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

Save | 

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.

Future Posts

I've taken a bit of time away from the thoughts of cycling and team to give my mind a well needed rest after a long season.  It all started last January on the Pugsley and wrapped up in November on the Superfly.  My travels took me from California to Idaho and all around the Midwest.  The great thing is, my body feels great and ready to go but it's not all about the body.  The mind needs to be rested too.

I'm getting back into the swings of planning and I'll share a few things in the next couple weeks or so that is on my mind.  The team, off season training, planned races, thank you's, and a few other topics.  

Iceman

"If you need any more motivation then right now! Following the wheel of a Fluckiger brother, the 13th ranked rider in the world, you're in the wrong sport!"

Fluckiger, Shriver, me, and Guerra up Williamsburg Rd.

These are the words that littered my head as I suffered in the Iceman.  I used specific motivation to push myself beyond the limits.  Suffering equals reward and it turned my 11 Iceman experience into near perfection.

10 months ago I made my cycling goals for the 2011 season.  One of them, finish top 15 in the Iceman.  This goal was made way before I knew the field size and the field depth.  It's easy to say this in the now, but the 2011 field may be one of the deepest fields the race has ever seen.  10 different guys had a realistic chance at taking home the Ice.  Do the math, that leaves 5 spots out there for me to achieve my goal.  The weeks approaching I thought many times of changing my goal to a top 20 finish.  It didn't take long for me to smack myself out from cheating myself.  I knew I had the ability to finish where I wanted and so I stuck with it.

The Race
I got a good start position in the 2nd row right behind C. House and T. Schouten.  Two wheels I knew would be in the right position.  The field immediately swarmed and the chaos of the first mile of Iceman was full on.  I managed to stay fairly well positioned and jumped in about 10-15th in the first single track.  After that the front group was formed.  (2 min into the video you'll see the front group.  I'm tucked in decent position in the middle left.)  The battle for position was intense for the first 5k.  Everyone is vying for the top 10 spots and the sand throws you around making it more difficult.

The favorites were up front trying to split things early and it was making the back of the train all that more difficult.  About 30 minutes into the race an attack stuck and split us into 3 groups.  I was part of the 3rd group with C. House, N. Guerra, I. Neff, J. Wakeley, and C. Tanguy.  Neff and Tanguy did an awesome job of keeping the pace up and pulled us back to M. Shriver and M. Fluckiger.  We stayed a strong group of 8 for most of the race and somewhere along the way we picked up T. Wells.  We each took a turn up front pushing the pace.  Shriver, Fluckiger, and Wells did a lot of the pace making the next 20 or so K.  The pace never seemed to settle especially when Wells was on the front, he had the legs to be with the front group.  On the flats we were reaching pace line speeds of 25 mph and on the uphills we stood to keep the speeds high.  After "The Wall" N. Guerra put in a hard effort up the first of many steep climbs.  That split the group for a short time but within 3 minutes we were all back together again.  Approaching the last few K, Neff attacked and split the group and a few were able to keep going after he came off.  We were now spread out like a dropped bag of skittles.  At this point our speeds were so high for the last 20k the steep climbs were putting legs into an unrecoverable deficit.  The crazy thing about pain in the Iceman, you don't feel it when you have 3-4 people deep on the hills screaming for you to go faster.  To not disappoint somehow the body finds a way to pick it up.  This year they wound you through the venue with 1k to go and then brought you back out only to reenter for the finish.  The whole time you can hear the 1000's of crazies screaming.  That's enough motivation to push a tank across the finish line much less your bike. Entering the final few 100m I had J. Wakeley right in front of me but could not come around.  I came in 14th place.

I didn't know  when I crossed that I finished 14th so when my dad told me...... uncontrollable excitement.  To work so hard for so long to meet goals....its tough to match that feeling.  Come to find out our group finished 8-15th and were only 1:10 off the winners.  I heard the front group slowed a bit near the end but that really showed me that our group never let off and was able to make up some time staying steady.  Even though I hurt so much for the entirety of the race this ended being one of the funnest times I've had racing a bike.  I got mixed in with a great group of riders, the speeds were high, and the competition was fierce

For those of you who have never experienced Iceman...what are you waiting for?  This race is incredible.  The atmosphere is unmatched at any other event around the sport of MTB.  You can feel the culture instantly when arriving to TC.  Until next year....and I can't wait.

The "Big Picture"

It's hard to believe that the 2011 MTB season is coming to an end.  I'm down to the final week of my season but parts of it  feels like it started just last month.  I can remember the base miles and toeing the start line at Iola.  Now we are closer to start again than we are removed.  Physically I feel great and they fittest I've felt all year.  I feel like I could keep going but I will welcome the time off.  Before that though, I need to achieve my final goal of the season.

Three years ago I was introduced to the Iceman.  The first year not knowing the tradition, I didn't take it so serious and I embarrassed myself in the waved start of the expert class.  That is all it took for me to understand what this race was all about, 1 race.  Determined never to feel that way again the Iceman has become a regular target on my racing schedule.  Last year I raced in the Pro/Cat 1 field and felt the cycling crazies push me with their screams to go faster.  Another reason why I'm determined to make Iceman a regular target.  Then there was watching a local hero, Brian Matter, win his 3rd Iceman against arguably the toughest field to date.  And again, another reason I'm determined to make Iceman a regular target.  It has that feeling of Paris Roubaix, win it and you become an instant legend.

Courtesy of Bill Stahl

The final weeks preparation started at UPCross Choco X on Saturday.  The weekend before a big race is not the tell all but it is nice to feel the race legs build up to the target weekend.  It helps build confidence for the week.  Saturday was not about the race, it was about the body.  I was picturing a start line with no one else on it.  I needed to worry about my body and race the way I needed to to prepare for the "Big Picture."  I didn't want to get caught up in tactics so I was to always be the aggressor pushing my body to its limit.  From the gun I was gone and never looked back.  Each lap I gained more time on my chasers.  It became a challenge of how hard could I push and how even could I keep my lap times.  I didn't keep my lap times as even as I wanted but they were all within 10-20 seconds of each other and my fastest lap was my last.  It was a good day and I felt like I achieved what I set out to do.  Along with my personal goal I also earned my 4th UPCross win of the year.

We are now 5 1/2 days out from the Iceman.  Still with an important week of preparation ahead it safe to say the work has been done.  It is time to believe in the work that has been done and put it towards positive thinking.  If you want to be the best you need to train like the best and then go out and beat the best.  Their is no day like today.  What will we do with it?

              

State of Seclusion

One of my favorite weekends of the year was this past weekend, UPCross Keweenaw Cup in Copper Harbor.  There is something about it I enjoy, a lot.  Maybe it's the October seclusion in a town that's shut down for the year, or the expected traditional CX weather, or a late season weekend away, the sign to the end, awesome company, or maybe I like the pain of 2 days of racing.  Whatever it is, I like it and I can't wait until next year.

I was returning to Copper Harbor as the defending Keweenaw Cup champ.  The honors for this, I got to carry the UPCross barriers.  Not really the honors but I really did get to carry the barriers.  I got a phone call early Saturday morning from Jesse B to do so and it was a perfect set up as I had room in my truck.  Packed with luggage, bikes, barriers, and a dog I was ready.

I hooked up with Sam from Keweenaw Adventure Company and rented out the bottom of his A frame.  It ended up being an awesome setup and made the weekend everything it was.  Thanks Sam.  This whole week I was look at purchasing Embro cream and was looking at Mad Alchamy.  By chance a rider had some so I decided to give it a try.  After the first initial burn it was good except for the overly tan look it gave my legs and turning all my white clothes orange but I did end up liking it.  After the application I rode the whole 20 yards form my apartment to the start for the 1st of 2 races, The Down Town Hoe Down.  The course was a bit tight all around but with a good mix of gravel, grass, and sand.  I didn't have much series points for a call up so I started second row and then missed a pedal which put me behind on a short roll out into a tight section.  Slowly moved up to 3rd wheel by the end of the lap and promptly attacked down the back stretch.  This gaped the front group of  Tyler J., Ryan T., and Colby L into small splits.  Coming around lap 2 Tyler rejoined with a gap to Ryan T.  Tyler J. led around the 2nd lap (With an apple stuck in his wheel.  It was the craziest thing I've seen.  Right there stuck in between 2 spokes.  It ended up coming out on it's own.) and we hit it hard making a 2 man split.  On the 3rd lap I noticed I had a bike length or two so I sprinted out of every corner and eventually created enough to be on my own.  The course wasn't really a rhythm course so being with someone didn't make much sense, I was OK being alone.  I kept the effort even and shot for even lap times.  It was enough to take the win by a comfortable gap.

I got a nice long cool down with Tervo and Jenema.  That was proceeded by a warm apartment, warm shower, and the most perfectly French pressed coffee I have had in awhile.  I think it's the scenario that does it.  The cold, a hard effort, the seclusion, the howling winds.  It made it perfect.  I relaxed on the couch as the Embro still warmed the legs and the coffee warmed the body.  

Day 2 was up at the Keweenaw Mt. Lodge for the Top of the World Smack down.  I made my warm-up the 15 min climb out of town.  The legs didn't feel as good as I wanted them to on day 2, which day 2 is typically good for me.  It could be I was spoiled in a perfect camp setting after a chef prepared breakfast and now I was in 50 mph winds, rain, and a mix of hail.  This course was a more open with quite a bit of pavement.  I planned for more tactics to come into play today but it didn't play out that way.  I didn't wait long to attack, within the first minute.  I pulled Tyler J. and Trevor Olson out of the group.  During the 1st and 2nd lap we all rode with small gaps to each other.  Once I figured it was not coming together I took a flyer and attempted to bare the wind and pavement on my own.  It slowly but surely worked and mid way through the race I had a good gap.  Trevor was keeping steady mid race so near the end I turned it up again to give myself more of a buffer.  My laps times may not have been as even this race but the beginning and ending efforts were good and I kept a good lead to the end.

The conclusion to a great weekend.  Back to back wins and another Keweenaw Cup (this time a plate) in the trophy case.  Everything was perfect about this weekend and I can't wait until next October, not in literal sense.    

             

UPCross #2 and WORS #12

This time of year you would think one should be slowing down.  Preparing for an off season of rest and planning.  But for me it's only getting faster and more hectic.  The months of September and October are filled with races with the UPCross series and the final races of WORS.  On top of all that its the time to look forward to 2012 and organize riders and sponsors.  So there is no slowing down here and hopefully that means on the bike too.

UPCross #2 - Ironcross
I missed the opening UPCross race because of a scheduling conflict with WORS #11 so UPCross #2 was my opener.  It was held in Old Town Negaunee right off the Heritage Trail running through the Ghost town that once was Negaunee.  Everything still has it's existence except for the structures that were.  It's an awesome place to be and a great venue for a CX race.  It's tough to set up a traditional CX course but that's what is so unique about it, it has it's own flavor.  Danny Hill did a great job this year making the course favorable to a CX bike while still keeping the unique features of a passed town.

Coming off a larger training week I wasn't sure what to expect from my body and approached the start with caution.  Then, within 20 seconds of the race I was committed and never looked back.  The first part of the race has a quick hole shot with a 10 step run up followed by a grinder.  At the top of the grinder I noticed a small gap on the field and committed myself to an all out effort for the rest of the day.  The course really favored being on your own so I went for it.  Tom (Carp) pushed me into full effort to keep the gap on the first lap as he floated at a close 5 or so seconds.  I hit the 2nd lap with the same effort as the 1st and expanded it slightly more.  The succeeding laps I noticed the same and I fed my inside monster by never letting up.  With every second I gained it fed the legs to push for another.  In the end my legs came around and felt pretty good.  I extended the gap over 2 minutes and earned my first UPCross win of the 11 season.  Next up on the UPCross season is the 2 day Keweenaw Cup.  I had a good success there last year so I'm looking forward to a good weekend.

WORS #12 - Wigwam
This race has an awesome atmosphere that draws excitement out of me a full week in advance.  I'm not sure if its city setting, awesome course, season finale, big crowds, or big payouts but I love everything about it.  I was coming off a good performance at the previous WORS and I wanted nothing less than a podium finish which also burned the excitement into me.  Not an easy task on a tough course and tough crowd but I was determined.

I wanted to be top 3 into the single track but I think everyone had those intentions and I edged in about 6th.  The rooty and swerving course tends to make splits fast and on a hard tail it can take it's toll.  I passed one rider to move up to 5th but at this point the front 3 were gone.  Shriver was in front of me and I knew he would pound the climbs hard so I worked to get his wheel but never attached.  At the end of lap 1 it was me and Eppen chasing Shriver and the front group.  Mid way through the 2nd lap I came around Eppen and was alone for the remaining 2nd lap and 3rd.  Up to this point I knew the guys up front were pounding at each other so I decided to do the same and never really came off the gas.  My efforts were intense but I still noticed 2 riders approaching.  It took a bit out of me knowing 2 were approaching and I was gunning at every opportunity.  Ending the 3rd lap I decided to sit up and wait and reanalyze the plan.  It was Eppen and McConnell.  McConnell did all the work up front and was riding an awesome pace through the unforgiving root fields as Eppen and I bounced uncontrollably on our hard tails.  The beginning efforts and endless bouncing were taking it's toll on me.  Eppen pulled out with a flat leaving McConnell and I.  I never did come around him and he got to ride his pace for the rest of the race.  It was made even more difficult with a lot of lapped riders on a tight course.  We came into the last field together and I made my move.  I edged him to the hill and we got to lapped riders which forced me to a bad line and a double leg cramp.  I recovered quickly and restarted the sprint but it wasn't enough as McConnell edged me by .1 seconds.  (Yes, that's a period in front of the one, .1 seconds.  Darn that's close.)  That was for the last podium spot so I was really disappointed in myself.  Disappointed, yes but I was OK with what happened.  Don't get me wrong, I was not OK losing.  I never am but when someone is better on that day and deserves it you give credit where credit is due.  McConnell controlled that last lap and he deserved that sprint.  I finished 6th.  

The WORS series comes to an end but that wrap up is for another post.  I have plenty of racing to come in October and early November so keep in touch.