80/20 rule - Cone-Azalia

I don’t venture into the road racing scene too often, but try to make it to at least one per year, especially if they are interesting. Last year was the Criterium Detroit. And this year I decided to do Cone-Azalia. The thing that intrigued me the most about this race is the fact that it is contested on dirt roads and paved, making it not a typical roadie event. It is considered Michigan’s original or longest running dirt road race, which are events I have really grown to love. So since this race has been in my head for some time now, this is the year I would give it a shot.


The race was not much more than a really hard training day for me since it would be the last day of my build 2. I don’t have a road license, so I had to race in Cat 5. Regardless of all this, it was still a race and one I have never done before. So I was extremely excited about it especially not knowing what to expect. From the whistle, I lead out the group. From here I had to decide, was I going to be the dumb ass I normally am and give all these roadies a free ride around the course and pull the peloton for the entire race? Or am I going to be smart and hide like everyone else and pop out at the last minute for the win? As soon as I hit the dirt my decision was made. I ended up pulling for at least 80% of the race. The only other guys will to work was Jim Hilditch and a Trails-edge team racer. The legs felt really good for the entire race, and I was able to neutralize any little attacks. I rode at or above my lactic threshold zones for more of the race. By the time the last lap rolled around, I was still on the front and ratcheting up the pace. We hit the last corner into the wind with 1 K to go. No one would come around. I eased up the pace to try to save some energy know what was about to come. Finally with about 500 meters to go, the pace picked back up, and a few guys from the pack finally made it near the front. At 250 meters, the games started, everyone was squirrely and then the sprints were launched. I felt this was way too early for a sprint to start but had no choice. I dug deep and past the lactic acid in my legs to stay near the front. I passed several guys, and a few came off my wheel and around. I looked up as 5 guys just a wheel to a bike length away crossed the line. I ended up 6th out of 40+ in Cat 5 35+.

I was happy with the result based on all the work I did, and got some great data to analyze. Not sure if I will be doing anymore road events this year, but it is on my mind. But until then, Addison Oaks Stage Race is next on the docket!

Congrats to Jeffery Tom Payne for a solid 5th in a stacked Cat 4 field. You are rocking right now! And congrats to Don Cameron a great 2nd place in Master 45+.

Pontiac Lake "Classic" TT

The races are rolling now. Seems like I have been racing every week, and will be for a few more. And I love it! Done some new stuff, some old stuff, some dry stuff, cold stuff and some rainy stuff! Almost like I have done an entire season already. But when it comes to Pontiac Lake, I know that my racing season is on. Today was a beautiful April day for racing. And the trail was in mid August shape. Dry and bumpy as hell. Leading up to the race, I had been struggling with a few issues that I was not sure would slow my progress down. I seem to have gotten a handle on them, so I am back on the wagon with my plan (thanks to all who have helped thus far, you know who you are).

Going into the race, I had a really hard week of training but the legs felt good. It's amazing how you learn what your body tells you over the years through racing and training experience. And today I kind of knew this would be a good day. I got to see all the old cycling friends from over the years and spent a considerable amount of time chatting before warming up. But we finally were called to the line and soon as you knew it, we were off. I had a really good jump off the line and buried it as much as I could for as long as I could. My single track skills felt razor sharp, and all the hills did not seem to bad. Thanks in part to the 15+ lbs I recently lost. As I cruised through lap 1 I knew I was feeling good and just wanted to push harder and harder. I was happy to know that as I went AC, it was short and I could recover from it within seconds. I climbed the last hill, and big ringed it through the long straight and grass section. Looked down at my clock and saw I went sub 41 mins! I was having a good day and felt just as strong starting my 2nd lap. I pushed as hard as I could and tried to keep pedaling as much as possible. then the Don Cameron train came by at the 1/2 way point of the lap, so I latched on for about 5 mins. This helped pull me a long, and re-establish a harder pace. Up the final climb, and I buried myself into the red zone in the final straight. My 2nd lap was a 42 min lap and only about 20 seconds different from my first! This was good enough for a solid 3rd place in Expert Men 30-39. My first ever expert podium at Pontiac Lake. My last one was in sport in 2008. So I was extremely happy.

I also did the single speed race and knocked out another 42 min lap. I just missed the podium for 5th by 7 seconds. But this is by far the fastest lap I have done on a SS to date. So again, very happy.

Lots of good results today. Brad Lako nailed a solid 2nd. Kim Luks beat half the men's expert classes with a win in elite women. Mark P. took an awesome win in elite men, and then the win in the single speed class. Tom Payne had a stellar lap on the single speed taking 2nd. Dan K. cracked the elite podium with 5th! DC was a diesel engine as usual with a 1st in his class. The list could go on and on... but I do want to give credit to all the TSB folks that showed up and raced today! There were some great rides, and a lot of podiums that went home with us.

Finally, a few of you may know that my Dad had a serious home accident in mid January that resulted in a severe traumatic brain injury. He is doing really well now, and getting better each day. I know he really wants to go and be apart of the races again so look for him soon. But back in January, there was a lot of uncertainty of what was going to happen to him, and how long it would be before we got him home, or if he was ever going to come home. I set a goal for him to be healthy enough to be able to go to Pontiac Lake and watch the race, and I made a goal for myself to try like hell to get on the podium for him this day. Although he did not make it out to the race today, he is health enough to make out again and move around on his own with just a little help. But my trip to the podium today was for my dad. Because he lived up to his goal, I feel much better knowing I lived up to mine. I Love you both Mom and Dad, and am very fortunate I have you both!


Next stop Cone-Azailia Road Race...

Yankee... Check point

Yankee is by far one of the best trails in the state, and its only fitting that it is the season opener for most of us to the mountain bike season. I guess it's kind of like the Daytona 500 to all the NASCAR freaks out there. So with the first race, it's always the check point and first test for everyone. Everyone being friendly but eyeing each other up to see who has it, and who is still trying to put it together. Its a test that means a lot, but at the same time really don't mean much with a long season ahead. But it's still a race none the less, and there has to be a winner, a loser, and everything in between. Thank God the season is finally here! But in short this is where I am at and Yankee was a check point.

Thinking, pondering... things to figure out.... Things going well, and a few on the verge of falling apart. Personal best 1 lap. Personal best 2 laps and overall time on Single speed.... Only good enough for 12th!.... Everyone is on there game it appears for this season... just look at the results. time to focus.

It appears that this is going to be a fun and very interesting year on the mountain biking scene. Maybe one of the best in recent years... Time will tell. There is a lot of work to be done. The PLRA TT is next....

Just Keep Going.... P2A Epic!

After many years of being on the fence, I finally did the Canadian Spring Classic, Paris to Ancaster near Hamilton, ON. And to make it even better, I convinced a few other TSB team mates to go along for the ride. So early in the morning we loaded Todd Power's truck up with bikes and gear and headed to the 51st state (just kidding) for an all out "adventure into the unknown". This made it rather exciting, let alone knowing that we would be racing against 1000+ people. And we were not disappointed! The race is very quirky. And during the spring, when the race is traditionally held, anything can go... And go it did. Right before the race started the sky opened up and let loose. And what followed for the rest of the day was nothing short but epic.

The course is 60 K long (37.3) and starts out tame on some paved sections, flat dirt roads, and smooth rail trails. Then it happens. It kicks up a bit on a tractor trail with fist size rocks. Bottle neck, mud, and running. Then for the rest of the race, its into the small slivers of ankle deep muddy single track. Slick muddy 2 track trails, and some nice size rollers. Then the fun begins. Steep cinder block strewn downhill mud chutes. Freshly plowed corn field, peoples driveways and front yards, and a drainage ditch. And if that's not enough, you climb up the 3/4 mile + 11 % grade Martin Road to the finish line. So with the rain on top of all this, it was a challenge to say the least.

I was feeling like a rock star at the start. But was near the back of the starting grid in wave 1. So I had my work cut out for me. I went LT right from the start and made up some huge ground. As I kept going, I was bridging gaps to several groups one by one. Things were going well despite all the mud in my eyes and mouth, but this is racing so it didn't seem to phase me. The we hit the single track sections. One right after each other, and the mud got thicker, deeper, and clung to every thing weighing the bikes and riders down. I pushed as hard as I could to maintain my position. Then about an 1:15 into the race I realized I may have lit too many matches in the early mud, and had to back off on my pace because I could feel the beginning of cramps forming. This sucked! I was doing everything I came to do, but the conditions were starting to get the best of me. From here I played it smart and tired to salvage the best time and result I could. I ran when i had too, rode as hard as I could, and drafted every wheel I could come in contact to. I was feeling a little better toward the end, but knew I had to maintain. When We got to Martin Road, I gave it all I had. Near the top and the steepest grade, there were people lined up and cheering like crazy. All my body wanted to do was stop and walk, but I was too proud to walk with all those people watching, and determined to make it all the way. My heart rate was peaking into the 190 range by now, and the top of my quads were knotting up like crazy, but I fought through. Came across the line in 2:18:38. This was good enough for 38th out of 284 in my age group (Men 30-39) and 138 overall out of 1307! I tried to set some goals going into this race, even though I never done it before. I wanted to get top 30 in my age group, but fell just short. But considering the conditions, I am very happy with the result, and plan to be back next year for sure!

Great job to my TSB Team mates Todd, Jay, and Pat on the race and for making this a great day trip! And congrats to all the other Miscene'ers Adam, Clint, Mike, Jay, Shaun, and a few others. You all represented all of us well.

The next few weeks will be busy racing, as I take on Yankee, Pontiac Lake, and throw my hat in the ring for the first time at Cone...

And we're off! - BRX report

The official start to my racing season has begun. And what better way to do it than with one of my favorite races. Barry-Roubaix, in Middleville, MI. The perfect blend of dirt roads with monster climbs, and roadies vs mountain bikers. This is a great way to test your fitness. Get out the early season race jitters, and see who has been putting in the early winter work. In just a short time, this race has exploded from the grassroots ride your bike and drink beer all day to the real thing. So it is now a "everyone must do event". So with this, it's a really good way to see where you stack up early in the season.

For me, training has been going very well. So coming into the event I was looking for some personal results and data for refinement. In addition, I had some public goals for the race as well. They were to finish top 10 in my age group (35-39) and a stretch goal of top 5.

All the racers lined up at the start in the respective waves and we were off. The neutral roll out this year was anything but. It was fast and everyone was licking their chops trying to be the first one to the dirt. I held my line and settled into a nice pack of guys that contained several of the best riders in the state. Simon Bailey, Jarod Makowski, Dave Messing, Tom Payne, Chris Goddard, and a few others coming and going. the race broke up quick on the first few climbs. It was chaos and confusing, as our wave instantly caught the tail end of wave 2. Guys were not holding their lines. Falling. Panicking. It was all out spandex war. Early on, I got pushed to the outside of the road, and into the soft sandy shoulder. I came to a complete stop going up hill, and then a dude ran over my foot. I had to power out of the sand and try to TT back up to the lead group. By the time I made it back to the leaders, Simon was long gone. But my other favorites were still intact. The pace was hard my HR stayed in the 190s for most of the race. A few guys falling in front of me on the first two track section forced me off the bike, and made me lose contact again. By the time I made it out back onto the gravel, I was in TT mode again trying to bridge the gap. Then Don Cameron came by, so I hopped on the D-train and got pulled back to the group. From here the big hills started and the pace was not letting up. We all went blow for blow between Tom, Jarod, Dave and I. It was silent between us for most of the race, just a few glances into the eyes of each other to try and read how they were doing. We all had straight up poker faces! No one wanted to give an inch. With about 6 miles to go, we were all still together, I knew the course (so I thought) and had my plan for attack in the back pocket. Then we entered the new section of the course. I looked like a mine field. Sand and 12 ft wide puddles around that were 1 foot deep. We also picked up the slower 24 mile racers as well. it was tough to get through. Then from this, to the long lung searing sandy run up. It was cyclocross time! We were all together as we began to trot up the hill. About half way up my right calf began to cramp. OH NO. Not now..... WHY? I tried to fight through it but did not know how much longer the run was going to be. Jarod and Tom were slowly slipping away. Dave was well behind us at the time but closing fast. As I finally neared the top, I looked up and seen Jard remounting his bike. He was off! And now the lead group was growing the gap on my rapidly. On the decent, I heard Dave call my name. Damn it. I pushed on. This new section was taking it toll on me, and I did not have a plan B. Finally on the paved road with 4 miles left in the race and a most all up hill. I could see the group I needed to be with just a head of me. I tired to power through but the cramp was still in my leg and now my left quad was feeling it. I was finally able to get a rhythm, and slowing began to gain the seconds back. No one would work with me to pull them back. And I would never make contact. But knowing that I was with the top 5 group, I new my goal was still in reach and did not give up. I red zoned all the way to the line putting up a new personal best time of 1:51. And securing the 10th place spot in my age group out of 129 others.

Racing with the guys above was an awesome experience, one I will never forget. It is really what racing should be all about, and made me push to my limits. I can't wait to line up with you fellas again. You all had great races! So congrats and good luck this season.

Next stop will be Paris-Ancaster. I can't wait. This will be my first time at this event.

In closing, it was great to see the Rouge Racing Project Kentucky boys! Sorry for the early night. We will make it up at the USGP in a few months. And Great job to all the TSB guys. Kevin, Brad, Jason, Curt, Todd, and Jim for coming out. Putting up great results, and representing the red, black and white!

Stick to the plan....

February.... Mind is numb.... Must stick to the plan. Must stick to the plan. Must stick to the plan. Must stick to the plan. Must stick to the plan. Must stick to the plan. Must stick to the plan. Ugh!

One Month Down

January is in the books, thank God! And I am moving forward. Been through a family crisis, cabin fever, lack of motivation, and my best personal January of training in hours and miles. 2012, is already rolling quickly and has already been challenging as well. But I have a lot of optimism. So I am looking forward to a fun, and good year in general. My training plans are in place, and most of the goals are set. But I don't think I am going to share too much of that this year. A few of you know what I'm up to, but I really need to focus on "the plan" versus talking about it all. So sit back, get ready, because things will be heating up in March!

My podium quest continues...