Big Makeover For MAC’s 2010 Cyclocross Schedule

You probably don't realize the warm fuzzy feeling I got from reading that headline in my twitter feed this morning. For one, it's a signal that cross season is almost here as organizers are starting to prepare their races schedules. Two, it means my favorite sub-culture of the sub-culture of cycling is growing, meaning bigger better races closer to my home. Here is the link to the article online

With that being said, the MAC series is the premier series for cyclocross riders in the mid-Atlantic seaboard area. This year they've expanded by leaps and bounds to include more races. Both the Charm City and Grangue races are full weekends and they have inclued the Whirly Bird race near Philly on the calendar this year.

What does this mean for me? It means that I no longer need to drive 5+ hours into the Northeast Kingdom for big races every other weekend this winter. Focusing on getting good results in the MAC series, along with the third round of the USGP, means that I shouldn't have to drive more then 2.5 hours for some high quality races with big fields of riders. However, I am still planning on going up north at least once (probably for the Providence race or the Cycle-Smart classic) so I can hang with the boy and girls of the Richard Sachs team (they'll also be at the USGP in NJ and at Natz).

Stay safe out there!
Captain Crunch

Gold Mine Rd.

Yesterday me and Jim went all the way over Gold Mine Rd. for the first time in over a year and a half. That ride is never easy no matter how much training you have in. Coming off a week of recovery I was really ready to hit the road hard. On the way out we faced a nasty head/cross wind. Working together we made it to Tower City in 2.5 hours even.

That's when things started coming undone for Jim. Climbing back from Tower City on the last two climbs I was able to put about 30 seconds on him in about 5 miles (half was climbing the other half descending). We regrouped at the top and began the 35 mile journey back home. The whole way I could tell he was starting to bonk. With 10 miles left I decided I was going to put the hammer down (ala' Spartacus style) and see what kind of gap I could get on Jim.

I was able to put 4 minutes into him in less then 10 miles. I was suffering, but then I thought if I was suffering Jim must have been suffering more. Overall it was a great ride. I'm glad I got it out of the way and know I can still climb the big mountains. That first mountain ride of the year is always kind of scary as you never know how your body is going to respond. My body has been good to me so far this year and I'm hoping that carries over the the impending cyclocross season.

Thanks for reading!
Captain Crunch

Spring Training update

With no road racing this year there isn't really much to talk about. I can tell you that I am riding better than ever in the spring. I laying down some of the fastest times I ever have on my usual training rides. This bodes well for the upcoming CX season which is the reason for all the riding I'm doing!

See you on the road!

Captain Crunch

Long Term Goals

In my last post I discussed some of my goals on the bike regarding cyclocross. Today I'm going to write about some goals I have off the bike. If you've been following this space for the last 6 months you know that I'm engaged in a volunteer work, more specifically a Bible education work, that is very near to my heart and that I am giving up road racing to be able to spend more time in this field.

My goal regarding my volunteer work for the next year is to put as much time I can into it - even if this comes at the expense of my road training. I'm never going to be a pro cyclist, so while I love riding/racing my bike, there are bigger things in life. This doesn't mean I'm turning my back on cycling all together, but focusing my training on a discipline that doesn't require the same amount of training as road racing.

My long term goal is go to a special 6 month school, called Gilead in Patterson NY, where I will learn how to be a better teacher of the Bible. After the school concludes I would then be assigned to a foreign country to help teach others about the Bible. This won't be anytime soon, as the average age of the student is 30 and I'm not even eligible to apply yet.

The sport of bicycle riding/racing is a beautiful one (the most beautiful ATMO) and I love it. There is no replacement for the feeling of freedom being on two wheels gives you. I'm not going to lie, this month has been hard as I have watched other racers discussing their plans for the first races in the coming weekends. Though an added benefit of giving up road racing is more energy for 'cross.

But there are things in life that are bigger than us that must be focused on. I don't regret for a second my decision to give up road racing. My true career isn't in bike racing, but is in helping my fellow man.

I sincerely thank you for reading these last two years (has it really been that long?) and I hope you will continue to do so. There are big things on the horizon both on the bike and off. The Adventure is only going to get better - I promise

Thanks for reading!
Captain Crunch (aka Joel Ankeny)

2010 Cyclocross goals

Hey Guys,

As you can see to the right my 2010 cyclocross racing schedule is quickly coming together. I'm trying to do as many UCI races as possible so that I can race against bigger fields and with better racers. As we get further along in the year promoters will start to release the official dates and I can finalize my schedule.

At this point I can get in two Saturday races and one full weekend (Sat and Sun) at this point. I'm arranging it so that I can do two full weekends and one Saturday race for a total of five racing days each month. My goals for this year are:

1. Win a CX race

2. Upgrade to Cat 3 before the half-way point of the season (I could now, but I want to do some more B races) and continue to get good results in that cat.

3. Continue to build my relationship with the Richard Sachs and his team (which leads to my long term goal...)

4. In two or three more seasons be racing for the Richard Sachs Cyclocross team. This isn't your ordinary team. Bike racing isn't just a job for these guys. They race because they truly love their bikes and being together as a team. I'll never be a pro, but I love racing my bike and hope to do this with Richie and the gang as an official part of the team in the near future.

Thanks for reading!
Captain Crunch

The New Season Is Upon Us

Maybe it's my freshly shaved legs or the smell or new tires that has me deliriously giddy for the new cycling season. If you would have asked me even one month ago if I wanted to take a 5 hour endurance ride up to Fort Indiantown Gap, I would have told you forget about it and that I probably never want to ride that long on a bike again. That inevitably happens every year at that time. Then about every year at this time that feeling goes away and I start craving those long Saturday afternoon rides into the mountains and those blistering fast 2hr weekday rides with Jim.

With March knocking on the door already and the time change coming up in a matter of weeks, I'll soon be back to a full training load of around 200 miles a week. But my first event isn't until August this year (the Nightmare) and the real season doesn't kick off until September with the Charm City Cross double race weekend (UCI races to boot!). Looking ahead to the next 10 months of 2010 there are some big things in store, namely going to the CX Nationals in Bend in December, and a week-long trip to Boulder in August.

So sit down, strap in, and hold on, because this is going to be best year ever!

Captain Crunch!

It snows 2' and what do I do?

Go riding of course! Sorry the blog has been a little quiet. Just not much to write about since the cx season ended. Today was some great training as it was just like riding in sand. And it was the first time out for my "new" Rolf Vector Comp wheelset.