Joe M. Pics

Here are a couple of pics that I found of me from Joe Martin. This is from Stage 2 with me leading out the pack.
This is from the Stage 4 (the crit) on the climb to the start finish.

Back in CO, for now

I'm tired, and a little sick, but I am back in Golden, even if it is only for the day. We got back in late last night only due to the fact that the van had to be at the shop this morning to get ready to leave again tomorrow morning at 5am, unfortunately with me in it.

The fun thing about having stuff to ride that isn't yours is that you can take it to the limit to see how well it is made. Whitey decided to ride across a little bridge we made for him, the only question is if the wheels Gibson let him borrow are still in one piece or not.
The front row at the awards yesterday evening was dominated by Colorado boys (Einstein's, CenturyTel, and 5280).
Well I've gotta get a move on, lots to do today before heading to Tulsa tomorrow.

TPC Stage 5

Just a quick update on the finish of Thanksgiving Point Tour of Utah. Today was the uphill TT, and it was brutal. It was about 4.5 miles and maintained a grade of 8 to 12 percent. I finished fifth, just 40 seconds off first and Whitey finished 7th about thirty seconds behind me. So at the end of the day Whitey held first in the GC and we walk away with some big $$$$. However, we are all feeling it, not just in our legs but feeling sick from riding in the crap yesterday and the day before. Well, we gotta hit the road to get back to Boulder yet tonight, Later.

TPC Stage 4

Today before the race we tried to be a good team and stop by one of our sponsor shops. However, we couldn't get any of the employees to come out in the hail with us, or it could have been that they were really busy.

Here is our GC man, sitting first going into today, this is how Whitey wanted to race, not just because it made him look really cool, but we didn't bring any cold weather gear with us and it was 40degrees, raining, and windy.

It was so bad out that you couldn't even see the mountain that we were supposed to be racing around. We started the day out dreading racing 104miles in the crappy weather, but they were nice enough to shorten it to 54miles.
The pace started out pretty good considering that the roads were soaked and we were drenched. At mile 10 Mike laid out an attack and then I countered it which set up the winning break to get away with Whitey in it. As soon as they got off Mike and I started blocking, but that didn't last long for me. I got a flat and by the time I got a wheel from the wheel truck I was way off the back. I chased for over a half a lap and gave up, it was pointless, and obvious that I wasn't going to get back. It is an omnium so it really didn't matter, we got Whitey in the winning break (oh yeah, he was the winner today and helped secure his spot at the top with a little more cushion, what a pimp) and I live to race tomorrow, that is if all of our fingers and toes get the feeling back in them.

TPC Stage 3

Yesterdays stage was brutal. The crit course was pretty technical and to make it a little more interesting the weather was crappy. There was some killer wind that would just push you around and some light rain to make you a little more careful in the corners. From the gun I went to the front and drilled it. I stayed at the front for 40minutes out of the hour crit and dropped the vast majority of the field leaving only six racers left. We lapped everyone except for one small group which made it feel great. With a lap and a half to go I was done, then it was Whitey's time to shine. He was pretty fresh since he sat in in the group and beat Collin from CenturyTel but come in second to Allen, another CenturyTel racer, who took a flyer off the front. All in all, Whitey, is now the race leader and we have a 104mile road race today to protect the race lead in, not to mention the $$$ that goes to the race leader in the end. I haven't looked outside yet, I hope the weather is better.

TPC Stage 2

I have to say that this part of Utah almost challenges Colorado is beautiful scenery. It is so green and peaks topped with snow are everywhere.


Our accommodations while here in Utah are some of the best that I ever stayed at while on the road. We are at Lenny's Aunt's house that is right at the base of the mountains and on a golf course. We have the basement all to our self. I has its own fridge, pool table, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a living room with a big screen TV and surround sound. Not too bad at all.Yesterday while waiting for the race to start we took full advantage of the TV and wireless internet.

The race last night was an 8 lap, 58Km circuit race with some nasty wind that made it impossible to keep a straight line at times. From the gun I went to the front to get things moving. A CenturyTel rider got away in the first lap, and props to him for staying away and winning. But the rest of us kept doing our own race. I stayed at the front for most of the race driving it and shelling everyone but a select few of 12 racers. On the final lap, and my legs done, I fell off the back with another CenturyTel racer and came across in 12th. But everything worked out as planned with the Team, with so many racers gone from my pace driving and tiring people out Whitey was able to get away with a 5280 racer and got third which put him in third in the GC. Today is another Crit this evening so I should go like the first one and get Whitey some more points for the omnium and have him sitting good going into the road race tomorrow.

Tour of Utah Stage 1

Yesterday was simply a long day. Up at five on the road at seven, down I70 through Grand Junction and into Provo at four. Then it was hurry up and wait. Our race started a little early at 7:40pm.

The crit was tight with eight corners in less than a mile and was fast for that type of course at 28 miles and hour. The race went well, there were a few breaks right off the start that I chased down, then Mike and Whitey went to work taking some primes. With 7 laps to go a few more breaks went and I went back to work. I pull the breaks back and stayed at the front driving the pace keeping the field single single file until two laps to go and the final positioning started for the finish. I was spent and just sat in the group while Mike and Whitey did their job by getting back to the front and taking 3rd and 6th in the sprint.

There was some downers though, the whole reason we came to Utah was for the money, but they started to back out of their promises of money and saying that there were typos in the race bible and there wasn't really any money on individual days, that really got us down since we were sitting to get some good money. But we are here now so we will just keep racing and doing our jobs. Today is a cuircut race at 6pm for an hour and a half check back tonight or tomorrow for another update.

Off to Utah

Tomorrow is the start of a long series of racing over the next few weeks, if that wasn't bad enough, it will start at 6am tomorrow morning followed by a 8hr drive then a crit in Provo. This weekend is the Thanksgiving Point Classic Tour of Utah which starts on Thursday with five races over five days. Then we head down to Tulsa, OK next Tuesday and stop over in Boulder to pick up a few other teammates on the way down for the Tulsa crit series the first weekend in June. So the van sits at my apartment waiting for the morning start.

 

Some Time in DFW

I love having a nice relaxing weekend where you don't even touch the bike and get to spend some chill time with someone special.

It was a great time in Fort Worth, both to spend some time with Sheila but to also to see Jared and Lindsay get married; congratulations to both of you again, you are the perfect couple and am glad to call you both friends and I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness.

Of course it wouldn't be a fun time without Stephen being there, always the life of a party, or at least thinks he is.
Sheila and me at the reception.
We had a very lively table.
The newlyweds.
Sheila
We spent a fun Sunday outside with some of her friends Tim and Miranda (awesome people), they introduced us to the world of frisbee golf, it was actually pretty fun.


Turns out my plans for the next week just got all changed around big time. I was scheduled to do Ironhorse this weekend in Durango, but as of this afternoon I am heading with some of the team to the old Tour of Utah, some major $ there. So instead of leaving Friday for two races I leave Wednesday for five races, I guess thats just part of the job.

DIA

Why does it seem that I am always way ahead of schedule on everything I do. I gave myself some extra time for traffic through Denver, there was none. I thought there would be a long line at check in, I mean it is a Friday afternoon, but there was no line. Then at security for the first time I didn't set off the medal detector. So here I sit a hour and half until my flight boards just sitting on the floor of DIA waiting....and typing. Thank god for laptops and wireless internet.

I also want to take this time to thank everyone for their support over the years and believing in me that I have what it takes to make it in the world of cycling. So thank you, everyone.

For those interested below is my race schedule for the near future:

5/26-5/28 IronHorse Classic
6/1-6/4 Tulsa Crit Series
6/14-6/18 Nature Valley
6/22-6/25 Tour de Nez
7/12-7/16 Cascade Classic
7/24-7/29 International Tour de Toona
8/7-8/12 Tour of Utah
8/19-8/20 Downers
9/1-9/5 St. Louis
9/15-9/17 Parker Mainstreet Omnium

Back to the Grind

Today was my first real day back training after taking some rest days. It was a great day to be on the bike, warm, sunny, and not a cloud in the sky.
I headed up High Grade, which is the one climb that I have to call my favorite. I still felt a little dead in the legs but I could definitely tell that they are a lot stronger than they were before Gila and Joe Martin, only if I could get a knot out of my right thigh I would be about race ready again. The best thing about High Grade are the other riders you cross all the time, today on my way down I crossed Mike (my coach) as he drilled it up the climb, I turned around and rode a few miles up with him before he told me to head home and get some more rest.

Tomorrow will be another training ride before I have to catch my flight to DFW for Jared's wedding this weekend, it should be fun to catch up with all the guys from Lubbock and spend some time with Sheila. 

The Big Show

I have to say that I was a little scared heading into Joe Martin, I mean its a huge NRC stage race (215 racers in the Pro1/2 field) and I am new to racing with the top dogs in the sport, but it was all good in the end.


Friday was a 111 mile road race that consisted on rollers and one sustained climb toward the end. It started out fast with guys taking flyers left and right trying to get the pack going and then there I was already at the front chasing the attacks. The pace was high, the average for the day was a little over 26 mph and I could feel it, but I am sure everyone else could too. There was a crash at mile 85 and with the amount of energy I spent in the race to that point put me over the edge and unable to catch up to the lead group of 50 guys or so, my effort for the day had been done so I attached myself to the second group and finished out the day.

Saturday started out early with a 94 mile road race, and once again there I was, at the front. A break went and none of our guys got in it which set off an urgency over the race radio to get to the front. I jumped up to the lead and pulled a ways until Garcia jumped and tried to bridge the gap to the break away. I felt great, there I was pulling with Moninger sitting on my wheel. Unfortunately Garcia didn't make it to the break but the pace was stepped up and the break was caught while I finished off the race in the lead group. Once again a high pace was put out at 27mph.

However the day was far from done, there remained an uphill TT up Devil's Den. A little under 3miles with an average grade of 7%, just enough to make you feel the effort you did that morning. Moninger put the top time in at 8:30 while I finished a little under a minute behind him, I was definitely feeling it in my legs.

Here is a cool pic from velonews.com, the guy sitting second is me.

Sunday was the crit, right at a mile with eight corners and a climb to hurt everyone. We were down to only 120 racers from the original 200, and right from the gun all 120 were single file which made for a hell of a day. Gaps opened up everywhere and after 50 minutes of jumping gaps trying to stay with the lead, I hit the wall. Only 20 racers actually survived to the end. For the overall stage race I finished in the top third. Not to bad for my first race with the big guys and actually doing some work in the race. Next stop Tulsa, OK for a crit series. Check back as I find more pics from the race.

Joe Martin

Well I'm off to AR and Joe Martin Stage Race, check back on Monday for an update or check out cyclingnews.com under the Pro1/2 category.

Team Einstein's Cycling

Well the time has already come for me to change teams and head to the next level. I have switched from Haul'n Ass Race Team to Team Einstein's Cycling. Its just a smart good move for me, they have so much up and coming talent and have some big results to back up a growing elite team. They will be spending a lot of time on the road at NRC and large out of state races to gain exposure and develop the talent of a select group of elite road racers.
And they give us free stuff, so here is the first shout out to a sponsor...Power Bar.

Recovery Days

The last few days back in Denver have been easy relaxed days, just recovering before heading to Joe Martin Stage Race in AR.

Thast night we hit up the ususal Monday spot at Pasquini's for some recovery food and drinks, but Seth had to do some yard work first.

This was a picture we took while at the Silver City Albertsons.

Back from Gila

What a week, it doesn't seem like I've been gone that long until I feel my tired legs reminding me of all the racing I've done over the last five days.

We rolled out of Denver last Monday after Seth got off work. We've become the master packers; thats five bikes eight wheelsets, four pieces of luggage, and enough groceries to last us a week all in the back of a pathfinder.

We stopped off in Albuquerque for a little rest Monday night and finished the trip to Silver City, NM the next morning. We passed a tow truck that bends the fabric of time to get 25 hours out of their days.

The views down around Silver City are not of the stereotypical NM many think of.

We were surprised to see the circus was in SC, Seth was amazed by the carny folk and freak show. Tell me since when have circus tickets gone up to $20 a person.


Wednesday was the time trial, which was far from flat. It was a 16.5mile course starting with 5miles of climbing then some rollers, turn around, more rollers 2miles of steeper climbing and 5 miles down hill. I finished 2nd with a time of 38:46 and Seth finished 3rd about 11 seconds behind me. After the TT Seth and I went and spun around.

Our dinner accommodations at night where a little on the Redneck side, a hot plate, some pots, pasta, salad, and some meat cooked outside our hotel door.

Thursday was a 67 mile road race with a six mile category 1 climb to the finish. The final climb starts out with a super steep 17% grade, followed by a 15%, 10%, another 15% all the way to the finish. I got fifth in stage 2, and 2nd in the overall GC.

Stage 3 was a 78 mile road race with three category three climbs. It was pretty uneventful until with two mile left I began launching attack after attack and got 7th at the line. Unfortunately I got caught behind a crash and was forced to chase back on to the lead group all of while the winning break went off the front, so needless to say I missed being in the winning break do to the crash; oh well, I fell only one spot in the GC to 3rd.

Stage 4 was a crit in downtown Silver City, I did really nothing except for a few attacks and the GC remained the same at the end.

Saturday afternoon, after the crit, we got together with the Colavita boys and worked out a plan for the last stage.

During our time in SC Joe and Patrick stayed a few nights with us, but got their own room across the street for the rest of the time, so Joe decided to do some moving....including running his inflated mattress right across the street in the middle of traffic.
That night our cooking accommodations got upgraded, we cooked at Mike's hotel and had dinner with him, we decided to jazz up the salad a little for him.

Stage 5 was a 77mile road race with a cat 3 climb followed by a trip over the continental divide and then a 20 mile climbing finish up a category 2 climb. Seth took off on a solo suicide mission at mile 38 and we caught him at the base of the final climb, at which point he drifted back and lost some time, but at least he tried. Ryan Hamilton (Colavita) and I did our thing and drove a group of 6 up the final climb. Walker (5280) sat in and jumped with a mile to go winning the stage and moved into third but I was able to move myself into 2nd in the overall GC and Seth finished 19th in the GC.

I have to say that Tour of the Gila is the hardest, longest race that I have done so far, and I loved it, this will be a race that will always be on my race schedule.

The Gila Monster

I'm off to Tour of the Gila, five days of painfull climbing.....bring it on. Check back for updates throughout the week.