I went down in a blaze of...

Chris the leader for a day, or 3 laps

This is a classic course and today did not dissapoint

Hollie rocked it today for 2nd

I did my best today, but it was not enough

Dave and I rode pegged all day chasing a 15-5 second gap the last 1/2 of the race

Looking for another gear?

Today was a bitter sweet day for me. This course suited me well. Bumpy power flats, sharp steep loose climbs, fast descent, sand...everything I could want. I just lacked 1%. that being said, Josh Snead absolutely smashed it today. I had to beat Josh to keep the lead in the series. He won, I got 3rd...I ended up 2nd over all. The Bay Area Super Prestige was not a goal of mine at the beginning of the season, but after the first race I started to gravitate towards it. Next year I will put it higher on my list of goals. Great series. Great competition.

Sacramento CX is so fun.

Hollie ripping off the start line

Great start by Hollie, but the grassy course and mudder tires slowed her down a bit.

Rip Rip through the woods

Trying to shake Fergi. Unfortunately he had some bad luck and did not finish the race. Sorry bro, next time.

The "W"

this was a great course for me, power, power, power. The attack lasted a bit longer than I had anticipated, about 55min. but you have to react to the race. With the help of my team mate, Josh Snead, the attack stuck

I really found a rhythm

Power to the pedals!

4x4x4

BASP#2 Photo by cxmagazine.com

4x4x4 it seems to be what is going on with me for the last few races. I have been 4th. every situation has been different, but the outcome has been the same. Strange. perhaps some 4 x 4min in zone 4 will help me get back up on the winning step of the Podium

surf city cx #2

surf city cx #2

surf city cx #3

Ouch!

I am in the Pain Cave

I went racing down in San Mateo this weekend in Round #2 of the Bay Area Super Prestige cyclocross series. I thought was going to be a stellar day in which I would take the lead of the series...it turned out to be a rough go.
The course: It was my first time racing in this part of the park, and I loved the course. I thought it was very challenging...too much front tire pressure made even more so. You had to be super smooth and strong on this course. one bobble or a dab cost you dearly. I think it would take about a 1/4 of a lap to get things going after a mistake. My team rocked this race. Tactically we raced against Don Myrah. That guy is so strong it took 4 of us to butter him up enough to get Josh Snead off the front. Ideally I should have tried to slip in there between Don and the front of the race for the overall lead, but I was gassed, hanging on for dear life! I tried twice to go away from the front...the first time I felt good about it. I was accelerating hard out of every turn and I felt like I was doing some damage and getting a gap, but I washed out the front end and went down pretty good. The front of the race caught my while I was down and Josh smartly countered. From here Josh Maintained a 20 sec gap and Dave Wyandt drug me around following Don Myrah. Once Josh had the gap I tried to go again, If I finished in front of Don, I would have taken the lead. My last ditch effort did not work out and I blew up with 1.5 laps to go and limped in for 4th. I have not felt that Knackered in awhile!

another weekend of racing

Livermore #4

this race has held on Saturday in this big ol park. Lots of grass and a little dirt. there was so much course tape I was getting dizzy. I rode strong and consistent with pressure on the pedals...rode in for the win pretty easily. I noticed when i wen to leave that my back was not happy...Sunday I raced at the Sacramento series on one of the coolest courses I have ever raced...second to Granogue. But I was feeling my back and my legs did not recover well from the day before

Props to the camera man...that is a sweet pic

There was some BMXin going on too with this course.

The Bmx portion of the course led to another problem for me...is sucked at it for the first lap...how could this be? I used to race BMX!!!!!
My hat is off to Jeremy Ferguson for getting the win. he was on the throttle from the gun. I was not as snappy and made a mistake here and there...considering how I was feeling, I will take the 2nd. Jeremy and I are now tied for the overall lead in the series.
good times. up next is the Lion of Fairfax and CCCX#3
shout out to Specialized for supporting the Sacramento Series and letting me test out some cool new 2010 optics...

Bay Area Super Prestige #1

Leading with 2 to go

well I wish I was writing this race report telling you all about another win. But I ended up 2nd. It was a hard fought battle but i couldnt close the deal when it mattered. I guess I am going to have to sharpen my last lap attitude....I was glad to get around the course without too much problem. it was bumpy and sketch. My Rock Lobster has totally upped my game for sure.
Next week I will race a double. Reno and Sac.

good times

Sacramento CX#1

After the race having a laugh with Jeremy

It was hot and fast

Lots of Grass and 2 sets of barriers.

The Win

Hollie missed out on this weekend of racing, I actually raced in Reno on Saturday and won there too. But Hollie has a foot injury right now and just letting things heal.

Cross has begun

CCCX #1

Hollie and I are back at it. Loading up the bikes and driving off to cyclocross races on the weekend to race around in circles. Jumping over stuff, running up stairs, pedaling through the dust and mud, oh and going as fast as we can.
Hollie is coming "off the couch" that is just how she roles. No training, she just goes out and does it. It seems to work for her. She was 3rd at the Folsom Cycle Celebration race 2 weeks ago and 11th yesterday at CCCX#1, and she won all 4 of the Loma Rica Ranch races. I have been fairing ok, but I am having trouble remembering that I gave myself an unplanned 8 week break off the bike when I broke my face. All things considering...the results are okay. fitness is okay. things are coming along. I have won the last 2 Loma Rica Ranch races, I was 2nd to Jeremy Ferguson at the Folsom Cycle Celebration and I ended up 3rd at CCCX#1. Justin Robinson and Cody Kaiser were able to weather an hour of me and Josh Snead attacking the snot out of them...It stung a little bit to not have won that race. But I guess that is why there is next weekend!
we have just got this season started and there are a ton of races left...here we go

The Lobster Trap

Me and Aaron Odell at the shop

I was in Santa Cruz this past weekend hanging out with my new team mates for the up coming cyclocross season. I got to pick up my new bikes and see the lab where they are created.

Thing 1 is completely built

Fast.

I went on two rides while in Santa Cruz...both on some very cool trails. I got to brake Thing 1 in very well and I got to test the bike out to. SHE RAILS!!!!!

Loma Rica Ranch Racing

Hollie rolling the big wheels through the duff

Round 2 of the Loma Rica Ranch twilight MTB crit series. Great conditions for some racing. How can you beat a short course ripping through a farm with an evening breeze? There are two more of these events...and I hope everyone comes out. There is food, drink and music...plus the setting is to die for. Riding home in the dark after the race I say the coolest crescent moon right at dusk...check it out: www.lomaricaranch.com look under events for details.

I was trying to race at the front for as long as I could. Racing after an 8 week break is rough

...through the corn and pumpkins into the radish patch

Hollie absolutely loves this series. Local, fun we just need some more ladies to come out....come on ladies!!!

heading up to the barn

we need more me to come out too. There are some folks who have been asking for type of event, so here it is...come out and play.

Giving her!

Hell Bent

I dont know if you can make that out...but its soaked in my blood and it says "hell bent"

I took a little tumble on my mountain bike wednesday night. I made the classic mistake of looking where I did not want to go. bounced off a tree and fell down into an old abandoned irrigation ditch

A bit of blood

so on my way down towards the ground during my fall, i caught my chin on the brush covered concrete ditch

Once I hit the ground I knew I had hurt myself. My chin was bleeding badly, my chin and jaw were not happy and my mouth was killing me. A quick primary self evaluation of myself, I realized my head and neck were okay, my arms worked and so did my legs. I was bleeding real bad, so it was time to shift into "get the hell out of there" mode.

So i got myself and my bike out of the ditch, back on to the trail I had just bailed off and hiked to a gravel road. Once on the road I got on the bike and rode to the closest pavement. I could only use one hand to ride because I was using the other to help stop the bleeding. When I finally got to the pavement, there was a sheriff sitting there. Cool! I asked him if I could use his cell phone
He said, " how about I call you an ambulance, I think your jaw is broken"
I just about shit myself when he said that. I told him I just needed to get a ride and if he could call my wife that would be awesome. He did, but Hollie was teaching and did not answer. As this was going down, I started to loose my vision and I felt like I was going to puke...so the "bus" was called.
long story short. I had to get my chin stitched up at the ER, since you could see the bone. I had to go to the dentist the next day because my mouth was full of broken molars. The molars exploded from the impact. (thank goodness I did not bite my tounge off) The dentist took a PANO xray, which showed I had a bunch of broken teeth and a broken jaw. They zinger is, the dentist cant help me out until the swelling in my jaw/mouth go down! I am redifining "Pain Management" this weekend!

49th Nevada City Classic

Just another day at the office. Hanging on the start line with Lance

Lance telling me about the Giro...apparently its a great weight loss program

The bike race was a blast. Crowd, 30,000 strong was unbelievable. I was shocked how good my legs felt...just had some bad luck and got stuffed behind a crash...just did not have the strength to chase back on...next time. I am fired up to race bikes again. I dont think I will ever forget yesterday. I have raced with Lance several times...but there was something magical about yesterday

More Rock Lobster!

Little bit of an "S" bend in the stays...cool

Check the drop outs...sick

Again, I dont even know what to say. These things are damn sexy! I cant wait to ride / race these things. Hell, I want to build 'em up and stare at them!

birthing of a rock lobster

mmmmm

i dont even know what to say. look at this bike. Paul Sadoff master builder of the Rock Lobster is building 2 cross bikes for the up coming season. Check out the welds, the flared tubes...i cant wait to ride this thing!

R.I.P. Mr. Steve Larsen

http://www.veloreview.com/obra3/2009/05/in-memoriam-steve-larsen.html/

I wish I was not posting this link today. Steve Larsen, cycling legend, occasional training partner , respected person and athlete passed away last night from a heart attack.
You will be missed. Mine and my wife's sympathy goes out to you family. 39 years young. Husband, father, fit as you could be, still tearing up anything he tried.
Cycling has lost a good one. I dont get it

hittin' you up

I hate to do it, but I am going to hit everyone up for a little love. Hollie and I are doing a 50 mile fun raiser mountain bike event to raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter here in town. We have are trying to raise a total of $500...if anyone is interested let me know. I will also put up the online donation link here once I find it

Thanks for reading

BTW, May is bike to work week

bumper swap