Jesse Anthony

Louisville, catching a view of the front.

It’s been a challenge to keep up with all the travel now that we’re in the heart of the ‘cross season.

I had a breakthrough race on Saturday in Louisville, KY at the USGP Derby City Cup.   I found myself in the lead group after everything was sorted out during the first few laps.  For the meat of the race, I was following Ryan Trebon and Tim Johnson as we ramped up the pace and then backed off the gas throughout the laps.  I accelerated few times to shake things up, but I wasn’t able to break up the race at all.  With a few laps to go, the attacks started to get faster and longer, and I couldn’t hold on with 1.5 laps to go.   I finished in 4^th place, very excited to be involved in the race at the front.  It was the first time this season that I broke 7^th place, and I felt stronger than I have in a long time.

On Sunday my legs were not quite as good.  I made a big push to make the front group again on the first lap, but I was really feeling the effort of the day before and slipped to  8^th place at the start of the 3^rd lap.  From there I rode a  7 lap time trial, chasing the chase group, and trying to stay ahead of a group of riders chasing me.  I was really hurting, but had enough gas to hold my place all the way to the finish.

It was a great effort and I feel like I am making great steps forward in building my fitness.  At some point I know I’ll probably have to take a step back, but for now I’m happy to see my hard work pay off.  My biggest goal this season is to work toward the national championships in December.  I’m confident I can build up great form by then and I would really like to cap this season off with a good ride at nationals.

This weekend is going to bring us some epic conditions in Boulder, CO after they got dumped with snow this week.  It’s going to be sloppy for sure, so keep an eye out for photos!

Boulder Cup/Blue Sky Velo Cup Kickoff Party at Sports Garage

If you’re going to be in the Boulder Bubble on Friday, Oct 30th, please stop by and have a beer with us at the Sports Garage on Spruce!
Flyer

Toronto, beautiful weather, fast grass.

Who needs a mechanic? I have an Oakley backpack to haul my equipment around with me!

Arriving to the race in style.

Well the weekend is just winding down, and the racing here in Toronto is still fresh in my slightly worn-down mind.
First of all, I have to explain that the weather was bright and beautiful all weekend. The air was crisp with temperatures close to freezing in the early morning, and between 45-50 when we raced. That made being here a pleasant experience and it always helps brighten the mood when warming up and preparing for the races.

Saturday’s course was about 40% flat, twisty, tight corners, and 60% weaving up and down a little ski hill. It would be a little hill for skiing, but for a ‘cross race it was a BIG hill. Even though it was all hard-packed dirt or dry grass, I used my mud tires because I felt like they were gripping really well in the corners and it was all about traction.
I got a solid start and settled into the lead group which was about 7 riders for the first few laps. I think it was the 3rd or 4th lap into the race, Jeremy Powers crashed hard trying to remount after the barriers. I guess I was really focused on getting over the barriers cleanly and remounting, so I didn’t even pay attention to what was going on in front of me. As soon as I remounted and clipped in, I looked up and his bike was right in front of me. I kinda bailed off my bike which when down in a tangle while I went rolling toward the other side of the course. I didn’t get hurt, and thankfully Jeremy was OK too, but man that was a shock to the system.
I chased back up to the leaders, but began to feel the effects of the big climb. I fell off the pace as Tim attacked on the 4th lap, and from there I rode a time trial to the finish. I crossed the line in 7th place, and I was very happy with noticeably improved fitness over the last few weeks.

On Sunday, we raced a much flatter, more flowing course, again on dry, fast grass. This time I got the hole-shot and led the first part of the lap. It was the first time that I’ve lead a race this year, and that was an exciting little episode. Again, I started to lose the speed after a few laps and was caught and dropped by a chase group of 2. I settled into my familiar time trial mode and kept up solid lap times for most of the race. with 2 laps to go I was caught by one other rider and stayed with him into the last lap. He got a small gap on me halfway through the final lap, but I was coming back on him and almost caught him in the last few corners. Unfortunately, I completely over-cooked a fast, off-camber corner and hit the ground hard. I was a little beat up but OK, and I rolled across the line once again in 7th place.

I was really happy to see a lot of hard work pay off as my legs are slowly coming around. I rode two consistent races, and I’m really happy about that. I gotta thank all the fans who came out this weekend and cheered us all on. There was a very enthusiastic crowd both days, and it’s always encouraging to race in front of people who care. So thanks for coming out and supporting me, I really appreciate it!  I also want to thank the Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com team for letting me camp out with them at the races.  It’s always fun to be chilling with friends and racing bikes.

Next weekend I travel to Louisville, KY for one of my favorite weekends of the year. I love ‘cross season, traveling from one great even to another!

Why the Italians are so fast…

I figured out tonight why Italian guys are so fast, it’s the Tiramisu.  I walked to a really nice Italian ristorante from my hotel here in Toronto, and enjoyed a delicious dinner.  I finished it off with tiramisu, and it was just amazing.  That, in and of itself, is enough motivation for me to go fast tomorrow.

But I have even more motivation because I’ve had a great week, and I have been thinking a lot about racing.  I had a few days off early in the week, and then got the legs tuned a bit for the NACT races this weekend.  We have a bunch of cool races coming up on the schedule including one of my favorite race weekends, the Louisville USGP.  There’s not much I can do about my fitness or results right now, but I’m going to give 100% in training, preparation and focus for these races.  Hopefully that will make a difference.

No matter what, you know I’ll be having fun!

And speaking of Louisville, how could I forget this desert shop last year?

mmm, deserts!

If you’re injured in the North Shore

I just got my back straightened out at Cape Ann Physical Therapy . Jodi is awesome and has been keeping my back in shape during the ‘cross season since 2004. I couldn’t race ‘cross without her, honestly.
Everyone who’s done a ‘cross race has experienced that crazy pain in their lower back. That’s because cyclists’ core strength is non-existent. When you dismount and remount your cross bike you twist your pelvis and lower back and flex the muscles around that area in a violent way. Do that over and over again and the muscles there become imbalanced, pulling your lower back into a permanently twisted position. This, in turn, hinders your legs from receiving equal and full power, and that makes the problem worse as your back tries to over-compensate.

Exactly how your back gets twisted.

The way I conquer this dilemma is to 1, have Jodi adjust my sacrum and pelvis in line almost every week, and 2, keep a regimented core workout going throughout the season to help my back keep itself in line. Over the years I’ve worked up to the point where I more or less keep myself straight, but I still need a little tweak once in a while.
Anyway, if you’re in the North Shore and have any type of cycling or other related injury, please give Jodi a call. She’s also helped me through 2 bouts with tendinitis and a broken wrist. Cape Ann Physical Therapy