Giro di Lombaria

It's been just over 4 weeks since I've been back from Italy and a report is well overdue.
I've been busy with work and a tiny bit of social life, but without further delay:

Italy is incredible.
Sure, anyone will tell you that if they don't live there but in all seriousness; it's great.
First of all: There are NO PAPER CUPS! I know this may seem like a strange highlight, but imagine not being able to get take out! No Starbucks, No Dairy Queen, No BK, nothing. If you want a coffee in Italy, well guess what? Sit your ass down because it's coming in a glass. It may seem strange but there doesn't seem to be the same sort of urgency that we have here.

This brings me to another point: Lunch is from 1-3pm.
Everything is closed for 2 hours. People leave their jobs, go home, make food, socialize, and return. Coming from a place where 30minutes is the norm if you are lucky, this seems incredible.

Cycling:
Italians are Cyclists.
I capitalize that word, because when speaking of a Cyclist, it's not the same as when people say that they "ride their bike." In Como people ride, much in the way I would think folks in Seattle ride. It's everywhere. Bikes are around every corner, and every bike I see is sparkling with Campagnolo or some carbon rarity. 50 year old men dismount off of their bikes and if you were to only notice them from the waist down they would seem like a 20 something Cat 2 racer.
Giro di Lombardia
The event is crazy. Initially it may not be as big as you would think, but as the time drew closer to the finish the whole city of Como began to change. Old men carrying Flemish flags, groups with fan club banners, and packs of photographers all began to come out of the cracks. This year Damiano Cunego would win his 3rd Giro di Lombardia. I was lucky enough to be 5 meters from the line and as I saw him cross the man in is late 70's began to cry out "Bravo Damiano!" That's priceless.




Grand Fondo This would be the amateur race held on Sunday. It's a bit shocking, but in Italy 40 Euro buys you a full dinner, a police escort of 15 and a helicopter. There were 2000 people at registration and it took me 15 minutes to get my number and pay and keep in mind I DON'T SPEAK ITALIAN. A bit of a far cry from Ironman here in the US where it take 4 hours to even hit the bathroom at an event that size. Somewhere along the line, it may have been lost in translation but this was a RACE! Here in the states, we have the MS ride, the tour of blah blah. In Italy, a Tour means it's a race. This one happened to be 143k with a 2000 person field, All categories. It didn't really hit me until the start line when I started to see some of these teams lining up in the front of the field. These were full squads. All pro/semi pro racers. And quickly reality caught up. The gun when off and the pace was blistering. The lead group finished the 143k averaging 37k and hour, which included 3 climbs crowned by the Madonna del Ghisallo.

I would recommend this trip to anyone.

There area, the food, the culture, it's all incredible. However be warned before you line up with the locals: You may be there to play, but they are there for business.

Dopo Bici.

I'll be gone for the next few days... Work and fun will be taking me to Italy and Switzerland, and just in time for the Giro di Lombardia. Expect a full posting of pictures when I get back. For now, I'll leave you with a picture of where I'll be staying:

Lake Como

In the money.

This past weekend I decided to take the drive up to Schenectady NY, for the #2 Race in the NYCROSS series. I'm not trying to do well in the NY State events or anything, I just wanted to race. Since the 2+ hour drive was the closest of the Mid Atlantic races I thought "what the hell?"

Together with the "Twins," I drove up for the Men's B Race and decided to register for the Men's Pro event which was a Pro/2/3 field. The course was fun, and even though I was expecting tons of mud, it turned out to be very dry. Kinda surprising considering it had been raining for 3 days prior and as we drove up.

The B race hosted a field of 36, and it was my second B race as an official Cat. 3. The start was great and I quickly led for about half a lap. However my cornering skills are not where they should be and I was quickly passed. Held strong for 9th place.

After a 30 minute nap I suited up for the Men's Pro race, and even though if this was a real field I would have no business toeing the line... With only 13 racers, and some of them having raced earlier that day I figured it would be good training. Gun goes off and I just kept moving. 5th gear just wasn't there and I rode steady to take 9th again.

Here's the strange part. It turns out that the Payout ran 10 deep and I got handed an envelope with cash?! Yea. I actually won money! I'm not going to lie... this was the first time I won money for racing, and it felt really good. Man. I need to log some more miles and get my upgrade so I can always race for cash!

A big conrats to Lisban and Alejandro on taking the win's in the Men's B and Pro fields... not to shabby for their first cross race! See you all next weekend at Westwood Velo Cross and Hill Billy 3.0!

Red Bull Cola.

I was catching up with some of my old friends over at Red Bull this week when I stumbled upon something amazing.

RED BULL COLA

That's right. I must be falling behind but no more.

I already have a case coming straight from Las Vegas. Apparently this is the only US state which has it for sale? It's not too uncommon though, the original "larger" can of Red Bull Energy Drink was only available in California for the first few months of production.

Either way, I look forward to trying it, and will follow up with more info once I have it.
For now you can go to: REDBULLCOLA.com for more info.

Bear Creek CX.

So last weekend I toed the lione for the first race of the 2008-2009 Cyclocross season.

I headed out with a strong crew of 4 from the Rutgers Cycling Team. As an Alum I was really glad to see everyone, since it's been a while.
After a few warmup laps, everyone seemed to be in good spirits. The course was top notch, muddy as hell since it rained the day before. Perfect.

Men's c (3/4) Race.
I lined up 2nd row, gun goes off and I'm 4th into the hole shot. By the first lap I'm 2nd. Lap 2 I begin to trade off attacks with 1st. We go back and fourth for a bit and I break free. For the next 3 laps I ride solo until 1 lap to go. ThrouAll of a sudden, Flat.
Got off the bike, walked to the registration and signed up for the Men's B (2/3/4) Race. Took 11th.

Guess that's life.

Replacements

This is not really a topic I tend to touch on all to much...
In fact I avoid it at all cost.
I've been a social outcast since January. That's 8 months.
It's amazing how fast time seems to go by, but yup.

These past few days I'm learning that I'm wearing thin the few friendships and outlets I have.
I don't think my head is on straight just yet, or maybe I'm just over thinking certain aspects of my day to day. But without a proper group or person to vent to, well guess what I'll do: use the internet as an outlet.
I know these kind of statements are vague and they may not make too much sense, but they help clear up some of the clutter in my head.

I'm not the best at dealing with certain aspects of my friendships, and lately It's the feeling of being replaced.

One year older.

So...

It's my Birthday week and I thought I'd share a few photos.
For the first time in months I feel like a normal person, and it seems I may have (if just for a second) struck a balance between a social life, work, and training.

Thank you to all those friends, new and old, who made me feel like a bit of a person.

Monday Night.

Wednesday showcased the 1st Cross Practice of the season. Great turnout. And it seems like my legs weren't feeling too bad. Practice was followed by ice cream with some of the best people I know. If anyone is interested in the Central NJ CX Practices click here.

At the start...

and the warm-down lap.

As for the rest of the week I'll be racing Bear Creek CX in PA this Sunday. It will be the first race of the season and I can't wait. I'll be heading up with 3 other folks from the Rutgers University Cycling Team and am looking forward to see how the day ends up. I'm registered for the 3/4 Race and depending on how I feel I may register for the 2/3/4 race as well. More updates to come.

CX is a Go!

Alright,

So it's been a while and you all are wondering where the hell did I go?
Still working.
Finally training like I should be.
And Hiding from everyone as usual.

But for now lets take the time to say goodbye to Triathlon Season...
and hello to Cyclocross.

Same old frameset with some new parts.

The front end.


The rear.

9-5...

It's 2am.
I'm at work.

Yes... work as in the place that pays my bills.
I'm becoming a firm believer that people can only have so many quality outlets at once.
What I mean by that is, we all have a limit to how many things we can do at once and still make them worth while. Lately (aka. the past 6 months) work has been a big part of my life. More-so than the average 9-5 that most people hate to go to every morning. I actually have become pretty committed to my job. I've put in long hours, showed I cared about more than just myself, and hopefully made some of my co-workers feel like than can count on me if something ever went down. I've gotten raises, gotten promotions, and because of that become more committed.

So here I am. 2 am. Not going home tonight.
I'll probably sleep on the store pool tonight.
From what I've been told the pool cover makes it feel like a water bed.
I just hope it doesn't collapse. Drowning would suck.
I wonder if drowning is covered by workers-comp?

Mmmm.... water bed.

Humor.

I have terrible taste. Period.
Yes I do. I have terrible taste in pretty much anything and everything.
These past few weekends I've been traveling from race to race and then to Lake Placid for a 3 day training camp. So what the hell does this have to do with humor you ask? Well...
It forced me to be around people and the longer I'm around them, the more likely they will be either offended or appalled by my sense of humor.

Not to say I'm completely offset, rather my taste in what's funny is not what most people consider to be. Some people find stand up comics or little practical jokes funny. I find humor in tragedy.

It's not a coping mechanism, I genuinely love the things that make most people VERY uncomfortable. So from this past few weeks I could post up a bunch of spandex photos or race shots where I look better than I actually am. But rather I have a picture which ended up being one of the highlights of my Lake Placid trip. This one is a gem!


This is a picture of a girl who appears to have decided her doll would be best served hanging from a pink noose. She threw her off of her 2nd floor hotel room and proceeded to beat her with a stick. I took a picture. I couldn't stop smiling for an hour. My roommate from the trip was appalled with my behavior. I'm smiling just writing this. Humor.

Xantusia.

I’m slowly learning that there are 2 kinds of people in this world. Some dream of city life and can only see themselves living in the “Big City.” Wherever he or she may be from, there are always the lights of urban metropolis calling them in. The other type of person sees the city lights and feels crowded. They hope to be able to run away from it all and find some quite place where they can calm their minds, to enjoy the silence. This past weekend I was able to travel to a quite place in the desert of California, aptly named “Xantusia.” This is a place, or better put a paradise, located in the middle of nowhere. No cars, no streetlights, no horns, nothing. You wake up and you see a place that you can’t even put into words. From where I come people only experience places like this in post cards; maybe the newest issue of Travel Magazine.

I am quickly realizing that I’m becoming a person who values calm. Growing up in an urban area all my life has made me appreciate the beauty that a place like “nowhere” can bring.

Xantusia, I’ll see you again soon.

The place I called home for 2 days

Monty's House

The kind of riding that can take your breath away

A trail run with Dan Empfield, founder of Slowtwitch.com and Quintana Roo

“…That’s the dark side of Hampi.”

Training. It’s a pretty simple concept that I find myself writing more and more about as the weeks go by. In fact, it’s all I write about. All I think about. Every second of every day I find myself making a conscious decision to focus on one thing and one thing only: training. At this point I’m not even sure what I’m training for. Of course, yes, racing, and Ironman, and blah blah. But what is it really.

Over the past few days I think I’ve began to get a grasp on myself again. I starting to reflect on certain things in my day to day, and am realizing the roles each person and activity plays. Back to training.

In December of 2005, a man who had never met wrote the words: ‘This is your therapy.” He was referring to the sport of triathlon. All of it. The good, the bad, the interactions, the experiences and everything in between. 3 years later I find my lucky enough to call him my friend. In fact, I think he was the one to use the term first. He was right. This is my therapy and I am his friend. I run 18-mile runs and bike 100+ miles at a time and swim till I want to vomit. I hurt myself only to rebuild something. Not to make myself a better athlete, but to make myself a better person. To make sense of myself. To take my mind, which is thinking of a million things a second, and force it to focus on something simple. Something I know I can do well. Anyone who thinks I have it figured out is absolutely out of his or her minds! I’m a complete mess when it comes to things, most things.

So is this healthy? Is it proper? Self absorbed? Self-destructive? Sure, it’s all of the above. I grow because of it and I damage myself just the same. So why do it? Because one cannot pick and choose. One has to take the good and bad together.

A few years ago sports had a very different purpose. They kept me close with people. They made a culture for me, a place to call home. Today they seem to isolate me more and more. However I am becoming more and more aware that this is a result of my choices and actions. And if I expect it to change, another choice is what it takes.

There is a fine line between an unhealthy distraction and an outlet. I am not the first person to walk the gray area between the two, but I am starting to remember what this was all about.

A long time coming...

So after a few months it looks like it’s time for an update.

These past few months have not been the best. Personal troubles and death of close friends have made this year quite hectic. I think a general lack of motivation had fallen on my everyday. However, as the weather gets warmer my spirits are beginning to pick up and I’m really starting to get back onto what I would label a “healthy routine.”

Below are a few pics and a few short words to catch everyone up on all the happenings:

Cervelo Brain Bike 2008 – California

The trip out to California was one of the highlights of the year so far. 3 days of informative classes, bike rides, trips to the SDLS Wind Tunnel, and best of all Mid-60 degree weather. Can’t go wrong for late winter.

Solo Training

Sunday’s have become my get away from the world. I ride out to Harriman State Park, and up to Bear Mountain; this is quickly becoming my favorite part of training.

Round trip, just under 98 miles.

Gotham Girls Roller Derby

These ladies are amazing! And a long time friend has the ranks as one of their star athletes. If you are ever in NYC, you need to see this!

TOYS!

Yup, I’ve been pretty geeky about this one lately. I’m sending it back to SRM in Boulder, CO to get serviced, but it should be on the bike in time for the Mooseman Triathlon.

So that’s about it… I wish there was more to tell, and even though there always is, I’m sticking to the positive side of things. I’ll be heading out to California again on Sunday June 1^st. Stay tuned for more updates… they should be more regular now.

California Dreaming...

With just over 24 hours to go, I'm excited about my trip out to San Diego tomorrow.
For all the traveling I've logged around the north and south east US, I have never actually seem the west coast. I'll be heading out with 3 other members of the SBR Multisports staff to the Cervelo Brain Bike Event. This event promises to be 3 days of riding amazing bikes, learning a lot about what makes an industry leader like Cervelo so successful, and even a trip to the San Diego Low Speed Wind Tunnel.

So camera in hand, legs freshly shaved, and spirits high, I'll be posting updates and photos until my return on Monday morning. Check back in!

Waffles and Hell: The Prologue

The Prologue...

Over the past few Sundays, I have made it a priority to find something which until recently I had never seen. A few weeks ago I was told by a friend of a trail road which leads from Nyack NY to Harriman State Park. I had never heard of this, nor had I ever seen this trail, but last Sunday I decided to venture a bit out of my usual comfort zone and rode into the woods on my bike in search of this illusive trail. I found it, I rode for 15 miles on it, then hit a "CLOSED" sign and decided to back off and head back to a major highway not too far off the dirt path. This weekend, however, I was joined by Farmer Andy, and we decided to see just how far this path could go.
What started as a really enjoyable ride with mildly cold temps and aggressive winds turned into a game of beating daylight and one of the best snow storms I have ever seen. Next weekend I'll be leading a group of riders through this trail again, and not one is prepared for the mud pits, loose gravel, 2 foot wide sections along a 40 ft drop into the Hudson, or sweeping descents this path has to offer. For now I'll offer up a very few pictures of my day. By far one of the best rides I have had in a very long time. Enjoy

The start of the ride on the Hudson.

One of the cleaner sections of the trail.

Celebrating with Andy at the Runcible Spoon

Goodbye January.

Folks,

So January has come and gone and I personally feel that it deserves its own posting.
When I look back at the last 3 years or so I can't imagine a more emotional roller coaster than this past month. I was lucky and unfortunate enough to see both sides of the figurative coin this month and boy am I happy to see February 1st.

I'm in the process of getting a new digital camera, and should have it on the 15th!
(Just in time for my trip to San Diego!)

I'll be posting many more pictures this coming month and from here on in, so hopefully things will be a bit more colorful in the blog. Thanks for everyone who has posted comments, or emailed to say hello. I'm doing my best to respond to everyone and be better at keeping in touch.

As for February. I feel it should start on a good note. For me that will be a 90 mile bike ride up to Bear Mountain in Harriman State Park tomorrow morning. Weather says 50F, so it sounds like a perfect way to start the month.

See you on the road.

Boundary Lines…

For the first time in 23 years of life I found myself awake at 5am for the sake of training. Those who know me would tell you I’m not the most punctual of people, and when it comes to early morning workouts I’d rather eat glass than get up before sunrise. In fact, I can recall at one point threatening someone’s life when they tried to get me out of bed early for a race. However, with work, friends, and other commitments, I’m quickly realizing that there are only so many hours in the day for training.

As part of my sponsorship contract with the SBR Multisports Ambassador team, I have agreed to lead members of their triathlon club team through workouts. Currently this means a 6am run in Central Park. Let me be the first to tell you that Central Park at 6am in late January is an extremely strange place. It’s dark. It’s cold. It’s filled with some of the strangest faces you can find. Running groups, Teams of cyclists, dog runners, are non-existent. What are left are a few faces who seem to smile as you pass. Maybe they understood that I was a first time visitor. A “newby” to their hardened routine.

The trip back home was a tired one. I couldn’t wait to get home and take a shower. Eat something more substantial then 3 cookies and some water. But like most mornings, the first thing to catch my eye was the Internet. In my inbox there was an email from my coach. Upon his return from racing at Cyclocross Masters in Belgium he sent out a letter to his athletes entitled “The Difference…”

This is a part of the letter:

Monday we met with a friend, Michal, at his house south of Brussels for a 2.5 hour (fairly) easy ride (as easy as you can in 40 mile/hr wind and rain). We returned home to his lovely mother with tea and crepes waiting.

After we clean up, she is speaking with us in broken English, we are telling her of our last 2 days of back to back, tough Belgium cross races. She proceeds to ask WHY we did not train 4 hours today, like the Belgians? “maybe ze Americans, you not train enough”?

This is really their mentality over there. Tough, weathered, hard men out for 4+ hours in howling wind and pouring rain day in day out….

So if you think the weather sucks a bit, add a layer of clothes, put on your fenders…and GO TRAIN.

*******

After reading this I can tell you I have a new appreciation for all those poor souls who I saw in the park yesterday morning. Maybe we forget what the training is all about. Every cold ride, every bad day, it makes us stronger. I for one am really looking forward to next Tuesday’s 6am run.

So if you’re feeling like seeing a different view of the park. One without the 9-5 crowds and chaos. I’ll see you at 203 West 58^th St. at 6am. It should be a good run.

2008 Sponsorship Announced.

As of Monday January 14^th 2008, I have officially signed a sponsorship contract with the SBR Multisports Ambassador Team. This will be a one-year agreement for the 2008-year and Triathlon Season. The Team will consist of 12 sponsored Ambassadors who will be supported by the following Brands:

SBR Multisports, Blue Seventy Wetsuits, Zoot Clothing and Footwear, Rudy Project Helmets and Eyewear, and Squadra.

I’m extremely excited to work with SBR Multisports as well as the above listed sponsors and know that 2008 will surely be a season that will turn some heads.

The sponsorship section of the blog will be updated as more developes.

Now, let’s just lock down a bike!

A stupid grin I've earned.

A few months ago, I was lucky enough to be lent a book. It was a gift of sorts, which was given to me with an enclosed card and message. The intent was not only for me to read it, but more so to share in the enjoyment that the book had given to its owner. Like most things in my life, especially books, it went on my bookshelf and there it would stay for the past several months.

Fast forward to last week. It may be one of several reasons; maybe it’s my worsening speech, maybe my inability it understand certain English words, or maybe the way I find myself reading articles without really understanding them, but I found myself eager to read again. This is an urge I have not had in years. Of course I can blame a number of things for my lack of interest in books, however in the end I think we all make time for that which we enjoy. At 23, I doubt there are many of my peers reading out of passion anymore. Instead we would prefer to go out, or watch some television, or frankly distract ourselves in a million ways… Reading is just not a priority. However if one were to ever question just why I didn’t read more, I would hesitate and respond as many others would with: “well… I just don’t have time to.”

So back to last Monday, there I stood examining my bookcase, and I took down the lent book. This would be the first book I would choose to read in over a year. From a practical side this was a fantastic first read. Just scratching at 150 pages, this would be something quick, painless. Not some 700-page epic I would get sick of in a day. I knew if I would spend a week on it, there would be an end, closure, some form of accomplishment. It may sound stupid, but I can guarantee you that the facial expression you would find on anyone in my position, would be nothing short of a marathon finishers photo, when the last page was read. A stupid grin. I stupid grin I earned.

The person who lent it to me often speaks of how much they miss learning. For them this statement means going back to school. It means being able to soak in all the little things that they thought they might never know. A genuine love of learning. Today many of us blame thing like the Internet and television with the current state of education in this country. I have on several occasions heard my professors state that: “these outlets stupefy our youth.” I can’t do that. I am a result of these outlets for better or worse. The Internet, television, and everything in between raised me. However, information from any outlet should be questioned. Learn from it. And know that every outlet has endless potential.

For now I’m going to hold onto this grin I have on my face, because I earned it. And I must say it’s been years since any outlet has made me feel so accomplished. I encourage you to rethink just how satisfying starting and ending a book may be. As for those who care about in-between, I highly suggest:

“A Man Without A Country” by Kurt Vonnegut.