Moronacity Cycling Journal » Entries tagged with "Racing"
The Purposeful Lance Armstrong
Andrea’s blog inspired quite a lengthy comment from me. I even told her that I should be posting it on my blog since I’m experiencing a little writer’s block. I wasn’t really going to do it, but changed my mind shortly after clicking the submit button. Andrea wrote about Lance Armstrong’s comeback and referred to his reception by the media. Check out her post, Don’t Be a Hater, to read more. Lance comes across as an arrogant Texan who leads a life that nurtures this persona. I truly understand how this can turn people off, because I’ve been turned off by several celebrities whose careers and reputations aren’t as prestigious as they could be because they choose to publicly take sides on controversial issues, or their personal lives … Read entire article »
Filed under: Bike Culture
Cyclocross Recap: UP Championships
I didn’t go. “Huh-whuh!?” you ask? Well, I made it to Marquette on Friday. Come Saturday, I didn’t want to race. I just wanted to relax and hang out with my friend, Sandee, so that’s what I did. We went to her fiancee’s camp toward Big Bay on Saturday for a giant turkey dinner. Trust me, the bird wasn’t stuffed, but everyone else was. I kind of wish I would’ve shown up to the race. It’s always nice to see everyone, but I needed this for myself. With school, work, and my busy race schedule, I haven’t really had a weekend to myself since April. Unfortunately, this perceived whirlwind means that my racing season ended last week. I didn’t go to the Championship … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cyclocross
UP Cyclocross Series a Huge Success
The following is an article I wrote for the Red Jacket Cycling Team web site. *** Tourist Park, Marquette, October 19, 2008 The UP Cyclocross Series regular season met its end this past weekend at Tourist Park in Marquette. Riders of all abilities lined up at the start for an anaerobic sprint that is as much a battle of the minds as it is a true test of physical strength and speed. The UP Cyclocross Series is a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cyclocross
Cyclocross Recap: Tourist Park
Yesterday’s cyclocross race at Marquette’s Tourist Park marked the end of the regular cross season for the UP Cyclocross Series. We were fortunate enough to have dry weather – a contrast to the predicted rain showers we were expecting. After last week’s cyclocross weekend in the Keweenaw, my confidence was completely crushed and I felt like I didn’t belong. Cross hurt too much and I just didn’t have the lungs for it…at least that’s … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cyclocross
Keweenaw Cup – Life is Too Short to Drink Bad Beer
I safely arrived in Houghton for the cyclocross race at the Michigan Tech Trails. I readied myself for the race and pre-rode the course. As the women were lining up for our race, I headed to the port-a-john. By the time I got in, got out, and started heading toward the start line, the women’s race took off. “Hmmm…” I thought. “I don’t have to race, now!” I know…that’s … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cyclocross
The Keweenaw Cup – Day One
Image by Chris Schmidt. My hope of being inspired became a realization this weekend. Friday, I was invited on a night ride in Copper Harbor and turned that down in favor of a mighty filling dinner that my friend, Amanda, and I made. We chased it with some Cabernet Sauvignon and mocha cheesecake. THAT was followed by plenty of beer. Saturday commenced the festivities for the Keweenaw Cup – the two-day cyclocross event split … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cyclocross
Cyclocross Recap: Choco Cross
We travelled to “Tom’s house” for the fourth race in our UP Cyclocross Series. It was a beautiful, sunny day complete with bikes, brew, and burgers and brats on the grill. Yes, cross is done with style in our neck of the woods. I had a great race. I also had a bit of an epiphany. Even though I learned how to properly mount my bike, I quit doing so because I could never … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cyclocross
Cyclocross Update: Fit Strip
Sunday, we headed down to Marquette to race at the “Fit Strip.” This was a fun course. It emphasized more bike skills and less hurdling. Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of hurdles, but I personally felt the course was more diverse allowing riders of different talents to race well in comparison to their peers. I had my best cyclocross race, ever! I was not (proceed with caution) hungover, menstruating, constipated, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cyclocross
Season Review – Assessment of 2008 Cycling Goals
In March, I wrote about my goals for 2008. I have shown some definite improvements, and have failed miserably in an area that is most important to me. The point of today’s post is to review those goals, assess my strengths and weaknesses, and make a new plan for the fall and winter. Podium Finishes For All My Races In My Age Group; First Place Age Group Finishes For the Keweenaw Chain Drive, Great Deer Chase, and Fat Tire Festival I was a little skeptical about this goal, but I chose to go for it anyway. Unfortunately, I didn’t train quite as well as I could have, but it was pointed out to me that “that is what ever racer says.” Ok, point taken. Since my … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cycling
Cyclocross at Al Quaal – As If It Didn’t Hurt Enough
Waking up at 7:45 with a hangover and three hours of sleep isn’t exactly the prescribed plan for preparing for a cyclocross race, but I did it anyway. The team carpooled down to Ishpeming’s Al Quaal recreation area for the first race in the UP Cyclocross Series. Having a bottomless pit for a stomach and a sluggish body, I didn’t exactly have high expectations for my performance. I even backed that up … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cyclocross
