The Perfect Pedal Stroke

Posted on February 3, 2011 by aa
How to get the most energy from each crank revolution.

(Bicycling.com) – Pedaling in a simple circle is a complex thing, but mastering it can save energy, says Todd Carver, biomechanist at Colorado’s Boulder Center for Sports Medicine. He says that with proper ankling (shown here; not the injury-causing technique of the past), riders can churn out the same amount of power at a heart rate as many as five beats per minute lower. This stroke is for flat terrain at threshold, or time trial, intensity.

Hip-Knee-Ankle Alignment Viewed from the front, your hip, knee and ankle should line up throughout the pedal stroke. “You don’t want knee wobble,” says Carver. “Just think pistons, straight up and down.” If you can’t correct this, or if you experience knee pain when you try to restrict lateral movement, you may need orthotics or another type of biomechanical adjustment…Complete article can be found here…

Posted in training | Leave a comment

My 2011 Updated Schedule

Posted on January 19, 2011 by aa

2011 Race Schedule

  • Apr 17 – Singlespeed-a-Palooza (MTB SS XC) – Montgomery, NY
  • May 22 – Stewart Super Six Pack (MTB Marathon) – Montgomery, NY
  • Jun 19 – Wilmington-Whiteface 100K (MTB Marathon) – Lake Placid, NY
  • Jul 3 – HRRT Schenectady 6 hr Race (MTB Marathon) – Schenectady, NY
  • Jul 10 – Race the World – UCI World Cup Weekend (MTB XC) – Windham, NY
  • Jul 31 – Darkhorse 40 (MTB Marathon) – Montgomery, NY
  • Aug 14 – Wildcat 50 (MTB Marathon) – New Paltz, NY
  • Aug 20 – Tour de Schenectady MTB Race (MTB XC) – Schenectady, NY
  • Sep 11 – Kirkland Cyclocross (NYCROSS.com Series) – Kirkland, NY
  • Oct 2 – CX @ Brewery Ommegang (NYCROSS.com Series) – Cooperstown, NY
  • Oct 15 – Uncle Sam Cyclocross Gran Prix Day 1 – (NYCROSS.com Series) – Troy, NY
  • Oct 16 – Uncle Sam Cyclocross Gran Prix Day 2 – (NYCROSS.com Series) – Troy, NY
  • Oct 23 – Saratoga Spa Cyclocross – (NYCROSS.com Series) – Saratoga Springs, NY
  • Oct 30 – Wicked Creepy Cyclocross Race – (NYCROSS.com Series) – Bennington, VT
  • Nov 5-6 – Cyclocross International (Verge NECCS) – Northampton, MA
  • Nov 13 – Bethlehem Cup – (NYCROSS.com Series) – Delmar, NY
**Planned races are subject to change as schedules permit**
Posted in race schedule | Leave a comment

Winter is Here, But Riding is Too…Sometimes…

Posted on January 13, 2011 by aa

Well, we’re certainly in the off season…if there is an off season. More snow, more cold and more riding the trainer. For me, riding the trainer is worse than watching golf on television without Tiger Woods playing. I still manage to get out and ride my single speed 29er, but not enough. Even though I keep the snow cleared so I can ride laps on my short track, it’s hard to get psyched to ride when it’s 20 degrees. Riding the CX bike on the road and dirt roads is there too, but I still need it a little bit less cold out there.
So, off season training is coning along and the first races in March will be here before you know it. This coming season I’m planning a different schedule through the spring and summer…splitting my racing between mountain bike and road bike. Then, in the fall race as much cyclocross as I have the time for.
Some of my planned events for the ’11 season are: Singlespeed-a-Palooza, Darkhorse 40, Blackfly Challenge, Strawberry Festival Classic Road Race, Tour of the Catskills, Altamont Criterium and the NYCROSS.com Cyclocross Series.
Posted in race, riding, winter | Leave a comment

A New Year, a New Team and New Sponsors

Posted on January 3, 2011 by aa

As I start the new year of training and planning my race schedule, I also have a new team to race with. I’ll be racing with the Battenkill-United team. Battenkill-United is the masters racing team of Farm Team Cycling Club out of Cambridge, NY. I am looking forward to racing with the Battenkill-United team.
In addition to a new team, I also have some new sponsorships…or as I like to call them, partners. I have added Honey Stinger, NUUN electrolyte drink and Epic Action Cams to my list of parters. Retuning for 2011 are Rudy Project, Manitou, Fluid Muscle Recuvery, Vetta and Tri-Flow Lubes.
Posted in Battenkill-United, race, sponsors | Leave a comment

2011 USA Cycling National Championship Calendar

Posted on December 23, 2010 by aa
2011 USA Cycling National Championship Calendar

*All dates and locations subject to change

  • April 16: BMX National Championships – Chula Vista, Calif.
  • May 6-8: Collegiate Road National Championships – Madison, Wis.
  • May 28-30: USA Cycling Professional Road & Time Trial National Championships – Greenville, S.C.
  • June 22-26: USA Cycling Elite, U23 & Junior Road National Championships – Augusta, Ga.
  • July 7-10: USA Cycling Junior Track National Championships – Frisco, Texas
  • July 14-17: USA Cycling Cross Country Mountain Bike National Championships – Sun Valley, Idaho
  • Aug. 2-7: USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships – Trexlertown, Pa.
  • Aug. 20: USA Cycling Professional Criterium Championships – Grand Rapids, Mich.
  • Aug. 31 – Sept. 4: USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships – Bend, Ore.
  • Sept. 15-17: USA Cycling Collegiate Track National Championship – Indianapolis, Ind.
  • Sept. 17: USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships – Bend, Ore.
  • Sept. 24-25: USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships – Beech Mountain, N.C.
  • Sept. 29 – Oct. 3: USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships – Carson, Calif.
  • Oct. 1-2: USA Cycling 24-Hour Mountain Bike National Championships – Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • Oct. 28-30: USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships – Davis, W. Va.
  • Jan. 4-8: USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships – Madison, Wis.
  • Date TBD: USA Cycling Track Tandem Sprint National Championships – Trexlertown, Pa.
Posted in race, USA Cycling | Leave a comment

End Of The Season – Hudson Valley Cyclocross

Posted on December 11, 2010 by aa
My 2010 bicycle racing season wrapped up today for me with day 1 of the two day Hudson Valley Cyclocross. I had planned to race both days, but the weather forcast for Sunday does not look favorable for a two hour drive to Wappingers Falls, NY.
The race was held at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls. The course was shorter than most, only one mile per lap. It was also dry and a pretty fast course. It consisted of some trail in the woods, fast sections in the fields, fast barriers and a pretty good forced run-up that had a single barrier at the base of the hill. I liked the course. Being a short course, I did see most of the other riders more than I would have liked (I finished -2 laps). But, I could ride the whole course, had no crashes and considering that I have been mostly off the bike since the West Point race, I think I did pretty good. The end result was a 9th place finishing -2 laps.
So, my second season of cyclocross is under my belt. I up-graded to Cat 3. I race the full season in the Masters category (Cat 1/2/3). And even had some results/races that I feel pretty good about.
I want to thank my ‘cross team, CyclocrossRacing.com, for putting together a great team program. I also want to thank the rest of my sponsors for keeping me going all year long…Motor Tabs, Fluid Recovery Drink, Rudy Project, Evomo Apparel, Tri-Flow Lubricants, Vetta Cycle Computers and Brave Soldier.
Stay tune for 2011 teams and sponsors…
Posted in cyclocross, race | Leave a comment

2nd Annual Wildcat Epic 100

Posted on December 6, 2010 by aa
IT’S ON AGAIN, SAVE THE DATE!!

www.adventure-junction.com, December 6, 2010 – The 2nd Annual Wildcat Epic 100, the 2-day mountain biking experience in the Shawangunk Mountains, will take place on the 13th and 14th of August, 2011

Again this event features two 50 mile stages raced over 2 days. Competitors will ride a course beginning in the village of New Paltz, continuing through the challenging and uniquely beautiful Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska SP, connecting these areas to fresh trails on apple farms in Gardiner and private single track in Williams lake. The first WC 100 we hosted in August drew a crowd from NY, NJ, CT, MA, Pro Team Jamis members were out from UT and CO and even a rider down from Canada.
Our Mission, driven by the commitment to achieve an extraordinary event, is two fold.
To responsibly organize a multi-day, paired mountain bike event that attracts the interest of both national and international competitors. We aim to bring the challenge of this multi day event within reasonable reach of all levels of athlete. Through associated sponsorship and media interest, we aim to promote tourism and conservation of this area for the benefit of it’s people. By co-involvement of local communities, we strive toward improved awareness of natural assets of the area and the resulted interest in it’s preservation.
The Wildcat Epic is not just designed to be a great bike race; it is designed to become an economic engine for tourism in the region. Not only are we drawing competitors, but spectators to. With New Paltz at the focal point and the Greater Gunks ridge as the racecourse, we will be using the Historic Huguenot Street as our base for the weekend.
Wildcat Epic is designed to include the best elements of legendary stage races, including time trials, king of the mountain segments, sprint segments, and a fully supported experience like no other on the East Coast. Each day competitors will be treated to a great racecourse, fully stocked aid stations, catered meals, and great hospitality.
The course will stay mostly the same, with a few lessons learned during the last event and with feedback from competitors. Added excitement and benefits are in the works and some interesting features will be rolled out in the next few weeks. Stay tuned…..
The Wildcat Epic 100 is organized by Adventure Junction (www.adventure-junction.com) and designed by Gardiner local, Gunter Spilhaus. If you have any question please feel free to contact me by email at gunter@adventure-junction.com or call me on 845 256 8073.
Registration is open on www.bikereg.com

Cheers for now.
Gunter Spilhaus
Ph:845 265 8073
Posted in cross country, marathon, mtb, race, stage race | Leave a comment

2011-2012 Verge NECCS Schedule Announced!

Posted on December 4, 2010 by aa
Cyclingdirt.org, December 3, 2010 – A message from Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series President, Adam Myerson:
Following a meeting of all the New England UCI race organizers last evening, I’m proud to announce the 2011-12 Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series schedule.
For 2011-12, the Verge Series will not include Elite or U23 Men and Women, but will continue for all the current USAC categories:
Cat 3 Men
Cat 3/4 Women
Masters 35+ (1-3)
Masters 45+
Masters 55+
Juniors 15-18
Juniors 10-14
Further, the Verge Series will aim to strengthen itself as a union of organizers committed to each other’s success, and will include all 15 events in New England that also host categories for UCI elite men and women:
Sat 09/17/2011 Green Mountain Cyclocross Weekend 1 Williston, VT
Sun 09/18/2011 Green Mountain Cyclocross Weekend 2 Williston, VT
Sat 09/24/2011 The Nor’easter CX @ Loon Mountain Lincoln, NH
Sat 10/01/2011 Grand Prix of Gloucester 1 Gloucester, MA
Sun 10/02/2011 Grand Prix of Gloucester 2 Gloucester, MA
Sat 10/08/2011 Providence Festival of Cyclocross 1 Providence, RI
Sun 10/09/2011 Providence Festival of Cyclocross 2 Providence, RI
Sat 10/22/2011 Downeast Cyclocross 1 New Gloucester, ME
Sun 10/23/2011 Downeast Cyclocross 2 New Gloucester, ME
Sat 11/05/2011 Cycle-Smart International 1 Northampton, MA
Sun 11/06/2011 Cycle-Smart International 2 Northampton, MA
Sat 11/26/2011 Bay State Cyclocross 1 Sterling, MA
Sun 11/27/2011 Bay State Cyclocross 2 Sterling, MA
Sat 12/03/2011 NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross 1 Warwick, RI
Sun 12/04/2011 NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross 2 Warwick, RI
A new, 8-race, UCI-sanctioned, New England Professional Cyclo-Cross Series consisting of some of these events has been presented to the UCI. If approved, more information on that series will be provided at a later date.
Posted in cyclocross, race | Leave a comment

9 Reasons Why You Should Try Cyclocross | Active.com

Posted on November 28, 2010 by aa
The sport of cyclocross, also known as ‘cross, cyclo-x and CX, is a sport that is a combination of criterium-style bike racing and steeplechase-style running.
It is usually a multi-lap format race lasting 30 to 60 minutes, which includes obstacles where riders must dismount and carry their bicycles uphill, over or under barriers and through mud bogs. Adoring fans are happiest when riders attempt to ride through the mud rather than dismounting…Read more here…
Posted in cyclocross | Leave a comment

Army Turkey Cyclocross at West Point

Posted on November 21, 2010 by aa

The Army Turkey Cyclocross race was held on the grounds of West Point and was promoted by West Point Cycling. Off the main campus, the race was held at Camp Buckner. Even though we were not on the main campus, it was still pretty cool being at West Point. I’ve been there a few times before, but not for a lot of years.
The masters race was a small field of 9 or 10 riders, most most were familiar faces from other races. Although the race race was at 9:00 am and I had a 2 hour 20 minute drive to West Point, I felt pretty good. Race time temperature was in the neighborhood of 35 degrees. I actually like riding and racing in temperatures in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s.
We had a fairly flat and fast course with a lot of tight, 180 degree turns and a sandy beach run. Other than the beach and the barriers, the course was 100% ridable. Although I finished -1 lap, I was able to complete 6 laps in the 45 minute race for 6th place Masters 45+ and 7th place overall Masters.
Posted in cyclocross, race | Leave a comment