tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56288986276755478442024-03-05T07:08:15.424-06:00Vision-Cycling.com/NewsThanks for keeping up with my updates here! Blogroll and just about everything else has moved to the "news" page on Vision-Cycling.comAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-85186883904584591742014-03-18T03:26:00.003-05:002014-03-18T03:27:37.983-05:00THIS BLOG HAS MOVED TO THIS LINK!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://vision-cycling.com/news/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">http://vision-cycling.com/news/</span></a></h2>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-16078108341152766822013-03-07T00:27:00.001-06:002013-03-07T13:59:38.586-06:001 race down and 9 months to go!<p>It is amazing, only the first week of March and already the first race of the season is done. Many more months to go till November and I will have a schedule up on the home blog soon, <a href="http://www.nathanguerra.com">www.nathanguerra.com</a>. </p> <p>Pre-ride went pretty well, with how technical the course was I swapped out some skinny <a href="http://www.raceface.com/" target="_blank">raceface</a> bars for some wide next sl’s. Also, Kenda hooked up some new tires which showed up at our cabin where we were staying in Texas the night before the race, so I got to rock Kenda karma’s and test out my skills this new sponsors rubber. This course is nothing but broken and jagged rock with dirt mixed in here and there, with so many riders with flats on course I was really glad I went with something so super reliable!</p> <p> </p> <p>So race day last Saturday and it was time to see how my a demo bike I just jumped on and my indoor trainer only fitness fared against the best in the nation, although the field consisted of many well beyond our borders just looking at the start list! UCI C1’s attract so many International teams.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VZBEO76_gK8/UTgzNAJD06I/AAAAAAAAJmY/Yb4UFSUaQmw/s1600-h/857953_10151765348088916_1255736075_o%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="857953_10151765348088916_1255736075_o" border="0" alt="857953_10151765348088916_1255736075_o" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2zrZDPCZrXw/UTgzNrXttNI/AAAAAAAAJmg/dMVY4Y-dTu8/857953_10151765348088916_1255736075_o_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="404"></a></p> <p>Start went well and I kept the effort in check knowing I would pay dearly for too much effort in the red zone since I have had no efforts there so far this year, although not being on the front leaves ya blind in a cloud of dust on a Texas course.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eu54P4nDZAs/UTgzOBqGaSI/AAAAAAAAJmo/sAa_yRDKSCA/s1600-h/576486_479720965410197_935389633_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="576486_479720965410197_935389633_n" border="0" alt="576486_479720965410197_935389633_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OBDI0tPzuA0/UTgzO3hnMBI/AAAAAAAAJmw/TUAP5pMlJ1g/576486_479720965410197_935389633_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="227"></a></p> <p>Conservative racing only lasted about 1/4 a lap. If you know me on the bike or off, I am an “all or nothing” type of personality. So after the first major climb I was pretty blown up and needed to recover for a bit. I started reeling people in the last 3 laps but a ton of damage was done in the first 2 with me going way too far into the red. Plan was to use my strength in threshold power that I know I have right now but that plan suffered a bit, not sure it is really a practical way to race a UCI C1 mountain bike race anyways, since these mountain bike courses are full on bursty climbing followed with recovery by UCI regulation.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rm2N2QOTDOo/UTgzPUdL2AI/AAAAAAAAJm4/csO38m-OFlI/s1600-h/482565_479722128743414_1185128841_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="482565_479722128743414_1185128841_n" border="0" alt="482565_479722128743414_1185128841_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c3ME7fOysHk/UTgzP_nJjZI/AAAAAAAAJm8/tWA34IMsR2w/482565_479722128743414_1185128841_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="259"></a></p> <p>So 38th and a mid pack finish with a few kinks to work out for early season racing. Came in with no expectations and was able to learn a ton about racing the 1st week of March and how to prepare for next years season opener. </p> <p> </p> <p>I want to thank everyone who has made this great <strong>early </strong>start possible. <a href="http://www.raceface.com/" target="_blank">RaceFace</a>, <a href="http://www.kendatire.com/en/home/bicycle.aspx" target="_blank">Kenda</a>, <a href="http://us.powerbar.com/" target="_blank">Powerbar</a>, <a href="http://www.champ-sys.com/home" target="_blank">Champion System</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Concord-General-Store/215763824585" target="_blank">Concord General Store</a>, <a href="http://www.srremodeling.com/" target="_blank">SNR Remodeling</a>, <a href="http://drmcgillicuddy.com/" target="_blank">Dr Mcgillicuddy</a>, and <a href="http://www.konaworld.com/" target="_blank">Kona</a>. You guys made this trip possible, so thank you! </p> <p>Next up on the <a href="http://www.usacycling.org/proxct" target="_blank">Pro XCT</a> circuit, Fontana and Sea Otter! </p> <p>Stay Tuned and remember for faster updates hit me up on <a href="https://twitter.com/Nathan__Guerra" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nathan.guerra.90" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, or <a href="https://plus.google.com/105862029504622449451" target="_blank">Google+</a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-39534111401247446712013-03-01T02:13:00.001-06:002013-03-01T02:38:55.382-06:00And so it begins…<p>Anyone who follows my <a href="https://twitter.com/Nathan__Guerra" target="_blank">twitter</a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nathan.guerra.90" target="_blank">facebook</a> posts knows that “it” began about mid December last year with all the Cycle-ops uploads every day, but that first ride on the trainer in the basement back in December was looking forward to this weekend and the next couple of days of racing at the opening <a href="http://www.usacycling.org/proxct/" target="_blank">Pro XCT race at the Mellow Johnny’s Classic.</a></p> <p>It has been a crazy past 24 hours, yesterday I got one last ride in on the trainer with pretty much my first VO2 max/2 min type efforts followed by a couple 15 min lap simulations just to prepare the body for what is about to come. Jumped off my bike, took a shower, finished packing and out the door at 5 pm from my home town in Oconomowoc WI to meet up with my buddy Scot Nyland from <a href="http://www.srremodeling.com/" target="_blank">SNR Remodeling</a> out in Madison, WI. From there we headed to Iowa City, IA. We crammed all our stuff in the <a href="http://www.raceface.com/" target="_blank">RaceFace</a> reps (Matt Knowles, also <a href="http://www.allspokedup.com/" target="_blank">All Spoked Up</a> & <a href="http://www.norwaycycles.com/home.asp" target="_blank">Norway</a>) suburban and started the long trek to Dripping Springs, Texas. With <a href="http://raceface.com/riders/?author=300" target="_blank">Nate Knowles</a> tagging along to get some early season racing in, he passed out way before me on the back seat, and being the nice guy I went looking for somewhere to sleep and not bother the kiddo. Looking for anyway I could to get some good recovery sleep in on the 24 hr drive down laid out some jackets over the bags and bike stuff in the back and dazed in and out, Nate was nice enough to swap mid morning though and I slept into the afternoon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ibd4ARilofw/UTBjNgjCf0I/AAAAAAAAJlc/mh7w30RqzVk/s1600-h/Sleeping%252520in%252520Suburban%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sleeping in Suburban" border="0" alt="Sleeping in Suburban" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PrXcnOkKHgk/UTBjOFDxXmI/AAAAAAAAJlk/764UUFx_63o/Sleeping%252520in%252520Suburban_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="460" height="361"></a></p> <p>Around 8pm we arrived at our destination, got unpacked, and Matt went straight to work getting my bike dialed, a demo bike from <a href="http://www.konaworld.com/" target="_blank">Kona</a> who was nice enough to borrow to us for the race till we get setup later in March. This guy has been up for almost 48 hrs and first thing he does when we arrive is tells me to get my shoes on and starts swapping out my Race Face Next SL bars and fitting me etc… Talk about dedication to the cause! </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2CUrFZ2DywhfEmvUS_fjVRu0xphMr5cIDAdtCuk3Nzbph7weLvOlSqgplwSSFaEAjl9RjQ-7VjPP1bXarcqh708rmCTrkFxH26sD1E5b8J8aellP4xqdgN3FKCs4ywjphY_Q6y63t3CI/s1600-h/matt%252520fixin%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="matt fixin" border="0" alt="matt fixin" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xUNP2rRs_UI/UTBjPQv4uoI/AAAAAAAAJl0/GIHwVwq-EqY/matt%252520fixin_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="347"></a></p> <p>In the dark with headlights working on set up! </p> <p>I was all apprehensive on the way down about having a bike I was not familiar with at all. Luckily the <a href="http://www.konaworld.com/platform.cfm?content=mbxc" target="_blank">He He</a> is a sweet ride and within a few minutes I was rippin around the yard feeling like I was ready to race this machine!</p> <p>I don’t have any expectations for the race at this point in the year, I have literally been on a trainer all winter, but I have been doing big hours and my power numbers are better than ever at sub-threshold and race pace. We’ll see how one can fare amongst the best in the nation straight off the basements of Wisconsin! It is early season and like most the focus is further down the road, but best way to get ready is to open up with those you plan to be racing well with when peak time comes.</p> <p>That is all for now, need some sleep, will update after pre-ride tomorrow. </p> <p>Thanks for reading and stay tuned!</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-6479225204451823662013-01-01T00:23:00.001-06:002013-01-01T16:30:26.209-06:002012 Season Finale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
2012 is about to be gone, so I'll catch up on the final races of the season. Beginning in October I did my first cross race of the year, and my second ever on a cross bike. Somewhat new experience, but really meshes well with Mountain since we are on the dirt. I just fit right in, started competing for the front of the race pretty quick. Was on a borrowed bike and had a few issues with dropped chains and odd positioning/setup for my preferences. Even with a few problems I was blown away by how much I enjoyed the race. I was so pumped up and excited afterwards somehow I find myself finding a new Cross bike sponsor. Bike pics to come soon.<br />
Then it was onto a double header weekend that was the muddiest sloppiest weekend ever in my experience of racing. Saturday was <a href="http://www.endomanpromotions.com/events/peak2peak.php" target="_blank">Peak to Peak</a> in lower Michigan. High 30’s and pouring rain! Sloppy mess and no brakes at all half way through the first lap. Since the course is very sandy everyone’s brake pads were completely gone after 1 lap I was not having the best day, pulled the plug after 1 lap and the race was called after 2 as it was such a mess out there. <br />
Next day was the <a href="http://www.wors.org/" target="_blank">WORS</a> season finale in Sheboygan. It had rained the entire day prior and all race day. So here is what the race looked like most of the course. <br />
Nice shot of the mess in Cyclingnews.com’s write up. <br />
<a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/wisconsin-off-road-series-wors-12-wigwam-challenge-2012/cross-country/photos/241953" target="_blank">http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/wisconsin-off-road-series-wors-12-wigwam-challenge-2012/cross-country/photos/241953</a><br />
And a little Vid one our new team members shot.<br />
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I had amazing legs but just kept making big mistakes that cost tons of time in the mud. I was taking bad lines forcing me to run stuff I could ride twice as fast and I had quite a few crashes, which is not like me at all in the mud, but I was in chase mode from the start. Into the first single-track I hit a stump that was buried in mud, so from there I was taking bigger risks than usual. Sometimes this pays off and sometimes it just makes the gap bigger. On that day it was the latter, I fought back for third and a good paycheck for the day still. <br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/CinXgodhWwo?t=29s" target="_blank">Pro/Cat 1 Awards Sheboygan</a><br />
We all washed off in 50 degree’s and raining afterward in the lake!<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ERsbJKp0-7w/UOKA0D-I1wI/AAAAAAAAJhw/2PzaBhqPi80/s1600-h/644078_4817244715771_144694473_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="644078_4817244715771_144694473_n" border="0" height="463" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xR_oEartOYw/UOKA0b1pR1I/AAAAAAAAJh4/LRj6Yp42lNU/644078_4817244715771_144694473_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="644078_4817244715771_144694473_n" width="439" /></a><br />
After Sheboygan I was not sure about <a href="http://www.iceman.com/" target="_blank">Iceman</a>, took a week off and then got a little motivated. Did a few intervals and went for a chance at the $, but also to meet up with a bunch of people in the industry, thank sponsors, and grow Vision. The start at the Iceman is everything and I knew mine was not going so well when I found myself shuffled behind a Fat bike in the PRO field! I chased hard and almost latched back onto the lead group, but quite a few mistakes were made in front of me in the 1st single-track and from there it was game over. I didn’t have the best fitness going in anyways and I would have had to have a royal flush in terms of the dice roll on race day to pull off my goals.<br />
As far as the WORS series, the overall result was just short of my goal, but an improvement still. 2nd overall is not too shabby, and with a major illness mid-season I would say it was all I could have pulled off with the cards dealt. Here is my interview from the Banquet.<br />
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Since Iceman and the first big snow here in Wisconsin I have spent a good amount of time on my <a href="http://616fab.com/" target="_blank">616 Fabrications</a> Fat Bike fully decked out in <a href="http://www.raceface.com/" target="_blank">RaceFace</a> and their new<a href="http://www.raceface.com/components/cranks/fat-bike/fat-bike/" target="_blank"> Fat Bike crank set(s)</a>. I want to thank them both as sponsors for making this happen. With winter being so long here and so much time on the trainer it is awesome to get out and a huge resource for training as nothing indoors can simulate the needs of race fitness like an off-road ride! I am continually amazed at how this frame rides more like an XC bike than a traditional Fat Bike. Absolutely fly’s through the layers of snow on the trail right now. Can’t wait to race it a few times to get the legs ready before my first Pro XCT race coming fast early March in Dripping Springs, Texas!<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rbrQ3-mvfC0/UOKA2DHeWXI/AAAAAAAAJiI/C5GKYxZ8mu8/s1600-h/411196_10151344556640269_1474570342_o%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="411196_10151344556640269_1474570342_o" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vTCoDoThKkA/UOKA2b301II/AAAAAAAAJiQ/6HTqxXwXQ6w/411196_10151344556640269_1474570342_o_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="411196_10151344556640269_1474570342_o" width="418" /></a><br />
Even with the fat bike, on the bitterly cold days I am still doing quite a bit of riding indoors, had a promo video and commercial made around that theme recently. Well done to <a href="http://tankpro.org/" target="_blank">Marty Tank</a> on these productions!<br />
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That is all for now, leave ya with a few shots we did of the Fat Bike on a sunny day after the first big snow. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHILyrCvtZyOSPmZkXxUXfX484-YcTuzT8QGHuFBjR_gVZHEqFReVmxuY4zoEv-AnZN_QBsrDLAeF51P6MZO1gKIHcRcTUWTdn1zd93uTWC7rmXZ4RmKkxG6qd9nFtPkDaBgG8XOmkthZ/s1600-h/fat%252520bike%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fat bike" border="0" height="314" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EsQWafUIFvs/UOKA4IZaixI/AAAAAAAAJiw/wAQE8y5QOO4/fat%252520bike_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="fat bike" width="447" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dIQIDXAi3yU/UOKA4jkgwLI/AAAAAAAAJi4/JSaPhIW53dY/s1600-h/fat%252520bike%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fat bike 2" border="0" height="326" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zWpR2eJPGII/UOKA45anxQI/AAAAAAAAJjA/sInd0xfiWMM/fat%252520bike%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="fat bike 2" width="452" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rXLWadaWtqc/UOKA5TYUo9I/AAAAAAAAJjI/pVfGYx7PW14/s1600-h/Fat%252520Bike%2525203%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Fat Bike 3" border="0" height="312" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ORiCU3NXCr4/UOKA511H-7I/AAAAAAAAJjQ/WHESka2SocI/Fat%252520Bike%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Fat Bike 3" width="444" /></a><br />
Happy New Year!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-75913331319042482692012-12-13T15:34:00.001-06:002012-12-13T17:54:49.635-06:00MTB Radio 7 pm cst tonight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Amazingly hot ride in sub 40 degrees today! Cannot say enough about the new Jacket line from Race Face! And later tonight you wanna click this link around 7 pm cst.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mountain-bike-radio/2012/12/14/nathan-guerra">Nathan Guerra 12/13 by Mountain Bike Radio | Blog Talk Radio</a><br />
Will be talkin Vision, off season, and 2013 racing plans tonight. Listen in if ya have a chance.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-24574770344552086342012-10-30T00:03:00.001-05:002012-10-30T03:41:16.317-05:00Bear Paw Rock n Roll WORS #11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Gonna do the last month and a half in order over the next few days.Good lead into <a href="http://www.iceman.com/" target="_blank">Iceman</a>. <br />
First up was the <a href="http://www.wors.org/" target="_blank">WORS</a> Bear Paw race, which usually rains like crazy, but this year the best was saved for last in the WORS series…more on that in the next post.<br />
There are courses that are technical in terms of tight & twisty and knowing the angles and speed to take in the corners, maybe a few trees and rocks,what I would deem mid-west technical. Very hard riding in its own way, especially when it comes to being FAST. Then there is mountain type riding which brings a whole other level of technical with many more rock obstacles and lines which have to do with carrying speed over and through things in the path of intent. Bear Paw is a tad bit more like Mountain riding than Mid-West “twisty speed” riding. I love this type of riding as both strength skill on the bike shine enormously. If ya get bogged down from lack of skill a high price is paid. It tends to give huge rewards for being good at everything mountain biking and not just one aspect of riding a bike. <br />
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From the word GO I went to the front wanting to be in the mix for the hole-shot but had a bad start due to a cold that had settled into my lungs. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFkzwfSTHb-Em8fyUsKGX2Gz1ndZcatDhMpkP8sTDq8Udb_5nz1F0PNZkRY4wrcKokiVBnIRSjil3CFE55eAJJSR5_abyzEulFICFswhFzUOCPtDbiri-KeA-BDxpM5n-ifFiJG2nMBZN/s1600-h/DSC0808-XL%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC0808-XL" border="0" height="298" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D1avE294YSM/UI9frai_yyI/AAAAAAAAJdA/QMiRH84h8Bc/DSC0808-XL_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC0808-XL" width="422" /></a><br />
<h2>
Chasing Cole house up the 3 tiered start climb.</h2>
Fell back to 6th at the start and probably a 1 minute or more back. Once the fireworks were over, all the base miles I had laid down the last 3 weeks took over and I had freight train speed through every line I intended. 2nd lap I chased very hard and found an amazing rhythm both in power through my cadence and creating lines through the forest.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OAkoaEwEFOo/UI9frx-rzPI/AAAAAAAAJdI/zapHwcfV_1U/s1600-h/3176_362685553816277_1052460940_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="3176_362685553816277_1052460940_n" border="0" height="306" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9eL3YEXGVtI/UI9fsar1q_I/AAAAAAAAJdQ/2ZzLzOSUjcY/3176_362685553816277_1052460940_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="3176_362685553816277_1052460940_n" width="436" /></a><br />
<h2>
Testing my Bontrager 29.1’s edge on dusty switchbacks</h2>
By the last lap I had caught <a href="http://letsbikemqt.com/category/culvers-racing/" target="_blank">Tyler Gauthier</a> and took over second position. I was moving really good and knew I was gaining time fast! Last half a lap people started giving me 10 second splits and I saw <a href="http://proteam.competitivecyclist.com/team-members/cole-house/" target="_blank">Cole House</a> on the switch backs up the last climb., but knew it was too late. 10 seconds down. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t-4icih1aXQ/UI9fs7curKI/AAAAAAAAJdY/vdGgP7ngbTE/s1600-h/68344_4282544913800_1401875544_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="68344_4282544913800_1401875544_n" border="0" height="321" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T3s-dqxoyYA/UI9ftZgIc-I/AAAAAAAAJdg/JkVBBYnU81A/68344_4282544913800_1401875544_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="68344_4282544913800_1401875544_n" width="457" /></a><br />
<h2>
2nd place and in good company</h2>
Hacked up massive amounts of green the next week or so, very good thing I raced and assisted in getting this all out. If I would have rested it would have probably taken longer. I was told by lapped traffic and spectators I was wheezing so hard through my lungs that you could hear me coming from a pretty long ways off!<br />
Here is my post race interview with bad helmet hair <img alt="Smile with tongue out" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WehihUprK_s/UI9ft1QL1rI/AAAAAAAAJdk/xRVmghxWXpg/wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /><br />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:afd843e4-99ef-4031-8a57-d9696c24089f" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh9HSjMIxlk" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('cb85d384-4f54-414e-a48d-84e4ad0da896'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"459\" height=\"258\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Hh9HSjMIxlk?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Hh9HSjMIxlk?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"459\" height=\"258\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FIRfV8_BH-g/UI9fuVjZi9I/AAAAAAAAJdw/-8b1K_l2XVo/video7883c17ff1ba%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" /></a></div>
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Next up, DOUBLE MUDDER weekend with <a href="http://www.endomanpromotions.com/events/peak2peak.php" target="_blank">Peak 2 Peak</a> and <a href="http://youtu.be/UDBPDTqP__4?t=14s" target="_blank">Shevegas</a>, oh and maybe a cross race thrown in the middle!<br />
Stay tuned and thanks for reading!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-27555994450009951942012-09-17T08:00:00.000-05:002012-09-17T15:13:22.416-05:00Catch’in up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Long time with no posting since <a href="http://mrtreeracing.blogspot.com/2012/06/going-fastgoing-slowgoing-fastgoing.html" target="_blank">Mt. Sainte Anne</a>, but for good reason.<br />
If you would like more of a daily grind don’t forget to follow on your respective feeds <a href="https://twitter.com/Nathan__Guerra" target="_blank">twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nathan.guerra.90" target="_blank">FB</a>, and <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/105862029504622449451/about" target="_blank">G+</a> if you like.<br />
Not much to talk about except getting sick for a prolonged period of time. Not much for racing results. Instead of stating the obvious over and over I decided to wait till things got better and give a quick recap to cover all the races that can be chalked up to illness. From the first week in July through the last week in August I was not able to ride much due to a MAJOR stomach bug. I lost about 7lbs in the span of 2-3 weeks. I have gotten over it, but it has left an impact on my digestive system. We are still in the rounds with the doctor, but I am able to train well again and my fitness is on the rise. <br />
So every <a href="http://www.wors.org/" target="_blank">WORS</a> race from July-August has been lack luster, I was good for about a lap of any race and then suffered hard! It seems I was only able to store enough glycogen A.K.A. sugars in my body for about a laps effort and then I would be running on fumes. I was able to fake it for the last two laps pretty good at the <a href="http://cambr.org/SMF/index.php?action=irace&cat=nfo" target="_blank">Palos Meltdown</a> though back in August and pulled-off a Podium in a sprint with <a href="http://carpetmachine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mike Phillips</a>. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H5TtiEPxt_o/UFbqOYB4jqI/AAAAAAAAHFk/nolLBs_CA0U/s1600-h/620410_4438264921359_1451636166_o%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="620410_4438264921359_1451636166_o" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HxCP1HkHSrA/UFbqO0uHp8I/AAAAAAAAHFs/sYcvJE1JfLM/620410_4438264921359_1451636166_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="620410_4438264921359_1451636166_o" width="164" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iOeIkHO33E0/UFbqPaGw-sI/AAAAAAAAHF0/_1PGELtey1Q/s1600-h/405281_4100985958631_2048620479_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="405281_4100985958631_2048620479_n" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdashBnpLZ2gaKCzV581EOofLbyDoBA6LUENcFyTTWbA4vDfiTyh2qk9EbWt6JuDDO368MAmq2RftT6GmWyfk4afyx7fXMGH93KJBKhMgywHUcc3gYSrfOm-AQf_WRiIvwz3lTK2w_6s0N/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="405281_4100985958631_2048620479_n" width="244" /></a><br />
I was so pumped full of anti-biotics I have no idea how I pulled that one off. That Sprint pic. of me was the first of many that started scaring me with how skinny I was starting to look.<br />
<a href="http://www.subarucup.com/" target="_blank">Subaru Cup Pro XCT</a> went ok, but still nothing near my expectations coming into this season. Again 1 lap and then just surviving the race, but still awesome time with the best fans in the world!<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kEVKmGpvPIM/UFbqQjeernI/AAAAAAAAHGE/m5imWXohvZc/s1600-h/464569_10151117338120340_585257635_o%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="464569_10151117338120340_585257635_o" border="0" height="318" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hw5frOH9mlI/UFbqROqyxTI/AAAAAAAAHGM/J_YVgDeEt3c/464569_10151117338120340_585257635_o_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="464569_10151117338120340_585257635_o" width="439" /></a><br />
Here is an interview from my Cross-Country race.<br />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:55212c19-be3b-4814-ae77-f8962cd5efe6" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_zz7X6Odgw" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('fd15527a-023c-4ae0-ab07-d05a276b28f6'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"446\" height=\"250\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/L_zz7X6Odgw?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/L_zz7X6Odgw?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"446\" height=\"250\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J1Jomrs13sQ/UFbqRosTCXI/AAAAAAAAHGU/IdUFA2gMP3Q/video115faec51dfa%25255B85%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" /></a></div>
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With only 1 lap in the legs on any given day I had good legs for Short Track, but <a href="http://www.russellfinsterwald.com/" target="_blank">Russell</a> had a mishap off the line and half the field was out the race before it began. Moved up the whole race and fought with <a href="http://jeremyhorgan-kobelski.com/" target="_blank">JHK</a>, <a href="http://proteam.realcyclist.com/2010/12/welcome-cole-house/" target="_blank">Cole House</a> and Colin <a href="http://teamquickrelease.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cares</a> for the last few spots in top 20.<br />
A little later that day I was able to pull off a podium where the skills are more of an issue than the energy stores. 4th in the Super D was a nice highlight for the weekend!<br />
Those were really the only two races from July and August I was able to put much of anything together. In between racing I spent a lot of time recovering from each effort as it was very taxing on my body. I was riding/training, but well under anything that could really maintain the fitness I had built up in Spring and early Summer. Having missed so much quality training time it was finally time to rebuild. Once I was confident my body could handle the training again I got at it! <br />
Just one 27 hr week of solid training and things were heading back toward normal the first week of September!<br />
<a href="http://www.wors.org/schedule/treadfest/" target="_blank">WORS Treadfest</a> was the first test to see if I would bounce back quickly and we were pleasantly surprised.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xq9lIbz4wGw/UFbqSNagzII/AAAAAAAAHGc/Yps6mt517y8/s1600-h/7974757720_737ed4c6f3_b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="7974757720_737ed4c6f3_b" border="0" height="516" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZI_vFRX1OjY/UFbqS0vXO3I/AAAAAAAAHGk/KmC5XLg2kEw/7974757720_737ed4c6f3_b_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="7974757720_737ed4c6f3_b" width="334" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzT2rHBnt7Q" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('ca37bddc-7926-45bd-880a-28d8905c9e23'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"465\" height=\"261\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/HzT2rHBnt7Q?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/HzT2rHBnt7Q?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"465\" height=\"261\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nvr_xf8rjkg/UFbqTVXmMxI/AAAAAAAAHGs/KoKnaNIt558/videodbfa3c19482c%25255B42%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" /></a></div>
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So 3rd’s not the same result as <a href="http://www.wors.org/results/results.php?year=2011&race=10&type=o&cat=elite" target="_blank">last year</a>, but in the mix for a win and moving in the right direction!<br />
A few more weeks of solid training to rebuild what was lost in those 7 lbs. and everything should be back to normal. Should be a good Fall for racing!<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
-Nathan</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-88933268643264935412012-06-23T23:10:00.001-05:002012-06-23T23:12:36.392-05:00Going Fast…Going Slow…Going Fast…Going REALLY Slow<p>Since the last time this blog was updated I have raced just about every weekend. So quick recaps on each race up till today. </p> <h2><a href="http://www.wors.org/" target="_blank">WORS</a> #2 Crystal Lake Classic-Rhinelander, WI May 30th</h2> <p>Good legs, but not much high end fitness training in the legs yet. Battled it out with Jesse Lalonde and B. <a href="http://www.b-matter.com/" target="_blank">Matter</a> for the top spot. </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:65edc9fa-c0b5-4c8d-b187-a5a7d576debe" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="e3ef8f1f-4ed8-4991-a1ce-82c263431677" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE10B4iki7Q" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C0oeDrKIprw/T-aS3-aLEuI/AAAAAAAAFVs/-RuruDyQzU4/video4be943280842%25255B66%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('e3ef8f1f-4ed8-4991-a1ce-82c263431677'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"452\" height=\"254\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/sE10B4iki7Q?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/sE10B4iki7Q?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"452\" height=\"254\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>Walked away with a 2nd place by seconds.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:bb4a09a3-b84d-4f82-9fc2-ec5b85e9f103" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="78fa5546-4864-4e9c-aed2-f3ab9f9915b2" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km9-R20XBbU" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--4Ssw49j0j8/T-aS4YL5YrI/AAAAAAAAFVw/d2VKpf85moA/video35ee7c7a7bb8%25255B66%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('78fa5546-4864-4e9c-aed2-f3ab9f9915b2'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"459\" height=\"258\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/km9-R20XBbU?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/km9-R20XBbU?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"459\" height=\"258\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <h3>Post Race Interview.</h3> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:ea7dcdcd-937a-4a2c-a7b9-a2d45948ec0a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="678824a8-ffa3-4e94-9736-1eb90a87e3c2" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsnTxcMyqCs" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5vaYRGtMINE/T-aS4iC8jlI/AAAAAAAAFV0/o7EPJ-QEGOM/video542a86029d59%25255B66%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('678824a8-ffa3-4e94-9736-1eb90a87e3c2'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"457\" height=\"257\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/NsnTxcMyqCs?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/NsnTxcMyqCs?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"457\" height=\"257\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <h2>WORS #3- Trek Big Ring Classic- Wausau, W June 3rd</h2> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lT9c2QwjWtA/T-aS6QUMxOI/AAAAAAAAFTk/7tZHoAMqKtw/s1600-h/469675_10150941428325340_1480774238_%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="469675_10150941428325340_1480774238_o" border="0" alt="469675_10150941428325340_1480774238_o" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IFFReDhmOGs/T-aS7YT85xI/AAAAAAAAFTs/c6c86y5ouuU/469675_10150941428325340_1480774238_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="468"></a></p> <p>Great legs, could attack all day. Feeling really good going into last lap battling with Tristan and Matter. Split a side wall, wouldn’t seal, game over, ran it in for two points toward the Series.</p> <p>Although the race did not go well for me, I did get to pre-ride with fellow RaceFace rider <a href="http://raceface.com/riders/?page_id=11622" target="_blank">Nate Knowles</a>. We took turns leading into tech sections and testing the lines. After the ride we talked a bit about our tactics and plans for the race the next day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GKAlh1rtdgc/T-aS96I0xEI/AAAAAAAAFT0/rUgvbXrmzhg/s1600-h/2012-06-02-14.52.334.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-02 14.52.33" border="0" alt="2012-06-02 14.52.33" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sz8uR0pbdtg/T-aS-l1UUGI/AAAAAAAAFT8/iyDTwZeuWHQ/2012-06-02-14.52.33_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="295"></a></p> <p>I guess our planning worked as Nate walked away with the <a href="http://www.wors.org/results/results.php?year=2012&race=3&type=a&cat=citizen&code=m" target="_blank">Win!</a></p> <h2>Ute Valley Pro XCT #3- Colorado Springs, CO. June 16th</h2> <p>Flight out of Madison, Wisconsin: 5:30 PM Thursday. Land in Colorado Springs: 11:00 PM. Pre-rode course Friday and felt good, but the 6500+ elevation was obviously rough on my mid-west blood. On Race day I started toward the back of the staging area since I have not had the opportunity at UCI points or <a href="http://www.usacycling.org/proxct/" target="_blank">Pro XCT’s</a> prior. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9rTKjoRuG8A/T-aTABxX4AI/AAAAAAAAFUE/wZCXk_BaMP4/s1600-h/185146_320708371350436_1278132103_n3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="185146_320708371350436_1278132103_n" border="0" alt="185146_320708371350436_1278132103_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4ZIkehAwnUQ/T-aTA31wQ9I/AAAAAAAAFUM/RPa97CsDyDw/185146_320708371350436_1278132103_n_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="336"></a></p> <p>Start was going well up first two climbs, attempted to make up some spots descending into the 1st techy downhill section on a wide open right line…another rider made a sudden line change into me and wrapped our bars, down we went and to the back of the pack. From what I am told it was a fairly EPIC crash at 30+ MPH. Anyways, this is the worst time to be at the back as the first bottle neck into single-track is when the most time can be lost.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_4b1OF0Q0sE/T-aTCXsGEoI/AAAAAAAAFUU/SVv3VMhStH8/s1600-h/580111_320711171350156_483051629_n3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="580111_320711171350156_483051629_n" border="0" alt="580111_320711171350156_483051629_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xhHnFRTlQ4s/T-aTDC-FLPI/AAAAAAAAFUc/7ht6aQz0VWE/580111_320711171350156_483051629_n_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="340"></a></p> <p>Suffered bad chasing, had only a semi-fast speed at elevation, could never really punch it without majorly paying for the effort. Over every climb I spent a good minute gasping and recovering. After the start crash I worked my way to about mid-pack by the end, lesson learned, acclimate or stay home. At least I got to have some fun sprinting it out for 34th with BMC rider <a href="http://www.kdubzdidwhat.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Kerry Werner</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p>Back to the hotel, packed my bike, ate some dinner, and took the COLDEST Ice Bath in the history of mankind. Tried to get some sleep before my 4:00 AM wake up to fly back to Wisconsin.</p> <p> </p> <h2>WORS #4- Battle of Camrock- Rockdale WI June 17th</h2> <p>This was the oddest race day I have ever experienced. Wake up 4 am, 3 hrs sleep (maybe). Eat a huge breakfast, not knowing if I could get more in during flights, packed some potatoes and Chobani’s in my carry-on just in case. Act like I am drag racing my rental car on the way to airport to just make the check-in for my flight back to Madison, WI. Security, AKA TSA, took the Chobani but left my Potatoes. Pay the crazy bike fee like I am flying with my spouse and not my bike, Flight out at 6 am lay-over in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN and then land in Madison at 11:15 AM. Made it over to Camrock by 12:30 PM and had my bike built by 12:45. Banana, short warm-up and 1:30 PM GOOOOOO!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4jtq0TPQm7c/T-aTFYhtT-I/AAAAAAAAFUk/e2bJ69LJMHk/s1600-h/543327_4197464541500_1434783934_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="543327_4197464541500_1434783934_n" border="0" alt="543327_4197464541500_1434783934_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O0ctdm7ULwM/T-aTGdNYgJI/AAAAAAAAFUs/jdwE3-YnrX4/543327_4197464541500_1434783934_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="292"></a></p> <p>Somehow this happened?!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kt1QDckG-_c/T-aTH02VZhI/AAAAAAAAFU0/gcEf94G2SO0/s1600-h/471647_10150974554070340_704191583_o%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="471647_10150974554070340_704191583_o" border="0" alt="471647_10150974554070340_704191583_o" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XA-xJLtq7TQ/T-aTJHJ0uhI/AAAAAAAAFU8/FqpUt9CFNzU/471647_10150974554070340_704191583_o_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="463"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oivwdy5ahq4/T-aTLN9nBAI/AAAAAAAAFVE/yKx_fsKyKJs/s1600-h/177876_645196015441_1896686144_o%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="177876_645196015441_1896686144_o" border="0" alt="177876_645196015441_1896686144_o" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vna-CGrSmWU/T-aTMOXPRJI/AAAAAAAAFVM/noLlC16f1qU/177876_645196015441_1896686144_o_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="304"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LCnAiayIShA/T-aTOTbxIGI/AAAAAAAAFVU/GtRAA1e06q8/s1600-h/7397408670_012407a4cc_b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="7397408670_012407a4cc_b" border="0" alt="7397408670_012407a4cc_b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ojvX8k-DnVs/T-aTPb-Ku6I/AAAAAAAAFVc/Y-togAY_Ry4/7397408670_012407a4cc_b_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="304"></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:8a63e4eb-9c07-49c0-bfd0-817ee553abc3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="a6d7fc7e-beac-40db-930f-3dda097860f7" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWc10lSMJG4" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0cfnJPU9Ffs/T-aTQLDcQXI/AAAAAAAAFV4/0AJmg3C0Y4U/video83617d107e91%25255B38%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('a6d7fc7e-beac-40db-930f-3dda097860f7'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"441\" height=\"248\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/eWc10lSMJG4?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/eWc10lSMJG4?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"441\" height=\"248\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>So just make sure no sleep, random food, suffer at elevation the day before, oh yea and 6 hrs of plane legs lugging 50+ lbs of luggage and bike…guess that is the prep for a WIN! Kinda expensive though…</p> <p> </p> <p>Getting late, so update on my World Cup racing and how I got going slow again at the <a href="http://www.cyclingdirt.org/photo/732009-men-118/coverage/249493#ad-image68" target="_blank">Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup</a> today will be coming soon! 3 letters can sum it up though, F-L-U! Redemption to come at <a href="http://www.racewindham.com/" target="_blank">Wyndham</a> next weekend!!!</p> <p>As always, thanks for following the racing!</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-69461356982107687292012-05-08T03:06:00.001-05:002012-05-08T03:06:15.136-05:00Confidence<p>Confidence sums up what I have taken away from the first MTB race of the 2012 Season. The Iola Bump n Jump this past weekend was a fun mud fest, but my bike did not fair well in the area of going FAST… </p> <p>Lining up for the season opener I have never felt so calm and ready. Usually there are some anxious jitters and second guessing about where one stands. Once I got to the line Sunday I felt completely collected, knowing exactly what the task at hand was and the tools I brought to the table.</p> <p>The main reason for this is the <a href="http://www.fueltheburn.com/" target="_blank">new coach</a>, everything he has said would be in place is observable through experience in riding/racing and in the power data. Another reason is Mid-West Racing has shifted from being a main focus to a semi-focus. My highest priority right now is to do well at <a href="http://www.usacycling.org/proxct/" target="_blank">Pro XCT’s</a> and <a href="http://www.racewindham.com/" target="_blank">World</a> <a href="http://www.velirium.com/" target="_blank">Cup</a> races, with secondary focus being on the Mid-West events, being the <a href="http://www.wors.org/" target="_blank">WORS</a> races and Triple Crowns (<a href="http://www.oretoshore.com/" target="_blank">Ore to Shore</a>, <a href="http://www.cheqfattire.com/" target="_blank">Cheq. 40</a>, <a href="http://www.iceman.com/" target="_blank">Iceman</a>). So coming into the race I was looking for a win while keeping priorities straight. We lightened the training load a bit this week, by about 7-10 hrs, but I still came in with 18 hrs in the legs for the week and in the middle of a base period. </p> <p>Feeling fresh and ready on the line Don said goooooo! and up the first MTB climb of the season the pack went. I was pretty passive for my style and it was obvious people were HUNGRY for the front, but the goal was to observe the front while staying in contention. I made sure to be in striking distance of the lead and sat about 5th-6th wheel, with the plan of getting to at least 2nd wheel by the 1st or second single track without killing myself. </p> <h2>GO TIME!</h2> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jqzK18dFkgo/T6jT4uALZ1I/AAAAAAAAEZo/POXJvMuR8DI/s1600-h/IOLA%252520START%2525202012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IOLA START 2012" border="0" alt="IOLA START 2012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0_5fn_PiSHk/T6jT5YME_II/AAAAAAAAEZw/zKVVb0q2WGY/IOLA%252520START%2525202012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="248"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=448730761819706" target="_blank">Race Start Video</a></p> <p>Even with all the rain, I did not think the course would be too bad. Iola is a sandy course, there might be a bunch of wet spots and slippery mud, but not peanut butter right?….OH WAS I WRONG. In hindsight the front of the race was the place to be, I can usually ride anything as long as the way is clear, but the mud made for a whole lot of traffic. </p> <p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=448754861817296" target="_blank">First traffic Jam Video</a></p> <p>After the initial split up in the main mud section of the course <a href="http://www.b-matter.com/" target="_blank">Matter</a>, <a href="http://diamondwizard.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Mark Lalonde</a>, and <a href="http://isaaclneff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Isaac Neff</a> had a small gap. This point of the race was very telling of the new tools I am bringing to the table this year. You would think having to chase would be demoralizing, but in years past if I fell off pace in these familiar sections of trail I would be drooling over my handlebars, hanging on for dear life just to get back in contention…not this year. I set what felt like a high-tempo pace with the lead still in sight, never going red in the least bit. The lead was coming back and it felt fairly easy to pull it in, huh that is different… Confidence +1.</p> <h2>Chill Start</h2> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZZjeEj3qKHc/T6jT6EY4DQI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/eNgpvt8-mYU/s1600-h/iola%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="iola" border="0" alt="iola" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eQOd-4mpcGo/T6jT6iMmtoI/AAAAAAAAEaA/5WioXOyzLeg/iola_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="412"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150833821250340" target="_blank">Start of Second Lap Video</a></p> <p>Going into the second lap my plan was to go to the front and stay out of trouble AKA dismount traffic, but soon as we started climbing the gears started skipping. Each time through any mud section it just got worse and worse. Now I know everybody had issues with this in the mud, but I got ears and I got eyes, it would be like 1-2 clicks for people around me putting down full power afterwards and just riding away. On the other hand with every revolution of any REAL torque I would lose half my pedal stroke. Neff, Matter, and Lalonde were away again through the mud and the clicking was getting worse and worse…so while I am thinking there is no way this is just MUD, <a href="http://www.velobios.com/riders.jittery2008.shriver.htm" target="_blank">Matt Shriver</a> came up on me while I was stopped checking for a stick or something jammed in the drive train, nope just MUD! Rode a comfortable pace with Matt for the rest of lap 2 while managing the gears going crazy. Starting the climbs going into lap 3 I could see the shattered lead group, we were reeling in 2nd and 3rd place, but Matter looked like he might already be out of striking distance in 1st.</p> <p>Going into the giant bowl I took the inside line and tapped the brakes a bit too hard, made for an awesome 20 ft. slip n slide experience, but Shriver hit it hard while I got going again. I crawled just about back to his wheel before the mud, but by this point my gears were all but done. I fell back to 7th place this time through the mud sections, getting on and off continually with gears crunching and skipping every 1/4 a revolution now. Thoughts of pulling the plug and not breaking my bike started rolling through my head. Somehow I mentally found a happy place with my wasted efforts going into each pedal stroke and began reeling in 6th and then 5th place. Going into the last lap I could see <a href="http://carpetmachine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mike Phillips</a> just around every corner and salvaging a podium spot was just enough motivation for me to put up with hammering through every incessant twang and crunch of any gear I attempted to make work. At one point I remember finding that bouncing my body into each pedal stroke as much as I could up “the wall” climb would at least keep the traction going while gears slipped surrounded by running lap traffic racers and Phillips in sight galloping up the hill as well. I actually brought back a ton of time on that section.</p> <p>I closed the gap to Phillips by the last quarter of a lap and I knew it was a game for the 1st one into the second-to-last section of single-track. Prior to the finish at Iola there is a wide open 1/8 mile section leading into a very rooty section of single-track, then a short burst into open 2 track and then single-track pretty much to the finish. Barring any big mistakes the 1st one into those roots should usually win, given they have at least half a match left to burn afterwards. </p> <p>It was obvious Mike thought the same and into every open section he was going full throttle to the next, there was no way I could come around with any sprint effort skipping the gears over like crazy. It definitely had me concerned about getting past at all before the finish with all my torque/gear issues. I started waiting for any mistake at all, in the single track or wide open, to take the lead and GO! It got kind of crazy with lap traffic, we were zig-zagging all over the mucky trail jockeying for position, dodging people, into trees, into branches, you name it!. It was really fun racing! We came out into that 1/8 mile and we hit it hard! I skipped over a few gears, but once I got the wheel spinning Mike bobbled a tad and I took the opportunity full gun to the finish for the last spot on the podium…</p> <h2>Finish Line/Checkin the gap</h2> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-piRT1fybGsc/T6jT7Gr7EcI/AAAAAAAAEaI/E3wPfME7_u0/s1600-h/iola%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="iola 2" border="0" alt="iola 2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F8PmgJfGtWc/T6jT75IJjkI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/Gg7U3mUKZ6g/iola%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="447"></a></p> <h2>Salvaged Podium</h2> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q5mCXIPok5U/T6jT8RzkCAI/AAAAAAAAEaY/Kuyhbc6jg74/s1600-h/414754_10101372914143048_219703482_37341058_902135650_o%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="414754_10101372914143048_219703482_37341058_902135650_o" border="0" alt="414754_10101372914143048_219703482_37341058_902135650_o" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_buEfDEFYJA/T6jT9DQhGjI/AAAAAAAAEag/6PjObCXSTqo/414754_10101372914143048_219703482_37341058_902135650_o_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="316"></a></p> <p>In the past I would not fair so well or keep my cool in these kind of situations…again Confidence.</p> <p>This was not the result I was looking for, but sometimes racing is not about meeting the expectations of every specific race. This race had much more to do with yearly progression goals. The seasonal expectations were we well beyond met in how I felt, how I managed, and how I mentally persevered through the race.</p> <p> Usually I walk away from a less than expected result with my mind scrambling for what I could have done different, and what I am going to do better, how I am going to train harder...</p> <p>Sunday I walked away with no regrets or new plans, just Confidence in where this season is heading.</p> <h2>Post Race Interview </h2> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:3546ee25-3af8-4ece-b397-ee56388cf9c4" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="6350a2bf-1c89-4fef-9bd4-0ba05b38f571" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suTjDoHeADE" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E3KEWUkWizc/T6jT9WjJeKI/AAAAAAAAEao/GefIlh6XYQw/video475de93faa1d%25255B293%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('6350a2bf-1c89-4fef-9bd4-0ba05b38f571'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"460\" height=\"258\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/suTjDoHeADE?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/suTjDoHeADE?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"460\" height=\"258\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-85987262376415683452012-03-31T15:35:00.001-05:002012-03-31T15:35:45.791-05:00Bike Waukesha: Carroll University Bike Week<a href="http://bike-waukesha.blogspot.com/2012/03/carroll-university-bike-week.html?spref=bl">Bike Waukesha: Carroll University Bike Week</a>: This upcoming week is Carroll U's Bike Week. Here are some of the events that are open to public- Weekly Bike Ride Monday @ 4:30pm leavin...Click the link for more info.<br />
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The Free Guest speaker should be a very cool experience to hear about, and you can see where I go to school!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-25920454779609273812012-03-31T12:08:00.001-05:002012-03-31T12:09:04.720-05:00Little Kids can ride bikes fast too!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With the Brakes rubbing on the group ride all morning she probably could have came with and hung out with Daddy at the pace I was going! Not sure she would have liked the temps on the trail-a-bike though, Wisconsin weather dropped 50 degrees in the last week! Getting in six hours today was a lot rougher than the 80 degree weather 7 days ago! Gettin it done all over again tomorrow, any locals want in?<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9NDvNQeIj5M?fs=1" width="459"></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-81793586717233595022012-03-17T00:03:00.001-05:002012-03-17T00:03:14.373-05:00XXCMAG podcast!<p>I have not been writing much here, but that is ok, because at <a href="http://xxcmag.com/xxc-podcasts" target="_blank">xxcmag.com’s podcast</a> we talked for almost an hour and a half about the upcoming race season, last year’s racing, how Vision Cycling Inc. is going to make cycling a household & traditional sport, my plans for the future of my racing career and a few other odds and ends! </p> <p>You can directly download it all out at this link <strong><font size="4"><a href="http://xxcmag.com/XXC_Magazine_Podcast_9.mp3" target="_blank">HERE</a></font></strong> </p> <p>or you can get it free on iTunes <strong><font size="4"><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-xxc-magazine-podcast/id495842782" target="_blank">HERE</a></font></strong></p> <p>First half is racing stuff and the second half starting at about 45 minutes is all about Vision Cycling Inc. and the growth of cycling as a sport and planning for a big STEP UP!.</p> <p>ENJOY!</p> <p>You may have not been getting many updates on training but if you follow my twitter feed <a href="https://twitter.com/Nathan__Guerra" target="_blank">@nathan__guerra</a> you can see the hrs clocked and Kilojoules have been anything but lacking!</p> <p> </p> <p>And any good blog post needs a pic…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-syNCO6ExARY/T2QbD0Sm2HI/AAAAAAAADUA/SM2hh8OQwz4/s1600-h/2012-03-15%25252015.33.15%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-03-15 15.33.15" border="0" alt="2012-03-15 15.33.15" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L364Owyzevc/T2QbEaysZkI/AAAAAAAADUI/Cz0Bz9giaLE/2012-03-15%25252015.33.15_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="243"></a></p> <p>You can post your <font size="3">amazing and creative captions</font> in the comments below or found <a href="http://mrtreeracing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a> if your reading on a fed/sponsor site.</p> <p>Racing is just around the CORNER which means tons more updates! Stay tuned…</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-54312202320444207672012-02-02T19:19:00.001-06:002012-02-02T19:19:09.586-06:00Time Crunch…Vloggin>Bloggin<p>Newborn, Training 20hrs+ week, School, Team, <a href="http://mrtreeracing.blogspot.com/2011/05/announcing-team-wheel-and.html" target="_blank">Vision</a>!</p> <p>A lot on the plate but the updates will keep coming. For now here is my latest vlog with a bunch of links within to things I been doing. </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:8f4dfdb3-c5e0-4972-a215-154bc6f23a4a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="b167e1bb-97cc-4171-ba8b-42e0a232ec77" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN3Z28Ka7I8" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0kvE98iLbaI/Tys2DDG5H0I/AAAAAAAABik/T_SuSpi2iLE/videoce2a2ac78be3%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('b167e1bb-97cc-4171-ba8b-42e0a232ec77'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"464\" height=\"260\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/rN3Z28Ka7I8?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/rN3Z28Ka7I8?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"464\" height=\"260\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>Thanks for reading/watching!</p> <p>If your reading remotely, you can get the vlog and blog feed at <a href="http://www.nathanguerra.com">www.nathanguerra.com</a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-4491844591141640172012-01-04T03:17:00.001-06:002012-01-04T17:25:13.959-06:00New, New, New….!<h1><u>Happy New Year!</u></h1> <p>No post since the last weeks of November, but I have some lame…I mean good excuses. Finished my Senior Thesis the first two weeks of December. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-He4LydcoY7w/TwQZDI1z0bI/AAAAAAAABdU/uDJXHkZd8hc/s1600-h/2011-12-18%25252022.22.05%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011-12-18 22.22.05" border="0" alt="2011-12-18 22.22.05" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DQ6bnYj3Vu8/TwQZDetc-CI/AAAAAAAABdc/0FDzbt2BuLM/2011-12-18%25252022.22.05_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="287"></a></p> <p>Then we got ready for and did Christmas with 5 different families including our nuclear one, all while sponsor hunting and getting ready for…</p> <h1><u>New Baby!</u></h1> <p>On Monday December 26th 2011 we welcomed our 4th child and 2nd son into the world!</p> <p>Micah Joseph Guerra</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0DI73B2diLM/TwQZD1of42I/AAAAAAAABeM/MSspXdiFe1A/s1600-h/378069_10150447024781724_525316723_8818362_636367276_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="378069_10150447024781724_525316723_8818362_636367276_n" border="0" alt="378069_10150447024781724_525316723_8818362_636367276_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wr5QUgwCp9M/TwQZEH7B5gI/AAAAAAAABeQ/5ZPlowJXC3E/378069_10150447024781724_525316723_8818362_636367276_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="340"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DM9V0biLgn8/TwQZEdFUkRI/AAAAAAAABeU/Xsic_tIpX1U/s1600-h/378699_10150562839970269_617265268_11559182_20495009_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="378699_10150562839970269_617265268_11559182_20495009_n" border="0" alt="378699_10150562839970269_617265268_11559182_20495009_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KgoalfYH2dY/TwQZEnMkPBI/AAAAAAAABeY/a4vjCa-AYGg/378699_10150562839970269_617265268_11559182_20495009_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="207"></a></p> <h1><u>New Vlog!</u></h1> <p>To start off the New Year I have begun a Vlog on YouTube along with some live streaming of my training. It is all a little rough right now as it was a spur of the moment decision, but I plan on getting all the bells and whistles to make it crisp, clean, and entertaining. It should be updated close to daily and can be found on the upper left panel of my <a href="http://www.mrtreeracing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog (reading on remote sites click this link)</a> or here at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/nathanguerra7" target="_blank">my YouTube channel</a>. SUBSCCRIBE AND SHARE! </p> <p>Here is the New Years Eve ride from my webcam on Facebook that inspired the whole idea…</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:3210be37-9c0e-4834-ac81-75f41457adb3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="401" height="249" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150562506160269" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150562506160269" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="401" height="249"></embed></object></div></div> <h1><u>New Coach!</u></h1> <p><a href="http://www.fueltheburn.com/" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="danny_kaukola" border="0" alt="danny_kaukola" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FVoIV-FzjXo/TwQZE7CbY1I/AAAAAAAABeE/WjVooz6R8no/danny_kaukola%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="201"></a></p> <p>With big goals for 2012 and BEYOND, I have decided to take on a coach. It was a year in making the decision. After combing through and searching for the best possible ways to get faster on the bike I found that my new coach Danny Kaukola with <a href="http://www.fueltheburn.com/" target="_blank">FueltheBurn.com</a> was the best fit for what I am trying to accomplish. You can find his website now linked on my blogs right panel and he will probably be doing some guest appearances via Skype on my Vlog and even here on the blog.</p> <h1><u>New Training!</u></h1> <p>With a new coach, new vlog, and new season fast approaching the training is in full-swing already. The plan is changing quite a bit with Danny’s help in modifying the areas I was lacking on my own. Looking forward to a big year, with big results. Lots of returning sponsors and new sponsors to back it all up. Stay tuned for race schedule, sponsor announcements, and product reveals! HERE WE GO 2012! </p> <p>Thanks for reading and watching,</p> <p>Nathan</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6ce4002a-9534-4c78-b544-43787aa485c5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Happy+new+year" rel="tag">Happy new year</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/2012" rel="tag">2012</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Training" rel="tag">Training</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Coaching" rel="tag">Coaching</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/new+baby" rel="tag">new baby</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nathan+Guerra" rel="tag">Nathan Guerra</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Vlog" rel="tag">Vlog</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Mountain+Bike" rel="tag">Mountain Bike</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Pro" rel="tag">Pro</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WORS" rel="tag">WORS</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-69296799942411820792011-11-27T20:27:00.001-06:002011-11-30T22:13:39.100-06:00Iceman and Off-Season<div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Been a few weeks, but since it is possibly the biggest mountain bike event in the nation, <a href="http://www.iceman.com/" target="_blank">Iceman</a> deserves a write up. </div> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> </div> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on">I Headed over to Traverse City, Michigan on Friday, November 4th with <a href="http://proteam.realcyclist.com/2010/12/welcome-cole-house/" target="_blank">Cole House</a>. Had amazing accommodations from the Owner’s at Six One Six Fabrication. Awesome people making some sweet snow bikes and 650b/29er bicycles!</div> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br> </div> <h3>Race Day: </h3> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Had a nice breakfast with the best of the mid-west all pictured here from left to right, <a href="http://www.b-matter.com/" target="_blank">Matter</a>, <a href="http://tristanschouten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Schouten</a>, House and myself on his wheel. Sweet potatoes were a secret weapon for both Matter and I. Included in the line-up below is a World Champion, a World’s Podium finisher, and multiple National Champions/top ten in the Nation…Mid-West had our work cut out for us.<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X-3mp6cYgOk/TtLxjKieo3I/AAAAAAAABNE/yKzeFLCF-q8/s1600-h/392589_10150365281225706_293538105705_8564494_301762722_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Iceman 2011 start" border="0" alt="392589_10150365281225706_293538105705_8564494_301762722_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1Uvig-s5IiM/TtLxjiU3CoI/AAAAAAAABNM/Pvz7lcWnkHk/392589_10150365281225706_293538105705_8564494_301762722_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="273"></a><br><br></div> <h3>Here is a video of the Pro men’s start.</h3> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:6ecd8542-41a5-404d-a18b-a83a139b6855" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="34a38ca8-7c09-4b73-89b2-6f9a66840a4a" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHxQVnGg__w" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zsBHBaKmveE/TtbOzGa3AwI/AAAAAAAABOc/5yqw_xKndaQ/videoac56c99dfe8c%25255B219%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('34a38ca8-7c09-4b73-89b2-6f9a66840a4a'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"455\" height=\"255\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/nHxQVnGg__w?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/nHxQVnGg__w?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"455\" height=\"255\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div></div> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> </div> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on">I have only raced the Pro Race here once before, so I am still slightly inexperienced. My preparation in training and how to manage the insanity of this start was much better than last year. Making the lead group was almost too easy, I was deceptively within my limits, and I never made much of an effort to be 1st-5th wheel. For the first quarter of the race I was riding toward the back not being too aggressive. This race is all about positioning and I found out the hard way! </div> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> </div> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on">While jamming motivation through his speakers on the way to the Start Cole warned me he was going to attack at “Tornado Alley”, I said “Uhh, OK”…thinking where or what the heck is tornado alley…images of Kansas and Todo in mind. </div> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> </div> <h3>Lead group a few miles into the 2011 Iceman.</h3> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A5XP0irJEQs/TtbO0WpyFVI/AAAAAAAABNk/4GEZ54u9anc/s1600-h/390233_10150385313404844_507254843_8%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="lead group" border="0" alt="Lead Group" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nelyjrx78ZM/TtbO0-aMC-I/AAAAAAAABNs/4Sc4vs6pNjE/390233_10150385313404844_507254843_8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="320"></a></div> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> </div> <div style="text-align: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on">So when the tornado came I was hanging out at the back, come to find out this was the first pivotal section of single-track and I was literally the last one in amongst 15 or so riders. I was still pretty comfortable, but quickly realized some of those in front of me were not and the race was leaving in a hurry. I took every opportunity to move up, but when moving up during attacks you have to be riding significantly faster than those attacking at the front of the field. People were cracking left and right as I was moving up, came by Cole House, Matt Shriver, and one of the Fluckiger brothers. Made it to J. Bishop’s wheel at the back, but I had already muscled by 7 or so riders during interspersed open sections, once latched back on to the lead group the redline had been pushed. A few climbs later and I was soft pedaling and waiting for the chase group to come up…</div> <p>Not bad company though, with a world champ in group. With about 10k to go <a href="http://www.troywells.missingsaddle.com/" target="_blank">Troy Wells</a> came back to our group as well. I was a bit frustrated as the legs were good and was out of contention due to positioning. Although one of the highlights of the day was yelling “C’MON SWISS” to a World Champ as I encouraged him to get on my wheel after a bad line through a sand pit! We were smiling.</p> <p> I waited for the climbs to start toward the end of the race and as soon as we hit “The Wall”, which kicks off a series of climbs till the end of the race, I attacked hard at the front. <a href="http://www.velobios.com/riders.jittery2008.shriver.htm" target="_blank">Matt Shriver</a> and <a href="http://teamcf.org/author/ctanguy/" target="_blank">Christian Tanguy</a> were able to follow and we had a gap. Shriver came around to pull and threw an elbow for me to pull through soon after but I was timid. This was a bad move on my part, Wells, Fluckiger, and Isaac Neff came back to us. </p> <p>It was at this point that I saw the lead group just around the corner, I couldn’t believe it! We were reeling them back in and I told Shriver we gotta go! Not sure if the group understood me in the midst of the heart pounding, but I pushed it up the climbs hard and Shriver/Wells pulled along the flats. </p> <p>Coming into the venue area I was set to win the sprint for the chase group with Wells, <a href="http://www.mathiasflueckiger.ch/" target="_blank">Matthias Fluckiger</a>, Christian Tanguy, and Matt Shriver. It was not to be though, Wells bobbled on a downhill dropping his chain right in front of my bike. Brought to a full stop I watched while everyone else glided away, a gap had opened I HAD to close. Brought it back just as the attacks started and that was game over…was fighting for 8th but rode in solo settling for 11th.</p> <h3></h3> <h3>Solo ride to the finish<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G7keinDKwSQ/TtbO1h2ln5I/AAAAAAAABN0/obuuxJ_w0ZE/s1600-h/341250_2393275505508_1059516737_32395036_438870757_o%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011 Iceman finish Nathan Guerra" border="0" alt="341250_2393275505508_1059516737_32395036_438870757_o" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-osue-HTbEw8/TtbO15ACFEI/AAAAAAAABN4/3fGTK5w9FkQ/341250_2393275505508_1059516737_32395036_438870757_o_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="276"></a></h3> <p><font size="2">There are Great, Good, and Sub-Par results, this was edging into the last category. The field was tough, so in hindsight I am happy.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3SjWhA5lls4/TtbO2rUc-bI/AAAAAAAABOA/9oyTb3nLlNg/s1600-h/6321625925_4a528dd8e7_b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Iceman finish 2011" border="0" alt="6321625925_4a528dd8e7_b" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PVJwuRvXjZg/TtbO3EIRZ3I/AAAAAAAABOI/xe7YHMBjigI/6321625925_4a528dd8e7_b_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="612"></a></p> <p><font size="2">Last year I was physically and tactically unprepared, this year just tactically, next year I will put them both together and hopefully be fighting it out in the front. </font><a href="http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/240413-ICEMAN-Cometh-Challenge-2011" target="_blank"><font size="2">Full Results</font></a><font size="2"> Quite the field!</font></p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2">So now that it is the Off-Season we get to watch all the CX crazies suffer. Been following </font><a href="http://www.cyclingdirt.org/" target="_blank"><font size="2">Cyclingdirt</font></a><font size="2"> for U.S. racing, screaming at my computer screen for </font><a href="http://www.b-matter.com/" target="_blank"><font size="2">Matter</font></a><font size="2"> and </font><a href="http://tristanschouten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><font size="2">Schouten</font></a><font size="2"> representing the Mid-West. Also, been following the </font><a href="http://neo.superprestigecyclocross.com/" target="_blank"><font size="2">Superprestige</font></a><font size="2"> and </font><a href="http://www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI5/layout.asp?MenuId=MTI1NTQ&LangId=1" target="_blank"><font size="2">World Cups</font></a><font size="2">.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><font size="2">Controversy on this one this past week with Sven Nys and Pauwels.</font> </font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:89e10f35-e288-4e5e-9810-a2aae49f05c3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="2dcc8d33-cc91-4c6e-b883-b371f7b32779" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0RewKYadF0" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dAE07UhQAlw/TtbO3RyF5FI/AAAAAAAABOg/3Pz-O3jSEZM/videod35d6481cced%25255B138%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('2dcc8d33-cc91-4c6e-b883-b371f7b32779'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"468\" height=\"263\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/q0RewKYadF0?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/q0RewKYadF0?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"468\" height=\"263\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p><font size="5">Question of the day: </font></p> <p><font size="5">What do you think, should Nys have been relegated?</font></p> <p>Answer in the comments section below or <a href="http://www.mrtreeracing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">found here</a>.</p> <p>Stay tuned for plenty of 2012 announcements and training preparations.</p> <p>Nathan</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0d71c1b1-16ab-4861-ba68-1f1e3c573b15" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Iceman+2011" rel="tag">Iceman 2011</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/off-Season" rel="tag">off-Season</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/sven+Nys" rel="tag">sven Nys</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pauwels" rel="tag">pauwels</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/koksijde" rel="tag">koksijde</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/race+report" rel="tag">race report</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Pro" rel="tag">Pro</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cyclocross" rel="tag">cyclocross</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/mountain+bike" rel="tag">mountain bike</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-12997298729822850452011-10-27T12:58:00.001-05:002011-10-27T13:00:25.969-05:00Peak2Peak<p><a href="http://www.endomanpromotions.com/events/peak2peak.php" target="_blank"><u>Peak2Peak</u></a> Oct. 14th-15th</p> <p>After the Sheboygan race <a href="http://proteam.realcyclist.com/2010/12/welcome-cole-house/" target="_blank">Cole House</a> and I were talking about what to do till <a href="http://www.iceman.com/" target="_blank">Iceman</a>. I said “rest and train, nothing else going on”. He was nice enough to invite me to a race across the Lake in Lower Michigan called <a href="http://www.endomanpromotions.com/events/peak2peak.php" target="_blank">Peak2Peak</a>. Awesome race venue, classic Michigan venue environment with tons of energy and hype around the race. Course left a bit to be desired, but with a few additions of single-track and trails on the amazing ski hill they have it has potential to be an epic event! Not to mention the resort is one of the most beautiful places I have ever stayed, simply amazing!</p> <p>Cole’s new MTB sponsor SixOneSix put us up for the weekend, for which I am so very grateful. Awesome laid back people, all about supporting the Mountain Bike scene. Check them out at Iceman if your heading over this November, 5th. They should have some good venue space setup.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mwRd6bpavAA/Tqmbo4RnI0I/AAAAAAAABME/IoN4Zy-4tpA/s1600-h/300676_2140527473708_1261800535_3203%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="300676_2140527473708_1261800535_3203[2]" border="0" alt="300676_2140527473708_1261800535_3203[2]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKfTo66FkEopiGw3Wmtq5TOMmrPsWuQ3JhBtMqlYp_DF0F0fBLwJ-SwJr5pXgHERMFXLxsHgxPff-KbxU26VuDzPoNqz9lCwqgy1UnpGE5zKyvwM5ov0XzUInOwq7eG7rCfrH4Tsu4Pz8/?imgmax=800" width="438" height="344"></a></p> <p>3 lap race on a 10 mile Course which lent to a small group of 6-7 riding roadie style through fairly wide, flat, winding single track for 3/4 of the lap and then THE HILL…I think it was the longest continual hill climb I have done all year.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z7GW-8PnYPQ/TqmbpXEjTaI/AAAAAAAABMU/_ECiytsYTWc/s1600-h/305889_2499435566658_1275978815_3073%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="305889_2499435566658_1275978815_3073" border="0" alt="305889_2499435566658_1275978815_3073" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gRKaaSKsWbY/TqmbpowclFI/AAAAAAAABMc/3z1Oypt-DY4/305889_2499435566658_1275978815_3073%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="335"></a></p> <p>Here is <a href="http://mikeandersonracing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mike Anderson</a> leading us up the climb at the end of lap 1, followed by <a href="http://proteam.realcyclist.com/2010/12/welcome-cole-house/" target="_blank">Cole House</a>, Myself, <a href="http://www.einsteinracing.com/blog/" target="_blank">Jordan Wakeley</a>, <a href="http://teamcf.org/author/ctanguy/" target="_blank">Christian Tanguy</a>, <a href="http://www.teampriorityhealth.com/author/avanias/" target="_blank">Alex Vanias</a>, and Derek Graham. It was obvious this was where the race would be decided. Cole and I had a plan, we wanted to go 1-2…and when your driver/host is the competition who gets to win the sprint? </p> <p>I never really have had the chance to work as a team on Mountain Bikes. Of course on the road, but never had the chance to really play out anything on the Mountain Bike. we controlled the race well and attacked from 1st or second wheel when we wanted…tons of fun. </p> <p>Going into the last climb Cole followed my wheel and I just punched it hard right at the bottom, immediately we had a 10 second gap. We held off a strong chasing Christian Tanguy to the line. Coming down the back side of the hill I was nice enough to hold back a bit on the Jedi Knight skills and Cole pulled off the Win in another sprint finish. Cole almost gave me the Win on accident, as I sprinted I was also yelling “go left”, Cole was in a full on sprint into the lap area instead of the finish shoot. Laughed about that quite a few times during the 8 hour drive home that night…well worth it though since Michigan knows how to give out <a href="http://www.endomanpromotions.com/events/peak2peak/racer-information.php" target="_blank">semi-decent prize pools!</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VUpbuxZewEQ/Tqmbp2tZFTI/AAAAAAAABMk/GIF9fMXV8Qo/s1600-h/IMG_20111015_161608_thumb22.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20111015_161608_thumb2" border="0" alt="IMG_20111015_161608_thumb2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--EezaBzaWlo/TqmbqH2hAYI/AAAAAAAABMs/GTQhJBNaDCM/IMG_20111015_161608_thumb2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="351"></a></p> <p>Next up is a go at the <a href="http://www.iceman.com/awards" target="_blank">BIG MONEY</a> in a little over a week. Training is coming along very well with some of the best numbers on the power meter I have ever seen. All year I train in limbo of focus. With so many races going on and different goals, I tend to want to be strong in everything and never really build my intensity well over a 3-4 week period for a very specific event. With Iceman being so far removed from any of my major racing focuses I have been able to just build very specifically for this race. </p> <p>I also feel as though my knowledge of how to train and coach has really matured over this year. I am really starting to nail down how my body peaks and exactly what it responds best too in training. No pressure or anything…, but I am very excited to see how this comes together next week Saturday. Hopefully I will be able to keep the podiums coming and I will be more than happy with that amongst <a href="http://store.iceman.com/riders.php" target="_blank">this crowd</a>! Search the Pro field with no name inserted.</p> <p><u>QUESTION OF THE DAY</u></p> <p>What are your top ten Iceman predictions? <p>Answer honestly, no offense taken at all if I am not in there! <p>For those reading through a remote feed you can answer in comments sections found <a href="http://mrtreeracing.blogspot.com/">here</a>. <p>All is new, nothing is mundane it is only in You, <p>Nathan <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:67cfadfd-583f-42a0-89b6-85a50e8e3fa3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Iceman" rel="tag">Iceman</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Mountain+Bike" rel="tag">Mountain Bike</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nathan+Guerra" rel="tag">Nathan Guerra</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Michigan" rel="tag">Michigan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cole+House" rel="tag">cole House</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/racing" rel="tag">racing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/peak2Peak" rel="tag">peak2Peak</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/training" rel="tag">training</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/peaking" rel="tag">peaking</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-5958795900259423552011-10-26T14:39:00.001-05:002011-10-26T14:39:08.164-05:00Sheboygan<p><a href="http://www.wors.org/schedule/wigwam/" target="_blank"><u>WORS #12 Wigwam MTB Challenge</u></a> Oct. 8th-9th</p> <p>Fitness was peaked and I knew I had winning legs for the WORS finale during my pre-ride Saturday, especially after I did a hot lap for Don and the race director to check Elite lap times.</p> <p>I tend to want the hole shot to see if I can put the pressure on right away, so what am I doing in the picture below…8 wheels back??? Rear cog “ghost” shifted all the way to the first single-track. Fought a bit for it, but eventually made my way to the front. Lead group quickly formed with 3 of us, <a href="http://carpetmachine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mike Phillips</a>, <a href="http://proteam.realcyclist.com/2010/12/welcome-cole-house/" target="_blank">Cole House</a>, and myself after half a lap.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jj_fhXv1ljI/Tqhhy4sV3MI/AAAAAAAABKk/wbB7wc9AjHA/s1600-h/299377_2281421126956_1591672871_2225%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="299377_2281421126956_1591672871_2225007_1160258002_n_thumb[3]" border="0" alt="299377_2281421126956_1591672871_2225007_1160258002_n_thumb[3]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FoCB7T19Yfc/TqhhzDIgrhI/AAAAAAAABKs/GCw3WLQgE4Q/299377_2281421126956_1591672871_2225%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" height="298"></a></p> <p>Equalizer hill climb play by play photos. They pay ya $5 at the top just for climbing this thing clean with no foot dabs, if you can grab it while your tongue hangs over the handle bars along with your head.. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3nbtZQMHs-k/Tqhhzr18cWI/AAAAAAAABK0/raG0pC_GGOI/s1600-h/6232061798_e685a45063_b_thumb12.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6232061798_e685a45063_b_thumb[1]" border="0" alt="6232061798_e685a45063_b_thumb[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SZr8rQbmbU4/Tqhhz6sHqQI/AAAAAAAABK8/5sT5-6kA8C8/6232061798_e685a45063_b_thumb1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="290"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tHrZXQrMX8k/Tqhh0JU5bOI/AAAAAAAABLE/ABeXtQ1YM_Q/s1600-h/307584_2434791640206_1564156322_3258%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="307584_2434791640206_1564156322_32582315_168031513_n_thumb[1]" border="0" alt="307584_2434791640206_1564156322_32582315_168031513_n_thumb[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jEYVvo9yegg/Tqhh0kfC2JI/AAAAAAAABLM/Zqn7cf8L0qA/307584_2434791640206_1564156322_3258.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="297"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kvqU4bzcCqc/Tqhh00XXLhI/AAAAAAAABLU/_fN1A8x3j-I/s1600-h/6231769991_d186603e73_b_thumb12.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6231769991_d186603e73_b_thumb[1]" border="0" alt="6231769991_d186603e73_b_thumb[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bwiIWU6Jznc/Tqhh1bCNeyI/AAAAAAAABLc/hnPHbiDbdmg/6231769991_d186603e73_b_thumb1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="559"></a></p> <p>Slick-Rock drops are sweet!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-70ffA-UuVJc/Tqhh1qiDd1I/AAAAAAAABLk/3uoPN8CqkHM/s1600-h/6231562355_e0fbb8a47b_b_thumb12.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6231562355_e0fbb8a47b_b_thumb[1]" border="0" alt="6231562355_e0fbb8a47b_b_thumb[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ndx6ktUQIlY/Tqhh2MeffpI/AAAAAAAABLs/q5RErHtKN-I/6231562355_e0fbb8a47b_b_thumb1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="300"></a></p> <p>After 2 Laps I went to the front and drilled it, had a good gap but didn’t fully commit to the solo ride. Cole was able to come back and the games began! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x0X6xARFZjM/Tqhh2Vzcz4I/AAAAAAAABL0/WR-qGSbsk-c/s1600-h/6231736153_1d1f0745c8_b_thumb12.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6231736153_1d1f0745c8_b_thumb[1]" border="0" alt="6231736153_1d1f0745c8_b_thumb[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZTjt3aDFM70/Tqhh20kc6xI/AAAAAAAABL8/W8YYK71z2u4/6231736153_1d1f0745c8_b_thumb1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="525"></a></p> <p>Lap traffic neutralized the race on the last 2 laps though. We would attack only to be immediately held up by traffic, eventually we just laughed it off and settled into dodging human obstacles till the last half lap. Cole and I were pretty evenly matched, but I felt had the best legs going into the last half lap. I just could not find anywhere to get by him, it was almost comical as I tried to attack only to be forced into a dismount due to lap traffic with 1/8 of a mile to the finish line! Ended in a Sprint finish with some lap traffic in the way. 2nd overall with a 1 second split, good racing!</p> <p>Had a few shifting/sprinting issues, thought they could be worked with a little lube in the shifter housing prior to the race…NOPE, should have changed them out after the mud race at Bear Paw. Lack of maintenance probably cost me this race. Anytime I tried to sprint the bike would ghost shift and lose all momentum. Every move I made had to be a “wind-up”. Guess you can tell it is the end of the season, plus there is very little time for maintenance with school and sponsor searching. Parts have seen a whole season of racing and were on edge these last two races…</p> <p>Here is a post race interview. Not sure why, but some computers have trouble with the sound and others do not.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:df139174-0ecf-40f4-8f69-1ccad5046073" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="458" height="257"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jn_ppOu4_5I?hl=en&hd=1"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jn_ppOu4_5I?hl=en&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="458" height="257"></embed></object></div></div> <p>Next Up…</p> <p>October 14th-15th <a href="http://www.endomanpromotions.com/events/peak2peak.php" target="_blank">Peak2Peak</a> race report tomorrow!</p> <p>As the focus starts to shift from racing to school and off-season I am doing something new with the blog. Questions to think about and perhaps discuss in the comments section at the end of each post, about almost any topic. Looking at the trees outside my window today I thought of this one…</p> <p>Senses perceive reality, hopefully…but there are only 5…what does this mean for reality? </p> <p>For those reading through a remote feed you can answer in comments sections found <a href="http://mrtreeracing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>All is new, nothing is mundane it is only in You,</p> <p>Nathan</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e88206a4-c244-416a-a60b-02a87a82042f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WORS" rel="tag">WORS</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sheboygan" rel="tag">Sheboygan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nathan+Guerra" rel="tag">Nathan Guerra</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Mountian+Bike" rel="tag">Mountian Bike</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Racing" rel="tag">Racing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/senses" rel="tag">senses</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/perception" rel="tag">perception</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/reality" rel="tag">reality</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-3248164197870854812011-10-25T03:23:00.001-05:002011-10-25T12:33:03.399-05:00Hiatus<p>Computer was in for warranty, been gone from the blog scene a while. Here is what has been going on in the last month…</p> <p>Rapid fire posts over the next 3 days starting with where we left off, the double header weekend Sept. 24-25th</p> <p><a href="http://www.fallcolorfestival.org/" target="_blank"><u>Fall Color Festival</u></a> Sept. 24th</p> <p>This is my main training grounds on the bike, so it was break away and then just flow and have fun.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HM3Tbk5HYGo/TqZx0t7JeUI/AAAAAAAABJU/e0aIZl9ELfg/s1600-h/nathan3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="nathan" border="0" alt="nathan" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G2TcanK-dY0/TqZx1bv9beI/AAAAAAAABJc/dszmFl3Kk2I/nathan_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="303"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pQEu0rjVfz8/TqZx11ncnkI/AAAAAAAABJk/gUt3uWdLjSg/s1600-h/web3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="web" border="0" alt="web" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N5fQ4ng5SDE/TqZx2aNQTRI/AAAAAAAABJs/rUBPen0BmYk/web_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="304"></a></p> <p>Nothing like 30 miles of single-track to open up the legs after a few rest days.</p> <p><a href="http://www.wors.org/schedule/bear-paw/" target="_blank"><u>Bear Paw Rock-N-Roll</u></a> Sept. 25th</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Sv5YHaGhLhI/TqZx3O747lI/AAAAAAAABJ0/g_LZKT3togY/s1600-h/6185424576_a7edcdfbe4_b4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6185424576_a7edcdfbe4_b" border="0" alt="6185424576_a7edcdfbe4_b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ggASxDtr7EA/TqZx3U36FuI/AAAAAAAABJ8/aAvJ_A9jVyY/6185424576_a7edcdfbe4_b_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="542"></a></p> <p>Started with a good lead, but a busted cleat had me clipping out all race and…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PmwPHnIY9Po/TqZx4CLyi5I/AAAAAAAABKE/zoQT9FXYsr8/s1600-h/305218_10150333737870340_51299665339%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="305218_10150333737870340_51299665339_8022593_1102372589_n" border="0" alt="305218_10150333737870340_51299665339_8022593_1102372589_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FYcMKkrI9Hk/TqZx4Y4nScI/AAAAAAAABKM/qQ_ZQjgjqbM/305218_10150333737870340_51299665339.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="553"></a></p> <p>well, the picture says it all…</p> <p>Started pouring at the start line…Bad tire selection + broken cleat = rough day…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xPnoVyXm25E/TqZx5hXifUI/AAAAAAAABKU/8RHWL7o1e2c/s1600-h/322012_10150316315758657_571323656_7%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="322012_10150316315758657_571323656_7986683_668647179_o" border="0" alt="322012_10150316315758657_571323656_7986683_668647179_o" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VAhqn9I8PSM/TqZx51uvuDI/AAAAAAAABKc/gfc-J-4NJrc/322012_10150316315758657_571323656_7%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="322"></a></p> <p>4th place Overall.</p> <p>AMAZING Legs with little results was slightly frustrating…after 2 laps I figured out it was out of my control and let go of any thought of catching up to 1st-3rd. That is when I started having tons of fun seeing how hard I could push myself whenever the bike was working, or how crazy I could get the bike swerving and maneuvering through non-existent lines in 6 inch deep mud. Quite a few trees were checked and new lines created off trail. Suddenly enjoying myself so much I was actually really disappointed when waved off course after lap 3. They cut off a lap because the times were ridiculously long, it was turning into a marathon race due to the mud.</p> <p>Onto the weekend of Oct. 8th-9th for the Sheboygan race re-cap tomorrow.</p> <p>Thanks for reading!</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-71387706368844678022011-09-20T00:40:00.001-05:002011-09-20T13:03:34.286-05:00Treadfest & Chequamegon 40<p>Major time crunch right now, so media and press will have to suffice for Treadfest write-up.</p> <p>If you have not heard I had an amazing day down in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin two weekends ago.  You should be able to piece together how it went from all the sources below…</p> <p><a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/wisconsin-off-road-series-wors-10-treadfest-ne-1/results" target="_blank">Cyclingnews</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:1cb476ff-9977-4a65-94fe-d152cd7ba91b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="516" height="288"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UlX7oGmfjLs?hl=en&hd=1"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UlX7oGmfjLs?hl=en&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="516" height="288"></embed></object></div></div> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MNbKUic8_xo/TngnK1kS0iI/AAAAAAAABIk/ZFL6YcyMIhs/s1600-h/6146359382_548cf302df_b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6146359382_548cf302df_b" border="0" alt="6146359382_548cf302df_b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c4MwTjdJ6IA/TngnLpuTciI/AAAAAAAABIo/FX5fExOuiIM/6146359382_548cf302df_b_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="533" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N1LGFhJ1EM0/TngnNUc3NfI/AAAAAAAABIs/iCWnv6mp9VM/s1600-h/297591_2391327709208_1431348488_32759852_1820557772_n%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="297591_2391327709208_1431348488_32759852_1820557772_n" border="0" alt="297591_2391327709208_1431348488_32759852_1820557772_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iDfd29j4kgc/TngnN1sYJ6I/AAAAAAAABIw/wuXkDobsYMs/297591_2391327709208_1431348488_32759852_1820557772_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="529" /></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:a7d143a6-067d-4726-a8cc-cf2b19ce4796" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="528" height="296"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bF3wUzBW3zM?hl=en&hd=1"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bF3wUzBW3zM?hl=en&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="528" height="296"></embed></object></div></div> <p> </p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fv2tDC3NlNY/TngnOzxC4bI/AAAAAAAABI0/tTfqtGYX4h4/s1600-h/6140297397_ee232164ee_o%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6140297397_ee232164ee_o" border="0" alt="6140297397_ee232164ee_o" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1LduIplVcwo/TngnPIgXQSI/AAAAAAAABI4/r9tb3pI0rIs/6140297397_ee232164ee_o_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="407" /></a> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gzgTw4D6x7E/TngnQqiXUWI/AAAAAAAABI8/pG-W2WvDly8/s1600-h/6151400716_99427087c5_b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6151400716_99427087c5_b" border="0" alt="6151400716_99427087c5_b" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8ChYz3MEkKI/TngnRJIiTSI/AAAAAAAABJA/eC55nWmTOZc/6151400716_99427087c5_b_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="531" height="364" /></a></p> <p>For <a href="http://mrtreeracing.blogspot.com/2008/12/knowing-in-part.html" target="_blank">Kyle</a>….double time!  One in my arms and the other arm looking forward to his presence.</p> <p><a href="http://cheqfattire.com/releases.html" target="_blank">Chequamegon Fat Tire 40</a> did not go as well.  I had really high hopes after such a great race the previous weekend, but a few things came together to make it one of my worst performances of the Year…  I swapped tires thinking it was a flat road race with minimum bumps, they were slower…much slower…</p> <p>It was my first time doing the race and with the stacked field, including the Pro Tour boys Vande Velde and Mcartney in town, positioning was key!  I had very little idea of where to be for the lead group break…</p> <p>But even so I would not have lasted long.  It was very obvious to me after the first ten minutes it was going to be a rough day.  Initially I made the lead group but with the Fall Season here my lungs are acting up again, could go really hard for 1-2 minutes MAX and then had to shut it down and recover forever.  This happened over and over again…anaerobic efforts were good, just anytime sustained oxygen was needed it was game over.   Constricted lungs and hacking stuff up, I have known this was coming and just neglected to schedule an appointment, so I am going to see the Doc tomorrow and hopefully back to using some of this peak fitness I have going on, always learning.  Next up is <a href="http://www.fallcolorfestival.org/" target="_blank">Fall Color Festival</a> and <a href="http://www.wors.org/schedule/bear-paw/" target="_blank">Bear Paw</a> this coming weekend!</p> <p>Thanks for reading!</p> <p>Nathan</p> <p>Photo Credit: Amy Dykema, Jason Henry, Niki Frazier, Loren Beyer</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-63086032701725893732011-09-07T16:57:00.001-05:002011-09-08T13:47:47.727-05:00Reforestation Ramble WORS #9, 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Don’t forget tonight is the first of many <a href="http://lcmtb.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ronsta</a> rides at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Lapham+Peak+Park,+Delafield,+WI+53018&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=62.870523,135.263672&vpsrc=0&z=17" target="_blank">Lapham Peak State Park.</a> Great late season fitness tuner with riding for everyone, we do a social lap followed by hot laps at whatever pace people can handle. People usually bring food to pass around by a bon-fire afterwards! Always a great time.<br />
A bit late but here is an update from 2 weekends ago at the <a href="http://www.wors.org/schedule/reforestation-ramble/" target="_blank">Reforestation Ramble</a>.<br />
My daughter Asa had another Great Race taking 2nd in her 8 and under Age Group again, and a few other Vision youth had good races like Connor Mccoll and Andrew Guerra in this short video edit. <a href="http://airborneflightcrew.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Marty Tank</a> also found his way into one of the pics at the start of Connors race? Asa sure knows how to give a good post race interview with all the Mountain bike lingo.<br />
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As for my race…<br />
It is ironic how much fun you can have with people of whom, in just a few moments, you will give every ounce of effort in your body to get as far away from as possible! The level of competition in the <a href="http://www.wors.org/" target="_blank">Wisconsin Off Road Series</a> is amongst the best in the Nation, yet the camaraderie ranks just as high, with a growing sense of community. The smiles at the Pro/Cat1 call-up line is becoming ritual to our bi-weekly brawl of cycling prowess.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9T1NOQ1STWw/TmfoqglGAFI/AAAAAAAABIE/fLl1Utu2RcY/s1600-h/294575_2289594130359_1564156322_32455604_2045296_n.jpg"><img alt="294575_2289594130359_1564156322_32455604_2045296_n" border="0" height="358" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BBRosyl1ebY/TmforWDZTrI/AAAAAAAABII/cbWA26KQon4/294575_2289594130359_1564156322_32455604_2045296_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="294575_2289594130359_1564156322_32455604_2045296_n" width="503" /></a>The Reforestation Ramble is usually anticipated to have a roadie type feel to the race, which this race did not disappoint in the latter laps, but the start this year was a bit different…IT WAS FULL THROTTLE from the word GO!<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gF9Zfzj80PE/TmfosGKLpfI/AAAAAAAABIM/eeDc1TnQojg/s1600-h/297794_2349372860363_1431348488_32713791_3984961_n.jpg"><img alt="297794_2349372860363_1431348488_32713791_3984961_n" border="0" height="351" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h9-fCDCoXgk/TmfoskiyyHI/AAAAAAAABIQ/Y2GOmwY9pl4/297794_2349372860363_1431348488_32713791_3984961_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="297794_2349372860363_1431348488_32713791_3984961_n" width="512" /></a><br />
In this picture you can see the sling-shot coming from Ben Koenig on the far left. He seemed to be on an HTC-Highroad lead out mission for the first mile or two. <br />
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I decided to test the group and see if anyone wanted to push the pace along after Ben was done, but there was no real effort from anyone else. In hindsight this effort was a mistake as it put me a little over limit right before the 1st single track, which is when I should be in place to make a move. Cole House jumped to the front for the hole shot followed by Brian Eppen and I. Cole got a sizable gap right away, which no one would, or maybe could, work together to chase and he was out of sight very soon. I attempted the chase briefly but was over limit having worked way too much early on. Eventually <a href="http://b-matter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Matter</a> went to the front and <a href="http://tristanschouten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tristan</a> and I were the only ones able to follow. We came back to Cole at about the half way point in the long 12 mile lap. <br />
Cole is a very experienced road racer and had his tactics planned, he was obviously resting as we came upon him. As soon as the we bridged he started attacking hard into and out of each single track section. I was at the back and suffering pretty bad from the yo-yo being created and when Tristan started throwing the elbow to come through I knew we may be in trouble. I have not been over limit in a race like that since <a href="http://mrtreeracing.blogspot.com/2011/07/subaru-cup-pro-xct5-cross-country.html" target="_blank">Subaru Cup</a> I think. Been a long 4 weeks straight of racing and my base might have been lacking a bit. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yuZ0cB7w2J4/Tmfoth-0HlI/AAAAAAAABIU/yVS4Q16D0AM/s1600-h/311125_2289616970930_1564156322_32455680_577680_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="311125_2289616970930_1564156322_32455680_577680_n" border="0" height="342" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UYraAwwfKCY/TmfoutkyrsI/AAAAAAAABIY/Wd8I7L6YcUw/311125_2289616970930_1564156322_32455680_577680_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="311125_2289616970930_1564156322_32455680_577680_n" width="499" /></a><br />
Tristan and I rode to recover for a bit and were caught by the chase group a little ways into the 2nd lap, which made for a group of about 10 riders. I rested a little but with that size group I tried to snap the elastic once or twice during the 2nd lap in the single track. My legs were still not ready for a big effort so I shut it down and rested at the back till the start of the 3rd lap. As soon as we hit the 1st single-track I started attacking in and out to whittle it down. Tristan, Ted Hanes, and I were able to survive the efforts with 1/2 a lap to go. I was the aggressor of the group and kept getting gaps but could not hold them off for long. <br />
There was a hilarious moment going into the last single track climb, pretty much the only semi-significant climbing section on the course. My Dad was doing all my water hand-ups and he was like a ninja out on course showing up in the oddest places. On lap 2 he was in the middle of no-where in the single track around a blind corner and all I heard was him yelling to take a water when suddenly the bottle was in my face and I was grabbing it as I came around. Talk about Star Wars speeder bike hand-ups! So when it was down to just the 3 of us fighting for 3rd, I was going into full on attack mode trying to drop Tristan and Ted on this climbing section before the last straight away to avoid a sprint finish and suddenly my dad comes flying out the woods on my right running along side me at like 20 MPH…I am standing/sprinting uphill, but in need of water, and with Dad’s effort I could not let it go. Somehow I grab the water while entering uphill single-track in a standing sprint while yelling at lap traffic that I am coming on the left and still get a gulp down and start descending while placing my water bottle in the holder. Definitely had a few laughs and comments about my Dad’s ninja abilities and record breaking 50 yard dash.<br />
Even with all that the attack didn’t stick and it was 3 of us coming into the last long straight away with Tristan leading and Ted trying to come around. I was in good position for the last corner and had a good jump left, but it was decided by lap traffic as Tristan was taken off-course trying to pass a lapped rider. Pretty sure I had the best legs and sprint left amongst the 3 of us, but I think Tristan would have had 4th as Ted had to work really hard to get back to us in that final stretch.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FlipOEQJ5qI/TmfownQxA0I/AAAAAAAABIc/M1HjPzji6WE/s1600-h/6093094055_334091240b_b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="6093094055_334091240b_b" border="0" height="352" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hMuV7El9aDw/TmfoxQD8ffI/AAAAAAAABIg/J1Kbp4Fpvao/6093094055_334091240b_b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="6093094055_334091240b_b" width="507" /></a> <br />
Asa missed her podium so she got in on the Pro/Cat 1 action!<br />
Thanks for watching and reading,<br />
Nathan</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-72758696580157283882011-08-31T01:27:00.001-05:002011-08-31T01:37:46.507-05:00Border Battle WORS #8 2011<p>The Last two weeks of racing have been amazing with plenty of podium time in the family!  I been a bit busy getting ready for school starting this week, so I am a week behind on posts, will have this past Sundays race report up soon!</p> <p>2 weekends ago was the Border Battle in River Falls, Wisconsin.  Awesome event which brings together both the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mnmtbseries.com%2F&rct=j&q=minnesota%20mtb&ei=4tBdTqilOtOgtwfE6IymCw&usg=AFQjCNGKUAGvwVZouQ7RT71lb1jYeDBmnA&sig2=djRb9zqEBQ828NJ6qF7gIg&cad=rja" target="_blank">Minnesota</a> and <a href="http://www.wors.org/" target="_blank">Wisconsin</a> State series to see who’s who in a friendly State Rivalry.</p> <p>My daughter Asa did her first race at the Border Battle.  Those Monday night rides we run must be paying off because she made the podium and rode almost everything on course.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tuCaYR_cjm8/Tl3UCRGcizI/AAAAAAAABHM/aAxRs9_bJ30/s1600-h/334190_10150353624790269_617265268_10490678_7073786_o.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="334190_10150353624790269_617265268_10490678_7073786_o" border="0" alt="334190_10150353624790269_617265268_10490678_7073786_o" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AFNiCvPUiTk/Tl3UC-ul6gI/AAAAAAAABHQ/HQ-0SSokGIM/334190_10150353624790269_617265268_10490678_7073786_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="407" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TgF4dY3xbfg/Tl3UEVw07pI/AAAAAAAABHU/IgsxY04fJ-E/s1600-h/340778_10150353625110269_617265268_10490683_4605988_o.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="340778_10150353625110269_617265268_10490683_4605988_o" border="0" alt="340778_10150353625110269_617265268_10490683_4605988_o" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-00uNuSqQ4QQ/Tl3UE05B8iI/AAAAAAAABHY/szV29CRG60w/340778_10150353625110269_617265268_10490683_4605988_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="411" /></a></p> <p>Check out “The Look” right away in this video of the Junior start climb.  These little ones put on number plates and all the sudden they start making all-star moves and gestures!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:79192ace-e348-4008-803a-dc1e1a24bcc1" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="526" height="348"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=28392718&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=28392718&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="526" height="348"></embed></object></div></div> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-maAO6Ux9L-s/Tl3UGWna9KI/AAAAAAAABH0/gie_iRXBvOs/s1600-h/338108_10150353670360269_617265268_10491267_1050354_o%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="338108_10150353670360269_617265268_10491267_1050354_o" border="0" alt="338108_10150353670360269_617265268_10491267_1050354_o" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S1m9uOoeHeY/Tl3UGyQhv2I/AAAAAAAABH4/7guMKUXkl-8/338108_10150353670360269_617265268_10491267_1050354_o_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="526" height="417" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>My race went pretty well.  Thanks to Claire Cannon @ <a href="http://www.wors.org/" target="_blank">WORS</a> I got a nice little write up in <a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/wisconsin-off-road-series-wors-8-border-battle-ne-2/cross-country/photos/188391" target="_blank">cyclingnews</a>.</p> <p>Here is a video from Pro/Cat 1 start climb.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:0f78c369-6a5c-483d-82ba-0b794b90a7dd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="503" height="280"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=28033960&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=28033960&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="503" height="280"></embed></object></div></div> <p>Here  is how the climb sorted out. Mike <a href="http://carpetmachine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Phillips</a> demolished the start climb and obviously from the picture below I was just focused on staying with that back wheel.  Brian Eppen and I were able to follow and we made a 3 man lead group for 1/2 a lap.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p9Z2MSv7e5o/Tl3UHhNUkKI/AAAAAAAABHk/p-aWmSXc28w/s1600-h/6071240050_9ba9914995_b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6071240050_9ba9914995_b" border="0" alt="6071240050_9ba9914995_b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XMuWWmjzXkQ/Tl3UIX8DC-I/AAAAAAAABHo/1YXuXkVF0QU/6071240050_9ba9914995_b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="664" /></a></p> <p>After 1/2 a lap there was a steep rocky service road and the pace slowed a bit going up, so either someone is hurting or just checking to see who made the break.   I took the lead to see which it was and kept the pace high.  </p> <p>This course is single-track heavy, with sharp turns, short punchy inclines, and blind corners all over.  I saw small gaps forming behind me as I ramped up out of each corner.  I just kept it pinned wherever possible to not let anyone settle into a comfortable rhythm/pace.  </p> <p>To win the way I did was somewhat new to me and I learned a lot from this experience.  Coming up the ranks  I used to win a few cat 3, 2, and 1 races, but many times the moves were very decisive, even the Pro Wins I have were 1 and done type moves.  Those wins took less gauging of  my competition as to whether they were hurting or simply just wearing me out at the front only to be spit out the back.  With the competition so close this year in our State Series I am realizing it takes a well trained and perceptive eye to  know when and how to apply pressure that counts. </p> <p>After 1 lap it was down to just Mike and I, but I figured he was just hanging on as the 1-3 second gaps kept happening, so when we hit the start  climb I punched it full gas.   </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zuZP_CP2DEg/Tl3UI4yECaI/AAAAAAAABHs/JmBiZZ-noho/s1600-h/300902_2330143419639_1431348488_32687923_5628160_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="300902_2330143419639_1431348488_32687923_5628160_n" border="0" alt="300902_2330143419639_1431348488_32687923_5628160_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m6hP6lk6Xcc/Tl3UJfKm70I/AAAAAAAABHw/jx9zE269Vrw/300902_2330143419639_1431348488_32687923_5628160_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="624" /></a></p> <p>This was the story every lap but the gaps were slowly growing from 1-3 seconds to 3-5 then 10 seconds etc.   Each time up the  2 big climbs I would hit it as hard as I could and the gap would widen just a bit.  Mike is an amazing technical rider though, especially descending and he kept the pressure on high every time we came down this new section of off camber undulating single track, just when I thought I was alone I would hear “click'” “CLICK” of shifters, and knew I had to keep it on the rivet!  He was always within sight for 3 full laps.  Going up the climb on lap four I finally looked back with no <a href="http://team-adventure212.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">adventure 212</a> colors in sight.  I rode hard but assured the W was mine without any mishaps. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1R0mC-cMmdfVItA4XVetYyGlMeBa-Y1sAQoFH6QKz3jxI_15vfIdPPfoW4YwkTyBRnvTYvgOzIfR0JKpvEUhIIXf3TQSyd1RKGpnpcSYN20vq3P9SDpZSg5Q-c0LjYeao3A-aDoCuyNhn/s1600-h/320839_1974060795350_1357962411_31795850_5107644_n%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="320839_1974060795350_1357962411_31795850_5107644_n" border="0" alt="320839_1974060795350_1357962411_31795850_5107644_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2TUBPUleW2g/Tl3UK-YGN_I/AAAAAAAABGw/hMY6kNtVDfs/320839_1974060795350_1357962411_31795850_5107644_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="685" /></a></p> <p>Check out that wooden berm, high speeds and flowing single track is what this course is all about, one of the best on the circuit!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xywizQ9Q7kM/Tl3ULqjIP0I/AAAAAAAABG0/xhrJv0X1pVc/s1600-h/310935_1974058995305_1357962411_31795841_3571038_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="310935_1974058995305_1357962411_31795841_3571038_n" border="0" alt="310935_1974058995305_1357962411_31795841_3571038_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u-PUp1FN8dY/Tl3UMbhC9kI/AAAAAAAABG4/B-T-aop8_I4/310935_1974058995305_1357962411_31795841_3571038_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="691" /></a></p> <p>After a couple of missed opportunities these last few races I finally was able to pull it off!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P-4wcun7cb0/Tl3UNZ4k8uI/AAAAAAAABG8/XUogfNNJcjI/s1600-h/6070356552_c5632f3bbf_b3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6070356552_c5632f3bbf_b" border="0" alt="6070356552_c5632f3bbf_b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_10yeJJ56rI/Tl3UOMP8pHI/AAAAAAAABHA/nfFdNeR7uIc/6070356552_c5632f3bbf_b_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="702" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pdd5N4pv_TY/Tl3UPknoZRI/AAAAAAAABHE/zage5kXblqE/s1600-h/6070602723_a94310e39c_b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6070602723_a94310e39c_b" border="0" alt="6070602723_a94310e39c_b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fYzPtghbrg4/Tl3UQKFAi4I/AAAAAAAABHI/HIYe4Hlg2AA/6070602723_a94310e39c_b_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="370" /></a></p> <p>As always thank you so much to all my sponsors linked over there on the right, none of this would be possible without your support!</p> <p>Stay tuned for Reforestation Ramble write up very soon!</p> <p>Thanks for reading,</p> <p>Nathan</p> <p>Photo Credit: Amy Dykema, Gary Frost, Niki Frazier, <a href="http://xtrphoto.com/" target="_blank">XTRPhoto</a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-89761572869138978362011-08-19T02:21:00.001-05:002011-08-26T23:47:38.534-05:00Ore to Shore 2011<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7SBxxcLICEM/Tk4O0jt-oiI/AAAAAAAABFs/--xm5kiDJSY/s1600-h/image%25255B9%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l3FnJgaGtkY/Tk4O26O3WsI/AAAAAAAABFw/cvgXmg27Ig0/image_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="505" height="298" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.itiming.com/raceresults/650-o2s-hardrock-ovl10.pdf" target="_blank">After coming in fourth in a 6 man Sprint for the Win last year</a>, I was really motivated for the Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic this year.  It is a “point to point” race and these can be termed semi-road races with all the fire roads/atv trails, but Ore to Shore is a rough and rugged mountain bike race!  I really wish I would have worn some sort of camera for the race.  A video edit could give you an idea of what we actual traverse through this 48 mile course.  Throughout the course a rider pretty much has to take their bike through every kind of obstacle or terrain the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has to offer.  Rock faces, Iron mine gravel roads that paint your bike and tires red for days to come, sand pits covering huge lengths of the course, un-groomed/slightly cut grass fields and service roads with hardly discernable trail strewn with  hidden bumps, 30 mph+ descents into valleys, giving way to climbs through sand at 5 mph with tires slipping and competitors all around fighting for the best line and position.  Beautiful back country paved roads descending and ascending through and around some of the U.P.’s most amazing lakes, streams, and rivers.  Finally dropping into the Noquemanon ski trails where we descend from the most amazing outlook peering over Marquette and lake Superior 10-15 miles in distance, but the race is full-on from here taking each and every descent and corner to the extremes our bikes can handle..  </p> <p>This Race is simply Epic and I cannot praise the course enough, it is both a challenge of physical strength and smart racing tactics, while being one of the most aesthetically pleasing rides one could ever take.  Although the aesthetics are merely an addition to the adrenaline of battle, especially when 10-15 of the fastest Mountain bikers in the mid-west are fighting for the honors of fitting in the first out of three Jewels in the Mid-West Triple Crown Events…Oh Yea and one of the biggest prize money checks around helps a bit too. </p> <p>My race “weekend” actually started on Wednesday when my wife Lindsay, the kids, and I traveled up to Ishpeming, MI to stay with the Gauthier’s.  This is an amazing family and we have truly found some kindred spirits and what feels like extended family.  Huge thanks to Tyler, Lance, Diane and the rest of the family for all your help and getting accustomed to the area.  Tyler and I did some recon of the first 10-15 miles both Wednesday and Friday.  Thursday we scoped out the last 10-15 miles from the overlook, during all these rides we planned some possible attack spots and marked places to make sure to be up front to avoid mishaps.</p> <p>Saturday morning it was up early to a hot Breakfast of Potatoes and eggs “Guerra Style” as <a href="http://www.fueltheburn.com/fresh-not-canned" target="_blank">Danny K.</a> likes to say!  Getting ready to improve on the Number 4 plate I earned last year…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9Mvw56uI5JQ/Tk4O4TEmMBI/AAAAAAAABF0/YcbLJuX05CI/s1600-h/291217_10150346076595269_617265268_10400582_7320952_o%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="291217_10150346076595269_617265268_10400582_7320952_o" border="0" alt="291217_10150346076595269_617265268_10400582_7320952_o" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MjN19iV4zt4/Tk4O5sB1leI/AAAAAAAABF4/7I-BAN0C-jw/291217_10150346076595269_617265268_10400582_7320952_o_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="526" height="413" /></a></p> <p>Preferred Start had me at the front line and the top ten were all representing.  Here is a sweet Video taken by MQT Photo on the back of the lead out vehicle.  You can see most of the top contenders in the shot as we barrel out of downtown Negaunee, T.J. Woodruff, Derek Graham, Brian Eppen, <a href="http://d-braun.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Darrin</a> Braun, to the left…Mike Anderson, <a href="http://tristanschouten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tristan</a>, <a href="http://b-matter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Matter</a>, <a href="http://www.culversracing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tyler Gauthier</a> and I are toward the right.  Almost every big name from the Midwest plus a few others are in the line-up!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:ec016495-6477-4682-acbf-6224047d6180" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="532" height="321"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zgN1E_1WNoc?hl=en&hd=1"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zgN1E_1WNoc?hl=en&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="532" height="321"></embed></object></div></div> <p>All I really cared about for the first few miles was to stay upright with such a huge mass of people.  Lucy hill was the first challenge and being positioned within the top ten going in was the goal.  “Lucy” is a luge sledding hill we climb straight up for the first race split.  I made the climb well within my limits and proceeded to work  my way to 2nd wheel as we left the dirt for a few moments going into the streets of Downtown Ishpeming.  I led into the infamous railroad track section as it forces everyone to go single file and tends to push riders into the bushes or onto the ground and I did not want to be behind any misfortune.  </p> <p>Plan was to be at the front into the descent right before the powerline climb, the first real make it or break it selection makers.  <a href="http://mikesimonson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Simonster</a> seemed to have the exact same plan as he jumped a bit harder than I did for the lead going in…I gave a shout of encouragement to push the pace and tried to ride the fast lines uphill, but Simonster is a big dude, hence the name, and he rides in this awesome all over the bike masher style, so getting around him was not happening on the initial climb.  I got around eventually on a jedi knight/ninja line I created and Matter and Cole house went to the front a bit later as we crested the final powerline climb.  Looking back I played it pretty safe here and never really attacked as it seemed we had many in tow but I was not able to come into the initial climb with the speed I had wanted. Not sure it makes much of a difference this early in the race with so many contenders in tow.</p> <p>So I was still pretty comfortable and having fun on the descent following Matter as he seemed to be feeling good and content to play around on the course doing little jumps and jives here and there as I commented on him seeming to like the New 2012 XR1 Tires he picked up at Trek World.  </p> <p>Powerline is the first place I know I am strong and nothing really went down to break up the pack from any big contenders so I was patient and waited till the “Jungle”..a section of untamed nature, lacking any real discernable line, you just survive descending at crazy speeds through bumps, grass, and sandpits, only to ascend like snails fighting both riders and obstacles for lines that make little sense to your oxygen depraved body.  </p> <p>I thought I was going to have a bottle hand up before this section and was already out of water…I went to the back and tried getting one of those tiny water cups at an aid station as we cruised by at 25 MPH, yea right…!  I felt kind of bad for the volunteers as I knew my frustration and failed reception was the first of many showers that the gray hair of the local American Legion was going to receive.  We started into the Jungle and I was on the back…so much for attacking.  I spent the whole section making my way back to the front and then it was misery hill, everyone says it cannot be ridden and here is a video to show why…</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:06c83938-3087-478b-b858-d85054ec2ebe" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="531" height="322"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NroEppStyZI?hl=en&hd=1"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NroEppStyZI?hl=en&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="531" height="322"></embed></object></div></div> <p>T.J. led into the climb and made an attempt to clean it…I did as well, but riders were off in front of me.  We suffered the slow sluggish hike a bike to the top without unlatching anyone in the long run, still 10-15 strong, including my good friend Tyler Gauthier, which was awesome to see! </p> <p>After seeing this “Misery” hill 3 times now I was convinced it could be done.  On the Sunday after the race I rode the course from about the half-way point backwards.  The hill had nothing to do with why I rode the course but when I rode down misery I turned right around and cleaned it first try.  So, in the future it could be coined “victory hill”…  During a race though, well that is a different story…lots of factors thrown in during a race.</p> <p>From here our lead group crossed this huge bridge going over a beautiful basin.  I saw my kids on the bridge cheering and Lindsay was up the road positioned perfect for a great water hand-up. To my surprise some attacks started to fly on the road climb, I was feeling very comfortable and really did not feel any of it as a threat until Mike <a href="http://carpetmachine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Phillips</a> went to the front in the Noque Trails.  I knew this was the moment as Simonson told Tristan and I to come by as he fell off a wheel.  We were descending and people were dropping  like flies, yea it was Ludicrous speed fast, trees blurring and all.  When Mikey got done, T.J. and one other were still just hanging a few wheel lengths back from me, but Cole and Tristan were a little off the front following Matter and Mikey looked like he was slipping after putting the hammer down for so long.  I had to sprint to close the gap and it looked to me like the selection of 4 was made as the other 3 were chasing hard and I knew the overlook climb was coming.  </p> <p>Hit that climb at your limit and anyone ahead with momentum and speed going over it will be out of sight.  I was planning on being the aggressor here, but Matter had the same plan and led over.  I went to the front and was hoping the group had whittled down to 3, but Cole and Tristan were both there, so I shut it down.  From here it was all cat and mouse games and I kept wasting precious energy chasing Matter’s and Tristan’s attacks from the back instead of setting up launches of my own, rookie....  I was feeling amazing here too and I thought I had could pull it off, but cramps started to catch up with me after too many chases and a not so well timed caffeine gel…done with those late race caffeine gels…I put in a dig or two of my own and the cramps just kept growing.  We came out into the final 1-2 mile stretch and Tristan tried one more from off the back that I closed down, then Brian went and I stood for a second chase, but was sick of being the only chaser dragging everyone else along, so I immediately sat down to see what the others would do.  I figured the others are going to have to chase this one, especially this close, as it was the winning move if no one went for it.  Cole responded and I was happy at first as I could draft till my planned jump point, but I soon realized I had burned my last big match chasing all the attacks. My legs seized with one corner to go, I started to soft pedal as there was nothing I could do and semi-sprinted the rest the way for fourth Overall.  <a href="http://www.itiming.com/raceresults/763-O2S-HardRock-Ovl-2011.pdf" target="_blank">Find 2011 results here.</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9UwLvBVrY08/Tk4O6uxRt0I/AAAAAAAABF8/uM7mesCWcac/s1600-h/289811_10150269365250823_552990822_8472898_3535711_o%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="289811_10150269365250823_552990822_8472898_3535711_o" border="0" alt="289811_10150269365250823_552990822_8472898_3535711_o" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pWmLyKKwehI/Tk4O7CixQsI/AAAAAAAABGA/JyCwUjZXROA/289811_10150269365250823_552990822_8472898_3535711_o_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="559" height="415" /></a></p> <p>It was nothing like last years sprint where we all waited till the last two corners to go.  This year it was a huge wind up from 1/4 mile or more out.  Way more fun and interesting!</p> <p>Great result and defended my placing from last year.  This is a hard one to win and I am learning you have to be willing to put it all on the line at some point here, taking the big risk of getting chased down, as it is really hard to get out of sight alone on this course.  I am still learning that kind of confidence, but I think it only comes with trial, error, and success.  </p> <p>I want to give a  huge thanks to <a href="http://www.quickstopbike.com/" target="_blank">Quick Stop Bike Shop</a>, now owned by former <a href="http://www.wors.org/" target="_blank">WORS</a> regular Phill Ott!  I had so much fun hanging out with Phil, Andrew Hanson, and the rest of the guys there Friday night.  Huge help with a last minute find of my favorite tire ever!  Then getting the bikes all tuned as well! Huge support up there and definitely the go to bike shop in the area for down to earth people and the kind of high quality service you only find with those who love to ride bikes as much as they love to work on them!</p> <p>The sponsors this year have been flawless, thank you so much to <a href="http://wheelandsprocket.com/" target="_blank">Wheel & Sprocket</a>, <a href="http://www.powerbar.com/" target="_blank">Powerbar</a>, <a href="http://www.standardprocess.com/display/router.aspx" target="_blank">Standard Process</a>, <a href="http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/cross_country/superfly/superfly_100_elite/#" target="_blank">Trek</a>, <a href="http://www.foxracingshox.com/bike" target="_blank">Fox</a>, <a href="http://raceface.com/" target="_blank">RaceFace</a>, <a href="http://www.eastoncycling.com/en-us/ec90-xc-26-772" target="_blank">Easton</a>, and <a href="http://www.giro.com/us_en/" target="_blank">Giro</a>! Thank YOU for all the support this year!  </p> <p>Thanks for reading,</p> <p>Nathan</p> <p>Photo Credit: Jon Holcomb, <a href="http://www.unleashedimagery.com/2011/08/ore-to-shore-2011/" target="_blank">Unleashed Imagery</a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-57894880257419816722011-08-17T17:00:00.001-05:002011-08-17T20:37:14.609-05:00Battle of Camrock<p>I know one of the biggest races in the <a href="http://www.mtbracenews.com/view_article.jsp?id=398" target="_blank">mid-west went down this past weekend</a>, and my name is now T.J. Woodruff according to the pic, but I have to do write ups in order and Camrock deserves one…Ore to Shore write up tomorrow.  But you can check out <a href="http://b-matter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Matter</a>’s write up for his perspective, as we had just about the same race till 1/4 mile to go…</p> <p>The Battle of Camrock was race #7 in the <a href="http://www.wors.org/" target="_blank">Wisconsin Off Road Series</a> on August 7th.  My pre-ride and race was somewhat nostalgic for me.  These trails are where I first learned to Mountain Bike!  A few laps on this course and I was dialed on the old technical trails, which have not changed a bit! The new stuff is amazing as well, but I definitely was not riding it as fast as the trails I was introduced to Mountain Biking on. </p> <p>As I continued to ride faster and faster on the extremely technical trails it was as though I time traveled back 8-9 years to when I first started riding Mountain Bikes with my wife on these exact trails. I remembered her first Over the Bars crash and learning the extremes to which I could push my old school panaracer fire XC Pro 1.8 Tires!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F3dpyUocUD0/Tkw5xT3nhiI/AAAAAAAABE8/P88L6igkOvs/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zpc52USYCQE/Tkw5yEAN6yI/AAAAAAAABFA/g5UjfIAiPjY/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="307" height="314" /></a></p> <p>Testing the limits of those old technical sections brought me back to the days I was on a steel Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo I borrowed from Grandpa’s garage to race my first citizen race.  I am pretty sure Grandpa never saw the bike again.  I was too busy honing my skills on these exact trails a few times a week.  I would stop by Camrock on my commute home to Madison, as I was mentoring kids all over Southeast Wisconsin.  I even used to get a few of those kids out to these trails to try an activity away from Drugs and Violence, maybe some early roots of “Vision”?</p> <p> </p> <p>Anyway, here is a pic of Tristan, Brian, and I having some fun chatting on the line, what exactly is Brian pointing at, maybe the sport course crossing immediately in front of our start line? </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b98-Rw1rFDQ/Tkw5y9R1uTI/AAAAAAAABFE/e9lJMA181Qo/s1600-h/224493_2232125413677_1564156322_32380723_5602430_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="224493_2232125413677_1564156322_32380723_5602430_n" border="0" alt="224493_2232125413677_1564156322_32380723_5602430_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bCEVEFW5QgA/Tkw5ziCk8mI/AAAAAAAABFI/OAf3UIWpuDQ/224493_2232125413677_1564156322_32380723_5602430_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="368" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZhXw4kAPH2s/Tkw50-quV9I/AAAAAAAABFM/Rjdlx5LfcPM/s1600-h/6029491837_53166cfe48_b%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6029491837_53166cfe48_b" border="0" alt="6029491837_53166cfe48_b" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lOZ_Vgk0dDQ/Tkw51nlobUI/AAAAAAAABFQ/ScZugOQtifQ/6029491837_53166cfe48_b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="523" height="363" /></a></p> <p>Race was amazing and I thought I had a Win coming!…for 3/4’s a lap that is and then I rolled a tire completely off the rim.  Up the start climb I followed <a href="http://tristanschouten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tristan</a> and Brian Eppen, waiting patiently for my planned attack.  I launched to the front right before the 1st single-track section and within a 1/4 lap I had a sizable gap that was growing quickly.  Coming into the last tech section I looked back and could not see the chase group at the end of a field I had just exited.  I was way out of sight!  </p> <p>Then disaster!…The tire coming off was all my fault.  First off, I was taking lots of chances to push my 30-45 second lead higher and higher with every tech section.  2nd, I ran a few psi too low, the XR2’s/29 2’s are great tires, but they just cannot handle the psi I am used to in the Bontrager XDX’s, hence since I swapped to the 29 2’s I have burped or rolled a few times.  It is just a bit too round with big slicer knobs that catch the ground hard, which is good for cornering, but with low PSI can grab a bit too hard and roll the tire.  Lesson learned when I tried taking a 90 degree turn between two massive trees that  only had about 3 feet of room to pass thru at about 20 MPH…Run XDX like tires only for crazy low PSI and bring it up a few PSI when going for a lower weight and rounder rolling resistance tire like the XR2/29 2’s.</p> <p>As the lead group came up to me I was just getting the tire seated and filling up with the one co2 cartridge I had along.  I looked  right at Tristan and smirked/laughed saying' “It’s never easy…is IT!?” I had to laugh a bit and shrug it off to keep my emotions from going crazy over losing so much time and the possible Win…</p> <p>I failed to get much air in my tire from the C02 and rode into the spectator area on a flat.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yt-pgMLcHMc/Tkw52f-53KI/AAAAAAAABFU/gB6AgeuZBuE/s1600-h/223038_2232161534580_1564156322_32380861_8222997_n%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="223038_2232161534580_1564156322_32380861_8222997_n" border="0" alt="223038_2232161534580_1564156322_32380861_8222997_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-40SiooVGlJQ/Tkw53DnXblI/AAAAAAAABFY/0sormQdfmx8/223038_2232161534580_1564156322_32380861_8222997_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="498" height="347" /></a></p> <p>It is hard to see in this picture, but I am riding on like 5-10 PSI in tire pressure here, it was pretty sketchy!</p> <p>I finally got some air in my tire and got rolling in about 25th-30th position.  Not exactly sure on the position but that is around where some of the riders finished whom I was riding with when I got my bike going again.  I rode fairly defeated and conservative for a lap and even stopped twice to adjust tire pressure and crashed quite a few times passing riders.  During this lap a sudden down pour of rain completely changed the course, surprisingly the conditions changed for only that lap, but I was in chase mode and taking some risks, so it had me on the ground a couple times. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qBqqqlOpt6o/Tkw54BFXDEI/AAAAAAAABFc/fHIX7atgmdE/s1600-h/224581_2233232801361_1564156322_32382254_2825621_n%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="224581_2233232801361_1564156322_32382254_2825621_n" border="0" alt="224581_2233232801361_1564156322_32382254_2825621_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1lrniQVHERU/Tkw5412i4QI/AAAAAAAABFg/TkB8AoSuW3o/224581_2233232801361_1564156322_32382254_2825621_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="547" height="382" /></a></p> <p>This  picture taken by Melissa Kennedy is absolutely amazing!  Big Shout OUT to Jeremy Drake on the left in the picture, he was the ultimate Hand-ups support, his encouragement, time splits to the leaders, and water hand-ups kept my head in this race when I thought my race was done for the day!  You would think this photo was setup as the best Forks and Shocks in the racing business is represented well as the hand-ups and support…NICE!</p> <p>If you look close, you can see how hard the down pour of rain suddenly came…you wouldn’t think it was the same race as the pictures above, and just like it came the rain was suddenly gone and the course was back to the speeds of the 1st lap if not faster!</p> <p> Laps 3 and 4 I was on fire and just got faster and faster.  Somehow I started to see riders I thought could be inside the top ten.  The last lap I rode for broke to see if maybe I could grab a podium and I knew with every rider I caught I was gaining a little bit more cash for the day.  In the end I was 6th overall just off the podium, but a great ride considering what I had to overcome.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kXM-teHBcj0/Tkw56aL4-fI/AAAAAAAABFk/oWNwjHqgJwc/s1600-h/6024048743_40493bd65f_b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6024048743_40493bd65f_b" border="0" alt="6024048743_40493bd65f_b" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3tBe90Fz-LU/Tkw57Jqk2JI/AAAAAAAABFo/75gXN68oGVg/6024048743_40493bd65f_b_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="552" height="378" /></a></p> <p>Next up is <a href="http://www.wors.org/schedule/border-battle/" target="_blank">Border Battle</a>, <a href="http://www.oretoshore.com/" target="_blank">Ore to Shore</a> write up is in the works…and I literally just got my <a href="http://cheqfattire.com/releases.html" target="_blank">Chequamegon 40</a> entry Confirmed!  </p> <p>Thanks for reading,</p> <p>Nathan</p> <p> </p> <p>Photo Credit: Melissa Kennedy, Amy Dykema, Niki Frazier</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-3195096237290308122011-08-04T15:15:00.001-05:002011-08-04T21:28:38.056-05:00Alterra Coffee Bean Classic 2011<p>It has been over a week since this race, but a quick re-cap is in order.  I had won this race the last 2 years in a row so I was going for the 3-peat and almost got it…</p> <p>After being called up to the line 3rd for the series standings I overheard something about a $100 Sprint Prime right off the line.  The race director decided to make the start even more of a  mad dash for the single track by putting a $100 carrot at the top of the start climb.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4QaIHkb6_zk/Tjr9qX6tOjI/AAAAAAAABDE/laCvr9jcbSo/s1600-h/5984978875_d1dca20bdc_b%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Start Line Photo: Danny Marchewka" border="0" alt="5984978875_d1dca20bdc_b" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jd-dMPzb57A/Tjr9qxLPzlI/AAAAAAAABDI/mKnnvu2iCw8/5984978875_d1dca20bdc_b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="472" height="327" /></a></p> <p>As you can see in the picture below off the line <a href="http://b-matter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Matter</a> had the better clip in, I have been missing pedals lately so I played the clip in safe, but I was able to accelerate over the top for the $100 bonus.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h29w9phJ77s/Tjr9rrVpTnI/AAAAAAAABDM/AGSTxvNDvQY/s1600-h/285007_247245215295381_100000297145527_966162_1076755_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="285007_247245215295381_100000297145527_966162_1076755_n" border="0" alt="285007_247245215295381_100000297145527_966162_1076755_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qmxAtRQSBdo/Tjr9scX8GMI/AAAAAAAABDQ/CmtF4IxZseY/285007_247245215295381_100000297145527_966162_1076755_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="368" /></a></p> <p>Also while standing on the line I had a few people comment on my new <a href="http://www.eastoncycling.com/en-us/ec90-xc-26-772" target="_blank">Easton EC 90 XC Carbon Wheels</a>. These bad boys know how to accelerate . </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:fbe6d2dc-2ac9-49a1-9360-9aeaa449b764" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="495" height="301"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CAlhkFOXmpI?hl=en&hd=1"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CAlhkFOXmpI?hl=en&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="495" height="301"></embed></object></div></div> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J5QoXXh4QaU/Tjr9tGmbVMI/AAAAAAAABDU/pcTYd2FrSPs/s1600-h/215013_10150241279702215_524682214_7446039_2276672_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="215013_10150241279702215_524682214_7446039_2276672_n" border="0" alt="215013_10150241279702215_524682214_7446039_2276672_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UC19zRZaB0s/Tjr9txYbZ4I/AAAAAAAABDY/JH-1yOgrsGA/215013_10150241279702215_524682214_7446039_2276672_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="404" /></a></p> <p>Coming over the top the line for the Prime was right next to our Wheel & Sprocket tent…I was almost startled off my bike with the crazy screaming and cheering as a bunch of my family had shown up.  I rode on at the front with a pretty big smile on my face.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-um2UW-vu2zU/Tjr9unyykuI/AAAAAAAABDc/96vL8zeMG18/s1600-h/5979056502_7dbfc5b098_b%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="5979056502_7dbfc5b098_b" border="0" alt="5979056502_7dbfc5b098_b" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nPU5LNSIyTk/Tjr9vFkIaZI/AAAAAAAABDg/uMeOO28KH1Q/5979056502_7dbfc5b098_b_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="443" /></a> </p> <p>I wanted the hole shot into the 1st single track.  My plan was not to lead all the way to it, but I was at the front and not going backwards, so I controlled the front with a high pace and waited for a challenge.  I heard 2 clicks of a shifter behind me and immediately started to sprint.  I figured it was Mike <a href="http://carpetmachine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Phillips</a> as we are both very familiar with the course and a threat in the single track.  We both fought past the point of no return and started into a single line with two wheels, we began to lock bars and were losing control, but somehow came out upright with Mike in the lead and somehow <a href="http://tristanschouten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tristan</a> pulled a Houdini move and got between us.  Mike got a small gap that we closed down by the end of lap 1.  From here it was the 3 of us for a lap.  Lap 3 I went to the front and pushed the pace up the start climb and then into the single track I attacked.  I got the gap and I thought it was over for the 3-peat.  A few of the spectators said they timed the gap at over a minute.  I played my cards wrong and thought I could relax a bit and if anyone came back to me they would be worn out from chasing.  In hindsight I know this course so well, if I would have just went in Time Trial mode I think the Win was mine.  </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnGTgsvqrXM5rokiKVIczxnYD0XpYk6nnhPy3T8oXc0H8pSd2OesmzzcL0-SWaBWvQlWB5UHaBNoOGuLMN0Ex5CiJp2mCGVDY67qzotIoOr5mWSrEYYu1UBY3YZwiAd1o-YC2Z84uNO_u/s1600-h/5978502895_7bcbe65145_b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="5978502895_7bcbe65145_b" border="0" alt="5978502895_7bcbe65145_b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WwmkXWXh528-l0bvvX_FT40ez6OwuHTXklQU4CuYKJsgf_NBA8Tpkup_1v8JiBoSHaPWtaHKb-_i_zQv8EhXK1bvNgR0-GRHlpf8S4cwVOouJUepMOtM1RSXDI0PRyOuHNt0K3q_FUFZ/?imgmax=800" width="348" height="529" /></a></p> <p>Tristan came back at the start of lap 4.  I figured I could get away again in the single track and I did, but lap traffic was really bad and any gap I opened up was shut down with every  lapped rider.  Tristan got back to me again and I was hurting from attacking over and over, and I think I got behind on fluids.  Lap traffic was everywhere.  While trying to  make a pass on someone, whom I thought was moving over for us, I was pushed into a tree and on the ground…Tristan was encouraging me to get up quickly because Brian Matter was about 45 sec back and we were losing time fast in this bottle neck crash.  I get up and rolling again still leading the race but find my front tire had burped too much air too ride with any speed.  I let Tristan go figuring I settle for second if I can ride the tire in, but B. Matter was chasing hard and I had to go very slow in every corner.  I stop and Matter goes by while I inflate my tire with a CO2.  From 1st with a gap, to 3rd place, all in half a lap, that is some good racing, unfortunate for me, but good competition and exciting racing to watch and be a part of! </p> <p>Here are a few podium shots.  I figured my son Kyle should get used to the podium if he wants to take after Daddy and if we can wear Spandex/Lycra and be considered the “cool fast guys”, he can wear is diaper…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN3qKb7fbFsDljJbDsfhlHglDOQVtvmYzisfQQwGpHHNroJH_l8Ba3fe84kw_h0myrL-Rt_0I6x0dy6DvvkhuAl1J0uqcWA1MmSOrxv_XsfT8RrXmbEqfDlJUClMtSYWgbxCMGpwCRVKz/s1600-h/282078_10150241280387215_524682214_7446058_4253729_n.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="282078_10150241280387215_524682214_7446058_4253729_n" border="0" alt="282078_10150241280387215_524682214_7446058_4253729_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DF39v3NNBw0/Tjr9xwfSEnI/AAAAAAAABEQ/ztB8ivVAmBQ/282078_10150241280387215_524682214_7446058_4253729_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="360" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TkYF8-mZkhU/Tjr9zYdV5oI/AAAAAAAABEU/p4wrVXnw2kM/s1600-h/5974456756_7fcbdd6265_b%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="5974456756_7fcbdd6265_b" border="0" alt="5974456756_7fcbdd6265_b" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cYusiC82mFE/Tjr91uI8H6I/AAAAAAAABEY/4_g0B9a_ZUI/5974456756_7fcbdd6265_b_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="322" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jsGGA4JkboU/Tjr929XfDII/AAAAAAAABEc/Vex9JXEnODY/s1600-h/279514_10150241280462215_524682214_7446059_4485359_o.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="279514_10150241280462215_524682214_7446059_4485359_o" border="0" alt="279514_10150241280462215_524682214_7446059_4485359_o" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nD_P8q4S-EM/Tjr93EqjCqI/AAAAAAAABEg/wFgzfpfG2pc/279514_10150241280462215_524682214_7446059_4485359_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="417" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The team had some good results as well.  </p> <p>Ben Senkerik continues to dominate the Elite Junior Category with a 3+ min gap!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F7WlxlzhC5s/Tjr94S8PtDI/AAAAAAAABEk/ecE3XP9gS5Y/s1600-h/5988530183_3454a0e3e8_b%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="5988530183_3454a0e3e8_b" border="0" alt="5988530183_3454a0e3e8_b" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bjU6WFmkPpk/Tjr95Hah5_I/AAAAAAAABEo/D4YczpwKFqc/5988530183_3454a0e3e8_b_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="323" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://airborneflightcrew.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Marty Tank</a> took 4th in his Category and did a nice write up on it.</p> <p>Taylor Bogdanske keeps rocking the sport overall, 3rd overall Sport and 1st in age Group, see an upgrade in the near future?</p> <p>Next up is the new Venue at the <a href="http://www.wors.org/schedule/camrock/" target="_blank">Battle of Camrock</a>.</p> <p>Stay Tuned!</p> <p>Thanks for reading!</p> <p>Nathan</p> <p>Photo Credits: Amy Dykema, Danny Marchewka, Niki Frazier, Mykulangelo, Gary Frost.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5628898627675547844.post-89409441196424484152011-07-18T23:36:00.001-05:002011-07-18T23:47:16.945-05:00Vision Impact<p><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/07/13/should-parents-lose-custody-super-obese-kids/" target="_blank">This article is scary..</a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/1052465049001/should-state-take-custody-of-obese-kids/" target="_blank">Fox news likes to pit two hot heads against each other usually in order so we can see a fight regardless of what the news is,</a> but it is scary that we would get to this point of even asking these questions.  I have an issue with many analysis of behavioral problems, like in this clip.  We have relied so heavily on modern psychology and psychiatry to solve our problems that the choice of a human being is ignored, exchanged for environment, genetics, treatment, and a pill as the answer in some sort of a behavior modification program.  <br /></p> <p>I used to mentor kids through a residential treatment center.  I would go into homes of “at-risk” youth and  spend time with the kid in the community finding new recreational activities while working on certain goals in their life.  I did this for about 7 years.</p> <p>It was during this time in their lives the kids were developing a philosophy on life, what they see their purpose as, and the Tribe A.K.A. “click” or crowd they associate within.  I am not just pulling this out of thin air, making up my own little theory of child development.  I studied this intensely and even did a couple presentations on this while pursuing an EDU major…Anyways…This helps to define their philosophy.  These sub-cultural tribes have a common bond of purpose with some ritual of behaviors.  The problems I was to address in behavior were always attached to the values upheld by the tribe they associated within.  Meaning and purpose in life, what is the meaning of who they are, this is what drove their behavior and eventually forms a lot of their character throughout life.  Almost every situation I came into had a lack of role-models, like a Father figure missing or parents with backwards values…I was present to offer a choice to change what they valued.  It was very difficult to make the choice attractive as I was only present 4-6 hours a week and an outsider, but if I was “cool” enough and able to present some purpose in life that they wanted to identify with, sometimes it would work or at least plant seeds we would see grow to fruition later in their life as they reasoned through the choices.</p> <p>The point of bringing all of this up is, in order to change the behavior of our culture when it comes to level of activity and nutritional choices, we must give a purpose, meaning, and value for activity and healthy eating. We must give a reason which makes a <strong>choice</strong> attractive while also adding a value and purpose behind the choice which becomes a part of a persons philosophy in life.  In order to get the best results we need to help people with their <strong>internal government </strong>rather than creating more <strong>external government</strong>  to help them with choices in activity and food.  This is especially true  in the upcoming generation where we see this increase in obesity and decrease in activity.  This is partly due to other opposing values and purposes being inadvertently taught through increases of technological assistance and entertainment to human activity level, obvious points in case being computers, video games, and motorized transportation, but there is an endless list of taken for granted technologies which have assisted us both in ease of  work, weight gain, and bad nutrition.  </p> <p>So what is missing in the behavioral analysis is changing values, what people find as their purpose.  In one of my classes this past semester we studied a definition of religion that I slightly agree with, but would tweek a bit to include our <strong>perceived purpose</strong> as part of the definition.  The definition pretty much said religion is whatever we do because our ancestors or those before and around us did, whatever is the “tradition”.  If this is so, then being a Green Bay Packer fan is religious along with many other things we value because of tradition…The point being, it is something highly valued and effects the ritual and behavior of people.  The effect sports tradition has is so great we have huge marketing systems built around sports related behaviors, generating billions of dollars every year.  It is an investment that can be counted on, because traditional/religious behavior is something that does not die easily.  So I asked myself why do we have so many traditions/”religions” around all of these other sports and not cycling, simple…The same reason we have certain religions we do of the spiritual nature, it is what we were mentored and taught to be our purpose as we grew up.  One problem…the sports traditions we have now do not seem to be having the effect on nutrition or activity levels that we need.</p> <p>In the State of Wisconsin we have major epic centers of “worship” for each of the major sports, Brewers Stadium, Lambeau Field, Bradley Center, and obviously this can be said for the rest of the Nation.  We also have small discipleship structures for the training of our youth and families into the cultural tradition of the sports we value, such as governmentally funded little league baseball fields, basketball courts, football fields etc..  I enjoy all of these sports, but they are not training our generations to grow up into the activity of those sports they value but rather mostly to sit and spectate.  This is due to the short shelf life and talent requirements of those most highly valued sports.  They are not life long participatory sports being taught to the culture.</p> <p> </p> <p>This is where Vision has an impact, through its number one value of making cycling a household sport, a tradition of our culture.    This is where Vision’s 4 values come from 1. Youth Development Programs (Instilling tradition and values) 2. New Local Cycling Infrastructure/Trails (value training centers) 3. Public Health and Wellness 4. Energy and Environmental Sustainability.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VTpcgZKgXOU/TiUMUjRB5xI/AAAAAAAABC8/RzbKt7QExT0/s1600-h/V-logo-onblack%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="V-logo-onblack" border="0" alt="V-logo-onblack" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P2xks2hlVm8/TiUMVOAFytI/AAAAAAAABDA/WKnB7X7I2n4/V-logo-onblack_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="326" height="262" /></a></p> <p>The first two values, while being a benefit in and of themselves, are a setup to reap the greater cultural benefits of the last two values.  </p> <p>The energy, resources, and fervency put into our traditional sports has a definite effect on the <strong>choices</strong> of behavior within our culture…Vision looks to help by providing choices that create life-long active participants.  The current traditional sports tend to fail to provide life-long activity. This is due to their nature.  The human body tends to not be able to participate in them for much more than 10-15 years of life, plus they do not have the same effect on health, wellness, and sustainability.  I am not in anyway saying we should stop loving and doing those sports, but they usually end up creating life-long passive spectators, no matter how fervent that spectating may be, the health and wellness effects are not there.  </p> <p>All of this is to say we should at least start putting a spec of the energy, resources, and fervency into cycling that we do into current traditional sports since cycling has so much potential and see what huge benefits can be reaped from a small investment.</p> <p>More to come…</p> <p>That was a long one without any of those fancy picture thingys..</p> <p>Thanks for reading, </p> <p>Nathan</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876813544166009524noreply@blogger.com1