Here’s a very nice production of the race that I ended my season with… well actually they don’t cover the amateur series… but all the same. This race was down in Portland, OR and was a very cold/wet/muddy day. This video captures what the experience was like.
U.S. gran prix of cyclocross from Jim Fryer/BrakeThrough Media on Vimeo.
Last night, CBC Racing’s own cyclocross squad celebrated the close of a very successful 2009 at Ramblin’ Jack’s in downtown Olympia. Although there was no campfire or singing, there was a cowbell. The good vibes generated from sharing stories of the race season and goals for the upcoming year were enough to warm up an otherwise cold and rainy evening. Personally, I am looking forward to seeing these great teammates of mine prepare for another fantastic ‘cross season! Next year, it’ll be ‘Oly’ all the way as the team transitions on January 1, 2010 to the banner of our new title sponsor Olympia Orthopaedic Associates. Watch out world, here comes ‘Oly.’
As a joke, a recreational cyclist sent his resume to Johan Brunyeel, team director for Lance Armstrong’s Team “The Shack.” After all was said and done, after a series of challenges, “Fatty” (as he is called,) raised tons of cash for charity and got invited to ride with the team at their team training camp. Here’s part of the story of how it came to be:
Okay, I’ve not posted much in the past few weeks, so here’s a gem I can’t wait to share. Hope this makes it all up to you. This video link was forwarded to me by a teammate today. It’s full of clips from the 1976 Cyclocross National Championships in Sunriver, Oregon. Watching this opens my eyes up to some incredible possibilities, actually. There’s a lot of crazy style these racers have. The equipment is mighty fine, including soccer shoes (s brand new pair of Sambas??) I mean seriously, feel some respect as you watch them bunny hopping logs with 30 lb. bikes and speeding along a treacherous course! Who needs fancy equipment? (btw, this comment does NOT include the notable absence of helmets.) Enjoy. I hope this warms your winter up.
I recently found this November 5, 2009 interview with Kristen Armstrong posted through Idaho Public Television. As someone who finished a time trial this year dead last (but not eliminated!) I can really admire this athlete who is a two time world champion in the time trial event. She won in 2006 and 2009. In between those titles, she also had a score of other top finishes, including a gold medal in the Olympics in 2008.
Teammate Camille is back in action stateside with a great video of last weekend’s racing. It was a fast course with lots of variety. I totally look forward to returning there next year. To the pumpkin patch? Not yet.
Throughout the past year I’ve been thinking of what to be for Halloween. As usual, no cool costume, but instead good ideas. 
Here’s what people have recommended to me during the past year for your viewing pleasure. Something to do with the eyebrows, I guess. This is what could have been!
Winter training in the PNW isn’t anywhere close to winter training in the sunbelt, so pay careful attention to Dr. Gabe Mirkin’s recommendations for vitamin D supplementation for cyclists in the following article posted today:
Dr. Gabe Mirkin’s Fitness and Health E-Zine
November 1, 2009
No Evidence Cycling Weakens Bones
No data exists in the scientific literature showing that
any type of exercise weakens bones. Bone growth depends on the
forces exerted on them by gravity and contracting muscles. So any
activity or exercise that causes you to contract your muscles will
strengthen bones (Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise,
November 2009).
Previous studies showed that world class cyclists had
reduced bone densities in their spines. However, bone density
tests do not measure bones strength. They measure how much bones
block X-rays that try to pass through them. The only way to measure
bone strength is to see how much force it takes to break a bone.
The most likely explanations for broken bones in cyclists
are high-impact crashes and/or lack of vitamin D. I recommend
that all cyclists get a blood test called Vitamin D3 in December or
January. If it is below 75 nmol/L, they are deficient in vitamin D
and at increased risk for breaking bones. To prevent fractures,
they should do winter training in the southern sunbelt or take at
least 800 IU of Vitamin D3 per day.
A recent review of 12 blinded, controlled scientific
studies showed that oral vitamin D reduced non-vertebral and hip
fractures in patients over 65 years of age (Evidence-Based Medicine,
October 2009). Blood levels of vitamin D below 75 nmol/L cause
parathyroid hormone levels to rise too high, which causes
osteoporosis. A main function of vitamin D is to increase calcium
absorption from the intestines into the bloodstream. When blood
levels of vitamin D fall below 75 nmol/L, levels of ionizable
calcium drop. This causes the parathyroid gland to produce large
amounts of its hormone. Higher than normal blood parathyroid
hormone levels take calcium out of bones to cause osteoporosis.
Did it rain this weekend? I don’t know. I know I missed a race I wanted to be in, but ultimately the trade off was a good one. Here’s a picture of me with Barney King, a USAC Elite Coach who is part of the Junior and Pro Racing scene. I, of course, am wearing that ridiculous shirt that my wife thought she gave away!
I spent most of the day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at a Seminar hosted by USA Cycling to be eligible for an upgrade of my coaching certificate from a level 3 to a level 2. During the 20 hours of training, we reviewed topics such as Bioenergetics, Training Plan Development for athletes, & Nutrition/Hydration. Since I am used to doing most of my continuing education every year in chiropractic, this was a great chance to be out of my usual box and meet new people from multiple disciplines who are cycling coaches. I also got to get my picture taken with Barney King and Sam Callen who are both part of USA Cycling and two of the three presenters for the weekend. I didn’t get a picture with Andy Subhudi, PhD, and I wish I had. He was probably one of the best instructors I’ve had in my life!
I won’t comment on whether or not I think the sasquatch or the unicorn exist. Yesterday, however, was the first day of an epic weekend of the MFG Cross-Clash to see whose mythical being (Washington’s Sasquatch or Oregon’s Unicorn) would dominate. Unfortunately, Oregon was a “no show” for our race, so either they ran scared or the high cost of gasoline kept them away.
Before the races I got to hang out by the Rad Racing tents and visit with some of my favorite junior racers, including Andrea Casebolt, whose bike wears the stars and stripes from being national champion in her age category. She and her family are some of my favorite cyclocross inspirations.
In my race, I got a great start position in the middle of the front line. I sprinted hard and got the hole shot to the off-road section. Unfortunately, I crashed into the barriers at near full-speed. In retrospect, I came into the barriers without any coasting, which left me no room to run or get the bike up into my arms. Result: cleared the first barrier, barely, and fell on top of my bike and over the second one. Rookie mistake seen by all! (But luckily not by our cameras.) Ah, glory is short lived in racing. I woke up sore this morning in a few places I wouldn’t expect it, and I’m guessing it’s from that fall.
I ended up holding onto the lead pack briefly until the uphill drained me. I couldn’t shift out of my front chainring, which left me “big ringing” it throughout the course and most noticeably on the long uphills where I could have used the easier gear. Unfortunately, this was in combination with a rear derailleur that was throwing my chain into the spokes. Lots of limitation on that end. I do love spinning up hills and in this race, I had to stand up for most of it. 🙁
Once again about 3/4 way through the race I was passed by one of the top racers in the 45+ category heat. He’s from the Old Town Bicycles squad, and this has been happening for the past 2 years. If I ever want to see improvement, I have to stay in front of George for an entire race. That’ll be the day. As it was, I finished in 15th place.
