Author Archives: Steve Tilford

MTB’ing

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Yesterday I rode my MTB.  I still had the number plate on from the Berryman Epic, which was over 6 months ago, so that goes to show you how much I’ve been doing this.  It isn’t that I haven’t thought of riding trails.  It is that my hand, actually my thumb and ring finger, have been broken for the past 4 months and that I couldn’t do it.

I drove over to Lawrence and met up with Brian.  Brian is from a running background and took up racing bikes relatively late in life, in his 20’s.  He has huge power and pretty good skills. Actually really good skills when he decides he needs them.  I was thinking about it and I only think I’ve seen Brian fall once in a race.  And I’ve done tons of races with him.  He is pretty quick on a MTB.

Anyway, it was going to be a nice day for riding, even though the whole area is covered in smoke from burning fields.  I am super sensitive about the subject, so I just better drop it now. We went to the Clinton trails and it was a blast.  We didn’t ride that long, not even an hour and a half, but that was enough for me.  I was pretty rusty.  But riding my “new” dual suspension bike allowed me to be rusty and still recover from mistakes.  Those bikes are so forgiving.  My thumb and ring finger aren’t completely healed, so that is still an issue, but not a big one.

There is something nearly primal about riding a bicycle through the woods on trails. Completely different that riding on the road.  I’m not sure exactly what it is, but I know I missed it.

I saw that Peter Sagan is going to race MTB’s before heading over to Tour of California in May. That seems sort of nuts to me, being current Road World Champion, and just having won Flanders, but it is cool at the same time.   He was Junior World MTB Champion, so obviously has the skills.  That would be a blast racing in those races he’s doing.

There is a local race here on Sunday and I think I’m going to do it.  It is at the Lawrence River Trails, which are fun, but not very technical.  I have to get back up to speed riding off-road and there is no better way than to race.  Training off-road isn’t close to the speed as racing.

Tucker did his first trail run with me on a bike. He loved it.

Tucker did his first trail run with me on a bike. He loved it.

We only went a mile. I don't want him to run too much before he is all grown up.

We only went a mile. I don’t want him to run too much before he is all grown up.

 

Pro Criterium Nationals in April ?

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I guess I knew that the “Professional” Criterium Nationals were this weekend, but didn’t remember it until I saw a post for live streaming at Cyclingtips.  I can’t say I’m big on the race being held in April.  Actually, it is stupid.

The race is in Greenville SC tomorrow.  I think today they are holding the team time trial championships today?  I saw the start list and there are 5 men’s teams registered and 6 women’s teams.  Pretty pitiful.

But the criterium is worse.  There are many reasons for the problems associated with this race, but USAC has done the sport a disservice when moving the race to a stand alone venue and to the month of April.  They can’t attract enough pros to attend the race so they opened the event to Elite riders.  I am hoping, really crossing my fingers, that an elite rider wins the event.

When the Pro Nat’z were in Downer’s Grove, along with the Elite and women’s races, the race was very well attended.  But for some stupid reason, they moved the race to Michigan, and now to South Carolina.  And it is in April.

April is way too early for many riders to get up to speed for criterium racing.  I know, you guys are thinking these are pros and should be able to train to get ready for the event.  But many of the pros that might attend this event  are in the same boat as everyone else.  No salary, not much expense money and April is still pretty early season.

I can’t understand why the race isn’t held in August again.  By then, most all riders would have a ton of racing under their belts.  There isn’t the Pro Challenge anymore in August, so more riders might attend, thus they could hold  pro only race.  Having to fill the field with elite riders tells it all.

Anyway, if you want to watch the event tomorrow, they are streaming it live at Cyclingtips starting 2 pm EST tomorrow.  Here is the link. 

Last year's winner Eric Marcotte. Eric became the first American to hold the Pro Road Championship and Criterium Championship concurrently. He made a pretty incredible more on the final lap to come over the top of the UHC "blue train" and win solo.

Last year’s winner Eric Marcotte. Eric became the first American to hold the Pro Road Championship and Criterium Championship concurrently. He made a pretty incredible more on the final lap to come over the top of the UHC “blue train” and win solo.

Tucker has put on nearly 9 pounds this past week. He is becoming a young man.

Tucker has put on nearly 9 pounds this past week. He is becoming a young man.

But, he is a baby and sleeps a ton.

But, he is a baby and sleeps a ton.