Ode to the Fender

For as long as I recall I thought it was dumb
To have a bike with a fender and look like a bum.
But after some training in Boulder, Colorado,
"A clean and dry backside" is my brand new motto.
Puddles, streams, and even a lake,
I'll ride through it all... for my fender can take
The abuse, the dirt, the spray, and the spew,
After every wet ride my ass says thank you.

Yes the detachable fender was a piece of equipment I acquired in Boulder and I'm putting it to good use here in Michigan. The snow's a melting and the puddles are prospering. Other than the poor weather MI, it's good to be home and sleeping in my own bed rather than a futon in someone's living room. Don't misunderstand me, I loved being in Boulder and I hope to return but it was time to move on. Right now I'm focusing on the begining of the racing season. It's been quite some time since I last rolled to the start line of a race and I'm getting that early spring itch to get going once again. I am especially eager to get back to Belgium... cold, wet, and gray Belgium. It's a sick addiction I think: the desire to race in those conditions, or maybe it's more of compromise I make to be able to race those long, hard, prestigious races. I'll deal with the conditions to be able to race those Top Comps, those stage races, even those kermis races. I feel like every spring I have the chance to rise to a new level. The winter months of training are nearing an end and no one, not even myself, knows exactly what I'm capable of this season. That's exciting to me.

Got outside for a long ride yesterday and realized that I've been riding indoors way too much in the last week:
I put on shorts and a baselayer and thought I was ready to go.
While dressing I was thinking about what to watch on TV while I ride.
While riding I was surpised to see pavement rather than basement tiles.
I briefly forgot how to turn.
And remembered what coasting feels like.

Preliminary Schedule

Sometimes you don't know where you're going to be in a month. 4 weeks ago I didn't know I'd still be in Boulder, but I'm happy, grateful, and excited for the next step of the journey. I guess this is what makes life so exciting. Well, I now have a pretty good idea of what the next few months will look like for me.

March 4- Back to MI
March 29- Waterford Race
March 30- Runway Plaza Race, Ann Arbor
April 5- Waterford
April 6- Runway
First or Second week of April- Fly to Belgium
-2 months of hard man racing in Belgium-
And, fingers crossed, back to the US for the prestigious U25 Tour of Pennsylvania, June 24-29.

Life is change and so could this schedule. This sport has taught me some valuable lessons though: Focus on what you can control, be flexible, and stay positive. Wherever I'll be, I'll be racing my bike and having my best year yet.

Doing the ToC!

Yes. I'm doing the ToC. I don't want to be arrogant, but I really think I deserve it. I worked quite hard last week and don't mind saying that I really need it. Who knows how it will go and what kind of form I'll have afterwards. Not very many of my friends and family know about this recent decision but it's been on my schedule for weeks. In fact I've been doing the ToC every Monday for a while. Oh, you must have been mistaken... not the Tour of California. Mondays are my rest days and I take part in the Tour of the Couch.

Will you be my Valentine?

How does a single, 21- year-old cyclist spend Valentine's Day? Alone... yes... lonely... not quite. I did wake up all by myself... with no alarm clock that is. Had myself a lonely little breakfast as I watched the snow sift from the heavens onto the streets of Boulder. It was then that I realized today would be a lonely day on the rollers. I hopped on the bike and pedaled away but I was going nowhere, all by myself. Oh the tears began to flow as I watched happy couples frolic in the snow outside my window. Tears? No, I guess they were beads of sweat. I was riding quite hard and had, but alas, merely one lonely fan.

I suppose cyclists are used to being alone, some more than others. Long solo training rides and nights spent with the legs up. It seems this sport was designed for the loner. But there are the lucky ones...yes the lucky ones... who have found a woman who supports them in this crazy sport. They put up with all of the traveling, the Saturday nights on the couch, and the constant complaints about fitness, fatigue, and sore legs. Maybe they'll even offer a massage. For me though, this Valentine's day will be spent alone, although not lonely. Oh and for all you young, independently wealthy, extremely attractive, lonely ladies out there (like any would be reading my blog)... I enjoy riding my bike and spending Saturday nights on the couch. Oh, and I don't complain much at all. Drop me a line.

Team Presentation

The evening began with a silent auction and plenty of conversation in the halls of the auditorium. After everyone found their seats the program began with live music and dancing followed by a poetry reading by the MC. Video clips were mixed with introductions and the Astana riders were escorted on the stage by the dancers one by one. Interviews followed and the program ended with a standing ovation. I had never attended a Pro Tour Team Presentation but I have to say it was quite an event... a medley of entertainment!The best part of the night was the dinner for the teams, staff, and handful of VIPs. By this time it was well past 9pm and my hunger was only surpassed by my fatigue. But after a little authentic New Mexican food I was ready for a second trip to the buffet line. Oh, and there was birthday cake which created the most entertaining game for the night... try to guess which Pro Tour riders would eat cake. I won't name names but there were more than a few. And the most impressive show of self control was the Tour-Quality rider who enjoyed one small bite of his dessert and pushed the rest away. I didn't torture myself and passed on the cake entirely. more to come.

The Breakfast of Champions

I arrived in Albuquerque this past Wednesday for the JBCA training camp, which is held together with the training camp of Astana. We're staying at the Embassy Suites and I am quite literally eating the breakfast of champions. No continental breakfast here... no small table of merely coffee and muffins. We're talking full breakfast buffet and then some. Current champions are fueling up on this breakfast and I'd imagine that future champions on the JBCA are taking part too.

It's only the 3rd day of camp but the schedule follows a pattern something like this:
8am-Breakfast of Champions
8:30-9:30- Core work/ stretching
9:30- Team Meeting
11:00- Group ride
3:30-6:00pm- Recovery time
6:30- Dinner
7:30-10:30- Relax/ Meetings/ Bed

Some days will be a bit different. The Team Presentations are at the end of the week. Thanks to Albuquerque and the Embassy Suites. More to come.

How sweet is that?

My team is now officially affiliated with Johan Bruyneel and Astana.

http://www.velonews.com/race/dom/articles/13902.0.html