Yesterday during our drive to Bruges, our conversation naturally shifted to cyclo-cross. Cyclo-cross racing and training. We discussed what worked and didn’t. I especially expressed how much this season here in Belgium has highlighted how much I need to work on my technical skills. This is when Marc said, “You need to challenge the fear.”

This quote stuck in my brain. So true. Challenge the Fear.

This is what is holding me back. Fear. Not fear of failure. Fear of high speed descents. Fear of dodgy (or what seem dodgy) corners. Fear of taking risks in the race and going for it. Fear. Really fear of coming off my bike. Funny since this is not something that I ever think about when racing on the road. Some road racers really worry about crashing. For me crashing on the road does not even enter my brain during racing.

I guess the reason it does in ‘cross is because I’m a road rider who became a ‘cross racer. I didn’t start with the technical background and confidence. Well, you can probably guess where this is leading. Yes, I will be riding my ‘cross bike all summer in any and all conditions possible. I’ll even be dusting off my mountain bike and getting myself out to Camp Fortune and Kanata Lakes. I really have to commit to doing this.

Last season I worked really hard on developing my physical fitness and refining ‘cross skills such as mounting, dismounting, cornering, off-cambers, etc. These skills are important. But it doesn’t matter if you are super fast at a bike remount but have to slam on the brakes for a soft sandy corner and are all over the brakes on descents. The fast remount comes in handy when I’m smooth in the corners and ripping down descents. Power does not trump technical skills. Don’t get me wrong – power is important. It can get me out of a jam if I blow a corner, etc. But first and foremost are the technical skills. If I can ride smoothly, keep my legs turning, stay off the brakes, etc – I won’t need to resort to the deep power reserves so much during the race. Instead I can use my legs for starts, bridging to groups, and attacking. As well this increased technical skill will enable me to get to the next group – I wont’ be gapping myself through a tough mud section and then having to fight to get back on.

Make sense?

Interesting that Marc and I both came to the same conclusion yesterday: in North America one can put together a solid and strong ‘cross racing experience by relying on physical power and a modicum of technical skill; in Europe the power doesn’t mean jack if you don’t have the technical skills.

So this really leads me to one spot. Must get better technically. This is going to mean sacrifice. This is going to mean taking risks. This is going to mean some spills and tumbles. This is going to mean some frustrating days on the bike. This is going to affect my road season. I had mapped out some road season goals – but I will be revisiting these.

But, I’d rather go through this from May – September than come back to Belgium next winter and be right back where I am now.

My main goal is Tabor. I want to get there. I need to get there. So I’ll do what it takes.

I’m going to need help with this. I’ve done some mountain biking but not a lot. So any and all suggestions are appreciated. Do you know of a good spot where I can get out on my ‘cross bike and ride on technical challenging terrain. Do you have a training spot that has some fast sandy corners, a few heart-in-your-throat descents, some challenging steep climbs, loose gravel? Post up here. Send me an email. I want to learn this. I will need your help and advice.

So this is where I am right now in getting ready for the new season. Slowly the plan and ideas are coming together.

Oh, I’m all ears – do you have an idea/tip/suggestion that I haven’t written about. Do you have some drills that have worked well for you? Let me know. We can get stronger, faster, and better together.

“Do one thing a day that scares you.”

During the ‘cross season I met Andy Jacques-Mayne and Josie Jacques-Mayne. They basically were at every race I was at in New England so I had a few chances to chat with them. They had a pretty cool gig this past ‘cross season – a massive RV that they towed around North America (primarily the U.S.) with a big Ford truck. If there was a ‘cross race – they were at it. Very cool way to be able to race, train and travel. To say that Marc and I were jealous would be an understatement.

Anyway, all this to say that you should go check out this interview with Andy. Thanks to Marc for pointing it my way.

AJM is definitely an inspiration for all us desk-bound bike racers.

Sorry for not being around these parts as of late. Marc and I took off for Brussels yesterday for a day of sightseeing and chillaxing. No bikes involved. Though Marc did eye the city rental bikes with a glint in his eye… To read about the day out in Brussels, check out my other site.

I realized after posting that I neglected to mention the amazing macaroons we had for an afternoon treat. We stopped at a fabulous bakery named Paul. It was very busy and appeared that we were the only tourists in the place. This bakery had it all – amazing bread, incredible tarts, impressive macaroons, sandwiches, etc. If you find yourself near a Paul bakery, definitely go in – you will not be disappointed.

So bike racing and biking action. There has been some. On Sunday I traveled with Marc and Ed to Assenede to work the pits for the guys. It was an excellent day of racing for both of them. Ed finished 3rd in the 50 plus category and Marc was 8th in the 40 plus category. I chilled out in the pit – cheered on the guys and chatted with the father of one of the racers. Good day at the races.

So no riding yesterday. Just lots of walking. This is not easy on a bike racer. By the end of the day – Marc’s back was sore and my hips were super tight. But the temporary pain was well worth it.

Today we stayed home. Intention was to go on the group ride. Whole house went today (except Tim who is in England). Started off okay. No real drama – well except Ed flatted at the start. Jumped into the second group. Rather pedestrian pace today. The star of the ride was not impressed (Sven Nys). So rolling along and I get that wobbly feeling in my back wheel. Yep – flat tire. Drat.

I stop. Marc stops. We only have one tube between us. A tube with a very short valve – not good for the deepish rims on my bike. So we have to do a tube switcheroo with Marc’s rear wheel. Okay – so now the group is well gone. We don’t have any spares. We make our way to Tim and Jos’s house in Blauberg. The British Cycling Federation ‘cross riders are staying there for the winter. Luckily Johnny was in – he gave us a better tube for Marc’s wheel and after a bit of chatting we were off. Still had a good ride – just shorter than we intended.

Turns out we missed out on lots of action on the group ride. So Sven and his pal got to the front of the second group. Apparently the reason we were going slowly was because the front group was going slowly (we have to keep a certain distance behind the front group to allow cars to get around us). Sven rode up to the first group to find out what was going on. Then I guess when there was some clear road – Sven and his pal sort of attacked and the second group ended up passing the first group. Unheard of! Apparently Sven did some other crazy stuff – changed the route a couple times as well. Sorry to miss all this action.

Not much else happening. In a bit of a down week here. It is our last week here in Belgium so we’re taking some time off the bike and getting in a bunch of sightseeing. Tomorrow we might go to Bruges and Ghent. Thursday and Friday we’ll be in Paris. Potential that Marc will race on Saturday and I’ll try to get in a couple more rides.

Amazing that our trip here is coming to an end. This has definitely been one of my more challenging trips to Belgium. The racing was hard as I expected. But I did not expect so many setbacks and tests of my determination. I had some crappy days. I had some awesome days. I’ve come out as a better person and bike racer as a result.

Nearly picked up Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book – Outliers yesterday, but decided to wait until I get home. Think it will be excellent reading for when I’m starting my new training program for 2009 – 2010. Do you have any books you would recommend? If so – post up in the comments. It is always interesting to discover what books, web sites, etc. other athletes find useful/inspirational/etc.

Okay, I’m out. I’ll try to get a post in tomorrow. Enjoy the trainer or if you are lucky like Keir – enjoy the great outdoors.

So the big day has come and gone. What a day. Lots of impressive racing and athletes out ripping it up at Silvermere (Mol). I must say the World Champs race course is a pretty fun. Starts off with a long straight away on the pavement. 90 degree bend onto the crucial part of the race course – the infamous sand. This is where the first selection is made. Get the hole shot and you are off. Get a late or last row call-up or someone goes down in front of you – and all you get is bottle neck and frustration. So long sand stretch followed by lots of twists and turns. There are some spots in the woods to open up but from what I remember and experienced on Friday, success on this race course has a lot to do with momentum and maintaining it. A few tricky sections – one bump with an exposed root near the pits gave most racers issues. Some deep muddy grooves by the first pit also caused some hang-ups. By the pits more swoops and turns. A little run-up over some log stairs. A really cool and fast sand bowl. More twists and turns and you are back at the pit. Up and over some miniature barriers then it is onto the home stretch.

A great race course for racers and spectators. Speaking of spectators, there were quite a few people out to watch on Saturday. Most impressed with the numbers. So I wasn’t racing on Saturday – my job was to work the pits and to do whatever Marc and Ed needed (mostly stay out of the way and let them focus on racing). I hit the road at around 8:30 and pedaled my little Steven Super-Prestige over to the race course. Nice way for me to start the day and helped me get rid of some the nervous energy I had for my favorite guy. Got there around 10 – hopped in the shower and then it was down to business.

Ed raced at 11:35 so I made my way to the pit with his spare bike and wheels at around 11:00. Last year the pit was so packed I wanted to make sure I had a good spot. We had discussed where I would be in the pit and that I would be ready for a bike change on the first lap if things were jammed up coming by the pit (on Saturday the pit lane was definitely the fastest lane). So standing around the pit watching the earlier race and just soaking things in. When who do I see – none other than Jonathan Page. I starred at him. Thinking is this really JP – in the pits at the Masters World ‘Cross Champs? Yep – he was pitting for a Planet Bike (one of his sponsors) racers. Unfortunately JP’s guy broke his chain on the first lap right by the pit – and he only had spare wheels… So Ed’s race – he was called up last. Yep – dead last. Not cool There were about 4 rows of 10 guys in front of him…. Frustrating as all get out. But Ed did not let him get it down – he simply put his head down and got to business. He rode pretty good and managed to finish in 14th place. The winner of his race simply rode away from the field – we have watched this guy do this in every race. He is a big guy and he just seems to able to power away.

Massive shout out to Kathy Savary for winning her second World Masters Cyclo-Cross Championship title. I didn’t get to see any of her race but Tom S. told me it was an awesome battle between her and a French rider. Kathy was super happy with her race and win. She has had a tough go of it this season – an injury that slowed her start, then a concussion when she was here in Belgium, a calf injury on Wednesday – reasons for anyone not to have a good performance on the day. But Kathy put that all aside and did what she does best. Congrats Kathy!

Marc was up at 1:30. So after Ed’s race I got back to the super van – got the spare bike ready for Marc. Got the spare set of wheels. Gave Marc some sage advice (basically all the things Marc tells me before a race). Made my way back to the pits. Talk about packed. There was no room to move in the pits for Marc’s race. His race had 53 racers. And I think everyone of them had a spare bike! Got a good spot in the pits and got ready for the chaos. Same deal as Ed’s race – be ready for a first lap change. Marc was called up in the third row – so not bad. Admittedly I didn’t get to see much of his race – only what I could see from the pits. But he told me he got a good start and then the chaos in the sand combined with some sharp elbows started. I think Marc rode super well. He never let off the gas. Always digging and working hard. He made his way through a couple of groups – ripping them to shreds in the process. Marc finished 25th. He is disappointed. I’m not – he rode well. He did what he could on the day. It is tough though when so much emphasis is put on one race. It is hard to remember the journey, keep the perspective, and all the rest.

Well, I’m super proud of Marc. He rode well. Really well. Much better than he did last year. He kept his head together and didn’t let things get him down or frustrated. He just kept on truckin’. Good job Marc – awesome ride.

Chilled out for a while after Marc’s race and watched the next couple of races of “young” guys. I cracked and had my first Belgian frites. Oh – they were so good. I normally don’t eat fries but I needed them – really I did! Chatted with Tom S. for a bit and then headed home.

A good day at the races. A tough one as well. Everyone wants to be the best on the big day. This is so hard. The stars really have to align for everything to come together. I’m trying not to get all philosophical here about bike racing but…

Marc and Ed are racing again today. So I’ll be doing the pit work again and cheering them on. Should be another good one.

Thanks for sending all the fast vibes and positive messages to Marc – he and I really appreciate it. Next year we’re going to have to get more of you here to race at Mol and eat some Belgian frites!

Today is the day. The Masters World Cyclo-Cross Championships. Big race day for Marc. I’m super stoked and pumped up for him.

(So this post is about the race today, but I need to get something out of my head first…)

Jonathan Page has been cleared. Yes! I’m happy for him and his family. I’m a big JP fan. This guy has class and character. A lot of American ‘cross fans like to rip JP and actively do not support him. Why? I don’t really understand it. JP represents what we should all aspire to. He found his passion. He set a goal. He determined how best to achieve this goal. And he acted on it. He moved to Europe without any support and set up camp. He raced hard. Learned some tough lessons. But kept on coming back. Digging deeper and never accepting mediocrity. But still American race fans resent him. I just don’t get him. JP is doing it. He took the risks and did the real suffering. It is not easy to do what he does. Yeesh, I find two months hard enough and I don’t have to worry about making money from this bike racing game. Looking forward to more great things from JP.

(This is the end of me getting stuff out of my head, back to the race.)

So it is early still here. Racing action doesn’t start for a few hours yet. I’m riding to Mol and then I’ll take a quick shower and get ready for my first pit job. Ed is racing at 11:35 so I’ll be in the pits and cheering for him.

Marc races at 1:30. Send some fast and positive vibes this way at that time. Marc has got this course nailed. He is super fit right now. His technical skills have improved so much since being here. He is like a sponge – he soaks in everything. He really takes every race and experience for what it is and grabs as much as he can from them. Admirable.

Can’t wait to see him race. Go Marc. Pedal, pedal. Hit it hard!