Summer cleaning and modeling....

Woke up today and found out that we need to clear everything out of our living room by tomorrow. A little later we need to clear everything out of the fun room because they will be totally redone w/ new insulation and walls like the living room. After that we'll be eating out for a while as our kitchen is getting a makeover also. So today I finally started cleaning my room a litte...which I should have done a long time ago. Craziness....sometimes I feel spoiled in this house and that I don't deserve it.

Well, I have my interview for the Rock Agency in an hour. I've done all I can do to look as good as I can. I've always been good with interviews so that part will be easy. I just need to be what they're looking for. I hope I don't have too much competition either. I want this bad. Lets see how it goes. Wish me luck....

Ciao

Some pics from the Metro Challenge....

Chasing down Geo and Gehling cuz I had a horrible start


Hauling ass thru the single track


This singletrack was easy


Drilling it up the climb


Heading down the Switchbacks

Pasta Carbonara....

I really miss Italy. I need to start making some Italian dishes. First on the list Pasta Carbonara. Its actually pretty easy...all you need:

For the Sauce:
6 egg yolks
Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
Heavy Cream
Bacon

Then you just need some fettuccini pasta. Cook the noodles like usual.

Mix the 6 egg yolks together with the parmesan cheese and 2 cups of heavy cream. Cook the bacon in a pan until crispy. Turn the heat off and add the mixture to the bacon (if you leave the heat on it will curdle the eggs, we don't want that). The heat from the pan and bacon will heat the sauce. After the creamy sauce has thickened, turn the heat on very low and add the cooked pasta to the sauce and heat. Finish the top off with chopped chives and enjoy.

I can't wait to make that. I think everyone at MGM will enjoy the meal. You should try cooking it too.

I don't really have much else to say...other than I can't wait until my interview at The Rock Agency tomorrow. Also tomorrow Dallas and I are planning on a 4 hour ride. Should be a good day tomorrow.

Ciao

6 Hours of MTB'ing is....well...a lot of MTB'ing....

Right now I'm watching the Sunday Night Sex Show with Sue Johanson. She rules....if you want to learn more about her and the show go to:

www.talksexwithsue.com

She told me to tell you to visit the site.

I think I'm going to start up with the blogging thing again...especially because I like the new look of my new template...

OK so yesterday I woke up and thought....SHIT, I have to ride my mountain bike for 6 straight hours today. The race was over at Crystal Ridge in Franklin, WI. The course was pretty easy...and I really liked it. But....6 hours on a mountain bike does hurt. I did pretty well. I placed 6th out of 25 in the field. I did 9 laps totalling 56 miles in 5hrs 43min. Geo got 11th with 8 laps (his brake stopped working for a little bit and then he got a pinch flat). Gehling got 24th...he flatted twice. He was only able to go 5 laps. The course was very turny and there were 2 major climbs and 2 minor ones. The best part was the 3 switchbacks at the end of the lap. So Fast! My legs felt great the hole time, but I didn't want to go to hard seeing that it was my first endurance MTB race. I was happy with my placing. And I didn't have any mechanicals, which was great and surprising. I ate right and fueled up at the right times. Oatmeal cream pies are the best fuel for an endurance race...no doubt. 310 calories per pie...I recommend it. Good race overall...and I think my legs are back...sort of. I definitely overtrained in Italy, which really sucks, but how could you not? I'll get better...superweek will really help.


Geo and I after our 6 hrs of being on a mountain bike...

This Tuesday I have a Maxtest. I hope to hit at least 445 watts and I better. Then in August I have another research study. That one will really see where I am at the end of the season.

Also on Tuesday I have my interview for the Rock Agency. God I hope I get signed. It would be pretty cool to be a model. I enjoy jobs where you really don't have to do much...seeing that I'm pretty lazy actually. So I have everything planned for what I'm going to wear. If I do get signed I'll have a fricken huge ego, but oh well.

Today I went over to the Holy Hill area to watch Ashley ride Cash the Horse. It was interesting and Cash seemed to be a nice and friendly horse. Seemed nice, calm and listened better than a lot of the other horses.


Me and Cash...

Well, on Wednesday Geo and I drive over to Ann Arbor to see some of the Villa peoples. I can't wait to see them. Its been too long. It'll definitely be a good time.

Ciao

What has been on my mind?....

That is a question that I have been wondering for a while.

Well, to start off I got back from Italy on May 10th and I missed it right away. I hate the US. I hate the US lifestyle, the food, and motorists. They're fricken morons and retarded. Don't get me wrong, I missed all of my friends and family, but there's now just something missing and thats Italy. I feel like I belong there and I want to belong there.

When I got back to Madison on May 18th, my body decided to breakdown and have me go through hell. I got some stomach flu thingy. The first night I puked 6 times and had horrible shits. It lasted for 7-8 days. I could barely eat, and I lost 10 pounds in 3 days....thats always nice. I had to take more time off the bike for that....I didn't ride my bike for 5 weeks and that was killer. Lost some fitness. But since that point in time I've been feeling alright....except for the legs.

I only work at SAFEwalk this summer and I barely have any money. I'm doing another research study on the bike, with shocking and stuff, so theres a little bit more income. This Tuesday I actually have an interview at a modeling agency. Hopefully they like my looks and sign me. I think that would be a cool job. I'm also a lazy person and hate working, so the less work for money the better. If that doesn't go through I may get a job at Capital Foods cuz I really need some more money. We'll see what I do. If anything I stop eating and doing fun things. Great....

As for my legs...they have been feeling like complete shit for the past two months. Racing hasn't been going the way I was hoping it would and I haven't really been training. When your legs feel so shitty, you kinda lose any motivation to keep riding. But finally just the other day I went for a ride with Dallas and I finally felt decent on a bike. The 65 mile ride opened up my legs for some reason. The ride even today felt great and I felt like I had power again. Thank god its starting to feel good now...Superweek is in 2 weeks and I want to go for the overall (at least a top 10 if I could). We'll see....

And things have been on my mind definitely as many of you probably have noticed and have asked about it. Yes, I haven't been myself lately...or at least I can tell. I was an asshole last night and drank myself silly. I was stupid and should never have done that. I embarrassed myself and probably was kinda mean to others. More than I usually would. Not quite me. I've been wearing a mask and I don't like it. But I hate talking about it all. I really don't even know what's on my mind. I don't know how to put it into words. Its all scrambled in my head. And I can't seem to unscramble it. I've never been one to really tell what I'm feeling either. Its hard though when you don't even know what to say, or even how to start.

I don't smile as much as I use to, I don't laugh as much, I stare off into space, I don't have motivation for anything, and I just can't think right. I don't know why. This summer has been fun, but again something is missing and I really don't know what I want. Sometimes I feel lonely...actually I've been feeling very lonely. Is it time to finally find a significant other? I don't know. Just someon new to hang out with? I don't know. I've seen a lot of couples out there in Madison and sometimes it makes me a little depressed. Yet, at times I'm happy being single, but I think thats starting to wear away. I would enjoy a cuddle from time to time, a kiss that actually means something, a loving hug. Do I need a woman? I don't know. There's a couple girls on my mind....but: One is taken, one is in Germany, and one I barely know. Those are the only two usually on my mind. But is there someone else out there for me. Thats always the question. And as many of you know...I'm picky. I need a certain someone. Hopefully I find it. I don't quite want to be lonely anymore.

On a brighter note, I have a 6 hour mountain bike race in Franklin, WI tomorrow. First endurance mtb race I've done. We'll have to see how the legs hold and the bike. All I really have to do is beat Geo and Gehling...thats my goal.

Well I better get to bed seeing that I race in 11 hours. We leave at 10am. Lets do this. Ciao....

Long time, no see.....

I think I'm going to try and update this thing in a couple days when I'm finally motivated. Until then....just keep waiting. Don't worry, it'll come. ciao

Winding down....

So I really can't believe that I only have 4 more days of school and then finals week. I'm totally done on Apr 26th. 11 days! Damn. Italy has been so much fun and I really don't want to leave. Even the past week has been a blast with people. Some of them I'm still annoyed with.

Two nights ago I met Kat's mom. She's just like Kat. I really liked her a lot. She took us out for drinks and then to dinner and paid for all of it. I actually felt awkward not paying for my part and having someone that doesn't even know me pay the whole bill. But she was a very nice woman. And she's an author...she's written many a books and scripts for movies. Craziness and cool.

Last night 10 of us drank up on the terrace (mostly just the roof of our villa). It was sweet. Between Dan and I we had 3.5 liters of wine and 250ml of grappa to go around. We didn't drink all of it....but we did most of it. But we had the music blasting and jokes flying and overall it was just an awesome time. I've really been hanging out with the people I didn't hang out with all semester and its kinda nice.

So my training has gotten a little bit more hardcore. 106km yesterday...yes I know thats still not a lot, but I'm working on time and base miles still and thats being in the mountains too. I go a lot harder now though. Yesterday started out crappy...my legs didn't even want to turn the pedals. The first climb was horrible, but then I was on top of my game and the next 2 climbs I blasted up. Feeling amazing. I just needed that first climb to get the crap out of my legs, thats all. Seeing that I really only have one more week to train here I better make it the best. I've improved a crapload since I've been here. By the time I leave I'll have 4000+km in my legs...some good base miles. And I've been become more of a climber, even at my weight and I'm a fat ass. But that will all transfer to the flats of Wisconsin. I'm definitely moving up to a Cat 2 this year. I hope my team helps me out with that.

I'll be able to finally test my strength on the 25th. I have a race over by Perugia. 89.9km mediofondo. 14km of climbing with the hardest climb coming in after 65km of racing. 7km long climb with an ave grad of 4.5% and a max of 9%. I don't see that being very hard. And I know I have over 100km of endurance so lets do this. I know I can break at least the top 50 now. And then I'll even do better at my next race on May 1st. My mom will be watching me, so I better do well.


Its nothing like a Wisconsin race....

Damn, I honestly shake when I think of going home. No more real Italian food, no more gelato, no more 11km climbs, no more 22% gradients, no more MTbike, no more me being in control on the road. Thats the thing I'm going to miss most of all I think. Having the road be for cyclists and for motorists. Motorists here respect cyclists. And I rule the road. I just can't ride in Madison like I can here. And its always lovely passing real pros on the road (yesterday I passed 2 discovery riders and a milram rider). I'll definitely have to come back here some day real soon.

Time to go and get some finaly projects done. I'm almost done with them anyways and they're all due on Wed. And I need to go on another ride, maybe around 4 hrs or so...we'll see.

Ciao ragazzi

Le Cinque terre...

One of the many views on todays journey

First off I would like to apologize for not updating my blog for the longest time...school is starting to get a little busy. So Cinque Terre time:

So today was a day trip with the class to Cinque Terre. Five cities on the west coast of Italy on the Mediterranean Sea. You can hike to each of the 5 towns. A total of 12km. Let's just say it was gorgeous. It made me want to get into hiking and live in Italy. The trail started at 5m above sea level, the highest point was 220m and it finished at 8m. There was 465m of climbing and 457m of descending. It was amazing all day with the sun out and it got up to around 68 degrees.

Walking next to the Mediterranean was amazing. I never thought I would ever do anything like that. I definitely took a crapload of pictures. If you ever come to Italy I recommend going to Cinque Terre and hiking the whole 12km. I didn't put on any suntan lotion as usual and got a nice sunburn on the right side of my neck which just looks hott.


Look Geo...pretty purple flowers

So we did the first leg of 4 with a group of about 10 or so. It took about 1.5 hrs and some people were complaining which was somewhat annoying at times. But it was definitely fun for me. We found a nice place to have lunch. The girls found a nice nature spot to go to the bathroom, two of them stepped in human shit and then smelled up the lunch table. Mmmmm delicious and nutritious. We got to the next city and rested for about 40 minutes or so on the rocks by the beach. We were going to go swimming because this was the city with the best beach! Ummm....no? Kinda sketchy, we'll stay away. I was getting antsy to continue on the hike so I wanted to get going.


Just beautiful!!!

All the girls didn't want to take the next leg of the trail so they decided to take the train to the next city and then walk the last two legs. LAME!!! They thought it wasn't going to be as good as the first leg and they didn't think there was time to do the 2nd leg and then the next 2 after that...well, they were wrong. My friend Dan and I decided to blaze through the 2nd leg. The tourist information said this leg would take about 1hr45min. It took us 48min! Oh yeah we rule...and that was with stops for some good pics.


My good friend Dan and I (look I finally got a haircut!!!)

We caught up with a couple other girls in the next town and they decided to join us for the last two sections. But first bathroom break. We found a nice cafe called CAFE MATTEO (yes I did get a pic of that with me in it, but it won't load so just check my facebook if you can...or I'll show it to you when I get home) and used the bathroom and got something to drink. One problem with the toliet. It was made into the ground. It was not a raised toliet. It was as high as the ground was. Good thing I didn't have to take a shit....but Dan did. I don't know how he did it...but he did his business.

Andiamo...The next section was not nearly as hard or strenuous as the first two. Not as much climbing. We got to the next town and there were some jagged rocks...so we decided to sit there for a while...about 45min-1hr. It was very relaxing. Sarah got in a nap, I took some pics, watched the girls from across the way strip down to their bikinis. We talked and got some sun...mostly on my right side. Time to go (and those girls thought we wouldn't have enough time?).


The Mediterranean on a gorgeous day...the view on the jagged rocks.

The last part of the trail was "Lover's Lane" (Via dell'amore). It was paved and was the easiest part of the trail. It was a nice last relaxing section though. But the legs felt good. I really want to start hiking more.

Overall, I think this was my favorite day trip out of all of them. No tours, no lectures, and no planned itinerary (other than when were leaving). I enjoy strenuous activities and the beautiful view was the icing on the cake.

Ok so as for riding my new bike....I HAVEN'T YET!!!! I'm dying to get it out there and try it. All I've done is ridden it to the shop and back. But what I have felt from it is intense speed and responsiveness. It honestly rides like a dream and is just gorgeous. I can't stop thinking about it. And this bike is staying clean. Thats why I haven't gone out the past few days...because its been crappy outside. But tomorrow I take it out. 70 and sunny :) But first I'm renting a moped with a couple friends and we're speeding over to Fiesole and Carmignano, or really wherever we want. I'll get back at around 2-2:30pm and get on that bike for about 4 hrs....thank you Day Light Savings (and Spring)!

But I'll have to get on the ball here. I have a crapload to do seeing that its the end of the program. Only two more weeks of class and then finals week. :( I have a 10 page myth paper due on the 19th, a travel journal due the 19th, an oral presentation on the 19th, an Italian composition about my childhood due the 13th. I get a take home final for Dante due the 24th, 2 performances for commedia dell'arte on the 18th and 20th, an Italian final on the 24th and a myth final on the 26th. I also have a race on the 25th. And as of right now I have to catch up on some myth reading. Sweet jesus. But hey when thats all done...my mom comes and I get to show her around for 2 weeks. And then I'll be home everyone, I can't wait to see all of you again...even though I'll be crying cuz I had to leave Italy :'(

This weekend I'll finish atleast 3/4 of my myth paper and hopefully my italian composition. I'll probably sit in Ari's Diner (an american diner with delicious food) with Kat and work on our papers. During this time I'm still going to get on my bike and get stronger for when I get home. Sounds like Baumann's training has been paying off...hopefully I'm able to stay up with him. lol. I better start working a little harder.

Ah and I registered for next semesters classes...I'm taking Nutri Sci 320 (an online class), Bact 303, Stats 371, Italian 102, and biking 295. Yes I am taking biking, I'm doing it with Geo, we are going to be the assholes who tear everyones legs off. Should be fun. I have only one class Mon, Wed, and Fri at 11:00am. And on Tues and Thurs I'm done at noon. Pretty nice if you ask me. I'll be able to go biking alot and get some hours in at the trek shop...and not feel too tired after a night at SAFEwalk.

Well, its time to get some reading done...I'll try and keep the updates coming. The next one will probably be on the new bike first ride...not gonna lie. Ciao ragazzi

Bici Nuova!!!!

That is all.... :) :) :)

God damn!!!!!

Wow...I was just looking at some cycling races tonight and I found out something awesome. Since I've been here I've been riding alot. Well, two of the routes I've been taking and most recently been doing alot were part of the 2005 Giro d'Italia. Part of stage 7...I've gone up (both sides actually) the San Baronto climb and I've done the whole Stage 8 ITT course from Lamporecchio-Firenze, up and over Pinone. I may not be as fast as the P-R-Os (at least yet), but I keep getting faster and faster every time I go out. I don't even tire as easily as I once did.


So here's the map of stage 7...


Yeah, that 10% part isn't too bad...theres actually three different climbs up to San Baronto and I've done all of them...this one is definitely the hardest out of the 3.


Elevation map...its the second to last climb...


I ride this route (or atleast part of it) almost every single day!!!


The side they did is definitely easier then going up the other side...

I need to update this thing...

So I'll do it this weekend I promise...Ciao ragazzi

Here's a pic for your entertainment:



Aren't I creepy....

Karaoke rules!!!!

Ok so before I make my lengthy blog about what has happened in my life for the last two weeks, I want to talk about what happened last night!

So last night I was not going to go out...then decided about 45 minutes before everyone was going that I was going too. They kinda wanted me to go too, so I went. First we went to JJ's bar...that was alright...I mostly was making fun of the guys trying to sell roses (3 of them came in during the 20 minutes we were there, so I was kinda getting annoyed with them). Gehling would have been proud...I kinda shut them down the same way, but not as angry lol. Ok so we went to the next bar, Lion's Fountain. We stayed there for about 15 minutes, nothing was really happening there, so we left. We ended the night at Looney's, which is definitely my favorite bar. We were probably there for a good 3 hours. IT WAS KARAOKE NIGHT!!! So I wanted to sing...it was crazy I wasn't nervous or scared at all...maybe its because I was a little under the influence, but sometimes that doesn't matter. We'll me and one of my friends here decided we were going to sing 'Take Me On' by AH HA! We rocked the place and we were the last singers to go for the night...so we had to make it good. We actually got the crowd into and they were singing along like crazy. We got a pretty good round of applause. It was great! I love karaoke so much now. And I'm happy that I'm not as shy anymore. I'm going to find some bars with karaoke at Madison, practice my skills at home with our new Karaoke Revolution (yes call me a nerd, but everyone that tries it loves it). And I think I'm going to start going to Looney's every Tuesday night for some good ol' Karaoke. Got any song suggestions...I dedicate it to you. Last night was probably one of the most fun nights lifes I've had since I've been here.

I need to get on my bike...Its been raining for the last 3 days straight. God damn it...and then I'm going to Venice Fri thru Sun. I hope I don't have to take off a whole week. I gots to keep continuing to get stronger. Oh and nuova bicicletta update....NO FRAME YET!!! I'm in lots of suspense right now. I just want my bici. I'm going to the shop in a little bit to buy my new helmet (Carbon Black Selev....Very Italian, Geo has one now in the UW Madison colours) and my new shoes (I'm thinking some euro white Diadora's) We'll see how much everything costs. Ciao

Waite

Una piove, vento, e freddo corsa...

Ok so if you don't know Italian, the title says 'a wet, windy, and cold race.


The start and finish...looks like a beautiful day, doesn't it...

I just got back from my race in Pistoia today and boy was it fun and miserable at the same time and WOW did it hurt. My team put me in the Mediofondo, the same as a granfondo, but not as long. My race was 85km (around 55miles), while the Granfondo was 145km (about 90 miles). It was probably a good thing that my team put me in the shorter one...just to feel out the race. The whole race was crazy though...there were motorcycles with the guy on back with the tv camera, team cars (I had my own team car!!!), people lined the streets, and we got to use the whole road to race on (they even shut down part of the highway for us!!!! It was amazing....I kinda felt like I was a P-R-O or something.


The winner of the Granfondo...he only beat 2nd place by 5 minutes...and then every one came soloing in in 5 minute intervals after that.

Well, it was raining on the way to the race, at the start of the race, during the race and at the finish! WOW thats always an awesome time. But it wasn't too bad...it was at least a warm rain. So a field of about 350 started (Granfondo and Mediofondo together). We started out fast again, but this time it was only about 28 mph. The field started breaking up like crazy. I had to get up there for a good position. There was a huge group up the road and then another group of about 40. I was able to solo it up to the group of 40 and stick with them. That was a feat though getting up to that group. I had a couple guys with me for awhile and then they couldn't do too much so I just went for it. I had a head wind of about 10-15mph and I was just cranking. I've definitely found that my LT and VO2max is higher. I was able to keep a higher pace for a while and catch up with them...it only took about 10km of suffering, but I was there. I held with them just fine.


The sprint for about 12th I believe in the Granfondo...

About 30km in there was a climb. I didn't even know what to expect of it, but I put it in my 39-19 and started hammering. It was a 6km long 6% climb....nothing bad. People were lining the climb cheering us on. By the end of the 6km climb there were 3 of us!! Out of a use to be group of 40!!! Hottness. And we were catching and passing people left and right. My climbing skills have improved a crapload. At the last part of the climb (the steepest part, about 8%) it was like a shot of the ToF. There were so many people lining the road, watching the race that there was only one little part right in the middle of the road to go. Like a little tunnel. Just think about those famous climbs in the tour where you think the rider is going to hit someone cuz they're so close. It was Hott!


What the hell is this course marshall doing?

On the downhill of the first climb things were very slippery. I'm not gonna lie I think I almost died...thank god for pulling MTB skills out of my ass at the last moment. The roads were so slick and wet. I was going around a tight turn a little to fast and my rear wheel started slipping, I saved it, it slipped again, I somehow saved that one, and then it slipped again. The last one I don't know how the hell I saved it. I should have gone right over the edge. It was close. But slipping 3 times in one corner? Thank you MTB skills. At the bottom I caught some guys that were way ahead of me during the climb. And it there were some rollers here and there...pretty much flat though.

At about 50km in there was another climb. This one was about 11km long at 4-5%. WOW it was a hard pace up it. I was able to keep it in my 53-21 for much of the climb. With about 6km left to go in the climb it was getting very hard to see. We were in a fricken cloud. Tells you how high we climb. So for half of the climb you really could not see anything in front of you. I was dropped because of the amazingly high pace. And went solo downhill (about 8km) and then about 7km. I noticed on every single climb that I was probably the best in the groups I was in (other than the last climb). I would just start hammering up the climbs look back and I would have a 50-75meter gap and it would increase. I think I just have to work on the endurance part just a little bit more...I felt fine at the end of the race...

I was working very very hard all by myself, cuz I could see the group in front of me in my grasp. Then....CRAMP. My right calf muscle decided to start hating me alot. I could feel it coming on and then boom...pain...and then it got a little worse. I rubbed it for a while and rode it off. I look back and a group is catching me...damn it...oh well it was only 8 guys anyways...I'll take it in the sprint. And they only caught me with about 7km to go. So we come into the final stretch and I'm certain that I'm going to outsprint all of them. And I did, by about 1 bike length. Good feeling. I still need to get a little faster with my sprints though.

I ended up taking 109th overall out of about 225 riders in the Mediofondo and 17th in my Category (A, 19-30 yrs old). I was happy with my finish...and my climbing. My average speed was 31km/hr and my time was 2hrs46min. Wisconsin is going to be so easy when I get back...HA you call that a hill!

Oh yeah and I got some Swag. In my bag was some cologne, some degreaser and a visor...yes I don't understand the cologne either, but I'll take it. And my team paid for transportation and my entry fee. SWEET!!!

Now I'm tired and want to take a very long nap. I hope my team is doing well in Ohio, happy training....

Ciao

Ahhh, Hell Day Is Over....

Well today is finally done. Sweet jesus today sucked. First of all I had to wake up at about 7:30am to continue studying...I didn't go to bed until about 2:30am (I did that the night before too). This morning I woke up to a cold (about the 5th one I've had here, even though I take a crapload of vit. C) and a stomach ache...great way to start the day. So I studied for about 2 more hours and then it was test time at 10am. The first exam was Classical Myth. It didn't go as bad as I thought it would...I think I hopefully got a 90% on it. The 2nd exam was a Dante/Historical Greek Art exam. I think I did about the same on that too...and that was the one I was really freaking out about. So by 1pm I had two exams down in 3 hours. I was spent. But I couldn't stop there. Right after lunch I started studying for my Italian language exam. I studied right up to the exam at 4pm. They gave us 2 hours to do it, I got it done in 50 minutes. It wasn't hard, but I know I missed a couple things...probably another 90%. After all of that I definitely took a nap until dinner and it was glorious. I went to dinner and then I had class at 8:00pm. Sweet jesus I just wanted this day to end. At 9:30 we were done and I was going to start writing my travel journal thats due on Friday, but I watched Wedding crashers instead, which is a good movie and was a good break...and I have all day tomorrow to write 4 pages of a journal anyways. So here I am now just thinking about the upcoming racing season and I can't wait for it to come.

I'm getting a lot stronger and it definitely showed yesterday. Three of us went out and did the climb to Carmignano which is about a 10 minute climb. Well, at the beginning of the semester I would get half way up the climb in my 39-27 and blow up. One of the guys I was riding with yesterday would always breakaway from me halfway up the climb. Well, yesterday I put it in the 39-19 and started hammering all the way up. We both started at the bottom together, within 30 seconds I dropped him and kept making time. By the end of the climb I made 2 minutes on him! And at the top I was not winded at all. I would say thats a pretty big improvement in only 2 months. He got to the top and said "now you are best". That made me feel good. I keep improving steadily and constantly which is definitely a good thing. I will miss these mountains alot when I have to leave and go back to pancake flat wisconsin. I'll probably just do Observatory Hill 20 times or something like that to get my kick.

Well, tomorrow I'll be going on a 5 hour ride or so hopefully, I don't have anything due or anything to do so I don't see why it would be a problem. I have a Granfondo on Sunday which should be fun, and I'll be racing in the U23 field. I'll be able to go on long rides and not have to worry about anything for 10 days and then some...seeing that its spring break and we're starting all over in the classes, learning new things when we get back from spring break. I'll be totally alone (kinda sucky) in the villa from Saturday until Wed when Geo and Gehling come to visit me, which will be amazing. So I may try and get ahead on a 10 page paper I need to write by the end of the semester, some reading, watch some movies and spend insane amounts of time on the bike :) Sounds good to me.

And as for my weight, I think I may be ok where I am at a nice 75kg. It seems to be working for me right now, I'm not gaining or losing weight...and I kinda need that weight for when I get back to Wisconsin anyways to stay strong on the flats since theres like no climbs. And my climbing ability has improved so much at this weight anyways. If I lose some weight then so be it, but if not no prob, I can deal. I've seen a difference in my body recently. I'm more tone and have lost a little bit of stomach and chest fat. So I've definitely gained some muscle in my legs anyways, keeping the weight up.

Ahh and I almost forgot, thanks to Baumann I have a MTB team for this season, Stadium Bike out of Green Bay. On my 'elite' team are Dallas Fowler, Ryan Baumann, Cole House, Seth Lenss, and Me. Sounds like a pretty strong team...I just have to get my skills back for the single track. I've kinda lost those seeing that I've only really been focusing on the road and haven't raced a MTB event since June I believe. So my teams as of right now....In Italy - MTbike, Collegiate - UW Madison, Road - Brazen Dropouts/Cronometro, and MTB - Stadium Bike. Some pretty good teams there. SWEETNESS! Should be an awesome summer. I can't waite....

Ok well, its 2:30 in the AM so its time for me to get some sleep, happy training....

Ciao

Another beautiful day in Italy....

Ok so again I should be studying for my 3 midterms on Wednesday but no motivation = not getting anything done. I read Baumann's blog and it sounds like UW kicked some major ass in DePauw this weekend...looks like we have a pretty strong team this year. Awesome...I just wish I could be there for it, but there's always next year when I'll be a crapload stronger and wiser.

So today I didn't do too much at all. Today was suppose to be a study day. 3 of my classes were cancelled so I could study...what do you think I did? That's right...nothing to do with homework. I got up at 9am for breakfast and then like I usually do, I went right back to bed. I slept until about 12:45pm and then went to lunch at 1pm. After lunch I played a 40min game of soccer. I'm definitely a better goalie then when I'm on offense. Today I only had one goal scored on me for the first half and then only 3 more in the second half. I also scored 3 goals (I think) during the game...however we lost 7-10. Oh well, its not my sport anyways. Right after that I wanted to go for a quick juant on the bike. So I got out for a quick 50km ride. It was actually pretty quick. Only took me 1hr 35min, with the two climbs towards Barbarino. I wanted to go a little bit harder today to see how my legs were feeling. They were definitely feeling really good...even with the 20mph headwind I had on the way out. I did the first climb in a gear higher than usual. I was able to complete the whole climb in my 39-23, two gear increase since I got to Italy...and with a cadence of about 60-70 all the way up. On the way back on wanted to really see what my legs had. So on the 13% climb back home I geared up to 39-19 and just busted ass up it. Sitting down the whole way. I was able to keep a cadence of probably around 75. Not too bad. And I was really tired at the end of it and my legs still felt very very strong. So on the way home I averaged about 32mph (thanks tailwind) and decided to put in 5 all out sprints, about 400 meters in length. I got up to almost 40mph each time with one time actually getting to 40mph! So it was a good quick ride to see where my strength is at. Tomorrow I plan on putting around 4-5 hrs on the bike.

So it may sound impossible, but I'm up for the challenge....I have determined that my main goal for this summer is to upgrade to Cat 2 before Superweek, or at least a couple days into Superweek and then upgrade to Cat 1 by the end of Superweek...if not, then by the end of the summer. I have the dedication to do it. I've been improving alot lately. And seeing that theres only short steep climbs in Wisconsin I think I have a pretty good chance of meeting this goal. I'm able to hold 35mph for at least 10km with the pack, I can sprint at least 38mph, I've been getting faster and stronger up all climbs, and I don't tire as much in any of these. I'll be ready when I get back....with a new custom made bike thats 5lbs lighter than mine right now and me being about 10lbs lighter, hopefully. I will become P-R-O.

I would like to get a powertap, but thats a little too expensive right now and I really don't like watching my wattage, speed and time while I'm riding...it actually slows me down...cuz I start thinking wow, I'm only putting out 300 watts and I feel like crap...puts the self-esteem down. I would also love to get one of those altitude simulation masks. That would help out a lot...simulating 20,000ft a couple hrs a day.

Tonight I will be studying to about 3am, hopefully...maybe throwing in an episode of l'OC. We'll see how much studying I get done though. Happy training...

Ciao

Should be doing homework...

So yeah I should be doing some studying seeing that I have 3 midterms on Wednesday...but I'm in Italy, how are you suppose to do that? Honestly... So today I woke up before my alarm for the millionth time. I'm been doing that now for the past two weeks. I don't even go to sleep until 2am and then I wake up at 7:00am...my alarm is set for 7:30am. I was about to try and go back to bed but then I remember I had the group ride today at 8:30am. The weather said the day before it was suppose to be 45 degrees with rain/snow showers. I listened to the cars go by outside and I didn't hear wetness. I got up quick and saw that it was a perfect day. Wasn't even cold. Soooo....I got ready and met the team. Today was going to be a hard day.

It turned out to be a 3.5 hr go-as-fast-as-you-can-ride. We did two mountain passes. And I just love my new position on the bike. I honestly feel soooo much stronger on the bike. Today on the first climb (about 10km long...6-8% with sections kicking up to 17%) I was able to keep up with the best climber that came today with ease. Two other guys tagged along, but we were able to drop them. I love hearing other people just gasping for breath while I'm not really breathing that hard...it just makes me go harder. I love to make people hurt, I enjoy making myself hurt too.

On climb two we just decided to explode up the climb. We were honestly holding a good 22-23mph up a 4-5% climb. Ouch!!! But I was able to do the whole climb (about another 10km in 53-17). After all that pain and suffering we got a pace line going...about 28-30mph all the way back to Sesto. So overall it was a pretty good day.

Right when I got back I was hoping that breakfast was still out...YES IT IS!!! SWEETNESS!!! That just made my day. After that I took a shower and then by 1pm I was passed out on my bed. I was planning on waking up at about 3pm...NO...woke up a 5pm. Four good hours of recovery and my legs feel great. I can't wait to see how my legs feel on a bike fit just for me. About 10 more days!!!

And as of now I should be studying...but I can't. Italy just gives you no motivation to do work...no one really works here anyways...so how am I suppose to? I've mostly been thinking about how I want to turn pro. If I can I would like to upgrade to Cat 2 before Superweek and then somehow upgrade to Cat 1 by the end...Yes I know thats very hard to do, but I'm so motivated to do it. I'm also stronger on the bike than I ever have been before and I just keep getting stronger. Every year I have improved. So I think I can do it...I believe in myself. Even my friend that got me into cycling believes I can get up to the P-R-O ranks. He never believed in me before and he was serious tonight. It made me feel good. I just need to show my stuff and have some team see me. I can do it!!! I will do it!!!

Thanks for listening. Happy training...

Ciao

Feelin' Good...

Me trying to act cool...

Alright so today I wanted to get up and go for a ride early this morning. I look out the window and what do I see....rain. BLAH. So I grabbed some breakfast and then went right back to sleep until about 11:30am. I got up, got ready in about 20 minutes and then was off to Florence with some friends for lunch. We hit up the best place to eat in Florence (according to the guide book), Za-Za's. It was actually very tasty. I enjoyed. It stopped raining during our meal, so I really wanted to go on a ride. We got back to the villa at around 3:15pm and I was out the door by 3:30pm for a short ride.

I decided to go to Barbarino di Mugello...with the 5km 7-8% graded climb and then a 2km 13% climb on the way back. It was only a 45km ride. I really just wanted to try out my new position on the bike...and it rules. I honestly feel 5 times stronger now. With a little saddle and seatpost adjustment and cleat position adjustment the bike feels great. My body likes it. I flew up the climbs soooo much easier. Its crazy how just a little bit of adjustment can go a far way. 13% climb in 39-19 sitting down is good for me. And it was easy for me...probably very easy for all those P-R-O's in the ToCal. But didn't get out of breath at all. I can't wait to test my power out against US cyclists when I get back. I'm going to try and upgrade to Cat 2 before Superweek, or atleast be able to upgrade a week into Superweek.

Well, I hope it doesn't rain again tomorrow. Theres a 40% chance of rain, and I want to ride with the team tomorrow...get in a good 6 hours or so. Try and keep up with the really good climbers with my new position.

Other than that I'm studying all night tonight. I gots 3 midterms on Wednesday. BLAH...but right after those its SPRING BREAK!!! And I can just ride with out worrying about anything. I can't wait...and my bike will be coming in two weeks!!!!!! When all put together it should weight between 17.0 - 17.5 lbs which is 5 lbs lighter than my bike right now. And hopefully I ride enough over Spring Break that I lose a little weight...get down to that 155lbs. So that would be an 18lb loss, which would be amazing. Climbs would be nothing. And just having a bike just for my body will help me get faster too. I can't wait!!! Happy Training....

Ciao

More efficient and free shit...

Thursday:
Ok so I didn't write a blog yesterday. Yesterday I didn't have class until 5pm...god I love that. So I woke up at about 11am and really did nothing. I was going to go for a short ride before I met up with the team, but decided not too, cuz my knee was bothering me just a little bit. I did go on the ride at 1pm with the team though. It was fun. 2 hours at a decent pace. On the climb to Carmignano out of the 7 of us, only 2 survived...me and matteau. He's really strong, he kinda looks like Cipollini, he does ride Cipo's 2003 National Italian Champion bike (it was a gift from Cipo to him...craziness). So we kept a very hard pace up the climb...can you say 23mph up a 4-5% gradient. We dropped 4 guys and the only one that was able to stay with us for a little bit was the 'big guy' that mostly made me crash a few weeks back. So Matteau was pulling then it was the big guy and then me. I all of a sudden saw that the big guy was starting to die, so I sprinted around him and caught up with Matteau...we dropped the big guy very fast. I looked back about 10 seconds after passing him and he was already about 75 meters back. We both gave everything we had at the end for a sprint to the top. He got me by the slightest bit. I really need to work on my final sprints. But it was fun. At the end of the ride Matteau came up to me and told me that him and Marco were discussing my position on the bike. Marco wanted to give me a free professional fitting on my bike...Ok. So I would go in the next day to get that done.

Later on I went to the library to study a bit before class. I sat on one of the couches...read 6 pages and passed out for an hour.
Can you say 'productive'. Went to class, had dinner, tried to study more...not working, no motivation at all. Then 10 of us went out to Universale, a disco, and had some dancing fun until about 1:30am. Ah good times

Friday:
So I woke up today at around 9am and went down stairs for breakfast. We also make bagged lunches at this time. Well, I was cutting my Bagel and I cut my index finger very deeply. Started bleeding alot...ouch! Its definitely better now, and I still made myself a damn good lunch and had some breakfast. After breakfast I was still very tired and went back to sleep...until 1pm! Good thing its only Friday and I don't have to worry about too much.

I went into the shop at 4pm and Marco did some professional fitting for me. He adjusted a lot of stuff just by the slightest bit, and I can confirm that I feel a lot better on the bike...I'll definitely have him set up my new bike. He gave me some new cleats too. So he worked on my bike for about an hour to perfection and all for free. After that I need to get a rain jacket. Its been raining for the past week, and its been miserable. So the rain jacket usually runs for 30 Euro, I got it for 20 Euro. Sweet. And then Marco asked me if I had one of the team bags. I said no and he left for a while and got one for me. When he brought it back in I could see it was just a bit heavier and something was in it. He put in on the counter and took out a SS full-zip team jersey and a full team jumpsuit!!! So I would say today was a good day. A crapload of free sweet stuff is always good. I feel spoiled on this team. I don't ever want to leave it. It will be a sad day in May when I have to. But being on this team I feel so P-R-O and its like Christmas every time I walk into that shop. I LOVE IT!!! So I'll be going on a ride tomorrow and checking out this new position on the bike.

As of right now I'm doing some long overdue laundry and eating soon. Tonight I plan on trying to get as much reading as I can done and then watch 2 episodes of l'OC. It'll probably be a late night of studying tonight.

Oh and I want to wish my UW team good luck in DePauw this weekend. I know they'll kick some major ass. A lot of them have been training there asses off. And Depauw, to be honest, isn't really that hard of a race...so if they have some good fitness going into they should be able to crush the other teams...they just have to remember to work as a team and not think individually. I want some good, smart results.

Well, thats all I have to say about that. Happy training....

Ciao

The First Race, Milano, Torino and the Olympics...

Ahhh...the Olympics, only a 5 hr train ride away from me!!!

Ok so its been a couple days...ok more like a week since I last blogged. I've been pretty busy over here in Italy...training, studying, traveling and all that good stuff. For the next few days it'll be a lot of studying, I have 3 exams on Wednesday next week...but then after that its SPRING BREAK!!! So to start off I bet you're all dying to know how the race went...

Tuesday 14/2/06:
Went over to Lucca for my first Italian race about noon on Tuesday....thank god I don't have class until 5pm on Tues and Thurs. Me and my teammate, Matteau, registered and got ready. As we got ready we were seeing some familiar faces. I saw that I would be racing against the Italian National Road Champion and Guidi from the Phonak Pro Cycling Team! Sweet jesus, this is going to be a hard race. I was racing against other Pros/ex-pros as well. I was mostly racing against Cat 1/Ex-Pro/Pro/Super Pros. It was a 75km long race...it was definitely going to be fast. Seeing that I'm only a cat 3 on the road this was going to be very different, but I was definitely up for the challenge. So we lined up, a field of 200 and we're off. WOW...we started out going 50-55 km/hr (30-35mph) for the first 15-20km! Thank god I've been training alot and have gotten stronger. I was able to stick with the pack...after about 20km we slowed down just a little bit. Then at about 30km in there was a crash on a narrow bridge...guess where I was......right behind it. GOD DAMN IT!!! About 50 of us came to a complete stop...buhbye main field. But we weren't going to give up, well, at least 5 of us weren't going to give up. Me and 4 other guys were willing to do work to get back up to the pack. So we kept a rotation going for awhile, keeping around 28mph constant...except when someone else came up that didn't want to do any work, then the pace went down to about 24-25mph. And there goes the pack. So we made our own race out of it. We averaged around 25mph for the race. The last 3km was a 5% constant climb. I just kept my pace...I passed some guys and some guys passed me. At the end I placed 100th overall out of 200 and 3rd in my category (U23). Not too shabby for my first race against all Italians and Pros, eh?

There was a little problem though, after the race my right knee started tensing up...it actually did that after the ride on Sunday too. I know its not poor cleat position. But I do have an idea. I'm in a soccer league here at the villa (I don't even know why I signed up for it), and at the first game I was jacked in the knee right where the pain/stiffness is. So I wonder if its coming to haunt me. GOD DAMN SOCCER. It's on and off. When I keep a higher cadence it starts bugging me, but lower cadences with hard pushing of the pedals doesn't hurt at all. So I really don't know whats going on. I hope I don't have a hairline fracture or something. That would kinda suck.

Friday 17/2/06:
Me and a couple of friends went up to Milan for Fashion Week. We walked around all day going from store to store. I think I shopped from 2pm until 10pm straight. Within that time I bought a very nice pair of Armani pants, a white button down shirt and a new tie. It was all well worth the huge cost.

I did actually do a little bit more than just shop. I also visited the Duomo in Milan and spun on the bulls testicles...yes its in the Galleria and you spin on the bulls balls for good luck. If you go to Milan someday you'll definitely have to do it.


The Duomo...kinda creepy looking, don't you think?


So yeah, you put your heel in that hole and then spin around once...suppose to give you good luck...ok

After all of that I was suppose to go over to Genoa to meet up with my other peeps I would be going to go see bobsledding with. But I changed my mind and stayed in Milan for the night. I stayed at someones house in Milan. One of my friends on the trip knew the girl so we stayed for free, SWEET! But...the friend came home at 4am with one of her friends. They were both smashed. And came into the room we were sleeping in. One of the girls started screaming and freaking out that she couldn't find her mom's phone (with the two charms that hang off the top) and she lost 50 Euro. Then they turned on our light. SWEET JESUS...go do that in another room. Long story made short, they argued for about an hour. 50 F***ING EURO! Thank god she found the phone. Well, the one is freaking out about the 50 euro and the other one isn't believing that she lost it. *SLAP* Ok now there's slapping happening. MY GOD. More arguing and then an HOUR later they finally go to bed. God I know its 50 Euro, "which is more than 50 dollars but calm the F*** down. Very Interesting night.

Saturday 18/2/06:
So we caught a train to Torino at 9:18am. I needed to meet up with my other friends for our event while my other friends went to their event. The train was packed...5 of us had to stand inbetween cars right next to the bathroom for a 2 hr train ride. OK so that sucked. We got there and there were people from all around the world...it was sooo cool. We toured the city for a little bit before I had to catch the train to my Event in Oulx, 5500 ft up in the ALPS. The view was gorgeous:



When we got there it was atleast 60 degrees out...by night fall it was 10 degrees out. Being in 50 degree weather for awhile, my body did not like the cold too much...frozen toes. But it was a cool event...not one of my favorites, but it was still really cool to atleast be at an Olympic Event in Italy!!! Team USA kinda sucked it up...so we cheered for Morocco. lol.


Part of the course at night


Right up next to the course

So our seats were right at the finish, so that was pretty cool, but you couldn't see much of the course so we definitely walked around for a little bit to get a closer look...even though they wizz by at about 130km/hr.

We then had to leave at 8:15pm when the event was done. We didn't get back to our hostel until about 2am. God I was tired and Sunday was going to be a long day of Trains.

Sunday 19/2/06:
Nothing too much to report today. I was on trains from 11am until 3pm. I was going to go for a ride, but I was just dead...so I just stayed in, took a nap and worked on some homework.

Monday 20/2/06:
So class all day. I got my Italian quiz back...95%. 3 Quizes and my average score is a 95.5%. HottNESS! I got out for a 2 hour ride today. It was raining all day except for the 2 hours I was out. Since I haven't been on my bike since Tuesday I decided to kick it up a notch. I was able to do every climb in 1-2 gears higher! I'm definitely getting stronger. I was actually able to do a 1.5km 13% climb in my 39-21 sitting down. Thats actually kinda hard, not gonna lie. So it was a good ride.

Later in the night I went out for a friends b-day. Enid turned 21 today. So we went to Tijauna's in Florence. Yes it is a mexican restaurant and one of the best I have ever been too! After that we had cake and then headed out on the town for alittle bit. Not too long though. It was a fun night though.

Tuesday 21/2/06:
NO Class until 5pm. Riding Time!!! Ok so today I headed out at 11:30am. It was sprinkling just a little bit, but I wanted to go on a ride. The first half of the ride was cool, but then second half was just miserable...I kept going at a hard pace, but sweet jesus, it just started pouring. My brakes were being eaten up. The ride mostly turned into a 4.5 hr death march. 5 good climbs. I got in a good 110km, but wow. By the time I got back to the villa I was soaked, had purple lips and no brakes left on my bike (good thing I brought replacements). My knee also acted up again...not as bad as last time though.

I had Commedia dell'Arte then at 8pm. For our performance at the end of the year I will be playing the male lover. An important part...one of the main characters. SWEET! Hope I don't choke. But it should be fun. We have a script but no text. We just know what were suppose to do, and then improvise the text. My prof. likes my ideas, I made him laugh pretty good.

Wednesday 22/2/06:
I hate class. Its soooo hard to stay up for 3 straight hrs learning about the exact same thing. I didn't do too much today other than study and go to class. I wish I could have taken a nap...thats all I wanted all day. A couple of my friends and I were suppose to watch an episode or two of the OC but there were others using the TV, so that fell thru.


Well, tomorrow night I'll be going out I think. I hope to get in at least a 3 hr bike ride tomorrow with some hard paced efforts up a couple of the climbs. Its suppose to rain until Wednesday next week...BLAH. I wish I had a set of rollers here for those rainy days...maybe I could borrow some from the shop. We'll see. Well, I hope to get up early tomorrow to do some laundry, eat breakfast, study and go for a ride. This weekend will be a lot of studying, so I won't be going anywhere. But Spring Break starts in exactly one week :) SWEET.

Ciao

I could be in the olympics some day...right?

Today was a great day to be outside, but not for the body. I've been feeling kinda shitty the past couple of days. The stomach hasn't been treating me very well. I believe I've been eating too much bad food, but I've been able to burn it off with the training. The weight has been staying on though :(

I woke up at about 8:30am this morning and did some situps. Then got ready and got to class for 10am. Class sucks. I'm in Italy, I just want to travel and train. I guess I need an edu-ma-cation too. Class went to 1pm and then it was time for lunch. After lunch I went for a 1.5 hr moderate ride.

The ride was a little painful. My legs felt like lead pipes that didn't want to do anything useful, until...i got half way up the first climb. Then my legs had something. My lungs didn't get tired at all which is good. I wanted to go a little slower today though seeing that I have my first race tomorrow over by Luca.

Saying that, I got my Italian racing license today. I went into the shop and Marco asked if I needed a little tune up for my bike. Well, sure. He did that while I looked at some carbo and protein powders. And chose a good euro protein powder (banana flavor) and carbo powder (Apricot flavor). I bought the powders and then they gave me my bike back, free tune up...and then they brought over a pair of bibs and socks...and gave them to me for free. SWEET!!! Free gear and now I look like part of the team. HottNESS.


So this is what an Italian Racing license looks like. I'm a Cat A Cicloamatori if you can't read that....

So I race tomorrow. WOW. A little bit of nervousness and excitement is coming over me. I haven't raced since July 23, 2005. That's a pretty long time if you ask me, but I've done lots of hard training since then, so we'll see if its been worthwhile. It better be. Also, I've never raced with a field full of Italians so it will be interesting. I'm racing in the Amateur class, but...I'm a category A racer. Damn, I really wonder if thats like the top category, like a cat 1 in the states. Usually nothing comes after an 'A'. We'll just have to see if I get destroyed or if I can destroy everyone else. Oh, and if I win tomorrow I'm giving myself a mohawk...no questions asked.

Ok time to get going on some of that homework I should have done a long time ago. Happy training...