Ten members of the team bring shiny hardware and pride back to campus

Coach Crawford says:

At 2:30 AM early this morning, CMU Cycling arrived back in GJ fatigued from a long drive back home from Frisco, TX, where the team had recently contested the US Collegiate National Track Cycling Championships. Around the necks of these fatigued student athletes hung silver medals, the prize for taking second in a very tight battle with perennial national track powerhouse MIT after three grueling days of competition.

It was hard to settle for second after being so close to taking the gold and losing by the closest of margins. They were not thinking about how all but two of the ten team members had never ridden the track before we starting training in earnest in mid-August. They were not thinking about the fact that most of the teams on the podium are in close proximity to a velodrome where they can train and compete year round. They could only talk about how next year, that gold medal would be around their necks.

I’m positive that they have no idea how enormous this accomplishment is. If you could have seen the fear in their faces 5 weeks ago the first time they saw the Colorado Springs velodrome and took their first tentative laps around the track, you would have never guessed that these same student/athletes would be standing on the second step from the top on the podium at nationals, proudly representing CMU, and making a very loud statement… CMU intends to rock the collegiate cycling world.

I’m super fatigued as well from this long trip and the long weeks of training approaching this event, but so energized from this great success. I can barely contain the pride I feel for this team. I just wanted to share with you my gratitude and my excitement. You all have been essential in this success and I am so thankful for your support and cooperation. It truly takes a village, and we have an awesome village!

There is no rest for the weary, as we now unpack from this trip and prepare for the next one. We must now prepare for mtb nationals in Angel Fire, NM. I expect we will do very well in the mountain bike event as well, which sets CMU to be the top ranked collegiate team in the nation by spring of 2013. This is our target and we can do it!

Thank you all for your hard work and support.

Go Mavs!

Rick Crawford

Congrats to all who competed! Morgan Ryan, Chris Hale, Quint Berkenmeier, Cullen Easter, Patric Rostel, Cole Hanson, Alexis Skarda, Stacy Norris, Ariana Dittmer, and Lexie Millard, you made the team bring home the silver!

Weekly Recap

Hello once again. It’s been a crazy past few weeks for everyone as mountain biking season is in full swing with the third race under our belts, many upgrades and first placers the past few weekends as Colorado Mesa University is representing all the classes well.

Results from this weekend from Red Feather Lakes, hosted by Colorado State University. Heard the course was a tough one, but the team held on and ended up with rockin’ results!

In XC, Garrett Jensen placed 9th in Men’s C’s. Stephen Cochran placed 19th, Duncan Koehn placed 20th, Andrew Cunningham placed 23rd in Men’s B’s. Geoff Williams placed 10th, and Brandon Lofton placed 18th in their first race in Men’s A’s.

In STXC, Stephen Cochran placed 6th, Duncan placed 23rd, and Andrew placed 26th in Men’s B’s. In Men’s A’s Christian Kloser placed 17th, Geoff placed 23rd and Brandon trailed right behind him in 24th. Chelsie Roth placed 8th in Women’s B as the lone representative for the women this weekend.

In downhill, the guys raced well. In Men’s C’s, Jake Barney placed 3rd. Bennett Colburn placed 1st in Men’s B’s and Derek Johnson placed 11th. For Men’s A’s Adam Degemann placed 22nd.

 

Here is a video of Bennett Colburn tearing up the course this past weekend.

On a different platform, several people are heading down to the track to compete in Collegiate National Track Championship in Frisco, Texas. This part of the team has been training hard the past month and visiting the velodrome in Colorado Springs.

 

 

Also, don’t forget to buy coffee, it’s delicious.

Ride February 5th

 

The team takes time to practice for team time trials.

Women’s ride on Saturday, February 4

Five ladies from the CMU Cycling team take a spin on a warm day in February.

Short video of a ride

Quick bike ride from January 22 ride through Grand Junction roads.

 

Here We Go Again.

Yet again I am on the slippery slope of going no where in my attempt to ride more and get into better shape. I am not sure how to stay motivated. I just can’t believe how people like me survive. I don’t know if it’s the colder weather or the short days, but either way I just don’t have the motivation to ride after a day of classes. I am hoping next semester will get better as I am able to work a better schedule, and ride every night and work out every night.

I am nervous to race. I believe I am in over my head. I get into these kicks of wanting to ride, then not wanting to ride. Riding with someone helps, but getting together with someone to ride is even harder. But the weird thing is, when I am in the middle of my ride, I feel like I can’t stop. The feeling is something that just is breath taking. I love the views. The wind in my face, even when it’s cold.

Like I said, I hope this lack of energy and motivation goes away and can get into a groove with the group. Hope I can get my confidence up for races. Never raced before. I have no competitive bone in my body. Hopefully I am not kidding myself.

I am sure those of you do not want to hear from me of all this complaining, but it helps somewhat. What I need is advice! So please, leave comments, suggestions, questions for me!

Until next time, ride on!

Christmas Gifts for Any Budget and Rider

Christmas is coming around the corner and shopping for your cycling friend, family member, or significant other, can be at times hard. But, no need to fear, here are several items that is not only easy on the wallet, but useful to all ability riders.

An always handy gift for those riding on early morning or late at night, is a light. On pricepoint.com, for $26.98 a light charged by USB, waterproof, and burns for 3.5 hours, is a nice buy.

Everyone needs to stay hydrated during rides, so a handy item is a hydration pack. Also on pricepoint.com, the Sette hydration system comes with 100oz of water storage, MP3 pocket, and many pockets to carry tools, extra tubes, and snacks. All for the low price of $25.98

A great stocking stuffer that is also necessary is a multi-tool. It is small enough to keep in the back pocket or saddlebag on the rear, along with being easy on the pocket. The Crank Brothers multi-17 tool has everything needed for changing a tire to tightening lose bolts.

Flats are notorious for any rider, having a good floor pump in the garage is key. Grabbing a Park Tool Mechanics Floor Pump is a great buy at $29.98.

Many riders enjoy tracking their rides, their average speed, and maximum speed. The Cateye Strada Black computer is easy to install and has many functions, as long as easy on the wallet at only $34.98.

 

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There are many more deals and stocking stuffer ideas found at pricepoint.com.

 

 

Recap and Outlook

MTB season is wrapped up and cyclocross season is in full progress. So far the  team has been racing the local cross series. The only conference race we have done this season took place last weekend. Pat, Sam and I went out to Cortez, CO to qualify for Nationals, which will be held in Madison, WI in mid-January. Since we spend quite a bit of our budget on MTB season this year and since we only have 3 National level CX racer this year, we are keeping the seaon pretty simple.

Other than that the team has been spending quite a bit time in the gym. Tuesdays and Thursdays we do weight training. This year I have implemented a new system that allows us to work as team, but still pushes each athletes individually. We warm up together and do out core circuit together as a team. Then we work in groups of 2-4 and each athlete uses a certain percentage of their 1rep max for each exercise. This way everyone uses optimal workload and we still get to train as a team. Wednesdays and on the weekend we ride. During winter break athletes will work individually in accordance with a training outline. As soon as the spring semester starts we’ll start adding another gym session and a spin session at least until it gets warmer outside again.

Lots of work lays ahead of us, but I am excited for the new season. The team is bonding and most of the new guys are making serious progress. Even though we might have a few less top guys this year, the base is coming along nicely and we are finally getting the depth of a National Champion Team.

 

Richard Geng, Head Coach

Cold Weather Cycling Tips

As winter approaches us, the days get shorter, the sun doesn’t get as intense, so it means less warmth, and colder days. But if you are a cycling fanatic like the rest of us on this blog, riding during the winter shouldn’t stop you, and neither should your wardrobe.  Anyone can bike during the winter, just have to have the right clothing.

Peal Izumi gloves cost $60 at REI.com

Shoe covers are good insulation for keeping your feet warm. They cost $60 at REI.com

One of the main things that doesn’t get a lot of action while riding, and gets cold quickly are your toes and fingers. One thing that you should consider is to get a glove that is easy to maneuver to brake and use zippers. Gloves with a cloth, fleece, or wool material on the inside and outer shell that is waterproof. As for the feet, you will need to wear thicker socks, like wool socks, or a winter-style sock. A tip is to adjust your shoes so they are not tight to as it will make your feet colder. Another option is to get shoe covers.

 

Pearl Izumi tights are thermal, which helps for headwinds, and also come in women's, REI.com $70

Pearl Izumi leg warmers are only $39.50 @ REI.com.

The next thing you must take care of is the who reason you can ride, your knees. There are several options for keep your knees warm and loose during rides. One is the get long cycling tights. Another option is to get leg warmers, which are easier to take off if the day gets warmer as you ride.

 

 

 

 

Even though in 2008 the myth about losing most of your body heat through your head was proven wrong, it is still important to keep your head and ears well protected.

Whole hat. $22 REI.com

Headband, $17 @ REI.com

 

 

 

 

 

Last but not least, protection and warmth for your upper body. Layering is your best option here. Wearing an under layer, which would depend on what you feel comfortable with, could be something from a compression shirt, to just wearing arm warmers, which again is easy to remove if need be. You could also have the option of a wool jersey. The next layer should be either a windbreaker or an outer shell, which should be easy to store if needed to be shed.

Thermal Arm warmers, $30, REI.com

Convertible jacket, sleeves are removable. $110 @ REI.com, available in women's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When out on your first cold ride, don’t be discouraged. It may be cold, but that is what riding is for! Warming up, getting lose, and as the ride goes on, remember that your layers are easily removable. Don’t let the cold weather stop you from riding this winter season!

 

Until next time, Ride On!

 

 

Related articles

• Winter Cycling Gloves (magnificentnose.com)
• Gear Review: Arm Warmers (btothes.wordpress.com)
• Winter Cycling Clothes for the Guy in your Life (aceso71.wordpress.com)
• How to store your bike safely over winter (blogs.confused.com)

Coach Re-Cap from Nationals

Here is a recap from head cycling coach Richard Geng from the USA Collegiate National Mountain Biking Championships October 28 through October 30.

 

 

 

Geng wrote:

– Conditions were brutal. It was so muddy that major parts of the uphill

section in the cross country race were unridable. Race was shortened due to harsh conditions. Snow on top and mud on the bottom.

– Alexis Skarda wins the women’s cross country race (she had the fastest

time even including the Div I). She also finished 2nd in the short track

race. We qualified her for Nats with the minimum amount of races at the last minute. Geng had to take her to a race in Utah last weekend, which is in a different conference.

– Michael Zeek takes a great 6th place in the dual slalom and finishes 28th

in the downhill.

– Evan Biner takes 32nd in the downhill.

– Pat Röstel finishes in 21st in the cross country and 12th in the short

track.

– Geng was sitting in the top ten in both races until both of my breaks gave out in the cross country downhill section. Geng hit a couple of trees and was forced to break with my feet and run most of the downhill part, giving up a bunch of spots. Pat came by but couldn’t help me. The only reason I didn’t pull out after the first lap was to get at least a few points for the team.

At least still Geng managed a 26th place in the cross country and a 20th place in the short track, for which he had to borrow a different bike, but stillhad to deal with mechanicals that cost him a top 10.

 

All in all we had a good weekend. Despite some mechanical upsets that cost us in the team ranking, we brought home a National Championship and represented well considering that we only brought 5 athletes.