Schedule Change

Due to arrangments at my new home I will not be able to make it back for the Farmersville road race on the 14th.  However, I am entering the Millport road race on march 28 and then Fawn Grove Roubaix on April 5th.

Stay Warm!

Captain Crunch

The Countdown Begins

Less than three weeks until the first race of the season (Notice the countdown clock to the Farmersville Road Race on the right).  It is a nice rolling loop of two laps and about 25 miles long.  I have been hitting the training extra hard in preparation for the season.  This time last year I had barely 100 miles on the odometer.  Currently I'm already at 200 and change.  Being the first race of the season everyone will probably be at the same level (unless that is they have been cyclocross racing all winter, but I don't think I have to worry about that in my category).  

Because this is my first year with a racing license (and first year road racing period) I am in cat. 5.  This is the beginner class.  Packs are kept smaller to reduce the risk as most rider in this category (including me) don't have a lot of experience riding in a tight group.  I can ride comfortably bumping shoulders with Jim, but doing that in a pack where you have other racers all the way around you is a different story.  

This week is going to be cram packed as I am moving to my new new home away from home and HQ in Wallkill NY (for three months).  Stay tuned for lots of pictures of my new (but small) living quarters and the surrounding area!

Ride Safe!

Captain Crunch

Here's looking at you Ricardo Ricco...

2009 Schedule and some big changes!

My 2009 racing schedule is just about complete.  It is listed on the right.  The busiest month is going to be August with my first two-day stage race and the Nightmare.  June and September are still open, but I am trying to plan another double century for June. 

 A big difference from last year is I am only entering two TT's (plus one in the August stage race) as I am trying my hand at road racing (I have around 5 this year).  As usual the Nightmare is back for the third year and I am heading up to NYC again for the BikeMS NYC ride.  

One more piece of big news!  Captain Crunch racing is relocating for three months starting Feb. 26.  From that date through June 3 Captain Crunch racing will be setting up shop in Wallkill NY, though my racing schedule back here in central PA still stands.  I will post lots of pictures - promise :-).  

What a season it is going to be - new races, new gear, and new home for 3 months (maybe longer)!  Between my first race on March 14th and BikeMS NYC in October the 2009 season is going to fly by.  If you want to come out and cheer me on during any race, please leave a comment below and I can get you more information on race locations!

Keep the rubber side down!

Captain Crunch

Prelim France plans

Be sure to explore the links I have as well!

Saturday July 18

Depart Newark airport for Geneva, Switzerland (CH)

Sunday 19

Morning - Land in Geneva CH

           Transfer to Grenoble, France by TGV (French Rail Service)

Afternoon - Meet with Cycling Classics guides, transfer to hotel on Les Duex Alpe, assemble bike, go for a spin ride

Monday 20

Ride the Alpe D'Huez, Croix de Fer, Col du Glandon, Les Duex Alpe.

Tuesday 21

Ride from Les Duex Alpe to Duingt France at southern end of Lake Annecy to hotel - 112 Miles total riding.  Includes the Col du Galibier,  Col Du Lautaret, and the Col du Telegraphe

Wednesday 22

Ride to Grand Bornand to watch the Tour de France (TdF) stage finish.

Thursday 23

Ride to Annecy to watch the riders warm up and depart for the TdF TT (Time Trial).  This is going to be a very important stage depending which riders are where on GC (General Classification or standings).

Friday 24

Morning - Transfer to Vacqueyras at the foot of Mount Ventoux

Afternoon - Ride up Mount Ventoux

Saturday 25

THE BIG DAY.  The tour arrives at Mount Ventoux and the mountain will most likely crown the final victor for the final ride into Paris tomorrow afternoon.  I will be perched on the side of the mountain with millions of other fans (seriously, it's going to be that many) and  I have something special up my sleeve to get on international TV (more on that in a later post).

Sunday 26

Morning - Transfer to Paris via TGV

Afternoon - Watch the big finish of the TdF and see the final victor crowned on the Champs-Elysées.

Monday 27

Morning - Mid-afternoon - Visit the Louvre art muesum (for a history click here)

Late Afternoon - Bike tour of Paris

Evening - Night bike tour of Paris.  This promises to be an awesome experience and includes an one hour boat ride on the Siene River, and see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, Hotel de Ville, the Musée D'Orsay, and other Paris landmarks  fully lit at night.

Tuesday 28 

Depart Paris for Newark/Home

B2B ride/France

     After much thought it looks like the Harpoon Brewery to Brewery ride 2009 isn't going to happen for me.  With my trip to France being moved up from September to July, my schedule, but more importantly finances, will not allow it to work out.  I am already planning on making it a priority ride in 2010 to help with my 50 states challenge.  I want to ride in all 50 states and I'm currently at 7 (NY, NJ, NC, VA, PA, ME, MD).  Jim and myself are kicking around the idea of riding to Wallkill again - so I would still get the valuable training miles.

My France plans are slowly coming together.  I will be leaving for Grenoble via Geneva on the 18th of July and be returning to Newark, NJ via Paris on the 28th.  I am planning on spending Sunday afternoon and all day Monday in Paris seeing some the sights.  Regarding my comments about the tour in my last post check out this video from the Alpe De Huez TT from 2004.

Best!

Captain Crunch

Tour de France bound!!!!!

I am officially headed to France next year!  I have booked this trip.  I had to scale back the size of the trip due to financial reasons.  A week of following the Tour de France is going to be amazing.  I will get to see three stages in the final week (and maybe the finish in Paris).  The stage finish in Grand Bornand, the TT in Annecy, and the most decisive stage of all - the climb up Mount Ventoux.  I will actually be on Ventoux for the stage.  I hear it is one giant party!  For a cycling fan the TdF is the Super Bowl, World Series, and Soccer World Cup rolled into one.  The best part is you can literally run right next to the riders as they ascend the mountains.

I also will be climbing several of the famous mountains of the tour while there as well.  They include the Alpe d'Huez, Galiber, Telegraph, Les Duex Alpe, Croix de Fer, Glandon, Mount Ventoux (the day before the real racers climb it) and several other "smaller" climbs.  It is going to be a truly epic week.

At this point I am not sure if I am going to Paris for the finish or not.  The stage on Mount Ventoux is the day before so I will be very close to Paris.  The company I'm travelling with is putting together a Paris package for those that are interested in staying a few extra days.  I would love to go to the finish on Sunday, and then Monday go to the Louvre and see some of the other famous sites of Paris.

Now the countdown begins... only 8 months left!

Captain Crunch