One and only!

This is the one and only time out of the year that my equipment closet looks like this. (All the clothing is clean)
2012 race year was good and over the last month I have enjoyed the rest and time off.
Now it is time to look at what is ahead for 2013 and start the legs moving again. Hopefully it is a good snow year so I can get some XC skiing in.

US 24 Hour National Championships

The countdown is on to this years main focus- a big 24 Hour Solo Championship. I know that I am ready physically and I am going to give it my all. Thanks to all my supporters and sponsors throughout my year.

Sponsors:
Cannondale Factory Racing
Cold Spring Granite
Sram
Lights and Motion
Bell
Giro
Powerbar
Stan's No Tubes
Oakley
Great Harvest Bread Co.
Craft
Michelin Tires

Follow me on Facebook as Angela will be updating along the way.

Acclimating to the Altitude

Getting ready for the US National 24 Hour Championships, family and I headed to Estes Park to hang at altitude. It was absolutely great!

Stan's No Tubes

Getting ready for the big race, and pulling out the big guns. Thank you Stan's No Tubes for your help in setting me with some new wheels. Very light and even Ti! Check them out.

Enjoying a little recovery!

Wear N' Tear

It is that time of the year when not only my body, but my equipment too is starting to feel the demands from training. Many tires later it is time to put some new rubber on again. Thanks Michelin for your continued support. Now I am up and ready to hit the road for the last day of the last big block of hours. Thanks for joining me Ben.

A canceled World 24-hour MTB Championship...

I along with the cycling community are very upset and in disbelief to learn that the World 24-hour MTB Championships has been cancelled.  I (along with many others) have trained long and hard all year in preparation for this race while my family has sacrificed time together to support me.  Saying that I am upset and disappointed is an understatement!  I have put money, planning, energy, training, and resources towards this race trip (over the last year) that cannot be undone. Also, I have received much support from my sponsors, family, and friends--THANK YOU.  I want to finish my 2012 racing year by putting my training into an elite level race.  How can I do this...I can go back to Colorado Springs to compete at the 24-hour US National Championships.  The money, planning, energy, training, and the support I had for World's will now be put towards Nationals with high expectations.  Thank you for your continued support as race day is 45 days away.

Wausau 24- 2012

The Wausau24 event for 2012 entailed a 12 hour solo fitness test. I went to the race with the mindset of riding harder than I normally do in a 24 hour event for the first five hours.

Six hours into the race.

On the last lap (number 13) and in the lead. I kept the hammer down staying consitant with lap times.

Finished with a total ride time of 12:18 completing 13 laps for a total of 143 miles.

All cleaned up and ready to step on the top of the podium.

Now this is one great crew. Thanks to my wife, Angela, for managing the team. Deegan was there for the smile support!

I went to Wausau to check on my fitness; I would say my fitness is right on track for September.

Not do or Die...Die or get home!!!

Many would say that I was out of my mind last night!! Maybe rightfully so, but I knew what I was doing.
I made the call at 4:50pm that I was going to get my training ride in. It was going to be a little adjusted with the weather and the rest of the crew not making it, but that was ok. Of all people to show up though, you can count on Ben Nemeth. Ready in minutes we were on our way to what we thought was going to be a quick 45 minutes because of what the radar looked like. 1.5hrs in we still hadn't been hit with a single rain drop. We skirted the storm for the duration until it was time to head into the storm to get home. I called back home and Angela said the sirens were going off and she said don't come home now. No big deal, we rode out a little further and then decided to head in as it looked like the cells were heading further North. Not until we were less then 4 miles from home did we get wet. Wet is an underestimate, we got soaked but I rolled in with a little over 2 hours in one of the worst predicted storms in a long time. I would say Ben and I did well!!

Reading TIme

Here is a picture that was taken not too long ago of Deegan. He is growing and changing so quick now; it is so much fun.
The main point of the picture is Deegan wanted to show the Cathedral High School Nordic team how much he loves his books. Deegan, Angela and I were given these as a gift from all the kids on the ski team a couple months ago as they recognized my time and effort I put into the ski team. The CHS kids picked out some of their favorite childhood books for Deegan hoping that he enjoys them as much as they did. I have to say, he really likes his books.
 Yes, coaching does take a lot of time especially when we travel to races on an overnight but it is worth it.  What a great bunch of people to be surrounded by.  Like all the other things, like working and training, going on in my life, all is made better when I get to come home to this...

For the bike and training update all is going well. I have some exciting news coming up and also I have decided to grow up and ride some big boy bikes this year from CANNONDALE!

Deegan Williams Schroden

Deegan's Room with my paint job
My wife at 30 wks pregnant

Holding my son, Deegan

Angela and Deegan a few hours after a natural delivery

Born 10.27.11 @ 4:48 A.M.

3 weeks old

our Miracle