Old Picture time...

Ok old picture time here folks! Here are a few from my former days...the first four pictures are all from the SAME location...WHERE and WHEN were these taken?

Your's truly running through the MULCH (hint hint) pit...carrying my IF Planet Cross! I took 6th that day behind Mr. Brent Bookwalter.

After the race I was an absolute popsicle. Who's over my left shoulder holding my pit bike? Who's over my right shoulder? For the record, my pitbike at that point was a Trek 930 26" mtb converted with stainless steel adaptors (hand made...) to run 700c wheels. I am OFFICIALLY the first ever 'cross racer on a 29er.

Who did I spot in I.F. colors?

Who was all smiles at the start?

Now for some serious old school...where and who are we? (I'll give you a hint...that's Robert in the maroon...)

Hope you enjoyed today's edition of old school cycling photos. Want more? I have a bunch.

E-bay

Check out my e-bay listings, but specifically check out this iPod touch!


Buy my stuff (please)!

jb

DVD & 'cross

When you get a chance check out www.cyclocrossvideos.com and their weekly contest to win a free dvd! I won last week's contest so check them out...

Training is back on track with one minor set back...my TCR broke so all of my hours are on my 'cx bike. Not bad to make sure I remember how that bike rides but I like my TCR. We'll see what happens but for now that means no road racing.

Yesterday I had a great ride with Matt Jankowiak in Saginaw when we were in town for my sister's birthday. It was good to see 4/5 of the family and get to ride with Matt too. We had a great time talking about old 'cross races in Michigan and how things were back when there were only A's and B's in the Tailwind series.

The 'cx bike is in great working order and I'm excited to race 'cross, but I have a long way to go before that first start. This year will be very interesting lining up with the best in Michigan for the first time since I was a junior. I'm looking forward to it but at the same time the goals for this year are very different than last year. Hopefully my fitness will come around and things will fall into place. If not, I'm only 25 and have lots more years to figure things out.

jb

Kristie's 2007 Trek XO2 is for sale. It has a 51.5 effective tt and a 50 cm seat tube (center to top). This pic has it shown with ultegra components, but her's is full SRAM Rival.

Frame - Alpha SL Aluminum

Fork - Bontrager Satellite Plus (carbon with aluminum steerer tube)

Shifters - Sram Rival (10 speed)

Derailleurs - Sram Rival

Cassette - Sram Rival 12-25

Brakes - Avid Shorty 4 Crankset - Bontrager Race Lite GXP 170, 46-38 chainrings

Wheelset - Reynolds AAlta Race Comp

Tires - Bontrager Jones CXR 700-34

Headset - American Classic

Seatpost - Bonrager Race X Lite Carbon

Seat - Bontrager Race

Handlebars - Bontrager Race Lite VR 42 ctc

Stem - Bontrager Race Lite (carbon face plate) 90 mm +7 degrees?

Pedals - not included

$1800...e-mail me!

(I'll post about Europe shortly...)

jb

Back

We're back from Europe, pics coming soon.

Easton Rocks

So my fork broke...not a big break but it was broken. Apparently it was slightly broken from about October of last year until December (state championships). I went on a dirt road ride a few weeks ago and the steerer tube started creaking more than usual, so I took it apart (for the third time) and finally noticed a hairline crack under where the headset/stem clamps on. I called Easton, and after I sent the fork in for inspection, a brand new EC90x showed up at my door! Now that is customer service...

Up to...

Wow talk about a hectic end of school year...biking went to poop after Hanson Hills, which wasn't exactly stellar in itself.

Mike Seaman and I made the trek to the hills and it was a difficult day, at best. It was good to catch up with a few mtb/crossers (those that you rarely see road racing) there. 11th in the Expert 19-29 was all I could manage but that result was higher than I felt like I would get once we started. It was funny because there were four members of team 'fast' that took it out like a bullet. Two of them finished behind me after completely blowing up once the first lap was complete. I'd be telling a lie if I said I didn't want to do better, but my goals are realistic and focus on the months of September - December.

The race has been moving right along lately. We recently picked up more sponsorship from Gin Optics as well as got Cyclocross Magazine on board. I'm patiently waiting to hear back from a few others, but one HUGE help was landing Enervit...stay tuned for what their sponsorship is!!

Bike racing is funny to me...I go in shifts to liking road racing or mountain bike racing better (currently road racing is losing big time) but cyclocross has been on top by far since I went to my first race with Dennis (1998 State Championships at Pontiac Lake). I raced on my Trek 930 with a water bottle cage. I distinctly remember that hill right after the start...Some things just never leave your head.

My Easton EC90x fork is currently back at Easton to inspect a crack, so despite the fact that my 'cx bike is not running well I'm in 100% 'cross mode. Part of me wishes I could get this ramped up for early season road races, but part of me doesn't. I don't think I have enough mental energy to stay sane.

Good talk, see ya out there.

jb

Expensive 'CX News

If you didn't have any better way to spend $149...here's a new one:

Shimano Dura Ace 46T Chainrings

June 2, 2008

"You’ve seen them on the bikes of Sven Nys, Erwin Vervecken and Bart Wellens to name a few and you’ve asked “where can I get my hands on those babies”. Wait no longer. Now available, exclusively at Cyclocrossworld.com, are the Shimano Dura Ace FC-7800 46T 130 BCD Chainrings. These factory chainrings were produced in extremely low quantities for the top Shimano sponsored cross riders. The chainrings are super rare and are in very limited supply. This is one of the best shifting and stiffest cross rings on the market and a perfect compliment to your Dura Ace, Ultegra or 105 10-speed crankset. They will also work on many other brands of cranks for that matter, but they look really sweet on the matching Dura Ace stuff. Why settle for anything less?"

Hmm...any bikes in MI going to have these? (Not mine!)

Milk Jug Racing - Cannonsburg

Again if you didn't make it to this race, you missed a fun time. Instead of an individual tt we started as a group, making the push to the first singletrack quite a challenge (my first mass start mtb event since the Iceman...which was 6 years after my last one...).

Let's just say that Cannonsburg has changed radically since I last raced there in 2000. I wouldn't doubt that only about a half mile of course is re-used in the new design. Unfortunately for me, the new course is incredibly twisty through trees, so I did my part in trying to hit a few.

I ended up 6th in the A-race...not bad considering who all was in the field. Nate Versilus crushed everyone on a singlespeed. Mike Seaman and Rick Plite remained slightly out of reach for me over the 16 mile race. Too bad that was the last race of the series. For a combined total entry fee of $30 ($15 per race), I walked away with $20 to the Daily Grill, a huge bottle of Hammer Gel, two pair of sweet DeFeet socks, and a bag full of Clif bars and Hammer gel.

Needless to say it was a fun race; I'm looking forward to racing at Hanson Hills on Sunday!

Man I can't wait for cyclocross...

jb

Milk Jug Racing

Wow, talk about my kind of race. Laid back, $15, TONS of prizes, and a fun atmosphere. Too bad I missed the first one.

Tonight Big Rich and I drove out to Ionia to race in the Wednesday night milk jug race. We met Napper, Seaman, and pretty much the rest of the Alma biking crew for a fun but slippy mtb time trial. On our pre-ride, which unfortunately was only 3 miles of the 8 mile loop, the rocks were quite slippery and threatened to put your face in the dirt at any moment. Since this was my first ever ride of the course there were surprises around every corner. I started fourth behind Seaman and little Chris. In the end I took 3rd in the A-group, losing to little Chris by only 7 seconds.

Sorry about the no-blogging lately...too busy riding I guess.

See you at Kensington and Frankenmuth.

jb

Dangerous Dave and Brutal Bob...

http://www.premierecycling.net/game.html

My best is 653.3 m

Have fun waiting until warmer weather and RACING!

Kristie's birthday

Today is Kristie's birthday! Too bad I have to teach and she has conferences...what a great way to celebrate...at least Kona has a free day today.

(Happy birthday)

jb

Finally...outside

Here are a few pics of my first race back in 2006 after a FIVE year layoff from the sport...too bad about that bike. It was an absolute rocket even though it only had Daytona components...

Even so, it is still hanging in my basement reminding me of its original owner and what he taught me about riding/racing/life. Lots has changed since I was a junior in the Michigan circuit. One thing that hasn't is the Spring Training Series...

So I'm a bit of an indoor training type of guy if given the option of training outside in sub-32 degree weather versus a nice, controlled environment. This isn't because I don't like being outside (believe me, I would MUCH rather ride outside...) but it is because my toes happen to freeze very easily when the weather and wind turn up.

This year I did manage to buy some P.I. typhoon booties which have worked very well, but not well enough for me to go spend hours on the roads in them. Just well enough to take the bite out of an hour or hour and a half of trainer break time. Sometimes that is just enough to break up the monotony of it all.

Anyway, last week's weather couldn't have come at a better time in my spring training since it was a large volume week for me. I managed to get long rides outside for 4 days despite teaching at Delta. Friday's ride was the best...almost 3 hours after a looooooong school day.

I love the feeling of anticipation to find out who has been putting in the time for the April/May/June races now. Then again I love that feeling before the first 'cx race even better, but at that time you have a pretty good idea based on road and mtb form.

We have a new addition to the bike family; I'll make a post shortly with pics when it comes in! Good thing I have a bike room...

jb

p.s. Kristie's birthday is on Thursday so I can't say what Kona got her for that, but it is SWEET!

Ithaca GP

Check it out...new sponsors!

www.IthacaGP.blogspot.com

Grand Tours as viewed from a mtb'er

On my way back from getting blasted around Hanson Hills on Saturday with Randy and Sally Vernon we started discussing the grand tours. Randy, a mountain biker, mentioned that watching the Tour de France has become just like watching professional wrestling.

Think about the last 9 tours. Lance x 7, followed by the first real open tour in 7 years (Phloyd is either innocent or an absolulte idiot), followed by another Johan B. team taking control. A bit repetitive indeed. Don't get me wrong, I still (personally) enjoy watching all of the tours, but 60 minutes through a Belgian park is quite a bit more entertaining.

TdF meets WWF Smackdown! Interesting point from a mtb'er...

Training and E-bay...

First, here is a shameless plug for a new e-bay auction I'm listing. Buy it and I'll give you a high five and a hammer gel next time I see you.



Second, now that I am back to normal health I have been resuming training with my new training partner. Unfortunately when the weather gets nice she'll have to stay home, as I think she would be a bit of a drag after more than 5 miles of running behind me...

Despite what the picture would lead you to believe, I've actually lost weight since 'cx...I look like a tubbo here. Probably should lay off ice cream sometime soon anyway...

Enjoy the snow while we have it!

jb

Normalized

After my last post and my quick but hefty bout with the flu, I managed to come down with pneumonia for (what seems like) the 10th time in my short life of 25 years. I can almost count on the fact that I'll get it every other year. I love looking forward to that...

Anyway, after a crazy number of snow days I managed to get healthy but obviously my training was sidlined for a while. Good thing I don't give a rats rear about any races before the 'cx season. Don't get me wrong, road racing is entertaining but 'cx is what's fun. As long as racing is still fun I don't foresee taking another 5 year break. From what I remember about why I stopped racing as an 18 year-old, one of the primary reasons was because I raced almost all of the spring training series races through the end of the 'cx season with 2 peaks. Wow. Talk about burned out...

Granted I'm a different person now from when I was 18. My mind can probably handle that and still want to get on the bike come the following February-ish. But why? Let's face it, unless you're one of the 2 people I know that are either currently a pro or an aspiring pro, you and I aren't going pro any time soon. Therefore, why not focus your season entirely on the part that you care about (and are possibly good at)?

Enough of my rant for today. Hope you have a good weekend and are on the bike or skis with all of this snow!

jb

p.s. be sure to check out the Ithaca GP, as we got a new sponsor!

The Kone

So despite all the time off I still managed to get whatever bug everyone else has. So much for 2 good weeks of training.

Instead I figured it would be a good idea to get the 6+ inches of snow off of our driveway. Too bad it is going to be in the middle 30's on Tuesday so we'll (again) lose all of this snow.

After recently watching the cyclocross movie, Transition, I noticed a familiar face in the crowd...next time you're watching it take a look around 22-ish minutes (Deleware and Phili races) for TGM'er JEFF WEINERT! In Deleware he scored a front spot on the start line and pokes his head in and out of that coverage. In Phili he has a 2nd row start and gets a nice close up while riding with Trebon (or Wicks...somebody in orange).

jb

Long time

Sorry it has been so long...lots has happened since December 3rd and my last post. Here's the quick catch up:

1) Kristie's JV basketball team rocks
2) After a month off of the bike I'm back on again
3) Today we had a snow day
4) I've been working a ton on the ithaca cx race
5) I teach at Delta now in addition to my normal teaching schedule...

Lastly, with the Ithaca event, I've been working a ton on getting things set in order to put on an even better event this year. When you get a chance, check out the website, http://www.IthacaGP.blogspot.com for up to date information. We're currently seeking some sponsorship help, so if you're interested or know anyone who is interested, call or e-mail.

That is going to do it for now...off to teach again!

jb

Waterford

So to start the fun Kristie and I drove down with Kona. It didn't take as long as I expected, which was a nice change. I had tons of time on my hands to check out the sweet heated GIANT tent that Matt Baroli has been setting up at all the cx races. Kerosene heater and all...it was a great place to sit on the trainer and not get cold.

On my first warm-up lap on the course I was amazed at how much I actually liked the course. Now granted it is Waterford and there's only so much you can do, but I really thought Joe and the crew did a great job with what they had to work with. You'll always have the ridiculously bumpy infield and that horrible section after the long downhill by the guard rail, but considering all the elements at play I was pretty happy with how it all turned out.

At the starting line we got a call up based on the series points, which was great because I got to pick my spot right in the middle. Granted at this time there wasn't only one nice smooth path down the finish straight; rather there were 200 lines all crossing each other. I knew there were a few things I would need to do in order to be in contention after the first lap. The start is obviously crucial in any race. For this course, I wanted to be first on the first lap in four spots. The first left turn on grass, the first barrier set, the first tricky off-camber turn down the gully, and the first into the second set of barriers.

I took it out as hard as I could to make sure I wouldn't get into trouble with my first three goals, which in this case came fast and furious. After I had a good gap on the first run-up I put the hammer down in the only places I could, which were the straight sections of the course. Nobody was gaining huge time in the corners, but you could definitly lose huge time if you made a mistake. So I concentrated on working my rear off through all the power sections while recovering and taking it easy through the turns.

After the first lap I knew that if I let anybody catch me I was going to hear about it from Jeff. See, previously at the first Vet's park of this year, Cory and I took it out HARD on the first lap. I had a very small gap of around 5 seconds on him going into the finish line on the first lap and I figured I wasn't going to be able to hold onto that. I eased just a bit and let Cory catch on, only to be dragged around for the remainder of that race. I took 2nd to Cory that day and got a (good) earful from Jeff about that...so I wasn't going to let it happen again without a fight.

After I had my gap I just tried to control things as much as is possible in a 'cross race. This year there seem to be a lot of guys close together in the B-field. For one, Cory, who showed he has the power of somebody much older than him. Tony dropped me like a lead weight at Munson and can run through sand with motor legs. Patrick and Justin aren't easily out of sight and Roger has been known to throw it down as well. David also came on strong at Munson. With so many people to watch I just decided to take it into my own hands and make as many people chase as I could.

Man on my last lap all I could think about was not crashing and not breaking anything on my bike. Coming across the finish line I probably had the dumbest smile on my face but I didn't really care. Seeing Gordon at every finish line this year and the support he's thrown out has been great. It was a great feeling giving him a high five and then seeing Kristie, Shannon, and my inlaws (Mike and Karen). Mike even brough Tink (toy poodle) who was wrapped up in his coat to keep warm. Not what you expect to see at a cross race! (apparently Kona got a bit tired from the cold and had to go sleep in the grand prix...)

Next year will bring a whole new level of pain while racing for 60 minutes. As Jeff said, it's only a matter of time until the "new guard" starts to overtake the "old guard." Joel, Eric, Matt, and Andy all slugged it out this year with the big dogs. I guess I'll have to live up to the big boy knickers and step it up one more notch. I've never been more excited to step to the next level.

For now I'll be skate skiiing with Kristie and watching her coach the JV Alma girls bb team. I'm looking forward to a bit of time away from training. I hear ice cream and oreos calling in the distance.

Next year isn't far off and we're already planning for a BIGGER and BETTER Ithaca GP of 'cross for 2008! Stay tuned for updates...

Also I found all my old pics from when I used to race. I'll be occasionally posting up a few that I got scanned into my computer.

Thanks to Kristie, Matt Baroli (and Lisa), Jeff, Tom K, Matt Janko, and the team for a great season. Also thanks to all that came out to support our 'cx race. Good luck to all those heading out to Kansas. I believe the last time nat's was there they had a freak snow storm and sub-freezing weather. Again?

jb