The wind is my enemy, the wind is my friend...

This last weekend several members of Team Wooly Mammoth traveled to the charming hamlet of Castroville, TX to contest the Alsatian Omnium. For me, it was the first real racing of the season, so the goal was to test out my legs and do anything I could to help my teammates achieve victory.

Long story short, the sensations were good all weekend, but I did way better in the criterium (13th) than the road race (DNF), which is odd because I am not a crit man by any means. Basically in the RR, I let myself get caught out in the wind on a very windy day, and that was all she wrote. Tough cookies, but that's racing. I chased for a lap (~15mi.) with a few other unfortunate souls, but it was mostly just an excuse to put in a hard spin.

Jesse ("The Launcher") was initiating all day, constantly pulling on the front and going off in a 4-man break that stayed away for a lap. He finished in 9th.

In the crit, I put in some strong early efforts and kept near the front to cover any moves so Jesse and Grizz wouldn't have to work. By the end, I didn't think I could go w/the sprint and was about to sit up, but I started passing people on the final little rise so I just kept going and wound up top 15. Now I know, don't sit up.

Grizwoldo was in great position for the sprint but just as he was preparing to unleash a massive acceleration, another racer rammed his front wheel. The Grizzly Bear used his expert handling skills to keep his bike upright and somehow still powered into 5th place.

Another day, another podium

Yesterday, a few select colleagues and I took part in the very traditional and romantic 11th annual Houston Winter Solstice Classic. Though unfamiliar with the local geography, we were able to use our extensive training at elevation and superior race tactics to put a man on the podium. I am very fortunate that I had good enough legs that day to be that man, but it would not have been possible without the beautiful work of my teammates (especially Bret). Proudly flying the colors of the Arctic Rainbow (Team Wooly Mammoth sponsored by Castle Hill Specialized Fitness), I stormed to a 3rd place finish, losing by the slimmest of margins to two of Houston's most powerful riders. I was almost disappointed for a moment when the race announcer handed me my prize (Ed. - ugliest. messenger bag. ever.), and I looked around only to realize no podium girls were to be found. But then I turned to face the wild cheers of the fans and the camera flashes of the tifosi, and I remembered why I race: the glory.

Learning Cross

Participated in my second cross race tonight. Made several small technical mistakes (stairs suck) and one large tactical mistake and wound up 3rd to a couple of wily Masters. Hats off to Stack, I didn't think he would be able to hold my wheel on that last attack. Still, no regrets. I raced hard and with great vitality, animating the race with attack after attack. Victory is not far away.

Ready

new bike
Originally uploaded by FrontFlipNick

New steed is complete.

-'99 Ti Merckx built by Litespeed
-Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork
-Chorus/Record build.
-Ksyrium SL wheels.
-Deda cockpit (Newton bars, Zero stem).
-Syncros Ti seatpost
-Flite Ti seat
-Stainless King cages
-Look Keo Carbon pedals

So far, I'm pretty happy. I'll probably switch out the saddle w/one of my Terry Flys. And the wheels might get swapped out soon since the front one suffered a gouge in the brake surface (Whenever I go on a ride w/Ben, we wind up offroad somehow). Only problem now is I don't have time to ride unless I want to take her downtown to work...

Race Report

Despite having very good sensations in the legs and riding with a beautiful and dazzling panache, I was foiled in my first foray into the world of cyclocross by the simple fact that I am neither a mountain-biker nor a bum. Translation: I got lost on the hike-n-bike trail.

Sometimes a truly romantic racer has to sacrifice precious moments that might be better spent memorizing the race bible when the tifosi and podium girls are calling his name. I am without regrets.

It Begins...For Real...

So, after possibly going a little overboard on the consumption of vices (very very important in the life of a truly romantic European racer), I'm going to test out the legs tonight in a brief local cross race. In order to give the local Freddies a sporting chance and also maximize my own style, I'll be riding a vintage road bike instead of the usual clumsy, knobby-tired, cantilever-equipped (basically flat-out ugly) cyclocross bike. A true racer doesn't need anything wider than a 23c tyre to cushion any bumps the parcours might throw his way.

It Begins...

Well, barring some unforeseen miracle, I'm not going be completing the Hugel this year. Too many distractions, not enough preparation. Still, it's November, and that means it's time to start up training (slowly) for the coming race season. I hope to peak around Fort Davis and podium the hill climb and hopefully the road race as well. This shouldn't be too hard despite the lack of adequate, Ventoux-like mountains in the Austin area - as long as I don't push too hard and get sick like last year.

For the first time in my life, I'll be riding a bike that isn't made of steel, which material as everyone knows is the ultimate in romance and tradition. This makes me a little sad. Still, nothing says ULTRA like titanium, and I'm hoping the Eddy Merckx decals will make up enough in the R & T department. We'll see. My new Campy Chorus groupset arrives on Monday or Tuesday. Build pictures to follow...