Coaching Tip from Brian Conant

"Most of you probably know this, if not:

If the barrier section is slow going into it, or you are doing a run-up, once setting the bike down, do not immediately remount.  Instead take 4-5 sprint steps to get some speed back up.  That way when you remount you will have some momentum.

Also, before dismounting, shift to an easier gear.  This will allow you to accelerate back to speed quicker.

Cross Rules!!!"

Thanks Brian....

Nerves

I just got my training schedule for the next couple of weeks.  I'm feeling kind of sick to my stomach thinking about doing the intervals, that's a good thing I think.

Practice

I missed this one but looked like a great turn out.   Mark has the appropriate socks on but what is that gearing??  53/39, shame shame not appropriate cross rings.   Alister is still the teacher of the day, looks smooth as ever.  What the hell is Josh demonstrating there?  See you all this Wednesday I hope!  

Cross Clinic

Only 13 more days till the Chicago Cylocross CX clinic featuring Ben Turner, and co sponsored by us truly.  

Let's all welcome Sam to the addiction. Hello Sam, hello sam's new bike!

New Ride

second practice

Good times out there again at James Park.  This week we had Roman, Jim, Me, Mark, Josh, Ernie, and Alister.  First time Josh was back on the cross bike in awhile, but he doesn't seem to have forgotten much.  Roman managed to have the first and second crash of cross practice, Myself, mark and Alister almost rolled tires off, I broke the first barrier of the season attempting my weak ass bunny hop, the skills are coming along great.  Check out this tree roman smacked up.  We also had a fashion clinic for Mark, who isn't training for his first tri and will be wearing appropriate footwear from now on.  Come on out and join us next week, I'll be  out of town but Mark has the barriers.  Cheers!
 

First

Today was filled with firsts for the year...first cyclocross practice, first time over the barriers this year, first mass start, first time cornering on wet grass in the rain, first time boxing someone out in the corner, first time feeling my both my tires just barely break free at the same moment in a corner, Jim's first ride on the new cross bike, Jim's first ride on tubulars, damn good day if you ask me.

Jim, Roman, Mark F, Alister, Cliff, Scott, and I did an hour over at James park.  Did some starts, some tempo, lots of barriers, felt like just enough.  Alister is a master on the cross bike, I need to get some video tape of him before he and Laura move back east.  My barriers seem short, maybe it's the grass that makes them look low?  I think I'm going to jack them up a bit, better a bit high then too low right?  That begs the question are we even going to have barriers any more?  I heard there will be barriers at Jackson Park, but haven't heard about any other courses for the Chicago Cyclocross Cup.  Any word on that???  

Wow that's the most links I've ever done, that is a pain in the rear.  Not so many next time, just wanted to try then I didn't want to hurt any one's feelings if I left someone unlinked.

Cross Practice

Here's the link to James Park, see you at 6:00 Wed.   

Practice, practice, practice

Jim's new ride.  

CROSS VEGAS

I'm in!  Cross Vegas 2008, hopefully Mike and his boys get in the Elite Race.  

Stocking up

It's beginning to look a lot like cross season at the Pony.  Redlines and Cannondale's flowing in, tubulars, carbon wheel sets, chainrings, guards, eggbeaters everywhere, and lots of pvc shavings on the ground.   Is it time to start cross practice yet?  I can't remember when we started last year.  I am riding a singlespeed 29ers spot belt drive bike off road, so I'm counting that towards cross practice.  

 

Cyclocross Magazine

IT'S HERE!!!!  IT'S HERE!!!!  COME AND GET IT!

Cyclocross Magazine

I can remember when I first heard there was going to be a cyclocross magazine.  I have never jumped on and pre subscribed to a magazine I have never seen before, but had it been an option I would have punched the lifetime membership button.  What a great sport and I am all for supporting a magazine that dedicates itself to Cross.  So.. when recently emailing back and forth as to "where is the 3rd issue man!" they have suggested  "why not carry it at the store?"   So long story short we will now have Cyclocross Magazine in stock at The Pony Shop.  I will post as soon as the 3rd issue is in, which could be today!  

Compton Wins Short Track National Championship

Katie Compton, four time cyclocross national champion,  took home the national championship sunday in the short track on this tricked out Primas Mootry.   Naturally she rode 29" wheels with Dugast 1.8 sew ups, can't stray too far from the roots.  I raced a crit in Evanston today, maybe I should have rode the cross bike, or at least Dugasts.  I've strayed too far to the dark side, but I did ride MTB with the trail boss on Friday.  Getting out to Palos was such a relief from the road, and power, and intervals.  The ride was especially nice since I had just gotten a new ride, Spot longboard, 29er singlespeed with belt drive.  So simple and quiet.   I almost can't wait for the fall so I can get out there every week once the shop slows a touch.   

Team Helmet

Thanks to J.S. and all the people at Bell for keeping us safe and comfortable for the 2008 Cyclocross Season.  We'll be sporting the Bell Sweep in style.  I hoping for this one but I don't have as much pull as Cancellara or Thor.    Next year!  

Tires!

First shipment is in house.  Challenge Griffo's in 32 and 34, and Challenge Griffo XS's in 32's.  I'm hoping to get through the season on 3 sets of tires baring any issues or flats.  One pair of the XS's, one pair of std, 32's and either the new Fango from Challenge or the DuGast Rhynos, which I have in the basement aging.  I want to open a store that has a walk in humidor filled with Tubulars.   That would be sweet.

Brush Up

Who knows what these are?  OK, I can't keep a secret these are a couple hundred acid brushes waiting for some gluing action.  I have my secret stash of brushes, glue, tape, valve core extenders, aquaseal sidewall sealant, rubber gloves, and a couple dozen cans of pit stop repair sealant set aside.  Tubies are on order and should be in by the end of this month.  I will have Challenge Griffo and Griffo XS's in stock in both 32's and 34's.  I also hope to have the Challenge Fango Mud tire in stock as well, although I haven't seen these in the flesh just yet.  It's possible that I will have a select number of Dugast Rhynos in if the Fango's don't come about.  I thought a lot about the FMB's again and got to practice my french in emails back and forth with Francois, but decided that for the cross racing we do that the Challenge's provide a tire that will work well.  They are durable and not overly expensive. 

If you have any gluing needs please feel free to email me or stop by the shop.  I am happy to store your wheels at the shop if you need gluing until your select tires are in, this allows proper time for cleaning the old glue off the rim, stretching your new tires, and then the gluing process takes about 3 days to complete.  I glue dozens of tires every year and have refined the process I use over the last ten years.  Hope things are well, and I hope everyone has cyclocross dreams, I always do but that could be from inhaling too much glue before bed.

2008 Chicago Cyclocross Cup

The Chicago Cyclocross 2008 Series schedule has been announced, as well as the schedule there are some new start times as well.  There will be 10 or 11 races in 2008!   Wow, getting a bit nervous already.  Between Cross Vegas, a couple wisconsin races, and nationals, that makes a very busy fall.  

Are you getting ready?

Tip from Brian at BSC Coaching:  "Cross is just around the corner.  If you are not racing the road, now is the time to get serious and start training.  Start those LT's.  --BSC Coaching."  Contact Brian at bconant@msn.com now to get set up on a plan for Cross season!  It's not too late......now is the perfect time to get rolling.