Checking In

It has been way too long since my last post but that is how it goes in the off-season.  You loose track of your regular cycling routine and that is a good thing.  Since the last time I checked in I have had some good time off the bike, relaxed nights, completed house chores that get neglected in the summer, doing a strength training program, and planning for 2012.

I am now back on the bike in what I like to call a maintenance period.  This is where I ride the snow bike for fun to get back in the saddle and bring back the feeling of the endless crouch.  Also referred to as TITS (time in the saddle), as my good friend Chris P. likes to refer to it as.  All this is done on the new Surly Moonlander.  During my off time I have continued a rigorous strength training schedule.  Although being off the bike for 6 weeks my cross training tends to carry over some fitness to the bike so that the maintenance period is not so rough.  As I have in the past, I am posting a video to show you a bit of how I strength train in the off season.  This style of exercise correlates with the bike a lot.  It does not have a direct connection to cycling fitness but it brings up the general fitness, strength, and mental capacity that is all used while racing your bike.  Enjoy!

Next week I am going to head down to Madison and visit my friend (brother from another mother) Nathan G. for CX Nationals.  I'm excited to meet his and Lindsay s new addition to the family, Micah.  I'm also excited to watch my cycling peers suffer the pain of the bike in January.  (Good luck to Tyler J. going for the bars and stripes) Through the month of January I will slowly increase my maintenance time and decrease my cross training until I have made the full transfer back to the bike.  Hopefully the favorable winter conditions continue until my training camp in AZ in March.  I can not believe its getting to be that time again.        

In the Media - Mining Journal Article

Here is an article from the Mining Journal a couple weeks ago.  They contacted me earlier this summer when Danny Hill was doing the Great Divide.  They had asked to follow up on me when my Professional license was final.  I am grateful for the local support and coverage.  

Ishpeming’s Tyler Gauthier balancing two jobs as executive, professional cyclist

December 5, 2011

By AMANDA MONTHEI - Journal Sports Writer (sports@miningjournal.net) , The Mining Journal

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ISHPEMING - Ishpeming resident Tyler Gauthier would like to think he has only one job.

Yet, since becoming a professional mountain biker in September, his Account Executive job in Ishpeming has been accompanied by "job" number two.

"To be a professional, there is a time commitment," Gauthier said. "It's a whole other step. You're dealing with people that do this for a living. You're dealing with people who have been doing it for 10 or 15 years.

"It's not just a casual ride anymore, there's got to be a purpose."

In that way, Gauthier's mountain biking career has changed since when he began in 2005. Two years after starting, he was competing on the weekends. Now he is one of only four professional mountain bikers in the state of Michigan, not to mention the lone one in the Upper Peninsula.

"I mean I don't want to say that I do this just because it's a job," he said. "I enjoy it, I still have a passion for it and there is a reason I do it.

"You don't put this much time into a second job if you don't have that passion and if you don't enjoy it."

For Guathier, a mountain-biking time commitment can mean anything from off-season training, getting out on the trails, or traveling for races.

"Everything in our life and everything around us is really adapted to biking," he said. "You have to approach it with professionalism, you have to approach it as a job."

For Gauthier, reaching the next level in mountain biking means an advantage in races, the opportunity to race with similarly talented athletes and simply knowing that he is competing to his best ability.

"I guess that when you're a professional, a lot of people categorize that as your being paid to do something, that that's what you do," he said.

"Being a professional in this manner is just doing it at the highest level, not necessarily what you're getting paid."

Fortunately, Gauthier's primary job as an Account Executive at St. Onge Insurance in Ishpeming is really the key to success in his biking career, he said.

"It's a family-owned business and my very first priority is giving them everything I have," he said about St. Onge Insurance. "But at the same time, I wouldn't be able to (be a professional biker) if my job didn't allow me to put as much effort and time into my cycling as this one does."

Since reaching the professional level in September - a process that required getting a specific amount of accumulated points by competing in races, getting licensed through the United States Cycling Association and finally being approved and verified - Guathier has finished up the fall season and is now working on training for his first full year as a pro.

"Off-season training just started this month," he said. "My intention is to be back on the bike by mid January. This is a 10-month sport so there is not much time in the off season."

Gauthier plans on traveling all over the country in the coming months to compete in races, including a stop in Arizona, but his eventual goal is still to win a race in his home county.

"Being that it's (Culver's Racing, Gauthiers race team's) hometown race, the Ore To Shore is by far my number one goal as a pro cyclist," he said of the race, which takes place in August and has never had a winner from the Upper Peninsula. "It's the local race, but it's becoming one of the most competitive races in the country."

Winter biking 101

I am writing this article on the recent increase in the sales of "Fat bikes", ie: Pugsleys, 907's, and Fatbacks. I don't proclaim to be an expert on the use of snow bikes but I would like to share some of my experiences. Snow biking is very similar to mountain biking in many aspects but it does have its inherent dangers!

The biggest obstacle to overcome is winter temperatures. Its very hard to dress properly to be comfortable yet not over heat due to the increased resistance of pedaling in the snow. Its very seldom that you will get out of the granny gear on the trail. Sweat is the bane of snow biking! Proper layering is of the utmost importance when heading out in the snow. If you do not hit the trail feeling a bit chilly, you are starting out way overdressed! Practise on short trips to see what works for you. If you do not remember anything else from what I have written, PLEASE PACK A DOWN JACKET AND DRY LONG SLEEVE UNDERSHIRT in a backpack or frame pack for unexpected breakdowns. Hypothermia can set in in a matter of minutes in sub-freezing temperatures!

Footwear is another consideration fatbikers must deal with. Flat pedals offer cyclists an array of possibilities for footwear. Companies such as Keen, Columbia, Garmont and many others offer insulated boots that are light weight and warm. If you are like me and do not want to give up your clipless pedals, the options of winter cycling shoes are quite limited. Louis Garneau 0 degree Ergos and Lake MX-302 are the only two boots I would recommend for our U.P. winter temps. Buy the winter cycling shoes 2-3 sizes larger than your regular mtb shoes so you have room to layer socks. My recommendation is a tall liner sock followed by a heavy merino wool sock from a company like Smartwool, Darn Tough or Terramar, absolutely NO COTTON! One trick for people with sweaty feet, apply a liberal amount of anti-perspirant to feet before putting on your liner socks. For added warmth to your winter clipless boots add a pair of neoprene shoe covers, my favorites are Performance brand. One fault of clipless pedals in the snow is the cleats have a tendency to pack with snow and it becomes hard to clip in, a small amount of silicone or cooking spray can help with this.

There are many options to keeping your hands warm but my personal favorite is Pogies. The simple definition of a pogie is a large "chopper like" mitten that attaches to your handlebars that you slide your hand into. They are the warmest by far and allow you to wear a very light glove inside for better control and also a place to store your nutritional needs to keep from freezing. Down Wind sports is selling pogies made by local mtber Chris Holm and a portion of the proceeds are going to the NTN and Range MTB Club for trail building and improvements.

Other things to consider:

Helmet and Balaclava ( I do ride without a helmet when temps. drop below 0 for warmer headgear)

Goggles (great for snowy and extreme cold days)

Thermos brand water bottles (the only bottles I have found that don't freeze!)

Headlight and taillight(a must, you need to be seen on the snowmobile trails)

Spare tube (patches don't work well in the cold, please practise changing a tire on your fatbike in the comfort of your home before venturing on the trail!)

Mini-pump (a must, tire pressure changes are needed regularly due changing snow conditions)

Chemical handwarmers (in case of emergencies or mechanical breakdowns)

Frame bag or large Camel back(storage of extra clothing, DOWN JACKET AND SHIRT, remember?)

Winter biking is another avenue to explore the beautiful U.P., but please be careful out there. If you are on the State maintained snowmobile trails remember they pay to ride them and they are not accustomed to seeing bikes on their "highways". Personally, I try to avoid the major snowmobile thoroughfares on weekends because of the high traffic and high speeds. There is a big misconception that you can hear them coming and can get out of the way, but with snow on the trees to deaden the sound and the new 4-stroke motors they seem to appear out of nowhere! Also, please stay off the groomed ski trails unless snow-biking is allowed, we don't need to create a bad name for ourselves!
Wednesday night rides continue at 6p.m. throughout the winter alternating between Ishpeming (Jasper Ridge Brewery) and Marquette (Border Grill on Washington). After we get ample snow and trails established a schedule will be posted.