AMC: days 1 and 2

As I try to complete my first stage race I'll update the best I can as the days go on.

Trek VW had an amazing day one (The 6 mile prologue) with Jeremiah Bishop and Lea Davison each winning and grabbing the leaders jersey.



I had a good day, but blew up a little bit at about the 4 mile point and ended up 9th. When you go into the red zone at this elevation, you don't come back.

After the prologue and team dinner, Lea, Rebecca Rusch, Jenny Smith, Jeremiah and myself decided we would jump in the freezing cold creek to get our legs nice and flushed out...





The elevation is so high here that Jeremiah headed down the mountain so his heart rate would get low enough so he could sleep. Speaking of JB, he won again today in another sprint finish after 55 miles. He is on fire with 2 stage wins so far. I again had a real good day, but I faded from 6th to 9th as I ran out of calories in the last 10 miles. Maybe 9 is my number. (even my mom's birthday is on a 9th)

I can't believe we race 62 miles tomorrow - and another 55 on Sunday. This race is turning out to be really fast and difficult with all the big names here. I'm hoping to stay consistant and healthy the next couple days.

skinsuits and 20 dollar bills

Handsome Rob and I made the trip to Breckenridge for their Wednesday night race series, (which is ran with impressive organization). Both of us were in need of redemption following a disastrous race the last time. I will not go into detail.

Well, we got it. Handsome Rob, with super tired legs from all that water skiing?, pulled off a top 5. I managed to win by, literally, half of a wheel. My first sprint finish in a mountain bike race - and they hurt real good. Great work to Kevin Soller of the US National Team for killing it and giving me a run for my 20 bucks.

Here is a write-up: http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20080813/SPORTS/198241091/1056

Man O' War

Eric Bachmann's music video directed by Rad Rod Blackhurst. Filmed by Rod and myself.

Coming Soon.

you can't always get what you want

Even though I didn't have the race I wanted, I had a great time at the solo world championships last weekend. My parents came up to Canada and I was surrounded by some of my best friends for a week. How can you beat that?



Jen Gersbach absolutely killed it in her first solo 24 hour race . . . ever . . . by taking home 3rd place and a nice check.



Sammy and I had some tough luck. Some bad food tore Sammy up quite nicely right off the gun at the race, while the onslaught of rainstorms brought my early lead to a quick and quite painful end. I've got a lot to learn when it comes to riding over wet, slimy tree roots.

Having quite a few of my family members come to the race made it very special. What made it even more special was that some of my extended family surprised me the night before. It was key as my cousins, Ryan and Alexis, played huge roles in the success of our pit.

All in all, it was a great time and we spent it in a beautiful place.





My new good friends, Sammy and Bunny



A huge thank you to Nick, Bethany and Ryan. I'll never be able to thank you enough - I know you were tired . . .



And to Josh, my teammate, who loaned me his personal race bike and has relocated to Montana. Miss ya bro.



I will be back next year. And I'll be back to win it for everyone who has put so much time into helping me get there . . .



Mark my words . . .

off to canada

I'm just about to head out the door and make my way to Calgary (more specifically, Canmore) for the solo 24 hour worlds.

If you're bored and want to waste time on the computer, check out http://24adrenalinlive.blogspot.com/ for live coverage of the race. (noon on Sat to noon on Sun)

Stand by for updates...

'wayfarer'

attrition

Congratulations Jeremiah. You killed it!



The Firecracker 50, serving as the Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships, is always a suffer fest. 50 miles and 10,800 vertical feet of climbing. Trek-VW had a great weekend as Jeremiah battled through broken chains, broken spokes and a bent derailleur to earn his first national championship. I passed him twice - once for each time he had to pull over and attend to his machine, and he passed me back twice - like I was standing still. JB is one fast dude...

Huge props to Martini (team manager) and Shep (our mechanic) for keeping us dialed in - as usual. Shep threw a brand new tire on my bike right before the race and I believe it was the key for me. Martini booked us a sweet condo, and both he and Shep were unbelievable motivators as I came through after lap 1.

Another plus, the biggest plus, was the surprise Libby gave me by flying in the morning of the race. Now if THAT isn't motivation to ride fast...

I am surprised I finished 5th, but I'll take it! I didn't feel sharp at all, but I kept going, and going.



On the women's side, Jen G finished 3rd in an amazing performance, and my teammate, Jenny Smith, got 4th, (but was relegated due to her being a Kiwi).

An early crash took out a couple of the super fast guys like Trek-VW cohort Brian Smith and last year's winner Jay Henry. Two great guys who were dealt some bad luck.

Well, I've been resting and recovering. I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be plenty of riders looking for redemption this weekend . . .