Thanksgiving away from Home

Current Song: Where are you going, Dave Matthews band
What I did Today: Classes, Work even played some ping pong
Energy: Pretty tired from the most amazing break ever!

For the past few weeks, I have done a lot of firsts, including first cyclocross race, first thanksgiving away from family, first time eating hush-puppies and oysters, first time taking my car to the ocean, and many others among everything else, it was an amazing break from everything.

For the cyclocross race, it was interesting. The first day, I had no warm-up. I walk up to register, no problem which I expected since I was racing out of category, but then no debit cards, so a quick run into town to get cash then paid up, no pins, by the time I have pins, no warm-up. So I raced, and admit it mentally and physically I had a horrible race and turned it into a good time, learning the ropes of cyclocross. So next day get all set to go, warm-up and everything and then BUSTED! I guess a pro mountain biker has to race beginner cyclocross even though registration allows it. Oh well. I admit I was pissed but it sizzled off by the end of the race. So that was my first cyclocross race, sorry for the scant report, but it was a little disappointing.

The fun part! Our school began break the day before thanksgiving and got back today, so yes it was a legitimate 5 days outside of school which was so amazing! A few weeks back I made the decision to travel with several friends down to stay with my amazing friend Addison Dent in Charleston SC. One of the first port cities, this place was so beautiful. Not to mention it was the first thanksgiving I spent comfortably relaxing in the 80 degree weather. Quite a culture shock. Not to mention this is only the second thanksgiving I spent away from home, once before was in San Francisco and I was so sick it wasn't fun at all, and the first time away from family. I admit, it was hard, real hard but the Dent's made us feel so close to family that everything was fine. We defined relaxation on the trip, never doing anything until about 3 in the afternoon. What a vacation. To the entire Dent Family, thanks for everything.

Thanksgiving included an amazing dinner, eating oysters, at the end of the night, we were given two free trays, staying at the famed "Broughton House"which is a 5-6 bedroom/bath house that includes a living room big enough for a concert and riverfront property with an amazing dock. Not to mention the amazing friends, and new friends. It seemed like this was a transition family, see according to Kody, there are three types of thanksgivings. First is normal, spent with your family and third is spent with the family of your own where you are the parent. Well this was our friend phase, where we are stuck in between the boundary of the family we grew up with and the family we will create. Such a cool idea and it made me realize what a cool place we are in life. On top of that I just spent 5 days down in Charleston, SC for free, it seems so spontaneous that makes me feel so great. It was a blast and one more thing, Atlantic Ocean water is so much warmer!

Oh don't worry I got plenty of pictures!

Dock at Broughton

Sunset on the River

Awesome graffiti in Charleston, the guy gets paid to do this

The Thanksgiving group!

With the amazing cook!

The wall at the cyclocross race

Barrier Jump

Well hopefully didn't make anyone jealous of my thanksgiving! Until next time, If you don't go, you don't see!

Package from Grandma!

Current Song: Wonder Wall, Oasis
What I did Today: Classes, work-study
Energy: Content

Well here at college, the mailroom either makes or breaks a day. It is so exciting to get a package or even an envelope that when one checks the box and its got something in it it really does make my day at least. It can also be really depressing to look in and see nothing, well luckily today I had a slip! It was a surprise package from my grandma with so much candy and goodies, pretty pumped to be stoked about it! There have been a lot of little updates since the last blog so let me fill you in.

First was the long board, yes a long board. After sleeping through a gear swap I asked if there was a skateboard and there was, I was bummed but luckily one of my friends knew the guy, long story short, I picked up a long board for twenty bucks and got my money's worth that night! It was so fun even though I almost died, well the next day I blew up the bearings in it... :( I was super bummed about it since it would take like a week to even get it shipped here so I accepted how long it would take and went to work-study, where I looked up some longboarding videos and techniques to stop (still don't really know how to) and decided I needed it so I found a local skate shop thirty minutes away and made the trip! Its amazing the difference these new bearings made, the wheels won't stop rolling! It goes so fast now! I had to bail off for the first time and I am sure I will be writing about some great, hopefully harmless falls! Its a blast and is the closest thing to skiing yet here and its a great way to get to class!

It has been 4 weeks since nationals, 4 weeks off the bike basically, right as my two week break ended I got sick and rather than push it, I took it easy. Finally I got better just in time for the rain to start so hopefully that ends soon, the bottom line is that I definitely want to start riding! Which is great. Its so easy to get burned out and I almost was but now I am ready to ride, with only a few weeks before christmas break I know that when I get back in January I will definitely want to start! Meanwhile I changed up a little bit in my diet. I decided that instead of eating biscuits and gravy everyday for breakfast I would switch to something a little more healthy like nutella and bananas or cereal, so that has been great because I feel like I have more energy for the day!

 After a late night, I finished up one major project for a class and another project for another class that left me pretty much on the home stretch in both classes, should be pretty easy coasting from here to the end of the semester which I am hoping starts to come faster, I am starting to miss home, snow, animals and real eggs, salsa and any other food that is not made here. Thanksgiving break is a week away now, I am going to head to a friend's house in Charleston where a bunch of people will be so that should be a blast! After thanksgiving break I believe we have two weeks before I get to go home for awhile which should be great! Until then everything is just fine, especially with a longboard! I have some pictures I never got up of a beautiful fall here so enjoy!

One more thing, THANKS DEE DEE AND GRANDAD!!!

here is an awesome video too, it definitely inspired me to want to skateboard more! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkviQ41u0eQ

At the bottom of the ladder again!

Current Song: Stir it Up, Bob Marley and the Wailers
What I did Today: Had an excellent ride on black mountain
Energy: Tired with a chance of excitment here and there

When I found out what categories are in mountain biking and how you move from one to another it was explained to me like this, When you get to the top of one ladder you go to the bottom of the next one. Well I may have not been to the top yet, but I switched ladders. In my mind it is much easier to get a pro upgrade as a Cat 1. junior, because it is so much more competitive than a Cat. 1 19-29. So I went for it, knowing that if I wasn't meant to race pro next year it would get denied, well I guess I was meant to! I found out this morning looking for some records for my dad, sure enough the upgrade was approved, I am no longer a Jr. Ex but a Pro. Pretty psyched to be pumped to be stoked. Like I said it may be a little early, but I would rather spend more time getting my butt kicked than at the front of a pack, I know that it will teach me something new every race and that it will make me faster. That really meets my goal for the year, which was to get the results to get my pro upgrade, kinda cool to look back on something I didn't think was possible and realizing I did it. For now, my goal is not to get any major results but merely to get the feel of the faster field and get better because of it, off in the distance is definitely a good spot in U23's. I know this will be interesting this summer because it will be the first time I focus only on biking rather than splitting the focus with skiing. I can't jump the training up too much though. Next season will be a balancing act of many different things but should be a fantastic challenge! Well that was my update for now figured I would get it out there! Lots of training to do!

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

Some awesome pictures and another muddy race!

Current Song:Semi-Charmed Life, Third Eye Blind 

What I did Today: Went for an excellent recovery ride 

Energy: Still tired but feel better after the ride.

After a busy week, finally the weekend came around! This week was filled with rides that were not too intense but with everything this week, I was worn out. I thought it would be great to put in a pretty big week for conference. So with that I was not expecting the biggest results this weekend but everything worked out better than I thought! It was a really great week as far as riding. Got some cool rides in with Tristan and St. Marie and even by myself, which is why I have so many pictures! Thought it was cool to finally get some, the ones of the bike after the race are pretty entertaining.

Well in short this weekend was a blast, not my best races of the year but they were not bad. In the short track we warmed up and were ready to go at 9, the scheduled start, well the organizer didn't decide to show up until about 9:45, leaving us sitting there for nearly an hour, as you can imagine no one wanted to race and everyone lost their warm-up. So the first half of the race was not great. I couldn't get my intensity up to par and climbing the hill was not very fun. Halfway through I was able to move up a few places but only jumped up to 16th. It works but I wish I could have done better.

The morning of the cross-country we woke up to pouring rain. So out to the course and sure enough it was going to get sloppy. So after a rushed start, we were off. I got stuck behind a slow guy for the first lap but was able to keep moving up through the field to eventually get up to 12th. The last lap was great because I was able to keep my intensity up and I made up 3-4 positions! So that was great but still not too excited about not continuing my top 10 consistency, well next week! It was a fun muddy race and I felt great on the descents! The bike ran great despite the excessive mud! 

Now this week should be good with some minor intervals and what not to possibly get ready for nationals. This weekend is Conference champs and we are racing on the first ever olympic mountain bike course. I think its the coolest thing in the world. I know I will have one more level just because of that! Well enjoy the pictures.

Some rock garden action on Farlow Gap

Blue Ridge Parkway view.

and at night.

Air-strip trail, literally an old airstrip, the trail is fun too!

View from the end of Airstrip

Something-falls, can't remember the name

same waterfall

Nice and muddy!

I am surprised I could shift!

Or my chain could work

Or my crank.

Even used a mud-flap

You can tell it was a fun race!