole weekend.  Thank you for your hard work. It takes a lot of time and energy to organize an event.

Day 1

I was quite nervous entering the event. We had good turnout for our class.  I got to line a bit late and got second row at the start line. Not to bad. The start was pretty good. I was in decent position which was improved by 5 guys taking a super wide corner on first turn and letting Jeremy and I get up front.  This got strung out for bit and I was glad I was sitting 3 rd wheel when we got to the maze.  I was able to ride the maze cleanly and i hear a giant bottleneck in back. That’s how Jeremy and I got our gap.   We managed to open it for bit and were closing on Kevin Limpach until Jeremy pull off and I was tasked to bring him back myself.  Which was not happening. At some point guy from south dakota pulled ahead of mean and rode away, and then I notice Dave Randleman on my wheel.  We were riding together and for while he tried to put the move on me but I stock it and was able to get pass him on the open sections. It was setting up to be the sprint for 3rd place and that’s what it was. one second difference.  The ladies choose to put some fun in the maze. Pac-man Style … whacka whacka .whacka

Pacman Ladies

Game over Pacman

Day 2

Right before the race My hub lockup on me. BR offered me his bike, I accepted it.  got to the line kind of last. Last row for the start.   Spend a lot of time bridging the gap and figuring out how to shift SRAM shifters. Let’s just say I’m not that good at it and a race is probably not the best place to learn this skill. I gave up on the front shifting and was just shifting the rear. I know this cost me quite a bit as people where gaping me on the opens with ease. During this race I cam close to being one with Jesus. On the maze downhill I carried too much speed and was in  serious border line nose wheelie/ground kissing mode.  I managed to stay upright and somehow muscled myself into 6th place. Not bad on a bike I never rode before. I would say while SRAM shifting was solid I missed  the index clicks of Shimano.

Super stocked for Dave Randleman after coming close to the podium last 2 race he finally got some $$$. After that it was time for heckling and beer drinking….

hmm beer.

Super stocked for Kevin Wilkins for finishing in the money both days. Also big props to Bryan Redemske and Jordan Ross. Both of them raced something else besides cross for first time. They rode well and took some beer handout like a seasoned pros. The CX craziness will continue at ft. Collins this weekend.

Picture Credits goes to Mike Dixon and Emily Hoesly

p.s. I super excited by everyone’s improvement this year. We might not as vibrant  as some other cities but there is a lot of people who invested a lot of time to put Omaha on CX map

End of MTB season 2011,  marked to me by Dakota-50. Perry always puts on a great race/event. Sweet single track free food/free beer.  What more can you ask.  Each year more and more NE/IA/MN people show up to the event. I would bet  the amount of people from those 3 states are more than Colorado.  (Who says flatlanders don’t represent) Any who. Jeremy, MK and I rolled out of Omaha Thursday night, slept Thursday night in awesome town of Ainsworth, NE.
Friday mid day we rolled in to the campground with Omaha Crew representing. Rode to the Tinton rd and back ate diner. Saturday went and rode to the Tinton, rd, ate watched Huskers, drank free PBR from  RMS (can’t pass up on  free beer). Saturday night was cold I mean low 40′s cold. Sunday morning was early breakfast, getting my Metal on and riding around parking lot. MK and others went to crew the checkpoints and we were off the start.

Our awesome support Crew.

The start was pretty reasonable, not to fast not to slow, just right. At some point I believe RF, Jeremy, Todd E. and larry were together. The e top cat 1 pro dudes upped the tempo on the first gravel road and rest of us just followed suite.  The single track was the same story,  Until about mile 3 of it when i got flat (Kent Carlson got flat at roughly the same spot)  The glitter magic did it’s job and sealed the hole, I pumped up my tire with my pump just a bit and I rolled on…. While that happened I was passed by crap load of people.  Back on the bike and it was time to get my positions back. Slowly started to move up  on the climbs.  Before checkpoint 2 it was all blur, passed hurl, couple of IA guys  and larry. About 3 miles from  checkpoint 2, some dude commented on how low my rear tire was… ” I know hommie” Plan is to fix it at the checkpoint.

JRA in full effect

The first words out of my mouth to MK at the checkpoint were, “Do you have floor pump?” She did we try to pump up the tire but with any psi over 20 would result in leak. Only one solution, put a tube in it pump it up to 40 PSI  and roll.  After quick tire change and musing about how “bunk” specialized pump really is… I was up.  All the people who I passed were gone ahead of me. So back on the bike  playing catch up. Hurl, Larry some other dudes that looked familiar… Sweetness making up ground. More IA guys high-five on that…

Got to checkpoint 4 grabbed water bottle and we are off, Now that is a long climb  at the end of it you get a) awesome view of black hills b) bacon strips (BONUS!!!) I grabbed hand full of bacon, started chewing and almost choked on one piece. Rest of the ride I could taste that bacon … it’s like seventh heaven singletrack and bacon mouth… Oh yeah !!!

Rest of the course it not as hard there is one fireroad that is actually a long steady uphill, this is where I caught Ted L. It was sweet redemption for me. This is the place where Mike Miles passed me last year.

After that it’s sweet sweet downhill all the way to beer and food.  Time to big ring this sucker all the way home.   Final time 4:41:25. I left sometime on the trail due to flats…  Next year will be better, hopefully

Thanks to all my travel companions, sponsors and friends I saw at the event this is a great event. Also thanks to Heather, MK and Scott for their support stellar support crew. I’m super stocked for Lis, Carly and April.  Those ladies rocked, congrats maybe you will do more endurance events in future.

Cheese mode!!! 110%

P.S. Congrats to the other side of MCC who went to Gateway cup and did well. Especially MOD getting 3rd and 5th in two crits.
P.P.S.
Photo credit Rory Stone, Heather Wolff, MK
P.P.P.S I love loop point to point events. While 3/6/12/24 hour events are fun giant loop point to point events are just awesome

Final Note,Couple of people we were camping with asked me both about tire pressure and nutrition. The reason I don’t   give you  straight answer is  simple. Those things are very subjective and vary from person to person. I don’t want to be responsible for giving you info that will result in negative performance, hence I don’t tell you what to eat, drink etc.