Here is a video blog I recorded on Monday the 25th. I talk a bit about my ride and it's purpose and whats to to come. Since Monday I have had a great quality interval day in the most epic weather I've ever ridden in. It was snowing, sleeting, and raining with 30-40 MPH winds and 45-50 MPH gusts. I needed to get a quality workout in and I didn't want to wait another day to do it. It was also good for adapting to riding in terrible weather because you never know what race weather will bring. After that ride I can officially say I'm ready for what Iceman brings. We are 8 days out now and both my fitness and adaptation to terrible weather are dialed in!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Keweenaw Cup - Tyler's Race Report
The Keweenaw Cup turns out to be one of the best weekends of the year. Even though the forest looks like death with every leaf finding the ground it leaves a feeling in the air that cannot be matched. It is screaming Keweenaw Cup. The Copper Country in late October is brilliant and I look forward to it every year.
Day 1
I made the 2 hour journey with Tyler J (Gear Grinder) early Saturday morning. We scored a room at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and changed in just enough time to get some warm up in. The first day was held down town around the pond with a few changes from last year. They added a few more turns making accelerations crucial. I missed the hole shot but stayed patient with a 12 lap race on tap and let the leaders come back to me. The course was not set up for a group and I knew it would be easier if out front so on the back side of the 2nd lap I busted to the front and put in a small dig to make some separation. Tyler J. jumped on and we created a small gap. This is just what I wanted so I kept the pressure on until I heard a cannon fire behind me. I think I might have subconsciously ducked thinking someone was trying to shoot me down. It was the sound of Tyler J's tire exploding off the rim. I looked behind and all I could see is a tire wrapping a death grip around his bike. I hated to see that and do not like when riders experience mechanicals. With Tyler out because of mechanical I noticed that the next rider, Aaron Swanson, was not around the corner yet. I quickly reacted with an attack and a hard steady tempo. I attacked a few more times during the lap and found myself out front. I never let my guard down and rode hard for the remainder of the race taking revenge on a course that ate me up last year.
Day 2
Our cabin couldn't have worked out any better. I got a decent nights rest and abused the French coffee press in the morning. It was then out the door and a quick roll up to the start. The course was much more open than the day before. It had about 50% hard packed gravel or golf cart path making it extremely fast and set up to be more like a traditional CX course. The wind was howling at the top of the hill which may have slowed things down but it added the element of tactics. There was plenty of speed and wind, not a day set up for a breakaway. I let the race organize it's self on the first lap or so. The first 3-4 laps the group was 4-6 strong. Eventually it worked its way out and Tyler J., Aaron Swanson, and I were out front. We exchanged pulls every lap or so and with a few laps to go the attacks started. I tried a time or two with no success until with 2 laps to go an attack was made and as it came back together I countered it. It created enough room for me to fully commit to riding the next lap at full effort dead into the wind trying to keep the gap. Aaron and Tyler made me ride hard and smart to earn my 2nd victory of the weekend. I appreciate good competition and they are great competitors.
I was so happy with my Keweenaw Cup victory I ate my oatmeal in the home made "Keweenaw Cup" this morning. Thank you to whoever made that!
A full report and pictures will be available soon at www.upcross.net and www.keweenawcup.com
Day 1
I made the 2 hour journey with Tyler J (Gear Grinder) early Saturday morning. We scored a room at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and changed in just enough time to get some warm up in. The first day was held down town around the pond with a few changes from last year. They added a few more turns making accelerations crucial. I missed the hole shot but stayed patient with a 12 lap race on tap and let the leaders come back to me. The course was not set up for a group and I knew it would be easier if out front so on the back side of the 2nd lap I busted to the front and put in a small dig to make some separation. Tyler J. jumped on and we created a small gap. This is just what I wanted so I kept the pressure on until I heard a cannon fire behind me. I think I might have subconsciously ducked thinking someone was trying to shoot me down. It was the sound of Tyler J's tire exploding off the rim. I looked behind and all I could see is a tire wrapping a death grip around his bike. I hated to see that and do not like when riders experience mechanicals. With Tyler out because of mechanical I noticed that the next rider, Aaron Swanson, was not around the corner yet. I quickly reacted with an attack and a hard steady tempo. I attacked a few more times during the lap and found myself out front. I never let my guard down and rode hard for the remainder of the race taking revenge on a course that ate me up last year.
Day 2
Our cabin couldn't have worked out any better. I got a decent nights rest and abused the French coffee press in the morning. It was then out the door and a quick roll up to the start. The course was much more open than the day before. It had about 50% hard packed gravel or golf cart path making it extremely fast and set up to be more like a traditional CX course. The wind was howling at the top of the hill which may have slowed things down but it added the element of tactics. There was plenty of speed and wind, not a day set up for a breakaway. I let the race organize it's self on the first lap or so. The first 3-4 laps the group was 4-6 strong. Eventually it worked its way out and Tyler J., Aaron Swanson, and I were out front. We exchanged pulls every lap or so and with a few laps to go the attacks started. I tried a time or two with no success until with 2 laps to go an attack was made and as it came back together I countered it. It created enough room for me to fully commit to riding the next lap at full effort dead into the wind trying to keep the gap. Aaron and Tyler made me ride hard and smart to earn my 2nd victory of the weekend. I appreciate good competition and they are great competitors.
I was so happy with my Keweenaw Cup victory I ate my oatmeal in the home made "Keweenaw Cup" this morning. Thank you to whoever made that!
A full report and pictures will be available soon at www.upcross.net and www.keweenawcup.com
Friday, October 22, 2010
Keweenaw Cup set for 10/23 - 24
The Keweenaw Cup is this weekend and is set up to be better than ever. Its growing popularity is bringing more and more racers up to the Copper Country for racing, food, and fun. Race organizer Chris Schmidt has done a spectacular job over the years drawing strong competition, designing a euro style race experience, offering great hospitality, and throwing one heck of a party. Do yourself a favor and join the UPCross Series and the Red Jackets in closing out Copper Harbor for the year. You can be sure Culvers Racing will be present. Last one out shut the door!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Wisconsin Off Road Series
It was bitter sweet to be at the final WORS event of the year. I was so excited to get this one going and give an all out effort but I was also ready for it to be over as the season can wear on you. Bottom line, doing 11 out of the 12 WORS events has been difficult. It has taken a lot time, travel, and dedication. We race against the best mountain bikers in the Midwest arguably the country ever 2 weeks. It becomes fatiguing both mentally and physically.
Being so new to the series I had no clue what to expect and I set no expectations. Seems like forever ago but I started at the Comp level. I raced Iola and Rhinelander in Comp finishing 2nd and 1st overall respectively. Then I was thrusted into overdrive and racing against the big boys. What I did not know at the time is I could race with the big boys. If you would have asked me then I would have been happy with a top 20-25 finish every time. It was that first Elite race in Wausau that changed the direction of my year. My first Elite event ever I placed 9th place. That is a top 10 finish with 6 professionals at the event. I went from happy to be there to I can compete with these guys. It changed the way I thought, the way I trained, and the way I rode. It made me a believer that with hard work I can do this.
The rest of the year I had a goal to always be top 15-20. The next race I did and I finished 17th. With some good upgrade points and two respectable finishes I was now in the overall top 10 standings. I was shocked, surprised, and any other good feeling you that goes with it. I was in the top 10 in the Elite class in my first year of competition. I didn't even have this in my sites 6 weeks ago and now I'm getting call ups behind Brian Matter, Tristan Schouten, Nathan Guerra, Chris Peariso and Darrin Braun. I had caught the bug and didn't want to lose it. I wanted to keep that top 10 for the rest of the season. I knew it meant consistent results, a lot of travel, and hard training days but I was willing.
The year continued and every 2 weeks it was regular to pack the car on Friday and start driving. I made it to 11 out of the 12 races. The only one I missed was because it was a make up from a prior date and I had another raced planned. The experience I gained at every event cannot be measured by words. I learned to be racer, how to handle my bike, my body, and my mind. There is so much more to this sport than the fitness. You need a strong mind, strong family, a good bike, supportive sponsors, and a bit of good luck. All this learned and I have so much more to learn. This first year experience is priceless and I felted honored to learn from a great series and awesome riders. I can see why this series produces the best of the best and I hope to be there someday.
A year as good as this would not be possible without the following:
Being so new to the series I had no clue what to expect and I set no expectations. Seems like forever ago but I started at the Comp level. I raced Iola and Rhinelander in Comp finishing 2nd and 1st overall respectively. Then I was thrusted into overdrive and racing against the big boys. What I did not know at the time is I could race with the big boys. If you would have asked me then I would have been happy with a top 20-25 finish every time. It was that first Elite race in Wausau that changed the direction of my year. My first Elite event ever I placed 9th place. That is a top 10 finish with 6 professionals at the event. I went from happy to be there to I can compete with these guys. It changed the way I thought, the way I trained, and the way I rode. It made me a believer that with hard work I can do this.
The rest of the year I had a goal to always be top 15-20. The next race I did and I finished 17th. With some good upgrade points and two respectable finishes I was now in the overall top 10 standings. I was shocked, surprised, and any other good feeling you that goes with it. I was in the top 10 in the Elite class in my first year of competition. I didn't even have this in my sites 6 weeks ago and now I'm getting call ups behind Brian Matter, Tristan Schouten, Nathan Guerra, Chris Peariso and Darrin Braun. I had caught the bug and didn't want to lose it. I wanted to keep that top 10 for the rest of the season. I knew it meant consistent results, a lot of travel, and hard training days but I was willing.
The year continued and every 2 weeks it was regular to pack the car on Friday and start driving. I made it to 11 out of the 12 races. The only one I missed was because it was a make up from a prior date and I had another raced planned. The experience I gained at every event cannot be measured by words. I learned to be racer, how to handle my bike, my body, and my mind. There is so much more to this sport than the fitness. You need a strong mind, strong family, a good bike, supportive sponsors, and a bit of good luck. All this learned and I have so much more to learn. This first year experience is priceless and I felted honored to learn from a great series and awesome riders. I can see why this series produces the best of the best and I hope to be there someday.
A year as good as this would not be possible without the following:
- My wife. My awesome supportive wife, THANK YOU!
- My family. Support from family is priceless. They were there at almost every race making sure I had what I needed.
- My sponsors. They make my team possible. Check them out to the right of my blog.
- George and Ann Neimi. They were there as much as anyone and I appreciate it.
- My Culvers Racing teammates. Great mentors and friends.
- Tyler Jenema. For being a training partner and better yet a great friend.
- My savior Jesus Christ. He has given me life and blessed me with my abilities.
WORS #12 Wigman
Something felt different about the last WORS event of the year, I had a good feeling. My legs were feeling good and my mind was in the right place. Going up against these Pro's is tough and usually leaves me pretty nervous but I wasn't nervous this time, I was excited. Excited to put the late season training to the test, measure up for next year, end an awesome WORS series, and prove to myself I have what it takes to ride at a high level.
The course was so fun. It included fast winding single track mostly flat but a couple power climbs. The most difficult part to it was the roots in about every section of the trail. It made for a bumpy ride and the single skill I lack was exposed by all the bouncing. It did not deter my all out all the time strategy. I was going to give every ounce of effort as long as I could. The start was competitive with the lead out on an open road finding its way into a bottle neck to start the single track. I went in about 8th or so and was OK with that for all the jostling that occurred. Just ahead I could the 2 groups slowly pull away and but at that point there was nothing I could do. Within 2 minutes of the race I had to change strategy and that's how fast things can happen in MTB.
I rode in the 3rd group for 2 laps until I was slowly dropped. I ended up with Krayer and he worked hard to get us back up to the group but we never succeeded. We were caught by 2 other riders and I rode with them for a 1/2 lap or so until I could not keep pace. I went out so hard on the first 3 laps that I started to pay the price for it on the 4th. I lost over 1 1/2 minutes on that lap and went into damage control for the 5th lap. I went as hard as my body would allow it which was about the same speed as the previous lap. Although not one of my best laps I was able to pull within 6 seconds of 10th place and I worked hard to catch it but just ran out of space. I came 11th on the day. I missed payout by 1 position. I was a bit disapointed about that but I was overall happy with my race. I went out hard and kept it as long as I could. One thing that made it so difficult is it seemed everyone was on their game that day. So many strong guys had great races. All considered I ended on a great note.
Here is a video blog the night before the race.
The course was so fun. It included fast winding single track mostly flat but a couple power climbs. The most difficult part to it was the roots in about every section of the trail. It made for a bumpy ride and the single skill I lack was exposed by all the bouncing. It did not deter my all out all the time strategy. I was going to give every ounce of effort as long as I could. The start was competitive with the lead out on an open road finding its way into a bottle neck to start the single track. I went in about 8th or so and was OK with that for all the jostling that occurred. Just ahead I could the 2 groups slowly pull away and but at that point there was nothing I could do. Within 2 minutes of the race I had to change strategy and that's how fast things can happen in MTB.
I rode in the 3rd group for 2 laps until I was slowly dropped. I ended up with Krayer and he worked hard to get us back up to the group but we never succeeded. We were caught by 2 other riders and I rode with them for a 1/2 lap or so until I could not keep pace. I went out so hard on the first 3 laps that I started to pay the price for it on the 4th. I lost over 1 1/2 minutes on that lap and went into damage control for the 5th lap. I went as hard as my body would allow it which was about the same speed as the previous lap. Although not one of my best laps I was able to pull within 6 seconds of 10th place and I worked hard to catch it but just ran out of space. I came 11th on the day. I missed payout by 1 position. I was a bit disapointed about that but I was overall happy with my race. I went out hard and kept it as long as I could. One thing that made it so difficult is it seemed everyone was on their game that day. So many strong guys had great races. All considered I ended on a great note.
Here is a video blog the night before the race.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Video Blog 10/6/10
Here is the premier of my video blog. I will post videos of training rides and races to give all of you the inside look for the next month as I prepare for the Iceman. Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
UP Iron Cross a success for whole team
This past weekend Iron Cross hosted a cyclocross race in connection with the UPCross Series in Old Town Negaunee. The day was beautiful and it only helped shine on the success of Culvers Racing. The course was designed by Danny Hill and Glen Lerlie both members of the team. It is because of work of guys like them that events like this turn out to be so successful. Although not needed to see the finger prints that Culvers Racing had on this event this race including 3 Culvers Riders. Tyler Gauthier took home the class "A" hardware on his first try of the season in the UPCross Series. Below is a brief recap from Tyler:
"This course was awesome today. It was set up more like a MTB short track so I really felt at home on it. I used my mountain bike today to take advantage in the technical sections and create gaps in places I knew cross bikes would have to slow. I went out hard to establish a group but it happens that I created a gap on my own. I figured why let it go so I continued to keep the pressure on. I'm very pleased with my win today, especially with what guys I was up against."
A full event recap can be read at the UPCross website.
The team photographer, Straight A Photography, was able to capture the awesomeness of this fall event.
"This course was awesome today. It was set up more like a MTB short track so I really felt at home on it. I used my mountain bike today to take advantage in the technical sections and create gaps in places I knew cross bikes would have to slow. I went out hard to establish a group but it happens that I created a gap on my own. I figured why let it go so I continued to keep the pressure on. I'm very pleased with my win today, especially with what guys I was up against."
A full event recap can be read at the UPCross website.
The team photographer, Straight A Photography, was able to capture the awesomeness of this fall event.
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