2014 Season Overview

    The 2014 Season was a season that I was hoping for some big results. I put in a solid learning year in 2013 and was ready to attach 2014. I was stronger and improved my bike skills. There was some big plans in the works for the summer. Goals and expectations were high for myself.

   With school being crazy busy in the Spring 2014 semester I had little time to ride the trainer. I did some running but overall I had a fairly weak indoor training season. The first race of the year would be Barry-Roubaix in March. This race did not go very well but it was still very early in the season. The next race would be Mud Sweat and Beers in early May. This was my first race on the new bike and first true test of the season. This race went well and things seemed to be looking positive. A week after this I went to Brighton for a Tailwind Series race. For me this was to qualify for nationals. This race went fairly well. There was some fast riders in this group. It was still early in the season so I knew things would keep getting better if I played it smart. Toward the end of May I completed the Hanson Hills 100 Challenge. This was a very hard race and it was different from the type of racing that is normal for mountain bike races. It was much much longer. For me this race was something that was on the bucket list and it happened to fall on my birthday so it was special to complete this long race on that day. 

     Right after HH100 I did not take the time off like I should have. I started putting in the work and keeping my speed up. Three weekends after HH100 I raced the Chain Drive Festival in Houghton-Hancock, Mi. The week leading up to this race I felt different and was a little off on my speed. The race went OK but I knew something was wrong. That entire next week I tried to rest up and figure out the problem I race a 5k foot race that weekend and actually ran a PR. The next Monday I went to the doctors and I was diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus. This virus is a form of Mono and it takes a lot out of your system. During this time I was starting to get some coaching help. The day I got diagnosed with the virus was about 3 weeks before the USA Cycling Mountain bike Nationals. I was advised to push through it all and then take time off after to get it out of the system. Nationals came and went. That event was an experience even though I rode horrible

    A month or so after Nationals I was cleared to start training again. I was very cautious about doing to much to quick. I started with some easy running and got on the bike a few times a week for short amounts of time. I was advised to worry about putting in miles instead of speed workouts. The time leading up to the Copper Harbor race was a joke. I did little training that was not organized at all. Right after Labor Day weekend in Copper Harbor I sat down and made a legit plan. That included all types of rides that I was advised to have. I started doing longer road rides on the weekends and within a few weeks of this plan my riding improved. I was putting down times on the speed and hills that I had never done when I was healthy. My confidence for Iceman was improving and I was feeling great about what was to come. I had about 5-6 weeks of solid training before Peak2Peak and Crystal Cross. That weekend was a warm up for Iceman and for me it was a speed test to see what my legs could do. That weekend went pretty well. The following three weeks leading up to Iceman were a challenge. The weather in the Soo was very wet and school was starting to control my life. I did what I could with the training and tried to be fully rested for Iceman. Iceman was hard this year. I did not race a smart race and it cost me in the end.


      Overall the 2014 Season was very challenging. It really shows that even when you think you are looking to have a solid season, one mistake can haunt you for the rest of the season. Once I got the virus it gave me time to think over what I was doing with my life and why I was doing all this training. I couldn't answer some of the questions that I once was able to answer without thinking. Racing bicycles is something that I am so blessed to be able to do and I wouldn't change my experiences for anything but there comes a time when one has to rethink about why they are doing something. I don't know if it was the illness talking or what but there was a good two or three months that I was really sick of training and doing all the work that comes along with bicycle racing. Now that the season is done and I can take time off the bike it is time for me to be away from the sport for the winter and enjoy the challenge I put in front of my self.

   All summer I had the idea of trying to run track and field again at the collegiate level. Well this is happening. The Monday after Iceman I started track practice as a team member for the first time in 4 year. I'm not expecting much from this other than getting in some quality off season training and learning new things that I could add to my cycling training if I choose to continue for 2015. As of now I plan on racing in 2015 but I am not sure how much. I will try and hit the bigger races like Iceman, Ore 2 Shore, Peak2Peak and a few others. Next summer I will be completing my internship and depending on that will depend on what I will be doing for 2015. I'm getting things lined up for next year with the mind set of racing.


   I need to thank everyone who helped me throughout the 2014 season. Between my sponsors, family and friends this season went smoother because of you all. I wish I could say I had a killer season but realistically it was a very tough season in every aspect.

Thank you all:

Breakaway Bicycles of Muskegon
Thank you for your continue support when I live 6 hours away. You guys helped with any bike problems I had and get me set up for every challenge that I faced this summer

Mom and Dad
I could have not done any of this without you support. You both allow me to continue me to chase something that many other would see as a waist of time and money. After all the years of racing motocross and running you are both helping me do this racing thing. I can't even begin to repay you for any of it. Love you both so much.

Squeak
You are my cheerleader at all my races. Even though I don't get to see you much I appreciate all the support you give me. You keep me training hard because I don't want to let you down. I hear stories about how much you brag about me and I need to live up to those stories.

Hammer Nutrition
Thank you for all of your support this season. The feedback after each race report was encouraging and I am so happy to be supported by such a great company who support grass root athletes like myself.

Friends (to many of you to single out)
You all have helped in some form or another. Buddy has came to all three Iceman's I have raced and been there through all types of weather. Huge thanks to you all.

Crank Brothers
Your pedals lasted all summer. Such a great product. They got put through all types of riding and never disappointed me. Thank you for the support in 2014

Schwalbe Tires
Your tires are the best on the market and they have helped me become a better rider. With your tires on my bikes I have more confidence and I feel like I can attack all types of course without having to worry about flats. Thank you for your great support.