#cat3problems

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Oakland Gran Prix Elite 3s

"Just plan to podium and then you can relax." Is all I told myself this last week.

Sunday started off really well. Traffic was light going over the new bay bridge, found a parking spot right up the block from the start/finish, and I had a really good mix on my shuffle to listen to while on my rollers. I was really fortunate enough to have a good grip of friends and acquaintances there to cheer me on. It really helped me knowing that support was there and I couldn't let any of them down. The start was quick as usual. Someone had attacked right off the first corner, but was caught fairly quickly. Data Driven Athlete dudes were again a striving force at getting a successful break. So every time a random racer would take off a DDA dude would go with and another DDA guy would come up to the front of the field and try to slow it down. Now every time this happened I waited a couple seconds to see if anyone else would try to counter these moves!...1....2... Nothing. So then I attacked. This happened I way to say four maybe five times. Until there was a break that stuck with a DDA and random for about two laps. I was probably the reason why they got caught. But once they were back with the pack I attacked. Brought a DDA rider (Curt Mills). For two laps I pulled and kept giving Curt the movements of "hey come up and pull" but I heard and saw nothing. I did get quiet upset at the moment but then realized that he was just slowing me down to get his buddy Eric Brickler to come up and drill. Which he did! But Eric had brought Alex Lockwood. Who didn't last long with us. He had hit one of the deadly raised gravel on the second turn of the course. Stephen Cabebe (Leopard/Sapporo) took Alex's spot once he broke off. So Eric, Steph, and myself crushed it for the last six laps. We pulled efficiently and kept getting more and more of a gap. Due to the awesome work the other DDA riders were doing blocking the field. Thanks again for giving Eric and I another podium. Bell lap we kept the pace up. I knew Eric has a strong sprint and hadn't been in a break with Stephen but as we came towards the last corner to the sprint Stephen blew the FUGG up! Blasted around the corner. Having Eric and I to chase. It was pretty much set that Stephen had the win. I was about a half bike length from him. But as I said a podium is all I wanted/needed. I'm stoked to have been riding with the two. I really hope to see them upgrade early next season.

Thanks again for all the support. I have one more race of the season but I'm gonna be chillen! It's copper town circuit race. I love the course and will be there to ride for friends. But after that! Base miles and try to prepare myself for the butt kicking of the P/1/2 field come January.

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Vacaville Grand Prix E3s

She had some curves and a nice backside..I'm talking about the course! STRAVA After shaving some weight off my face I woke up this morning feeling good! Also stumbling on a killer track from World's Fair really got my pumped to race this morning. Last year racing this course it was tough for me to get into the mood. I believe I had done Winters the day before also and was wrecked! But I feel like I've made some progress from last year. Anyways!

I attacked the first lap just to get prime photos! Thanks Alex once again for catching my rage face! Haha The next 15-20 minutes I stayed in the middle to end just to save steam. The homie Bob Landers (Davis) took off for two laps but was whreel'd in my Data Driven dudes. When he was caught I bridged up towards the front thinking another break might happen.. And it did. Garrett Marking (Chico Corso) and Eric Brickler (Data Driven Athlete) ook off for a couple laps and I then made a jump to catch onto their break. They were back into the field. As we came around again to the false flat I decided to turn on the boosters.

Garrett and Eric jumped on and we began our distance from the field. Erics teammates (DDA) started to do work also and block (slow the field down) as best as they could. And it fucking worked! We had a good 30 second gap for the last 4-5 laps!

Just before bell lap Eric told Garrett and I that he was gonna attack at the sprint. And I told both Garrett and him that's fine. I was just stoked to be in another successful break and getting podium was all I wanted. I tried to attack and the false flat and Eric yelled to hold off. I just wanted to see if I coulda lost him and Garrett but it probably wasn't going to happen. As we came around the last corner to the sprint I was first wheel... Yeah I set myself up to fail but eh! So I got outta my saddle and laid DEEP into the pain cave. "Am I going to get first!?" Dropped into my thoughts as the finish line drew closer! But within ten feet Eric came left and Garrett came to the right of me as we passed the finish line.

I didn't care how it ended just being with such powerful dudes in a break like that really made my day! I now 22-23 points in my cat 3 standings. I need 30 to upgrade. So the main/only goal is to podium for the next 5-6 races that are left for my season. OOOHHH IM EXCITE!!

Thanks again for all the support

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I usually have a box of tissues when rolling this thing on my I.T. bands after a long day on the bike.

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Cccx#5

My dinner the night before didn't sit well with me this morning right before the start..for 60 minutes my stomach turned and relaxed the whole race. Just to show proper nutrition is key for proper bicycle racing. Ugh Fergus ill read that dang book. I felt alright on the last lap on the backside of the course. But was caught like always when I've done this course. Sorry this isn't gonna be an extensive write up. I didn't finish well and I'm more bummed about my diet than anything! The quote is true and will never wrong "eat like shit you'll perform like shit".