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.