Friday, January 14, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Jeremiah Dyer ponders from across the pond
Jeremiah Dyer ponders from across the pond
What is the secret?
How does one get fast - really fast - at riding a bike? Seriously, ask anyone who bike races and you will get the same answer: BIKE RACING IS UNFORGIVING!
Yes, it is true. Whoever came up with the idea to train your body to the brink of exhaustion and then go ride circles in a snow-covered cow field when it is 15 degrees and raining was a little demented. Throw in massive amounts of beer, cigar smoke, and the Flemish-cult-mentality-spectators and you have plain and simple insanity.
My pilgrimmage to the Euro 'Cross Camp has not exactly gone to plan. The airlines have still not found my bikes and bags, and I missed almost a week of training, but the biggest blow was watching the first World Cup from the sidelines. I have been very fortunate to have bikes loaned to me thanks to Jonathan Page, who allowed me to get back to what I came here to do.
I did a local race on Christmas day and finished 15th. This local "B" race drew almost 40 juniors. I almost rode into the top 10 before locking up my front wheel on a decent and crashing as a result. I felt better in the race than I had expected and enjoyed the course, although certain sections resembled an ice skating rink.
Something I have learned since my last Euro trip with the mountain bike team is that being a bike racer is frustrating, requires patience, and will on occasion have you think the world is about to come to a grinding halt.
Does anyone other than me wonder how many times a day Jonathan Page thinks about the three seconds that separated him from the gold medal at the world championships in 2007? How do you find three seconds when you are already that fast?
What is it exactly that makes these Euros so fast? What is their secret? How does one become great at a sport that can be cruel and unusual?
The reason I race my bicycle and will continue to race my bicycle does not have to do with some elaborate plan to become world famous. I don't race my bike because it is a fad (and no, I don't own a fixed gear). I certainly don't race my bike because I want to be filthy rich. I don't race my bike because it starts conversation with girls. I don't race my bike because looking like a T-Rex with a farmer's tan is stylish.
The reason I race my bike is much simpler than any of those reasons. I race my bike because it is what brings me to the basics. It's a process of slowly making one's self stronger everyday and is satisfying and real, but nothing more. It's the singular focus of riding a bike fast, commonly described as tunnel vision, the zone, etc.
The reason we are spending our Christmas break in Belgium is to "re-learn" how to race our bikes. No, it is not very glamorous to race cyclo-cross in a country where it is practically religion, but I've found that we learn more in the races we lose than the races we win.
What I've learned here is the reality is that the "secret" is - that there are no secrets. You just have to go harder than you can possibly imagine and not make a SINGLE mistake!
Jeremiah Dyer
www.JeremiahDyer.com
www.JeremiahDyer.com
P.S. - I want to thank everyone who is responsible for me being here: family, friends, sponsors and competitors.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/euro-cross-camp-viii
Friday, December 17, 2010
Check out what's stopping CSC for 2011!
For 2011, Champion System/Cannondale is partnering up with Formula brakes. The team will be running the Formula R1 setup.
Check them out:
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Champion System-Cannondale rider Jeremiah Dyer heads to Euro Cross Camp 2010-2011
Champion System-Cannondale rider Jeremiah Dyer selected to attend US Jr-National Team Euro Cross Camp for 2010-2011. It is the eighth year that Camp Director Geoff Proctor is taking young American cyclo-crossers to Europe to gain more experience racing in and near Belgium. The opportunity gives them the chance to experience cyclo-cross at its highest level with races at two World Cups. They'll also get to compete in several national-level events.
Euro Cross Camp VIII Race Schedule
Wednesday-Friday, December 15-17: Riders travel to camp
Saturday, December 18: Lichtervelde
Sunday, December 19: UCI World Cup-Kalmthout
Sunday, December 19: Maldegem
Wednesday, December 22: Team Training Race (Ardooieveld)
Saturday, December 25: Beernem
Sunday, December 26: UCI World Cup-Zolder
Sunday, December 26: Balagem
Monday, December 27: Super Prestige-Diegem
Wednesday, December 29: Azencross GVA-Loenhout
Thursday, December 30: Sylvester Cyclocross-Bredene
Saturday, January 1: GP Sven Nys GVA-Baal
Good luck Jeremiah!
Check out the links below to view the complete lineup for the 2010-2011 Euro Cross Camp
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Montrek Watches
Check out Montrek watches.
Thinking a Môntrèk Diver Watch would look just as nice on the golf course, basketball court, or hiking trail as it does in the deep blue sea? You aren’t alone. We have packed enough fashion and features into our men’s watch collection to ensure there’s an appealing style for everyone, whatever their favorite pastime. And we were pleased to find our commitment to a wide appeal did not go unnoticed when our watches hit a chord with the Cannondale Bicycling Team, of which we are an excited sponsor! Some of the strongest, most talented athletes of our time, the Cannondale team is reaching new heights with determination and dedication in their hearts and minds, andMôntrèk Watches on their wrists!
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