Spring racing

Last week Sunday, I went up to Gettysburg, OH for a race. Although, I unable to produce any result due to me racing like an idiot (what else is new). It was nice seeing some people I haven't seen in a while like Roger, JayWo, and John. It rained on us while we where there and it was nice to begin to fell my power return.

Today I went to Spring Valley, which is near Caeser's Creek State Park, for a race. The course was a nice change to what most of the course have been this year. The reason being we actually had a 800 meter climb. I was able to keep contact with the main group up the climb. Towards the end, the group was trying to catch a rider off the front. Of course, I lent a hand and rode myself to the point I was unable to contest the finish with the top of the hill at about 200 meters from the finish. I am starting to become very happy how my form is beginning to progress with my power starting to return. Hopefully things are progress really good for coming into some good form towards mid-June.

For school, things are starting to get busy with the middle of the quarter just starting. Unfortantly for me this means multiple homework assignments, mid-terms, and a senior project presentation. I am looking forward to three weeks from now when it will all be done.


Below is some pictures from today.

Earthquake?

So, apparently some people felt the earth shake here in Cincinnati earlier this morning. I slept completely through it and I am actually disappointed by it. I know I am weird. At times, I have thought it would be cool to go through an earthquake that doesn't do any damage to property just to experience it.

On the bike, I got forced to take an extra rest week when I developed a cold after the Vandervort's Corner race two Sunday's ago. With it raining last Sunday, I opted to skip racing and concentrate on getting over my cold to be able to concentrate on training this week. This week, I began my shorter intervals to make the final process of getting ready for the hard racing of the summer. Today, I was so happy to get out mountain biking for the first time in over a month. I went to England-Idlewild for around 3.5 hours of riding time. My back took a beating over the 3.5 hours, but on the upside I am noticing an improvement on my technical skills. This Sunday, I will be headed to Gettysburg, OH for a race.

For school, I have only 53 days till I take my last exam of my undergrad degree. No, I am not counting down. I am looking forward to finishing with times I don't look forward to finishing. The days I don't look forward to finishing are days like today. Its really nice out, I don't have many classes, and I get enjoy the nice weather (I bet I am making some of you jealous). Next week is the first round of mid-terms hopefully they go well, especially the Electronics II mid-term.

Lastly, I have missed being on campus in the spring over the last 3 years because of co-op.

Ciao

Yea, school

Not much to report, this time around.

With one of classes down for the quarter, I am beginning to see the workload starting to pile up. Although it isn't too bad as yet. I started to test my senior project last week and working out all of the bugs of it.

I went racing Sunday. With Texas Roadhouse missing only one guy from their squad, I tried to find myself in the move by watching everything early but my body could take it quite yet. Its too early in the year for me still. My power and strength are improving about as planned.


Ciao

Spring Break

This year spring break was simply amazing. I traveled to Greenville, SC to visit Dave with Justin. As expected, the riding was amazing doing such climbs as Saluto, Ceaser's Head, and Paris Mountain. Unfortantley for me, my rear shifter died on me just before taking off for the trip. So, I had my cross bike along and got some good low cadence work outs on the climbs. Also, during Greenville's Tuesday night worlds at the Donaldson Center, I was able to get a really good high cadence workout in.

To my pleasure, Greenville has some amazing places to eat. This suited us well with the amount of riding that was done. Also, I was able to get out and ride in shorts and short sleeves for a few days which means I am beginning to get my great tan lines back. Also, I was able to recharge my batteries for school while I was down enjoying myself.

I am currently back in Cincinnati getting ready for my final quarter as an undergrad student. I am excited about finishing school and hope this quarter isn't going to require too much of a work load.

Here are some pictures from the week:

The crew at the top of Ceaser's Head















Lunch break



















Celebrating Justin's B-day














View from Paris Mountain looking towards downtown Greenville

11 down, 1 to go

Well, I am now within one quarter till graduation. Exam week just finished today buy I have been done since Wednesday. I am glad to be done with quarter and looking forward to relaxing on the bike during spring break.

I will be starting my traveling for the year this weekend with heading home for Easter. After Easter dinner, I will be headed to Athens to crash at Justin's place before we head to Greenville, SC to spend some time training and visit Dave. I am looking forward to training in SC for a few days. I just wish my rear shifter didn't decide to break on me this week on the road bike. I already have the parts on order to rebuild it (one of the main reasons why I love Campy).

Hopefully I will get a mid week update up to let the everyone know how nice the weather is done there in comparison to Ohio,
Ciao

Yay, white death

So, I have decided to start to blog since I will be traveling around so much this year.

Some major traveling points this year will be Greenville, SC for spring break, Arkansas in early May, possibly Michigan for Memorial Day weekend, Chicago a couple of times in August, St. Louis for Labor Day weekend, Grand Rapids, MI in September, possibly Kansas City (for Cyclo-Cross nationals). All of the traveling is a result of me trying to my racing to another level this year. Although I am looking forward to seeing those places, I am incredibly excited about my trip to Belgium to race and visiting Paris and Amsterdam while I am over from mid-June to mid-July. The trip to Belgium will come days after my graduation from UC with Electrical Engineering degree. I am excited about graduation, and my entering the 'real' world especially with my recent signing on with Turner FMS. It will be a national traveling job which I look forward to to doing.

If you want an explaination of why it got cold in Ohio during the last week of February, just look below:


You are seeing that correctly......I actually won a sprint from 150 meters out. I don't know if these has ever happen on a bike for me. In fact, my UC teammate, Adam, was the judge and was confused by what happened (for those of you who don't know, I am well known for my lack of sprinting capabilities). Too bad it was for a mid-race preme, but I will still take it.


Since the white death has decided to visit us in March, I am looking forward to mountain biking tomorrow to try to keep the cabin fever at bay.



With one week left in the quarter, I will have a busy week of classes ahead of me.

Till next time,
Ciao