IUP Criterium (part of a) Series and my Racing for 2011

Lengthy title there I know, but I've been thinking.

I am thinking I will be racing the Appalachian Bicycle Association (ABRA) Road Racing Series in its entirety. These races will challenge me and I hope reinvent the kind of racing I am capable of competing and excelling in. There will be a lot of climbing and great competition throughout these in both road racing and criterium series races. I'm really excited about climbing!

The ABRA Criterium Series is what I think IUP can aim for. The May 21st and July 16th "TBD" criterium races in the series has me thinking. IUP could put together a race in Indiana, PA to be a part of this. I still have to talk to the high-ups and people who make decisions about such things, but I really believe we can pull it off.

Garmin-Cervelo: NAFTA

I couldn't think of a smoother, more politically correct merger in pro cycling than that of Garmin-Transitions and Cervelo test team for the 2011 year. I would harken this merger to that of a perfect case of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) gone right. Garmin from the United States, Cervelo from Canada, and let's be honest, there is a definite possibility that their stylish kits were manufactured in Mexico. NAFTA for the win!

I think they will make for a great team to watch in the 2011 season. Thor Husovd in the rainbow jersey will be a great thing to watch. I hope he does it as much justice as Cadel Evans did this past year. 

I have 3 hours today. I might stretch it to 3.5 because I cut out a ".5" from yesterday's ride, but I don't know how I'll feel... probably in a lot of pain either way.

I'd like to make another big thanks to all those who read this blog. I'll keep in mind it is a way that some people do keep up with me. Happy New Year's to all!

Trek Versus Specialized and Other Thoughts

I've noticed a spike in my HTC- Highroad and Specialized post lately. I figure I would follow-up with another post looking more into them and a few other teams. It has come down to Specialized versus Trek.

I have come to the conclusion that the merger between HTC-Highroad and Specialized is indeed a political one. It seems that Trek bikes and Specialized run a sort of high-stakes rivalry in the pro-cycling world. It comes down to who can sponsor the biggest and the best. Trek, as you all know has sponsored 7-time Tour de France champion, Lance A., and his team throughout that reign. Trek also sponsored Lance's Team Astana  including Alberto Contador's wins and continue to support his Team Radioshack.

Trek made a big leap to sponsor the Schleck brother's team project for the coming season with huge names to their team like powerhouse Fabian Cancellara, the ever-ready teammate Jens Voigt, and young-gun Frenchman, Brice Feillu. This huge sponsorship deal probably got Specialized a little scared. They lost the big names they were sponsoring on Team Saxobank in 2010. But let's keep in mind that they will be continuing to sponsor Team Saxobank for 2011 with Alberto.

They probably thought to themselves... If we can't sponsor the number one team, we might as well sponsor the one who gets the most wins. HTC-Highroad with Mark Cavendish is where they've turned. It's all politics in my book. I come to this conclusion because I have become enlightened to the fact that Specialized target man isn't so happy about the new team bike sponsor.

Mark Cavendish isn't a happy man for the bike switch. In fact, it has been highly rumored that Cav. has asked that he be allowed to still ride and race his trusted, proven, beautiful Scott Addict bike for the 2011 season, but have it painted as a Specialized bike. If only, Mark. This will be the last year on Mark's contract with his HTC- Highroad. Who knows where Mark will go after this, but he may find he misses his Scott bike.

The rivalry between these bike companies will probably not spell a big thing when it comes to the 2011 season, but it's interesting to look into how things go for these big businesses and how important it is for them to sponsor the biggest and the best. I am a huge fan of Scott, but certainly not Trek. I am okay with Specialized, but yeah I really don't like Trek. I think anyone that shows up to a race with a Trek must be a Lance fan and I think Lance fans must be illiterate cycling fans. There are better racers out there. Just winning the Tour de France isn't everything in cycling at all. There are other, better American cyclists out there. Trek does not make the best bike out there. I think someone showing up with a trek bike and any team "Discovery Channel,""Postal Service", or "Livestrong" gear to a race or group ride is just embarrassing. Get to know the cycling sport a bit better, please. Otherwise, you just end up being "that guy."

Drive and Found

I was pretty excited to have found my long lost favorite pairs of gloves. I guess you can just ignore my last post about getting new gloves. Turns out, I really like the idea of having that outer windproof-waterproof glove with a liner.

Yeah they look messy, (I was in a rush to pack) but I'm excited to have them back. They were stowed in my trunk in a little inconspicuous bag that I didn't think had anything of value inside. I'm glad I looked. I might be inclined to get those Gore Bike Wear liners.

The Giordana ones I have are a little thin and one has a hole in it. I may or may not go for the Gore's. I will probably look for a some more economical liners. The Descente outers will be great as I know I have had success with them early last season. It's a good feeling to not have to worry about that anymore.

I drove back to Indiana, Pa today to be able to go to Pittsburgh to take my GMAT exam scheduled for tomorrow morning at 8am. I will be accompanied by my girlfriend and we will be making a day of Pittsburgh after that! I hope I do well and in order to do that; study time.

Which for Winter - Spring Races?

I thought I had already taken care of this problem last winter, but I've seemed to have lost my winter gloves. I'm pretty annoyed at that fact. I'm going to do one or two more good searches around, but they haven't turned up and if they don't still, I'll be needing to get new ones.

With that in mind, I have been looking online for the right pair of gloves that will be windproof, waterproof, and breathable. May or may not seem like a tall order, but the gloves also have to be manageable during races. My race season starts in the cold with the ECCC and ABRA race opportunities and I hope to capitalize on having useable race gloves for this and many seasons to come. It's no secret that I am not yet an elite racer. Thus, my races are earlier in the morning and that's certainly the coldest. 

I have three or four gloves in mind. I have been reading up on them and I would love some help deciding, though I know I probably won't get it here.

These first ones look cool and are breathable, but I hear they don't offer too much warmth so I probably won't get them,

Campagnolo Raytech Thermo Txn Winter Cycling Gloves

These next ones say waterproof and windproof so they might take it. Good price too.

Descente Shelter Winter Gloves

The next pair are apparently super warm for sub(sotto) zero temperatures. I am tempted to just get these and say no big deal to the possibility of sweaty hands, but they might really be overkill. I see that they have a reputation for being a bit bulky when riding, but it is a possibility.

Giordana Sottozero Glove

The next Giordana pair are probably the most intriguing for me. Three-season gloves with a wind proof back seems like a definite option. I could wear a liner under for extra warmth and have these for any weather condition. Then again, it is only windproof on the back and no waterproofing. This is tough.

Giordana Tri-Season Glove

Maybe Giordana isn't the way to go, but what is? I am thinking Maybe I will take these liners and toss them under those Descente gloves up there.

Gore Bike Wear Underglove III Winter Cycling Gloves

Having the big outer glove and the option of taking it off mid-race was something that I enjoyed last year. Near the end of my race I would take off the outer, more bulky glove so I could have great grip when I would need it most during the sprint. The big gloves would have done their duty and it payed off nicely. I feel like that is the way I'm leaning. I'm not sure if these will be thee ones I get, but probably. We'll see. There are a lot of options and I really need to make the best one. Thanks for the help.

A Few Pictures... I need Practice

So these were taken yesterday with my new camera... you know the one. I was on my trainer and playing wii. Pretty cool. And before you say anything I was still pedaling! Average heart rate for the work out was 132 bpm. Anyway, here are this pictures! I know I need more practice...

This is about how things look every trainer ride.

Except yesterday was made hot by that wood-burning stove.

Wii time!

Two hours on schedule for today. More E2 means more Wii. If you'll notice above, I have a hand towel wrapped around my top tube and stem. Carbon fiber doesn't like salty sweat. Also notice the Macbook. If not playing wii, I'm either talking to my girlfriend on there or watching some race that I've downloaded.

Lately, I've been really interested in the Japan cup. I think that would be a really fun race to participate in. It makes me really want to go to Japan. I'll bet I could find some pretty amazing riding over there. 

25th of December

I hope everyone's enjoyed their time with friends and family. I have to say it has come to my attention that not only are some soldiers away from their families today, but also some cyclists are away. The ones I've heard about are training in Europe -- sacrificing for the dream. Haha not entirely as "patriotically" honorable as soldiers sacrificing their lives during this holiday season and every day, but I like it.

One such case of cyclist away for the holidays can be read about here. I can only assume some roadies are away for the holidays as well, but the cyclocross season is still hot right now. A cyclocross camp  going on these days can be read about here. Plenty of these riders are away from their families for camps like this just to learn how to prepare to be a professional in europe. I would imagine the first lesson is being able to be away from family. Rough.

I'm lucky enough to not be at that level just yet and I've had a very enjoyable Christmas with family. Here's a gift from me to you. I mean it should only be accepted if you like free, full, online, road cycling magazines. I really don't know how many of you will actually be interested in this, but here it is. If you do care to take a look, at least you can see a glimpse of what keeps my and so many other's interest in pro cycling. Peloton Magazine. If you are REALLY interested... sign up for a free subscription. You won't... but you can. It's got some great interviews and images. Just what I like.

I've been trying to upload some photos I've taken with my new camera, but I've run into some annoying difficulty. I'll figure it out. I must say, I am definitely not away from family this Christmas, but I didn't take today off. Three and a half hours was made nicer with a new family Wii! I think I'll play some before I go to bed. I'm really looking forward to spending New Year's in Pittsburgh. Pictures and pictures to come, folks. Thanks again for reading.