KNEE INFECTION, FLU, NATIONALS, & DRUGS

(Overall Quick Summery if your short on time)

     Well, the last two weeks have not been quite as planned. I got the Flu after NorthStar, had one day of healthy greatness, then immediately got a Knee infection and all of a sudden I found myself with two weeks of little to no riding, and nationals were just days away. Some say cycling is 80 percent physical and 20 percent mental, but I have found the mind to be much more of a factor than that. You always have to find the positives in the worst of situations. I of course didn't want to be off the bike that much right before Nationals, but it allowed me to take a mid-season rest period, as well as provide me with the hungry to want to go out and train and just simply ride again. When you start racing in January, a break is certainly a necessity. So with over two months of the season left, I am once again very hungry to crush every ride and get that NCC podium I have been searching for all season. I used the National RoadRace today as pack back/ thank you to my teammates who have helped me in many crits this year and I will be racing the crit with the hope that my legs come back from the two weeks of downtime for the top three result that I had originally planned on at the beginning of the season. For now, I will be resting the next two days after what was a very hard road race in which I did what I could for my Teammates on a very hilly course, finish my three antibiotic medications, and try to avoid playing mini basketball against my friends at our host house! FYI, my teammate Carson took 7th today!!! BALLER!!!

(More Details Below)

     So getting a Knee Infection isn't fun contrary to popular belief. We are not sure I cut my knee while doing kick ass Flips off the diving board, or got bit by a spider that was having a bad day. Regardless, my knee swelled up and riding became painful and impossible. So after many days just purely on the catch taking three antibiotics and 15 hours of sleep a day, it healed and I was back… with only four days till nationals, but it could be worse. I spent the next days stoked out of my mind just to ride a bike! With Crits Nationals on Sunday, Idaho NCC the weekend after, Cascade the following tuesday, and Gateway cup at the end of August, I couldn't be more excited for whats to come! Just no more Knee Infections!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tulsa Tough, North Star, Ping Pong Overload, and Broken Arms.

     After the Glenco NCC we had a week in between races in which we did everything non bike related before we had to head off for 5 weeks on the road racing stage races, crits, you name it. Just before I headed off to one of my favorite races of the year, Tulsa Tough, we caught a St. Louis Cardinals games and managed not to have an ounce of Ball park food. This was mainly due to the massive scones we all had on our morning ride and feeling quite guilty/ very "American" indeed. The next day back at the house there was a massive Moto session going down when two of the kids of the house collided resulting in one breaking his arm. We quickly cut up a cardboard bike box and grabbed some electrical tape to make a splint and after a little overnight stay at the hospital, he was back in a new stylish cast. I hoped I got all the drama out for the weekend as I was off to race the amazing 3 day crit showdown that is the Tulsa Tough. 

     Our host house in Tulsa is one of my favorite for sure. Awesome people who are stoked on our races as well as always throwing an great little party Sunday night after the weekend of racing. After what was a long drive down Friday morning, I hopped on the bike and did almost a 2 hour warm up just to get the legs flushed and ready to shred. Luckily, it worked perfect as I was able to jump off the start line and get into a solo break instantly. Unfortunately, no one bridged up to myself and after three laps I came back into the field. With ten to go I got caught up in a pile up and was pushed towards the back of the field. I still had enough time to work back to the front before the finishing lap, but my car legs came back and made it a struggle to get back onto the lead out train and I had to settle for the 20s. Still in the money, but far from where I should be. The next days was the much better. With three to go I got into the long lead out train that consisted of UHC, Octane, and Champ systems. I battled hard and avoided going down to pull off a 12th and a good little payday as a bonus. Knowing that the difference between me taking top 5 and 12th was more positioning then fitness, I knew what to do the next day to get the result I needed. 

Cry Baby Hill is the best race all year and it was the final stage of Tulsa. I spent the whole race perfectly placed and with three to go, I was where I needed to be. In a blink of an eye it started pouring rain and on the last corner of the course with 3 to go the entire Health Care team slid out into the curb except for one which was able to use the bad luck in his favor and break away. Just like that, I was set up more than perfect for the Podium I was searching for all weekend. I powered the flat and sprinted up and over the climb moving up for the finishing lap. I went and used my MTBer skill to rail the corner that UHC just crashed on the lap prior in order to bridge up to the 3 man group that was just a few seconds ahead of me thinking I of course wouldn't make the same mistake, only to find myself instantly on the ground sliding towards the curb. I was beyond heart broken. I wasn't caught behind a crash, I wasn't taken out by another rider, I myself made a bad move and destroyed my chances of a podium finish. It was defiantly one of those races I never wanted to think about again and just realize that my fitness and overall ability is there and that to not dwell on the past mistake, but rather capitalize on my form in the races ahead. 

    The next morning I caught my flight out to Minnesota for the North Star Classic. With only 2 days of recovery I found myself lined up for the opening time trial. The whole week turned into a bit of a mess. I found myself set up on the 2nd stage crit in great position for the sprint with 3 to go, but then flatted and was unable to finish. The next day I had a long road race that became extra long for me as I broke a front wheel 15 miles into the race. I spent the day chasing and luckily after some gnarly caravan riding caught a big group and made the time cut. The next days were still filled with bad luck leaving me more fried than most on the last stage and unable to ride to my full ability. Things don't always go as plan, but the goal of the week was accomplished, which was to get a killer week of training in before we head over to nationals in Madison. Now looking back I may have played one to many games of ping pong at our host house, but I am not one to pass on a game of Ping Pong. I mean business when it comes to that, or at least I thought I did till I played my teammates Josh and Carson, they are next level. Now for a little rest and to kick this small cold to the curb. BOOMTIME..... Almost!

!!!!!!!!!!CRACKED OUT ON COFFEE MEANS SHORT&FAST 2 MONTH RACING RECAP!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am usually so much better at being on top of my race recaps, but between school, life, racing, and travel, it seems as if I have been go go non stop for three months! Now it is May, and I'm lucky enough to have finished school for the semester and can just focus on racing my bike in circles! To catch everyone up on the season so far, I have downed two cups of coffee and I am now VERY ALERT! So lets do this!!!

?!?!?!?!?!? IS IT WEIRD THAT I FIND MY NEW TEAM BIKE SLIGHTLY ATTRACTIVE ?!?!?!??!??!?

The 1st Quarter Was a Harsh Start, But Luckily It Got Better!

1. Tucson Bicycle Classic - Good TT, top 10 RoadRace Sprint, BOOM!!! BAD CRASH and out for a week!
2. REDHOOK Crit NY - Still recovering from crash ^ and road like Bambi on Ice….. or like Tyler on ice. 
3. REDLANDS - Sick on 2nd day and dropped out 3rd day,
4. WINSTON SALEM - Good Crit & RR, but didn't have the finishing legs. I just needed a few racing days in my legs after the bad start to the season.

2nd Quarter and Me Legs Are Back!!!

1. JOE MARTIN - Legs are back & ready to rock! Helped the team to an overall win and 4th on the finial day!
2. DANA POINT - Awesome race and just got boxed out in the final lap, but held on for 18 0r 19, learned how to fight for the UHC train!
3.  Wilmington GP - Killer ride and amazing lead out from my teammates, but unfortunately the breakaway was not caught and only had the field sprint to brag about.
4. Week spent in NY watching real life Flight Club, walking 1000miles a day, and looking up a lot… (the buildings are tall, like really tall)

The first two months of the season were crazy! To start things off, I luckily have been cured of injury which had left me not being able to ride a MTB for quite some time, and that alone almost drove me insane. I had broken my collar bone and tore something…… lets just say important in my ankle a few years back, which always had caused me some minor pain, but recently in this last year, it started to become unbearable where I couldn't ride trails for more than a month or so without having to take a hiatus for at least a few weeks to let the pain subside. After many months on the road bike, doctor visits, and an amazing bike fit from Chris at BR, I was able to make my body pain free and couldn't be more stoked!!! 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN RIDE THE DIRT AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Now, we just got back from Quad Cities Stage race and it went GREAT! The first stage was a 95mile road race in which I was lucky enough to get into the break that formed about 30-40 miles into the race. This hot and humid day made for a a lot of suffering, and a oddly pain stuck stomach made the day even harder. 20 miles before the finish, A few Hinacpie guys got away from the break and were able to hold it to the finish while in the mean time I suffered through the bad stomach and was able to sprint for 5th or 6th in the group and 9th overall. 

     Stage two was the infamous SnakeAlley crit and it was amazing! It was basically a 22lap mass start TT up a very steep cobbled climb over and over. The legs felt beyond awesome, but after missing the initial break and setting up a bad sprint in the chase group, I had to settle for 17th. As soon as I finished all I wanted to do was race again! I have found a odd love for racing in the worst of conditions from bad weather to technical roads. 

     Stage 3 was another crit with a big power climb every lap. I wasn't going to make the same mistake as the day prior so I watched for the right guys to make their move, and I followed. Our 6 man group maxed out at a 30 sec gap, and with 3 laps to go the attacked began and the race within the race was on. As soon as we hit the bottom of the climb on the last lap, it was an all out sprint to the finish and I placed myself in a perfect position and sprinted for 3rd. My power.Everything is coming together perfectly as we head into the biggest races of the season, and of course, national championships. 

     The final day was much like snake alley without the cobbles. Giant climb and fast descent. After a long race delay due to horrible rain and lightning, it was on! about half way through I jumped into a break that was eventually caught and counter attacked by Daniel Holloway, which I knew instantly was going to be the winning move. I stood up and started sprinted knowing we had to get a rider in the move, but I could tell it was too quick after being caught for me to fire again and thank god my teammate Josh was on it and made the winning break move. Me and the Octane guys around just covered attacks and made sure that no one would bring back the break. He survived the fast guys and was able to hold on for a killer 5th place! I took a few breaths after chasing down attacks up the climb and then sprinted for 9th or 10th. The team is really coming into their own and showing the biggest teams we mean business!!! Now, it is a nice few days of rest before we head out for the Glenco NCC and then more back to back racing all the way through Road Natz and finally Cascade Classic. All in all, totaling at 13 weekends straight of racing. Luckily, I love this amazing sport!!!!!

TEAM CAMP RECAP: Gateway Harley-Davidson/ TREK

   Just waking up after an evening flight home from the 4 day GHD Team Camp in Austin, TX. A camp that consisted of a good day of testing followed up with a good 11 hours of riding in two days, left me sleeping hard last night and hoping this mornings cup of coffee will get me through what most certainly will be a long day.

   Day 1 of our glorious training camp mostly consisted of evening arrivals and me flying in earlier then my teammates and taking full advantage by knocking out a serious homework session before what was sure to be a busy 72 hours ahead. After bike builds, everyone got to start interacting with one another and begin to settle into the house. All the guys quickly began to click with one another and the oh so crucial team bonding began. I don't think it was more than 10 or 20 minutes after arriving at the house, that the pranks and jokes began.

   After a good nights sleep, a big breakfast, and one too many cups of coffee, we all set off on day 2, which meant off to Kevin Livingston's amazing "Pedal Hard Training" facility in Austin, where we all threw down some killer testing and blood samples to see where the bodies were at in this fine month of February. Once that was luckily done and dusted, we made the drive back to the team house for a team meeting and dinner, but not before we filled our bodies with coffee and cafe goods from the one and only Juan Pelota coffee shop.

   Day 3 was nice and big! We crushed 6 plus hours on the bike with the company of the VooDoo race team and basically rode a lot of miles and ate a lot of food. Oh, and we may or may not have gotten lost, we were never certain as to where we were due to the rolling hills and many trees, causing us to depend heavily on our leader/ tour guide/ host houser/ Ex-bad-ass-World-Tour-Pro, Mr. Livingston. The night was full of eating, laughter, eating, Billiards, dessert, and of course, SLEEP!

   Day 4, was our final day. On tap was another big ride in the morning in which we of course threw down at all the City Limit signs and hilltoppers. I mean, come on, one simply does not leave a state without stealing at least one KOM. Once we arrived back at the house, it was quick to bike packing and a few more good meetings before we all set off back to our lives. After what was a relatively easy airport check in experience, we all found some amazing BBQ (a must/ certainty while in Austin), before jumping on the plane and going our different ways. 

   I now have a few days here before the start of the VOS Stage race and the rest of my season. I will be throwing up race and travel recaps throughout the year. Make sure that you like Gateway Harley-Davidson/ TREK on Twitter and Facebook for all the daily goodness and live race updates at the big races! 

BIG THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS THAT WIL HELP US ACHIEVE ALL OF OUR DREAMS THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TREK___TREKMIDWEST__GATEWAY HARLEY-DAVIDSON, SRAM, Renaissance Financial, Barfly, Capo Cycling Apparel, ESI Grips, SPY, Pedal Hard Training Center, Honey Stinger, Skratch Labs, Trek Bicycle/Bontrager, and Trek Midwest for the 2014 season. With Jim Schneider, Kevin Livingston,Chris Creed, Cameron Rex, Josh Johnson, Rudyard Peterson, and Don Dennis Rmz.