tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64853535419530878042024-03-12T17:49:17.504-07:00The Broken Spoke Revivalbretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485353541953087804.post-17510680681140044812011-12-08T07:56:00.000-08:002011-12-08T07:56:39.516-08:00The Planets Align There are two things that I've spent the most time doing on this earth, Skating and Cycling. There years cycling are not quite as many as the skating but the amount of time I've spent on my bike in the last 10years probably equals it out. Any way I've been thinking posting about how I see and feel that there is an ever growing connection between skating and cycling communities. I see it every weekend at cross races guys and gals who have skated or still do that are completely engulfed in everything cyclocross. Even at a pro level, some of my skate heroes are now riding bikes. My man Ed sent me this <a href="http://offthewall.tv/video/shore_break_baby_time_well_spent">video </a>this morning and it pretty much sums it up. Cardiel !! Stranger !! riding the roads of Marin county. I don't know why but seeing these guys doing what I love to do so much makes me love it even more. For those of you who don't know the John Cardiel story you should really check him out. If Cardiel wanted to win TdF he would, All Hail Cardiel!!bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485353541953087804.post-77692526017545539702011-10-17T05:27:00.000-07:002011-10-17T05:27:08.200-07:00A Dance With the Queen. It's the weekend I have been most looking forward to since I laid down the first layer of mastik on a clean rim some time in August. Granouge is known as the Queen of the MAC and for good reason. The venue sits on the Dupont estate just over the PA border in Delaware. The last two years I have attended the race I have not been able to find enough adjectives to describe how amazing, brutal and all around fantastic this race is. This year not unlike last year the weather was perfect, 60's and sunny and a nice breeze, great conditions for hanging out all day and racing a bike.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7SzGlWk-h3s/TpwZMBGL7eI/AAAAAAAAACI/qST0FgJZ5C8/s1600/IMG_2299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7SzGlWk-h3s/TpwZMBGL7eI/AAAAAAAAACI/qST0FgJZ5C8/s320/IMG_2299.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>If you love this sport and have never been to Granouge to race on one of the toughest courses in the country you're truly missing out. The crew that put this race on are the best and every time I see how hard they work and how much fun they are having I feel a little guilty about showing up simply to race. I hear more and more as the seasons go by about the cross "community" and Granouge and the people involved are what it's all about. From toddlers on striders to the oldest competitor in the master classes Tom, Marc and the crew make sure everyone is having the best experience they can.<br />
As far as the racing goes it was hard, very hard and I expected nothing less. There was some really good inner team battles between Chris, Eric and I all weekend. When we finally pulled out of the field Sunday evening I had left a fair amount of turmoil in the dirt and grass of the Dupont estate. I am beginning to learn that in races like Granouge it's not necessarily how fast you can go that gets you the result but how well you can handle the bad patches your body is going to go through.<br />
Thanks again to the whole Granouge crew for a wonderful weekend and to Bad Andy for some secret lines and motivation on Sunday.bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485353541953087804.post-46108402147326558402011-10-06T19:48:00.000-07:002011-10-06T19:48:23.068-07:00small world and the two wheeled connection.So today at the shop A-rod wheeled down a big red I.F. touring bike with flat bars and a sweet pair of Paul canti's. So with a small I.F. fetish I quickly made my way over to it and inquired about where it had come from. Aaron(A-rod) explained that it belonged to a guy who was upstairs and was riding across country from Oregon to NYC. " I know that guy" I said. Technically I didn't know him but I knew about him. Bruce Weber was his name and I believe he was keeping track of his journey the NY Times. Any ways <a href="http://www.nycvelo.com/5ive-points-bruce-weber/trackback/">here's</a> a little interview with Bruce and NYCVelo. Happy trails Bruce, pleasure meeting you today.bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485353541953087804.post-74877263628371484432011-10-05T05:54:00.000-07:002011-10-05T05:54:53.973-07:00New England Dreaming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IozZk1Rhr7U/ToxLNp0XwzI/AAAAAAAAACA/QZ0h43ugq9g/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IozZk1Rhr7U/ToxLNp0XwzI/AAAAAAAAACA/QZ0h43ugq9g/s320/IMG_1219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It's not often that things live up to the hype. Think of all the albums you've bought all the movies you've gone to see that were supposed to be the greatest thing ever and they were barely meh. When we got in the car last Friday morning to start the 10 hour drive to Boston for 2 hours of bike racing the hype was high and at about hour 8 we slightly began to question if this trip was worth it. When we awoke to steady rain Saturday morning it was a little unsettling, but this was New England and cross racing so it may not have been proper without at least a little mud.<br />
Once we reached the venue at Gloucester and began to see the lay out of the course the excitement started to settle in. I got my number at reg and quickly made my way over to the <a href="http://madalchemy.com/">Mad Alchemy</a> tent to get myself some special blend for the weekend and glad I did when Sunday's constant mist and cold winds came through.<br />
We were lucky enough to spend the weekend with C3 crew from Baltimore. Since I started traveling to <a href="http://midatlanticcross.com/">MAC</a> races a few years ago I've always admired and kind of looked up to these guys and girls. They are always are supper supportive of each other, encouraging and making sure everyone has what they need. Getting to race with Auer and Fatmarc was super cool and it's always awesome when BA and Kat are around.<br />
As far as the racing goes, it was incredible. The courses, the competition, the weather it was all pretty much perfect. Watching the battle between Johnson and Powers on Sunday may have been some of the best bike racing I have ever seen. Also watching Steevo battle Ted King in a skills verse pure power display was totally worth standing in the cool mist of the Atlantic.<br />
I already miss Boston and the people who live there. I think that Gloucester is going to have to become a regular thing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1g1NwmFQ7hE/ToxSt7PTTLI/AAAAAAAAACE/v6VupqRdMzU/s1600/IMG_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1g1NwmFQ7hE/ToxSt7PTTLI/AAAAAAAAACE/v6VupqRdMzU/s320/IMG_1227.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JPow and Ben Berden </td></tr>
</tbody></table>bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485353541953087804.post-1592493575131935542011-09-21T20:13:00.000-07:002011-09-21T20:13:30.885-07:00Wheelies and Machete FightsBaltimore is one tough town. Drive around it for a couple of days and tell me you think any different. No way can a bike race even compare to the hardships that the people in the neighborhood we stayed in face on daily basis. Crime, burned out buildings every other block and no shit, a machete fight took place a few blocks away from our hotel hours before checking in. You have to understand that in order to qualify for a machete fight both participants must be in possession of a machete. I mean how tough is a town when a machete fight can just break out in shopping plaza parking lot.<br />
Now as far as tough goes in the bike racing realm Charm City is one of the tougher weekends of the season. If you have any weakness in your cross game this course will expose it for sure. It's got everything, sand, multiple dismounts, and this year for maybe the first time ever mud. All the fields were pretty stacked and a good time was had by all but don't think that the course didn't claim it's victims. Saturdays endless cornering and slick conditions challenged everyone and Sundays sun and high speed put the legs to the test. Local heroes Steevo Cummings and Mike Mihalik mixed it up with the best of the Mid Atlantic and beyond. It was cool to see such an international field in B'more, Belgians and Brits and a shit ton of Yinzers. To say the least it was a little intimidating to hear Tim Van Nuffel speaking Flemish to a teammate or coach or whoever it was in the light drizzle, felt like some "real" cross was about to go down, and it did for sure.<br />
Thanks again to all the C3 team members and their efforts over the weekend for putting on such a high class event. Next stop back to Maryland to race for a suitcase full of sausage or something that involves a turkey.bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485353541953087804.post-58787865205519216142011-09-11T18:49:00.000-07:002011-09-11T18:49:57.244-07:00O- hi; yo Cult of MudAfter tons of hype, shit talking, and gear gathering cross season has finally arrived and one way or another I was racing this weekend. With the bulk of my cx crew out of town and most of the Yinzers heading to Nittany Cross friday I was left to fend for myself and decided the trek across the state was not in my best interest on so many levels. It was great to hear that teammate and all around awesome dude Eric Lundgren hit the ground running and ended up third and on his first MAC podium in the killer B's. Also Shane Watters, another swell gentleman took home the V. As I caught results and photos from the days action in T-town I was bumming pretty hard that I was missing it, so I loaded the car back up and headed to lovely town of Elyria, OH for a little NEOCX action. Rain soaked the already tacky to muddy course about 2 laps in and some "real cross racing" got going. Local legend Matt Weeks and Paul Martin man handled the field with Weeks coming out on top. It felt really good to get the season started and it will be a long crazy ride to January in Madison, see you all in Baltimore next week.bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485353541953087804.post-3917037791703506092011-06-26T08:04:00.000-07:002011-06-26T08:04:15.905-07:00Washington County to Wintergreen.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fzGouP2A9tA/TgdDxGDRdBI/AAAAAAAAAB0/iu8R0DktsHs/s1600/IMG_1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fzGouP2A9tA/TgdDxGDRdBI/AAAAAAAAAB0/iu8R0DktsHs/s320/IMG_1067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after the final stage of the weekend and Babik's second win.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lots of fun packed into a very small of mount of time is why I'm sitting at a computer on perfect Sunday morning instead of out pedaling around. Last weekend was the Tour of Washington County, a wonderful stage race that takes place in and around the fine city of Hagerstown, MD. This was the first team race trip I have taken since the Kraynick's squad went up to Ontario for some stage racing almost a decade ago. I learned a lot last weekend racing with my new mates on GPOA, most of all I learned that they are the shit. In learning this I also realized that I got to get it together man. These guys killed all weekend, Babik brought home 2 big W's in the crits and young Bobby got third in a scorching road race. Everybody else just road there asses off for the good of the team, Seitz(Sikes), Steevo, Smiling John aka Mtn Bike John, and Colin all were amazing all weekend. These guys can do battle with the best the east coast has to offer. I did however manage to put like 4 minutes into Steevo in the final TT, regardless if he was soft pedaling in a group or not.<br />
So after one day back at work I was back in the car with the wife on our way to Charlottesville, VA for nice little two night stay at B&B about 15 miles down the road from Wintergreen mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway. I can easily say that I went on one the best rides of my life. The BRP is like some sort of dream road for cyclist, virtually no cars, great road conditions and the view is insane. I could have spent days up there but my proposed two hour ride turned into three and there were brew pubs and food spots to check out. Charlottesville is a cool little town that houses the University of Virginia and a bunch great places to eat, we tried to get to as much as we could, The Local was my favorite of the bunch.<a href="http://www.thelocal-cville.com/">http://www.thelocal-cville.com/</a>. Well summer is in full swing, hopefully a heap of good times yet to come.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--0-YbI49Wng/TgdECdesubI/AAAAAAAAAB8/vm7DkalBcdc/s1600/IMG_1079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--0-YbI49Wng/TgdECdesubI/AAAAAAAAAB8/vm7DkalBcdc/s320/IMG_1079.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">high up on Wintergreen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485353541953087804.post-92146956194674797122010-12-08T10:01:00.000-08:002010-12-08T10:01:19.382-08:00The Sword of Doom<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eK2wHm8b_Vw/TP_DrwfZIdI/AAAAAAAAAA4/WXuB62susBA/s1600/mail+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eK2wHm8b_Vw/TP_DrwfZIdI/AAAAAAAAAA4/WXuB62susBA/s1600/mail+3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So with no racing to stress out about or "serious" training to do, let's go see a metal show! Last night one of my favs came to town, The almighty Sword. Did a little pregame with some tacos and beers in the company of my man Ryan and my awesome basement dwelling co-workers, Anya and Paul. Man, the Round Corner has some good eats by the way.</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eK2wHm8b_Vw/TP_Du0ccXAI/AAAAAAAAAA8/qcaXI3OOQ4s/s1600/mail+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eK2wHm8b_Vw/TP_Du0ccXAI/AAAAAAAAAA8/qcaXI3OOQ4s/s1600/mail+2.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Show wise the Sword is one of the tightest live bands I have ever seen, I mean look at how hard there bringing it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eK2wHm8b_Vw/TP_D0KlukoI/AAAAAAAAABA/QL-VZXNzCXU/s1600/mail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eK2wHm8b_Vw/TP_D0KlukoI/AAAAAAAAABA/QL-VZXNzCXU/s1600/mail.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And to top it off they totally tweeted back at me after the show. What can I say I am doomed to be eternally 15.</div>bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485353541953087804.post-70763635012650826392010-12-06T07:32:00.000-08:002010-12-06T07:32:30.909-08:0010-4Well that's it cross season is over for me. Almost made it to a race in December but I have officially maxed out my body and brain and definitely the patience of my family. This season was amazing, man it was jam packed with good times, good courses, great people and an insane amount of burrito consumption. The trip to Cross Vegas was one of the best times ever, I am already waiting for reg to open up for next years event. The whole cross vegas experience was surreal to say the least. Racing against, hanging out with all these ex-pros and dudes you only know via the internet was totally bizzarro land. Like I said I can't wait for next year. <br />
So another season and my love for this game just keeps growing, but for now it's time to slap the fenders on and soft pedal for a bit. Winter is here the long rides are just around the corner and the first races of spring really are not that far off. Geez, I don't want to get all blubbery but I will miss hanging out in the fields of Mid-Atlantic with easily some best people on the planet. So as the echoes from the cowbells of Granouge carry me through the winter, I hope to see new friends and old way before September rolls around..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eK2wHm8b_Vw/TP0BZfFwgCI/AAAAAAAAAA0/LMh1mKoLDwg/s1600/photo+bruce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eK2wHm8b_Vw/TP0BZfFwgCI/AAAAAAAAAA0/LMh1mKoLDwg/s320/photo+bruce.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485353541953087804.post-82782838414468343982010-11-15T08:16:00.000-08:002010-11-15T08:16:57.168-08:00Long live the king.At the beginning of this cross season there was message between two friends that was leaked on facebook.What was meant to be a private inside joke became public, and began the in depth debate of just who is the "King of Cross". I'm not talking global because most of us would agree Sven Nys is overlord of the sport right now. On a national level the debate could go on for months, Powers, TJ, Trebon, and the list grows and grows. I'm talking local here. Every region has there man, or woman that is the got to source for cross. New England has a few but right now that guy is Adam Myerson. Myerson is like theYoda of cross, he been at it since his teen years and he's like 38 now. So next time you start thinking your OG cross master because raced around some college campus in the fall of 2002 think again. Philly has Fergie and Yozell and to be honest a bunch of folks that really no there stuff and give allot to there local cross community. Of course there's the ultimate giver Fatmarc Vanderbacon of the DCCoD. Anybody who has met Marc knows what I'm talking about, the dude straight up rules. He puts everything into his team, his races, and to make sure everyone has what they need to have a good race and more importantly a good time. If you have never gone to Granouge for the Queen of the MAC then put it in your bucket list, it is a first class cyclocross jamboree.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">So what about the 'Burgh, who is the "King of Cross" in the steel city? Lets start with the Steevo. Steevo is by far the most decorated of the local racers and definitely one of the most dedicated to the sport. Steevo has been making a steady rise up the elite racing ladder over the last few years and when he's not tearing my legs off in local races he's giving me advice and encouragement during our travels together which is always awesome. There are few others that could hold the crown, Gerry Pflug is a menace on course. Gunnar Shogren is cross, I mean the guy was living in New England at one point racing the McCormicks every weekend in the mud and snow. Unfortunately for him he's spends most of his time in West Virginia now so he can't be our king. Our guy is Chris Mayhew. Chris has been traveling from one muddy field to the next all over the east coast and mid west for years now. Chris is not as much a king as he is a guru, or scholar of the sport. He has learned from some of the best and spreads the good word of cross to all who will listen. When I was still trying learn varial flips in an empty parking lot somewhere Chris was hopping barriers and railing corners long before many of us had given it a thought. Chris runs our local cross practice and helps run a few preseason clinics throughout summer and early fall, simply put the dude loves cyclocross. He is always willing to answer questions and give little tips to make your day at the races a little better. Chris is also a dedicated coach for <a href="http://www.jbvcoaching.com/">JBV coaching</a>. So as far as I am concerned Chris is still king and a great coach and cross nemesis.</div>bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6485353541953087804.post-49381349203350589052010-11-10T06:05:00.000-08:002010-11-10T06:05:02.816-08:00Mission Statement?How do I even begin, I'm like 20 years late to the bloggin' game and three quarters of the way through a cross season that is saturated with online weekend recaps. This site was created by accident in order to post a race report for the <a href="http://www.probikesllc.com/">Pro Bikes</a> website, but hey accidents are blog sites too so I'm just gonna run with it. As far as I can tell I am a pretty lucky dude. I have a VERY understanding loving wife, two turbo radical kids, a job that I like to get up in the morning for<a href="http://www.probikesllc.com/">(Pro Bikes)</a>, and the best riding and racing crew of friends a guy could ask for. So where do we go from here, what is the purpose of this site going to be? At this point I'm really not sure but I know what this site will not be. I have know intention of telling you about how fast or slow I am, how insane my wattage is or how much more "epic" I am compared to others. I just hope to make my time on the interwebs a little more productive and catch a glimpse of what has been going on this fall in the burgh. So that's that, maybe I'll be updating soon or maybe not, now that this site exist perhaps I'll be motivated to share some experiences, photos,music, or whatever is getting me stoked to get out the door and live.bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09017677597434477510noreply@blogger.com0