TDUB

New Site

2009-01-22T10:55:00.002-07:00

Okay so i have a new site on missing saddle. At the moment it is more basic then this site but over the next couple months it will become blinged out. It is www.troywells.missingsaddle.com

Singer and Lucy

2009-01-14T22:15:00.004-07:00

Well so i just got a big call about an half an hour ago.. Noah Singer and Shannon Watford (Lucy) are engaged. A couple years ago i actually joked that they got engaged and alot of people though i was serious. But this time it is official. They even have a website for it. I guess that is the big thing to do now once you are engaged. Also they said I'm in the wedding so i guess i need to save the date and miss a weekend of cross racing. Here is a photo of what I'm guessing singers proposal looked like. So congrats to LUCY AND SINGER. Schmidty and I will have to go out tomorrow and celebrate.

MEXICO

2009-01-11T12:15:00.002-07:00

Well so i've officially been on vaca for about a week and half now. It was a couple rough days to get here especially considering i was alittle under the weather. Once i got here Todd and Meg picked up Alison and I and we were off to san pancho. Nothing beats going right from the belgium to the beach in mexico. It has been amazing here mid 80's everyday and i've even got a tan now. I have had a great time over the last weekend hanging out with alison, todd, meg, and megs parents. I did finally walk from the town over with alison i had never done it before and ended up being a bit of an adventure. We ended up getting out of the jungle right as the sun was coming down. That could have sucked. Besides from that i don't have a camera with me so i don't have any pictures to put up. Alison left today so it is just Todd, Meg and I hanging out for the next couple days. I leave on wednesday so i've only got left a couple more days of warm weather before it is back to winter in colorado. Alison should e-mail me some photos some time this week so hopefully my next post will have some photos. Besides from that i don't know if i have written this on my site but i will be riding for Clif Bar on the mtb, road, and cross bike in 09. Really looking forward to the upcoming season i feel like im actually ready to start training again. I have to hold off for a couple more weeks though otherwise i will be flying in march and creeping the rest of the year..

Diegem

2008-12-29T09:40:00.002-07:00

Well i think i mite have just had my best race in euroland yet. I ended up 24th 2:55 down at diegem last night. It is always nice when the people you are riding with actually have fans all around the course. I was only 30 seconds off 16th place which was an awesome result for me. I was really racing not just riding around. The course was amazing as always in diegem and was under the lights which just made it a step up. I even got call a douche during the race. That always makes u feel good. With the late race i wasn't able to sleep which sucked. I was up until 3 a.m. just watching seinfled after seinfled and reading chapter upon chapter of my book. This morning i woke up went out for a spin got a massage from the fox and laid around all day. Tomorrow it is time to pin up the number again and do battle with the euros one more time. Hopefully i will have good legs and maybe have a great ride. We will see..

Quick Update

2008-12-26T13:03:00.003-07:00

Ended up 35th today in the world cup in zolder. I was stoked with the result i had a couple problems and didnt have amazing legs but all and all a good day. I dropped my chain with just about 4 laps to go and lost my group and had to give it everything i had to get back. After i got back i was in the hurt locker forshooow but was able to hold on until half a lap to go but than it was lights out. It would have been nice to win the group and end up 28th on the day but i will take 35th 3:20 down. The course was super fast with a couple technical sections. I almost TKO myself when i was trying to come back to the group going down the major descent on the course no brakes ended up in a full on drift at the bottom with my bars T up. It was one of those moments u see your life flash before your eyes and just think this is going to hurt. After the race you could tell 20000 spectators watched the race considering it took an hour to go 3K to the highway. Tomorrow is an off day with maybe a coffee shop ride with a opener or two to get the legs ready for diegem on sunday under the lights. I'm sure i will also find a couple things to make fun of shriver and the fox about also. Andrew is definitely the easiest person to pick on it is like shooting fish in the barrel with him. Hopefully i will get some good photos from mario of todays race that maybe i can post tomorrow.

Life at the house!!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T13:08:00.006-07:00

So it is christmas day and im currently in izegem getting ready for the world cup in zolder tomorrow. I can't wait to get the racing underway since i've been here for 6 days without much going on. The training feels good i think todd and i made the right call taking a little break after natz b/c im motivated to race and my legs arent tired anymore. So the number will be pinned on 4 more times in the next 7 days and than it is on the plane and back to the U.S. for a day than Alison and I meet up with Todd and Meg in mexico. It sure does look alot nicer there than here let me tell you. But i actually did see the sun today which was nice change. It had been alittle over a week up until today that is a long time when you are use to living in D-town. So on tuesday i went to brugge with matter and shriver. It was a cool afternoon trip and a good way to get out of the house. On wednesday we hit up the tour of flanders museum which was awesome to see but all i really wanted to do was take a nap. Museum seem to have that affect on me. Last night Els put together a great meal for christmas even and santa claus even showed up. I got a picture taken with him on the fox's camera maybe i can get it from him at some point. So here are some pics from the trip to brugge.

Belgium

2008-12-21T13:22:00.005-07:00

Well i made it over here with out any problems. It is nice to be back in belgium and see the fox ells noel and the rest of the staff. Also kicking it with everyone else who is over here for the camp. Rooming with shriver and brian matter. Shrivers didn't have anything show up so he was trying to rock the clif kit for the last couple of days. He thinks he is big time now. Besides from that just trying to get use to the euro life again, it has been a 2 years. I did a small race today more for an effort than anything else. I was looking forward to taking an entire weekend off from racing but it is way easier to do part of a race instead of trying to do a effort out on the roads by yourself. So i raced for about a half an hour and was definitely feeling the jet lag. I have a couple good stories about my flight over here so i'll leave you with one. So i ran to my connection in DC. Made it with close to no time to spare. Get in line and a guy rolls up behind me and starts telling me how he had a tight connection. "I only had 30 minutes between flights so i didnt have time to get food all i had time for was to go smoke a couple in the smoking lounge. You can't go on a seven hour flight with out smoking before it." All i was thinking to myself was please don't let this guy be anywhere near me on the plane. Lucky for me i think he ended up with the nice seat up against the bathrooms. I had a sweet seat with plenty of leg room not business class but probably the best economy plus seat you could have.

Albany Airport

2008-12-19T13:05:00.002-07:00

Currently I'm on my way over to euro land for the cross camp. My flight in Albany is delayed thanks to this awesome storm moving through. I hope i can make my connection in DC and arrive in euroland tomorrow morning instead of who knows when. If this flight take off at 330 like it is saying it will i should have no problem. I also got slammed at check in with having 2 bike boxes and a roller bag.

2008-12-16T16:07:00.002-07:00

My nationals is a race I will just put to the side. I ended up 12th and never made the front group. Just couldn't get it together out there. I was racing for 10th on the last lap but just couldn't pull it out. I have to congratulate treboohoo for making all of us look silly out there except for driscoll who just straight up killed it. He def had the ride of the day. After the race it was party on but i def went out alittle to big. I ended up breaking my cell phone and camera. I always seem to do that at natz. Now im back in NY resting up and getting ready for the euro trip. Taking alittle break hoping my form will come back around in time for zolder on the 26th. I will actually be over in belgium for a 6 days before my first race so jet lag shouldnt be a issue. I had brady take a couple pics during the race. And ive also got a couple pics from the post race party.

Pre Natz

2008-12-14T08:43:00.002-07:00

Well I'm sitting in the hotel room trying to get ready for the big race. This is the day that it seems everyone in the U.S. remembers for the next year. It is going to be a fast and hard race with alot of climbing and minimal recovery. I'm just hoping that i've got a great day in me and see what happens. The best place to watch the race is cxmag with live updates just about every min for the entire hour. Thats about it.. Sorry for the weak update.

Much Better Day

2008-12-09T17:38:00.002-07:00

Sunday went much better with me making the front group putting in a little attack and ending up 5th. I also laid it down out there which was not so nice. Todd ended up 2nd on the day with a much better ride also. We think we have it figured out how to make sure we are ready for sunday and don't have another day like this past saturday. It sucked having to deal with all the clean up after the race. Nothing like doing some laundry in the shower after your race. Sunday night ended up being a fun night. Alison came down and watched the race and hung out. We had a large crew including Mcduff, Jpows, Timmy J, Treefarm, Kira, Salam, Simon, The Jacques-Maynes, and Meredith. We went to Treefarms favorite place in portland Dante's. It is crazy their you see some stuff you definitely don't see everyday thats all im going to say. It was alot of fun for everyone including powers even though at first he wasn't really feeling it.

Todd and I flew out around 11 on monday got back to dtown by 5. It was nice here today with the temp only getting up to maybe 45 but the sun was out which always means alot here in colorado. I'm currently hoping for the weather to turn for natz in kansas. The forecast has been changing almost everyday. If it could just rain or snow sunday that would be perfect for me i think.

Bad Day

2008-12-07T12:37:00.002-07:00

Portland is normally a good race for me but yesterday just didn't seem to be my day. I just couldn't get going. I was in suffering the entire race and going no where. I don't even think i was in the top 20. Every part of my body was hurting but i hope i can turn it around today and put in a solid ride heading into nationals. Summerhill had a solid ride yesterday with his best USGP finish coming 7th. Besides from that it is still not raining here which is amazing. Normally it rains from the time i get off the plane until i get back on in portland.

DIA

2008-12-05T10:58:00.002-07:00

Well after a couple of chill days in Dtown I'm back in my second home during the fall the DIA airport on the way to Portland for the finial round of the USGP. It actually looks like it just mite be dry for once in portland that will be a first. The 10 day forecast is showing snow for Kansas City on saturday and rain on sunday which should be good for me. But you never know it is 10 days out normally they cant get it right within 3 days so you never know. The weather has been really nice in dtown for the beginning of December. I haven't even had to break out the face mask which is always good. Got in a couple days of good training and alot of down time including a Elka massage. My bikes have to be completely rebuilt before tomorrow thanks to jingle cross. Thanks alot to sram for hooking me up with everything to keep the bikes running during this long season. After Natz i will head over to europe for the two week x-mas camp which is always painful but u do gain alot of experience racing with the big guns.

Jingle Cross Day 2

2008-11-30T16:37:00.002-07:00

Today didn't exactly go as planned. I had some major issues to say the least. I broke a couple things throughout the race and ended up 4th. Mcduff took home the W which is always a good thing. Also Snyder took home a W in mass today and worked over Al D who has been getting the better of him for most of the cross season. I hope i got all of my bad luck out of the way for the rest of the season but you never now. I have to fly stand by tomorrow because i booked the cheap flight back to dtown which doesn't leave iowa until 6:45 @ night so i will go to the airport with Mcduff and hope to get on the 6 AM flight if i don't it could be a long travel day. Tonight Todd and I are off to the Jingle Cross post party which should be a good time.

Got a W

2008-11-29T21:09:00.003-07:00

Today i got my 1st UCI win of my career. Todd and I got off the front after a crash two mins in gave us a small gap and we just pinned it and were able to sprint it out for the win. Jingle Cross is a really cool race and everyone is into the cross here in iowa. I didn't celebrate my W but damio is making a good go of it for me.

Here is the podium pic.

Jingle Cross

2008-11-29T10:07:00.003-07:00

Todd and I made it to jingle cross in iowa yesterday after a bit of an adventure. We left for the airport around 5a.m. We boarded our 6a.m. flight to denver and before we knew it we were on a tour of colorado by air. Denver was fogged in so we got rerouted to grand junction refuled and back off to denver. We made our 10 min connection in denver and we made it to iowa on time. Once we landed we head to the course and damio picked up the bus on the way. The course is one of the cooler courses we race on all year. It is technical with a difficult climb.

Well i got my new computer so i've got a couple of pics from the last two weeks.

JimmyG out for a ride before the race in southampton

CareBear

Guptill kicking it with his teammates before his first cross race in mercer..

Video

2008-11-26T13:37:00.001-07:00

D-town

2008-11-25T19:32:00.002-07:00

Well we made it back to D-town after a week and half on the east coast. Sunday in southampton i did some hopefully just minor damage to my knee. I dressed a little over kill after freezing on saturday. I wore my booties and ended up hurting my knee over the barriers midway through the race. Dr. Frank did some work on it today and i think i won't end up missing any training so it is all good.

We made it back to durango monday morning to 50 degrees and sun. So much better than 30's with the wind we experience in southampton. On saturday my feet got so cold during the race the only way they got the feeling back in them was megs uggs. I actually went out and bought a pair today. Todd is making fun of me about them of course but i think i will get the last laugh in portland and kansas city. I also think they will keep me warm in europe. The uggs pack well in the bag which is a plus as well since i travel so light... pause.. NOT

This weekend we are off to jingle cross in iowa. Looking forward to this event Todd went last year and talked about for weeks.

Southampton

2008-11-22T19:54:00.003-07:00

So my computer is basically broke. I order a new one so i should be back to updating this coming week at some point. Today went decent i ended up 5th todd ended up 3rd. Hopefully tomorrow we can both step it up a bit. I have a update i wrote for clif bar about mercer you can check it out.

Delayed

2008-11-13T20:02:00.003-07:00

We are delayed in Denver on our way to Newark. If all goes to plan right now we should land in newark at 230 which means i should get to the hotel around 4 a.m. great success. I have had a nice week and half without racing and i feel much better after getting on RX so im ready to get on with the second half of the season. Im gald it is going to rain this weekend and I get to see what i can do in the mud this year. As of right now it looks like im going to return to euroland for the x-mas camp. I don't think i will do worlds but i at least want to get back over there and see what i can do. Basically get my head kicked in for two weeks.

Here are some pics from the cliff durango. It is a climb we do right out of town.

Weekend Off

2008-11-10T22:45:00.004-07:00

So for my weekend off i figured i should give back so i helped two of my friends throw a cocktail party. This involved alot more work than i was looking for but it ended up being a blast and a rager... I didn't really take enough pics so here is what ive got it is more the setup.. Check my bros site and singers for more photos..

This was my view most of the night from behind the bar.. (sorry camera phone)

We even had a h'orderves table

Finial setup of the bar.. Made bing thanks to mapel

The sign in before

The sign in after (sorry camera phone)

Dance Floor

Winston Wells has a facebook

2008-11-08T09:59:00.001-07:00

Alot of nothing

2008-11-07T21:12:00.005-07:00

Well for my one weekend off before natz i've ended up being a little under the weather. I haven't felt myself since last week but of course i put off going to the doctor until today. I guess i have something going on b/c now im on antibiotics for 10 days. Besides from that i've been just riding for 2 hours a day and resting up. I hit the road with chops today and he didn't break his shit or crash successful ride for chops.

I've been laying around with win alot this week...

Dekrey was training for the cocktail party on the drive up to boulder last week.

Back in D-town

2008-11-04T19:17:00.002-07:00

Well the second day in boulder didn't go much better for me. I couldn't seem to stay on my bike. I laid it down twice once on the 1st lap and once midway through the race. I was going backwards midway through the race but i got myself back together for the finial 3 laps and was able to finish up 7th. I was happy at the end of the race since it was a C1 that i was able to pick up some points. Sunday night we all went out in boulder we had quite a large crew. I went home early since i have been feeling alittle under the weather. My bro will have up some sweet pics from the night out.

I'm taking a little break right now trying to get geared up for the second half of the season. I played a round of golf with mcduff today. Besides from that i was just basically a bum. Hopefully tomorrow i will feel 100% so i can have a more productive day. The weather is also taking a turn for the worse in D-town which doesn't help my energy level. Well i hope it turns around since i get to spend another week in d-town before i head back east. Here is a cool pic from boulder.

Boulder

2008-11-02T11:29:00.003-07:00

Well my race yesterday in boulder didn't go quite as planned. I had a good start sitting 5th wheel heading into the sand pits. Unfortunately for me anthony flipped over his bars and i ended up laying it down as well. Once i got back up and got going again i was in the mid 20's.. Worked my way back up to the chase group. Wicks and I trader pulls trying to close the gap which wasn't happening. I ended up blowing up and helping brady to get his best uci race result of 8th. I came across in 9th. My bro took his 1st W of the 08 cross season. He was killing it from what i heard. Besides from that staying with daimo in the boulder bubble. Hopefully 2day will go better for me. Here are some photos from last sunday night when we went out with the sram crew to lucky strikes.

USGP #1

2008-10-25T21:27:00.003-06:00

Ended up 4th today my best USGP finish since my 3rd in gloucester in 04. I felt awesome today and looking forward to putting together another great day on tomorrow. It is late and want to go to bed but i got some good pics from today that i wanted to get up.

Sram took Todd Meg Brady and I out to a super nice dinner at Mortons steak house. Dinner was amazing the cyclocross crew came along also. Johnson why didn't u get the big one...

Brady trying his best to be like jpows. I think he just got some turntables on ebay.

Meg took a limo to dinner. She is to big time to hang out with us.

Luna's one two punch..

Newt with his 1st USGP U-23 leaders jersey. I thought he got it for the 15-16 yr olds.

Louisville USGP

2008-10-24T20:44:00.003-06:00

Well i made it to louisville last night around midnight. I flew out of Albany which is much easier than flying out of newark. Although if i had flown out of newark i think i could have went direct to louisville instead of hanging out in chicago for 3 hours. Todd and Meg had a tight connection in chicago but they made it to the plane and their bags even made it aswell a shocker considering chicago's track recorded. In louisville we got our bags and rental car within 10 mins of landing and even arrived @ the hotel i would say within 45 mins of landing so nice. We woke up this morning to pouring rain. Todd Brady and I rode in the pouring rain and did our openers then Brady and I had to do a clif bar kids clinic. Lucky for us the rain cleared up and we had the sun in the sky for the clinic. Kids have so much energy i could use some of that. After the clinic we hit up the # presentation downtown which we are sure had more fans then the entire norba series. Even Fred's Eye view was signing stuff for the kids from the junior developement team.

On another note congrats to the german for his 2nd collegiate title.. And all the FLC XC racers.. Hopefully CHOPS will dial it this weekend..

Granogue Weekend

2008-10-20T15:40:00.003-06:00

I stayed with Newt, Wicks, and Treboo Hoo at Toms this weekend. I had an okay weekend overall. Saturday I didn't have great legs and really had to try to keep it together mentally to finish up in 10th. Sunday I had a much better day ending up with a 5th. The only rough part of the day was when wicks laided it down around a corner and gapped us off from the lead group. I was able to get back into the group for forth and could quite take the group sprint.

NEWT living it up!!

Wicks working on his bike in the little izegem house AKA TOMS

Powers is having a great cross season. I think all his prize money is going to trying to hang with clinton sparks. Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses.

Rest

2008-10-16T16:24:00.003-06:00

That's just about all i do when i come back to ny i in the fall. I don't think i sleep better any other place then i seem to sleep at my parents house in the fall. Normally i sleep close to 10 hours a night and even take a hour nap during the day. I've been recovering well from the triple weekend and even got to ride with favata on tuesday. Wednesday i return to my local training grounds at the suny new paltz. It wasn't the same as last fall with shriver and favata there to battle with and gully jumping into the group from time to time. I also had to replace a dugast i busted this past weekend. Nothing is worse then shredding the sidewall of a $100 tire. Well tomorrow it is off to deleware for granogue and wissahickon. It should be a tough one with everyone on the start line minus mcduff and page but then again page is basically belgian anyway.

Dekrey Video

2008-10-15T20:43:00.001-06:00

Singer has a funny video up on his site of Dekrey trying to dance.. It is entertaining.

OHIO

2008-10-14T16:44:00.004-06:00

Well OHIO ended on a high note with a 3rd on sunday. I tried one last effort on the last lap and the only person i successfully worked over was myself o well. It ended up being a good day all around with summerschool coming in 4th on his way over to euroland and georgia coming in 2nd. Ben even flew in for the day and checked out the race. Gerorgia and I ended up flying in on the same flight from denver and flying out of OHIO on the same flight.

Toast wears his compression tights 2 much the kid even sleeps in them.

Daimo dialing in the bikes. The place we stayed i must have hit my head on a bike just about every time i walked through the garage.

Summerschool laughing up his pre race meal.

A mechanic has 2 recover after a long weekend as well!!

Toast about to puke up his post race meal as well it is a common occurrence with him.

OHIO

2008-10-11T10:58:00.005-06:00

Quick recap of the race yesterday. First of all my parents surprized me by coming out for the weekend since my mom had a 3 day weekend. They are quite the expierenced travelers now. They flew in friday morning and will fly out sunday night. It was krazy cause i had no idea and then here they are 30 mins before the start walking up. I had a little bit of a rough day. I slipped a pedal off the start and gave up my front row start and fell back into the 3rd to 4th row of starts quickly. I got to take in the 1st lap cluster with people laying it down all over the place. The one good thing for me was each person who hit the deck was one less person i had to battle with to make it up towards the front. I was only able to get into 6th then the gap was to large to close so i tried to save some energy for 2day and tomorrow. 3 day cross stage race. Daimoo has been dialing in my bikes. They are running awesome now and actually are close to how they will be for the rest of the season which is nice.

Here are some pics from our adventure so far.

In the Office

2008-10-09T09:21:00.003-06:00

Well I'm in the office A.K.A. DIA. It is so nice that they have the free wireless here now you can pass the time without walking around 2 point less store after pointless store. I was on the early flight out of d-town 6a.m. I had to wake up around 4:40 and made it to the airport right as they made the announcement 7 mins till checkin closed perfect timing. I fell right asleep on the plane thanks to my mountain hardwear puffy that is basically a sleeping bag for my upper body. Of course i woke up mid-way to denver sweating bullets. Fell back asleep and woke up during touch down perfect flight. Besides from that i tried to pack light for this trip will see how i fair with that. I had a busy day yesterday trying to get ready to leave for about 2.5 weeks between storage, fedex, dr. franks, riding, and packing i got alot accomplished for a guy like me. I actually read that chris jones signed with type 1 for next year but he is also giving lessons at pinon hills.
BIG TIME

Well I should land in OHIO around 3 2day and hopefully get to the host house around 5 and then build a bike and head out for a ride. Damo is flying in to help out summerschool and i this weekend. It will be nice to have a mechanic in the pits hopefully we won't need him but it is always nice to have someone there. I will also get my new TRP brakes on my bikes this weekend looking forward 2 that. Summerschool is cocky and is only coming for the C1 on sunday.

Tiger Mcduff

2008-10-07T21:03:00.006-06:00

Well i went golfing with Mcduff on Monday down in farmington at pinon hills. The course is awesome and i actually felt like i was playing golf on a couple of holes which is my goal when hitting the links. I took a couple pics.

My swing not so nice!!

Tiger Mcduff!

Snow Capped Kennebec

Today I got back on the cross bike and did a little effort in the park. It has been nice getting back on the mtb bike over the last week. The trials are in great condition in d-town right now. It has also been nice and warm after the crappy weekend. We got back into the 70's today which is perfect weather. After that i finished up gluing my tires onto my new mavic r-sys wheels and rebuilt my #1 race bike. Thursday I'm off to OHIO for the triple weekend. Two C2 and one C1 hopefully i can build upon my weekend in madison and land on the podium a couple of times.

A Day in D-town

2008-10-05T21:52:00.007-06:00

It started with a ride with barthel and schultzman

Then i was a superfan of chops at the DS i even carried a couple of bikes up the hill in the pouring rain..

Kanye West was out for Todd and Megs 5 year anniversary...

He did it all for the nookie

Dekrey is getting on muscle milk for a month watch out!!!

Vegas Recap

2008-10-03T14:49:00.000-06:00

Vegas is crazy!!! I landed this year at around 12:30 a.m. just looking forward to getting to the hotel and hitting the hay. Once you get in the cab and hit the strip you end up getting this rush of energy that you only get in Vegas. I was good though and went to my room and was asleep by around 1 a.m. Woke up early well not that early 10 a.m. but I think that is alittle early when your race isn’t until 9 p.m. Went to the show did an interview with towel that is on velonews TV that you can check out if you want to listen to my dumbass for 6 mins. Did a couple other things at the plush clif bar booth then headed back to my room and got some lunch. After lunch I just laid in bed for a couple of hours I know that is weak I didn’t even make it to the pool to work on losing my farmers tan. Built up my bikes than it was off to the race. I drove over to the venue with my brother who was basically on the move all day since he didn’t land in vegas until 4 p.m. The course was better this year with a couple more corners. The crowd was off the chain and we actually had poperotsie at the race since Lance aka LA was in the house. My race went okay overall ended up 18th but I dropped my chain and ended up riding around in the LA group. People were going crazy for LA out there. Then I was lame after the race and didn’t even go out. It was hard to motivate when you don’t get back to your room until 12:30 a.m. Not to mention last year was a 7 a.m. return along with a hang over from hell!! I also wanted to keep it under control for my next 2 races in madison only 2 days after Vegas.

The following day was low key to say the least as far as vegas goes. Woke up went for a ride. Vegas isn’t the best place to train. Packed my bikes and began the long hike from the ventian to the treasure island parking garage with all my luggage (2 bikes, 2 sets of wheels, backpack, carry on roller bag). This ended up being much harder than a cross race. You have no idea how many times I had people just walk into my bike box and knock off my wheels or carry on bag and look at me like I just ran into them.

Catch Up.

2008-10-02T09:50:00.003-06:00

So the deal is my cross season just got off to a quick start with 5 races in 8 day. I wrote an update about the racing on Clif Bars Blog so i'll just write about the other stuff going on in this update. I went to seattle a couple day early since my friend Alison B-day was on tuesday. I arrived and it was basically right off the plane to dinner and then a night out on the town in Fremont. We had a good size crew with a couple people i know well including morgan schmitt and LG. The night ended up being a good time besides from a couple small mishaps. The best part of the night was this one guy came out with us who didn't really fit into the mix of people out. He was a tri geek and lets just say he proceed to crash over the RR tracks. He still had on his areo bars as well that just added to the entertainment. Then i would say less than 10 mins later at a bar he tells me and Ryan Idding "I'm not going to lie I'm really good" not sacastic what so ever either dead serious. There was also another insident with just some random dude on the street but i don't feel like getting into it. Basically he was saying he could kick my ass at star cross in the Cat 4 race. It all started because when he came sprinting by us i got on his wheel and he said he could beat my ass any day on a bike. People in seattle are serious..

Another crazy part about seattle is that no one waves to eachother. I think on my wedneday ride i waved at over 100 people and maybe got 5 waves back at the most. Most of them would do the look away to me which im not a big fan of. If u aren't out killing it doing an effort how hard is it to raise your hands off the bars. I guess people in seattle only wave 2 people they know or at least that's what i was told!!

I can say this i found the best park for cross training in seattle (woodland park). You could do a 6 min lap without having 2 go from tree to tree and there is alot of buffed out single track. Alot of up and down also something that we don't get here in d-town.

On Friday Alison and I went to see Morgans bro Evans film Remember 2 Breathe at U Dub. All i can say is Alison has lived in seattle for most of her life and had no idea how to find the building the film was playing in. It was also in the main part of campus which she couldn't find either. Eventually we found it thanks to a freshman and his map of campues. The movie is awesome with a mix of road and cross footage from last season. Everyone should check it out you can purchase it at http://www.dirtymoose.com/ .

I even got 2 play a round of golf when i was there. Morgan, Noah, and I hit up the par 3 on monday afternoon. It was a tight course with alot of fours being yelled out. When you have one green 30 feet away from the next holes tee box u know u are asking for trouble.

The last thing i'll talk about from seattle was Alison cat Floyd. The guy was not the biggest fan of me and my last day there he decided it would be cool 2 leave me a going away present and pissed in my roller bag. Luckually we saw him do it so the pad came right out and directly in the washing machine.

Alison got me to the airport and I was off to Vegas.

Besides from that had a great time in seattle got some go racing and riding in. Thanks to Alison and LG for putting up with me for a week and entertaining me.

Madison

2008-09-28T20:26:00.007-06:00

Well this past weekend was a success for me.. 4th on saturday 3rd today. I was actually in the race for the win for more than half of the race 2day which felt good. I'll talk more about that more on my next update.

Here are some quick pics from the last week!!

I'm staying with grant and barthel 2night we all fly back to d-town t-row morning.

Barthel is into family guy!!!

When we went out 2 dinner the car next 2 us had an old e 22 with a straw in it!! BIG TIME

Cocky guy from BOSTON with a RED SOX card.. COCKY!!!

My trip from the Ventiana 2 treasure island parking garage the longest 30mins of my life.. So many people just would walk right into my bags..

Velonews TV interview

2008-09-26T20:58:00.002-06:00

I had an interview on velonews tv with towle you should check out. Also i promise i will start 2 update my site starting tomorrow..

Durango

2008-06-16T12:41:00.002-06:00

Well summer is finally here in d-town. It has been topping out close to 90 the last couple of days. I've been training quite a bit over the last two weeks. I just got my new fisher hardtail 26er which i've been ripping up the trials on. Saturday i ventured up the CO trial and over the high point to the bridge between Kennebec and durango. The decent off the high point is still alittle rough to ride. I had to get off about 10 times due to trees down and some snow still on parts of the trial. Yesterday I did a ride with snyder. We did alittle short track effort up on the fort lewis course. It is always so much easier to go hard when you have someone to suffer with you. This week i'll be on the durango training program doing the group ride tuesday and the durango devo short track wednesday. I still haven't decide weather i'll do the mountain states cup this weekend or not. On another note i'll been into the NBA playoffs this year and I really hope the lakers can pull it together and win the last two games but i'm not counting on it.

Santa Barbara

2008-05-16T20:53:00.002-06:00

Santa Barbara is hot to say the least. I haven't sweated more this year then i did just building my bike at the venue. Hopefully i can keep myself from over heating tomorrow. That seems to be the main goal for the race. Bed time for this guy all the travel over the last 36 hrs is catching up with me.

It's been a long time

2008-05-14T20:23:00.003-06:00

Well i think this is my new record for time between updates. I think it has been over a month. After nova i took a break to get ready for the block of racing that i just happen to be in the middle of as of right now. After my break i got sick about a week before the gila and didn't fully kick it until after the gila. It was a tough couple of days in silver city to say the least. After the gila i headed to R-kansas for joe martin stage race. Joe martin was fun to get to see all the people i race with during cross season like powers anthony and johnson. Joe martin was a good race overall i just couldn't hang on in the crit on sunday. Besides from that singer and lucy took care of me with housing and transportation. lucy was a great team manager for singer and i we would have been lost without her and hungry. I also got to race with my teammate from clif bar david and also got to hang out with him at lucy graduation party. After the race i headed to the lake with singer and lucy for some post race recovery. The lake is alot of fun but the weather wasn't so nice. Probably that was for the best otherwise i would be sore from trying to wakeboard. Today of course my flight got delayed and i wouldn't have made my connection to d-town. So i've got another night in R-kansas back to d-town for 16 hrs and then i'm off to santa barbara for the norba this weekend. It will sure be fun to be back racing on the mtb bike.

I Hate Snow

2008-04-09T18:06:00.003-06:00

Well I went from Phoenix where it was 90 degrees outside and i could barley pedal my bike thanks to my inability to race in the heat,to snow in durango. That's right mid april and it snowed and rained for the better part of today. I can't wait for the this winter to be over all ready. I'm sure it will snow during the iron horse in mid may in the passes so i'll say june will be the official end of winter for d-town.

Besides from that i hit up the bmx track with chopper yesterday. I've never felt so out of place on my bmx bike. You forget how hard it is to pedal around the track on a 30 lbs jumping bike it takes it out of you. Here is a pic of jungle on his ride home from the xc since he double flatted he had to get his time in one way or another.

We hit up senor taco for dinner sunday a must have in foutain hills. They had a 6 yr old working the drive thur so you know it is good. Not to mention he didn't have a head set so you would hear every order being placed. But the food was delightful and also didn't fit into the normally phoenix price structure. I felt like i was back in mexico at a taco stand.

NOVA

2008-04-05T23:06:00.004-06:00

Fontana went well with 18th in the xc an 7th in stxc. It felt good to crack a top ten in the stxc. Snyder, Perry, and I hit up the go karts after the xc satuday.

It was cool to see and catch up with perry. He just living it up in socal.

Snyder Chad and I headed down to NOVA friday morning. We had to do the TT in the afternoon. The car ride made the TT hurt alittle more than normal. They started us today in the STXC off the TT. I was third row and the course basically went from 8 wide down to two wide within the first 20 meters and also had an run up in it. I got as high as 10th an ended up 13th. Tomorrow is going to be the hottest xc of the year. I think it is suppose to be over 90 and we race at 2. Right in the heat of the day. I'm staying with trafton again this year. It is so nice to hang out in a house all day instead of in a hotel room.

I'm calling a top 5 for jungle jay henry tomorrow. That is about all i got. Only one day left in the sunshine before it is back to d-town.

Fontucky

2008-03-28T17:58:00.005-06:00

Well it is less than a day away from the 1st Norba of the year. The course in Fontucky is for the most part the same as last year with about 3 to 5 min section taken out. I traveled out with 3D snoodle and chad. We are staying at the american best inn and suites which is much better than we were counting on when we pulled up.

Here is the race rig for tomorrow.

The road bike is also built and ready to race a couple stage races in the beginning of may.

A Big Night Out In D-town

2008-03-13T10:44:00.007-06:00

Last Wednesday night we hit the town hard with this cocky guy.He ended up like this after a couple of drinks

I thought germans could drink i guess not. Or at least this german can't.

Snyder has a sweet mustache coming in for the first NORBA!

2008-03-12T12:11:00.005-06:00

Durango Group Ride in Moab ( Snyder, Cale, T. Brown)Cale showing us all how to freeride

Besides from that back in d-town getting ready for fontucky. Weather is looking to be moving in the right direction hitting the 50's finally. This weekend is the squawker road race in d-town. They aren't having the classic 10 lap race around campus instead it is in bayfield (not so nice) but i think hagen is going to be able to do the crit downtown again which will be fun to watch. Hagen talked me into being a course marshall for the crit so i should get some good photos. That is about it.

MOAB

2008-03-02T19:58:00.006-07:00

Well we made it to the race in saint George. The race went okay i ended up flatting when i was off with bart G and ended up coming in with snyder for 3rd and 4th. Snyder couldn't get his race pace going. If it wasn't for bart g it would had been an all d-town podium with cale getting second and t brown coming in 5th.

We hit ruby river steakhouse with the d-town crew for dinner .
Are ghetto gps radar detector setup we are running .
Here are some pics of my new hair cut we will see how long i can run it for hopefully until after NOVA!!

Now we are in MOAB. Planing on staying tonight and tomorrow and riding tuesday and then heading back to d-town. Cale and T brown are going to come in to town tomorrow so we having a sweet durango group ride tuesday.

Cracked like Shriver

2008-02-27T13:24:00.002-07:00

Well base cracked me this year. I had to take my break a couple day early and i've got 15 hrs left to finish up starting back up tomorrow. I've still been hitting the gym which is starting to not work me over as much. But last week snyder and I had to help TT push his chevy blazer 4 blocks up a false flat which put me into the hurt locker more than the weight room or riding i think ever has. I also got a hair cut went back to my euro hawk from cross season of 06 but it is big this time. My shins started bothering me which i haven't had since i quit running 5 yrs ago. Besides from that snyder and i are heading to saint George for spring break he will be racing and i'll just be finishing up my last 15 hrs of base so it looks like i will be in the feed zone.

The Light @ the end of the tunnel

2008-02-13T08:11:00.006-07:00

Durango is in defrost mode right now as i type. After getting hammered with well over 3 feet of snow it is finally warming up and the forecast is looking up if you don't pay attention to this coming thursday. Last week i was able to get the legs and arms out and let them bask in the sun for about 40 min on the najayo dam loop sunday. Very nice.

I've done a couple of rides with this silly looking German Ben.

Mcduff and I hit up DMR for a little snowboard session

In town the snow banks are so high you need to get creative with the bike lock.

According to snyder in another day or so the trails should be in prime condition again to rip up the snowpacked trails.

2008-02-07T20:11:00.000-07:00

The mid-base break is over and it is time for the worst 3 weeks of the year. The break was event filled with TT taking 3rd in the hot wing contest. Todd and I hit up DMR on monday for a little snowboarding session. Todd has got me going to the gym now to so let just say it hurts to move in addition to doing 4 to 5 hrs a day on the bike.

O here is the cat who kicks it at Unit 51 Mig. His life revolves around messing with TT.

Video

2008-01-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

Here is the video shot from TT. His battery ran out so you don't get the enitre plunge but you get the idea.

SnowDown 2008

2008-01-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

That's right i took part in my 1st snowdown event. I took the polar plunge. The 5th Annual Polar Beer Plunge!! I gave it all i had throwing myself into 28 degree beer. If you are a polar beer step down this is the real deal. I left with just a pink hoodie i think i mite but it on e-bay. Here is some photos from snyder. Video from TT coming t-row. Snyder and TT are hitting up the hothothot wing contest t-row. Unit 51 represent snowdown 08!!

Matty and Muff @ Falcs

D-town stay down

2008-01-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

Well i've got two weeks in the books for this years base. The 1st week and half was great putting in the miles in tucson. Todd and I were staying with Dan who thinks he is big time rolling around on these.

Thanks to Dan and his fam for putting up with todd and myself.

I was able to take part in megs big b-day bash sunday night in tucson. We had quite the crew of common criminal's (walker s , sheldon , andy s and his lady friend, ben kneller, todd, meg, dan and his lady trish, doug and his girlfriend). The losers of the night have to go to sam s, shriver, and corey who all where to cool for school.

On tuesday meg and i headed back to d-town. This wasn't a trip i was looking forward to since all i've been hearing is all about snow and how cold it has been. Wednesday actually ended up being a great day for a ride with the sun out and the temp up around 40. Thursday not so much as we got hit with a storm so i was riding around in the snow. I've come to the conclusion if you are in d-town and it is snowing the best ride is over florida and towards bayfield and flip it at any point. It is well maintained and normally doesn't have much traffic and stays snow packed. Friday I was basically swimming around the valley as it was more like the animas river. Saturday i went for a mtb ride with snyder. I should have been on the mtb bike instead of my cross bike, i've never went over the bars that many times in a year as i did yesterday. Today i got out early with jesse d and beat the weather some what considering it only started to snow about 2 hours into my 3.5 hr ride. I have to thank sean at adidas for setting me up with super warm gear it really makes base alot easier to deal with when you have all the right clothing. Also dylan and eric at clif bar for all the product that i eat and drink over the course of base.

Base?

2008-01-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

Well base for me has started back up this week. It is time to try to lose all the weight i put on in mexico. I've got just a little less than a week left in tucson before it is back to the winter wonderland in durango. Todd and I have been going on some good rides out in the desert. Yesterday i saw a ghost over gates pass riding in what looked to be a construction workers kit. Haven't had a chance to catch up with the d-town crew that is down here right now hopefully in the next couple of days.

Back In The States

2008-01-14T21:19:00.001-07:00

Mcduff and I did some riding in San Pancho

Best place to hang out in San Carlos

Master P was driving around in Mexico. Make em Say!!!

Pick-up truck packed to the gills

Aydia getting ready to fly back on a private jet..

Same Thing Different Day

2008-01-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

We have been basically been on the same schedule each day for the past two weeks. I've just start putting a run into the program which is the most physical activity i've done since natz. A couple of days ago we went to sayulita which is a big surf town about five miles away. We had lunch at the fish tacos stand. Val, Jess, and Dave are friends we met down here from detroit came over with us. Dave wouldn't even try his tacos because they had a mayo based baja dressing on them that was good for Todd and I. Meg had a burrito that was bigger than her and she housed the entire thing. Besides from that i think i've read more books on this trip then i've read in the last 2 years.

2007-12-30T12:18:00.000-07:00

The are festival is in town and snyders uncle has up a couple of photos.

The sun finally came out yesterday so we all got our burn on. Besides from that we have been having some amazing crepes (nutella, banana, coconut) each night for dessert at the art festival.

Winston is hating life

2007-12-21T21:40:00.001-07:00

This poor guy hates mexico..

Since we have crossed the boarder he has got the stomach bug (chimmies), sprayed by a skunk, taken a bath and started a round of medicine not great success for the bear.

Mexico

2007-12-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

Well i'm in mexico kicking it with mcduff. I'll take u back to friday in kansas chillin with powers on the flight in. Friday got to see all my friends from flc. Saturday rode to the course with mcduff, shark, georgia, chris (mike) jones. It was cold riding to the course. After the pre ride headed back to the hotel and left the bike in the lobby to de forst. Hat Trick took mcduff's bike through a auto car wash by putting the bike on the top of the car. Sunday i had a solid race and completed my goal for the cross season to have a more consistent season and a top 5 at natz. I flatted on the day but everyone had a problem out there so no reason to dwell on it. Sunday night began with 3 hrs at the water park. Hat Trick was like a 10 yr old i think he was cutting kids to get to the front of the line. After that we hit the yard house for dinner with the rents and then from there i don't even know where the night went. Tuesday morning todd and i sent off for mexico and now 3 days later we are set ready for a month on the beach.

ALB AIRPORT

2007-12-14T07:03:00.001-07:00

Well i guess it is that time of the year. Im off to cross natz. I guess it was rough out there yesterday and now it is suppose to snow on saturday to which should make for some tough conditions on are race sunday. My form seems to becoming around with my one of my strongest races coming last saturday with a 4th in RI. I was even able to ride with mcduff for a little more than half the race. Sunday i hit the deck hard but i've been able to recover and look forward to giving it all i got this weekend. The FLC team will be out in force with around 12 riders that is a large crew to bring to kansas. At least this year they finally got it right and have the U-23 race on saturday and the collegiate race on sunday.

Here is sams video from RI.

The northeast got hit with about a foot of snow yesterday which left me having to leave for my flight early. ALB airport is still covered in snow hopefully my flight won't be delayed.

The Past Week

2007-12-05T20:03:00.001-07:00

Put in a two rides with Guptill. He is braving the elements of NY as well. Here he is riding past his High School.

Gully is off the disabled list and back on the bike after his chainsaw mishap.

Mcduff and Salam at the number presentation in Portland.

Clif Bar biodiesel truck. (Go big or Go home)

The entire Clif crew kicked it at a bed and breakfest we rented out for the weekend. Here is eric sporting the sweet robe.

My weekend went well with a 10th on saturday and 7th on sunday. Saturday i laid it down numerous times it took me 3/4 of the race to remember how to ride in portland. Sunday i had a much better day only to be slowed by a flat at around the 25 min mark when i was in 5th at that point but by the time i got to the pit and got my new bike was back to 10th.

Mike Janelle

2007-11-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Mike Janelle passed away on friday. Janelle was always happy no matter what the situation was. I remember in west va a couple of years ago he got hurt pre riding the course almost in the dark and couldn't race but he wasn't bummed out at all he was still happy just to be at the race with all his friends. This past mtb season we were teammates on tokyo joes but it has felt like i've been always been his teammate since i raced for specialized. Janelle is definitely a legend that will live on and be greatly missed.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

This week i've been back to hitting the training hard. I think i've trained harder this week then i have since before myles uci races in the southamptons. I have also started to run again which my body isn't to psyched on either. The belgium cloud has been over NY for the last week. Today was the 1st day I've seen a glimpse of the sun since saturday. It was also my first ride all week on dry roads and it only rained tuesday morning but when the sun isn't out and the temp doesn't break 40 the roads just don't seem to dry up. Went for a run this morning with my friend jeremy krupat who i use to ride with alot when i was younger. Tomorrow I head up to snyders for the baystate uci race. I'm planning on stoping by and going for a ride with guptill also.

2007-11-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

Got back to NY wednesday night after what seemed like a euro flight after leaving for the aiport at 4:45 a.m. d-town time and getting to my parents house in NY around 7 p.m. long day of travel to the east coast. After the flight my cold was back at full force on thursday i couldn't motivate to go ride until 4 p.m. when i headed out for an easy hour spin.

Instead of heading down to NJ on friday i opted to stay home and get one more low stress day without driving and got a decent day of training in and 3 wheels glued up for the weekend. Saturday morning i headed down for the USGP weekend.

I was hoping i was able to put my cold behind me for an hour and grit it out. I had a terrible start but moved up to around 10th but at the mid way point ran out of gas. After beginning to fade my rear shifter stopped working after becoming filled with sand. I ended up finishing in the upper 20's but had better levels than i've had in over a week and half. This morning we woke up to rain and I figured i had to be able to put it together for a good ride in the 1st raced that suited me all year. Mcuduff Hatrick and I headed out for breakfast and stopped by a golf store so mcduff could purchase some rain pants for the day. Hatrick and I hit up the putting green. Hatrick though it was mini golf and was going for the bank shot. Some other customer was coming unglued and move over to his own corner. He didn't want anything to do with the skills hatrick was breaking out.

I had a good start sitting top 10 on wicks wheel but in the second corner wicks laid it down i hit the deck trying to avoid him sumerhill hit me and a couple other people hit summerhill. All of our bike got stuck together in a big pile. I got going again trying to salvage the day. I ended up having great legs on the day and got up to 8th after 3 laps of moving through traffic. Looking forward to getting in some good rides this week with guptill and then heading up to snyders hood for the baystate uci race on saturday.

Colorado

2007-11-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

It was a bast to get back to d-town for a week and take in the 60 degree days and get back in the sun. The racing ended up being a bust since i got a little sick after northampton nevertheless still had a great time and got to see the the entire d-town crew. Still trying to get over this cold hopefully sleeping back at sea-level will be the punch i need before the GP's this weekend.

There was a awesome party put on saturday night by singer, ian, and schmidty

Hit the links yesterday with Todd Dano and Aaron

DRO airport

Winston kicking it at the hotel

HB's garage. Todd and I hit up the motos on monday out at the ranch.

Traveling Light!!!

2007-11-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

The truck was packed to the gills on the way up to albany tonight. I'm sure we will get alot of evil looks in the airport tomorrow and some good comments.

The weekend went really well. Saturday I just didn't have great legs but was able to pull off a 6th getting worked over on the last lap. Sunday I had awesome legs and was able to finally make the front selection of a race. In the front group we had alot of attacking that was going no where with two laps to go I gave it a go but came up short at least i went for it. I ended up 4th which is my best place result of the season. Besides from that I definitely em looking forward to getting back to d-town and catching up with all my friends. Hopefully I can put together another successful weekend at the gunnison uci race and the flc uci race on campus.

Photos

2007-11-02T07:32:00.000-06:00

It looks like i will be racing this weekend the elbow is coming around and i was able to do a cross workout yesterday with just a couple instances of shooting pain through my elbow.

Mapel this one is for u! Here is a pic of my dad doing his favorite thing.

Shriver on his was into get his BACON, EGG, AND CHEESE

I wonder why this car isn't moving off the lot?

The Danimal ride for his east coast cross campaign all the way from washington.

Traveling light. The danimal brought everything on this trip including a medicine ball and a rocking chair.

Danimal's House

2007-10-31T20:28:00.001-06:00

Last week we did do a cross workout with Gully making a appearance. The USGP went down this past weekend for the 1st time in Louisville. Shriver and I took the 8:40 out of Albany, which meant we had to leave the house around 6 a.m. not good for me. I stayed with a host family that picked up shriver and I at the airport and took amazing care of me during my time in Louisville. Saturday race went good but I just couldn’t get across to the front group on of 4. I had a little bike issue going on during the race with my chain getting wedged in-between my chain ring and my guard. I ended up 10th on the day congrats to powers for his first usgp win. The second day I had a good start and was in the mix up until driscoll laid it down in a corner going on to the pavement and I went over the top landing on the pavement. I got back on the bike and started making my way back to the front of the pack. After a couple laps I ended up in the group with shriver. After another lap or two my elbow got to the point that I couldn’t hold on to my bars anymore. I was having flashbacks to world’s when I did this.

Lucky for me the x-ray on Monday didn’t reveal a break just a sprain. So I’ve been on the 20 min on with the ice and 20 min of heat. I took two days off and today I did an easy hour ride. Tomorrow I will try a cross workout with shriver and the danimal is staying with us this weekend. Happy Halloween!!!

Granogue/Wissahickon Cyclofile

2007-10-24T12:00:00.000-06:00

Wissahickon

2007-10-22T19:34:00.000-06:00

The race on Sunday was my best performance of the year. I didn’t have a great start but I just stayed on the gas and was able to make my way up to wicks for 4th. In the end wicks out sprinted me on the line. After the race shriver and I packed up and got the danimal to take a couple of sets of wheels to Louisville for us. On the drive home we stopped by a service area on the penn turnpike. While walking out to the car this lady ask’s me to pump here gas for her. I said “I don’t work here” then she says “ Im from NJ and we don’t pump gas in NJ.” I was waiting for a TV camera to come out and say I’ve been punked. She had no clue even hoe ere to begin with pumping her own gas as if she had never left the state of NJ in a car. I was the nice guy and started her gas for her I bet she got another sucker to screw back on her gas cap. Another guy saw shriver and said “ 87 fill it” shriver said “does it look like I work here”. I can’t believe the people you run into on the east coast on a Sunday afternoon..

Today played a round of golf up at mohonk mtn. Also finally watch knocked up. Definitly highly recommend it. It gets two thumbs up great success. Tomorrow shriver and I are going to go for a ride with gully so I can update everyone on what he is up to. Also Wednesday shriver, christen favavta, gully, and I are planning on doing a cross work out on suny new paltz campus around 4 so if anyone else is around and is looking to do a cross workout just come on by. Hopefully we don’t have a run in with another power trip old lady.

Granogue

2007-10-20T18:30:00.000-06:00

Today went well I ended up 7th. That is my best finish in a C1 ever. I got into no mans land for a while. I missed the train on the first or second lap with johnson, powers, wicks, jones, and jesse. I rode around in 6th for a good bit of the 1st half of the race until the danish natz champ Joachim Parbo caught on with and we ended up riding together for the second half. I was confident that i could work him over on the last lap considering i was riding the run-up and putting some time into him every lap. On the last lap i came out of the pedal and it was game over because i had to run up the rest of the climb with the bike in between my legs. Toast had a solid ride coming in @ 10th not bad for a 18 year old. Shriver "not so much" breaking his chain on the start game over.

Results: 1st Johnson 2nd Powers 3rd Wicks 4th Jones 5th Anthony 6th Joachim Parbo 7th Me 8th Driscoll 9th Hamblin 10th Toast Danny S

Tomorrow I hope will be great success!! I feel like i didn't go to deep today so hopefully i can kill it t-row.

2007-10-20T07:04:00.000-06:00

I was to lazy to do this write up so i took this from shriver. "Last Wednesday in upstate New York, Wells and I were doing a hard effort around the course in a park that we had set up when this old lady comes out screaming at us. “What are you doing? You can’t ride here!” I yelled back at her while barely able to breath “Why not, it’s a park?” She was so angry after she screamed at Troy and got the same answer “Why not, it’s a park lady!” Good answer Wells. We went over and talked to her after we had cooled down a second.

There was smoke coming out of her ears and she was breathing fire, and snakes in her hair too! “This park is for kids, and people to walk, and play, not for bikes. I called the police to come talk to you”. I asked her, “Why can’t we ride here? It is municipal use right and there are no signs?” She was red in the face and stuttering, “You….j.ju.. just can’t!” I am thinking, give me some good reason lady. “What are your names and where do you live?” Hmmm! ” I’m Ron…., Ron Burgandy and this is Brian Fantana” as I pointed to Wells. Anyway, long story short we got the boot! The park superintendent came and talked with us and told us that they don’t even let the little kiddies ride in the park. Fair enough, still no great answer or reason as to why you can’t ride your bike around in circles hopping on and off it in a city park. Anyone?"

Besides from that the training has been going well. We tried to go in and check out Williams lake. Didn't get to far considering it is like Alcatraz with 15 foot high fences every way into the place. I asked my dad about it and I guess it got sold and is going to be developed into an exclusive high price community. They use to have the best halloween race there each october with the caves lite up with jackolantern.

Yesturday we headed down to DE for the race in Granogue. Nothing like traveling through NJ @ around 5:30 lucky i stay as far away from NYC as i could so the traffic could had been alot worse. Hoping for a solid ride today.

Gloucester Weekend

2007-10-15T11:23:00.000-06:00

Headed up to gloucester for the 1st round of the verge new england series. Shriver and I stayed with Ann who I first stayed with 3 or 4 years ago with Mcduff and Mapel. It is a great setup, nice and close to the venue without being in gloucester. Ended up have the danimal stay there also, Vegas is the only race i've done this year without kicking it with the danimal at host housing. The weekend went well on saturday i came out of my pedal off the start and end up going from the 2nd row to 2nd to last row. I fought for the better part of the race only to end up 15th. The course was so fast it was hard to make up time. Sunday went much better had a decent start and was able to get to the front group on the 2nd or 3rd lap. I tried to go right across to the leaders a move which would prove not to work at all. I ended up doing to much work in the front group and popped my self with 4 or 5 to go. Ended up in 10th as i got last out of the 2nd group since my back seized up. Shriver and I had the truck packed deep on the ride home. (4 bikes, 7 sets of wheels, BikeProdouble bike case, 2 travel bags, and 2 book bags). Traveling light!!! Now it is a big day of recovering, gluing tires, hitting golf balls, and maybe going out and watching a game. Also I've noticed on the pics from gloucester on cyclingnews they can't seem to get the names right. Here is a pic of me but yet it says it is toast (danny s)

Quick Post

2007-10-07T19:55:00.000-06:00

Southampton went okay with a solid ride saturday not great but okay and collected my second set of points of the year with an 11 on the C1. Today not so much with 13th and just stopped giving it at the half way point. I'll update more t-row with some pics from the weekend.

Off to southampton

2007-10-03T18:31:00.000-06:00

Well tomorrow i'm off to southampton b/c I have to pick up this guy at LGA

and figured it would be a waste of time to drive to LGA and back to my house only to leave for southampton on friday afternoon. I think i mite leave a little early and hang out with a couple of my friends who live in the city now. The race should be a tough one considering Vervecken will be there.
Not that they are ever easy but when the world champ is in the house I'm sure it will add an extra kick.

I haven't been up to much since I've been home just basically training and trying to get all my stuff organized a never ending battle for a guy like me. Also started getting a grip on a new place to do some cross practice. I've decided that the rosendale rec center is the best bet. SUNY New Paltz would be nice but i think i wouldn't even get a lap in before i got kicked off or run over someone.

Back in NY

2007-09-30T20:45:00.000-06:00

Here are the new clif kits

Well Tacoma went okay ended up 13th my best result in Tacoma to date. I never can seem to run hard up the run up for all 9 laps. After Tacoma it was back on the plane at 5:40 a.m. Monday morning heading back to d-town for 24 hrs. Some how I caught a little bit of the stomach bug during the trip and had a rough Monday.

Tuesday Mcduff and I woke up early to a cold Durango morning ride before leaving for Vegas. We stopped along the ride and played a sweet golf course in st. george UT. The next day was the cross race in vegas so I had a mellow day napping and hung out at the TAO beach pool with singer taking in the scenery for about an hour. The race didn’t go so well I just didn’t have it at all. Worst cross race I’ve had in a while. Headed out after the race and hit up the new nightclub Jet and the Ghost bar. The ghost bar was crazy top floor of the palms with roof access. Thursday I checked out a good amount of interbike, walked the strip, and packed all my stuff for my red eye flight back to the east coast.

My flight took off at 12:10 a.m. Friday morning and arrived in Albany at 9:30 with a stop over in D.C. I slept both flights the entire way even with a sprint across the D.C. airport to make my connection. Arrived in Albany and found a awesome coffee shop and got a breakfast sandwich and then back on the road headed home. Got home and have just been training trying to drive the least amount possible considering every weekend I have about a 4 hour drive to the races. My dad just had a bunch of trees taken down in our yard so it looks like a huge tree fort out of my bedroom window. They took them down Saturday morning and I basically slept through the entire thing. Nothing like having trees almost hitting your window and not even waking up. I love sleeping at sea level.

Star Cross

2007-09-23T10:47:00.000-06:00

Star Cross went really well for me despite hitting the deck twice. The race was super cool under the light and with alot of turn in the infield of the velodrome. I'm staying with the Danimal (dan neyens) and his family and they are taking great care of me. It is nice to be back to cross racing where the promoters take such great care of you with setting up host housing. Making it alot easier to come in for weekend and do a awesome race. Dan and I arrived at the course a little late i think we pulled in just @ an hour before the start. The start went well for me and I was sitting in the top 10 until mid-way through the 1st lap someone laided it down right in front of me and I had no where to go so his bars got tangled up in my wheel and sent me to a halt. That sent me back into the 20th and then on the second lap i tripped over the barriers just trying to run them to fast and lost a couple more spots. Once I got up and going again i got to witness Sager laying it down on to the velodrome. The race seemed to be complete chaos as alot of people end up hitting the deck. I think it is just the 1st race of the year so people for get how to corner on their cross bikes and still are figuring out new equipment. Wicks even laided it down at least once maybe twice. So after my second crash i started moving up from group to group and was eventually in the 3rd chase group. Wicks, Trebon, and the swiss natz champ where gone. Lucky for me I was able to move up to second group and began doing work with chris sheppard and the danish natz champ. I ended up coming across in 5th @ 1:04 back. It was nice to make it onto the podium @ the first race of the year. Today is the Rad Race GP in tacoma hopefully the 100 meter run-up doesn't get the best of me.

Airplane

2007-09-21T22:29:00.000-06:00

On my way to Seattle for star cross.. It will be crazy to not be racing @ night after vegas since 2 of my first 3 races will be under the lights. Did a 30 min race effort on Thursday in folsom park. Barthel built some sweet barriers out of pcp pipe that you can stick right into the ground. I tried to work on my bunny hopping, didn’t go so feel. I don’t think I will be hopping anything until I get back to NY and have some time to get my skills up. The new bike is working well and built up my back up bike on Thursday. Went to no way jose with snoodle meg TT and singer last night. I think it might be better and healthier than tequilas but you don’t get as large of a portion. As of right now they don’t have a liquor license but within a week they should be serving liquor. Woke up this morning and headed out for a ride stopped by bread for some fuel for the ride and run into shriver bowman and ben, they where the manual labor for the day for mitch and his dad. That is quite the crew for lifting windows all day. Meg and Winston took me to airport with Win telling stories the entire way. I tried out the taping two bike boxes together, which I first saw last year when Cozza showed up to U23 natz with his road and TT bike. They counted as just one piece of luggage @ the airport hopefully it all arrives in Seattle. I used some duck tape so it should hold. I got an upgrade on my second flight I would look @ that as a good sign except for the fact that last year on the way to Long Island cross race I got an upgrade and all my luggage got lost and I ended up racing on Wicks bike. Tomorrow begins the big weekend in D-town with the home fort lewis mtb race going on. If you’re in town you should go check it out. The A men STXC is @ 11:50 up on campus by the bmx jumps and the FOLF course. The XC is back in the gulch with a 10:45 start time. Sorry I don’t know any of the other start times I would guess the MX start around 4 or 5 at Chapman hill.

Bikes

2007-09-19T19:47:00.000-06:00

Well I've been busy this week trying to get all my crap organized as i get ready to head back east again. I got a frame from dylan @ clif bar with last years paint scheme that i built up yesterday for star cross. I should get another frame tomorrow to build up for my back up for star cross and vegas until we get our new frames. I've also been trying to figure out what I will send back to the east coast. I've decided just to roll back with 2 cross bikes and keep all my other bikes out here in my closet at unit 51. Also trying to cut down on the amount of clothes i bring back I've got 3 large crates of clothing that I have to just man up and take to the salvation army store. They been sitting around since may so i really don't need them. Today was my final day @ RGP's for a while. It has been a great job for me while in school thanks to chris and jen for having a position that works for cyclist who only want to work for 2 hours twice a week. Well that is about it.

2007-09-16T19:01:00.000-06:00

All done with my base block of my cross training. Thursday I went for a good ride with schultz on the mtb bike. We went up to the high point on the colorado trial and then descended down into the creek bed and flipped it. That was at least my fifth time on that section of the CO trail in the last two weeks. Yesterday I hit up the dirt road to bayfield which was my go to ride in the spring. It was nice to get back out on the dirt roads and not have to deal with any traffic. After the ride I went over to Lee's BBQ and then watched blades of glory with Meg. That movie is to much I finally got to see the beginning which i missed in theaters. Today I did a little cross practice i was definitely alittle otb as i arrived at the park around 11 and there was some kids B-day going on so the folsom sess was short lived. I headed over to riverview elementary which was a much better set up except for the soccer games going on. They have technical sand pits with 1 foot barriers around the pits which makes getting in and out of the pits tricky. After the cross workout headed out on the road for another 2 hours. Tomorrow night is schmidty party starting around 5:30 @ schmidty.

Cross Season

2007-09-10T10:57:00.000-06:00

Well my cross season will start here in just under a week and half at star cross. This year I will be riding for Clif Bar for the cross season which i'm really looking foward to. The 1st week of racing should be an eventful with the double weekend in seattle then i fly back to d-town monday drive to vegas tuesday, race wedneday night and fly out thursday night on a red eye to the east coast for the first round of the new england series.

As for right now i have completed two weeks of base and about to start my third. Looking forward to doing some more big rides this week. Hit up the links with snyder yesterday. Today i think i will hit up some cross practice on the javelin. All my parts are in for my new cross bike just waiting on frames from orbea so hopefully i'll have my new bikes built some time this week.

Rough Day On the Bike

2007-09-06T17:26:00.000-06:00

Well I did the junction creek road to the top of the colorado trail today with Walker Savidge. It ended up being a rough day for me. The ride starts out with close to an 2 hour climb on a dirt road. There was actually even construction going on up at around mile 18. 2 guys with a front end loader had road ripped up so walker and i had to do the long jump off the front end loader over the gap. Next my tire decided it was going to explode in the river bed on the CO trial and for some reason my CO2 was partly used so i could only fill up my tire to 10 to 15 psi so i knew it would only be a matter of time before my next flat. It came on the next climb which left me with around 10 to 15 miles of riding around on a front flat in single track and about 5 miles on the road. I tossed myself over the bars once. My upper body has never been so worked over.

The FLC team is off to CSU for the big kick off to the collegiate season. I wonder who will take the 1st W. Mcduff left for europa wednesday morning for worlds. It seems like he is riding well he was killing during the mping session tuesday. It is awesome that the US took 3rd in the team relay.

2007-09-02T21:12:00.000-06:00

Well I did another good ride on sunday with schmidty and singer moles to cascade. Nothing like getting stuck in a thunderstorm @ 12000 feet. It also started to hail which made for a very cold 30 min decent down to 8500. Monday I took an off day and hit up pint night. Started early and was home by 10:30. Nothing like leaving a bar just as everyone is getting there. Today I took my bro motor pacing @ 8. He has been going to sleep @ around 4 in the afternoon trying to get ready for worlds on saturday. He is up at around 3 in the a.m. After Mping i went for a ride and even did a run trying to get ready for the run up in tacoma.

Above the tree line

Big Rides

2007-09-02T20:49:00.000-06:00

Well this past weekend i put in the miles. On saturday I did Kennebec with schmidty singer timmons and schultz. It is one of my favorite rides in D-town and I hope I can do it at least 2 more times before the cross season starts up. It was sweet to get back up into the high country. Here are some pics from the big ride. Check Singers site for more photos and more of a description.

Schultz and Schmidty

Singer getting after it..

TT striking a pose

Singer feeling the night before

Dirt Lovers Classic

2007-08-27T12:47:00.001-06:00

Chad Chainsaw suffering at the finish

Overend taking out the official at the finish

Singer and Mapel about a 1k into it

Shriver getting worked over by the race promoter

Mcduff on the front

Break

2007-08-19T10:23:00.000-06:00

Well my break is in full swing right. I have tubed the river twice this week and looking forward to # three today. I also played golf twice. Once with Corey and Ben which was more of a drinking round of nine holes. The next day i played with Todd, Dano and Muff up at tamarron which is the nicest course around. I also returned to work at RGP's thursday. I've been going out alot except it seems like i've started to crack alittle. Hoping to get out to the bmx park today and put the T1 to use.

Kicking It With Sager!

2007-08-10T14:11:00.000-06:00

When you head anywhere with Sager you must bring your camera to try to keep up with his picture taking. Also him and his lady Stephanie have started there own EMT service. On our way to aspen we came up on an accident at the base of coal bank envolving a motorcycle hitting the guard rail.

Professional Driver...

2007-08-02T13:19:00.000-06:00

Well on my way back to Durango. My trip down to NC was good except for flat during the XC. Snyder and I left on Wednesday to break the 11 hr drive from my house into two days. We arrived into banner elk around 3 or 4 on Thursday and waited for the rain to stop until 6 when we just headed down the mtn on the road. During our decent with Todd we almost got hit by lighting had to be within 100 feet I felt the thunder in my chest. The race on Saturday was going well until I flatted at the end of the 2nd lap and hit it with my co2 and it seemed to seal so I continued on my way. I though that was it but then I hear stans pouring out my tire so I was planning on putting in a tube but I couldn’t get my rim strip out. Game Over. Sunday I was looking to put in a good short track. I had a good start and was in the second group. On the 3rd lap I hit it on the climb and latched on to back of the lead group but that was about the extent of time at the front. I ended up riding in around 7th and 8th for most of the race until I cracked with 2 to go and ended up 13th. After the Short track I started my second race of the day as snyder and I drove 13hrs back to his house in and arrived at sunrise right around 6 a.m. I went to sleep for about 6 hrs and then drove 3 hrs and began packing for the return to d-town.

Back Home

2007-07-15T19:04:00.000-06:00

I'll just leave it at the worst TT of my life. That is how it went for me in at Seven Springs TT. I don't know why but i just couldn't go fast. I decided I wouldn't stick around for the road race on monday and headed home saturday morning. Friday night Singer and I went out and took in a little of the somerset night life. We definitely didn't fit in i wish had my camera with me to take some pics but i forgot it. There was a hardcore band playing in the club which actually was attached to the Quality Inn that we stayed at. I think I have the best possible way to Harrisburg figured out for the trip to NC in a couple weeks. Mapquest doesn't account for construction which seemed like it never ended on the way out to PA on 78. Today I hit the training pretty hard going back to what was working in May with the longer rides. I did over 4 hours today with a solid 40 min climb in it along with some single track from Overlook Mtn. to Devils Kitchen. It was easily the most technical single track I have ridden since I've been back if not in my life. I tossed myself over the bars once but luckily like a cat i landed on my feet no harm done except i bent my derailleur hanger a little bit. Hopefully I can get my form back in time for mt. snow.

PA

2007-07-12T19:50:00.000-06:00

Today i did a whole lot of nothing. I woke up headed over to watch a lap of the U-23 race. Went for a ride on the TT bike did a little opener. After my ride i picked up my packet for the weekend. I must have had the hardest time finding packet pick up out of every single person who has raced here this year. It had signs bigger than me that said packet pickup on them i was just neglecting to see them and i was driving around the venue for a solid 15 min. After that i headed back to hotel and laid around all day.

Singer is big into the the MKmen line of skin care products.
contact his boo at slwatford@gmail.com

My favorite part of the product is its disclosure "suitable for dry to oily skin" who isn't it suitable for then? That's my question.

I've been on Todd's program for food here at seven springs. I've had dinner at the same place the last two nights. My TT doesn't start until 6:34 p.m. tomorrow night so it will be another night where i can't sleep b/c i will be so reved up from the race until 1 or 2 in the morning. O singer just put out 450 watts in the hallway and 1040 in the parking lot on his TT bike watch out.

Elite Road Natz

2007-07-11T19:53:00.001-06:00

I made it to seven springs today after a construction filled drive from NY. Staying with singer, Ian and singer dad and teammate. It was pouring for the last couple of hours of my drive but it dried up just when i arrived. Went out for a ride on last years TT course. They
are running a new TT course this year but you aren't allowed to pre ride it at all which is gay. Why would you have national TT course that no one is allowed to pre ride. At least no one will no what expect. Tomorrow is the U-23 RR i will be out feeding and spectating. Talked to overend today and he flys in Sunday for our RR on Monday. I'll write more tomorrow.

So Hot Outside

2007-06-28T08:10:00.000-06:00

Well the heat has hit the east coast hard the past two days. Tuesday it was close to 95 when i left for my ride had to be 99% humidity also. It was a rough day out there. Did a TT effort hopefully seven springs will not any hotter than that. I don't know if I could take it with the aero helmet on. As it was on a 3 hour ride i went through 6 bottles. Yesterday was even worse I actually waited until 5:30 to get out on the bike. Today I have a big day of driving planned. It seems like no matter where I have to go if i get in the car i end up spending @ least 45 min of drive time a day. Today I have to go to the verzion store to return my LG Chocolate phone. It is worthless right about now. It ghost dials somehow i have no idea how considering the call button doesn't even work. I knew it was only a matter of time being that schmity's Chocolate has already went back 3 to 4 times. I figured there was no way I was going to make it two years without harm done.

Photos

2007-06-24T17:37:00.000-06:00

Mafia Hitmen

Canada Again

2007-06-22T12:29:00.000-06:00

Made it up to mount sainte anne last night. Well i made it my bike wasn't so lucky. I met up with christin and his farther for the trip up which is almost becoming the norm to head up to canada every weekend for some type of race. Christin straps my bike down and we head on the the thurway up towards the boarder. We are on the road for less than 15 min when this mafia Lincoln navigator pulls up next to us telling us to pull over. We pull over and guy says how my bike came flying off the rack and hit his Navigator. These guys look liked they had just walked off the set of a filming of the Sopranos. The one hit man said for get about it at least 30 times in the hour we sat on the side of the road. Maintence transported my bike up to our location or at least what was left of it. I'll post pics when i get back home. After about 30 minutes with the trooper we continued on our way. I will be racing on a borrowed bike this weekend thanks to matt operman and john rourke @ Gary Fisher for setting me up with a bike for the weekend. Here are some pics from the last 2 weeks..

Traveling in luxury on the way to Beauce!!!

Dan bring around a tailwip @ chops trials

Durango Herald cover boy..

It has been a long time

2007-06-15T12:26:00.000-06:00

I have been lacking on the updates as of late. Well since my last update I went to my cousin wedding and then headed up to canada for the tour de beauce. Unfornatley for me I ended up getting a little sick at beauce. Which meant i was hanging out in canada for a week. I got back home last night and finally got back on my bike today. Went for an easy ride with chops and even got on the bmx bike for a little while. I have my fingers crossed that i can do another ride tomorrow and try to put some type of form together for the world cup this weekend in canada. This will be my fourth weekend in canada since i got back to ny a month ago. That is about it tomorrow i will try to do put up some photos from the past week or so. Also some time this week I will try to get over and take some pics of chops and crew at the trials. He has some sick jumps he has built up 20 foot gaps that are way taller than me.

Work

2007-06-03T18:07:00.000-06:00

Well my rest week is officially over. It has been uneventful except for tuesday night i went down to the city with a couple of friends from high school and went to the beer garden in queens. It was an outside bar in the middle of the city which was cool to see. Thursday I played my 1st round of golf of the year. It didn't go terrible i just play on a par 3 course because i was running out of time. After that i checked out the state qualifiers track meet at the track i use to spend every afternoon at in the spring. I only got the to see the mile of the events i wanted to watch.

Friday it was off to work at mariners, bar backing from 2p.m. to 2.30a.m. Saturday I woke up around 11:30 on the bike @ 12 to work @ 2 out @ 2:30 a.m. I won't lie my body is so worked over from that. I did more lifting in that 24 hrs stretch then i've done since chops and i built the jump up at the school. I was also suppose to go in today but thank god it was raining in the morning so i didn't have to go slave away.

Insteaded I head out on the bike for a easy 2 hr ride. The hellish weather is back on the east coast. The rain jacket came out twice only for about 15 min at a time but it was a complete down pour. This week i will be back on the bike logging in the miles getting ready for beauce. Also my cousin is getting married this weekend so i will be off to that on friday get back sunday night then off to beauce on monday morning. I wonder if snyder worked over landis at the teva games. I saw jungle jay took the W which is awesome he is like the king of the CO races.

Canada Cup and Road Racing

2007-05-27T19:19:00.001-06:00

Well this last week at home got in some good training. Rode with Chops and Jesse on tuesday and did a good five hour ride up and around hunter.

The Canada Cup went well this weekend ended up 13th. Started back in the 8th row and couldn't make it into the elite group of 9 so Christin and I work together to try to bring down the 45 second gap. On the fifth lap i put my chain into the spokes and couldn't seem to hold onto 10th after that.

Here is my new road bike that will take place its 1st race tomorrow at the tour of somerville. I just got it put together today thanks to steve. Also thanks to Greg Black at Team spin 12 for the frame and fork, Greg Becker for the Sram group, Kris @ Topolino and Suzette @ FIZIK.

Anthony Is Killing It In Ireland!!

2007-05-22T18:44:00.000-06:00

You can't have a race in NYC it's a city!

2007-05-21T09:24:00.000-06:00

Well I have been busy traveling around the east since i got off the plane. Friday morning I headed up with Christin to do the Canada Cup in bromont. It ended up being an awesome course with very technical descents along with very steep ascents. The race was going well until on the 3rd lap my pedal broke and with 3 laps left to go I wasn't about to attempt to ride just on my spindle. Christin had a good ride and ended up 13 collect a couple UCI points. After the race it was a race back to NY to try to prepare for the race the next day in NYC. I arrived back home saturday night @ 10 tried to get my bike ready for the race the following day. Went down to the city with my dad on sunday. I figured that i could get away with running my road shoes, but as it turned out it was super technical and there was a good amount of running on the course. Trying to get in the road pedals was an tough objective to say the least. I ended up 3rd. They had a sweet jumping section not part of the course but it we road right past it. Snoodle would have been loving it all table tops. I hit the smaller rhythm section the high seat always scares me to jump on the mtb bike. Here are some pics from the last week and half or so.

Chris of RGP's new tree fort that he is building for himself don't let him tell you that it is for the girls.

Beaver Creek

View out side the hotel in Bromont.

Start/Finish Line in NYC

Single track NYC style.