If you’re reading this, you’ve probably noticed something new about the site… finally got things redesigned a bit for a fresh look.  Hope you like it!

Aside from scouring youtube for tutorials on updating my site, I’ve been busier than ever with training for the 2012 season.  After about a month of working on my own, I did my first official training camp last week in Philly, PA with my coach, Brian Walton and his Cadence staff.  A lot of Brian’s elite and pro riders gathered to brave the cold weather for a week of testing, fitting, and riding together.

The week went really well – it was great to meet Brian’s other riders and we got everything dialed in with my position and power zones.  After the homework was done we had some fun with the local weekend group rides.  A highlight of the week for me was what they call the “wreck’em ride”.  Basically just a group ride which goes out to this 5 or 6km loop where they complete 3 laps of all out racing, only this week there was a twist.  Limited to the 39-15, it was the highest stakes spin-fest I’ve ever competed in.  5 of us slipped off the front and quickly put distance into the others, but the effort was 10 times harder than anyone could have expected.  With a lap to go everyone was dying, as seasoned pro Scott Zwisanski pulled away to solo in for the win.  Couldn’t bag the first win of 2012, but hopefully the week’s efforts will help take one when it really counts.

Other exciting news for me is the addition of Bont cycling shoes as a sponsor for 2012.  I got the chance to try them out during the camp and my first impressions are really positive.  I’ll be posting up a full review in the coming weeks as I really get them dialed in, but for now a big thanks goes out to Bont!

It’s been quite a while since I posted anything, so it’s time for a bit of an update from me. Since finishing my season at Paris Tours in mid-October, I enjoyed a wonderful 3 week off season. It involved lots of delicious food, much sleep, and all the time I could spend with family and friends. Needless to say, it was a much needed mental and physical break. The more I travel, the more I value my limited time at home and it was certainly a great visit.

When the break was done, I was more than ready to get back to work and as motivated as ever to make this a big season. I slowly got back into training around my favorite loops in New Brunswick, but has since migrated south and very far west to avoid the cold and the snow that I am now pleased to hear has found Atlantic Canada (OK, maybe I feel a little sorry for you all). I am in Rohnert Park, California, staying with my wonderful Great Aunt and enjoying the company of my distant family while I put in long hours in the saddle. This place truly is paradise for cyclists and anyone who enjoys the outdoors. The training routes are endless, the views are stunning, and the people are amazing. I couldn’t be happier to be here to start training again.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day in the US, so before sitting down to a big feast there was a huge, 75 or so person group ride which featured the likes of Levi Leipheimer and Peter Stetina. It was pretty cool to get the chance to meet these guys and chat as we wound through vineyards and rolling hills. Haven’t really had much chance to take many pictures yet, but I’ll try to get a few and post them up. Also working on take two of a website update, but it will likely be a while in the making. For now, it’s off to the gym to try hard not to embarrass myself with the ridiculous weight I’m bench pressing (Ie. The bar :O…) Thanks for tuning in!

It’s the start of a new week, generally I would be looking over what training I have planned, doing some stretching, recovery from the weekend’s racing, etc.  This week, however, I find myself unsure of what to do…I’m lost in the complete unknown.  This week, I have no training…the season has finally come to an end and although I have been looking forward to some time off, 2011 has been such a long season that I can’t quite remember what I’m supposed to do with myself now.  I’m thinking some fine home cooked food, and lot’s of time catching up with friends and family are in order though!

As for how the season finished up, there were certainly some good points and bad.  Yesterday was Paris-Tours and for those who don’t know, there is also a U23 version that covers almost all of the same route as the pros, and finishes a little before.  I have to say it was an incredible experience and lots of fun to compete in.  The only downer has been the amount of built up fatigue I’ve been carrying a good while now, and how an effort or race that would have been no problem earlier in the year, will now give me nightmares it is so horribly painful.  It’s as though my book of matches I have to burn went from a big box full, able to do hard efforts time and time again, to a little pocket book of them where I’m completely fried early into a race.  I think that’s normal though – this year I’ve raced more than twice as much as I had previously, and saw nearly the same jump in the amount of kilometers I’ve ridden.  That’s a lot, maybe even a bit too much to be really prepared for each race, but I think it’s a jump that will really pay off in the years to come since now my body knows what it’s like to go full on for so long.  A long rest now will do me wonders, and I’m already super excited to work towards the 2012 season.

Now for a bit on the race – to describe it in one word I would have to say insanity.  200 U23 riders on fairly narrow roads, strong crosswinds the WHOLE day, and lots of village crossings with road furniture, parked cars, crazy amounts of spectators, and even a little chicken who found his way into the middle of the peleton who was running around frantically trying to get out (incredibly, he was still alive when I went by, after that I can’t say for sure).

Personally, I was to be Jimmy’s right hand man for the day, since it was a big goal of his and he had great form coming into the race.  If Jimmy needs a bottle, I get him a bottle.  If he needs to answer natures call, I need to answer natures call too.  If there’s a split that we’re behind, I get to tow him back up to it in the wind.  Although this may not seem like an enjoyable job to have, I take a lot of pride in playing that role and helping a teammate as much as I can.

As I said, the race was chaotic right from the start.  Tires skidding, brakes squealing, riders yelling, crashes left and right, it was just a demolition derby on bikes.  Fortunately, we were able to avoid all the crashes, and although sometimes the group would split in the crosswinds, we would always manage to get back near the front.  Finally, about halfway through the race, Jimmy went up the road with a group which basically contained the leaders from each team.  While it would have been ideal for me to make that selection as well, it just wasn’t in the legs at this point, and he was on his own.

Soon thereafter, things started going very badly for me.  I think it’s been years since I last had leg cramps in a race – ridiculously intense muscle contractions that can stop you dead in your tracks.  Yesterday, however, every time I would stand, I could feel my quads, calves, and even my feet seize up.  The next couple hours would be some of the most painful that I can remember during a race.  My tongue hung from my mouth the entire time, at moments I honestly believed my legs would just stop turning, but the kilometers ticked by towards the end.

Finally, with 30kms to the finish, as we entered the first of 3 short but decisive climbs, the inevitable happened.  I tried to stand and power over the top, but everything just shut down on me.  I simply couldn’t force any more and had to spin to the finish with a small group in the same boat as myself.

The reward at the finish was crossing the line and breathing a sigh of relief as my season came to an end, and also finding out that Jimmy had ended up in 7th – quite a result for such a prestigious race.  The whole team played a big part in it and everyone was quite content with our day.  As I said earlier, there is something special about knowing you really helped a teammate achieve their goal, and in another race it will be them helping you do the same.

So, here I am at the start of some time off and it couldn’t have come sooner.  I had a great time in 2011 and learned more than I thought possible, but now it’s time to recharge the batteries and get ready for 2012.  Finally, I want to thank you all for following along with my races and for your support throughout the year!