Still Training

I've been having a good time training. Doing long hours and chilling a lot with Jordan. I can't wait till next year starts. I should be going really well and I know the team will be strong.

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I've also been seriously considering finishing off my degree at the University of Ghent in Belgium. I figure... happiness is way more important then cowboy hats and D-bags.

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Also when I get back to Wichita Falls I may ignore you... it's not that I don't like you it's just I have to try and isolate myself from all the negative crap being flung around. I would also appreciate some help in this task from my good friends. :) Thanks in advance.

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Good friends, good grades, racing angry and winning bike races, here's to 2011

Training

Day 2 & 3

Rode 5 hours yesterday at zone 2ish. Climb a mountain 12 miles at 12%. Now I'm helping Megan move into her place. I guess Jordan and I are going to do a group ride tomorrow then the shootout Saturday. I don't plan on doing to may group rides... They go too hard this time of the year. I think I'm going to go check out the U of A too sometime soon.

Day 1

4 easy hours on the bike ending with hottub, red wine and a couple cute girls.

Plano Athletic Cycling Club Elite Team

Have I told you how excited I am for next year? I haven’t been this excited before about bike racing since going and racing in Belgium. With the amount of support we’re getting I expect we’ll be winning some races. I mean we even have a Wolf PACC Team van! I can’t wait till next year to start. Off to Tucson Friday!

MSU Black approved bike. I can't wait to get back on aluminium. We all know how much I loved my CAAD5 and 6.


These will be nice additions to our team kits.

Another night goes by
I find myself again staring up at the starry sky

Wondering where you are
Wondering who you are

Someday we will be
Holding hands next to the sea

So I’ll keep staring up at you
Knowing that when you look up to the sky
You’re also staring into my eyes

And you feel the same as I
In love with the starry sky

Long Weekend.

Terra flew down for Thanksgiving. We saw a young sheep pop out of its momma at Francis's farm. Went to Mt. Scott and hit up Meers Burgers. Went to Denton and hung out with Adam for a bit... but he told us to come back in five minutes. Went to my friends Terv's house to relax and chill closer to DFW. Ended the weekend playing Dance Central on the X-Box Kenekit thing, tweaked my knee doing it. We woke up at 3:45am and I drove Terra back to the airport.

The best part of the weekend? Was finding Terra a yarn shop in a small Texas Town. I went in for a bit then decided that a couple Highlifes were in order on the town square. It was a good week thanks Terra.

Now I have to get back on the bike and study for finals.

Performance.be

I need to try and get some of this stuff over here...

My Savoir is my bike. With every pedal stroke I smash the Devil down. My Holy Water is beer. With every bottle consumed I kill the pain you’ve caused. My Holy Land is Tucson. My path is Victory. Let the rebirth begin. Stay alive, stay Black.

Time will pass. Scars will heal. I can't wait for the night I stop dreaming of you.

Test

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MSU Black Cycling Team?

Bringing fun back to collegiate cycling. Sounds good doesn't it? Some support is already in place and some small sponsors are interested. We'll see.

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Other note... this last weekend was the end of the season PACC party. We got in some good rides and had an elite team presentation. It was really fun and I can't wait till next year. Stay tuned.

Love > hATe

Dating tip #6...

Break.

Once again I'm taking a break from the blog. I have some stuff to figure out.

See you on the road.

Waiting

Watching the time go by. Every movement, every second feels like an eternity. Are my eyes deceiving me? Is my watch even working? Waiting, waiting, waiting for what? Time wont stand still, it wont stop the confusion, the pain. The confusion and pain will just slip into history. All it takes is time. Why is it going so slow? Days will turn into nights and I'll still be waiting, even if you're never going to be there. Why? Because spending just thirty more minutes with you is worth waiting an eternity.

PACC

Looks like I found a home for the next couple years unless I go proooooooo. I like the riders and the support is looking to be awesome.

I know there's haters out here, it wont be hard to find us. You can find us on top of the podium.

WOLFPACCFIGHTNEVERDIES

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It's going to be a good year. I'm excited to stay in this states this summer. But have no fear... after I'm done with this school thing I plan to go back to Belgium for a year... maybe put some roots down there... we'll see.

I would also like to thank Max and Jim (RBM) for the support they gave me last spring and fall.

Pipe Dreams...

are fun. Unless of course you think they're true.

It has been confirmed. 16 riders from the list below have accepted offers from MSU. Look for the cyclingnews.com press release soon. Not sure where the existing riders will be going. Ideas?

Vuelta a Chihuahua

MSUs team director went there to recruit. I wonder who'll be coming to Wichita Falls and MSU next year?

My guess?

Ivan Basso
Roman Kreuziger
Alexandr Kolobnev
Andy Schleck
Frank Schleck
Peter Sagan
Manuel Quinziato
Daniel Oss
Juraj Sagan
Oscar Freire
Alexandre Vinokourov
Francisco Mancebo
Samuel Sanchez
David Garcia
Beñat Intxausti
Christophe Le Mével
Serafin Martinez
Rui Faria Da Costa
Jose Ivan Gutierrez
Josep Jufre
Christophe Moreau
Gonzalo Rabuñal

Damn MSU cycling is going to kill it next year! Well yeah...

Back in school and on the bike.

Feels good.

The bags...

under my eyes do not even come close to describe the exhaustion I'm feeling.

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It was really nice seeing everyone back up in MN. It's been a hard week for everyone and pulling together really made the day a little brighter. While the weekend was mostly somber I did hear some great news, so there's some yin yang stuff going on in the world.

I think I'll get my books back under me fist then the bike. My motivation to ride/race has never been so strong. Maybe in the spring I'll be able to pull out the "Full Rav" in a race. Just for Bob.

I'll be in MN Friday morning, staying till Monday evening.

Visitation THURSDAY, October 7 from 5-7 PM and Memorial Service SATURDAY, October 9th at 1 PM all at David Lee Funeral Home, 1220 East Wayzata Blvd, Wayzata, MN 55391. Lunch to follow the memorial service at the American Legion at 949 East Wayzata Blvd, Wayzata. Memorials preferred to Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC): www.morcmtb.org. David Lee Funeral Home Wayzata 952-473-5577.

Obituary in the Startribune.

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I know we haven't talked in awhile Bob. But I miss you greatly.

R.I.P. Fun Bob

I woke up the other night

My heart ached

I now know why

It was you’re way of saying good bye

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I like to think Bob gave his life up for us all to see. There’s more to life then what we see.

I'm not enjoying this.

I miss :)

Dating tip #5

Just because you’re dating someone or have "hung out" a few times doesn’t make you their boyfriend/girlfriend.

The levels are self-explanatory.
-Girlfriend
-F’in Lady Friend
-Lady Friend
-Just a friend

Start at the bottom then move up… you get the point. Sometimes levels may be skipped or total disregarded. But is not cool to say you have a girlfriend when really she’s just a lady friend and vice versa. You both have to be on the same page. And for my lady readers out there just place “Lady” with “Guy” or “Man”.

Dating tip #4

Always have pancake mix, eggs, milk, bacon and orange juice on hand.

Just got internet

Doing well in school for some reason.

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Riding sucks, One race left. Maybe have a new TX team next year. So then I think I'll do summer school.

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I'm still feeling a little bummed. Haven't felt "right" in about a month.

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Man-sion Is looking very cool with my early 90s "Silver Bullet" light up sign. Met the folks next door the other day at like 2 in the morning... played beer pong with them till about 5. ;)

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I'm trying to get back on track, but it's hard to find the rails again.

I still need to get some more art. But you get the idea.

Bummer Dewy

You've always been nice to me and I hope this is just a small speed bump in your life.

TUEs suck... I know.

Sorry...

about the lack of posting. I really need a pick me up.

Started...

to move into the Man-sion. There's no power there yet so I won't be able to sleep in it till next week. I'll take photos as soon as I get it all set up.

I will have a house warming party which will include a Table Hockey Tournament.


1st place $220.00
2nd place 12 pack of RedDog (if over 21) or ...
3rd place $10 gift card to Taco Bell

Anyone can enter but only MSU cyclist are eligible for prizes. Entry is a good time.

What is that in the sky?

Final poem, not for you, but for me.

I wrote one. Posted it. Then decided to keep it to myself.

Thinking about growing my tat.

Dating tip #3

Communicate openly.

It was a beautiful night on the hill to watch the sunset.

I hope you like them.

1st...

of next month I'll be moving into the man-sion.

In Texas

Belgium Round 2

So it’s the last race today. I have to look back this time and think I did better. While I didn’t get the top 10s I wanted I was able to race my bike and finish in the money a lot more. In fact I finished more times in the money then I didn’t. So I’m a little more consistent. Which I think is stronger.

The second time around has been a lot better with my fellow races too. It seems they know me and I get a little more respect. No one takes wheels from me anymore because they know I won’t open a gap. The fast guys try and help me out and I have a lot more fans telling me good job and shaking my hand after races.

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Last race report

147 starters and the first race was to the start line… Which I didn’t do, I just hid behind the fans with a Beveren 2000 rider and at the last second we jumped out in front. Okay sweet, I got a good start! I stayed around the top 20-50 the whole race, which was really important because of the rain and small roads with a lot of turns. I would say about 30 min in it was over for around 90 riders. It wasn’t too hard to move up and be towards the front so I was doing really well. Then with 7 or so to go I began having problems. I’m used to racing with a little caffeine in me. Well today I went beyond a point that was safe. I feel a little embarrassed but I think you should know that stuff could kill you. After around 15min of not feeling my legs and having my heart trying to rip out of my chest I had to pull over. I stopped on the side of the road for a min or so and let my HR come down Then I jumped in a small group and finished 48th. I’m kind of pissed because the race wasn’t hard. I was feeling really well. I was walking a fine line and during the race I went over it. I was the last rider to come out of that group. Not really how I wanted to end my final race here. But at least I’m alive and I learned a lot.

This has been a hard trip. I can't wait to be home. :)

7 days.

:)

...

I saw some fool riding a TT bike the other day.

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This guy who got 5th place was racing West Flanders kermesses a few weeks ago.

21st

I got to watch my friend get second. I was in the "feild." about 10 seconds behind. It rained the whole time. It took me like an hour to warm up and I had cow poop for dinner.

The thing is... I'm NOT the team sprinter. I'll take it though, I was cramping the last 20kms.

Next race Tuesday.

28th

I'm AWESOME at mid pack finishes… The race course was an easy 3 turn wide roads slight downhill on one side flat then slit uphill with a tail wind. 75 racers started.

The races was going as planned, kind of. A group of 7 got off the front early. I made the main field split with about 20 riders. But as you know… that’s way too big. I was always rotating through hard and we were catching the front group. I was marking the Post rider and saw he was kind of ready to really make a go. He tried a few time earlier too. After I did a hard pull he went with a few other riders. I though no big deal they aren’t going that fast… all you had to do was follow the wheel in front of you. Well they were gone. The next lap the guy in the below picture went to the front on the hill side and started to pin it in his 53/11. I though he was just pulling though, but when I looked back I was the only rider on his wheel so we gave it a go. I think he was a little toast so I didn’t go that hard when I was on the front, we stayed away for about a round… maybe if we had 1 other rider we could have caught the front. Well our group of about 20 went back to the peloton… LAME. So I sprinted for 15th and got 28th and 10 euros.“The thing is… I’m the team sprinterrrrr.”

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I race again today. I think I only have about 3 races left here. HHH should be fun. ;)

It’s called research

If you want to come to Belgium go to this website and start contacting people. Make friends, learn a little Dutch/Flemish and race your bike lots on a Belgium team or on your own. It really is that simple. No need give thousands to USA Cycling or any other all inclusive “racer houses.”

Anyone can come here. Really, it’s not a big deal. Racers/Trip Organizers/USA Cycling make it out hard to get here (you know only “elites” can come here) so you have to use their services. And with the lack of options that leaves you paying monopoly prices.

Okay?

Dames

Sights

I hope these things are safe to eat... I've had a lot.


I heard a million little voices... think I didn't? This was just a quarter of the dudes yard... creepy!

14 days till...

:)

The power...

to establish a break is unbelievable.

I was in the winning move. I followed a few wheels to get there then had to pull through. It was me, a Post rider and a guy who wins all the time (and won this race) and some other guy who dropped out of it like I did. They were pulling through by me at least 2-3kms faster… I was hanging on for dear life. Sadly I only stayed with them 1 round. While establishing the break we were going F'in hard!

Another small group of 5 bridge up a few seconds after I lost contact. There was no way I could get back on that group. In fact I don't even remember them passing me... I think I blocked out about a few kms of racing.

I was also off the front at the start for a round... maybe if I didn't do that I could have stayed in the break. I think I got it all figured out now.

I got 30th place and 10 euros.

Dear Family,

Skype!

Big gears

Check this dude out in front of me. He’s always in his 53/11 and almost always makes the breaks. But not this time… I was following him during the race because he doesn’t accelerate that fast, he just motors along and is easy to follow. I think he’s some sort of former Mt. Bike national champion.
My first race back will be HHH and I’ll be racing for RBM. I have to work towards my Cat. 1 upgrade too, I've got that win and a few other points but not that much… I just haven’t been focusing on getting points. It doesn’t help I’ve spent more time here (where it doesn’t matter) as a Cat. 2 than in the States.

First I need to find a place to live...

Next couple years should be a fun time. Maybe I’ll graduate in that time frame too! As of right now… I think maybeeeeeee Rachel will beat me to it. HAHA Oh geez.

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Thank you Sean Brown for letting me use your shades all summer! I think I may get some Radars or Split Jackets when I get back.

Congrats Jen!

Steep learning curve.

Most of the riders I’m racing against have been doing this for 10-30 years. Most start when they are 7-11 years old. They have done this type of racing day in and day out for years. I got… 5 months, pick up little things here and there, learn who is the fast guys and find out how not to get punched (like today, I was the one who screwed up). These past few races have giving me enough confidence to know that I’m physically able to ride at the front. But race? I still have a lot to learn and I’m not going to learn it over a couple summers. Maybe if I was here full time.

Nothing in the states can prepare you for this type of racing. It’s just easier… with too much team tactics. More of a chess match. Here? Is more like a boxing match; you hit, they hit, you hit, they hit... till someone goes down.

I’ve never felt or have been this strong. Ever! And what did I do with that strength with 2 rounds to go and it was all together? Nothing… If I would have raced like I did two days ago I would have easily been in the front. I sprinted/coasted for 37th place (10 euros) and felt like I didn't even race. LAME. I still have a few races left maybe I can pull something out.

I’m happy about my form, but mad. I need to start “punching” and get angry more, like the winners do.

Dating tip #2

Make sure your room is clean. Also make sure your bed has clean sheets and is made every morning.

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20 days till my heart and body are one again. :)

20th

Moving in the right direction again. My group of four almost (2 of the fast guys crashed and we gave up a lot of time) caught the front group of 7... it only took us an hour and I think we would have caught them in 30 more minutes… after a failed attempt to keep it going me and that dude in red Peit were caught on the last lap… I would have got my first top 10 if we stayed away. Still learning.
I like this picture

The anti-doping van.

This is the first time I've seen this baby. They tested the top 3 and a couple dudes who dropped out on the first lap. I guess a few weeks ago 15 amateur racers were sent on a 2 year vacation from racing.

Surfing the wave of form.

Cool woman.

She's been at most races the past two years and hands me bottles and cheers me on. and she knows more about racing than I do. I also saw a fight today on the bike right in front of me... a few blows were landed, even to the face, it look rather intense. Then I cut one of the dudes off (the dumb one)... I had to, he let a gap open... HAHA

Who is going to race today?

I really didn't. So maybe I will tomorrow.

The dude right in front of me won the race. I got 34th...

Guess who?

Finally got his/its passport and jumped a flight to Belgium to cheer me up? Think he/it didn’t?

One more time.

I kept telling myself this last race. I’ve been having a hard time lately with the heat, mind and races. So in this race I figured I could take a small step in the right direction and when I feel like I’m dead I was going to go one more time. It came… with about 5 rounds in. After covering an attack the group caught us and started to attack. As the single file peloton was going passed I saw the tail coming quick. I gave her a 10 second effort and caught back on. At that point the race slowed down a lot! But they were attacking on the front. (What they do here is send a teammate or two up the road, then a teammate in the peloton would sit up on the front and on these small roads you can’t just follow wheels to get by. So… I just waited and we finally caught everyone, I think… I couldn’t see much from my tail gun position… I ended up in a small group off the back and we were stopped by the men in blue. I got 33rd out of 46 and 10 euros. It was hot, I drank 5 bottles in 50 kms.

I think this year is different than last. Last year I just tried to hang on as long as I could really. This year I find myself going for it more. While I don’t finish as many races I’m racing my bike harder. It’s hard trading pulls with past Elite Belgium Champions, former pros and soon to be Protour riders.

Next race tomorrow.

Mint!

My new coffee table, it cost me 10 bucks and a 12 pack of Premium.

Long ride

So my coach thinks that with my recent sickness and drop in weight I may not have enough fat to support my muscles. I'm finding it really had to gain weight...
Name this climb.

Jef Planckaert's memorial
Poor little girl.

Me and my invisible wall

Where are you?
I can’t see you, but I sure can feel you.
You’re coming aren’t you?
Why?
If only I could see you coming.
I could bunny hop or take a turn.
But you would just move too.
Can I climb over you?
Man I’m screwed.
Just hit me already!

I guess you already did.

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I’m going on a long ride tomorrow to find a way over.

The racers...

go from elite to Protour here.

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Today I bridged to the front group of about 15. This group "formed" after 3 corners and about 1km into the race. I held onto that group for one 8km lap. Then I had nothing left and quit the race. Most of them stayed away till the finish.

Next race is Thursday.

Beker van België race report

So this race is the coolest of them all here in Flanders. It includes a lot of the climbs as the Ronde van Vlaanderen and is 160kms long. The race started with 191 starters including a bunch of riders who have committed to Protour teams next year. The first big hurdle of the day would be going into the Oude Kwaremont. My experience last year told me an early break would go up the road and I wanted to be there before the climb which is 45kms into the race. I tried many times attacking and bridging and being on the front in many breaks before I had to take a rest (I should be on video somewhere). I started to move back up before the Kwaremont but the speed is so high and the boxing match was in full swing. I think I went into the small roads in like 120th... My race was over. I started the cobbled section of the Kwaremont doing an F'in track stand and had to unclip once. Stupid. I also crawled the Paterberg. Last year when I was on top of the Kwaremont I was in my big ring. This year I could barely pedal. It was a super-hot and frustrating day.

Too much racing.

I...

find it funny that my Director here reminds me to be at the race tomorrow on facebook chat. It goes like this.

Director: Mike your dont forget tommorow race in PITTEM
Me: Yeah I saw that. cool! I won't, I'll be there. thanks for the reminder haha

Director: ok , dont crach again a wheel place
Me:( I'll try not to sorry

I've really never been late to a race. Other then missing the one earlier this year... I blame Jen and her stupid phone, too much wine the night before and zoning out in the car. The funny part was we both won the day before. But we did get in a Crispy Cream stop, some coffee and a nice drive I guess.

Finished...

the race, but no euros. :( 7.5 hours today. And I just found out I get to do Pittem again this Saturday!

Dating tip #1

I’m no expert but I would like to offer some advice for my peers that need help.

Tip #1: Do not, I repeat do not take a girl to a house full of dudes. It’s lame and you're only asking to be cocked blocked by… ahh everyone. Does it ruin your chances? Mayyyybe, but why risk it? Go out for a nice walk or grab a snow cone. If you must go to a house full of dudes at least bring a friend of hers, to ease the cock blocking and the weirdness she might be feeling of the situation.

Bummer...

this race had it all... except me finishing it. I avoided the neutral roll out carnage by being one of the 4 riders on the bike path for a few Ks (I wasn't sure it was even going to lead back on to the road... risky) I put my CX skills to avoid a few crashes, got in a few breaks that didn't go anywhere. But I couldn't avoid the dude in front of me with 30kms to go.
The wheel is super toast and stopped me right away. I got a new wheel and rode in the caravan. My director said I was doing a good job and was catching back up... but there are a lot of turns in the local course... and I couldn't cut it. Bummer, I was feeling really good.

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The season is going really fast here. I can't wait to get back though. :)

First race back...

I got 28th and cow poop everywhere. I'm happy with it... I haven't done any hard efforts in 11 days.
... too far back.

Long ride.

One for Skibby




I like this one


I think this is some sort of church