Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
New Years Resolution
I ended up 19th at Military Worlds in Ireland. There was around 40ish guys left, and it ended in a field sprint. I hate field sprints.
The race was pretty controlled, mostly by the Germans, Slovenians and Belgians. Myself and Ian Holt (on the US team) got in some quality breaks, but it just wasn't happening.
The US was represented in every break, but the problem was the Germans were too, and they weren't working - for good reason, they knew they could sprint and ended up sweeping the podium 1,2,3!
I tried to jump the field with 5 K to go, but as I was flying by on the left, the field shifted left and I locked up my rear wheel fish tailing with no where to go. I did not go down, but that woke me up, and I found myself at the beck of the strung out field.
I slowly clawed my way back up, looking for Ian (the only other US rider left). When we came back into town, the roads got way narrow and I made up tons of places weaving around crashing riders. It was exciting and terrifying.
It reminded me of the level of an NRC race because when you are off the front, you have to just drill it to stay away, and the attacks never stop. What a great finally to the end of a pretty good season. I want to race in Europe again.
I know it is not the new year, but I plan on starting my resolutions now. I am taking a break, and when I start again, it will be with the focus of next year.
I seriously need to start stretching. I see Russ doing it, and other quality riders doing it - but what really makes me want to start is now that I am not training really hard I find when I am just sitting, my muscles start tightening. I pulled out the old 80's Stretching Book, and it seems to alleviate the tension.
My other resolution will probably put several gummy and candy factories out of business. Starting 2 days ago, I am going to try to fuel myself with quality. In general, I think I eat pretty well; I juice, eat local produce, get plenty of carbs and proteins. It's the extras.
Goodbye sweet and sour gummy bears. It's not you, it's me.
Goodbye gummy worms. I think the gummy bears knew about us anyway.
I am going to miss you black and red licorice.
I am going to miss you too JuJu Fruit.
I always loved you Swedish Fish, even when you weren't the real thing.
Chocolate, we can't even go there. (Don't worry chocolate, we'll still meet in the occasional Mocha)
Oh yeah, I am not giving up coffee and wine. I am sure there are great arguments to keep these indulgences, and just knowing there may be arguments out there is enough for me.
So, for a couple of weeks, I am not riding at all. I am going to try not to do anything physical - just rest, and plan out long training rides for base miles - and plan out how I can possibly get the time off work to get these base miles in (starting late October).
I hope next year is my year.
The race was pretty controlled, mostly by the Germans, Slovenians and Belgians. Myself and Ian Holt (on the US team) got in some quality breaks, but it just wasn't happening.
The US was represented in every break, but the problem was the Germans were too, and they weren't working - for good reason, they knew they could sprint and ended up sweeping the podium 1,2,3!
I tried to jump the field with 5 K to go, but as I was flying by on the left, the field shifted left and I locked up my rear wheel fish tailing with no where to go. I did not go down, but that woke me up, and I found myself at the beck of the strung out field.
I slowly clawed my way back up, looking for Ian (the only other US rider left). When we came back into town, the roads got way narrow and I made up tons of places weaving around crashing riders. It was exciting and terrifying.
It reminded me of the level of an NRC race because when you are off the front, you have to just drill it to stay away, and the attacks never stop. What a great finally to the end of a pretty good season. I want to race in Europe again.
I know it is not the new year, but I plan on starting my resolutions now. I am taking a break, and when I start again, it will be with the focus of next year.
I seriously need to start stretching. I see Russ doing it, and other quality riders doing it - but what really makes me want to start is now that I am not training really hard I find when I am just sitting, my muscles start tightening. I pulled out the old 80's Stretching Book, and it seems to alleviate the tension.
My other resolution will probably put several gummy and candy factories out of business. Starting 2 days ago, I am going to try to fuel myself with quality. In general, I think I eat pretty well; I juice, eat local produce, get plenty of carbs and proteins. It's the extras.
Goodbye sweet and sour gummy bears. It's not you, it's me.
Goodbye gummy worms. I think the gummy bears knew about us anyway.
I am going to miss you black and red licorice.
I am going to miss you too JuJu Fruit.
I always loved you Swedish Fish, even when you weren't the real thing.
Chocolate, we can't even go there. (Don't worry chocolate, we'll still meet in the occasional Mocha)
Oh yeah, I am not giving up coffee and wine. I am sure there are great arguments to keep these indulgences, and just knowing there may be arguments out there is enough for me.
So, for a couple of weeks, I am not riding at all. I am going to try not to do anything physical - just rest, and plan out long training rides for base miles - and plan out how I can possibly get the time off work to get these base miles in (starting late October).
I hope next year is my year.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Ireland
The US Military Cycling team is on twitter here: http://twitter.com/MilitaryCycling
Ireland is beautiful, the people are nice and they all drive on the wrong side of the road.
We travelled here from Boston a few nights ago and spent a day zombied out from jet lag. Today is the 1st real day of existence. The road race course is cool, and has a climb a bit like Jeff cup - which isn't really a climb so I like it. There are 10 countries with eight riders, and a huge range of fitness levels. The Netherlands are probably most like us, different services and military different uniforms. Some countries have guys who don't even have military uniforms and have Olympic Gold Medals or have won stages of the Tour of Italy.
The craziest part of training here is the wrong direction traffic thing. When you come to an intersection, you look left and suddenly a car buzzes you from the right. Or, you cross the street to go left, get to the right side of the road and realize oncoming traffic is heading at you. Worst yet are the round a bouts.
Great thing is, I do not have cell phone coverage and had to wait in line to use this computer. One of the 1st times ever I have completely focused on riding, eating and sleeping. I wonder how my work is doing? OK, I am over it.
Last thing, the Crit at Green Mtn was pretty fast. I sat in and told myself that after 20 to go, I was going to put all of my eggs in one basket and go. At 15 to go, there was a lull after a time bonus sprint and I went. After 2 laps I had the biggest time gap of the day for any break and they rung the bell for a $600+ crowd prime to two places. I knew this would doom my break, so I decided to change plans and burn all of my matches for the prime. Out of the last turn my 30+ second gap was down to 4 seconds and I still had to cover the 200 meters up the hill to the line. I gave everything and the line wasn't coming fast enough. Right at the line I got nipped and the field went flying by. I had nothing left in the tank and could not even get in anywhere and watched the field go by. Turns out, they split the 2 place prime down the middle and I ended up making more money than the GC or stage winning guys!
Ireland is beautiful, the people are nice and they all drive on the wrong side of the road.
We travelled here from Boston a few nights ago and spent a day zombied out from jet lag. Today is the 1st real day of existence. The road race course is cool, and has a climb a bit like Jeff cup - which isn't really a climb so I like it. There are 10 countries with eight riders, and a huge range of fitness levels. The Netherlands are probably most like us, different services and military different uniforms. Some countries have guys who don't even have military uniforms and have Olympic Gold Medals or have won stages of the Tour of Italy.
The craziest part of training here is the wrong direction traffic thing. When you come to an intersection, you look left and suddenly a car buzzes you from the right. Or, you cross the street to go left, get to the right side of the road and realize oncoming traffic is heading at you. Worst yet are the round a bouts.
Great thing is, I do not have cell phone coverage and had to wait in line to use this computer. One of the 1st times ever I have completely focused on riding, eating and sleeping. I wonder how my work is doing? OK, I am over it.
Last thing, the Crit at Green Mtn was pretty fast. I sat in and told myself that after 20 to go, I was going to put all of my eggs in one basket and go. At 15 to go, there was a lull after a time bonus sprint and I went. After 2 laps I had the biggest time gap of the day for any break and they rung the bell for a $600+ crowd prime to two places. I knew this would doom my break, so I decided to change plans and burn all of my matches for the prime. Out of the last turn my 30+ second gap was down to 4 seconds and I still had to cover the 200 meters up the hill to the line. I gave everything and the line wasn't coming fast enough. Right at the line I got nipped and the field went flying by. I had nothing left in the tank and could not even get in anywhere and watched the field go by. Turns out, they split the 2 place prime down the middle and I ended up making more money than the GC or stage winning guys!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Green Mtn Stage Race TT
Time trial went well (for me). I had good legs and enjoyed that it was a TT without TT bikes. They allowed for disc wheels and areo helmets though. My 30 sec guy missed his start, but I quickly found my minute guy and almost caught him on the first climb. When it leveled out, his disc wheel kicked into action and I could just hold him. When the road had a rise again, I passed him and started working on my minute and 30 guy, who also had a disc wheel, but I never caught him. I ended with 48th out of over 120 which is good for me, I am normally in the bottom 3rd in 1, pro TT's.
The picture above is the before first sprint spot in the 1st road race. I flatted both wheels sprinting for the 2nd sprint spot in a pot hole, but still managed to get 5th. I thought I only flatted my front, got a change, chased, caught and at the base of the climb realized my back wheel was going too. The wheel change took so long that I went from thinking about catching the field to thinking about making the time cut! More to follow later....
The picture above is the before first sprint spot in the 1st road race. I flatted both wheels sprinting for the 2nd sprint spot in a pot hole, but still managed to get 5th. I thought I only flatted my front, got a change, chased, caught and at the base of the climb realized my back wheel was going too. The wheel change took so long that I went from thinking about catching the field to thinking about making the time cut! More to follow later....
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Lucky Chucky
I have never been to Ireland, in fact, the only country I have been to outside the US is Mexico. The last few weeks have been pretty focused, with training, planing and getting things in order. The Armed Forces Cycling Team offers a great amount of support, but even then when opportunities are so important I find myself working out tons of details and putting out small - and in some cases self created - fires.
I have been taking my pedals on and off so much for traveling that I sometimes get lazy in re greasing the threads. Well, my pedal and my crank arm became one inseparable piece of medal. That would be fine if I never had to remove it again, but I do to pack it for the upcoming flights. I scrounged up enough money for new pedals and Bill Jacobus from the Armed Forces Team spotted me a set of cranks. Things like this only seem to happen before big events, but live and learn.
To save up a little money, we cut back on snack foods and quick eats around the house. I never realized how much I "graze" until I started bonking on rides. I thought I could get away without the steaks before long rides and just eat the normal 3 meals a day. I was wrong. I need to eat constantly or I run out of calories and then the misery starts. When the 1st of Sep hit, I was so glad to have a full fridge!
Tomorrow I leave from Boston to Vermont and do a time trial on Friday. No TT bikes, just straight road bikes - with the exception of disc wheels and areo helmets. Pretty cool I think, a more even playing field. We are using the Green Mtn Stage RAce in prep for Ireland, but who can line up at a start race and not race? If I get 5th, 59th or 70th, it is not because I didn't try, it is because that is what I have earned - I just can't help but race.
I did not really take a break last winter because I felt I needed to keep pushing forward and up my level of fitness. I kept hearing that I would burn out, or get flat, but I felt I needed to keep training to be competitive for 2009. This year I am taking a few weeks off around when it starts freezing. When I get back, I am going to enjoy riding in the wonderful fall weather here, but when I can't figure out the right glove combination to keep my hands from hurting in the freezing cold, I am taking my (probably well deserved) break.
Last year I was 2nd in 5 different Jersey events. That means I was the first guy to cross the line or be in the standings that was not going to get a jersey, 5 times! I used that as motivation to train through the winter, I wanted to win a jersey this year. There are not enough events left to be over taken in the MABRA Senior Men or Masters BARs, and Greenbelt, although it was a training race series, is done. I lucked out at Page Valley and got 2 jerseys in one race, the MABRA road title and the Virginia Road Tittle. Getting 2nd didn't end last year though, I still got 2nd at the MABRA Crit Championship and the Masters TT Championship. Wow, this was a great season, and it is still not over. I leave early next week for Green Mountain Stage Race and then to Ireland! I am lucky.
MABRA BAR Senior Men
208 Charles Hutcheson Battley Harley-Davidson
115 Dave Fuentes Battley Harley-Davidson
110 Ken Young Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Volvo
95 Brian Butts Battley Harley-Davidson
87 Jeff Brandon LSV/Kelly Benefit Strategies
86 Todd Hesel LSV/Kelly Benefit Strategies
85 Mike Githens Immediate Mortgage - Artemis Elite
80 Jose Escobar Battley Harley-Davidson
76 Keck Baker Battley Harley-Davidson
70 Todd Hipp Battley Harley-Davidson
MABRA BAR Masters Men 35-49
185 Charles Hutcheson Battley Harley-Davidson
90 Chris Hayes Haymarket Bicycles
89 Stephen Robinson Squadra Coppi/IM Saab
76 Ramon Benitez Immediate Mortgage - Artemis Elite
68 George Opria Evolution Cycling Club
64 Chip Hoover Team Latitude/ABRT
64 Dave Osborne Immediate Mortgage - Artemis Elite
61 Ralph Muoio LSV/Kelly Benefit Strategies
57 Michael Bradbury Evolution Cycling Club
56 Arthur Brown Team Latitude/ABRT
54 Dave Fuentes Battley Harley-Davidson
Greenbelt Park Training Race Results
Series A Standings
76 Charles Hutcheson
63 Evan Fader
50 David Bozak
25 David Osborne
14 Ralph Muoio
13 Kenneth Young
12 Brian Butts
11 Timothy Brown
10 Chip Hoover
8 donald brew
I have been taking my pedals on and off so much for traveling that I sometimes get lazy in re greasing the threads. Well, my pedal and my crank arm became one inseparable piece of medal. That would be fine if I never had to remove it again, but I do to pack it for the upcoming flights. I scrounged up enough money for new pedals and Bill Jacobus from the Armed Forces Team spotted me a set of cranks. Things like this only seem to happen before big events, but live and learn.
To save up a little money, we cut back on snack foods and quick eats around the house. I never realized how much I "graze" until I started bonking on rides. I thought I could get away without the steaks before long rides and just eat the normal 3 meals a day. I was wrong. I need to eat constantly or I run out of calories and then the misery starts. When the 1st of Sep hit, I was so glad to have a full fridge!
Tomorrow I leave from Boston to Vermont and do a time trial on Friday. No TT bikes, just straight road bikes - with the exception of disc wheels and areo helmets. Pretty cool I think, a more even playing field. We are using the Green Mtn Stage RAce in prep for Ireland, but who can line up at a start race and not race? If I get 5th, 59th or 70th, it is not because I didn't try, it is because that is what I have earned - I just can't help but race.
I did not really take a break last winter because I felt I needed to keep pushing forward and up my level of fitness. I kept hearing that I would burn out, or get flat, but I felt I needed to keep training to be competitive for 2009. This year I am taking a few weeks off around when it starts freezing. When I get back, I am going to enjoy riding in the wonderful fall weather here, but when I can't figure out the right glove combination to keep my hands from hurting in the freezing cold, I am taking my (probably well deserved) break.
Last year I was 2nd in 5 different Jersey events. That means I was the first guy to cross the line or be in the standings that was not going to get a jersey, 5 times! I used that as motivation to train through the winter, I wanted to win a jersey this year. There are not enough events left to be over taken in the MABRA Senior Men or Masters BARs, and Greenbelt, although it was a training race series, is done. I lucked out at Page Valley and got 2 jerseys in one race, the MABRA road title and the Virginia Road Tittle. Getting 2nd didn't end last year though, I still got 2nd at the MABRA Crit Championship and the Masters TT Championship. Wow, this was a great season, and it is still not over. I leave early next week for Green Mountain Stage Race and then to Ireland! I am lucky.
MABRA BAR Senior Men
208 Charles Hutcheson Battley Harley-Davidson
115 Dave Fuentes Battley Harley-Davidson
110 Ken Young Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Volvo
95 Brian Butts Battley Harley-Davidson
87 Jeff Brandon LSV/Kelly Benefit Strategies
86 Todd Hesel LSV/Kelly Benefit Strategies
85 Mike Githens Immediate Mortgage - Artemis Elite
80 Jose Escobar Battley Harley-Davidson
76 Keck Baker Battley Harley-Davidson
70 Todd Hipp Battley Harley-Davidson
MABRA BAR Masters Men 35-49
185 Charles Hutcheson Battley Harley-Davidson
90 Chris Hayes Haymarket Bicycles
89 Stephen Robinson Squadra Coppi/IM Saab
76 Ramon Benitez Immediate Mortgage - Artemis Elite
68 George Opria Evolution Cycling Club
64 Chip Hoover Team Latitude/ABRT
64 Dave Osborne Immediate Mortgage - Artemis Elite
61 Ralph Muoio LSV/Kelly Benefit Strategies
57 Michael Bradbury Evolution Cycling Club
56 Arthur Brown Team Latitude/ABRT
54 Dave Fuentes Battley Harley-Davidson
Greenbelt Park Training Race Results
Series A Standings
76 Charles Hutcheson
63 Evan Fader
50 David Bozak
25 David Osborne
14 Ralph Muoio
13 Kenneth Young
12 Brian Butts
11 Timothy Brown
10 Chip Hoover
8 donald brew
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