Welcome to Winter: A Season Recap and Looking Ahead.

Well well well.  Here we are again.  Winter is upon us. The time of year most folks have put their bikes away for the season and pulled their skis down to get sharpened to do the other stupid sport of skiing.  Someone had the idea to fly down a mountain on sticks.  What will happen when we crash?  We'll figure it out later.

Don't get me wrong, I love skiing.  I also love biking.  That said, when I think of the situation when I have to explain to someone "what is skiing," or "what is biking" the simple explanation always cracks me up.  Where skiing is sticks to snow, biking is wheels to the tarmac, dirt or wherever your steed takes you.

Anyways.  You're here because you're curious, not to hear about how the season went, but to hear stories about the season and the goings on within cycling.  I'll stop blabbing on and get right too it... afterall, it was an exciting year, what with flipping over a bridge in the early season only to get back on the bike and get some stellar results.  To avoid repetition below is a small early season recap, followed by a more detailed account of the season from Barre Grand Prix and beyond.

As many of you know who have stumbled here before, I flipped over a guardrail on a bridge in early May.  While the physical damage was minimal, it took some mental recovery before I was really ready to race.  Racing the Barre Grand Prix, while a simple race with easy corners I noticed myself fairing away from close contact to other riders and not taking the risks and chances I needed for the elusive Big Dubbya.  Beyond Barre, I had a summer of great training.  Venturing up Bolton Notch Road once a week as part of a 60-80 mile ride and many chances to redevelop the mental nerve (or lack there of) to get that there yonder sledge a swingin' (re read that a few times until you get the accent that is meant to go along with it.. you'll get it.  Laugh when you do.  Clown.).

It wasn't until the Green Mountain Stage Race I was able to find my stride and swing away at the attacks of my competitors.  Jared, a former teammate from Onion River Racing and all around stellar dude (one might even say "what a mensch"), was the goal for myself and other riders during the GMSR.  We wanted him in the Green Jersey (Sprint Leader).  In order to make this happen, the strongest riders of our collective would need to follow every attack, every breakaway and guard Jared from trouble.  I am proud to say we were able to keep him in the Green through Day 3, and up until the finish of Day 4.

All days of racing were hard, day 2 being the most fun, riddled with attack after attack.  It was not a race for the lazy.  Off the gun Jared was away with two other riders.  I was able to bridge up and provide some welcomed help to keep the break away and start racking up points on the lap.  Once we were caught, more attacks went and I ended the day with an 11th place.  The inbetween is fuzzy now... being November and all.

There is not much more to tell from the season.  There was some cyclocross, and some mountain biking, but thats about it.  We are into ski season now and the focus is already on to next season.  Training is going well, coming off a rest week and back into some base training.  I am hoping to kick the season off with Battenkill and Myles Standish.  From there, the sledge will be swung and hopefully a Dubbya will be found.  Until then, I am going to making a fool of myself this winter... outside of the usual antics, I will be racing Nordic this winter and attempting Biathlon.  At least, that's the plan.  Racing is Tuesday Races at Stowe, Wednesday Races at Sleepy Hollow, Friday Slaloms at Cochrans.

Busy busy busy...

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

Catching up....

Looks like it's been a while and there's a lot to catch up on.  To keep the list short, there are many things on the horizon.  The past few months have been full of ups and downs.  Not limited to recovering from a near fatal accident, some terrible racing, and some fantastic riding.  Let's start from the beginning, shall we?

So, I'm sure you've been wondering, what near fatal accident or when are we going to hear what happened that lead to this picture...

The Crash

WELL.  Here's the short version.... While on a UVM training ride over the 6 big gaps over Vermont, while passing through the flats along route 15 between Roxbury and Randolph, a rather large rock came from under a riders wheel.  Said rock managed to throw my front wheel juuuuuuuust right, so that I went careening towards the guard rail.  Oh, and did I mention that said guard rail was a bridge?  In case I failed to mention this, said guard rail was a bridge.  With the sudden impact of the rail, I skidded along the rail o so briefly while still traveling at 25mph until the sectioning of the rail caught my seattube and launched me over.

Bumpy wrist two months
after the accident.

Small scar from road rash
two months after the crash.

Bumpy not broken wrist
within an hour of the crash

                   

Mid Crash and Post Crash

Being extremely aware of my impending doom, I was able to spot the concrete abutment and know I would need to grab onto whatever I could as to not plummet to my death on the granite face below.  From previous experience in falling (TKD), I tucked my head, rolled and grabbed onto whatever I could to stop myself.

Opening my eyes, I saw my glasses on the edge of the abutment, and then the granite face leading to the river below.  My first reaction was to throw myself back, and hold on to something further than inches from the edge of the ledge, such as the guard rail I had just so recently flipped over.  Quickly catching my breath, I checked myself for injuries and fellow riders came to my side to make sure I was alive and not snapped in multiple man nugget sized pieces.

My injuries were majorly minor.  I managed to get away with a somewhat (and still concerning-ly swollen) left wrist (doctors say not broken....) and major road rash and bruising along my right leg.

I still have yet to get my groove back.  Racing hasn't been the same.... not just the lack of desire to travel by my self, but the fear of crashing is a larger reality than it was in the past.  For the time being, until I regain my nerve 100%, I have been able to enjoy some fantastic company riding that I otherwise would not have.  Found in recreational riders, and the fabled and "dangerous" triathlete who is said to never be trusted on a bike.  Much to my surprise, they make fantastic riding buddies, no matter how strange their attire may be.... with those helmets... and goon scooters.

The Race(s)

I haven't done any racing since I crashed.  Nothing beyond local racing where my showing has been the definition of pitiful.  Where my fitness is better than it ever has been and many months before being peaked, my nerve has not returned since crashing.  Riding so close at high speed near so many people who have competition in their heads is not allowing me to control my muscles in the way they need to be controlled in order to perform.

That said, I was able to post a 12th, 3 weeks after my crash, but nothing since then.  The course was the Barre Grand Prix, where we had our first team showing.  It was great to see the #plaid out on the road in it's competitive glory.

As for myself, the other races have been part of the local GMBC Criterium Series every other Tuesday.  My performance has not been what I need it to be in order to confidently go into a race and say, "Yea, I can win," even if I don't actually pull off the big dubb-ya.

In Other News

I have enjoyed some great riding... rather than write about it, here are a bunch of photos and the places they were taken.  Included are also maps of late glorious rides in Vermont.

Until next time...

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

Racing Against Murphy's Law - Quabbin Reservoir Road Race 2013

In cycling, there are days in which Murphy's Law is in full effect.  For those unfamiliar with Murphy's Law, it is simply "everything which can go wrong, will go wrong."  Now that we are all caught up, let me explain the relevancy of this law to the Quabbin Reservoir Road Race.

In a field of 150, things are bound to get stretched out and people are going to be tense.  While I would generally see a field of 150 an exciting thing, because of the early season manner of the race, my feeling of most of the riders was an on edge sort of mentality.  Because of this, there were a lot of unnecessary movements... and crashes.

Those who read last post remember my mechanical which cost me the race.  Well this time, it was something a bit more which separated me for the field.  Two crashes, the first at mile 5, and the second around mile 20.  The first, was nothing major... for me anyways.  I cannot speak for those involved.  From what I heard, wheels were crossed and pavement kissed.  No no... I am referring to the second crash around mile 20 which took half the field out of contention including myself.

Now now... put your mind at ease.  I did not crash.  However, I was just behind the crash, and by some  magical bicycle handling... I was able to bob and weave through the carnage to continue on.  To be more specific, within about 15 seconds, I had to duck a flying wheel, jump an additional skidding wheel, jump a skidding frame and maneuver my bike around a skidding person as well; all at about 20-30mph.

By the time I got through the wreckage, the remainder of the field, being about 50% by my count, was already a fair way of one of the larger climbs of the day.  My maneuvering and twisting threw out my back and gave stitches up my side.  While my fitness was where I needed it, I was unable to bridge up to the field and regain a chance of victory in the day.

To my knowledge, that crash took out 50% of the field.  Out of those who went down, I am unsure how many were able to continue on.

All that said, I am extremely glad to ride another day.  HOWEVER.  This is the point of my post where I get on my soap bike (similar to soap box, but rolling) and preach the following to my field, and all other fields who do not have people to clean up after them.

When you are racing, in any field (even when you are just riding), do not just throw your wrappers and trash on the ground.  You have the time to put your wrappers back in your jerseys.  This said, unless you have someone to clean up after you while you are riding, there is no excuse to do this.  The roads, while you use them, do not belong to just you.  They are shared by other individuals and forms various forms of wildlife.  It is important that if we are to be welcomed back to these places by the towns, and continue to see their beauty, that we as a community of cyclists striving for better health and glory; take care of the world we compete in and use to shape ourselves.

That is all.

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

Let The Season Begin!

The season begins with a bang.  More of a thunk.  Well really, it's the hollow crunching of carbon over potholes yet to be repaired, and frost heaves which have still not come back to their un-heave-like state.

I traveled this weekend to Plymouth, MA to race the Myles Standish State Forest Road Race.  I'm sure you bikers are thinking to yourselves, why not Battenkill? Why not contest for the bragging rights to the East Coast Spring Classic rated to be among the hardest races in the Northeast?  My answer to this is simple; I didn't want to.  Myles Standish is a fantastic race.  The course is small, but interesting.  With full open roads running along ponds and through Myles Standish State Forest there is nothing boring or uninteresting about the race.  Rollers keep everything interesting through the whole course.  When it's not rolling, it's twisting, turning and climbing, all individually and at the same time.

To back up a little... the past few weeks have been spent training both indoors and out.  Weather has been limiting for the riding, and me being stubborn as a mule... I'm never willing to cooperate.  That said, I'm riding strong and think this season will look up... especially after today.

Myles Standish is a course built for me.  It twists and turn, climbs and falls.  My legs felt good and I was ready to go.  The race started off with an attack right from the line.  Teams all working together to get their guys up the road.  As soon as one attack fell, a counter would go.  There was no moment in the race where someone wasn't trying to fly off the front with their teammates blocking at the front.  It was a true race.  One I wish I had stuck in for longer than 2.5 laps.  Early into the 3rd lap, I (like many others) hit a massive pothole.  I had been lucky enough not to flat or go flying off my bike, but this time something mechanical happened that I still cannot fully explain.  Without my wheel coming out of the dropout, or loosening, or coming out of true, my brake began to rub and I could not pull my brake lever.  I was forced to stop and get off the bike to fix it.  Eventually I heard a click, the brake released and I was good to go.

By the time I got back on the bike, I had already been off for 5 minutes trying to fix the problem.  Once I got back on I was able to TT the remainder of the race.  While I did not ever catch the field, I was able to ride it out and finish the race. 39 out of 39 finishers.  Far from ideal, but the power is there.  We'll give 'em hell next time.

Arc hard, ride fast go plaid!

2013 and Beyond.

The upcoming season is proving to be an exciting year, and racing has yet to begin....

To start with, my company, Flahute Bikes, is officially releasing this spring.  A lot of hard work has gone in to building and selecting products to represent the Flahute name.  It has been a lot of work thus far, and is slowly winding down, but regardless, extremely exciting!  To partner the release of the company, a small team of riders has come together to represent Flahute Bikes under the name Flahute Factory Racing.  Granted, the team name still needs work... I am thinking something along the lines of Ludicrous Speed p/b Flahute Bikes, but in a realistic world, I don't see that ACTUALLY happening.

Keep your eyes peeled for plaid on the road... we'll be in these...

Can't wait to strap them on and get on the road.  With the extent of training from the whole team, I expect some awesome results and a lot of fun this summer!

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

Catching up....

It's been a while since the latest edition of a Tubular Adventure.  The latest on the road being the Green Mountain Stage Race, a four day adventure which 1 year ago had been plagued by hurricane Irene, forcing officials to reroute 50% of the stages and cancel stage 4 on account of heavy rain.

This year however, had only one minor setback which cost a descent overall standing in the General Classification.  A stage 3 flat along the Bolton flats on Rt 2, which as any rider knows is riddled with potholes and can be detrimental to the condition of a tube, tire or wheel, set me back and left me with a solo ride into the finish atop the App Gap.  The other 3 days of racing went well however.  With a 26th place finish in the first Stage Time Trial, 11th in the Circuit Race, and 17th in the Queen City Criterium.

Hot days, hot nights - National Life Criterium and Tour of Hilltowns

The past two weekends of racing have been plagued by ungodly amounts of heat and humidity.  Two things which would make any normal man cringe, whither and possibly create the urge to crawl under a rock until winter.  That said I would like to announce my retirement and retreat to under a rock until further notice... JUST KIDDING.

National Life Criterium, the place where it all began, was a hot day.  With about 20 or so riders in the field, there was no hiding on the hill.  Riders went flying ahead, causing chases and counter attacks lefts and right.  With about 16 laps to go I made an effort to bridge, bringing some of the field with me.  With about 14 laps to go, the bridge was made and the field was back together.  Two laps later, while grinding over the top of the course, things started to close in and I was forced out of the race.  While I didn't pass out, I was on the verge of catastrophic systems failure.  Sad to say, this was not the outcome I was hoping for.  After pulling out of the race, I drank as much water as possible in an attempt to refuel my system and begin recovering.

Tour of Hilltowns was one of the hardest races I have done.  The course was demanding through and through.  With a large 20 minute-ish climb in the middle, riders would be equalized and tested in strength and tactics.  This race was a reminder that inspecting courses is a must.  No matter how strong or fast you think you are, knowing your course and plan off attack is key in successful bike racing.

That said, I miss planned my attack on the climb, as I had not inspected it, nor did I really look into the overall length and difficulty of the climb.  About half way up, I launched an attack thinking I was near the peak of the climb.  To my surprise, around the up coming corner was the remainder of the climb and the end of my race.  My pace dropped and I watched the peleton ride away.  Defeated by the race, I still rode tempo the whole way back, ensuring that I would learn the remainder of the course for the future races at Tour of Hilltowns.

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

Stafford Criterium - Stafford Springs, CT

Stafford Springs was the host of hoards of racers as they poured in to the Stafford Speedway, a usual host for Nascar and automotive race events.  On the weekend, a host to the slew of bikers eager to taste the line before the rest.
The course was simple, using most of the motor speed way, and a brief switchback through the pits to keep things interesting.  A headwind plagued the far side of the course, making for a pleasant tailwind boost coming into the finishing stretch.

Racing started off fast with the pace pushing through until the finish of lap 40.  I started with a leg opener off the front of the field for a few laps.  As the race went on, many took flyers up the road, causing a chase from the peleton.  After flyers were caught, it generally took a lap or two before another went, while the contrary should be true and it just so happened that the move that stuck was an immediate counter attack off a flyer which lasted with one rider up the road to the finish which with the peleton working together, was unable to catch by the final lap.

Coming in to the final 5 laps, I moved myself up through the field and was able to hold my position while we attempted to chase down the breakaway riders.  With 2 to go, we caught two of three breakaway riders and I was able to position myself still at the front of the field.  Coming hot into the final lap, a rider clipped a pothole.  While he didn't go down, plenty of riders were startled and thrown off their line by the sudden jump.  I was able to squeak around the rider and stay up at the front with just enough riders to create a draft and slingshot towards the line.  Coming up to the final corner, I started to ramp things up until the straightaway.  Up into the straightaway towards the line, I was able to let lose my kick towards the line.

2nd in the field sprint, and 3rd for the day.  A good finish, a great race.  Up Next, National Life, July 15th, Montpelier, VT.

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

National Life Criterium

The National Life Criterium, a local race which I hold close since it was my first race ever, sent riders for a... well.. a ride. 1.2km loop with a giant hill in the middle of it, sent competitors in circles for the better part of 50 minutes in the A field on a hot and very sunny Sunday morning.  Going early from the gun off of the neutral lap, I was able to stay away with one other teammate Alberto, for 5ish laps, just enough to win a sprint prime. 

Once we were finally caught, I was able to sit in for a brief period in an attempt to get my lungs working again.  Growing up with asthma, my lungs has constricted at this point and were not looking to get any better.  Once an attack was thrown in, I was forced out for my free lap to let my lungs recover as much as they could before jumping back into the race.  Once back in, the leader and eventual winner, Bobby had already lapped the field once, and was going around for the second time.  A feat of strength, or strength of feet.
When push came to shove, I ended up finishing in 6th place.  Next time better planning and and proper fueling before the race are going to be important.  With the difference in temperature and physical exertion in said temperatures, the body is certainly doing more than it is used to.  With a history of asthma, it is going to be key to success to avoid triggering it however possible.

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

Cliff Hanger Sprint Series

In the past week, there have been multiple chances at local glory.  Between the Cliff Hanger Sprint Series last weekend and the National Life Criterium both my hometown Montpelier, I couldn't pass up the chance to dive head on into the pain cave.

The second Cliff Hanger Sprint series was held in Montpelier, where riders went 4 at a time in dead heats to compete for the fastest spots up the stupidly steep hill.  I was able to top the first two of my heats with a PR of 1:40:00 or something like that up the hill.  Between my heats I watched as other riders dug themselves deep holes in attempts to launch the hill faster than those next to them.  Making it into the final round, I was feeling good and sitting on the wheel of the eventual Cliff Hanger Champion, Kip, when my stomach said "that's enough."  Though in fewer words, I had to let up my effort and fall back for a 3rd place finish.  Next time I suppose I'll try to devour food much earlier... rather than an hour before a competition like that.

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

Smoketown Airport Criterium

Causing trouble.

The Smoketown Airport Criterium was a stretch for a busy weekend.  Between seeing family and going to a Bar Mitzvah, I was somehow able to sneak away to Intercourse, PA where a small private airport was kind enough to host a very well put together cycling event.  Races were of all categories, and the race was even well organized enough to allow planes to land and take-off between races.  On top of some fantastic organization, the venue itself was just unique.  Not many times can you say you've racing on the runway of airport or watched the races from inside a private hanger.   I was also lucky enough to be accompanied by my cousin and his wonderful energetic troublemaker of a son (who now knows the joy of wet willies).

Opening up the legs a little...

The race was held in warm conditions, just under 80 degrees.  I warmed myself up doing laps around the airport hangers while my cousin and his son checked out airplanes and tore up the runway on a razor scooter.  While airplanes took off, we lined up and were rolled out for a neutral lap.  The course started on an uphill straight away with a headwind and took two 90 degree left hand turns before entering an S-bend to a gentle slope of the backside with a tailwind and completing a lap with a full 180 degree corner which from the second I saw it, knew someone was going to hit it too hot and either go into the grass or just wipe out on a hotter lap.

Legs opened with a can of WHOOP ASS on the side

The race started with eager racers making small breaks off the front.  Including myself, I was able to stay away with another rider for 3 early laps, which was a good chance to open up my legs and really get a feel for the course.  Throughout the remainder of the race some team blocking was involved to help riders stay away for longer than 3 laps, but with 5 laps to go any breakaways were reeled in and the field stuck together until 2 laps to go when a crash in the 180 degree corner split things up.

Legs still open... yee haw

Coming into the final lap I was sitting in a fantastic place.  I was the third wheel of an unintentional lead out train, next to many other riders jockeying for position.  I could see my sprint line when two riders cross wheels, went down and took out enough riders that forced me to make a quick maneuver into the grass.  After pulling myself back onto the pavement, there was enough space to sprint back up through some slipstream action and finish in 9th place.

All in all, this was an awesome race and I hope I can do it again next year.  Next up on the calendar is Watertower Hill in Colchester, VT on Tuesday May 22nd.  A fun local criterium for some #localglory

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid

Quabbin Reservoir Road Race - Ware, MA

The Quabbin Reservoir Road Race started early, even possibly the night before, but most likely early in the morning.  We left the humble abode of self proclaimed Master of the Universe, Bobby Bailey's house at 5am, to find freshly fallen snow on the car and eventually the road before us.

Bikes got to sleep the whole way there...

Races started early, between 9 and 10 and took racers around a 64.9 mile course starting and ending the Quabbin Reservoir State Park.  The 64.9 miles had lots of small hills, nothing larger than a category 3 according to Strava, but nothing larger than a category 5 according the Map My Ride.  Having only looked at the Map My Ride profile before the race, I went in thinking that the hills were no larger than anything we would come across on a Tuesday Night Worlds loop.  That said, I made the mistake of making some larger digs early on in the race and had to recover and hang in tight until the end of the race.  I am proud to say that I was able to make moves and play cards throughout the entirety of the race.  While I felt tired about midway, because of proper fueling I was able to rally and pull through to the finish and sprint for a 23rd place result.

Feed zone provided by BONK! Support.  Thanks guys!

Arriving at the final finishing climb back in the park and up towards the tower, I put in a large dig thinking the finish was near by.  Had I been correct, the victory could have been mine, however because of my premature attack, I cramped and was not able to recover with enough strength to pull off my goal of a top 10. The strength is there, but the tactics clearly need work.

My next race with be May 8th in Colchester, VT at Water Tower Hill.  This will be the first of the newest Vermont Criterium Series, one which I am very excited to be a part of this season.  Local races will make the season much more enjoyable, as they will not require anything more than a 2 hour drive, as opposed to the 3-4 hour minimum of any other race in MA, NH, CT or ME.

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

Myles Standish State Park Road Race

The day started with super comfy beds, too many fluffy pillows and egg sandwiches convient enough for the fastest of truckers.  We tugged ourselves out of the hotel, reloaded the car and make a quick jaunt down the road to the Myles Standish State Forest, the hosting ground for what would usually be a cold early season race.
Because many others had taken it upon themselves to conquer the mighty Battenkill the day before, fields would be small and the roads would be open for matches to be burned, cards to be played, and bikes to be raced.  We arrived in the park and quickly did a recon of the five mile course which allowed us to see where winds were coming from and the best places to attack and best places to sit in and recover (if needed).
By the time my race came around, the temperature had risen to about 70 degrees, making the Blindato Flamebrocation I had put on to stay warm earlier in the day, somewhat irrelevant, but it was still a nice feeling during the race.  The race would be 5, five mile laps around the park, with full road.  This was especially nice on the twisty and turny sections of the course next to the ponds where racers could B-line from one turn to the next.
The race itself was fast pace, with break aways on every lap, and a chases to follow.  There were enough racers that some teams were able to send flyers up the road and block until the break returned, only to send another up the road.  For me, the race was odd, there were riders who the pack would let away, but on every attack I made to pull away, 4+ riders would be on my wheel, and on them would be the rest of the peleton, making it frustratingly hard to get away.  I was able to ride strong through the whole race, regardless of an abnormally high heart rate between 160-175 throughout the duration of the race.  The race came down to bridging a breakaway in the final Kilometer, however, riders from the break still topped out the results and dominated the downhill finishing sprint.  The peleton was able to bridge just after the final descent, but not completely overtake the break into the finish.  Earlier in the lap I had made an effort to bridge and had not recovered in time for the final sprint.  That said, I was able to put in a massive effort and slingshot myself up the right side of the road to finish in 6th place, a top result for the season so far.
Overall things to remember for future races, stay out of the wind, let other people work, and attack from the back if you want to bust some NUTS.  In any case, the future races look promising... Next on the list is Quabbin Road Race, in Ware, MA.

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

Season of the Apocalypse... Grant's Tomb Criterium

Heading to NJ before NYC.

The season of the apocalypse is upon us.  While the first two months of 2012 have managed to whip by, the cycling season has just begun.  The riders this seasons are looking to follow the trend of the year thus far,  whippin' on by fast as hell.... one might say, they've gone plaid?


Friday evening, Joe, Chebbi and I piled in the car and took to the road towards New York City.  We spent the 5ish hour drive to our hotel in Fairfield, NJ chatting strategy and exchanging racing stories.  Being my second full racing season, I only had reminiscent and top secret stories of tom-foolery from last seasons time spent among UVM Cycling.  After hearing stories of pro riders from the 7/11 and Stowe-Shimano days, I was more than excited to get on the bike and start the season off on a powerful stroke.


Saturday morning started early.  We packed up our trainers and bikes from the hotel room where we had managed to squeeze 30 minutes the previous evening before sleep.  Once we got on the road, finding the race was as simple as navigating a cheese maze.  As all know, mazes become much easier with a prize at the end, and with the scent of a race at the end of our NYC maze, the path was an easy one to follow.

Opening the season with a 31st in the 3s.  A good gauge of
things to come....

The cheesy finish was a good one... the course before us had 5 corner and a long straight away.  Cross winds plague the hardest sections of the course.  Riders with tasked with three corners before a brief 50 meter climb into a straight away before a gentle corner into the finish stretch. Now riders, remember, 45 minutes, rinse and repeat.  Going into the race, Joe and I planned to try to simply stick in the field and set each other up for a sprint at the end.  Being the first race of the year, and trying to get a gauge for the season, this seemed like a very reasonable goal.

Hopping back into the field
takes some adjusting.

Once the race went off, tactics changed.  Fitness levels were not as expected for some riders, and I lost site of teammates and friends in the field.  Once I realized the position I was in, I was able to jockey a little and play with the field for positions.  It eventually became apparent that riders hammering the brief climb were wasting energy, as they would end up in the same position they started the climb on.  It was more beneficial to hit the climb with energy enough to clobber the back stretch.  As the race went on and laps counted down, I felt my legs warm up to the point where I could stick in the peleton without straining efforts.

2012 here we go....

Coming into the final 500 meters, I was able to move myself through the field quite easily.  At least 30 positions were gained from an in the saddle effort at the line.  Because of poor planning I wasn't able to get a top 10, but the power showcased this early in the season are what I see as good things to come.  With a little better planning, this season could prove to be one with a view from the top.


Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

Profiled In Bicycling Magazine, Readers Choice Edition

Check out the recent profile done by Bicycling Magazine for the March 2012 Readers Choice Edition...

http://www.bicycling.com/news/featured-stories/joshua-saxe-burlington-vt

http://www.bicycling.com/sites/default/files/uploads/bicycling-readers-choice-12.pdf

Since NE Championships and Looking Ahead...

Since I last blew myself up at the New England Cyclocross Championships in late December, I took some time off to get my legs back under me and recover from 51 races over 9ish months. Now late January, I have begun building base miles for upcoming 2012 season. There are a lot of projects and plans in the works this year.

With no collegiate season ahead, I have turned my focus to a few early races after a pre season venture to South Carolina for training.  In addition, I have teamed up with Bobby Bailey of 1K2GO Sports to build speed and gain my place on top step of the podium.

January thus far has been building as many base miles per week as unreasonably possible.  In other words, hours and hours on the bike.  Additionally to time spent on the two wheeled battled axe, I have managed to squeeze in some time skiing slalom at Cochrans for two evenings during each week.  The quick and twitchy movements from skiing slalom have managed to make their way in to my cycling.  Cadence has increased with proportional power increase.  Each slalom has had huge benefits to what will be climbing and sprinting muscles.  Come time for racing, I can only hope to hold on to, and build on the new found quick twitching muscles.

Looking ahead to the season, I have my eye on the podium for as many races as I can enter.  A large goal, and a tough one to meet.  Building off of last season, up seems like the right way to go.

On equipment; I have a new battle axe for... well, racing, riding and anything else you'd do with a bike.  Based off some awesome new designs, Flahute has released a brand new more aerodynamic sprinters bike.  Tubing shape has also changed, in addition to a new cut out which allows the stem to sit lower and shrink the effective steerer tube, creating a stiffer cockpit which reacts to all movements that make up that minuscule amount at the line.  Full specs on the new bike to be released in late February after on road testing has been completed.

New England Cyclocross Championships - Fitchburg, MA

Remounting and riding away after the barriers for now.

The latest and last race of my 2011 season was this past Sunday.  While many teammates traveled home for winter break, two UVMers made their way to compete at the New England Cyclocross Championships in Fitchburg, MA on a rather cold Sunday afternoon.

With temperatures not rising above 28 degrees, the course remained frozen for all but 2 or 3 laps of the Elite Men's race.  The track was long and flat, twisting and turning over athletic fields and around trees.  Two sets of barriers, a sandpit, and a flyover were laid into the track to test the best of the best.  Being so far into the season, I only made it through 2 1/2 laps before full system shut down and resulting in the first DNF of the Cyclocross season.

Aaaand BONK.

That said, leading up to the full system shut down, I cannot say things felt great.  In warm up, I was able to rip through on my bike, everything was comfortable and I felt powerful from the weeks preparation of both running and riding.  By the time the race came about later in the afternoon, I had lost the sensation of speed and comfort lingered back to the warmth of the van which I would estimate remained at about 50 degrees throughout the day.  A warm refuge after a massive debacle of a race.

Arc hard...

Closing out the season with a DNF is not my idea of finishing on a high note.  However, I think it is myself telling me (confused? good.) that it is time to take a break and let things recover before building for speed in the 2012 spring, summer and fall seasons.  I will be taking the next few weeks (until January 1, 2012) to rest and just futz about with whatever Tubular Adventures come my way.  Rest assured, skiing will most definitely be a good portion of said Tubular Adventures.

Until 2012,  Arc hard, ride fast and go plaid! 

NBX GP of Cyclocross

Working the field from the back... it'll go better next time.

After taking a weekend off, UVM cycling ventured with four competitors to Warwick, RI to compete at the NBX GP race weekend.  Not wanting to get up early, and also having come off of two previous top 10 results, I decided to upgrade with the hops that sleeping in would counteract the unfortunate starting position of DFL.
Both days had fast courses, with only slight modifications from day to day.  Day 1 had a sand run ending on a hill, as well as a ride-up and a set of quick barriers near the Shimano PRO Pit and core center of the course.  Day 2 was only slightly modified, leaving in the first sand run, adding in a second sand run into a dune hill run-up as well as having moved the barriers onto an uphill run just before the core of the race.

Flying through some fast trails towards the beach runs.

Having just upgraded, I was started at the back since I have no points.  Unfortunately, I was only able to move upa few places from there.  I found the 3s to be so evenly matched that starts were everything within that field.  Since I have a terrible start, it was difficult to move up and make up time on the leaders. The only time I felt like I was able to ove up was on the dune run-up on Day 2, which allowed me to scurry up the hill and pass multiple people before remounting and descending back into the starting area.

Making this additionally difficult was the use of improper gearing.  I have since swapped my crankset for a cyclocross specific gearing by attaching a 46/39 to Dura Ace 7800 172.5mm crankarms.  From riding this past week, the gearing feels much better and is moe manageable to for riding trails and varied terrain as opposed to the compact 50/34 of previous rides and races.

I'll be taking this next weekend off from racing to ride and finish up classes for the semester.  Stay tuned for some training adventures and racing updates.  Up next on the calendar is New England Championships in Fitchburg, MA.

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!

Northeast Velo Cross

With Thanksgiving break on approach, UVM cycling took the weekend off from traveling, leaving race plans up to individual riders.  I traveled down with Bobby, from IK2GO Sports, to Londonderry, NH to compete at the Northeast Velo Cross.

Keeping an eye of the riders ahead, the velodrome was
a great place to mount an attack and make up ground.

The race was early.  Almost too early to wake up on time.  With the help of coffee, bacon, and eggs, I yanked myself from bed and venture down I89 to the race.  Upon arriving, little of the course was visible from parking.  Our first impression was that the race would take you around the Northeast Velodrome, and drop you in the center.  Once we kitted up, we were able to view the rest of the course.  From the Velodrome, the race went into the center field, where two sets of barriers and a water hazard were placed in the way of the riders.

Deep breath, now run.

After clearing the second set of barriers, riders ventured over the wall of the velodrome and into the woods where the course began a striking resemblance to mountain biking.  Roots and mud made up a good section of the course.  Taking riders of bridges and into a quick run-up coming from an off camber right handed turn.  Here, riders were able to power past each other.  With a quick remount, the run-up followed by a gradual descent turned into a strategic place to mount an attack and eat through riders like the fat kid in all of us does in the vicinity of cheesecake.

Whoop.  Whoop.  WHOOP!

Immediately after the woods, riders were tossed into the whoopdy-doos of the Northeast BMX park.  At race speed, it was harder to keep the bike grounded.  It was very important to keep contact with the ground, or establish a rhythm to keep balance before heading back into the velodrome for the end of the lap.

I managed to secure 10th in the race.  After not being able to shift into the big ring, I lost contact with places 9, 8, 7 and 6 ahead of me and was forced to sprint in the little ring to hold on to the 10th place spot.  This coming weekend, I am planning to take off and enjoy a few training rides.  Next on the calendar is Ice Weasels Cometh with UVM Cycling.  There are only a few weeks left in the CX season, and just a few more months until the beginning of Collegiate Road.  With only a little time in between the two season, there will be a brief rest period, and then onto building base onto what is already being built during cross.
Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid! and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Paridise Cyclocross Frenzy

UVM's Wrecking Crew taking 5 out of the top 10 places.

UVM Cycling took a handful of riders down to Windsor to compete at the Paradise Cyclocross Frenzy, a fitting name for the dizzying course.  Riders started the race just outside the doors of the Harpoon Brewery.  In the Men's Category 4 race, 6 riders took to the field, managing to claim 5 out of the top 10 and further glory hogging of the 1st, 2nd, and 4th places respectively by Jake in 1st, Myself in 2nd, and Greg in 4th by no more than a wheels length.  1-2-3 Will have to wait....

Exiting the corkscrew heading back
towards the road and to the run-up.

The race was fast, starting off in a large group and entering some quick traversing through a shallow and dry gully where riders could let there wheels rip through every turn.  If you were using your breaks, you were doing it wrong.  Coming out of the gully, riders entered the corkscrew which can easily be described by the first lap  Paradise Frenzy quotes of the day:  

"I feel drunk...."

"When does it end?"
"I think we just stop in the middle...."
"Why am I going to other way?"
"Is this what drugs are like?"
All followed by the musical stylings of UVM: Circus music in E minor.
Out of the cork screw, riders went through more power riding, where the turns led to long straight aways and your ability to pick the right line through the corner could determine how far ahead of your drafting mate you were able to pull ahead.

The vicious run-up which ejected
riders back towards the brewery.

From here, riders approached the run-up which later in the day could be ridden, but because of loose dirt, had to be run during the earlier races such as the Category 4.  At this point it was important to remount as quickly as possible on the offer camber peak, and clip in to your pedals as to not be bucked off during the quick descent back towards the brewery and the finishing turns.

Just a little wide on the 180 degree turns.

Once back at the brewery, the course made a series of 180 degree turns into long straight aways.  Eventually, the race went through what we liked to call, the moon-landing.  In actuality, the moon-landing, was a corner of the construction site which was grey with ground up rocks.  At this point, there was no quick way to go through moon-landing because of the loose rock surface.  It is entirely possible that it would have been quicker to dismount and run through since right after the moon-landing were the barriers before a short hill and thus completing a full lap.

Around 2 or 3 laps into the race, with Jake from UVM in the lead, I leapt from the pack, forming a break of about 6 riders.  Slowly, the break thinned out and became a string of individual riders.  Sitting in 6th, I managed to jump into 4th after the run-up.  With Jake in my sights, I made a leap to try to bridge from the 4th place position.  Only managing to over take the two riders between me and Jake on the run-up, I got myself to within 10 seconds of Jake before my chain dropped off after the barriers.

2nd place, tongue and all.

I was able to get my chain back on just in time to drop into 4th and tag on to the same two riders I had over taken a few laps earlier.  With 1st out of contention, the race was for 2nd.  From there I was able to again, leap past the two riders on the run-up and hold my lead in 2nd place for the remainder of the race.

Arc hard, ride fast, go plaid!