I was watching the GVA Trophy Cyclocross at Baal (GP Sven Nys) this morning, under slept, and the one thing that became struck me was that every one of these guys screw up a fair amount in a muddy cross race. I already knew that, but watching the race this morning drove it home.

So, for my New Year’s Resolution, I’m going to state that I’m going to take more risks. Not only in cycling, but in life in general. It is hard to amaze yourself when you always stay within your comfort zone. The most memorable accomplishments are the ones that you have to go into that “dark” area of uncertainty. That is when the rewards pay dividends.

I already do this on a fair basis. But when I’m teetering, I’m going to try to take the plunge more. But not stupid risks, just new life experience risks. The ones that keep life fresh.

If we take this back to cycling, especially MTB racing and cross, there are lots of reasons to have limits. But I found out, pretty late in my life, that being embarrassed or self conscious about ones performance, is not a restriction that ever helps you progress.

When I first started racing MTB bikes on a Professional level, I thought I was going to kill everyone from the start. That didn’t happen. Not even close. Much of my early disappointment involved not being able to technically ride sections that some others, usually John Tomac, could clean easily. Up and down I was having troubles. I was racing a World Cup in Vail and was having issues cleaning a dusty descent that was surrounded by a huge crowd. I fell at least 50% of the time. I was so embarrassed. Then later the next week, when I was watching the race on TV, I saw that a lot of guys, most everyone, was falling. I think 3 out of the top 5 finishers fell on the last lap, less than a couple kms from the finish. I got a lot better at the sport that day. From watching a race on the television, I realized even the best guys fall. That one revelation removed a huge barrier that was stopping me from getting to the next level.

I don’t think we can easily recognize where these barriers are in real life. But, when we do encounter them, I think we should all try to get over a few more in 2012. Happy New Year.

Along with the risk thing, I'm going to try to eat more fresh foods this year. After making pizza, I always have a bunch of dough that I just throw onto the stone that makes this simple bread.

How about fresh fruit on January 1st. It's a pretty incredible time we live in. Our grandparents would of never had this in the winter.

I've been eating a lot of cage free, brown eggs recently. I'm going to get some chickens this year.

Yesterday, as I was standing for the 6th hour, and high from breathing glue fumes, I was wondering what a guy like Sven Nys’ mechanic makes for $$$. Whatever he’s getting paid, it is not enough. He has an unbelievably hard job. I can’t imagine he got any sleep at all during this last stretch of races between Christmas and New Year’s. Each race was a muddy mess and Sven was probably going through at least 4 bikes each day. Then the guy has to stand out in the wet and cold for the whole race experience and then go back and practically completely rebuild each bike. That doesn’t allow much extra time during the day, or night for that matter.

Well, I’m done messing with bikes now, before the race. I have two pretty much dialed in. I thought I’d be racing electronic shifting, but that didn’t materialize. That’s fine, it’s a little late to change up equipment anyways. I have the best tires in the world as far as I can figure. Tires are super important, sometimes. I like tread. I’ve never been in a situation, off road, and thought, man, I have way too much tread on my tires, I wish I was riding something smoother.

We’re leaving tomorrow morning sometime. Trudi’s mom has a condo in Delavan, WI, which is about an hour away from the course. We have a hotel room in Madison the whole time too, but that is just for convenience.

After seeing the results from the Chicago cross races, I wouldn’t bet against Ryan Trebon next Sunday. Jonathan Page seems to have pretty good form also, with two top ten finishes over the holidays in Belgium. But, the way Trebon spanked everyone by so much time, on Saturday at the UCI race, I’d have to pick him as the favorite. Nothing like a 7 week break to get your form on.

I am not a fan of the 80% rule in cross. Look at the time gaps below to Tristan, who they pulled with 2 to go. I’m sure Tristan wasn’t having his best day, but come on, that is a huge amount of time. I think it is completely wrong to apply this stupid rule in the US National Championships. The race isn’t only for the guys that win, it is for everyone that spends the season on a cross bike. Pulling guys way too early in a race makes the results completely invalid. The race on Sunday could be real spectating disaster. The speed that Trebon is going, there might only be 10 guys riding around the course the last 15 minutes. That sure will be exciting to watch.

I’m really enjoying riding my bike nowadays. I’m not sure why that is, but I seem to be especially happy when I’m out. Yesterday I was trying to rest, but ended up riding for 3 hours on hilly gravel roads north. It wasn’t that warm, but not really cold either, around 40. I stopped at a house that seemed really out of place out in the country. It was a huge brick house, maybe 5000 square feet, with tons of out buildings, maybe 15 or 20. It was all overgrown and eery. I wandered around a little while. Someone had come in a stripped all the cooper wiring out of everything. What a shame. There were AC compressors laying on the porch, fountains pumps, everything I could see. It was like a cult had lived there and abruptly left. I went into the oldest barn and it was super cool. I’ll put a couple pictures below. I love exploring on easy days.

Okay, I have a ton of stuff to pack. I wrote a short piece for Cyclcocross Magazine about dressing for the cold, but didn’t see it on their site. It was kind of last minute anyway. It does take an enormous amount of clothing to prepare properly for adverse conditions in cross. Especially for 4 races in two different cities. The weather up in Madison looks pretty good really.

Finally complete.

Madison's weather for the next week.

They could use a new roof on this super cool barn

This is really rough cut.

Full results Chicago UCI Race
Result
1 Ryan Trebon (USA) LTS/Felt 1:04:40
2 Jeremy Powers (USA) Rapha-Focus 0:01:42
3 Christopher Jones (USA) Rapha-Focus 0:01:51
4 Brian Matter (USA) Gear Grinder 0:02:00
5 Travis Livermon (USA) Smart Stop-Mock Orange p/b Ridl 0:04:00
6 Barry Wicks (USA) Kona 0:04:17
7 Adam Myerson (USA) SmartStop / Mock Orange Bikes p 0:05:26
8 Jerome Townsend (USA) Smart Stop-Mock Orange p/b Ridl 0:05:36
9 Sean Babcock (USA) Kona 0:07:33
10 Justin Lindine (USA) BikeReg.com / Joe’s Garage / Sc 0:09:16
11 (-2 laps) Tristan Schouten (USA) Cyclocrossracing.com