Southern X recap

Last weekend I went down to Georgia and I was lookin' for a soul to steal. I was in a bind and way behind and wanting to make a deal.....

It was the first annual (I know that's dumb when people say that but this event was great and it will absolutely be back for years to come) Southern X Epic cross race. It was held at Mulberry Gap which is just outside of Ellijay, Ga. It was upper 40's and raining when we started and the rain did let up but it was still quite treacherous conditions. We took a  "true cyclocross" loop on the grounds of Mulberry Gap to start which included a creek crossing, 2 run-ups,  a paved short hill and a muddy tall barrier. 

I had decided before the race that I just wanted to have fun and not ride my guts out. I knew that I had a better chance of enjoying it if I stayed with my friend Adam for accompaniment and to not overexert early. 

After the cross elements, we descended a gravel road that was beside a beautiful stream that was almost tempting us to stop and just look around. We were toward the back of the riders just knowing that the climb would be long and difficult so we figured that we'd probably grab a huge chunk of the field going up it. and that's precisely what happened.

We hit the bottom of the gravel road climb that was pretty steady  with it's grades for the first 3-4 miles. The road conditions were nice and we were riding a nice tempo and passing people like they were standing still! 

After a good 30-45minutes of solid climbing, we started thinking, this will be over in a bit, but no way! The road got steeper and sloppier and it became brutal! There were times where we were in our 36-27 and barely turning over the pedals. It was nasty. We hit some dense fog up towards the top of the ridge that was 20 yards or so of visibility. I must have said 4 or five times, "this has to be the top". When we finally did hit the top, a guy that we had passed earlier caught back up to us and I made the decision that I didn't want anyone to pass me for the rest of the ride. So he and I went down the descent together. 

It was a cool descent! The gravel roads were relatively dry and the only real issue was that my brake levers were rather difficult to get to in the drops. I lost the guy I was with, a little more than halfway down and proceeded to catch 3 more people before the "wall".

When we came back to Mulberry Gap, they had us scramble up this hillside that was never intended to be scaled. It would have been difficult without a bike on your shoulder much less after 3 hours of riding in the mud and rain! I caught one more guy before the finish. It was a blast! Next year I know I'll ride a bit more aggressively at the beginning and see how I can do. 

Thanks to all those who put on the race and for those of you who didn't come, get ready for next year! You will love it! Check out the recap on cyclingnews as well.

Also, we went to Poole's Barbeque after. It was nice!

The weather outside is....

Awesome! Adam, Janos and I went for an unintended epic ride out to Lake Hope. We went on some great frozen over gravel and dirt roads for preparation for Southern X on Jan. 24th.

Race Report USGP: Louisville

Goto the Floridacross Blog to see the photos

I raced this past weekend at the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross in Louisville, KY. I was so excited about this race, not only because it was my first cross race with more than 20 people entered in my race, but also because I was getting to stay with my college housemate Ben Chisman and his family, who live just outside Louisville. Also, my other college housemate, Dom Fuhrmann and his family  plus my father-in-law Don Pratt and his foster kids were going to come out in support of me.

 The course started on the road and after 200m or so, took a left turn onto the grass. It was all on the grass and had a good amount of twists and turns but still some good sections for passing. It also had; 1 set of barriers, 5 sand traps and 1 Green Monster. They only changed the course slightly for Sunday and it had little effect on the flow of the course. 

Saturday, I started on the 5th row in position #46. I had a sub-par start but quickly started to work my way up on the 1st and 2nd lap. My race was 40 mins and I needed all of them. I crashed approx. 5 times, of which only 1 or 2 were by fault of my own. The other crashes were caused by traffic getting in my way through some of the technical sections. I finished 15th out of approx. 70 riders and I was very pleased, considering where I started. 

On Sunday, I was under the logical impression, and a apparently misinformed race official, that I would start on the 2nd row and position #15 due to my finish the day before. I'm not the best starter, so I felt like this would be of benefit to my race and I would defiantly finish in at least the top 10. Well, having been born under a bad sign, this did not happen. They again started me on the 5th row and in 46th position. I didn't know they were starting us in the same spot until we were at the start for the call ups. This really bothered me and got in my head. To make it even harder, right after the start we turned onto the grass and I dropped my chain. I immediately went to the very back of the race, dead last! Well, I gained my composure and started working my way up. I only crashed once when a rider went down right in front of me in one of the sand traps. I felt really strong the whole time and did my best to move up as much as possible. I finished 16th. 

There were so many people cheering for me by name that I thought that there must have been another guy on the course named Hank who was close to me. It was awesome! Next year I'll race the Elite race and really get my butt kicked, but I'll defiantly have a big support crew!

Here's a video, that is not from me but at about 2:30 you'll see me in the red jersey and hear Don yelling for me. Thanks Don.

  

wood chops

lunge w/ rotation

Streamlined Lunge

Dryland Swimming technique

Hard at work

Sorry it's been so long, but obviously I'm hard at work. More to
come......

The video

watch the slideshow that Carrie made of this weekend

Sweet Home Alabama Cross

Last Sunday, the wife (Carrie), the friend (Adam Newman) & I drove from Destin, FL to Montgomery for the AL State CX champs. We arrived at Fain Park to find a hill, lots of 180's, some mud and two run-ups.

Adam raced first in the B's and did much better than the previous day in Tally. After a few laps I handed off the pit responsibilities to my dad, who came down from the Ham to watch and help, so that I could get ready. Here's where I made my first mistake. Always pre-ride the course! Here's why.

The first lap of my race was fine. I was in contact with the first group and sitting in about 4th or 5th comfortably, which was my plan. On the second lap, I was approaching the mud pit and decided to take, what I thought, was a more conservative line. I was very wrong. As I cut across the mud, my rear wheel caught one of the ruts and put me down on my left side. Normally in cross, you expect to go down a couple of times, so I got up and went to remount my bike. The rear wheel wouldn't move at all. Also, my right brake wouldn't move. So I released the quick release on the brake and rode to the pit with only a front brake. I lost at least 1 or 2 minutes trying to get going. I grabbed my spare bike and went on hopping to get my main bike back after Adam and my dad got it working. Well this never happened.

Turns out the rear right seat stay failed going through some ruts in the mud and I went down! It really sucks because I really loved that bike. Fortunately none of my support crew told me this during the race b/c they knew I'd be pissed. After several bike exchanges, including one onto Adams bike (which has the brakes switched), I finally realized that I was MINUTES off the next guy and I was dead last! My crew was able to accommodate my request for a beer while riding and this became my secret weapon.

I caught three guys in the last two laps and ended up 5th place. Photo's are to come

1100 miles, no waffles, some mud & tons o fun!

this past weekend we (me, Carrie & our pal Adam) drove to Tallahassee for the second stop on the Florida state cyclocross series. We drove up Friday night and stayed at the well used la quinta inn. We vetured our way to the race venue on Saturday morning and found all the usual cross suspects were there. Adam & I gota good look at the course and understood that it was going to be a tuffy. It had many wonderful elements including; a paved uphill start/ finish, some great single track sections, some stairs to run-up, an off camber turn, super fast descents, a sand pit, and more!

My race went pretty well. I had a decent start and didn't get caught be hind any real mess ups in the first lap. I was with a couple of guys for the first two or so, and then on the third I had a slight gap on the doods behind me. Paul Kavan, who is an absolute monster was right ahead of me and I was feeling ok. I was told at be halfway, that I was in third. I knew that I didn't have a lot of ability to move up at that point but I still needed to ride clean to hold third. In the last lap, someone told me that Paul had a flat. I inmediatly gassed it to try and catch him. Well, karma kicked in, and I crashed hard into the barriers with 300 meters to go. When I went to remount, my rear wheel wouldn't move! I had the shoulder the bike and run for dear life!

Paul too was running and it became an uphill footrace to the line. Paul got in just ahead of me and then fourth place came screemin' in just behind me. It was a finish for the ages.

I'll right about our trip up to montgomery tomorrow.

Livin' Large this weekend

Me (Hank), Carrie and Adam G. Newman are headed to Tallahasee for the second stop on the Florida Cyclocross Series. It should be a good race given the terrain of the area. Hopefully it will rain, sleet, snow, be windy and humid for our races, you know, to make it cross worthy!

After the race we're headed to Destin to see my mom, sister and the kids. Hopefully Adam and I will get a chance to hit McGuire's Irish Pub on Saturday night! It's always a delight to show a new person that place.

On Sunday, we head up to Montgomery, AL for the Alabama State Cyclocross Championships. I hope I'll be able to race well aginst my cx bretheren from the old country, but we'll see. I'll post some photos and updates as they come

More to come

I know I've said it a million times but this time is different. I'm going to be better about updatng my blog. So feel free to criticize me if I don't follow through.

Sum Up 2007...... Thus Far!

Well, I got married to Carrie Pratt on March 31st in Tampa Florida. It was an awesome time. All of my best friends were there with a few exceptions. I was married in traditional Scottish attire. The Prince Charlie complete with family Kilt! My father was my best man, and my closest mates were grromsmen (also in Kilts!). Carrie and I had more fun at our wedding than anything else we had ever done. We only wished it could have lasted longer. The photo slideshow is below
http://robertburgephotography.com/show/hankcarrie/

I also started working at a new bike shop. Florida Bicycle Sports. It's a great shop that specializes in performance cycling and triathlon gear and services. Check us out!

The racing scene has been slow due to the Life/job change. I am still training, but lighter than usual. I have been holding off due to our 3 week honeymoon in France and Scotland that is in July/August. The next post will be a whole story and photos from that trip.

New Years Crit in Orlando

team Chainwheel Drive pulled out another 1-2 in Orlando yesterday. Brant Speed and I drove over after each having rung in the new year, on Sundsay night. We decided to race in the Category 4-5 race in order to score points towards our Cat. 3 upgrade that we are going after this year. The race started out relativly normal with your usual yahoo's in the race that are sketchy in turns and do not know proper race etiquette. There was no real strategy being played out by anyone, and our gameplan was to try and make a break with 5 laps to go in the 15 lap race. Well..... on lap 4 or 5, the race announcer said that their would be a prize for whoever won the next lap. Halfway through the 3/4 of a mile lap, Brant Speed (BS) said to me, "Do you want to go after the preeme?" To which I responded with, "Why not!"

I surged to the front and took the prize and then found that their were only 3 of us at the front of the group. The guy with BS and I said, "Do you guys want to keep working?" "Nah, it's too early," I said. Then BS said, "Ok let's go". SO we took off. We then dropped the other guy within the next half lap and we were on our own the whole rest of the way. In the last lap we decided to just go side by side to see who would have the best drag race to the finish. Well, it was BS who did and I took second on the road once again.

I will have my revenge though. Cyclocross season is upon us in Florida ans I know that I've got sweet skills!!
Here's the link to the photos
http://www.yourpictures.biz/gallery/2300286/16/120265217
check this one out

December Updates

Man oh man, It's been a while. I know some of you's are gonna be mad for the long delays between posts, but I'm busy! So shut up. SO far since my last post, I've won a cross race in Georgia, finished third at a ross race in Georgia, gotten back on the track and found that I still have decent fitness, but still am having trouble getting up and staying up in the mornings.

I'm really working toward being consistent this year with my training. I have found that the only real time to put in some miles is in the morning which will require me to go to bed early all the time. I sure am glad that Carrie is going to marry me in March, but I'm going to put her through the ringer for these next couple of months with my devotion to my training.

Here are some objectives for the upcoming year; 1) Get married, 2) win Gasparilla 15k, 3) have fun at Citrus City Cyclocross series, 4) win Morton Plant Triathlon, 5) Get to some ITU races and get results, 6) have the best year ever as a coach.

This should be fine I can do it.

Cross season in effect

This past Sunday, my co-hort Brant Speed and I participated in the first official cyclocross race for the season in Augusta, Georgia. Team Chainwheel Drive was able to pull out a 1-2 finish in the "B" race.

The course was awesome! Just as I had hoped, it was cool (in the 50-60's) and rainy and the course was steep ups and downs with many technical aspects to navigate. At the start, I was able to spend the first lap (of 6) sitting pretty in third position. On the second lap I took over the lead on a flat grass section, only intending to take a pull on the front of our group of three. After going through the most technical aspect of the course, which was a steep set of barriers, I found my self with a bit of a gap to the chasers. I held the lead, riding patiently, and steadily put time between myself and the chasers. I was able to ride conservatively and took the win.

Amazingly, my teammate, Brant Speed, was able to go from being in last place on the first lap, to second place at the finish. He rode awesome, and was gaining time on my the whole race. This was very impressive considering that this was not only Brant's first cross race, but it was also his first off-road race!! He was incredible!

We had such a blast at this race and met some cool people who we will hope to see again at some later season races. Check out www.georgia-cross.com

Santa Rosa Island Triathlon

Hey folks, I forgot to publish my summary of the SRI TRI from a few weeks back. I finished second to National team member Brian Fleischman, who pretty much demolished the course.

I had a rough start, where my goggles were knocked loose and filled with very salty ocean water. I swam blind the whole swim and tough that I was right with Brian. Turns out he was way off the front. I had a terrible bike ride on the way out. For some reason I just had no power going out on the out-and-back bike leg of the race. After I made the turnaround though, I was firing on all cylinders and chasing guys down. I came off the bike in 5th I think, and immediately caught two guys in transition. Then I was able to run down two other guys before the turnaround point, halfway through the 5k run. I knew I couldn't make up the huge deficit to Brian so I was able to put the engine in cruise control and high five my niece Emma at the finish. It was cool! This was a good way to end the triathlon season for me. It was a great race and a blast to participate in. Check out www.sritri.org

Busy Sunday for Team Campbell

Last Sunday was quite full of events. I raced the Sand Key Triathlon in the morning and won the event. I felt really good and under control the whole time. The bike course was awesome! Bev Buysee setup a nice course that had a bit of everything. It went over the Sand Key and Memorial Causeway bridges twice each. It had some nice fast straightaways and some tight technical turns in downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach. It was a delightful deviation from the all too often, "out and back" courses that we always have to race on. The run course was also a fun adventure. Bev had us on pavement, grass, sand and even a nice dirt path. All of the run was within Sand key Park so the spectators had ample opportunities to cheer for the athletes. It was a great event that should grow big time in the future! Visit http://www.trithisinc.com/results.shtml

In the afternoon on Sunday, I raced the Suncoast Road Race in Venice. I finished 2nd behind my Chainwheel Drive teammate Brant Speed. We went on a breakaway half way through the 12 lap race and put a good 2:30 between ourselves and the main pack. It was awesome! I bonked on the last lap and fought my way to the finish line with Brant a good minute ahead. I was finally exhausted from a tough but fun day. visit http://www.floridacycling.com/USCF/DataAccess/RaceResults.asp?RaceID=200&CategoryID=5

Carrie spent the day at the Bucs game where Chris Simms had his spleen ruptured in a loss to the Panthers. Carrie spent the rest of the evening t the hospital covering the story. What a weekend!

Here comes the Fall

Well after an unusual summer of racing with both ups and downs, I slowly make the transition to the "Off-season". This past weekend was big for me. I won the Sand Key triathlon and then on Sunday afternoon, I finished second behind my teammate and break-away partner Brant Speed, in the Venice cyclefest Road Race (cycling). It was a blast but man was I shelled after it was all over. The next big event for me is the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon in Pensacola. It's going to be great because that is where my sister has moved to a few months back. Please check out another blog I'm working on called floridacross