Snowin, freezin, and racin in Trenton!

I got into Jersey Thursday Night to give my body an extra day to relax before Saturday came. So Friday I relaxed spun my legs out and watched some brain box. All courtesy of my friend Brian who live in North part of NJ. Let me just say in was like 30 -40 degrees!

So, Saturday came as we had 1hr 30 min drive to the race in the South part of NJ. The sun was out the course looked sweet! Fast, lots of turns, a wicked 70-80 meter sand pit, and the fly over! I watch Will Black, Brien, and some other east coast friends rip up the course. My turn, with my back row start I had nothing, but to move up. I had a good first 2 laps, but then blew up on the 3rd and fell back to just try and maintain any position I could. I stayed on the lead lap to finish 46th. Now frozen to the bone, I go and try to figure out my disappointing ride.

Sunday, I wake up and see the snow flurries coming down. Yeah, this is going to be fun!
Down in Trenton however, it had been raining and the course was getting sloppy. I made the most of the day racing for every spot. As my bike must have weighed 28 lbs caked with mud and sand. I couldn't even use the lower gear in the rear they were so packed with mud. I just kept moving. I finished in 32nd.

So, now I have something to build on for Portland. So for now, I will go try to find some Turkey and do well this weekend in Houston.

Happy Turkey Day, Bryan

Rockin Roundup

Not like a rodeo, but close! The races this past weekend were hard and came down to close sprint finishes.

Saturday was a great cross course. A bit rough, but had a great run-up, climb, and great sandy decent. I lead the race into the first section of single track trying not to go to hard and see how my legs would fair. After last weekend I have to say I was a bit tentative. I let Mitch then take the lead and he also was holding back. After 2 laps there were 4 of us. Me, Mitch, Andrew Dalheim, and Stew Stafford. Mitch put in a solid attack and then I came over the top of his attack on the big climb. This left Mitch and I to battle for the remaining laps. I would attack on the climb into the decent, but he would bring me back on the flats. I could tell he was fading just a bit and on the last lap. I went for broke with a huge attack and I had about 30 meters. Mitch got to within 5 meters with just 300 meters to go, but I held it to the line.

Sunday was the Rocky Hill Roundup MTB race. This is the third time I raced this course and this was definitely the best course so far. I lead the race basically from start to finish, but I was definitely not alone. I had all my road teammates hot on my wheel. Andrew, Tyler, and Tristan.
After the first lap we were all still wheel to wheel. Lap 2 wheel to wheel through the start finish.
Then half way through the lap was a 1/4 mile stretch of uphill jeep road. I put in a huge attack to see how everyone was feeling. The attack left Me, Andrew, and Tyler to go into the third lap. I was starting to feel a bit tired and nervous that we three were still together. Still, I stayed on the front and set tempo. The whole lap I was thinking how I can get away, and knew that my best chance would be on the downhill single track toward the finish. But, even then I still had a 1/2 mile stretch of field to go and was worried they would work together to bring me back. So, I eat a gel with 4 miles to go and relax as much as possible to save energy for my attack. 3 miles just running through the last downhill in my mind. 2 miles was a step climb and at the top of that I would have to make my move. Patience, relax, ok, GOOO! I went and ripped the downhill not looking back for a second. Into the firld i had about 30 meters on Andrew, and 30 more on Tyler. I look back nervously as Andrew was sprinting out of the saddle. Then all I have left I give it one more push. I held Andrew off by seconds and Tyler right on his tail. That was probably one of the funniest MTB races I have done.

Now to packing, as I leave in the morning. Off to Trenton, NJ for the USGP of cyclocross races.

Here are a couple cool picks from Mike Brooks (commiebiker)

Thanks for reading!

The Mitch Show!

I know this is a week late, but before I talk about this past weekend I would like to tell you about 2 weekends ago.

This is a quick one. Saturday, I headed to the Wurst Cross. This was a flowing, fast course. I started with my usual sprint to lead out the field. I lead the first lap, then I was holding on for dear life. As Mitch Comardo pushed the pace on the flats, I lasted until the third lap. I held on for 2nd, as Mitch put 5-10 seconds every lap on me.

The second day, well more of the same. I lead it out, then was holding on. Roommate, Andrew Dalheim threw the first attack. Mitch bridged up, then went on by, to solo basically the whole race.

Then it was Andrew who threw in a sprint to take 2nd over Andy lee 3rd, and Jeff Park 4th. I finished 5th with teammate Stew Stafford in 6th who kept me going the last few laps.

Congrats to Mitch! I will get you this weekends pics and story by wednesday. Later, Bryan

Piney Hills Classic

This past weekend was my third year to attend the Piney Hills Classic put on by DLT events.
Every year this event grows, and is a great weekend for friends, family, and racing.
With the stage race format, everyone was pumped to do something new!

Saturday morning the short track kicked off the weekend. I honestly can say I had as much fun watching and cheering, as I did racing. This was a great course that made for exciting finishes.
My race was the last race of the short track. Go...To the front I pushed the pace over and over for the first few laps to try and break things up, but the long head wind section kept everything together. I attacked almost every lap through a berm section then up a short hill. A gap would open then everyone would sit up. The Last Lap, with 6 of us headed up the false flat, I waited for an attack. Nothing really happened, and 100 meters from the top of the course I attacked with Tristan Uhl on my wheel. He and I had a 2 up sprint that I won. It was a close race for third, but a wreck in the berm left it wide open....

The Time Trial later in the evening was definitely going to hurt after the short track effort. The TT was three miles: 2.5 of tight, fast single track and .5 miles of pin it! I had a great run going then had a mix up with a fellow racer when I tried to pass and got wrecked. DaMn! I was still able to put together a winning run. 11:06. Second was Tristan again at 11:20.

The XC race: This course was rocking! The park and DLT did some serious woek and it showed. The race was much less exciting than the course. I opened a gap of 30 seconds, than a minute. It stayed there for 2 laps as Noel Rueter was holding 2nd strong. I won the race 1:57 over noel in second, then a big gap of around 5 more to Andy Lee in third. Sean Sindt close behind him in 4th, and Tristan finishing 5th.

This was a great weekend. Thanks to all the volunteers, promoters, and sponsors. Can't wait till next year.

Off to cross right NOW!!!!!