Really excited to head down to Marin tomorrow for spring training camp. I visited Adnan back in December and we had a lot of great miles and smiles all over Marin County. That’s when I decided that I HAD to come back for his annual training camp. The weather has been incredible here in PDX the past few days but it looks like I’m getting outta dodge just in time. Sunshine and 75 here I come!
Experience the daily joy over at the Portland Bicycle Studio blog.
Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category
It really is all in the details. All the preparation. Trying to stay healthy. Trying to find some form.
Getting up to drive the moto for me at 6am. Because you have a test at school and the weather report says rain by 9am.
We got on the road, and got the work done.
The second we finish the workout and head back in the rain starts falling.
What a perfect start to the morning.
Thanks Steven.
You are a true friend.
All cross racers love this time of year. The fun bikes come out, the dirt becomes tacky, then like peanut butter, and finally like snot. It’s all leg warmers, rain capes, and hot oats in the morning. For the dedicated ones, this is our real holiday season. Just like the normal folk though, what we really want are the presents!
Happy holidays from Race.cx!
Just in time for the world championships, and for the season to be completely over comes thecyclocrossnews.com. A simple site for tracking cyclocross racing, culture and more form across the web. race.cx is on it, as well as a ton of other rad ‘cross sites. Check it out, and follow what happens at worlds on the cyclocross news…
After the Nommay World Cup race in France last week, Boom told the press that, “he was simply toying with the other riders.” He won it easily in his own opinion and seemed confident that he could continue to do so in future races. Watching the footage, it was obvious that he could overpower the other riders. Boom pedaled smoothly to the line on a nearly flat tire while Nys flailed behind him unable to even break the Dutchman’s cool.
This week in Zolder, Boom was not popular with the Belgian fans. Thousands of people boo-ed the world champ on every part of the course. It’s hard to imagine that it didn’t get in his head as he even took the time to flip his hand from under his chin whilst riding a paved section of the course.
He’ll need to channel that energy to the pedals in order to gain a second world champion’s jersey. It doesn’t look like anyone is going to make it easy on him.
We still haven’t found the perfect speculoos but we’re traveling the land and testing as many out as we can find. We believe this to be a well hidden secret of the top Belgian pros. When dipped in silty coffee, the sweet bread produces mythical powers. Also available in a paste.
Ontbijt Voor Kampioenen
(breakfast of champions)
Search for the perfect Speculoos
Driving to Antwerp today to compete in my first European cross race was a mixed bag. I would swing from elation at just being here, confused from wild driving over cobbled streets-over curbs-through alleyways-wrong way-onto traintracks, all the way to full nausea from fear. It wasn’t a big race though; Lars Boom and Klaas Vantornout were there but Sven Nys and Bart Wellens decided to stay home. No problem right? The worst part was, I hadn’t pooped yet and the race was drawing near. Anybody that races frequently understands how paramount this one simple act can be to having a decent ride. The coffee in Belgium doesn’t have the same kick that I’m used to from Stumptown but it finally did its trick just in time. Perhaps that’s the secret to the Belgian’s success in cyclocross? Time release coffee that gets your buzz on 15 minutes before the start rather than 3hrs prior. There’s a lot to learn here, for sure.
My trainer tells me that a cyclists arms are just for keeping his face from hitting the stem. I thought about telling this advice to Richard Gronendaal when he was riding the most difficult sand section of the course at twice my pace and managed to reach out and shove me into a post/course marker. Not sure he’d like to hear from me. Lesson two: less riding and more pushups/arm curls.
Lastly, Erwin Verveken is super nice. He had a bad race but took the time to talk to some American kid and put on his best awkward smile for a picture.
Please take some time this evening to put on your best robe, pour a scotch, ease into your high backed leather chair in your reading room and partake of these fine Internet articles discussing cyclocross.
- New York Times: Blood, Muddy Courses and Air Horns
- How to Avoid the Bummer Life: I have been to the mountain
Photo courtesy of pdxcross.com
Wishing you fast legs and awesome costumes on this holiday!
Our local series just hosted a double-up weekend where all the fastest racers were in full costume and the few “serious” guys were appropriately shamed and then beamed with projectiles during their races. The best part is that special feeling of camaraderie that only a couple pals in full body lycra can feel. It’s better than a trust-fall exercise.
Executed here perfectly by Sven Nys. Via BKW.
Recent Comments