Tucson Training camp- Day 1

After two hours of sleep and 6 hours of flying, Shaw and I made it to Tucson. We flew to Tucson through phoenix, had the last bit of junk food we would have for a long time, (burger king at 11:30 am- why not?), and were greeted by Coach Roger at the airport.





Tucson is beautiful. 80 and sunny, and not a spec of rain cloud anywhere in sight. Countless Cacti stand erect all over the countryside, like huge desert boners (ha). and to think, at 6 am this morning I was shivering my nuts off in 29 degree weather. the miserable Northest winter almost erase any memories you had of being warm and happy!

As we drive to the house, I can see Mt. Lemmon in the distance. my chubby ass would soon become very, very acquainted with its 9,000 feet of elevation gain in 30 miles. That's what I'm here for, right? I'm predicting alot of crying, and maybe a few mid-ride tantrums for good measure (remember, I'm now a celebrity and can get away with psychotic, self absorbed behavior!






The house is exactly what i expected: a huge, ostentateous porn palace! this house is huge- overlooking Mt. Lemmon and is festooned with shag carpeting throughout the house. I wonder if i've seen this house in one of the many artistic films i've been known to watch . it'll be our hilarious base of operations for the next week. Roger and his staff have worked tirelessly to make this experience fun, and we're also getting tons of schwag to try out from their potential sponsors. I'll be trying out some new Swiss nutrition supplements, and i'll be reviewing them in a few days. Also, the folks at Honest Tea are so awesome that they've delivered us about 10 cases of refreshing ice teas and thirst quenchers. I'm a big fan of their stuff, and everyone here has already been chugging it down and enjoying it.






Once we put our bikes together, Shaw and i got a quick 2 hr spin in. we rode to the foothills of Mt Lemmon and went about 5 miles up it. It's a super long climb for sure, but its a steady one. i can see how you can find a rhythm to a climb like that and just pedal away for hours. I'm sure i'll have a different opinion on it after we climb all 30 miles of it tomorrow. More to come.

O' Bacon, Where art thou?

One of my new year's resolutions was to make sure I blog more- you'd think i wouldn't have a problem talking about myself for hours on end (ask any of my friends). But considering that my first blog of 2009 comes to you in mid February speaks volumes about how good i am at keeping resolutions...

I hadn't really taken the time to reflect on the end of 2008. To say the least, it was a blast. Somehow we banded together and put on an awesome race that made NYCX'ers proud. not even DFLing and getting hypothermia could quell the awesome time i had putting that race on.

And here we are, firmly entrenched in 2009. I have to admit, I'm pumped. We put together an awesome new team full of awesome guys that know how to race well and have fun, We're training with a dreamy Finnish coach who happens to be this year's National Masters CX Champ, our kits are fabulous, and there's tons of awesome races to get ready for!

I've also been dealing with the double-sided sword that is fame. ever since i was featured on the back page of a certain cycling publication this month...



Don't worry- being a fat kid in grammar school more than prepared my for the amount of anonymous hate and mockery this photo is going to get me. And while you people may THINK its fun to get accosted by attractive females every time i leave the G-damn house, it actually gets kind of old... wait, no it doesn't...


Now i know what you're dying to ask: How is the most famous mediocre cat 4 in the country going to train for a grueling season of "holja line" park races as well as hilly out of town races that he'll probably get dropped on?

Aside from a few rocky-style training montages, I've been hitting the trainer and the gym quite a bit when it's been below freezing. as riding the trainer is a miserable, lonely affair, I've been inviting friends over for "trainer dates," also known as "indoor trainer gang bangs." Everyone's favorite cat 3 sandbagger Colin Prensky joined me a few times, which i guess mean's we're going steady (he likes to spoon afterward)



Also, after suffering through 10 months of a baconless existence last year, I've decided that i will ESPECIALLY eat bacon this year! i just found out that bacon has Omega 6's in it- those are twice as good as omega 3's right?! they should invent more things that are delicious AND good for you.



The next few weeks are going to be full of training, and my first big race, the Rouge Roubaix, is only 21 days away. I did this 100 mile bastard of a race last year. Think Battenkill x 2, with rougher roads and shorter, steeper climbs, and then put the entire thing on in the middle of deliverance country in Louisiana and Mississippi. you get the idea. It's an insanely epic race that's laughably early in the season. It's also one of the best races I've competed in. Last year i came in 20th, including a flat tire and a pee break (i have the bladder of a 4 year old). This year, I'm racing with a vengeance. Roubaix tires have been purchased, and I have no qualms about going boom-boom or wee-wee in my bibs this time (bike shorts are pretty much just spandex diapers anyway, right?)




in order to get ready for the upcoming season, and to get out of the city, I'm flying out to Tucson, AZ to take part in our coach's training camp. i'll be out there riding for 5 days, up and down Mount Lemmon, crying and whining about how much i hate hills. hopefully this will transform my racing form from mediocre to a little better than mediocre. we're staying in a huge mansion in Tucson that Roger rented, complete with pool, hot tub, and sauna. Bonus- Apparently this house has also been used to film some movies that I've probably already seen on redtube, so you know it's got character! I'm just going to have to check the room with a blacklight before i go to sleep...



Tomorrow morning I'm celebrating president's day by making my way to Westwood Velo at the buttcrack of dawn to have a fitting session and Lactate Balance point test with Roger. Then it'll be TOC time. Just you wait and see- Big George is going to win a stage this week, and then dedicate it to me, his biggest fanboy (stalker).

photo by Ken Conley- kwc.org