The Breeze Journal

HA Swan

2009-07-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

After coming back from up north my father and I got to spend a couple of days with Will, who is recently retired. Will hasn't changed much from before retirement, but now instead of having no time to do anything, he has all the time to do anything, but less money. I'm starting to think being a pro cyclist is a lot like being retired. You get to travel, ride your bike, go places that aren't busy because everyone else is at work, but of course you don't have much money to do it.

But of course you can still have fun. We went for a little cruise on the bikes on Monday morning.

(Note: Not the first attempt at getting this priceless image. It only took us three tries)

After that we went out for Margaritas. I held off till later that night when I realized I wouldn't be making the drive home that night.

(Note: Will is NOT enlarged to show texture)

Later that night the bonding continued in the bike shop in the basement as Will worked on a couple of bikes.

(Note: Photos are not from this week. However things haven't changed much and this is a well representation of the night.)

Happy Retirement Will!

Breeze On

2009-07-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

Fitchburg-Longsjo

2009-07-08T06:31:00.000-07:00

Finally starting to get settled down from my trip out to Fitchburg to compete in my 6th Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic. It's hard to believe that I have raced it 6 times in the Pro 1,2 category since 2002, starting at a sprightly 20 years of age.

This year was the 50th anniversary of the race that is run in honor of the Fitchburg native Arther Longsjo who was a dual sport Olympian in speed skating and cycling. The promoter made a celebration out this long run event and recognized past champions of the race throughout the race and with a special dinner Saturday night. As a past champion this was very awesome and it brought me back to my glory days in 2007.

The racing itself was pretty much the same as it always has been on the streets of Fitchburg fast, furious, and challenging. Racing kicked off with yet another new time trial course. A 15km out and back course that gently rolled along and even over a lake in the country side. I had a good ride on the way out, but unfortunately not as good ride on the way back.

Friday was the circuit race. This circuit race and I have never gotten along. I've done it 6 times and one year I had flat, another year I had a snapped cable, and this year two guys went down in front of me and ended up over the handlebars in the grass. On this course that mostly equals getting yourself a lap behind. So as I said I crashed with 8 laps to go, luckily my collarbone held up this time, but after getting off the ground and a wheel change I was completely off. I just rode hard to finish just in front of the field 8 minutes down.

Saturday was the usual road race with a different twist. With not being able to use the road up to the summit of Mt Wachusette the finish this year would be at Princeton Center, which is near the feed zone. I wanted to be aggressive in this race as I was so far behind in the overall. I did find myself off the front a few laps in with a couple of others, but it was only for a lap before being reabsorbed. I spent the rest of the race riding the Bissell train as there were trying to protect Zirbel's overall lead, and watched as the field was shrinking with each time up to the feed zone. I didn't hit the finishing hill near the front, so I didn't finish near the front.

Sunday was the downtown criterium. I would have loved to be more aggressive in this race, but I really didn't start coming around till halfway through and was out of position at the end. Our young guest rider Adam did get off the front at the start, and Winstead was just to the break of the day before fallen back. They gave it a go for Team Kenda and that was good.

Directly after the race we started our long drive back. We stopped at Midnight for the night and started back up the following day at 9am arriving to Indy at 9pm. So some quick unpacking, laundry and repacking I was in bed by 1am and up by 7:30 driving up to Michigan for a bit of a vacation that starts today. I hoping to get some sweet riding in the UP of Michigan.

Breeze On

Game On!

2009-06-26T16:49:00.001-07:00

Racing again this weekend. Once again I will be spending the weekend with Chad as we head east one state to Ohio for a weekend of racing with some of the other fellas. We will be racing Hyde Park Blast in Cincinnati and Tour of Grandview in Columbus. Both days should be good old hot and fast American criterium racing, the perfect final prep before the 50th Fitchburg Longsjo Classic.

Training has been going really well lately and I've finally started to feel like I did before the accident. I've also been able to finally come to terms with the heat and feel much better riding in it then I did two weeks ago. I felt pretty comfortable doing some time trial efforts yesterday in the 90 degree heat.

Well starting tomorrow the next 8 days should be and will be exciting and busy. Two races this weekend, pick up my dad from the airport on Monday, drive to Fitchburg on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the racing begins again on Thursday with a new TT. I'm a bit bummed that this year we will not be making the final acent up Mt. Wachusett due to some construction as it is the only 'uphill' finish all year.

Easy riding in the morning tomorrow then it's off to Ohio with Chad. I'll keep you all posted. More frequent updates, pictures, and maybe a video or two to follow over the next week.

Breeze On

Tour De Mt. Pleasant

2009-06-15T04:54:00.000-07:00

Day 2 Road Race

The race today had us taking to the streets of Isabella County in central Michigan for a 105 mile road race. Anyone familiar with the area knows that there isn't much in the way of elevation gain or really anything other then flat farm fields and nice straight roads.

The plan was simple for Kenda, and that was to be in the break and try not to be out numbered by any other team. With other teams having as much as 8 the 3 of us knew that it was going to be tough. The first sprint of the day came up early, very early within the first 3 miles. I absolutely forgot all about it and couldn't figure out why everyone was sprinting so hard.

A mile later a few attacks started and by mile 10 I found myself off the front with Greg from the Panther team and soon enough Ben had came across. Greg and I just hit it and opened up a good gap for the break of 6. Two more riders did come up in the next 5 miles and one was Dan from Panthers and that was soon. From there it was Greg Christian and Dan Campbell (Panthers) Tom Burke, Brett Stewart, and myself doing the work as Ben, Mark and Graham sat on. We basically had two on two and with Ben sitting on with the others guys I figured this was a good situation and I would roll with it even though the others were just sitting on.

It took a while for the gap to snap wide open, but it eventual did and the 5 us just continued to work and stroll through Isabella county doing some excellent echelon on the open roads. Around 60-70 miles into the race a couple of others started to miss pulls and sit a little longer. Eventually once again it turned into Greg and myself doing much of the work, but also Tom doing a good amount. Once Dan started to sit a bit more I started to get a bit worried, but with Ben sitting on I figured we were good to go.

20 miles out from the finish Dan took a couple of digs and we got on it quickly. Then he did more of an attack and got clear for a mile or two. Once that was brought back Greg attack and that was brought back. Then I decided to go on the offense and counter, but that to was brought back. A quick sit up and soon Greg was back off with Mark and Graham in tow.

Unfortinelty Ben at this time was getting a few cramps. I tried chasing and got some help from Ben, Tom, and Brett, but we weren't closing fast enough or at all. I took some harder pulls and found myself going at it alone till Dan would come back with the others in tow, until the third time. I got a gap he came across and then it was just him and I chasing the other 3. I just didn't have the horsepower I normal have at this time and couldn't do enough to close the gap. We were within 10 seconds the last few km's but just didn't have enough at the end. Great job to Greg who rode like a hoss on the day.

Even though the day didn't finish off to well, Ben after finishing 6th on the day ended up taking the overall omnium at the Tour de Mt Pleasant and that is very nice cap to the weekend of racing. This was a great weekend of racing with a good amount of spectators and awesome support from the volunteers and the city itself. Hopefully it will continue next year and be even bigger.

Overall I was pretty happy with how I felt coming back after the injury lay off and really believe I'll be ready to go in couple of weeks at Fitchburg.

Breeze On

Tour De Mt. Pleasant

2009-06-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

Day 1 Criterium

A new event this season to the Michigan circuit, and what wants to be on the national scene is the Tour de Mt Pleasant. Mt. Pleasant is home to the Central Michigan Chippewas and is in the middle of Michigan. All the local teams showed up with their 'A' rosters this includeds the Bissell team along with a few Regional Elite teams and of course yours truly Kenda Pro Cycling Team with Jim Baldesere, Ben Renkema and myself. We were a bit undermaned compared to the teams fully represented with 8, but we knew if we raced smart we strong enough to win.

Sixty or so guys took to the line under cloudy skies that soon cleared out and gave way to a beautiful sunny sky. The race from the get go was fast a furious, and from the very first few pulls on the bar I could feel a bit of pull on my shoulder. It took myself a few laps to get the feel of it and build some confidence as the race went on.

The Panther cycling team was very strong today and never let up sending one of there 8 guys up the road which attracted much attention from Bissell and Priority Health. Nobody on the day wanted anything to get to far up the road. The biggest and most worry some break of the day was the last solo rider of Greg a Panther rider taken off with 8 or so laps remaining in the race. He hung strong as a few riders from several teams took a pull to bring it closer and closer. It finally came back in the closing laps as Howard and another Panther rider took off on a lap and a half flyer.

Jim, Ben and myself had been riding together the last few laps close by and made our move heading into the last lap. I was the first to go and I caught up and passed the last two break away riders through corner 3 and into 4. At this point I had opened up a bit of gap which turned out ok as it put Paul Martin from the Panther team in the position to close it down while having Jim and Ben on his wheel. I swung off just before the 5th corner and Jim took it from there and dropped Ben off halfway through the finishing stretch. By then the field was lined way out and Ben just punched it and no one could get close to his wheel as he took the victory for Kenda.

Tomorrow is the road race and since we are no longer a tad under the radar it will be a bit tougher. We are up for the challenge and ready to go.

Breeze On

Time to Racce

2009-06-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

So I'm throwing myself back out there this weekend. I'm driving back up to the mother land for the Tour De Mount Pleasant. It looks like a really sweet event back in Michigan that is looking to be a top regional event. So myself and hopefully a few teammates will be there supporting the inaugural event and hopefully can come away with some stellar performances. So just an FYI for the field there will be no crashing aloud any where near me.

I've been back on the bike trying to find some fitness that I had before my accident and it seems to be taking it's sweet time. This should be the first real test considering I haven't done any thing that would cause me to pull on the bars hard i.e. climb hard out of saddle or sprinting. I have been able to get out and ride with my posse which has been helpful and they are always more then willing to attack me or make things harder on me. It didn't matter that I just broke my collorbone or that I just finished an interval they just saw those as opportunities to hit me while I was down. Thanks guys!

This past weekend I did a group ride in town that had options of a 11, 24, 42, or 65 mile routes. I have never seen so many riders at one ride around here. I believe anyone with a bike and a helmet in the area showed up. The best part of it was to see some younger guys, probably high school age, out on mountain bikes with flat pedals on the 45 mile route. I couldn't believe how far they were riding. I also some real youngings probably under 10 on the 24 mile route. It was pretty awesome to see people out enjoying themselves. Then there were some still riding after I completed the 65 and 42 mile routes! Talk about a long day for some.

So for my buddies back in Michigan I'm looking forward to getting back out there and seeing you guys. It should be a great weekend of racing. I haven't raced up there since last May and they always have a few really good races a year.

See you guys Saturday

Breeze On

Back on the Bike

2009-05-28T06:28:00.001-07:00

So I've been back on the bike (for a period that will remain untimed) and it feels great. Not so much that my shoulder feels brand new, but just pedaling around in the sun and the feel of the wind is great. The shoulder doesn't feel bad at all on the bike, no worse then if I was drenched in sweat riding the trainer inside. All I can really do is stay seated and do no pushing or pulling on the bars. It's great though as it forces you to use nothing but leg muscles.

Last weekend since I wasn't gone racing like I normally am this time of year I got the opportunity to go to the Indy 500 from Sherri (mother in law) and Larry. Larry has gone for over 30 years, but recently has ownership over 8 seats every year, and they saved me a seat this year. I was able to take part in their traditions that began with eating donuts, followed by a drawing to pick drivers to win a trophy, walking to the track from the same spot 2 miles away, eating fried chicken, cheezits, and chocolate chip cookies, walking back and taking a photo based on how well you did in the picking of drivers. I showed my rookie form by finishing last and lack of knowledge as I had picked two rookies myself, out of the three we each picked. The whole thing was so much fun and I have to find a way back next year.

Me at the race track. Thanks for the sweet hat and shirts Will!

The following day I headed up with my bike to my Uncle/Aunt's and Cousins Inlaws lake houses. My wife left the previous day as she didn't want to spend the Sunday while I was at the race all alone, so I left early Monday morning on my bike to meet up with everyone. I left plenty early as I was able to arrive in time for my second breakfast at 10am. Nothing like having 120km's done before 10am. The weather just so happen to be subpar that day so the activities of the day were minimual, but I did find time to partake in my first race back but I lost to Alex a 3 year old rider with lots of power. I was very dissappointed in my peformance and am going to have nightmares about that baby blue streak that went flying away from me. My luck continued to fail as Jeff and I sat with fishing lines in a lake with apparently no fish.

As for future races go it looks like Fitcburg will be my first race back. I was looking at Nature Valley for a while, but that would have been just over the 4 week mark and that would be on the edge of safe as any crash would probably sideline me for another 5 weeks. I really, really wanted to do it as it is a big race for the team, but with the way everyone is riding now I think they will do just fine without me.

You can follow how or what the team is doing now on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KendaProCycling

That's all for now

Breeze On

One week down...

2009-05-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

As of yesterday it's been a week since my crash and I broke my clavicle. It's felt like one of the longest weeks of my life.

There really isn't much a guy can do with one arm. I even tried subbing one day to keep my mind off of riding and to try to pass the time more. It went alright and was a good day in terms of not having to do to much. All I really had to do was press play on the dvd player 8 times, and make sure no one hurt anyone. The challenging part was trying to stay awake, it felt like I was back at school.

Well the bruising on the shoulder has gone down which has to be a good thing. I've even managed to ride the trainer for 30min to an hour a few days, relatively very easy, but at least it was something. I go back to the doctors on Tuesday again for another check up to see how things are progressing. Hopefully I'll be able to ride the trainer a bit more seriously this coming week, and I guess move my arm more then an inch or so, but the bike thing would be nice.

I guess life would also be better if I could enjoy the things I usually enjoy without pain such as eating, drumming, napping, and sitting on the morning throne. And of course my wife would enjoy it if I got back to making the bed, dishes, and vacuuming. Soon enough everything will be back in order.

Breeze On

Joe Martin Update

2009-05-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

Prologue:

Well it went ok, not great. I did the time I was hoping for, but it just turned out everyone went faster as well. I guess I'll have to shoot my sites higher next year.

First Race:

Let the disastrous weekend begin. A km or two after the 7km neutral I ended up with a wheel in my derailleur and it pushed my hanger all the way up into my cassette so it wouldn't spin. So I look back to get a bike change and by the time the team car rolled up, and got me a new bike the caravan was out of sight. Luckily Ben hung back and helped me start to chase. We rolled for a while and finally the car came back up and helped us along, and at this time we are in regular traffic. A couple miles later Bennet and Ty roll back and try to help me out so I can get back in the race. We were on our own for a while as the offical had told our car to get back in the caravan. We're chasing, and chasing, and just hanging to far back from the caravan. Eventually the team car pulls over so Tennyson can take a 'pee' and so they ended up behind us again, and so in front of us. I ended up behind the car on my own trying to chase down the caravan at 48mph (on a compact crank) and finally I got back on the tail end. I chased through the caravan and finally after 30km I made it back in. The field is still rolling as the early break is trying to go away, and till it did I was just trying to recover.

My day wasn't quite over there as I did flat at about 120km in, but to a real quick fast change and was the back of the caravan in no time. After all that, a cop car in the middle of a corner a km out and the guy who snapped his chain 500 meters from the line I was just pretty happy to back with the leaders.

Road Race two:

Crash 15km from the finish and a broken clavicle. My dad earlier in the day said he found a lucky penny the day before and said I should get rid of it with all my bad luck the day before. I guess we were to late.

I guess one of bright spots on the weekend was the eating at the waffle house next to our hotel. I was going to skip on day for subway, but subway had a line all the way out the door so it was back to the waffle house. I thought about what I had there and it's quite funny. Here it is in order:
1: Pecan Waffle with side of eggs. 2. Double Pecan Waffles side of ham. 3. Pecan Waffle side of a hamburger. 4. Pecan Waffle side of triple chocolate pie. Guess which day was after the crash?

So in the two major events I've down this season I've had 3 bike changes, 3 flats, and one broken clavicle. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Breeze On

Time Out!

2009-05-12T16:32:00.000-07:00

I've been forced into an early season break with a break in my left clavicle while at Joe Martin. Not much to say about it other then we were fairly lined out and someone came over from the left to the right and took out my front wheel and bam! I hit my head hard and don't remember the caravan passing, Tennyson jumping out of the car, or the ambulance stopping by me. I wanted to get back on my bike, but my head hurt so bad I couldn't and the medic just came up, grabbed my arm and said I broke my clavicle. Game over.

From that second on the team once again took care of me like non other before. Tennyson hopped in the ambulance with me, and before I left the Arkansas hospital I had an appointment with one of the best orthopedics in the Indianapolis region thanks to team doctor Jason Brayley.

I visited with the doctor today and he said since my break was anglelated and not displaced surgery wasn't necessarily warrented. But since it could go either way he said he would call his partner who was on call and get his opinion. After he came in and thought about it, they looked at me and told me "If you weren't who you were, we would have already set you on your way. But we are going to get a third opinion after some more x-rays." I don't know what Jason told them, but I felt like I was a pretty big deal. After 3 consultations and call back to Jason it was decided to go all natural and let it heal itself. I will go back in a week to make sure everything is ok, and should be back to riding 'outside' in about 3 weeks.

Also just because some have brought it up I showed the orthopediac my elbow after he metioned I would have a bump on my shoulder for the rest of my life and the shock on his face was priceless. He said he hadn't seen anything like it in 15 years and knew exactly what it was. It was amazing.

Thanks to all for the notes I'll be sure to keep you posted on the process. Right now I'm shooting to be out racing by Fitchburg.

Breeze On

Joe Martin

2009-05-07T08:49:00.001-07:00

Joe Martin here in Fayetteville, Arkansas starts in a few brief hours.

Yesterday was just going to be the standard pre race type of ride, but turned into much more. It wasn't that it was hard, or long but it at the end of the ride it had that epic ride feel. My father and I started the ride off in the fog/mist/rain for the first half hour. Rolling along the countryside in a new place. I looked at my phone and found a loop that would bring us back down into the den where the tt is, but low and behold the road we were riding turns to dirt.

I still had my sweet Kenda 25 tires on and it felt like I was back at Battenkill. The road was pretty awesome just rolling up and down, slightly muddy from all the rain and there was nothing but hills around us. Of course while out there we made one wrong turn and had to back track a bit more, but it was all in good fun.

Here I am rolling on the dirt. I did clean my bike before the mechanic got it, I didn't want to be a complete a-hole.

All of the team and support finally arrived last night and it feels good to have everyone around gettting ready to race. We went for an easy spin this morning, the staff is doing there thing which is awesome to have and their amazing, and the rest of us are just relaxing.

Send the good vibes this way, it's going to be 4 days of hard racing with a really good field.

Breeze On

Down South

2009-05-04T14:33:00.001-07:00

So I'm chillin down south, and I don't mean Martinsville. I'm shacked up Winstead, who must have real life because he is never home.

Anyways I drove down on Thursday in preparation of Sunny King and Joe Martin. We did a couple of rides and drove down to Anniston Saturday afternoon for the night time criterium. Nothing like having the first crit of the season being one at night. Luckily the course was a pretty simple and self explanitory. The home stretch was a drag uphill full on sprint followed by two quick left's and back down you went before making another two quick lefts before the full throttle drag back up.

Team Kenda Pro Cycling p/b Spinergy had a simple game plan. Be in every move, and don't miss it. Seems obvious I know, but with 4-6 riders from a few good teams you didn't want to be that one team who missed out. The team rode amazing and Bennet slugged himself to get into the first main move of the day and rode it out with some strong dudes. The only flaw of the whole race was when Menzies (who was in the original move) countered his own move and was off the front again with 3 dudes, but none of us. Ty took a strong dig to get across, but just couldn't get there. Luckily a few teams missed it and with a mix of Jelly Belly, Kelly, and mainly Nic from Rock they kept it close, but not close enough. Menzies who won stayed away with Wamsley from Colivitia. The rest of us were left to fight it out in the field sprint. I took Marco to the front and was in the middle of taking what I was hoping a great lead out into the bell lap before the others took him the rest away, but two guys attacked and things got out of whack. There was a bobble in the 3rd corner causing Marco to loose the front and we miss a great chance for an awesome result. The good thing was that we had 5 of us there near the front at the end ready to finish the job, but just missed it. We are learning to race together and it will come.

Today I did a decent training ride out here in Huntsville, Alabama. I've never ridden in this area before, but it is very nice. Although I have one question for those around here, does every hill around here half to be at 20%? Good grief. The second hill today I was ready to get off and start walking as I thought I was barely moving. I'm not talking like a couple of meters, it had to be close to a km. Once at the top I was ready to turn back home with my tail between my legs and call it day. Brutal. I persevered though and hopefully I am better for it. I did tackle the back side of Green Mtn. twice today. This thing is 2km with an average of 13%, with quite a few steeper pitches. I felt like I was doing the San Francisco GP again. I was wishing I still had my compact for most of the day.

Tomorrow I'm taking off from here and heading to Fayetteville, Arkansas for Joe Martin. Last year was my first year doing the race and I think it is definitely one of the better stage races of the year. I hoping and know that Kenda Pro Cycling p/b Spinergy is ready for that big result. We have four chances and an overall. Get ready for the men in pinstripes.

Breeze On

Brown County Road Race

2009-04-27T05:21:00.000-07:00

I did the Brown County Road Race again this year and had a blast again.

I want to start off by saying my dad is a tough man. He did the Willow Time Trial the day before, and not only did he average right around 40kph for the time trial, but he beat his best time there that he did 7 years ago at a spritely 45 years old by 7 seconds at 52. Then he hoped in the car and made the 5hr drive to Indy and started this race at 9am the follow day.

It's not an easy course, especially for someone coming from the farm fields of Michigan, actually it's not even an easy course for a Colombian mountain goat. However he went out there and gave it a shot while most would just decide it was to hard before even trying it.

The man early on going through the switchback. A face of determination, and it looks like he's not even breathing out of his mouth!

The man again, but this time after a few. Not alcoholic beverages, but laps.

My plan for the race was to just go hard and finish up a good hard week of training. It was going just like last year. After the first lap there were 8, the following lap down to six. At the top I started to just roll away as I wanted to keep the pace up and keep going hard. I sat up this time not wanted to ride alone that long. Two laps later I put in a really hard attack up the climb and we were down to 4. The following lap we were done to 3, myself, some guy Roth from Colorado, and Dan Campbell (who is riding very well).

The attack

Around the Switchback.

A few hundred meters to go till the top.

From that point forward I just wanted to keep going hard and not let up to get a good workout. I was just making sure we were still cranking on the rolling section on the the top. I was fine having company and they were riding very good. I figured we'd all go to the line together. Roth however decided to attack at the bottom the last time up, Dan followed, and I sat there doing god knows what. It's like I had a brain fart, or that I forgot we were racing. I finally got my ass in gear and got up right after the top. Then getting close to the finish Dan mentioned us doing a drag race next to each other to the finish, so I hopped up next to him, but Roth decided he didn't want to do that. My sprints not the best, but I figured if I could jump slighty before I could do ok, unfortunelty that turned out to be a 40 second sprint, which of course doesn't turn out to well for the guy on the front. You can't really see the finish till your on top of it, and I took a gamble thinking it was closer then it was and lost. Roth came in first and Dan was 2nd.

The trio climbing.

Still a good time was had by all, well maybe not. I bet the guys we lapped just before the finish were slightly happy in the fact that they weren't going to have to do another lap, yet still be in the top 10.

I must also pass some props to the juniors out there doing the race. I was watching my dad's race which was at the same time and one of the junior coaches was in the same spot watching. These kids, some as young as 10 were just giving there all to get there bikes over this mountain. It was really great to see them out there challenging themselves in hopes to make themselves better. That is all how I started. I never didn't do something because it was to hard (and some of my old results will show that!), but I believe that is what will make you better. KEEP IT UP!

One of the many juniors giving it a go. Sweet.

One last note on this one. One thing that suprised me is that I did suffer my first cramp ever. It wasn't on the 10th, 11th, or even 12th lap. No it was 4hrs later on probably my 30th trip to the basket of chips at the Mexian restaurant in my middle finger. It came from nowhere, and I was shocked, while the rest of the table found amuzement in my pain.

Breeze On

Tour of Battenkill

2009-04-23T06:55:00.001-07:00

Ok it's been four days since, so time for an update. If you've been reading cyclingnews/velonews, or others blogs this race was as tough as anyone has said. Each lap consisted of a total of 100km's with 4500ft of climbing, and 25km of dirt roads. Saturday the "warm-up" race was 1 lap with an additional 30km in the beginning and Sunday was two full laps.

Saturday's game plan was quite simple, rest as much as possible, but don't miss any moves. The break of the day went rather early, in the first 20km and are man Ty had it covered. As a team we were out numbered in the break with other teams having 2 and BMC with 3 so we massed to the front quickly ready to bring it back and reshuffle, but thought about it and decided to let Ty show his stuff. Ty was having a great ride till he had a mechanical 35km from the finish, but never gave up as he spent the rest of the race chasing and fighting to stay ahead of the peleton that was do anything but charging 15 minutes behind.

So the rest of the team and myself were riding back in the group touring the country side of upstate New York. Everything was fine until it decided to rain. After getting time gaps of 7 to 9 to 15 minutes I knew the second feed zone just so happened to be at our hotel drive way and decided this would be a good place to call it a day. Apparently I wasn't the only one as at least half of the peloton pulled out as well. A few of the dudes decided to stick it out and represent.

Sunday was much better weather. The race started off fairly fast as the first sections of dirt were no more then 10km from the start. Again the break went early, only 2 riders this time, so no worries, well at least that is what you would think. We continued hard for a while and soon enough the pace settled down in the middle of the first loop. The last 30km of the loop is brutal. This part of the race contained the longer, tougher dirt road sections, many rollers, and good size stair stepper climb 10km out from the finish. The pace immediately picked up the first time through this section and 5km into it I get a flat. Chad without hesitation threw me his bike and I got on my way with help from Parrish. After 10km of chasing I finally made it back on and was safely in the group. Unfortunately though during the chase a rock came up and bent the front derailleur and I had some chain rubbage, but wasn't about to stop now. I rode it as it was over the climb before the finish and at the top switched back to my bike. Thanks for the ride Chad!

There was so much chaos in the second half of the race. Scottie punctured twice, once with Chad and Parrish, Swain, and Applegate all went back to bring them back up. Unfortunately after the second puncture of Scottie and Chad throwing me his bike there days were over early after some early mishaps.

The next lap started off very fast through some cross winds and the chase was on for the early break which was still out there. Eventually the team that was chasing decided to just throw a guy solo up the road to chase and the pace let up. Then another group of 3 rolled away as the peloton seemed content to sit and wait till the end. A couple of teams started to throw guys up on the front to bring back all the riders up the road. We caught the three before the final feedzone and 30km of hell before the finish.

As soon as we got through the feedzone the pace picked up. Then we hit a long gradual uphill dirt road section. The race began to string out and exploid as we were over 170km into it. As soon as we hit the section I flatted in the previous lap, I just so happened to flat again. I got a wheel change from the car thinking my day was over as what was left of the peloton was flying up the road and riders who were popping and got popped were trickling by.

I got some words of encouragement from the boys in the car and the team had sacrificed for me all day, (also my wife told me never to quit and I do what she says) so I just gave it all I had. I chased over the rolling dirt road section passing riders and not worrying about anything but the group up the road. I was able to get back to the caravan and jumped my way through the cars. As soon as I got pass the last car I saw the group was split so I just went right pass the second group to the first group. It all came back together before the final stair step climb.

In the beginning of the climb a few riders rolled away and I wasn't able to go with it. I was pretty burned from the chase so I had to settle with where I was. Coming into the final sprint I got on Tony Cruz's wheel and hung on for the first 100meters before I couldn't really keep on it anymore and hit the wind, and got passed in the last 20 meters by a couple of guys.

Not quite the result I or the team was looking for, but the team road in great support of each other. Everyone sacrificed themselves for the good of the team. I didn't really mention Bennet, but I should as he was always riding in the top 20 and right around me if I needed anything. We have an amazing group of guys.

Well I guess that's it for my boring race report. Next up is Brown County Road Race on Sunday, followed the following week with Sunny King, and then with Joe Martin.

Breeze On

battenkill update

2009-04-17T19:25:00.000-07:00

Finally arrived at my uncle's house last night or rather early this morning as it was just after 4am. It was starting to hurt stopping fir gas and such and seeing the gps eta time extend to further into Friday. No worries as we got a halfway decent amount of rest up in the woods before driving the final 45 minutes.

The hotel we are staying at is some sort of church retreat/camp. It has it's ups and downs. Ups are it's quiet, excellent views, and we are spaced out in our rooms and there is a cafeteria. Downs are no tv, you have to constantly think about how your acting or what your saying (of course not a problem for me), and it has a cafeteria.

A couple of us scouted out the final 50km today and from what I saw it's going to be brutal. The dirt sections are long, but the gravel seems to be on the low side which is good. We didn't even do the socalled 18% dirt climb or the longest so plenty of action which on Sunday we will do twice. There is a sweet 5 minute dirt climb 10km out from the finish which should play a huge part into the finish.

Later in the evening we did a meet and great with the locals. The best part was meeting a youngster and when we asked if he was racing he said he was doing the cat 4 race. I thought he was like myself at Toons many moons ago looking like I was 12 in the cat 4 race, but only he was actual 12! Heck Scottie was 24 when he did his first cat4 race. Then we did the press conference that many must have not gotten the memo as only 1 lonely reporter was there. Heck the news crew that was there the prevouis two hours took off minutes before. It was odd.

FYI we are not spooky-kenda if you saw the press release on Velonews. Thats Is something completely different. Hopefully everyone will know who we are by the end of the weekend.

Phone blogging again. Your patients with my mistakes is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the support,
Breeze On

2009-04-16T17:07:00.000-07:00

Driving to Battenkill as I type. Well Todd is doing the driving. I'm taking care of the keeping legs propped up on cooler and of course blogging. Just about an hour ago we left the team wharehouse, aka Chad's garage, and loaded up car 1 with a bunch of goodies and are on our way. Kenda supplied us with some special kriterium tires in 25's for the race. Thanks KENDA!

So far the travel has gone quite well. In fact we stopped by Marco's and I was able to get photos for my racing license that chad has sent out threatning emails for since camp in February. Sorry about the delay, but my dog ate my picture paper.

Ok I think we are under 500 miles to go better get my first nap in or I'll run out of time before I get to my third.

Typed on phone (so more errors then the normal bunch)

Breeze On

New Update

2009-04-14T18:03:00.000-07:00

Chad wanted an update. I told him I didn't have anything to update on. I still stand by that as well.

Only a few more days till Battenkill. I am more then ready, and am really excited about doing the race with the new team. After Battenkill will be one of the best races of the year, Brown County Road Race here in Indiana, followed by Sunny King (an NRC Crit) and I'll finish off the four week block of racing with Joe Martin Stage Race in Arkansas.

Breeeze On

No Racing Yet

2009-03-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

So with no racing there isn't much to report on. Other then riding a day or two with my boys from Avon, and going out a couple of times to have Chad "throttle" me, I've been basically flying solo. The high of waiting for team camp and camp itself has come and gone and it's been back to the grind for a while. Other then getting a lot of unusual March sun, it feels like winter for myself because racing seems to be in the far distant horizon. One more month till Battenkill!

So today started my not so secret Battenkill training which is to ride the Breezer True Hilly Hundred as much as possible. It's been measured at 175 km's with 8000ft of climbing with plenty of dirt roads/climbs. Brutal. I need to take Chad out there. Maybe he will actually stop laughing while riding!

So I've joined the trend of joing Twitter. I guess people use it just to post what they are doing periadically. Some more then others. You can also view it on my blog now. So if you're wondering what I'm doing or thinking check it out, or just peak to the right.

So my brother's wedding is Saturday! So another trip up to Michigan this weekend. There are going to be so many things going on and I'm sure it's going to crazy. Not only is there a rehearsal dinner on Friday, followed by a 'bacholere' party, Saturday's wedding, but Sunday is the Bay City's Annual St. Patrick's Day parade. If I can do my math correctly I think that equals 3 days of excessive drinking. He's another, what are the chances of getting a drunk photo or two of someone posted by Monday? About a third, what are the chances of Jamie and Jamie actually running/walking/skipping the 5km run at 11:45am the morning after the wedding.

As a side note though. Who was the last person to make a fool of them self at a wedding? Well it was myself at my wedding. I wish I could blame it on the alcohol, but I think I would have had to consume some for that to happen.

Climb from today, but photo not actually from today.

St Patrick's Day parade from last year I believe. I'm pretty sure 80% of the town come out for this.

I promise this will be the last photo from camp I will post anywhere. It's my favorite. It's us rolling up Paris Mtn.

Breeze On

Camp

2009-02-28T09:26:00.000-08:00

Here's some pics from team camp. So far it's been a blast, except for the part where Bennet punked out on going up Paris Mtn. Today is leadout day and maybe a trip up Paris Mtn.

More to come when I get back and have more time. Have to get ready for the testosterone throw down with the sprinters. What's with those guys?

Breeze On

Mountains!

2009-02-23T14:24:00.001-08:00

Brent has been so kind to guide me around the riding scene here in Chattanooga, TN. It's been awesome and I'm pretty sure we have hit every climb within a 50 mile radius. We've been able to get some solid riding in, however, he wouldn't let us ride at 280 watts in the valley yesterday like the day before. He continually repeated that we wouldn't ride that hard, and if the pace picked up there just so happened to be some issue with his glove, jacket, or it was time to eat.

Other then holding back the fire inside of me to completely detonate myself on every ride Brent and his girlfriend Jamie have been so kind to treating to some sweet southern hospitality. The first night I was introduced to some dinner casserole that included chicken, sweet corn mix, plantains, and sweet potatoes, it was delicious. For breakfast I have had grits and twelve grain. Then this morning they threw a curve ball and mix the grits and twelve grain together and threw in some apples and raisins and made a little bowl of heaven. Mmmmm. Last night we went to Lupi's Pizzeria for a giant calzone to replenish the calorie deficit. With the size of it, I'm pretty sure it worked.

Life on the mountain has been good. Yesterday we rode right by Brent's house at the end of the ride just to go screaming back downhill and to do the 25 minute drag up the other side. To him it didn't make sense, but for a boy that lives in the flat land, it was just an awesome way to finish a ride. However, recovery rides get a bit difficult, and most rides do finish with a strength workout at 60 rpm, but a guy could get use the spectacular views and overall amazing training.

Kenda Pro Cycling p/b Spinergy Training camp starts in two days in Greenville, South Carolina. I hope to put up daily updates with pics, but I have a feeling since it's a higher priced hotel, the internet won't be free.

Picture of Brent desending Lookout Moutain. Awesome!

I hope my wife can make it one more week without me.

Breeze On

Training...

2009-02-18T15:43:00.000-08:00

Or the lack there of should be the title. Last Tuesday I came down with something bad, and it has been lingering on for a week now. The last three days I've had a sore throat and can hardly talk. Or as the doc said, he didn't know if I was talking this way because of my sickness or because my testicles hadn't dropped yet!

So I've been trying to take it easy, which has just became hardier as I made the planned trip down to Brent's to do some hard core training yesterday. So as he went riding today in 70 degree weather I sat and stared out the window at the mountains and dreamed of going from gap to gap, up and down. Yet this will have to be saved for another day.

I'm hoping I can get out tomorrow and have a good block on the weekend before training camp. I need to be ready for training camp as I have a certain teammate calling me out already.

Just one more week of miles now… then 30hours in the jeep to training camp, I’m pumped! I’m going to rock Rytlewski’s world on Paris Mountain, I’m comin’ for you Breezer!

So we'll probably have some of the 'normal' team camp riding going on. I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about. The half wheeling, the sprint for just about every sign, and the "I'm not riding hard, but were riding at 400++watts" It's all in good spirits though.

Ok time to look back in the past again (I'm doing this because the season really hasn't started). In coming down to see Brent and possible seeing Eddy Hilger it reminds me of the best every team training camp ride. It was in 2005 on the Advantage Benefits Endeavour Cycling Team. We were all new and had no idea what the ride was going to be like. We rode from Merced to our camp house half way up Sonara Pass, of course it included 4 mountain passes on the way. The ride included the normal 6 full on sprints in the first 30 miles, a certain rider (all will remain nameless) doing a low gear workout up the first climb (53x12), a couple of riders drinking DIET coke halfway through, one rider turning around for the car, another hitching for a ride home, and just everyone at one point before the finally ascent to the home saying go ahead with out me.

(Myself, followed by Brent, and to the far right is Eddy)

Breeze On

For Sale

2009-02-11T17:08:00.000-08:00

Anyone interested in an FSA SRM. The crank was sent in three months ago and they replaced the battery and recalibrate. I would go ahead and send in the power control and get a new battery in that as well. I'm only selling because I want to try to aquire a Sram one to go with the team.

Seriously?

2009-02-11T12:46:00.000-08:00

So for the past two days the weather has been unseasonably warm. Out of nowhere however, I found myself to be under the weather. I started a ride yesterday and was cruising in shorts and jersey, but just found myself to be very uncomfortable, and feeling worse. I had to stop after a couple of hours and just feeling like I could hardly handle the pain in my stomach. I really didn't get home a moment to soon as the flood gates had opened and a night of misery had begun.

Other then this slight set back training has been going quite well. I've been cruising around with my new threads and on my new stead, so basically just looking really good. Also I was able to meet up with some of my old gang in Avon and ride with them. Only two more weeks till team training camp in Greenville, SC. Before that I hope to head down to Georgia to do some training with racing extraordinaire Brent Bookwalter who is just coming from racing in Qatar.

This year will be slightly different then the past. Everyone keeps asking me when my first race will be and to be honest I don't think it will be till April at the Tour of Batenkill. With no Bahamas, no Schabobele this year, and no collegiate racing I just don't see any races before that. Maybe something will come up. No big deal however as I know my possy boy Scott will attack me plenty of times before then to get me ready, as he did 4 times on Sunday. Thanks for the help!

Here's a blast from the past. The season opener in 2006. Just this past Sunday I was out rolling around Heritage Lake remembering the glory days at Marian.

Breeze On

What?!?

2009-02-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

Threw open the blinds this morning on the patio door and there is a fresh 4 inches of snow gleaming back at me. Not a moment to soon either as the foot that we received last week was just about a distant memory.

Went to the Grass Roots concert this past weekend in Merrillville, Indiana, and it was awesome. It was pretty much my first concert experience ever. Also there were The Buckinghams, and Herman's Hermits staring Peter Noone. Now I love the music of the Grass Roots and thought they were very good, but if you want a good laugh with some good music you should go see Herman's Hermits staring Peter Noone. He was outstanding! This was by far better then any movie or any other event I have been to in a while.

Here's a clip where he went off into pretending his dad was Mick Jagger, and how he was embarresed about how his dad was going to start a band with his neighbors Keith, Charlie, and Brian and dance around like this.

Here's a classic

Is it just me or does it seem like everyone starts racing sooner every year? I thought racing in California in the beginning of March was early, then came along the Tour of California and I believe it changed everything. Now guys are racing in January in the land down under and in South America. There are guys racing now who will be racing all the way till the end of September. I'm getting a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell (of course signalling the last lap of a race). Well camp is only 3 weeks away and then before I know it will be April 18th and I'll be racing again.

Breeze On