Over the weekend I got to have my first crack at a race. I have been pretty tired after our camp so I have just been cruising trying to get back on top of things. Started feeling a little better towards the end of the week so I thought I would give the race a go.
A super hard 6 mile circuit with crazy strong winds. And of course it had to finish up a climb that hit 18%... fun fun. The rest of the course was real rolling and it ended up being right under 3000 ft of climbing for the day. Ouch. Anyway there were only around 20 guys starting so there would be no where to hide. The race was super aggressive as Jeremy Grimm from RGF was there and attacking as usual. We had 8 cracks at the hill and with 4 to go 4 of us split away over the top. We rolled pretty good and stayed away. I had been feeling pretty average all day but was hoping the fitness and all the training would help at some point. The last lap was super aggressive but no one could get away. The 4 of us came to the hill together and I sat 2nd wheel.. About halfway up one of the riders cracked and then I noticed Jeremy wasn't looking so good on my wheel so I hit out and rode away from them all to net my 1st win of the year.
Pretty happy I made it through it as I did not feel real good. Haven't really gone that hard yet this year and it was a bit of shock to the body.. guess I had to do it at some point! Was a great day as my wonderful wife made the trip with me and got to see me win my 1st race of the year!
Win number 1.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Team Kenda Pro Cycling p/b Spinergy rider bio; Chad Thompson
Now that team camp is over, it's time to start with the team rider bios so you can get to know the riders about the fastest bikes in the US peloton in 2009.
We'll kick things off with Chad Thompson. Chad is the team director/ owner of the team and one of the riders as well. I first met Chad 4 years ago at Interbike, as he was waiting to speak with another bike manufacturer about possible sponsorship of the team. Chad and his crew stopped in the Masi booth to basically kill time and a conversation started that eventually lead to Masi and his company, Inferno LLC, linking up and partnering together for the team.
Over the years, I can sincerely say that Chad has become more than a team director and sponsored athlete- I consider him a friend as well.
Here's your chance to get to know him better too;
(More bios to follow very soon.)
Tim
We'll kick things off with Chad Thompson. Chad is the team director/ owner of the team and one of the riders as well. I first met Chad 4 years ago at Interbike, as he was waiting to speak with another bike manufacturer about possible sponsorship of the team. Chad and his crew stopped in the Masi booth to basically kill time and a conversation started that eventually lead to Masi and his company, Inferno LLC, linking up and partnering together for the team.
Over the years, I can sincerely say that Chad has become more than a team director and sponsored athlete- I consider him a friend as well.
Here's your chance to get to know him better too;
Name: - Chadwick (
Date of Birth/Age - September 17, 1972 / 36 years old.
Birthplace - Born in
Hometown/Area of Residence - Currently
Years Racing - 23 years with 8 year break from actual competition.
Years Professional - 3
Rider Style/Specialty - Sprinter.
Bike Size - 54 cm (very short legs for a 6 footer!).
Cycling Role Model/Inspiration - Currently Tom Boonen (for obvious sprinter and partier qualities) and El Gato (Johnny Sundt) of Kelly Benefits - good friend, hardcore worker and I love his nickname!
Favorite Kenda Pro Cycling Product - That's easy, the C2C tire for the road and the Small Block 8s for crossin'.
Favorite Race -
Favorite Quote - Not everyone can be heroes. There need to be people to wave at us as we go by." - FDNY quote from 9/11.
Favorite Song - "Fade to black" by Mettalica. Morbid, I know, but hey, I like it.
Favorite Book - DaVinci Code. Trendy, I know, but it started my fascination with masons and such.
Favorite Movie - Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Favorite Food/Beverage - It’s a tie between Sushi and Mexican! / Great Lakes Brewery Dortmunder Gold (beer).
Accolades - Former National and CA state Points Race Champion (long, long ago). That's about it.
Own Website - Starting a blog called "All Fired Up!" to tie our team, web-site, ad campaign and myself altogether. Should be interesting.
Anything else you'd like others to know about you . - I am a proud father to my daughter, Mackenzie, loyal husband and I am also the boss dammit! (Inside joke with the team/fellas).
Favorite place on the planet -
Favorite web-site - MasiGuy (www.masiguy.blogspot.com) and www.kendaprocycling.com (infernoracing.org), duh.
(More bios to follow very soon.)
Tim
Monday, March 2, 2009
Kenda Pro Cycling p/b Spinergy- training camp in pictures
Here are a few select images from the team's training camp in Greenville, South Carolina which just ended;
The view of the group from inside the team car- as photographed by team mechanic Katsu Tanda (thanks Katsu).
New team member Tyler Stansfield is from Birmingham, Alabama (my home state) and is going to surprise a lot of folks this year on the US race scene. (Photographed by Katsu Tanda)
A little team building exercise; flag football. You'd never know it was "flag" football judging by the number of tackles in the puddles!
Another late night team meeting- team doctor Jason Brayley goes over all of the team's medical protocols and covers how to follow doping controls and to be aware of post-race tests.
The track bike of team track star Mario Mazza. Mario knows a thing or two about how to go really fast on a fixed gear and how to play the bumping game. On the rainy ride on Saturday, we had a little fun being track guys and threw a few head butts and elbows at each other... good times.
Looking like the professional squad they are- the pinstripes and flames are destined for lots of podium spots this year!
And the folks who really make things happen on a bike team- the doc (Jason Brayley), team mechanics (Tennyson Hulcy and Katsu Tanda) and the team's soigneur extraordinaire (Janis Burns).
The group getting ready to roll out from the hotel and head out for a nice ride before the rains returned.
A slew of very fancy and very sexy customized Spinergy FCC wheels- custom decals by Wheel Tags. Title sponsor Kenda Tires provided the numerous types of tires chosen by the riders.
The bike of team super sprinter and winner of the sprint jersey at the Tour of Ohio the past four years in a row- Marco Aledia. Notice the special "bling enhancements" on the down tube, stem cap and seat collar. This was in the middle of his bike fitting with sponsor Wobblenaught.
The camp, though soggy and with little actual riding, was a success. The team had the chance to spend quality time together getting to know each other better, since there are several new riders to the team this year. All of the meetings were a success and the riders and staff ventured off in separate directions across the country to continue with training and readying themselves for the race season.
Keep your eyes open for the team's riders as they demolish the domestic peloton this year. 2009 is going to be an exciting year!
Tim
The view of the group from inside the team car- as photographed by team mechanic Katsu Tanda (thanks Katsu).
New team member Tyler Stansfield is from Birmingham, Alabama (my home state) and is going to surprise a lot of folks this year on the US race scene. (Photographed by Katsu Tanda)
A little team building exercise; flag football. You'd never know it was "flag" football judging by the number of tackles in the puddles!
Another late night team meeting- team doctor Jason Brayley goes over all of the team's medical protocols and covers how to follow doping controls and to be aware of post-race tests.
The track bike of team track star Mario Mazza. Mario knows a thing or two about how to go really fast on a fixed gear and how to play the bumping game. On the rainy ride on Saturday, we had a little fun being track guys and threw a few head butts and elbows at each other... good times.
Looking like the professional squad they are- the pinstripes and flames are destined for lots of podium spots this year!
And the folks who really make things happen on a bike team- the doc (Jason Brayley), team mechanics (Tennyson Hulcy and Katsu Tanda) and the team's soigneur extraordinaire (Janis Burns).
The group getting ready to roll out from the hotel and head out for a nice ride before the rains returned.
A slew of very fancy and very sexy customized Spinergy FCC wheels- custom decals by Wheel Tags. Title sponsor Kenda Tires provided the numerous types of tires chosen by the riders.
The bike of team super sprinter and winner of the sprint jersey at the Tour of Ohio the past four years in a row- Marco Aledia. Notice the special "bling enhancements" on the down tube, stem cap and seat collar. This was in the middle of his bike fitting with sponsor Wobblenaught.The camp, though soggy and with little actual riding, was a success. The team had the chance to spend quality time together getting to know each other better, since there are several new riders to the team this year. All of the meetings were a success and the riders and staff ventured off in separate directions across the country to continue with training and readying themselves for the race season.
Keep your eyes open for the team's riders as they demolish the domestic peloton this year. 2009 is going to be an exciting year!
Tim
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