A Little Air Time!

I just finished one of the best weekends this year. The Piney Hills Classic MTB stage race. I had a short track and time trial on Saturday, then the XC race on sunday. Definitely, a good story to come...update you soon. Here are a couple pics from Mike Brooks ( commiebiker ).

Opening Weekend!

This Past weekend I headed to D-town for the opening cross weekend in Texas.

With some serious pressure from friends to take over for Will Black as top dog in cross (since he left us for North Carolina). I saddled up Saturday for a fierce battle. The course was technical, fast, hard and had a bit of everything(probably one of my favorites). The first lap room mate Andrew led the field out to a fast pace, then I took over up a slight climb into the technical section. Mitch Comardo then threw in a huge attack on the 2nd lap. This put me in the hurt locker, but as soon as he let up I threw in a big attack and opened up a gap. For the next lap the gap was the same, and I worried that I went to hard. Then the next lap I had a opened the gap a little as I rode the step run-up to the cheers of the crowd. I went on for the win!

Sunday was a faster wide open course with two sets of barriers and some serious wind! I start the race with my legs a little tired, but wide open I go. Well until I lead the field over the climb into the single track then myself into a bush! I hit this bush doing 15 plus mph, it stop my bike, I flew off, and my chain came off! DAMN! I got up HR 200 or so as I put on my chain the field goes by. I Chased all 60 minutes to finish 2nd behind Mitch. Note to Jeff park and Mr. Williamson who gave me a battle for 2nd and 3rd.

Then last night was the 4th weekend of the Dirt Derby. With some rain we had a short course and some serious resistance. At 60 degrees I had my first sweep in the Oakley Velodrome races. Then held off a charging Stew Stafford in the open cross race for the win. Here are a couple pics from last night provided by Glennon Simmons photography.

This weekend I head to Ruston, La for a MTB stage race. Enjoy the cool weather! Bryan

Dirtyish...

Last Night is why I am up typing this blog so late. After the Dirt Derby I am usually so pumped I can't sleep leaving me up again tonight. This was the 3rd Dirt Derby of the year, and it was rocking. With steady changes every week the course is really starting to flow.

I got to the Derby just in time to make the first race. The 3/4 race, to get warmed up I ride in the race at tempo to get an extra 30 minutes on my cross bike.

After the warm-up I am ready for the best time of my night. The Oakley Velodrome races.
The first race was a missing out, where the last person each lap gets taken out. This race was a long one as there was a huge field. I won the final sprint over roommate Andrew Dalheim. His first night out it seems he might just have it dialed already. Then there was a points race I squeezed out the 2nd & 3rd sprint over Casey Crosby to have the most points. There were various other races and I did them all. What a Blast!

Then a small break and to the start of the Open Cyclocross Race. I had really good power the whole race and kept it rubber side down to the victory. I am really getting dialed on my new Serotta. This weekend will my first true test as I head to Dallas for the opening weekend of TXBRA cross racing.

Here is a photo of me in my new silver Oakley Radars setting tempo at the front to make sure I don't get pulled. Photo provided by Glennon Simmons. For a gallery of the Derby go to
DirtDerby.com and scroll down to the sweet pick of the kid on the BMX bike ripping it!

Thanks for reading! Bryan

Bryan the Town!

This past Sunday I traveled to Bryan/ College Station for the 4th stop of the TMBRA Fall Series.

After a sleep deprived night of camping( I forgot a cushion to put under sleeping bag ) I got up feeling still pretty fresh. At least energy wise. But, my legs were a bit worked from the long week of intense riding, running, etc. Then to add to that a long preride. I knew today was going to be a tough one.

John Larson and I headed into town to IHOP for a hearty breakfast, then to get some latte action with extra espresso. Then back to the camp to pack up...

To the start line, the gun goes off. I take the hole shot into the woods, and set a pretty high tempo in the squirrelly, twisty, and turny, trails. The trail was like a re run over and over.
After 1 long 14 mile lap I had Tristan Uhl, and Matt Gordon on my wheel. Everything was going good I had kept everyone close. Well....until Matt who has been training for La Ruta stage race took a pull. He set a blistering pace. Pop.. goes Tristan, and I am hanging on for dear life. Come On I keep telling myself, but my legs just aren't having it. After hitting a tree I was about 10 seconds down, then I lost sight of Matt and He rode on to put a whipping on me and the field.

Congrats to Matt and good luck in a couple weeks down in La Ruta!

Here is a Photo from the race as I try to close the Gap up a levy climb. Photo
provided by Mike Brooks. http://Commiebiker.smugmug.com

2 Nights ago....

I was in a hurt locker all night. After the crit race Sunday, then a wicked hard gym workout and running Monday I had some flat legs. But, I get out to the Dirt Derby Tuesday night and I forget my legs are the least bit tired, well until lap 2.

The Night started with the 3/4 cross race I do for a warm-up and time on my cross bike. The course was extremely loose and I managed to wreck pretty hard in a 180 degree turn. The clay felt like concrete.

Then 30 minutes later I dust myself off, and head to the start of the flat track (velodrome) racing. A 3rd in the one lap sprint, and I won the 15 lap points race. There was a huge turn out and we had to run 3 heats, this was definitely the highlight of the night.

With a 20 minute break, my legs cooled off and started to feel the track racing. Never the less, with a great crowd of 40 or so in the open race and a new course I got going! I had about a 10 second gap for 2/3rds of the race. Then cross teammate Stew Stafford closed the gap and put about 10 seconds on me. I got really close with 1 lap to go, but a huge surge by Stew kept me in 2nd to the finish. Stew won, I got 2nd, and another Bike Sport Shop rider, Joey got third. 1,2,3, for the red & blue.

Here are 2 photos by Glennon Simmons. One is early in the open race, before the pain set in! The second is the Oakley velodrome points race.

I will be racing is Bryan/ College Station this week for the 4th TMBRA Fall series race.

Peel Out!!!

Sunday morning myself and road team Hotel San Jose/Silicon Labs head to San Antonio for the Peel out crit race. There were 7 of us that entered the race.

After a series of huge attacks one break seemed like it might actually stay away. I had two teammates in a 5 up break. Then another teammate makes it across with no chasers. Now 3 of 6. The field was just sitting up after a prime when I jumped with a teammate on my wheel. It took about two laps but we finally made the bridge. 5 of 8! Those are odds i like. But, Barry lee my team manager didn't. He attacked over and over. Eventually popping 1 guy, then another wrecked, so it was 5 of us, 1 of them! Barry still wasn't happy, attack, attack, attack till he finally rode away solo to the win. 1 lap to go Tyler jumped, and I sat on the odd man out and waited for the sprint! Barry 1st, Tyler 2nd, I finished 3rd. The only non-teammate finished 4th with an unbelievable ride. We also finished 5th, 6th, and 8th. Sorry to everyone, but we payed the bills. This was the final crit 2007 for me and the team. Till next year!

Now, off to the Dirt Derby for some Cross & MTB practice!

Dirt Derby / Crit Racin

I was tired and ready to sleep after the long weekend and so on, but I just couldn't resist....

As I rolled back into the Austin I headed straight for the Dirt Derby on tuesday night. I'm talkin about cyclocross and mountain bike short track racing on a motocross track in East Austin under the lights. For me the night started with a warm-up of 25min in the back of the 3/4 cross race to get time on my new Serotta Cross bike. Then straight into the Oakley Velodrome races( a 300 meter dirt flat track) This was probably the highlight of the night! I did all three races-missin out, kirin race, and unknown lap race. I squeaked out tight sprint finishes to win all three. Then quickly to the car for a bike change and a MET Endurance shake to keep me fueled for the last race(the open mountain bike short track). With a couple other pros and semi-pros out it made for a fun race. At about the 15 minute mark I opened a gap in the whoops and held it to the finish. Soooo much fun!

After a day of recovery it was off to the final Thursday night crit race. The crit is on a car race track that is glass smooth and full of kiss your A*# turns. Usually Avg. speeds of 26-28mph, and 10 primes made this race look like a gun fight! Early on I got two primes a Gift Card to Sun & Ski, and Clif bar drink mix. Then I settled down for a few minutes and held on for dear life( I was really feeling tuesday). As we hit 5 laps to go a break of four went up the road, and I was on big johns wheel at 32mph and got into the break with 3 to go... Then teammate, race promoter, and team manager Barry Lee took me on his wheel with 1 lap to go and lead me to the line where I sealed the deal for Team Hotel San Jose. That is like 6 or 7 weeks in a row for our team.

Today, I just did a light spin to keep my legs fresh for a Crit Race in San Antonio tomorrow.
This is one of the last of the year, so I'm sure it will be exciting.

Thanks for reading! Bryan

WOW.....

Just Finished 5 races in 8 days. With a flight and some serious driving...

The first 2 races were crit races up in Denton, Tx. With really fast coursesand 60 -70 rider fields it was going to be fun. The first race a break of 3 got away. But, with two teammates of the three I knew we would win. After about a minute gap was opened I looked to make sure I would be 4th. I attacked a few times until I got away with 2 other riders. I won the sprint for 4th. We finished 1st, 2nd, and 4th. The Second race was a downtown 4 corner crit with and uphill finish. As soon as the gun went off basically a break of 10 got away. Myself and teammate Carlos were in the break.Then Another teammate Andrew Willis bridged up. With a short course we lapped the field with 5 to go. I got a perfect lead out from teammate Tyler with Carlos on my wheel. Carlos got 1st, I went got 2nd. That was some serious throw down by the team.

Then early Tuesday I was on a plane to Interbike Trade Show. After a long day of waiting and some sleep, I was up early to the show. After a full day of resumes, talking, and walking. I headed to the Vegas Cross Cyclecross Race. With a course that was like riding on Velcro, seriously it was 3 inch deep super thick grass... it hurt! I was having I ok race till I wrecked and it was all downhill from there. I finished 2 laps down. A long night out, and back on the plane.

Now, back in Texas overnight and off in the morning for a 7 hr drive west. I was Palo Duro Canyon for a MTB race. It was so beautiful. Green, mountains, and some wildlife. We had a sweet camping area, fire, and made some serious grub on the fire. Saturday was a 1.2 mile hill climb with 10% grade. This was serious and with a head wind up most of the climb it was going to burn. I squeaked out a win by 7 seconds over my road teammate Tristan Uhl. 5:27.
The next day was the xc. It was a super sweet 16mile course and we had to do 2 laps. Ouch! This one hurt from the gun as the heat began to cook me...and there is no shade in the desert. 34 miles later a pulled off my third straight fall series Win. With salt rings to show I cramped in the river after the race and then battled them all the way home.