The First Stars and Stripes!

Current Song: What's Golden, Jurassic 5
What I did Today: Went to class, cleaned up a bit
Energy: Tired but very satisfied

Most people have probably already heard, but this past week I had an excellent trip to Collegiate Nationals in Lake Tahoe, California. It was an amazing trip with unreal results. After excellent results from everyone on our team, we pulled away with a van full of stars and stripes jerseys as the D2 nationals team omnium champions, we beat out Union College by 28 points. Pretty cool! The whole trip was so awesome though, the championship was just icing on the cake.

Wednesday, started out early. At 2 AM we left the school parking lot. After a very unexpectedly slow drive to the airport we rushed through to get on the plane. In short we were on planes or in airports for the next 7 hours. Once we finally got out we made a trip to IN-N-OUT, because thats what you do when your in California, and had some very satisfying burgers. Then we piled into the 12 person van with 12 people and bags and drove two hours to Northstar. We were all very happy to get out of the car and build our bikes! We went on a short ride of the course that day my tire was giving me a little trouble so it wasn't super fast but still pretty fun! After some dinner we went to sleep in our amazing house!

Thursday started a little later but due to us on eastern time, we were up and ready to go by 6. Too bad we didn't have anything to do until 3! At least our bikes were still built. Thad came out and joined us (the cross-country team) on another easy pre-ride. The spin was nice and got us ready for the next day. Then me and Kody went into town with Thad and got some Nutella and a new tire for me. We got everything we needed squared away and went to registration as a team. We all got registered and got a lot more gatorade towels and got set to race the next day.

Friday was the day of the XC. I was definitely very nervous. We hung out and watched the girls go off. Then got ready ourselves. After a good warm-up I got called up in ok position. Off the start there was a crash that definitely held me up. I went for it. As we started going we hit a gradual climb and I passed people left and right. I think I passed over half the field in a 1/4 mile stretch. Then I found myself three or 4 people behind Tristan and pretty close to Macky as well. I ended up passing Macky and realizing what a bad idea I had. Went out way too hard. I contained myself and kept it cool. I ate and drank way more and was actually able to hold on to that position, despite a flat in the third lap that I was able to fix without changing the tube, and finish in 9th! Super sweet finish and put our three scored riders in the top 10, Union, our competitors, had 1. Great day for the team and we finished the day down 8 points as we only had 2 XC girls and they had 3. Really great to finish the day in such a position and it definitely sparked a lot of energy in the group. We went out for a nice afternoon spin before dinner. And the night ended with a lot of excitement!

In the short track on Saturday another crash put me back but I was able to keep moving up, finally fighting once again for 9th with a guy from warren wilson. I passed him and he started to pass with me with 2 laps to go but I knew he was tired and I could get him higher up on the climb, as he cut in he took out my front wheel and that was the end of my top 10 chase as him and one more guy sneaked past me as I got myself together. I was bummed my race had to end like that it would have been way cooler to race but whatever, thats racing! Anyways I scored for the team again and 3 in the top 11 was better than unions 2. So we headed to 4 cross which I don't do, it was spectating time! I was able to get Cameron, my lifelong best friend from Angel Fire to come see it! It was so cool getting to hang with him and watch some amazing racing! And Nathalie Krantz from Fort Lewis, and longtime biking friend even watched with us which was cool! It was great to discuss our new college experiences from 3 totally different places. Our team turned in another great showing with two guys in the consolation finals and we ended the day up 20 points on Union, the points were tight and there was no telling what could happen the next day.

Sunday was the downhill, it was cool to play a supporting role! I helped out at the start and had fun watching some more awesome racing! We had a solid day. Union did too. We had no idea what to expect, so we went back and changed and ate some food then went down to the award ceremonies. Of course the guy took as long as he could doing all of the other awards before the team. Tristan took 1st in the individual omnium which was great! As we waited we were all to nervous to talk. They called up 5th, 4th, and 3rd. 2nd was what we were listening for, it was between us and Union. Well the announcer said, "Now the stage will be swarmed by orange" Orange was Union's colors. We looked at each other in disbelief and then freaked out. We did it!!! We got our jerseys and took some pictures but we were all so satisfied with ourselves and each other's results that we didn't know what was going on. It was our second title in two years. It was great to see Fort Lewis take their 4th title, congrats Nathalie!

Monday we took an easy day, our bikes were gone so there was no riding. We explored and ended up in Truckee exploring then we went to Sacramento and got one last IN-N-OUT and got on a plan for a 12 hour trip home. Yesterday was rough because of the long travel but the stars and stripes jersey in my dresser makes up for it!



It was such an opportunity to be a part of this during my first year at college. I did not believe we could do it again because of what people had said, we had good luck and Union did it. What an experience! I am more happy to be on such an amazing team, with two nationals champions and 9 podium finishes, the team championship was just icing on the cake. The support I saw from everyone was so cool to be around. It is a bummer its over so soon but there is always next year and I am already considering cyclocross! For now, I can say it is true that the pursuit is the reward. Here are some pictures!

Me and Macky!

The National Championship team!

The Pursuit is the Reward

Current Song: She Said, Collective Soul
What I did Today: Took care of business and played some dodgeball
Energy:Tired yet very excited.

I started out today taking care of some business that now that it is completed I feel much better about traveling to nationals. A few weeks ago it was so great to hear that I was going and now that it is happening it is too good to be true. At this point I will get to fly out and back and have an all expense paid trip to Lake Tahoe, can't get much better than that! I am not expecting much coming in to my 2nd national race of the year. I have always felt I was in a good mental place when I go in with such a mindset so hopefully it keeps working, well as the nerves keep building the date gets closer and closer. For those who don't know, our team is the defending national champions. An awful lot of pressure for us new guys but I will be happy if I go out there and give it my all. Then we will see how she goes as far as the team omnium  is concerned. I would like to say that I feel so privileged going to such a big race with such a great team. The atmosphere is so great that I know that no matter what the results are we will all come back with beaming smiles just because of the trip with a group of friends. I will keep it updated! Until then, The pursuit is the reward.

First time in a Skin Suit!

Current Song: Semi-Charmed Life, Third Eye Blind
What I did Today: Took a lazy day
Energy: Rested and Anxious.

College is a place for a lot of first times. With wearing a skin suit checked off the list, it is apparent. Looking forward to wearing it at nationals! Collegiate nationals is coming up. Our bikes are already on their way across the country making that the 5th near cross-country trip for my bike! Pretty cool. I knew I brought the bike box for a reason! Well the only problem is that we can't check any baggage so we have to have most of our gear packed already. So my helmet, shoes, and many kits and basically everything but the clothes I need for the next week is on its way already. Thats where the skin suit came in. Good Ole T-Cowie has graciously allowed me and Kody to use many of his spare kits, vests and what not. In that bag was the skin suit and seeing as the suit was an XS and Kody is about 6' tall I got it. It was weird to wear, definitely felt like I had absolutely nothing on.

Well the last week was extremely eventful. After an excellent short track race at Conyers, Georgia at the olympic mountain bike venue (freaking awesome!) I had an eventful cross country warm-up. First I will go in to the short track. After a confused start I found myself in the top third of the pack. The course went on a flat grass track, up a short hill and down a quick descent. I was feeling great on the false flat, I even brought out the aero tuck. I was able to move up in position and obtain my best finish in short track yet! Then the cross-country. During my warm-up I went to ride the slick rock section of the olympic course. It was sweet there were basically highway lines to show the 1996 competitors where to go. At the bottom of that I noticed my free-wheel wasn't clicking anymore. So I asked some people they said it should be fine and then BAM. I could rotate my cranks the right way and get nothing from the wheel. Blown free hub, 10 minutes before the start of conference champs. Well of course no one else here has a 29er so I thought I was done for. Then St. Marie the superman in disguise decided to throw his race for mine because he thought I would do better. I didn't agree with it but it was forced. So I raced his 26 inch wheel on the rear. Yup, a 69er. What an awkward ride. It accelerated super fast so I was able to get on the lead group on the start but my switch up was evident. My shifting was all off. My riding even was off, I would be riding down and my front wheel would roll over something fine and then buck my rear wheel! So I was able to hold on for a solid finish. Definitely wish I had the 29er working for mine and St. Marie's sakes. It was cool to experiment though because the difference is drastic!

The week is closing down now and a fun weekend is in order! I may try out some baggies today!
For now, WEEEEEEE