Got the first race of the season done. Check out the race reports page for details on my race.

It was a great day at the races. Got to see lots of people. Got to cheer on Marc, Steve, Rob, and Craig. Chilled out with Josee – sipping tea and reading Oprah mag. Got to race. Flashed the new skinsuit all over the course. Crashed into a big rock – thanks Keirnan for the tegaderm!

Chilling out in the hotel after a great meal cooked by Steve and Josee. I’ve got a new favorite – turkey burgers from the Eat Clean Diet Cookbook.

The bikes worked flawlessly. Thanks to Steve at The Cyclery for the fine mechanics and support. Shout out to Vince for setting me up with a spare bike for the season.

Super awesome to have the new Kingsbridge jackets and jerseys to wear warming up and after the race. Thanks Skip and the gang at Kingsbridge.

An excellent day! Great weather. Good friends. Great fans. Good organization. Solid announcers. So looking forward to tomorrow. Man, I love cyclo-cross.

Oh, can’t forget Coach Steve! Without his hard work I wouldn’t have had the ride today that I did. Thanks Steve.

We made it safe and sound to Catamount Park in Williston, VT. Location of the first two New England Verge Series races.

The four of us checked out the course. Lots of grass. Lots of climbing. Some flowy descents. A stair run-up. One set of double barriers. Some twists and turns. A fun little bumpy section. All in all a fun and challenging course. It is not uber-technical but still very challenging.

There were a couple of people out warming up but we basically had the place to ourselves. Talked to the guys setting up the course – they were super friendly and helpful.

Bit of rain while we were riding. It is pouring now. So it is sure to be fast and muddy. Perfect!

Massive shout-out to The Cyclery for the spare Stevens Super-Prestige. Makes a big difference to race this year with two bikes that are just for me. Thanks Vince and Steve!

Had fun yesterday hanging out with the Kingsbridge guys. Thanks for the jerseys and jackets! The jackets are especially slick. By the looks of the weather I’ll get to wear one tomorrow.

We are just chilling out here now in the Mainstay in the Burlington, VT. I made a super tasty stew in the slow cooker and we made a stop at Shaw’s for some extra food. Gotta say that the best way to travel and stay at these races is in a hotel with a kitchenette. So nice to control the food and not have to sit in a restaurant. (This being said, we plan to stop at Moe’s for a burrito after the racing action Sunday.)

Okay, I’m out. If you’re racing this weekend – have fun, pedal hard, and keep smiling. If you’re at Catamount this weekend, stop me and say hello.

Wow – just feeling some good vibes today. I was riding today and I just really started to feel good. Next thing I knew I had a big grin plastered on my face and I really felt like I was glowing. Incredible.

I realized where these sensations were coming from. My support team. My friends. All of the people who have been supporting me and encouraging me. Marc. Steve (Fearless Leader). Coach Steve. Nick. Rob. Glen. Josee. Vince. Skip. Sheri. Kevin. All of you who have passed on a word of encouragement, a helping hand, a thoughtful smile, a nugget of information. It all adds up. And today I just really got it.

It hit me so hard that I just couldn’t help feeling like that 5 year old who finally gets the training wheels off and is zipping around the street.

I gotta say, this is a great mentality to be taking into my first two ‘cross races of the season. I am committed. Committed to the plan. Committed to the hurt. Confident in my fitness. Confident with my support system. Excited to race. Excited to just be out there watching the Ottawa crew race.

Ya, I’m feeling good. Sorry for being so mushy. I just want you to really know how I’m grooving right now.

Massive shout out to everyone racing this weekend in Ottawa. Have fun – enjoy the first race of the season. I’ll be sending you some fast and speedy vibes on Sunday morning. Here is my one tip for race day:

“Hit It Hard!”

So I wasn’t there so I can’t provide a race report… And most of you know what happened. If you don’t, check out Cyclocross Magazine.

Today is really all about Svein Tuft. He killed it at the World Time Trial Championships today. Silver medal! Amazing. Google Svein Tuft – you’ll be impressed. Enough said!

Good session last night at Britannia Beach. Huge group of people out. Lots of really cool stations/drill sections set up by Glen. As usual – I learned a lot. Thanks Glen and Ride with Rendall. Nice to see some new faces out. Don’t be shy – everyone is welcome.

Excellent training with Marc and Steve this morning. Fun in the sand was had by all.

Okay, short post because I’ve got a crazy busy day. Off to Vermont tomorrow. So stoked.

Not feeling much like cyclo-cross weather today. Very warm and humid here in O-Town. Ah well, we’ll take it for a while. But some rain would be good. Us ‘crossers need Mother Nature’s help to keep the “hard man” image going. Sigh.

Anyway, lots going in the ‘cross world. People are gearing up for Cross Vegas this weekend. From what I’ve seen on the WWW, it sounds like a pretty grassy course. Kinda jealous I’m not racing Cross Vegas. But at the same time – very relieved I’m not racing Cross Vegas. Probably not the best race or locale/scene to kick off the cyclo-cross season. Regardless, I’ll be checking into with Cyclocross Magazine to get the scoop on the race.

Me, I’ll be racing in Vermont this weekend at the first races of the New England Verge Series. Fun times. Looks like I’ll be doing the entire New England Verge Series (except Gloucester…).

Got in a solid tempo work-out this morning. 2 hour ride with 45 minutes of tempo. Smooth. Just what these legs needed – a little bit of burn, a little bit of ache – to remind how I’ll be feeling on the weekend. Tonight I’m heading to Britannia Beach for the Ride with Rendall ‘cross clinic. I’d say this makes for a solid training day.

Picking up my spare bike tomorrow. Thanks Steve! Thanks Vince! I’d be lost without The Cyclery. You dudes rock.

Did I mention how excited I am about going to Belgium? I think so – but if you missed it – well I’m super excited. Can’t wait. Speaking of Belgium – what about you – why don’t you make a trip over? Come for Christmas – keep that form from U.S. Natiionals and race your brains out for two weeks. Or how about coming over for a bit longer? What about Masters World Cyclo-Cross Champs in Mol, Belgium – can’t miss this. Convinced? Cool. Then you need a place to stay. I’ve got just the place. A house in Blauberg, Belgium. Massive garage. Lots of room. Good location. Close to all amenities (bakery two minutes walk from the house). Great training right out the front door. The house filled up pretty quickly last year – so if you’re interested – email me. Just do it – you know you want to.

Last time I checked we only live once.

Came across an interesting post on Laatste Ronde. Read paragraph number 2. See I’m not the only one.

So, on the topic of race reports… There aren’t any yet… Primarily because I haven’t raced yet. But some (a lot) of you have. So why not write a race report – I’ll post it for you. I don’t care where the race was, how you did, etc. I just want people (you) to learn from the experiences of other racers – so write a race report – send it to me – I’ll post it. Easy.

Photos…. The plan is to add some new photos. Basically some links to photos of various races that have happened. I have some links collected. But if you have the inside scoop on a smooth photographer with some slick photos online – hit me with the link.

Okay, enough begging. Time to go. If you’re in Ottawa – hopefully I’ll see you tonight. If you’re racing this weekend in Vermont – stop me and say hello. I’ll be wearing the slick black, red, and white Ottawa Cross kit and riding a Stevens Super-Prestige.