The last couple years I have taken the approach of waiting till the weather turns to really start training on the bike. I don't think there is any reason to try and get quality miles in when the weather is so unpredictable like it can be here in Madison. So I wait and do other things to try and stay in shape, run, lift and ride to work as much as I can. Of course as soon as the weather gets any better, even though it will probably snow again, it's time to start training for real.
Although I may not have been training on the bike outside the last couple months, it doesn't mean I haven't been preparing for the 2015 season. We have been working hard to figure out gear, racing schedule, and all of the other logistics that go into trying to bike race at the highest level.
I couldn't be happier with how the things are looking for the upcoming season. We have a great team of supporters. The 5Nines/Motorless Motion Bicycles/Cannondale team looks like it will have its best season yet.
First off, I'm very happy to be once again teammates with my good friend Corey Stelljes. The last few years we have both worked hard to improve ourselves as bike racers. Having someone with similar goals to train with and talk to is really great. I know we will be able to work together to win bike races again this year!
Last year was my first year working with Brian Matter as a coach. I think I made important gains with his training philosophy. And like Corey, it was great to have someone who is very familiar with what it takes to be a successful athlete in your corner. I will be working with Brian and Momentum Endurance again in 2015/16 and I think we will be able to make more progress in the coming season!
I have always been a bicycle nut and I love gear and the latest components. I want to be totally confident in my bike and my gear. We have carried over some awesome partners for 2015:
Again for 2015, Borah Teamwear will be providing us with some of the best custom clothing out there. Feels good (literally, their clothing fits awesome) to be riding in jerseys made right here in Wisconsin. Not only that, Borah is awesome to work with. Their custom program allows you to easily get a great looking jersey, and the whole crew is friendly and easy to talk to. Not to mention their turnaround times are the best of any custom clothing company I have worked with.
Another returning sponsor for 2015 is Sport Crafters. Based near my home town in Indiana, Sport Crafters produces some of the most innovative trainers and rollers in the industry. The "Overdrive" drum turns adds magnetic resistance, which classic rollers lack, allowing a rider to do short intervals. These intervals on rollers are a great way to improve pedaling efficiency and balance.
The best trainer out there, Sport Crafters Omnium. The Omnium folds up into a package small enough to take on a plane, or not fill up a loaded down car on the way to a race.
And yes, those pasty white legs belong to yours truly.
We are excited to have three new companies on board for 2015, POC, Lake Shoes, and NOX Composites. All three represent some of the cycling industry's most cutting edge products. We couldn't be happier to be partnering with these three for the coming season!
We'll be riding NOX Skyline rims. Super light, wide, strong and they set-up tubeless perfectly. Can you ask for anything more?
POC makes some super sweet helmets and riding gear. Our new Octal helmets are well constructed, ventilated, and light. Plus the new "navy black" looks pretty awesome.
I won't write too much about our bikes set-ups now, they deserve their own posts, but I will say it doesn't get any better then my 2015 Cannondale Scalpel, F-Si and SuperSix EVO. These bikes are amazing! Enhanced by the best components and wheels out there!
I couldn't have been happier with my SRAM XX1 components the last two years. XX1 gives such a wide range of gears while still being super light and the shifting is spot on every time. This year even better with a new lighter and stiffer direct mount ring, and in all black!
A sneak peak of the new full suspension race rig. My favorite paint job yet!
So what races am I going to be doing this summer with all this sweet gear? Once again my primary focus will be the largest state mountain bike series in the country, WORS.
We're so lucky to have such a great, professionally run series right here in Wisconsin.
Outside of WORS, I'll be looking for results at the triple crown races, Ore To Shore, Chequamegon Fat Tire 40, and of course, my favorite, the Iceman Commeth Challenge. I'll throw in some of my other favorites as well, Snake Alley Criterium and Wisconsin State Championships.
All in all I am so happy and thankful for all the support from so many great companies and people. I know 2015 is going to be my best season yet and I couldn't do it without all the support. Thanks everybody!
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