Tis the end of the 2009 Race Season

I’m hanging up my cyclocross and skinsuit and putting my race wheels in their bag. I am officially calling and end to my 2009 racing season. My winter training has already begun and I am creating my 2010 racing schedule (Two tt’s are already on the list!). Looking back over the past year brings back numerous great memories including but not limited to:


First time trial event – Erie, PA rode a flat for 11 out of the 12 mileswith a borrowed helmet and skinsuit. (Also my first run in with the Green Machine)

ECCC championships – Miserable climb, rain, and plenty of wrecks

Erie Crit- Breaking my carbon seat and being stuck in the saddle

First time trial at the oval – riding around and around and around again

Pa Elite Time Trial Championship – Two many hills not enough power

Tour of Lancaster Time Trial- Rain and Amish Buggies

Devils Backbone Mountain Cross – Broken crank and 1 hour of cheap repairs

Presque Isle Fall Time Trial – Went Green and took 6 minutes 10 seconds of my pr

September – November – Mud, Pain, Fun, and after race festivities!

So after 28 races I'm off to training camp.....

Kirkland CX

Hannah and I traveled to Cleveland, Ohio for the Kirkland CX Race. It was my first race coming off the flu and I didn’t know what to expect. Unfortunately, Hannah had to ride the 29er or the race, but it didn’t seem to slow her down any. We both finished in 2^nd place, which isn’t bad for either of us considering the circumstances.  After our event we watched the B and A race to support Henry and Sam. After the races we all celebrated in the typical fashion with ice old refreshments; however, the best refreshment was saved from the dinner table at home.

Hannah purchased this for me for my birthday a week back, but I was unable to have it due to the flu.  Anyway, we celebrated Hannah’s last race of the season with a ice cold glass of French bike wine.

Fantastic 4 CX

My original plan: Race 4 at Murrysville/ Race 4 at Raccoon

What happened?

Race 1: started off great and stayed with the lead group until I caught a tape steak in my rear wheel. This essentially took me out of the race and ever other race I was signed up for.

Post Race: I was pretty bummed that I couldn’t finish the race and was out for Sunday until Mike said I could use his bike the whole weekend.

Race 2: Start of the ¾ was ridiculous; I tried to keep pace, but was blown out the back asap. I tried to keep on the tail of things until I basically just became a victim to the constant grind I the mud.

Post Race: I was encased in mud, my whole body was tired and beat and I was super hungry and cold. I cleaned up stay around to help clear up.

Highlight of day one: Drinking the post cleanup beer and meeting/watching Henry’s hedgehog have a breakdown. He (the hedgehog) must have had a bad race day as well.

Day 2

Race 3: The course was pretty dry and fast – I took off with the lead group and maintained a steady pace instead of going all out to keep up. I had no clue about my placing, but was picking people off one by one. End up in second place, but missed the reward due to talks over a cold one.

Race 4: Just road off the back with Henry and Brian; it was probably the funniest cross race I’ve been in thus far.

Highlight of day two: Watching Henry give beer and donuts to riders in the 1/2/3 race.

New Wheels!

New Mavic Kysrium SSC SL wheels

Iron Cross VII - I've been travelin on this road too long......

Race Details from my Garmin 305:

Distance - 62.01 miles

Time - 5:35:12

Avg. Speed - 11mph

Calories Burned - 5443

Avg Heart Rate - 151 bpm

Total Ascent- 6750 ft

The story:

I started off with the main pack and held on for the first three of four miles. Of course everyone went all out from the beginning and I tried to sit in while we were on the tarmac. When we approached the first climb, I knew it was my time to relax. The climb wasn't terrible, but I was no match for those <170 pounds. I stayed with the second main pack through check point 1. Things were going great at this point and my hopes died as we approached the first walkup. The walkup was one of the worst experiences of the race, carrying a 25 pd bike and a 190 pd body up a 50% grade was a huge pain. The time between the first walk up and check points three and four went smoothly. All was great through check point 4; however, at 12 to go something drastic happened. As I was riding through a single track sections I smacked a rock off my pedal. I tried to quickly get clipped back in, but was unable because my clip was torn right out of the shoe. Shortly afterward a rider wrecked in front of me, causing me to dump the bike, which took my other pedal off my shoe. So with 12 miles to go I lost both pedals and had to ride on the top of my egg beaters. This was probably the most demoralizing and painful 12 miles I've had on the bike. At time I had to run with my bike forever in order to get through the section. The only thing that kept me going was the socks. All in all, I didn't want to give up and wouldn't quite unless it was impossible to ride.

Iron Cross Light: Lumber Jack

Iron Cross Lite Highlights:

I originally didn’t plan to race the event in order to save myself for Sunday, but I have a hard time watching events when I could be in them. Prior to the beginning of the race my lungs were filled with a funky green substance, I assume this was the cold I’ve been battling with for a week now. Anyway, I went off at the gun and….

During the first lap I remained with the lead pack until a log took me down. I didn’t get clipped out fast enough and slammed straight into the log, which resulted in this nasty mark.

After that ordeal I tried to fight my way back into the top ten with little to no luck. Overall, the race was so so and I placed 13th overall.

Clearfield King of the Mountain

Hannah ventured to Clearfield, Pa to compete in the King of the Mountain. The course is a 5 mile uphill time trial with 1100ft of elevation gain. This was her second appearance at the race and she landed on the podium for the finish. Details to be posted regarding the time at a later date.

Probikes Visit

I traveled to Probikes this past weekend to meet up with our team rep Todd. I wanted to pick up a pair of gloves and tires for the cross race this weekend. Todd really hyped up these Michelin cross tires that are 30c and are supposed to cut through the mud and tear right into the hard dirt below, so I picked one up for my front wheel. We also set up a few other things (new bikes?) for the spring. All in all it was a good trip and I look forward to getting the Gaints rolling!

Grove City

The Brewer family traveled to Grove City for a Month of Mud cyclocross race. This was Hannah's first appearance at a Cross event. The day began with typical cross weather: overcast and rain, which promised muddy conditions. Hannah and I both competed in the sport race, my results are yet to be posted, but Hannah pulled in 4th overall for women. Not bad huh? Looks like I’ll have to look into yet another bike soon!

First weekend of cross racing

I  spent the last weekend racing cross in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The first race was in Ohio and was hosted by Stark Velo, Duane's new team. The venue was awesome and the course was fast and fun. Luckily the rain held out for my race and I was able to pull off a podium (3rd place) finish for my first race. Brian raced the B race in pouring rain and was able to get 10th. Unfortunately they stopped the race due to lighting, which probably kept him from gaining a few more spots.

Sunday Brian and I went to Raccoon Township for the first Month of Mud cross race. Ag3r had a big showing along with the down pour of rain. Everyone seemed to have a great race except for me, but hey its cross and its more fun to wreck in the mud.