Although the weather in Portland was not the traditional winter weather storm, it was still an epic. The course here is very challenging and I think the fitness of the country’s top riders showed. The course was a bit faster because it was dry, so that made it more of a race of attrition and endurance rather than just a slug fest in the mud.
The second half of the Cyclocross campaign begins tomorrow here in Portland, Oregon. After a two week break from the racing scene I am feeling ready to pin the numbers on and chase the best riders around the Portland International raceway in the mud or maybe some dry course conditions. I haven’t done a very hard effort in a couple of weeks, since New Jersey actually. After the long season of road racing and deciding to go for a shot at the Worlds Team in Belgium, I decided it would be important to take another break before 2 more months of racing. It is going to hurt tomorrow, but I think in a couple weeks the rest will show for sure. Especially when I will be trying to hang with the Euros.
The weekend was a blurr of mud, lost bikes, and suffering
The cross campaign is going pretty good all around. The races in Toronto were awesome and I placed well both days, ending up on the podium with two top 5’s. This was a good weekend for me considering that the form was weigning and the weekend was thrown together at the last minute. Luckily, the folks that help put on the race put me up, chauffeured me around to and from the races, fed me, and showed me a little of what Toronto has to offer. Thanks to Martin and Kevin for all of the help and Rod for organizing it (leaving out last names). You know who you are.
Every year I have a weekend of racing cyclocross where I rethink my whole cyclocross agenda. Sometimes I have a hard time getting motivated when it is 40 degrees out and pouring rain. I am in Toronto right now for some UCI C1 races and the weather has been a bit off. It was gorgeous all day until about 2:45. Our race started at 3:00. Thanks mother nature. It was cold, and the UCI officials were measuring our cross bikes? What for? They do that for time trials, but cross races? Anyone have some insight here. I think ALL cross bikes are going to be over the weight limit, if not, the bike would snap like a twig. It was a bit strange.
So much has been happeningin the past month. I have been completely missing in action from posting updates. Taking a little bit of a break before jumping back into it full on. Right now I am juggling my Cyclocross season, trying to get on a road team for next season, and then the thought of actually hanging it up.
Matts the one you see quite a bit of in the first minute of action. Hes in the white shorts and jersey with the royal blue trim. Great job Matt!!!! Your bigtime!!!
I have not missed a day off the mountain bike for the last 2 weeks. Most of my rides have been super easy and fun. I did do the local short track and got throttled. Those are flippin hard! My lungs were bleeding and I had an Asthma attack.
Heading into the high country tomorrow.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
I am in Aspen, Colorado at the moment were the Fall colors are already blazing. The temperatures are much cooler with rain and even some snow last night on the top of the mountains.
Maybe a visit back to the Tetons this fall is in order for a recharge
The last couple races have not been much to write about. No excuses, just creeping right now. That is what happens when you try to hold good form for too long. At some point, you have to hit the reset button and do some serious rest, followed by some good training. I have been resting after races and training, but no real good blocks of rest followed with a hard long block.
