I guess one of the tricks with blogs is they work a lot better when you are consistently updating them and producing new content. In any case we'll see if we can't keep the end of the year interesting and up to date. As of the last post I was leaving Richmond, VA for Lake Tahoe and USAC Elite Nationals. 2 weeks of bro time and some hard racing made for a heck of a fun trip. Some issues in the RR made it forgettable but I was able to rebound with a 5th in my first 40K TT and get on the podium. The Crit on the last day was hard and 2 crashes and a flat had me always battling up from the back with nothing great to show for it except some good training. Regardless it was an incredibly fun 2 weeks with the team. Plenty of pictures on my and Kelly's Facebook page, check em out!
From Lake Tahoe I drove to Park City, Utah to spend the next three weeks getting back up to speed and locked in to some good training. I lived with my grandparents, ate my grandma's amazing cooking, and enjoyed the mountain lifestyle. Hard to beat. The road riding wasn't incredible but the single track was out of this world and more than a couple times my road bike ventured onto the dirt. It was my first time training hard at altitude and it had its ups and downs. There was a pretty bad 10 day stretch where I could barely push the pedals but it was a great learning experience and I was able to get the legs back just before heading back to the east coast in time to partake in the craziest State RR championships possible.
At the Page Valley RR the entire break was made of 4 Kelly riders and 3 Battley riders, before 4 more of us got across (Myself, Battley, Seasucker, and United Healthcare, not THE UHC). The break was completely stacked, I remember just laughing to Chris Jones when I got there. Chris and Andy Seitz smashed away on the front to set the rest of us up (Fogle, Dakota, and myself). I was fortunate to get the victory and Dakota came in 4th, but it was really just a show by the Kelly Squad. Boom, back on the East Coast.
At the Page Valley RR the entire break was made of 4 Kelly riders and 3 Battley riders, before 4 more of us got across (Myself, Battley, Seasucker, and United Healthcare, not THE UHC). The break was completely stacked, I remember just laughing to Chris Jones when I got there. Chris and Andy Seitz smashed away on the front to set the rest of us up (Fogle, Dakota, and myself). I was fortunate to get the victory and Dakota came in 4th, but it was really just a show by the Kelly Squad. Boom, back on the East Coast.
After the Page Valley RR it was back to training with a minor interruption at the Iron Hill Criterium in West Chester, PA. A sweet little downtown night time crit part of the USA crit series. It was fast, fun, and reminded me I have plenty to learn in crit racing. I finished 17th. After a family vacation it is finally time to relax in Roanoke and set up for the big three races at the end of the year. River Gorge Omnium, Green Mountain Stage Race, and then the Reading 120 UCI Pro race in PA.
TT
Curtis, Chris, and I, the B Team, began the weekend with a classic wild ride down to Chattanooga. Lots of catching up to do with these guys since we haven't seen each other for any extended period in awhile. Three guys, way too much energy, and a great time. Managed to pre-ride the course and get to sleep before the early Saturday morning time trial. Chris, usually stressed out of his mind was super cool as Curtis and I ran around getting ready which ended in me arriving to the race without my helmet or skinsuit. Perfect start to the day. I had time to drive back and be ready with plenty of time to warm up and I don't think it mattered much but Chris took it to me in the TT and finished 3rd, while I came in a half second back for 4th. A good, but not great start to the omnium. I thought Chris or I would win. Still can't complain, it set the tone for the weekend with two good results.
Crit
We spent the day resting and napping before the 8:30PM twilight crit in downtown Chattanooga. It was sure to be a roaring good time with big crowds and a fast rectangular course. Everything went smoothly until the rain started to fall about 20 minutes in, then it was all survival. I stayed upright, in good position, and barely avoided one crash right in front of me with 2 to go. The end was a flurry I barely remember but I ended up 6th with most omnium contenders out the back. The 3rd corner cost plenty of people some skin with sketchy conditions on the bricks that made up the corner. The real fun began after the crit, earlier in the day we found an awesome coffee shop, Milk and Honey, and vowed to come back for their Gelato. They closed at ten so we had to hustle, straight from the finish to the car, changing in under 2 minutes, still soaking wet we fired up the car and headed that direction. Things that DID NOT happen on the drive there, distracted driving, drifting corners, significant yelling at stop lights and other cars, and general screaming. Things that DID happen, careful safe driving and an arrival at 9:59, just in time for our Gelato. We hit the coffee shop like you would imagine three crit racers would, way too fired up, high fiving multiple people and being a little too loud. Chris immediately hit it off with the super cute barista and the fun continued. We asked her to join us next door for dinner, but no luck, Sarah, if you're reading this we were sad. A friend joined us at Taco Mamacita and Curtis had the entire place laughing in no time. I do mean the entire place because he was that loud. We didn't get back to the hotel till 11:30 and I don't think I was able to fall asleep until 3am. Worth it.
RR
I woke up at 6:00 ready to defend my omnium lead in the road race. That is until I opened the blinds at 8:00 to sidways rain. Are you kidding me? I thought this was over. Instant downer, but once the racing got started it was irrelevant. Chris and Curtis did a great job covering breaks and keeping things together until the first climb. When we hit the base of the climb I took over and strung the entire field out, taking the KOM out of a small group of three before reforming into a group of 12-15 guys at the bottom of the descent. The group included 5 Lupus riders, 2 Hincapie riders, and an Axeon rider (all pro teams) among others. Lupus clearly wanted to dominate the race and had the numbers to do so. I had to cover anything slightly dangerous as we ripped across the river back toward the final climb. Fortunately I was able to cover their moves and one Lupus rider and I got away just as we crested the Step climb at feed zone 2. We drilled it for the 10 miles into the final climb. I led the climb hard to ensure the omnium victory and was able to drop the Lupus rider with 100m to go. I couldn't believe it as I crossed the line, sure the plan is to win, but it's amazing how stressed you can be as each step begins to take shape.
This is probably my biggest win since Battenkill and it shows good fitness going in to the final big races. Nothing is better than having your teammates roll up and being able to tell them you finished the job they started. What a weekend. The ride back was quiet as I think we had all hit our limit after the last 24 hours of fun and racing.
This is probably my biggest win since Battenkill and it shows good fitness going in to the final big races. Nothing is better than having your teammates roll up and being able to tell them you finished the job they started. What a weekend. The ride back was quiet as I think we had all hit our limit after the last 24 hours of fun and racing.
If you're in need of a new race to check out, come down to River Gorge Omnium next year, the courses are great, the town is amazing, and it is so well run, you won't be disappointed.
A week off and then back on the road to Vermont for the Green Mountain Stage Race. All is setting up well and I look forward to more positive updates. Thanks for reading and your support.
Keep those pedals spinning,
BSlow
A week off and then back on the road to Vermont for the Green Mountain Stage Race. All is setting up well and I look forward to more positive updates. Thanks for reading and your support.
Keep those pedals spinning,
BSlow