Waco Wonderland!

On Sunday was the Bicycles Outback Blowout. A great name for a great course that leaves your legs blown out! This Course in Cameron Park wasn't the toughest I've races there, but never the less I am always completely trashed afterwards. With around 860 feet of climbing a lap and a super sweet single track you can't relax for a second.

I'm not going to lie. I was tired at the start of this race. With SXSW festival going on last week, and getting a bit lost on a mtb spin Friday that turned into 3 hrs. in 95 degrees and only one bottle of water. I felt a bit empty. Then on the pre ride Saturday I felt OK and was getting the flow of the course. But when I woke up Sunday I felt like crap.

After a big breakfast we headed to the course. It is great the way they have everything set up. It made the race feel more like a big race venue and people where every where. After chatting it up, cheering some of my sport friends on a tough climb, and a warm-up it was time to race. With a short pavement loop that shot into tight single track the start of the race was very important.

The gun goes off, Trek/ VW guys Raymond Hall, Matt Gordon, Scott Henry followed by Local Matt Googe lead out around the pavement. We are flying, I am geared out. As we near the single track I I stand up and came around to get into dirt first. I set the pace super high, pushing it out of every corner, up every hill. Raymond sitting tough on my wheel with a small chase group of Matt, Matt, and Scott. I attack going into a tight section and get a small gap over Raymond, then attack again on a tough climb near the end of lap 1. I go through start with 45 seconds over Raymond. Then Matt and Matt just 15 seconds behind him. Scott flatted.

I was nervous, my legs didn't feel to hot. Raymond looked strong and I know local Matt Googe is a strong closer after 2 years ago he caught me on the last lap here. I kept it steady. Trying to keep the pace high, but not over shoot any corners. Going into the last lap I extended my lead to 1 min or so. Keep it together I said to myself as I was hitting a lot of lap traffic, then hit a tree with my shoulder taking a little dirt sample. As the battle grew behind me, I extended my lead to win my first time in Cameron Park. Raymond held on for 2nd, Matt Gordon was 3rd, Matt Googe 4th, and Billy kurtz 5th.

It was a great race, with great organization. Thanks to all who made it possible. I have off weekend, then out to Cali and Arizona for the first 2 National Races. Have a great Easter!
Bryan

Roubaix'ssssss

Last weekend was epic. I'm not just talking about the races either. The weekend started of with a early morning drive to College Station for the Tunis Roubaix. 6- 11 mile laps with a 4 mile gravel section each lap. I have ridden many dirt roads, so I was not to worried after preparing w/ 25c tires that were the thickest you could find and latex tubes. Confidant my CR1 would rip through the rough roads with no problem. The race started like a mountain bike race, fast & furious as the road turned gravel 400 meters from the start. Barry & Jeff suffered flats in the first lap. Carlos was off the front most of the day forcing everyone else to chase. Except lap three where somehow the team missed Stefan and Willis go off the front forcing me and Dan to chase maxed out for 5 miles. Going into the last lap Carlos was again off the front, Dan and I were covering anything that moved, and Tristan waited patiently for the long uphill sprint finish. Stefan drove the pace with no help for the last 4 miles catching Carlos with 1k to go. Then Dan launched a huge attack. Perfect! Then lone star chases, it all comes back together w/ 500 meters to go. 200 meters Willis goes and I am on his wheel and Tristan on my wheel. I jump then Tristan. Tristan wins, I got 2nd, Carlos was 5th, and Dan was 7th. A great ride for the team in a very tough race.

Now the first race was over, I new that we had a 5-6 hr drive to Baton Rouge, LA. This is where the trip gets tough. The battery died and wasn't keeping charge to well. So we stop in Houston for dinner and to change out the battery. It take about 2 hrs longer than planed to get all the accomplished. Then hours later about 2 am till we get to bed. After 3 hrs of sleep it's tough to get going, but we do. Not realizing how far it was to the actual race we were running late. As we are running to Registration 16 minutes before the start my legs felt heavy and my head felt like a brick was sitting on it! Off we go as we made the start of the Rouge Roubaix a 106 mile road/ gravel road race. It was seriously 30 degrees at the start as Carlos, Barry, Tristan, and myself took off. Freezing, shaking, and just damn cold I went off the front once the race opened up with 2 guys for 15 miles. Now warmed up, we got caught on the first of 3 gravel sections. As we approached mile 60 and the 2nd gravel section. A 1 mile dirt climb with a Benjamin prime at the top. You actually had to grab it from the guys hand while sprinting up hill in loose gravel. It was awesome. I was second wheel then third wheel as it got steep. Christian Helmig had a 10 meter gap as we got close to the top, then it was Tristan then me. I could see the gut on the right side of the road. I yelled at Tristan to go, he couldn't I gave it all I had to just get passed Christian to snatch the Bill from the guys hand. The effort broke the field to pieces. But, after the raod section there were 45 or so left of the 100+ starters. The last section was around mile 75 and it was serious. Steep climbs, loose gravel and braking bumps that will make any handlebar come loose. I was a little to far back as we started up the first gravel climb. So steep and loose people were off walking. As I weaved through everyone slowly bridging to the lead group of 11. The race was shattered! Tristan, Carlos, and myself made the break total 3 of 12 w/ 1 guy off the front.
Barry just missed the group, getting caught up in the walkers. The guy off the front somehow stayed away clear to the finish. Carlos won the field sprint for 2nd, I got 6th and Tristan 10th. I was in the hurt locker for the last 10 miles of the race, but this race was one of the coolest most beautiful races I've done. Definitely look forward to next year.

After a quick meal on the run, we were back on the road. Thinking we might get home at a decent hour I was wrong. Not sure weather it was something that hit it, or the pressure from the rack on top flexed the door. The driver side window exploded! Glass all over the place, luckily no one got hurt. After a quick stop to clean out glass, then a 15 miles or so to be one with nature, we stop at Wal-mart for some card board and Duck Tape. We managed to make the strongest window ever made. Now a total of 2 or so hrs. behind, Tristan had to play the roll of rear view mirror for Barry as he couldn't see out the window. We stopped in Houston for some super tasty food at the Bayou City Grill. Then back on the road. Now, I got to play the stressful roll of rear view mirror. We finished to weekend at 1 am. Ouch!

Tyler and Andrew are heeling slowly, but hopefully will be back soon. Everyone else is starting to come to form. I am headed to Waco for the Bicycles Outback Blowout mountain bike race, the rest of the Team headed to Fayetteville for stage race. Good luck to them and safe travel to all. Till next week, Bryan

Lago to Bar-H!

The Past weekend was a challenge that not only put my legs to test, but my versatility. I had planned to Race Lago Vista Day 1( 80 mile road circuit race), then drive 5 hrs North to Bar-H Ranch to race( 25 or so mile MTB race).

After a crazy Friday night, I'm not talking about out on the town! I unfortunately had to pick up my teammate Andrew Dalheim from the hospital after hitting a dear @ 35 MPH. He came out hobblin like Spiegel from the Lord of the Rings. But, now is almost ready to ride. I think he said maybe by Monday.

The next morning I wake up and Hop A LONG ( Andrews new nickname) Drove out to Lago Vista. After a team meeting the race was on the way. I had to be patient! I had good legs and had to wait for the right moment. Team Mate Brian Sheedy with constant reminder WAIT! The Race slowly feel apart down to 30 then 20 in the lead group. We had 4 of 20. Tyler Jewell, Sheedy, Surfer, and myself. Then the attacks came down to 12 riders and 3 to go. I still had Tyler until the last lap. Then I found myslf alone and nobody willing to help me chase back an escaped Matt Ankey, and Steve Tilford. Then Scott Veggieburg slipped of the front. I guess I would be sprinting for 4th. As we rolled down the finishing hill I waited to jump last up the steep finishing hill to grab 4th.

After a quick wrap up/ shower/ and recovery drink. I was on the road, and headed north of Fort Worth where Toby and Christina Smith were hosting a huge group to great food and shelter. After a quick night of sleep, definitely to short! I prepared for the MTB race. I was sore, tired, and my bike felt weird. After a good warm-up I started to feel a little better. With a stacked field and tired legs, I was Nervous.

The Gun goes off, Raymond Hall leads it out. I was second wheel, then Helmig, then Henry. I attacked up a 5 min. rolling climb. It was Raymond who was glued to my wheel He and I opened a gap over the rest. For 2 laps we battled back and forth. Going into the last lap, I attacked into a head wind( oh yeah it's was humid 95% and 30 mph winds) opening a small gap and kept the pressure on. I slowly built a comfortable gap to 2.5 min. Then Raymond came in 2nd, Helmig a close 3rd, and Nathan Winkleman closing strong for 4th.

It was tough, painful, but definitely worth the extra effort. As I called the team to let them know of the victory, then a second dose of bad news came. Tyler Jewell hit a dear while racing Sunday. He is up and moving, but will definitely have some time down. TO SPEEDY RECOVERY TO BOTH MY TEAMMATES!!!! To everyone else keep your head up and keep the rubber side down.

Thanks for reading, Bryan