Navigation | Category » Pro Blogs
April 13, 2013
Hope springs eternal, right? That’s all well and good, but I live in the here and now, so on a much more tangible level: SPRING springs in Europe and that is a very good thing. No sooner was I out the door today when I shed the arm warmers (leg warmers were never even considered) and basked in my solar absorption of vitamin D.
The frigid winter wrath across Europe is finally beginning to subside after the coldest European late winter and early spring that I can remember. And admittedly I’ve only been to Europe since I dabbled in 2005 and on the reg’ beginning in 2009, but still this spring has been freakin’ weird. And unequivocally cold! Let’s all remember that Gent-Wevelgem was the coldest day on record in the entire Flander’ish region since the late 1800s. That’s brisk baby.
It’s amazing how much of a difference this makes in my overall well-being. I previously thought that seasonal affective disorder was hocus-pocus or else just a complaint among people who had exceptionally thin skin in combination with their extreme warm-bloodedness. Heck, I love winter. With maple syrup running through my veins, it’s probably the New England in me having grown up on ice skates and skis that says I love cold temperatures. But just as the belting hot sun melts away the snow, there is some magical combination of a cloudless sky, warm temperatures, birds chirping, and flowers budding that makes my smile morph to an even bigger smile and then I’m in a very good mood. In so many words: finally, it’s nice out. (…for now)
There’s no rest for the weary, however. As soon as I arrived home to Girona just yesterday — after a mighty successful Spring Classics campaign I might add — to take in my Catalonian spring, I’ve already packed up shop and am off to greener pastures. Or, hopefully at least as green since as you can see in the above photo, Girona is gorgeous right now. First, this evening I head to Tuscany to help with a fun little (read: big) media project for our dear friends at Cannondale. That takes me through the middle of next week as I noodle all about Chianti. And then directly I’ll be off to Los Estados Unidos for a typically action packed few days at home complete with seeing the fam and recharge the batteries (plus hopefully a Bruin’s game, a belated birthday celebration with my bro complete with a well traveled Westvleteren 12, a celebratory dinner or two, plus requisite New England bike slaying adventures) before I storm the high altitude of Colorado and then onto the Tour of California. Phew, makes me tired just thinking about it.
In lieu of rest for the weary, there’s only coffee. Plus jet lag supplemented by napping and more coffee. Ready…? Go.
Go to the Source – http://iamtedking.com
Filed by Ted King at April 13th, 2013 under Featured, Road Blog, Ted King
No comments on this post yet
Christiaan Kriek won the green points jersey at Redlands. Photo by Brian Hodes
Nic Hamilton describes the team’s successes at the Redlands Bicycle Classic.
During my time as a cyclist there have been very, very few constants. The Redlands Bicycle Classic is one of just a handful of races that I have been able to measure year to year. It’s one of those events that provokes those “my, how much has happened in a year?’ self-dialogues.
First, our host house puppies had grown into full-fledged dogs. But more importantly, Jelly Belly p/b Kenda had developed into a more experienced machine, ready to show ourselves on the road.
Day Uno: TT at Big Bear
A new Time Trial at Redlands created a lot of intrigue in the peloton. What would be the effect of this new course, held at a pretty decent altitude, just shy of 7000 feet? The newest member of the team, Serghei Tvetcov, wasn’t phased and had a solid rip placing eighth. Times were much tighter than with the previous uphill TT, so the GC battle was very much up for grabs and the Twitterverse was blowing up with projections of a war-like, street fight on Day 2.
Beaumont:
One of the many fantastic things about our generous hosts in Redlands is that they have more freshly laid eggs than an entire cycling team can eat. Trust me, we tried. Then it was off to Beaumont. The race was energetic. Christiaan Kriek, the South African import, took the Green Jersey from a breakaway effort and the team really came together to accomplish our objectives, not always done the easy way, but we got ‘em done. Brad Huff was sixth on the day thanks to a good dig from Alex Hagman to get him where he needed to be for the bunch kick, just a few seconds behind the leaders.
Criterium:
With a later race time we had a causal morning, but the routine was no different. Cyclists are creatures of habit. We threw a leg over the Focus Cayo EVO bikes in the morning to shake some of the “junk” out of our legs from the previous day’s 200km adventure and set off for some course recon and coffee shop time. Reconnecting with old friends is bound to happen at bike races as many of us only ever see each other at the races. We took the morning to drink coffee and catch up.
The evening event went by without too much drama. We realized we have a bit of work to do collaborating throughout the race to stay organized and on point. We eventually figured it out and Brad did a good sprint to finish second. Chris earned enough points to keep his jersey, and with that we had two boys walking the steps to the podium.
Brad Huff finished second in Stage 3. Photo by Brian Hodes
Sunset, oh how poetic:
The final day was the sunset loop road race, touted as one of the most challenging courses in the U.S. Like any course, it’s how you race it that makes it challenging or not, but with that said there is no hiding on sunset. First order of business was locking up the points jersey in the opening criterium laps. Kriek did a great job muscling his way to win both bonus sprints and effectively lock up the jersey.
I have to take a quick few words here to express my thanks to the Redlands community. Turns out we aren’t the only team with hosts going way above and beyond for the teams. I was blown away by the Community as a whole supporting this event. There were people congregated enjoying the sun everywhere on the course. It both elevated and smashed our morale as we struggled up climbs past BBQ cook-outs and ice cold coolers of choice beverages. But in the end it was definitely a net positive on the morale – thanks for the “Jelly Belly” cheers.
From the race perspective we were well-represented and took some chances going on into the breaks and giving ‘er a go on ALL parts of the course. We finished with three guys in the final kick and another trip to the podium where Kriek could rest easy and take that points jersey home with him.
Jelly Belly p/b Kenda riders relax after a well-fought race. Photo by Brian Hodes
We are off to Sea Otter, then Joe Martin and Tour of the Gila, which are all new races for this author. Don’t be shy – come say hi!
Thanks for reading,
Nic Hamilton
Go to the Source – jellybellycycling.com
Filed by Jelly Belly Pro Cycling at April 13th, 2013 under Featured, Jelly Belly Pro Cycling, Road Blog
No comments on this post yet
April 4, 2013
I am freshly back from logging two weeks in the Belgian arctic, where spring has not yet sprung and Flanders is still wallowing in her natural frigid climes. While I was amid the thousands of cyclists, fans, and journalists begrudging the sub-zero temperatures, we mustn’t forget that this is the northern hemisphere in the very tail end of winter and first week of spring. Prior to 2013 we’d been blessed with at least three years of reasonably warm weather during the Belgian Spring Classics week(s), so the fact that it was blustery and chilly this time around should not actually come as a surprise.
And with that having been said, I wouldn’t be a cyclist worth my salt if I didn’t talk about the weather. It seems anyone upwards of a pack-fodder category 2 racer can speak with at least some degree of proficiency about the meteorological trends of his or her geographical area. Reading a Doppler radar map and knowing what a forecasted 45% chance of precipitation really means is their M.O.
Most teams stick around the cobbled and blustery northern European front this week between Flanders and Roubaix, but we at Cannondale Pro Cycling are given the chance to press and hold the reset button and therefore briefly head home. It’s an opportune way to clear one’s mind, find some semblance of normalcy in life, catch up on missed internet, eat a non-hotel meal, get a few days of proper training in rather than the all too typical-canal-lap-and-coffee-shop-stop, and overall just rest up before bone jarring Paris-Roubaix on Sunday. Reconnaissance be damned(!), I’m perfectly happy sleeping in my own bed.
Embracing these few days of freedom, I did this ride yesterday, which much like Belgium was also horrifically windy, but extremely soul cleansing.
After having nary any skin exposed for the past, ooh, three months and having been particularly bundled up these past two weeks, I set out with both arm and leg warmers yesterday, but soon after removed them and boldly exposed my arms and legs throughout the day – if nothing else to absorb some succulent solar vitamin D. According to the SRM, the average temperature was 15C with a high of 18C, which is about 59 average and a high of 65 for you Fahrenheit fans. Brisk, but relatively balmy and warm. Worth noting for subsequent analysis, I also had a t-shirt length undershirt, thin wool gloves, a thin vest, and a cycling cap.
With a Strava ride title such as it is regarding clothing choice, waking up today I was heartily entertained by the detailed dialogue going on in the comments section of that ride pertaining to said clothing choice. The talk of what to wear, when to wear it, where one’s from, what are one’s standards for weather conditions, and blah blah blah, the comments section of this ride became a forum for cycling clothing nerdery. And therefore needs my input.
My first piece of advice is that it’s all relative. There I was at four in the afternoon, four and a half hours into my five hour day wearing a mere jersey (and aforementioned vest and cap) and shorts when I rode by a friend and cycling colleague. He was five hours into his ride with an hour to go clad in everything I would typically be wearing this past week in Belgium. That is, leg-warmers, a thermal jacket, gloves, and shoe covers. He’s a hearty Canadian and therefore knows cold weather. This is an example of PRO behavior and is certainly acceptable, but harkens back to traditional cyclists’ thinking that if you’re cold, you’re going to get sick. To which I say Boo!
There’s this and this and this and a litany of other results upon searching, “can you get sick by being cold” that scream no. Which is not to say that it is a bad idea to stay warm on rides. Heck, I hate being cold. But to each his (or her) own. Moreover, everyone has an internal furnace and thermostat, so to tell someone that they’re under-dressed or overdressed when whatever it is they’re wearing fits into the realm of mildly reasonable clothing is quite frankly uniformed and naive.
I digress. So what is “correct”? Per the above paragraph, there’s clearly a range of acceptable. And per the paragraph where I had an encounter with my Canadian cycling brethren, there’s a wide range of acceptable clothing options.
After the rave reviews of my last homemade chart, let’s create another one. Although this one will be more congruent and easier to read plus color coordinated, since we all know that red means hot and blue means cold… and apparently yellowy-orange means something in the middle. This chart breaks down what percentage of your current riding attire should consist of each of the following clothing types – Frigid, Medium, and just plain Jersey & Shorts – based on the temperature which is found in the Y-axis. This is pure science so pay attention.
Frigid Weather Gear means as much Gore-Tex, windproof, and thermal clothing as you can afford. Oh, your big bad self is sponsored and therefore can “afford” everything? Super. Put it all on cause it’s cold out. The rubbery’est of thick, rubbery shoe-covers are a must, mittens are mandatory over gloves, and a balaclava face mask is highly recommended. Undershirts should resemble long-underwear as if you’re going skiing or ice climbing; that is, thick and long sleeve. Function over fashion here; you’ll likely look like a bloated oaf with all this gear, but it’s better than hypothermia and losing a few digits to frostbite.
Medium Weather Gear means it’s time to sub out your thermal/windproof/water resistant tights from above for mere bib shorts and leg-warmers. Conveniently you may now stow away your thermal jacket when arm-warmers and a jersey will do. Alternatively long-sleeved jerseys are a superb item. Vests fit snugly into this category, both the ambiguously titled “wind” vests and the much sturdier thermal vest. I don’t use the word gilet because I think it’s dumb. Furthermore, if you use the word gilet, then you likely fit into the category of person who might wear this sort of gilet. In which case… I’m very sorry. Undershirts consist of all sleeve lengths depending on your preference: long, t-shirt, or sleeveless. Hand garments are still generally long fingered, but considerably thinner than Frigid Gear. Furthermore, mittens are not in this category. Shoe covers are frequently over-socks. Stylish and functional although not so much when it’s raining out. Wearing time trial specific shoe covers is generally pretty lame, unless you have a shoe sponsor conflict and you’re therefore covering up your own errors. Then I’ll let it slide. An iamnotTedKing neckgaiter is arguably the most functional item in this category and cycling caps are pretty darn handy too.
Jersey & Shorts means just that. Short fingered gloves are acceptable if you are racing, motorpacing, or if you have sketchy bike handling skills and might crash yourself in training and you value your hands. But otherwise, please consider going sans gloves. I met a kid once who told me that he always wore a cycling cap because that that was his thing. It was about 99 degrees outside and you couldn’t stand in the sun without breaking into a ferocious sweat. But he was my competition at the time and if overheating and sweating unnecessarily is his thing, then his detriment is my benefit and I let him go on his merry way.
You will notice that there is no category above titled Just Bibs. Even when it’s stiflingly hot out and you want to work off your farmer’s tan you should never ride without a jersey. Rules are rules, my friends. Furthermore I don’t care if it’s your thing.
So that’s a wrap for today. Stay warm, stay cool, stay well dressed, and have a super day.
Go to the Source – http://iamtedking.com
Filed by Ted King at April 4th, 2013 under Featured, Road Blog, Ted King
No comments on this post yet
March 31, 2013
Groundhog Day! The calendar reads just one or two years later, but a quick scroll through my memory rolodex and I’ve been here before. Yup, Ronde Van Vlaanderen Eve. This being year number three, I see the familiar sights and I recognize friendly faces from our hotel and even around Kortrijk – homebase for the past two weeks. The roster has had some minor tweaks and obviously we’re racing with the flashy Cannondale Pro Cycling colors, but with a few fewer butterflies in my stomach than years’ past, I’m ready for the Ronde.
To others, maybe it’s Christmas Eve since the RVV is their religion. Yup, it sounds like hyperbole, but if people can worship the sun, then I’m fairly certain there are folks who bow to the hallowed cobbles and repeated climbs of Flanders.
So with the pillar of the spring classics on tap in just a few hours, we spun 2013′s final team easy ride up and down the Kortrijk canal, had one last trip to the cafe/bakery/chocolate shop, and one last photo op with the friendly folks inside. Lots of horizontal time today with naps, massage, and generally exerting ourselves as little as humanly possible occupying the majority of the day.
So until next year Kortrijk, hasta la pasta! Meanwhile, we’re going to bed hoping to be doing some of this in 24 hours.
Go to the Source – http://iamtedking.com
Filed by Ted King at March 31st, 2013 under Featured, Road Blog, Ted King
No comments on this post yet
March 30, 2013
After following along yesterday morning with Trofeo Alfredo Binda as my teammates toiled away in the bone-chilling rain of Northern Italy for the second round of the World Cup, I felt extra lucky to race under blue skies and sunshine in my short sleeve kit this afternoon. We were hoping to race aggressively in our bid to bring home the win or, minimally, another podium finish on the third and final day of racing at San Dimas. Although we ultimately ended up sixth in yesterday’s criterium, I think we were all happy enough with the way we raced.
Our goal was to attack from the start. We were looking to get up the road or force the extra weight out the back for a smaller group finish. It became clear quickly that other teams had alternate strategies in mind. Most moves were quickly neutralized and the pack stayed together as single unit until after the first points sprint. Then the attacks started to heat up as the teams were ready to start racing.
Thirty minutes into the race, a six rider move went up the road. Most of the big teams were represented, but we had somehow missed out. We each took turns jumping from the peloton in hope of bridging across. We’d gain a bit of a distance, but the gap was too big. Eventually, Jo just went to the front and drilled it. Her pace brought the break back to within closing distance. I took over from there to make the catch. I suspect that would have been the race winning move had we not been so insistent on being part of it.
After that, there were several more attacks – all insignificant. When we saw five laps to go, we knew were probably setting things up for a field sprint. My teammates and I focused on staying near the front to catch any late race moves. We were all pretty tired at that point, and we were lucky that nothing went away that would have forced us to respond. I’m still getting my race legs under me at this point, so I probably wasn’t in the best possible position, but I did keep an eye on Jo to make sure she was safely tucked towards the front.
With one lap remaining, I started to move up on the little steady uphill grade on the back side of the course. I saw Jo ahead in the perfect position, and although I wanted to help her if I could, I thought the best thing to do would be to stay put. I didn’t want to come around her and risk bringing too many people up with me. It could have had a swarming effect.
Honestly, I didn’t really have it, either. I didn’t have enough legs to keep the high speed Jo would have needed, so it also made sense in that regard to let her do her thing. The steady grade on the back side of the course is followed by two right hand turns in quick succession and then a fast downhill ahead of the finish. I’ve been told that Optum had been on the front and started to fade, and Gillian Carelton (Specialized-lululemon) used that as her opportunity to jump the field.
Gillian opened up a gap before the final turn before the finish. There was a little reshuffling before the line. Gillian held onto her ever so slim gap, and Jo took fifth in the sprint behind, good for sixth place. With a few more races in my legs, I know that I’ll be there for Jo in the end to help her get a better result that she deserves.
With the exception of missing the mid-race move, we rode pretty well today. Personally, I was happy to see how I handled the first bit of intensity of my season. This weekend was the perfect opportunity to slowly build into this type of effort instead of throwing myself into the deep end and drowning.
From a team perspective, it’s always a little bit disappointing to miss out on a better result. Still, we’re able to keep this weekend in perspective. Jo clearly has fitness that Amanda and I are still building, and Melanie is very green at these types of races. She’s new to criterium style racing, and she’s got a lot to learn – which is great. She has a huge engine, and it’s clear that once she figures things out, she’s going to be amazing. She just needs to be patient with herself as she learns the ropes and have faith that she’ll eventually be able to contribute.
All things considered, it was a good weekend. We all stayed safe. We communicated well. We snagged a podium. We’ve come out of the race with more fitness than we had coming into it.
Now, onto team camp in Carpinteria where we will finally join our teammates who have been in Europe racing all spring. After reading report after report of the dismal race conditions that they were subjected to, I know they will be incredibly happy to see sunshine and the beach! And I am excited to meet a few new faces for the first time and to reconnect with former teammates and new teammates who I know but have never raced with prior to this year.
See my Strava file here.
Go to the Source – meredithmiller.missingsaddle.com
Filed by Meredith Miller at March 30th, 2013 under Meredith Miller, Road Blog
No comments on this post yet
Jelly Belly p/b Kenda is part of the Movement for Credible Cycling, whose members agree to abide by ethical criteria that go beyond the World Anti-Doping Agency code. MPCC members commit to not to sign riders who have been suspended for doping, to control the use of corticoid injections and to immediately suspend riders from racing if they fail an anti-doping control. Check out this interview the organization did with Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France.
How did you take into account MPCC members while choosing the teams invited for the next Criterium International (March, 23rd-24th)?
We have invited all the MPCC teams who applied to the race, 11 teams in that case. Then, we chose the rest of the teams given the roster they were proposing. This is a rule we wish to apply to all our HC races (Tour of Qatar, Tour of Oman, Paris-Tours).
As the AIOCC president, what message did you want to convey to organizers in relation to MPCC ?
The AIOCC position hasn’t moved since November, when I presented it during its general assembly: priority goes to MPCC teams. Obviously, it doesn’t mean that organizers have to invite only MPCC teams. But MPCC sets harder rules to its own teams and riders, and I welcome it. When two teams are at the same level, we have to show that the MPCC one defends a cycling we love, a cycling from a better world. Not a perfect world, but a better one. For instance, on ASO races, all the wild-cards for World Tour races are reserved for MPCC teams.
Is the notion of probationary period, set by MPCC for some of the new members, important ?
Yes, I’m fully satisfied with this decision, it’s definitely what the MPCC philosophy is. We all want to tend towards a better cycling, and sometimes, it’s necessary to wait a bit to assess the evolution in behaviors. MPCC stated from the beginning that it would not close the door on new members. But if we consider what happened in the past, it is a good decision to implement a probationary period. Teams that are concerned have one year to show their efforts, and if everything goes well, they become then full MPCC members. This probationary period was indeed an appropriate decision for MPCC, its credibility and the credibility of those who defend its values.
Should UCI align its rules with those set by MPCC, as it started to, taking position on corticosteroids ?
The problem is that the rules set by MPCC are even harder than those of the World Anti-Doping Code. In fact, MPCC is going beyond sport in general and its rules. If those rules were adopted by a federation, they would obviously have to be applied to everybody, and that would be better understood by all.
Isn’t there a risk of a two-tier cycling since eight World Tour teams are not MPCC members ?
No, because all the teams, MPCC members or not, have anyway the obligation to comply with the World Anti-Doping Code. Some teams decide to set harder rules for themselves, but it doesn’t mean that the others don’t comply with the anti-doping rules that govern the world of professional sport, beyond cycling.
LCL, the yellow jersey sponsor for 25 years, and PMU, the green jersey sponsor, recently joined MPCC. Are you behind this decision ?
No, but I am pleased that we share the same values. This is exactly why LCL is the Tour de France’s first private partner and its most loyal sponsor for 30 years. The same is the case for PMU, which has been a Tour de France sponsor for more than 20 years. There is no coincidence. Through all the difficulties, we have always been there for each other. It simply means that we share the same philosophy, and that we wish for a more credible cycling, a cycling that has the values defended by MPCC.
See the interview and other MPCC news at http://mpcc.unblog.fr/category/info-news/
Go to the Source – jellybellycycling.com
Filed by Jelly Belly Pro Cycling at March 30th, 2013 under Featured, Jelly Belly Pro Cycling, Road Blog
No comments on this post yet
March 25, 2013
(photo credit: Brian Hodes / VeloImages)
We landed on the podium. My legs felt happy albeit not quite as fit as I might wish they were. There were (too many) crashes, but no one was seriously injured. I think I’ll call it a good day at San Dimas.
I described the course yesterday. I neglected to mention that I’m not a huge fan of the circuit. There’s a section where we can use only half the road. Our lane is sectioned off by cones, and there’s traffic on the other side. We had 77 starters, which is a decent sized field. Everyone is fighting for a spot on the front. Racing in one lane between cones and the curb makes things super sketchy – especially on the first few laps when the entire peloton is together. It can get a little too tense for my liking.
After this part of the course, we make a right hand turn and hit the hills. It’s sort of rolling for awhile. After the rollers, we hit a section that has been the scene of crashes every time I’ve raced San Dimas. There are bumps from roots growing up through the pavement on the right hand side of the road. The bumps aren’t visible from a distance, and they certainly stay hidden when the entire peloton is together. We were going through this section really fast on the first lap. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but I wasn’t super surprised when I started to hear noises indicating riders were going down.
It was one of the crashes where it seemed to have ended and then more people go down. I was on the left side of the road, and the crash started domino’ing in my direction. I was thinking: “No. No. No. NO!” Luckily I managed to avoid hitting the deck.
I found Jo and Melanie pretty quickly as I surveyed the damage done to the peloton, but I didn’t see Amanda. I started freaking out a little bit, and I dropped to the back as I looked for her. That’s when I realized that Mara Abbott [Exergy Twenty16] was missing. You might remember from yesterday that she was the race leader heading into today’s stage.
Exergy was at the back of the bunch trying to get information, too. The peloton had gone up the road a little bit while were attempting to figure out what had happened. It soon became clear that Mara had definitely gone down, so I helped Exergy neutralize the peloton. The yellow jersey had gone down and cycling etiquette dictates that we wait for her to rejoin us – or at least until we knew what had happened to her.
We weren’t getting much information out of the commisaires, so it was a bit of a cluster for awhile. Exergy didn’t know what had happened to Mara. I dropped back to the moto commisaire and the SRAM guys on motos asking ‘Where’s Mara?’ and ‘Did Mara get up and start riding again?’
Finally, more than one lap after the crash, we were finally told that Mara was part of a group chasing one minute down. Her teammates dropped back to bring her back up, and two miles later, she had rejoined the peloton. Halfway through lap three, racing was on again.
There were attacks, but nothing got away. When it was an individual rider, the peloton would let her go, but she’d be back quickly.
After lap three, a four rider break went up the road. I don’t remember everybody that was in the move, but it was perfect. Amanda was in it, and every team except for Exergy was represented. I was a little surprised to see one of the Vanderkitten riders bring back the move. The work should have been left to Exergy. They missed the move, and they had the most to lose.
After the break was brought back, Katie Donovan (NOW/Novartis for MS) attacked. She built up a decent gap and stayed away alone until we caught her just before the main climb on the last lap.
Prior to Katie’s catch, the peloton was pretty content to let Exergy do the work. Lauren Tamayo and Ali Tetrick were on the front setting a steady tempo. They weren’t killing themselves, but they were doing decent work. Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies pitched in on the last lap because they were looking for the stage win. We were able to sit in for the most part.
The peloton wasn’t racing too hard. We’d always splinter slightly on the climb and then come back together at the bottom. Leading into the last time up the climb, after Katie had been caught, we were all lined up single file. Jo and I were fifth and sixth wheel. I knew if the peloton went really hard, I wouldn’t have the legs to stay with them, so just as things started heating up, I sat up and allowed a gap to open. It gave Jo and the other riders in front of me an ever so slight advantage.
Jo later reported that things reshuffled slightly over the top, and that’s when Brianne Walle (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) attacked. Jo and Taylor Wiles (Specialized-lululemon) were the only ones able to follow. The trio worked together although it doesn’t sound like they were trading equal pulls.
Bri pulled really hard at one point and opened up a gap. Jo had been third wheel, so Taylor was left to close the gap, but she couldn’t. Amber Neben [The Dare to Be Project] flew up on the right side, and Jo jumped onto Amber’s wheel. She said it was a full on drag race to the finish. Bri won. Amber outkicked Jo to the line.
We’re happy with how the race went for the team. Jo is happy. She gave everything she had in the end. It was a team effort during the race as we covered moves and looked to get up the road, but at the finish, it was all Jo.
I was reminded again today that while I might feel good, I’m not as fit as I normally would be at this point in the season and that I’m okay with that. After such a roller coaster of a ride during my ‘cross season, I’m able to take a step back and recognize the value in good legs and the importance of remaining patient as I use the good legs to build maximum fitness.
Strava file for today’s race.
Go to the Source – meredithmiller.missingsaddle.com
Filed by Meredith Miller at March 25th, 2013 under Meredith Miller, Road Blog
No comments on this post yet
I rode the trainer for exactly 41 minutes this morning. Today is March 23, 2013 which is the day after E3/Harelbeke and the day before Gent-Wevelgem. Were it not for the ripping wind outside, the pelting snow flurries, and the temperatures hovering around freezing, we would have gone for a standard one hour recovery ride up and down the canal, capped off with a serpentine ride through downtown Kortrijk and a lengthy stay at our favorite coffee shop/bakery – or bakkerij as I say in my finest Flemish.
This is also Easter week. Over the past three years as a result of a spring Classics race program I’ve come to really savor my time in Belgium during this particular slot of time on the calendar. Weather over these years has been generally agreeable so that the daffodils are budding, colorful Easter decorations are everywhere – but in a warm welcoming sense, as opposed to the abrasive Christmas decorations spotted in September; plus especially on the sunny days as we wind through Kortrijk, there is a friendly buoyancy in the air.
Today also marks ten years since my dad’s stroke which occurred March 23, 2003. As he says with his fondness for all things nautical, it’s the day that took the wind out of his sails. Homeward bound and driving north on the New Jersey turnpike from a collegiate bike race, I remember the exact feeling I had as I heard the news that Dad was in the hospital. Like a swift punch to the gut taking the wind out of me, I literally couldn’t breathe.
I can recount most of where I’ve been on each March 23rd for the past decade. Where my mind grows fuzzy, I scroll through past training logs for an easy and exact reminder. Cycling has clearly characterized the past ten years of my life since every single one of those March 23rds featured a big training day with the exception of 2007 when there was a number pinned to my back and I was racing Redlands.
With inclement weather churning outside and feeling as if it’s still the dead of winter, today has just had a very strange cloud hanging over it. My mind is spinning somewhere, everywhere, and nowhere all at the same time. Which somehow is a bit like riding the trainer, therefore going literally nowhere on a rest day for 41 minutes, sandwiched into the most animated week of bike racing of the year.
My thoughts today always turn back to Dad, both my incredible parents, my entire family, and what we’ve been through the past ten years. It’s impossible for me to describe what it’s like living with a brain injury, but as the son of a brain injury survivor all I can say is that it changes everything: the emotional, the physical, the mental. Every day presents its challenges back home – imagine injecting Novocain into the entire left side of your body rending it numb, next put a sock over your left hand to remove nearly all acute dexterity, and now go about your day, your year, your life. It’s a silly comparison, but likely as literally accurate as I can offer.
What’s incredible is that while a stroke often and easily tears families apart, there is still every bit as much love and support in our family as before – in fact, I would say more. After some troubling periods, Dad has come to graciously accept all that’s transpired. In fact, talking with my parents who are back home in New Hampshire this morning, he announced that he is as happy as he has ever been in his life. My parents are an incredible source of inspiration and resolute determination. It’s therefore flipping through these training logs and seeing the places I’ve been all across the globe each Easter week – with considerably more away from my family than with – that I recognize all the more how much support they truly provide.
Hopefully someday soon this frigid, dank weather will lift across the European continent and we can race in conditions more suitable to short sleeves. Tomorrow’s Gent-Wevelgem has already been shortened and there’s talk of postponing it or canceling it outright because of the weather. I’m absolutely focused on the race at hand, but will still be thinking about my entire family today, tomorrow, yesterday, and always. While the wind howls outside right now, the proverbial breeze is steadily picking up, putting life back into dad’s sails.
Go to the Source – http://iamtedking.com
Filed by Ted King at March 25th, 2013 under Featured, Road Blog, Ted King
No comments on this post yet
Jelly Belly p/b Kenda competed in the Tucson Bicycle Classic last weekend, earning podium spots in two stages and finishing the race with four riders in the top 10.
First-year rider Ian Burnett took second in the Stage 1 time trial, missing first place by just four seconds.
Christiaan Kriek was third in the final stage, a 50-mile rolling road race that ended with a field sprint. And in the final GC, Morgan Schmitt placed fourth, Kriek was fifth, Luis Lemus was sixth and Sean Mazich finished seventh.
“I’m very happy with the results from this weekend,” said team manager Danny Van Haute. “The team is riding very strong.”
Next up is the San Dimas Stage Race, March 22-24, followed by the first NRC race of the season — the Redlands Bicycle Classic, April 4-7.
Photos by Rebecca Reza
Go to the Source – jellybellycycling.com
Filed by Jelly Belly Pro Cycling at March 25th, 2013 under Featured, Jelly Belly Pro Cycling, Road Blog
No comments on this post yet
March 16, 2013
Rider Emerson Oronte gives the rundown on the Tour de Murrieta.
Jelly Belly presented by Kenda turned its attention last weekend to a few domestic races as a means of getting some racing in the legs before the first NRC event on the calendar—the Redlands Bicycle Classic. In southern California, a six-man squad contested the Tour de Murrieta while Brad Huff and Luis Lemus raced circles around downtown Tucson, Ariz., in the Old Pueblo Grand Prix. In the end, Brad finished ninth in Tuscon, while Christiaan Kriek and Sean Mazich went 1-2 overall in California.
Racing kicked off Friday in Murrieta with a 4.1 mile-time trial that finished on a 1-mile dirt climb. Despite everything said about “sunny” southern California, we were pretty bummed to wake up and see wet pavement and rain clouds on the horizon. By the time we got on the course, the skies had opened up and we all were sufficiently soaked. Regardless of the elements though, the team went out and put on a good performance—placing three riders in the top five and six in the top 12. Being a points race, this put us in great position heading into the next day’s criterium.
With Saturday’s criterium, our goal was pretty simple (at least on paper):
stack the breakaway and win—thereby securing as many points for as many riders as possible. Once racing started, it took only a hair over 10 minutes for this tactic to come to fruition withme, Christiaan, and Sean getting away with three other riders.
Our gap never reached much more than 25 seconds, so we had to work pretty consistently to stay away. With five laps to go, tactics came into play and guys started attacking to try and get away. With one to go, I put in a bit of a dig to make the other three guys work while Sean and Chris sat on. Despite being caught with around half a lap to go, Christiaan and Sean were still able to seal the deal by finishing first and second on the stage — making Christiaan the overall leader as well.
Sunday’s final stage consisted of 16 laps of a rolling 3.5-mile loop. Even with the leader’s jersey, we still planned to race with the intention of putting as many guys into a winning move as possible. However, with the success of the previous day’s break, I think a lot of the other riders had the same plan in mind as racing was aggressive pretty consistently throughout the day. In the end, only in the last five miles a move containing Sean and one other rider broke clear and stayed away. When all was said and done, Sean took second on the day while back in the pack Christiaan and Ricardo Van der Velde finished in fifth and sixth respectively. With their results, Chris and Sean triumphed as first and second overall in the race. And with four riders in the top 10 overall, Jelly Belly p/b Kenda took home the team prize.
All-in-all, I would say it was a successful weekend for the bean team—good racing, good results and a few good laughs. We plan to keep the ball rolling at the upcoming Tucson Bicycle Classic, so be sure to check back for updates on how it’s going. For more immediate information about what we’re up to, you can check out our Twitter (@JellyBellyTeam) and Facebook pages.
As a final note, see the links below for more photos, videos and even a race report by Christiaan Kriek on this weekend’s racing from our friends at Cycling Illustrated and SoCalCycling.com.
http://socalcycling.com/2013/03/11/rider-diary-tour-de-murrieta-circuit-race-pro-race/
http://cyclingillustrated.com/news/tour-de-murrieta-stage-two-by-christiaan-kriek/
Go to the Source – jellybellycycling.com
Filed by Jelly Belly Pro Cycling at March 16th, 2013 under Featured, Jelly Belly Pro Cycling, Road Blog
No comments on this post yet
March 12, 2013
Title: Chris Thater Memorial
Location: Broome County, NY
Link out: Click here
Date: 2013-08-25
Go to the Source – meredithmiller.missingsaddle.com
Filed by Meredith Miller at March 12th, 2013 under Meredith Miller, Road Blog
No comments on this post yet
