Cross thus far

After getting back from Astoria, it dawned on me that the Crusade is now more than halfway over. I have seen some good improvement and I was really happy that I was able to scrape a good finish on Sunday considering the circumstance, what with falling and knocking the wind out of me. The weather indicates a change to the wetter side of things soon which means Barton could be muddy, so far only Alpenrose was rainy but that could change soon enough.

SO, a goal... hoping to reach the top of the C's maybe, possibly, maybe not possibly? I'll be out there doing my damnedist to try, its sure worth a shot.

PSU has treated me well thus far, they all seem like a great bunch of people from a bunch of different backgrounds. There's something humbling about seeing awesome racers from teams like Ironclad, Veloshop, and even The Gentle Lovers, all converging on one plane of racing. I always stress out about training but but I hope I can have some fun on some road rides later this week.

Just have to let go of the past sometimes and keep moving forward.

CC#3: Cold, Foggy, Painful, but not rainy

This was, by a fair margin, my most difficult race thus far. There was the illusion of downhill throughout most of the course, buts lets be honest it was all just one big run up. I was a little out of it because of an inability to train due to a small cold, and I definitely felt it but with a 66 place finish I can't complain

this is of course out of 138 so technically it was middle of the pack.

Off to Astoria soon, I'm almost hoping for rain but I'm not really sure what I think or want anymore.


We shall see!

Time has sprouted wings

Because it has truly been one of the quickest weeks ever. I keep wanting to say that I have a couple days until CC#3 but then I realize its actually only 36 hours away, in where better than scenic and probably unrecognizable Kelso/Longview; one of the many small cities one passes through if heading between Portland and Seattle or vice versa. Despite having made that very trip hundreds of times, this will be the first time I'e actually gotten off at the Kelso exit for a good reason, I suppose there couldn't be a better time than now.

Supposedly nice weather but I'll believe it when I see it.

A good read

the rider
Originally uploaded by dannyfelts

At the suggestion of Justin I decided to read Tim Krabbé's book The Rider and found it one of the more inspiring things I've read. Anyone who has ever raced competitively can relate to this guy, regardless of skill level. Its translated from Dutch so the dialogue comes through a little funny at times but its still a great read.

I had a feeling this may happen

1/2 sick after a race day, but not bedridden which I am happy about, although it's now a chore to breathe efficiently.

And another thing...

http://www.tufonorthamerica.com/tires/special.php?seriesid=23

Ignoring the specifics of that perticular tire I'm curious what a "tubular clincher" actually is, and if it really is what I think it is why isn't the cyclocross world going bonkers and dumping the ever popular tubular set up.

Curious

Just a thought

Ice Cube said it best... Cross Crusade #2

Today was a good day.

Went up to Willsonville this morning, waking up at the bitter hour of 6:50 to make my way to the Second Cross Crusade Race.

Things to note:

~ Course was extremely versatile, with a lot of very fast sections and slow sections. I'm not really sure whether I should be thankful or not but it didn't rain and at most the ground was slightly damp with not too much give. Got incredibly dry throughout the day, again I'm curious how the course faired for the masters considering it was mostly dust by the time they raced.

~ Extremely technical overall, and while there was only two official barriers, there were several sections that could have doubled quite nicely.

~ Where there wasn't mountains of dirt, there were rocks and its only godsend that I didn't flat, considering how many people I saw who did.

Overall Placing: 13th out of 100 and something. A really strong race and proof that I can indeed move up to being a Cat C. I've heard from several people that its not that different but I'll have to see for myself.

We shall see in time.

Pre-race day jitters

Literally!

The Northwest continues to be a harsh mistress with its icy bosom now upon oregon, or, it got really cold really fast. In the past week its gone from being comfortably chilly to full on freezing.

My house isn't responding too well to the extremes in temperature either. It recently decided to drop to the point to where I could see my breath in the morning, so I retaliated by putting plastic over my windows. In short, it kind of works, kind of...

I've been taking it easy the last couple of days preparing for Sundays race. Been doing yoga in the morning and before I go to bed as much as I can, which seems to be helping in little bit. I've also rediscovered my infatuation with running at night wearing only running shorts, shoes, and a tired grin, ( the colder it is, the stranger the looks )...

The second Cross Crusade is tomorrow which is definitely going to be interesting.

http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108907454630463163469.000454e9665dbf5bfe7f3&ll=45.312948,-122.793975&spn=0.007303,0.014656&t=h&z=16


The weather-clowns predict sun tomorrow, coupled with the fact that this looks like a much faster course then Alpenrose was: Note that there is only one barrier in the entire course and many long straightaways. I can only hope its a little slower then it looks.

At least the weather will be nice.

First Cyclocross Race Ever: Alpenrose

Finally happened after a long awaited off season cross finally started today! Rode the beginner men which worked out extremely well, with the exception that I got a flat with about two laps to go. The course was really crazy technical but slow but with quick sections that really helped and kept the pace up.

Mostly comprised up of hay and random debris but by the time the masters men raced it was mostly mud and extremely slippery.

Things to improve on for the next race.

1. Bringing arm warmers, might be worth it.
2. Inflating my tires more, probably the reason I got a flat in the first place.
3. Get top five, or try to win the beginners: I'd like to have that psychological reassurance that I do belong in the C's before jumping up to them. I probably would have finished top 5 today for reference.
4. Get on a team, time to get back on that boat. Veloshop would be really cool or maybe Ironclad.


Figure out strategy and train a little more.


Danny


Other things in my life.


Whoo!

That first post was written while I was waiting in the Apple store at Pioneer Place, so it was definitely rushed a little. Now a real recap...

Today was a good finale to what has been a very busy week. I'm tempted to say that it was almost a little unnerving but when I look back at the actual events that happened and really think it over, I usually just come to the decision that I was just very busy getting things ready. First off got myself slightly more into debt finishing my cross bike just in time for cross crusade. I have no idea where I'm going to scape together some several hundred dollars but I usually find a way so I'm not really that worried, not to mention the Scattante looks awesome, and I think I can officially say its the first bike I've pretty much built up by myself. With a slightly shorter stem I think it just might work perfect.

School has been heating up as well, I had a little scare about whether or not I should drop a class or not but after some careful deliberation I think I'll keep it and just work it out. Film is something that comes and goes in my mind but even though it is a slightly silly major I take solace in the fact that I know I can creatively read and write a little bit more proficiently.

I've also decided to give morning spinning a shot with the stationary bike. Normally I would never be able to do this but for the first time in my college career I'm able to sleep in a little more so why not wake a little earlier and start the day on in the saddle, literally. Supplemented with a little running I should be able to get a pretty good independent training schedule out. All this aside I'm still trying to see if I can get accepted by Veloshop, and at the same tim wondering if I should considering they have no strict training regiment. It's worth a shot in my book, and hey, what could possibly go wrong, ( not sure if thats the right thing to end a post with )

Danny