Like a fine whine

Muddy

If you squint real hard while looking at the picture above, you might mistake it for a mountain bike photo.  It looks like half of my rear wheel is gone!

I have sincerely enjoyed racing 'cross this Fall, and will be sorry when it's all over.  On the other hand, I can't wait for it to be over so I can begin to focus on the 2012 mountain bike season!  Here's the tentative schedule thus far:

• Mellow Johnny's Classic, TX
• Fontana, CA
• Dominion Riverrock, VA
• Ute Valley, CO
• Subaru Cup, WI
• Mont St. Anne, CN
• Windham, NY

That should keep me busy.....

The weather as of late has brought rain mid-week, which has kept me on the trainer in order to stay sharp.  Unfortunately, my will broke today and I veg'd instead of riding.  I think I'll hit it hard tomorrow instead, considering I only race on Sunday this weekend.

Speaking of the trainer, I seem to go through a trainer about once every 2 years now.  Poor things......
Does anyone else have this problem?  And follow-up question:  Has anyone used those free-motion trainers, like the Kinetics?  Thoughts?

Speak Softly and Make a Big Racquet

I like to make a big racquet ever now and then.

My parents used to tell me not to make a big racket, but what else was I going to do with all that string?!

The rare Backflip Derailleur Double Upchuck.  

So the above picture tells the story of my last mountain bike race of 2011.  The derailleur decided to do a backflip double upchuck 10 minutes into the cross-country event at the Bear Creek Triple Crown event.  To say I was disappointed is an understatement, I was crushed!  But this is racing, and I got over it the next day.  I'll miss racing with my Giant teammates the rest of the year, but I got different fish to fry this Fall/Winter......

Making big red polka dots look cool since 10 minutes ago

I had some people ask me why I decided to end the mountain bike season early this year, and here's your answer:  CYCLOCROSS.  Yes, that silly sport where you get on-and-off your bike for no good reason while sprinting around a grass field with beer-swigging spectators yelling at you from 2 inches away.  For the 2011 cyclocross season I will be guest racing for Adventures for the Cure (www.adventuresforthecure.com).  I will be donating all my race winnings to diabetes research and having a blast doing it!  And to help me in my endeavors.......

My 2012 Giant TCX 0, one of 2!

My office had a 'bring your kid to work day'.  I brought my cyclocross bike instead.

So to prepare for the upcoming onslaught of barrier-induced suffering, I will be going on fun mountain bike rides and attending Wednesday 'cross practices nearby.  My first race of the season will be the first 'cross race I ever attended:  Charm City CX.  A double dose of UCI madness, and even better I can ride to it from my house!

Whatever you choose to do this fall/winter on the bike, I hope you have fun and enjoy the ride!

Gieda and I, enjoying the ride.

Nothing is greater than something

I woke up, rode my bike a little, and have since done not much of anything.  It's the first Saturday in a long time that I can say this.  Dang, it feels good!

Jack the Dog

I've been traveling around to the local area Giant Bicycles dealers, which has been fun.  Meeting new people, nothing wrong with that.

Corey from Princeton Sports, and Mr. Craig, and some dude.

Last weekend the team got together for the M.A.S.S. team relay.  It was rad!  We had a great time and practiced our bicycle games in style.

Picture taking at Chipotle aids in recovery.

Tomorrow is the first official M.A.S.S. race of the year at Fairhill (Elkton, MD).  Weather is supposed to be decent, so the turnout should be good.  Gonna be up bright and early for a 9am start!  If you go, swing by the Giant tent and say 'hi', or 'hey', or maybe even 'dude, nice shoes!'

Back to the Blog

Couch Ninja

Well I feel sufficient time has passed since I've last posted to my blog, so it is time once again to tickle the chin hairs of the interweb and enlighten you all to what's what and who's why.

As you've probably already surmised, I survived the winter (and the crowd rejoices).  I always make it out to be much worse that it really was, so I'll just leave it at that.  Spring is now here and trainer workouts are coming to an end.  That means no more dog staring at me while I suffer like a.......well you get the idea.

My cheering section.

And now time for something completely different:  I have raced my bike twice this year, and it's not even April yet.  I know, it's still early.  But I just couldn't help myself!  First race was in California, the Bonelli Pro XC Tour stop.  That course was killer!  But so was the start, as it killed my hopes of a solid finish.  Despite finishing well down, I thought I rode respectably, passing steadily throughout the race after starting DFL.  I also raced a local race, as in 15 minutes from my house, but was sick the day before and cramped halway through as I was steadily making my way towards the front of the race.  Can I have some cheese for my whine please?

The new whip.  Black is the new blue.

The Giant Mid-Atlantic Team is doing well, with a new addition and great support the 2011 season is looking to be a great one!  Check out our schedule on www.giantmidatlantic.com, and 'like' us on Facebook to find out where we'll be for sure.  Thanks to all our sponsors/partners/supporters, we couldn't be having this much fun without you!