thats how long it has been since i have posted, pretty bad huh? Why is it i hate using correct writing skills in blogs and emails. yet i dont mind using them in text messages, unless i am trying to explain to coach why i didnt finish the race
speaking of that, I just freaking finished my first cyclocross race, which i got third in! hells yeah! cyclocross was pretty fun, lots of jumping over stuff and me flipping my bars, i should have done this long long ago!
the university study is over, i didnt put out as good of numbers as i would have hoped, but then again i was in a lab, not chasing nick on the last lap of a crit, man i miss those already. the weather was a bit sketchy at the cx race, but it actually turned out perfect for us singlespeeds.
school starts in 3 weeks, that means next week i can give my notice, unless ofcourse i find a way to not quit, which would make more sense because as i love money, or at least having a bit to do fun stuff
base training starts next week, i am incorporating some cross training this year for the first time, it shall be awesome, just like the song 'nighttiming' by coconut records. if i knew how to put that song in this here googlizing machine i would
well off to bed, i have a loing day ahead of me tomorrow
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Scholarship!!
I won!!! I was surprised to see a letter from Lane Community stating I had won a $1200 scholarship!! I wasn't sure I was going to go back to school winter term because of money, but then this comes along, and WHAMMY!!!
So I have signed up for fall classes, wish me luck while I try to ride, go to school and work
So I have signed up for fall classes, wish me luck while I try to ride, go to school and work
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Sal is Champion
Well Sal sure did pull out a huge victory Wednesday, I know because I was awoken by the most excited Sal I have ever heard, "Hey guess what, I just won! You win those little crits in Eugene, but I win big ones in Portland!!"
Now, I am not sure that is exactly how Sal said it, as I mentioned earlier, I was sleeping when the excite phone call came. But let me tell you, of all the phone calls that could wake someone, that was for surely the best one!!
So next time you see Sal, make sure you congratulate him, make sure you shake the hand of a true champion. Make sure not to look him straight in the eyes, I've heard he is currently the owner of a killer glare, one that will melt your tires and lock your brakes.
Now, I am not sure that is exactly how Sal said it, as I mentioned earlier, I was sleeping when the excite phone call came. But let me tell you, of all the phone calls that could wake someone, that was for surely the best one!!
So next time you see Sal, make sure you congratulate him, make sure you shake the hand of a true champion. Make sure not to look him straight in the eyes, I've heard he is currently the owner of a killer glare, one that will melt your tires and lock your brakes.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
University Study
I signed up for a study being done at the U of O, it is being conducted by Santiago Lorenzo. This study has a lot to do with heat and heat acclimation. I decided to do it because of a few things, one is free testing! I get four VO2 tests and four Lactic Threshold tests, something that usually costs a lot. Not only do I not have to pay for it, but I get paid! They are compensating my time, which I think means I am now a professional, I will be getting paid to pedal a bike!
Keep checking back for neat things that happen to me, I hope I won't die!
Keep checking back for neat things that happen to me, I hope I won't die!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Tuesday Night World Champion
That is what Sal should change the name to, Twilight is also the name of a few other crits, plus if it was the Tuesday Night Worlds, I would truly be the champion.
It felt good to take the victory today, even though it wasn't the biggest field, or the hardest race, it still feels nice. I have had a lackluster season to say the least, I made many mistakes including believing potato chips and Big Mac's wouldn't lead to weight gain. I also thought I could take my recovery days off the bike, meaning not riding when I should have been, two major things that helped me not achieve much of anything this year. So when I win a race, even a small week night series, it feels good!
In other good news, my powertap came today!!! I hope it will be all built up and I can ride with it tomorrow. Look for two powermeters on my bike for a few months.
It felt good to take the victory today, even though it wasn't the biggest field, or the hardest race, it still feels nice. I have had a lackluster season to say the least, I made many mistakes including believing potato chips and Big Mac's wouldn't lead to weight gain. I also thought I could take my recovery days off the bike, meaning not riding when I should have been, two major things that helped me not achieve much of anything this year. So when I win a race, even a small week night series, it feels good!
In other good news, my powertap came today!!! I hope it will be all built up and I can ride with it tomorrow. Look for two powermeters on my bike for a few months.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Reasons Why OBRA kills USAC
1. Number Assignment.
If the race gives me number 119 to put on my bike and my body, then why do all the start lists show me as rider 120? More importantly, somebody needs to tell the officials it is not my fault, I didn't jump into their box of numbers and grab 119 as a big joke.
2. Race Packets
Call me crazy, but I have become a fan of everything in a plastic bag, handed to you with a water bottle and then you are on your way. Not USAC, start in one line, get your numbers, then go to another line and pick up your Tech Guide, and other materials like you were in a buffet. The whole time there is two people behind the table who don't like questions.
3. Membership Cost
OBRA is $20 with a nice cloth number, USAC is $60 with lots of mean looking people. Three times the money yet no customer service at all.
4. Customer Service
Though this plays off the last one, not once has an OBRA volunteer or paid official been rude to me as a rider. It must be in the contract from USAC, if you get paid you must be a real jerk. The volunteers (like the guy at the TT tent) were all nice, they must have been trained by OBRA, the guys in the fancy shirts, no way.
5. Tech Guides
OBRA tech guides have misspellings occasionally, they also have photos and/or pictures of ways you are supposed to put your number, along with a discription. Here is an excerpt from USAC about number placement, "Two body numbers and One frame number" What the Hell?? So using USAC's amazing customer service, I ask where they want the body numbers, haha, boy howdy, it was right then I realized I was the idiot for asking. Not the person who wrote this guide.
6. TT Bike Checks
I'm all for fair competition, but I do not understand the TT bike regulations. Who cares where my seat is in relation to my Bottom Bracket. I go about 75 minutes before my start time and get my bike check, everything passes, you think then my bike would pass again 15 minutes before my start time. Not so with USAC.
7. Time Clocks
$60 for a time trial, you think for that price the start clock would work. It stops working two people in front of me, the paid official then estimates when to send the guy in front of me, realizing they sent him a little late, they send me 15-20 seconds later, not knowing exactly when to send me. OBRA clocks always seem to work, and the guy with the clipboard always seems to have a backup watch ready to go just in case. OBRA has never messed up my start time, even when the race cost is 3-4 times less then USAC.
8. Nuetral Water
OBRA has always had neutral water, and when they cant find enough volunteers, they let the racers know so we can make the appropiate changes. USAC finds it ok to not tell us about the cancellation of nuetral water until we are in staging. For a race that is ~120 miles in weather hitting 100 degrees, common courtesy would be to let us know at least 45 minutes before our race, when we were all sitting by the start in the shade.
USAC blows, they do not realize it is us, the riders, that pay thier bills. OBRA has never screwed me over, USAC finds it ok to charge large sums of money. OBRA only raises prices as a last resort, USAC races are full of paid jerks. OBRA's volunteers are the best in the world.
Thank you OBRA for giving us a sane organization to race under.
If the race gives me number 119 to put on my bike and my body, then why do all the start lists show me as rider 120? More importantly, somebody needs to tell the officials it is not my fault, I didn't jump into their box of numbers and grab 119 as a big joke.
2. Race Packets
Call me crazy, but I have become a fan of everything in a plastic bag, handed to you with a water bottle and then you are on your way. Not USAC, start in one line, get your numbers, then go to another line and pick up your Tech Guide, and other materials like you were in a buffet. The whole time there is two people behind the table who don't like questions.
3. Membership Cost
OBRA is $20 with a nice cloth number, USAC is $60 with lots of mean looking people. Three times the money yet no customer service at all.
4. Customer Service
Though this plays off the last one, not once has an OBRA volunteer or paid official been rude to me as a rider. It must be in the contract from USAC, if you get paid you must be a real jerk. The volunteers (like the guy at the TT tent) were all nice, they must have been trained by OBRA, the guys in the fancy shirts, no way.
5. Tech Guides
OBRA tech guides have misspellings occasionally, they also have photos and/or pictures of ways you are supposed to put your number, along with a discription. Here is an excerpt from USAC about number placement, "Two body numbers and One frame number" What the Hell?? So using USAC's amazing customer service, I ask where they want the body numbers, haha, boy howdy, it was right then I realized I was the idiot for asking. Not the person who wrote this guide.
6. TT Bike Checks
I'm all for fair competition, but I do not understand the TT bike regulations. Who cares where my seat is in relation to my Bottom Bracket. I go about 75 minutes before my start time and get my bike check, everything passes, you think then my bike would pass again 15 minutes before my start time. Not so with USAC.
7. Time Clocks
$60 for a time trial, you think for that price the start clock would work. It stops working two people in front of me, the paid official then estimates when to send the guy in front of me, realizing they sent him a little late, they send me 15-20 seconds later, not knowing exactly when to send me. OBRA clocks always seem to work, and the guy with the clipboard always seems to have a backup watch ready to go just in case. OBRA has never messed up my start time, even when the race cost is 3-4 times less then USAC.
8. Nuetral Water
OBRA has always had neutral water, and when they cant find enough volunteers, they let the racers know so we can make the appropiate changes. USAC finds it ok to not tell us about the cancellation of nuetral water until we are in staging. For a race that is ~120 miles in weather hitting 100 degrees, common courtesy would be to let us know at least 45 minutes before our race, when we were all sitting by the start in the shade.
USAC blows, they do not realize it is us, the riders, that pay thier bills. OBRA has never screwed me over, USAC finds it ok to charge large sums of money. OBRA only raises prices as a last resort, USAC races are full of paid jerks. OBRA's volunteers are the best in the world.
Thank you OBRA for giving us a sane organization to race under.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
SpringField Extra
My sister and I are on the back of the Springfield Extra (Included with todays Register Guard), pick one up!!
Today is my sisters birthday, she is 17!
Today is my sisters birthday, she is 17!
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