Rather than limit entries to Cat1-2 riders for a National Championships USAC has a give us your money and you are in policy of qualifying. This means 200+ riders in the Masters fields. Where you start has a lot to do with where you finish in these races so you would think a lot of thought would go into figuring this out. In the past there has really been no effort at all to even address this until last year. In a shocking display of proactive problem solving USAC devised a time trial to determine start order. It had a few detractors but in all honesty did an excellent job of sorting out the grid. Now your starting order was something you could actually have a say in. Problem solved right? Um ya…

So now USAC says they will be using a ranking system using “an innovative algorithm” to rank riders. WTF? I am pretty sure no one in Colorado Springs know what an algorithm is much less how to use one. Here is the biggest problem with this whole mess:

To ensure as fair and accurate a process as possible, USA Cycling is requesting all cyclo-cross race directors to submit results to USA Cycling in an accurate and timely fashion.

If you live in a state like UT,OR, CO where cyclocross is for the most part not held back by USAC how are your races being counted, if at all? Here in UT we have an amazing and growing cyclocross scene partially because we do not have USAC and their officials screwing up our events. Some of the the things we have here are. Fast accurate results, happy racers not getting yelled, quick and easy registration. Which based on what I have seen at the road races I have done the last few years are unheard of at USAC events.

USAC is a giant parasite on cyclocross. They funnel millions into a moribund track program all in the name of the Olympics all while shitting on cyclocross. Hell, the Olympics don’t even care about track cycling. Cyclocross should get as far away from USAC as soon as possible.

If you have any doubt how much USAC direspects cyclocross racers think about this. When asked why in god’s name they are moving Cyclocross Nats to January (in friggin’ Wisconsin), USAC dip shits said it was so our riders (who they don’t support) would be better prepared for Worlds. Bullshit, if anyone other than Jonathan Page and Katie Compton had any interest in not getting lapped at worlds they would be in Belgium slogging through cow shit all season with the best riders in the world, not doing dirt crits here beating up on Steve Tilford (no offense to Steve, who is awesome).

When I heard that my pal Dave Harward from Plan Seven Endurance Coaching had become certified with BikeFit Systems I knew I had to pull the trigger.

After getting some baseline measurements Dave had me pedal easy as he looked at my position and set up the laser (yes he has a frickin’ laser) and asked me lot of questions about my riding style, position etc.

I was surprised that one of the first things he did was raise my seat and move it forward. Actually I had my suspicions that I was low but have always slammed my saddle all the way back assuming that was where I needed to be.

Once we had the saddle where it needed to be Dave began to ask me about my feet, shoes, and cleat placement. I was surprised to find that my cleat was way far forward on my MTB/Cyclocross shoes. After trying a few different shims we arrived at a position that had my feet very flat and neutral in my shoes. I had never really thought about it but until now there was a lot of pressure on the balls of my feet and no surprise I would get hot spots there on long rides. I really could not believe what a difference this made.

Installing The Shims

In the end I raised my saddle almost an inch and moved it forward almost a centimeter. Normally this would be a lot to change all at once but given my general slackness and lack of miles this season we decided to move it all at once. The very first ride I did later that day was a weeknight MTB race and I was very pleased that the slight knee pain i had been feeling in the dirt was completely gone. I know one ride does not mean much but I am very happy with the way things felt. No hot spots in my feet and no knee pain. I will post an update later this summer and let you know how things are feeling.

So i guess it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks. If you have been thinking about a bike fit and are in the 801 give Dave a shout at Plan Seven. If you are not lucky enough to live here see if there is a BikeFit certified fitter in your area. Do it.

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A few twists and turns aside this video below gives a good representation of what to expect on Saturday. I rode with Jason Sager and Matt Ohran last night, we all agree this will be a classic course. Be ready to dig deep. No one is gonna fake their way around this circuit.

There can be only one…

Don’t get me wrong I fall in that lame victim trap too and I am grateful when people call me on it (did it yesterday in fact). I like to think I do it less than I used to when I was young and dumb(er).  Don’t cheapen the effort of those who beat you. Celebrate their success, be happy they are making you raise your game.  As you shake their hand, in the back of your mind you should be plotting how you will beat them next week. Ya, deal with it.

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I gotta admit i have not been too excited about Pro Road Racing theses days, for a variety of reason. Anyway despite all that I am stoked that Thor Hushovd is now world champ! I think Cadel had a really great year in the rainbow and rode with honor and grit. Other than Jens Voight I really can’t think of a better man to represent for next season. Would love to see Thor swing his War Hammer to the top of the podium at Roubaix next year. Vaughter’s should read this to the team before the Classics next year.

War Hammer

When the Northern roads call
In echelons we’ll ride
for honor and glory
God of Thunder at our side

All the greats who went before us
their blood’s in the stones
We grovel in the gutter
it shakes us to the bones

Raise up your glasses
Brothers in Pain
With stomachs of anger
We ride till we win
We ride for the glory
Swing Hammers of War
We ride for the Thunder
We ride for our Thor!

Nationally Ali Goulet dominated the USGP Master Series and finished out the year with a 3rd at the National Championships. Dr. Kris Walker came through in a big way at Nationals and defended her National title in a photo finish. She then followed that up with 26th in the Elite race, bad ass. Other rides of note at Nats, Bo Pitkin charged from a 108th starting position to finish 17th in the stacked Masters 35-39 race. Dayna Deuter and Jennie Wade both had rides that were hindered by bad luck and their final placing was by no means an indication of how well they rode. Same with Bob Walker and Mike Kracht, they went big.

The Champ!

In the end wins are nice and all but the true measure of the season is the friendships forged both with team mates and rivals. Across the board I could not think of a finer group of people to hang with then my fellow Big Ringers. I am proud to wear the colors with them. For me personally, on paper it looks like I had an easy time of it, I won a lot of races. Let me just say this, I turned myself inside out every week and I can’t remember a season where I was pushed so hard by my competitors. Every week was a toe to toe slug fest. Every time I train this winter I will remember how hard those guy pushed me.

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Forgive Us!

Happy Friday The 13th Brothers and Sisters.  If you recall the fine folks at Real Cyclist.com offered a sweet deal on a sweet bike if we could podium at the Boulder Cup.  Well the forces of the small ring won that weekend and we did not deliver.  Being the forgiving souls that they are, our pals at RealCyclist.com are giving you the faithful reader another shot at the same deal 50% off a Rocky Mountain Solo CXD Cyclocross Bike, and they have sweetened the deal by adding 30% off on all Castelli gear as well!

Our very own super hero Ali “GoGo” Goulet is on his way to defend his lead in the USGP series in scenic New Jersey this weekend.  If he lands on the podium then you get the deal.  The only catch is you must join the RealCyclist Facebook Fan page. It is really that easy.