Tuesday, September 29, 2009

off season.

2009 was an interesting year for me. Not so much racing, but so much I've learned from mistakes I've made and just pointers from good people. I realize that you don't really need a coach to get good at racing or whatever...you basically just need to know what to do. I know for sure that if I get a coach, I would hate cycling and just racing in general. Why? Probably because if I get a coach, I'll feel like cycling would be a job instead of what we do now...ride for fun!

2009 was definitely a tough year, but overall I think it was a great year for racing. Even though I didn't race much, I still have a bronze medal that says "state champ"; made okay money first time racing track and actually enjoyed it for the most part; and of course...I learned A LOT. I also found out that I like to sprint against the top sprinters we have in Las Vegas. Who doesn't like to go fast? Seriously...

Most recent race we've done is the Mount Charleston Hill Climb and USA Crit Finals...

Mount Charleston Hill Climb was definitely a good turn out this year. We have a couple guys out there who decided to do it fixed and they did so well, they were able to eat at the top and watch the rest of the people suffer through the final climb.
There was some head wind and cross winds but not as bad as last year for sure. Nearly 300 people came to participate and everyone enjoyed the scenery like always.
I ended up not beating my time, but I'm glad to have done good enough for how much training I've done on the hills this year. Didn't do much and maybe that's why my knees started hurting when I got to the top. Terrible! My knees don't do very well in cold weather :\

USA Crit finals was fun too. Lots of people came to cheer, watch, and enjoy the race. The course wasn't as bad as last year and Vegas did real well. I know we took cat 2/3 and Masters...I'm not sure if we took Women's or Industry but that's definitely good enough. It was hot and the last turn was definitely sketchy. It's one of those turns where you feel like you have a flat but you don't. You just have to go through and hope your tire stays on the ground. Overall, I think the race was awesome. I just need to upgrade next time and race with people who can actually ride a bike. Luckily, there weren't that much crashes this year and I'm just happy to not have to deal with it again this year. I'm not quite sure where I finished but my team mate ended up taking our race. Definitely the way to finish this season!

And now...Off season! Time to party and leave your bikes behind, but unfortunately...I can't do it. No road bike lately though, just been with the track bike trying to get used to it and eventually, when I get my TT bike back, I'll be riding that too..
WELL...Be safe everyone! No need to crash and get into accidents. We have next season to train hard for and do good, so let's keep getting motivated!


time for some foe d's!



-chcuk.

MS 150


The MS150 is coming up, I'm hoping to see a good amount of people repping the HOC kits. Time to start training!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Monday, September 21, 2009

Eye wear

Oakley Radar XL Blades to protect my Keratoconus



-Joe

14 Fresh New Grout Colors

Way random but we came home from a ride one afternoon and the wind blew this piece of packaging right in front of my feet. And yes, I was wearing my MAPEI jersey...



-Joe

Sunday, September 20, 2009

3 Stages





Oh yeah, and on Thursday night (the same night of the HOC crit race), our buddy Chuck is going to be racing the World Crit finals. Good luck Chuck!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009



Hello! My name's chcuk and I will be posting my shit here now. I'm a cat3 in road and just started racing track this year. This year's been kind of rough so don't judge me. I'll do better next year so more interesting shit will be posted starting next year. For now, Mount Charleston Hill Climb is on my list. So is that Mandalay Bay crit..
It's been super nice out lately and I'm kind of excited. Interbike is coming up and everyone's gon get fucked up and cum everywhere. Allover the world champion on Wednesday and I can't wait.
EVERYONE GET OUT THERE AND RIDE! take advantage of this "nasty" weather. It's ALMOST like California weather... realllllllll "shitty."

Anyways, this is me introducing myself. I'm actually not crazy at all. Just got done riding my bike and I'm a bit high from it.
okaybye.


-chcuk.

Montana. Who wants to go?!

Beartooth Pass, MT






As seen on rapha.cc

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Candy














Interbike event

Lars Boom!



Saskia was stoked about this one... a fellow dutchman. (Lars Boom winner of Stage 15 of the '09 Vuelta)

Friday, September 11, 2009

Randoms

From this year's Giro d'Italia










(pics from steephill.tv)

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Rainier at the Giro di SF

rainier_cat5

found on http://www.flickr.com/photos/samp/

Monday, September 7, 2009

Giro di SF Recap

























Good times all in all. I had a great time with Saskia, Critter, and some other friends watching the crit races around Levi Strauss Plaza. The elite cat 1/2 race was intense. After the first 3 laps (out of 55 laps), there were 2 riders that broke away and stayed away the WHOLE time! Only on the final lap did they get caught by one rider, but in the end one of the leaders still held on to take the win. Super fun to watch. Couldn't think of a better way to spend my "labor day". Surprisingly good burgers after at the Ferry Building. Maybe they tasted better than usual because of the alcohol that was consumed =).

-Joe

Presidio

Friday, September 4, 2009

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Giro di San Francisco


So I sold a brand new Lazer helmet to this guy Naveen from sffixed and he happened to be a real cool dude. Talked for a minute and realized he was a fan of HOC! He also mentioned he raced with the Freewheel guys and for Metromint (metromintcycling.com) and that on this coming Monday September 7th, the 35th Annual Giro di San Francisco will be taking place. I'm looking forward to checking it out! Come out and watch if you're in the area!

Race History

"Il Giro di San Francisco began life as the “San Francisco Gran Prix” and was started by George Pagni of the San Francisco Columbus Day Celebration Committee in 1975. The race moved to Lake Merced for 1976-77 before being renamed “Il Giro”, Italian for “The Tour”.

The race moved to the northeast part of the City in 1978, with a course that included many of the same streets used by the current San Francisco Grand Prix, as well as a descent down the bricks of Lombard Street! In 1979 and 1980, the race took place in the North Beach Area, with both editions won by a young Greg LeMond, who would go on to win three Tours de France.

Il Giro moved to its present area in 1981. Tom Simpson and the Peninsula Velo bicycle club worked with the CDCC, and then brought in Velo Promo to run the event in 1980.

The race remains under the direction of Robert A. Leibold of Velo Promo, and is organized this year by SOMA Beverage Company, Metromint Cycling, and Lombardi Sports."