New Year
First I want to thank of the sponsors I had the privilege to work with last year:
Tifosi Optics
Hayes Disc Brake
Ergon
American Classic
Light & Motion
WTB
Crankbrothers
Addictive Cycles
Wicked Fast Sports Nutrition
Dedicated Athlete
Kira Bannerworks
Twin Six
Squirt Lube
Raxter Racks
Paceline Products (Chamois Butt’r)
No Tubes
….this list of company names does little to represent all of the friends that stand behind them. Thank you all for allowing me to chase my dreams for yet another year.
The new year represents a chance to redefine one’s goals and that’s exactly what I am going to do. It’s back to the basics:
1. Improve my pedal stroke. This is the foundation of cycling. Think about what a 1% increase per pedal stroke means at 5800 strokes per hour for 24 hours! I’m not just talking about “pedaling in circles” as one hears so often on cycling forums. 55nine Performance has the means to quantify a better pedal stroke. If I can improve the percentage of good strokes I can improve my results.
2. Get stronger. I began working with a strength coach in October. Devin Vernick will be the go to guy for strength conditioning in the near future. He has a passion for what he does and the knowledge to make it happen. We started in the gym and have progressed to plyometrics that I can do anywhere. I’m doing clap push-ups now…look out Lance.
3. Get faster. This seems like a no brainer, but I think I lost some speed last year in exchange for endurance. During the early part of this season my focus will be on speed. The strength mentioned above will help as will a fitness program aimed more toward XC pace than my usual 24 hour pace. It won’t stop there though, I’m also going to need to be able to control that speed on the trails. This means I need to get reacquainted with pushing my limits while dodging obstacles. Expect to see me lining up for some early season XC and road races to round out my skill set.
4. Equipment. I’m back on a 26er and I’m really liking it. The 29er never really fit me perfectly, never really handled the same and just didn’t suit my talents like the 26ers did. That doesn’t mean I’ll never ride or race a 29er again, it’s just nice to be back on a familiar rig. I’ll lose some of that momentum 29ers are so go at carrying, but gain that acceleration and quick handling that comes with little wheels. I do most of my races in the southeast, it’s twisty and technical here. That means a 26er should suit me just fine. I’ll have a lot of equipment changes this year, not just wheel size. Shimano instead of SRAM, the new Magura instead of Fox, full sus instead of a hardtail…..I don’t think anyone of these comes with a penalty and I’m quite excited about all of it.
5. Schedule changes. I’ve been very focused on 24s for the last few years. Trying to fit as many in as possible. Not this year. This year my racing will reflect the goals above. I’ll start with a few XCs, then move into the NUE Series, and then toward the end of the season I’ll do one or two 24s (hopefully with some new found speed to bring to the game). I think I have the logistics down to be successful at the 24s, but I want to be better physically. A new approach is needed and some humility while I get beat up in the short races for while.
Happy New Year and good luck to everyone out there…