Cam-Rock CX (Brazen Dropouts CX)

Today was the Cyclocross race @ Cam-Rock Park 2 in Rockdale, WI. The morning started a little bit chipper with temps in the mid 40s but warmed up nicely. I was not the first race of the day again which was nice. First was the Cat 4 40+ and 15-18 Juniors. I raced Cat 4s as always, today it was @ 10:30. I got stuck at the back, which sucked. I would later find out todays field was 56. On the start Some dude missed his pedal or something and biffed on the start. Making a huge pile of people behind. This gapped the field a little bit, good for racing bad for me. I felt like I was passing people all race. After the first lap that was the case, doing nothing but passing people. The longer the race went on the fewer people I passed. On Rider caught me on the last lap that I had passed Earlier in the race on the first lap. I pushed really really hard. Once again my HRM monitor failed, IDK what is up with that. I know I was averaging in the 160 and 170 and maybe ever some 180s during the race. I could tell on lap 4 I was starting to give up the gusto. The aerobic capacity was spent. I had give it all she had. However on the finish I blew the doors off a guy I thought was a lap down turns out he wasn't. So learn from me kids, never ever give up no matter what lap and how much you feel like crap. Every position counts.

Keep your browser tuned to this website, cause I will do another post tomorrow and Monday.

The Almost screw-up, Blame MC

On Thursday my afternoon class was cancelled, I knew this somewhat in advance and I knew that I needed new brake pads. So I decided to go down to Expo and throw some on there. Of those who know me well, know that I do not have extensive mechanical knowledge of bikes, as far as tuning and stuff of that nature. Irregardless I decided that I would take a stab at it, I had something like 4 or 5 hours to kill. Rear wheel went alright, I had some problems with pad adjustment, but Mike helped me out.


New Rear Pads

I went onto the front removed the drive side caliper because while I was replacing the pads I decided to give a thorough cleaning, overhauling and greasing. when I went to take the non-drive side caliper off I found that the whole thing was spinning. The part where the spring pops into to hold in the spring tension was spinning freely.



I went to mike and was like "should that be happening or did I do something wrong" and mike was like. That's not right. So then I made the decision to run home and get my spare fork, the OEM Fork. I was putting that back on when I made the point, it was only 3:30, why don't' we give ritchey a call and see what their policy is on warranty. We called QBP and while he was on the phone with Quality realized, try to tighten up caliper post. So I did as he directed, and guess what, it stopped spinning. Hallelujah. So now I had to go backwards and uninstall my OEM fork which was already in my bike



and reinstall the Ritchey Fork and Continue with my original job of installing brakes. At least I ended up cleaning the steerer and learning how to uninstall and install forks, yay for me. So in the end, was it my Fault, yes, Was it Mikes Fault, yes, chalk it up to a learning experience.

Badger Cross weekend

This weekend is the Cam-Rock race in Cambridge Saturday and in Verona Sunday. I'm staying with my cousin in Mad town will be houseing me Saturday night so he'll save me bank. I will try my best to do a blog post Saturday night but I don't know . I hear Cam-Rock is a fun race. I'm feeling great and am expecting to do well as I have been training as hard as I can with what little time I have. I need to work on my holeshots which is really hard to do, I guess I could try in my backyard or something. If I can get better at my holeshots and hold my position during the race I will more than likely show much better finishes. With scoring my first point at Laphem peak I continue to be pumped for the CX season. The cool air reminds me what CX is all about, I just don't want it to snow too soon. Racing in sloppy slush/snow isn't that much fun, I'd rather race on ice. I wouldn't mind a touch much but mud is no fun either.

I wish everyone the best of luck that is Racing the Beechwood Blaster on Saturday.

How do you Wreck 18 Spokes all at once?

You chain jumps the Cog, that's how. I went out for a road ride on my Pista on saturday. Thats the first time I ever did a road ride on a fixie, I've ridden that bike around town some but that doesn't count. I rode from Hartford out to hwy 33 and back and when I was coming into town on hwy 83 I crossed the railroad tracks and I hear a nasty nasty pinging noise, I see my chain jumped, slowed down as fast as possible, but by then it was too late, the damage was done. Luckily this happened literally a few hundered feet from Expedition Supply so it was a click-clack walk there. I won't be needing those wheels till the end of next may, so its a winter project. I have a spare wheelset of fixed gear back up wheels I can use in the meantime, I should really be riding my cross bike this time of year anyways. I'm glad I have John Donovan @ Johnovan Bicycle Works to back me up on all of my needs.

Sheboygan Wigwam/Ultimax Classic

Today's result, besides the fact my race hasn't started yet... was a no go. I woke up this morning with a bleed in my ankle. I know it won't be where it should be by race time so I didn't even bother going. Adding to my decision is that I have tons of HW to do and other things I can do around town. Skipping this race is not a big loss to me. I live for cyclocross. I'll see everyone next week @ Cam-Rock and @ Verona. Its a double weekend and I'm expecting points that means I'm expecting top 20s. With fields of 60+ thats not 1/2 bad.

For the Expo Racing Masses, KICK ASS!!!!!

1st ever WCA Point Among Road and CX

I just strolled over to WiCycling.org and discovered that I scored my first individual WCA point. I should point out that I scored that point Riding a Full Suspension 29er Mountain Bike. USCF only goes to 10 but WCA must go to 20. So Yay for me. See proof @ Cat 4 Overalls

The triple in two days?

I was reviewing my race schedule over the next month and realized that on October 21st I could, If I wanted to do the 10:30 race in Janesville and the 2:15 race in Carpenter Park in Carpentersville, IL. This would be my first time ever doing two seperate USCF Races in one day. I love Cyclocross, for some reason it tends to be one of my better disciplines. I've been kicking butt on the trainer and watching my diet really closely as of recent, more than normal. Every cyclist has their peak each year, I'm trying my hardest to peak during Cyclocross season, I think I'm already in the best condition I've been all season but I'm continuing to get better.