Rhyme and Reason

A look back of sorts

The season is finally winding down, well, it should have for me about 2 months ago but I decided to pick up cyclocross this year. I’m actually very thankful that I did because it has kept me motivated this fall where the year before I made a huge mistake and took close to 2.5 months off the bike due to being so burnt out. It is a really nice change of pace and I think has helped me in many ways…Allowing me to go to a race and not care at all where I place and do it purely for fun, plus get heckled to all hell because I look like such an idiot doing it.

Shoe fell off...

No success

Moving back to the beginning of the season, I was rather out of shape. I was a freshmen in college thus doing my first collegiate season. This started back in February, which was a huge slap in the face. I got dropped my first Collegiate A’s race…that was not exactly encouraging but was definitely motivating.

I never seemed to be satisfied with how I perform, always critiquing myself how I could have done something better during the race. My season started off a little shaky with collegiate but started going okay in May by with a win at Vernon Hills continuing through June. Starting in July it seemed my fitness was going downhill, this is one thing I am working on fixing for next year.

One of the biggest highlights of my season was seeing Sherer on the podium at ToAD. It was really cool seeing it happen and for how hard he was working for it.

Notice the chocolate milk spilled on the jersey

Speaking of ToAD, this is my favorite race of the summer. It is extremely well put on and they have some great courses, Grafton being my favorite. It may not have ended ideally for us but it was by far the best highlight of my summer.

Favorite video of the summer:

or this one…Can’t decide…

You should probably just watch all of them here.

But yes, this season had its highs:

Peter/Margie deliver ice cream after ToAD

And its lows:

Tour De Grove

Lastly I want to say a huge thanks to everyone involved this year for making it happen. I could not have asked for a better summer nor have a better group of guys to race with day in and out.

Mike Ebert who worked his ass off all season/off season to allow us to do what we love.

Billy Dwyer who makes it happen behind the scenes, we dont know how, he just does.

Justin Teichen for putting up with our shit and making some gnarly videos.

Brian “2.0″ Leisring for making a few trips up with us to film, even crippled.

Rosa SanMarchi for being a fantastic soignierita.

Ana SanMarchi for taking time out of her vacation to hang out with biker dudes.

And our partners:

Verizon, ABD, Universal Sports, Prarie Path Cycles, Quarq, ANT+, Kids 1st Foundation, Trek, V.I.O., Serfas, Enzos ButtonHole Chamois Cream, Podium Financial Services, EJ’s Place, and Pactimo.

Bike Racing

You could say this is a mid-season reflection of sorts. I could not be happier with the team and all the support we have received this year between the management and sponsors.

This is my first year as a cat 2 and it was a big jump, although fairly smooth. I do have a lot to work on still but with all the experienced people that have surrounded me this season it has helped so much.

Ten things i have learned so far this season…

1. Putting your shoes in the washer is ok, just add some other clothes or towels and they come out super clean.
2. Take the extra pedal stroke or two to hold your position or move up, it saves a lot in the long run.
3. Tegaderm is expensive.
4. Tubasti glue is messy.
5. Regular brake pads blow in the rain on carbon rims.
6. Be thankful to host housing and you will be invited back.
7. Hydrate…it actually does help.
8. Great teammates are awesome and make racing so much more enjoyable.
9. Be selfless.
10. Be grateful, your racing a freaking bike.