Well my season has officially come to an end.  I am relieved that all the build up for Nationals is over with.  Now I can relax, recover and focus on next year which if things go well in the offy should be a great season.  I will recap the season in a later update but for now I will give a quick squawk session about the race.

 The course was fantastic here in Kansas City.  It had some good climbs and very technical descents.  The conditions were exactly what I had expected.  It was about 32 degrees, lots of mud on top of frozen ruts and some ice and snow. EPIC!

I had an alright start position starting in 3rd row but had one of my best starts all season.  Things were off to a good start.  Going into the race you have to be really into it and continually thinking positively so starting out good is so important.  I moved up quickly up the left side and swooped into 7th place from the 3rd row. That is pretty good for me!  I was doing fine sitting in the top 10 with ease but my luck changed quickly.  I came into a drop with a bad dip in it and tanked my left shifter twisting the shifter and breaking my bars. Somehow this caused my front brake to lock up, not good! I had to run for a bit until I could get to a spot where I wasn’t in the way to fix it.  I was so far from the pits that it was quicker to try to fix it.  After getting the front wheel turning again I changed bikes and was rolling again.  Way back in the traffic but doing fine and having a good time.  The legs were good, my head was into it still and moving back through the field quickly.  I got a little to cocky though and was going to fast and blew through the tap three times in one lap.  It was a bit frustrating.  Anyway, long story short, I stuck it out faded and ended up top 20 or something.  A bit disappointing but I made it through.

I have to say congratulations to Troy Wells.  I am so impressed with his cross season this year and he is finally making his own name for himself on the cross scene.  No more is Troy standing in the Todd’s shadow.  The Bear (Troy) will soon be winning these races and his bro will be looking up at him on the top step.  Todd still has it though and I thought he was going to win today.  Congratulations to both Todd and Troy with the Top 5 finish at Nationals. Impressive. 

Alright, I am about to get on the plane back to Durango.  The offy is officially starting right NOW! Probably going to hit the cans on the plane and then head out to the pub.  OFFY! Thanks to everyone for cheering out there.  I think all of Durango was here at the race.  More later,  thanks for stopping in.

Things are going to be interesting tomorrow in the Elite Men’s race.  I left a cold and sunny Durango this morning and have arrived to dumping snow in Kansas and bitter cold temps.  Already many of the races that have taken place proved to be unpreditable and exciting.  The conditions are definitely a factor and some riders excel in the epic conditions while others crumple and wither in the cold slop. 

I am wondering where I am going to fit in this weekend? I have been on cruise control with the training and trying to finagle any kind of racing form that I can.  I haven’t raced in two weeks and the last race was terrible.  The upside is that I have been feeling pretty good on the bike and I feel fresh and motivated.  The fitness may not be the best I have had all season but the willingness to suffer and endure the elements for some success is definitely there.  I have been thinking about racing in the snow and cold and preparing myself mentally for this exact race for the last couple of weeks.  Who knows what is in store for tomorrows race? This is the last race of the season and I would like to end it on a positive note  My goal is to sneak a top 10, that would be an excellent race.  

I have to jet, ride is finally here.  Congratulations to Grant Berry, 2nd place today.  Grant was one of the first people to introduce me to cyclocross.  Nice work Grant!

The weather has been nuts lately. We got 7ft of snow in 8 days in the mountains here in Colorado! We are already above average for snow pack. My nationals preparation has been good and I am enjoying the skiing on the skinny skis. Today I finally got out on the bike after a couple days of alternative training and I felt awesome. Still a bit sore from skiing but after a couple more days of tapering I should be going good. I am looking foreward to the ice storms and one last hurrah for the season. It should be a good time.

I threw up another panoram pic on Flickr of Durango with the new snow. It is pretty breathtaking…mmmmmkkkay!

I busted out the Nordic Skis today and headed up to Purgatory for some skiing. The roads were just a bit to snowy to head out on. I went up with new teammate Ben Kneller and Durango phenom Tad Elliot. Both of them are excellent skiers and I was going near race pace just to hang with them. It was good to get out on the skis for a bit, but i quickly get bored with it. After an hour I lose that loving feeling for the skis and am ready to be done. More photos from today here http://www.flickr.com/photos/94597247@N00/2099849336/

After the skis session I doubled up the day and hit the cross bike for a good workout in Santa Rita park. No one was there because of all the snow. I dialed in a sweet new course and roosted it. I actually felt really good on the bike after skiing. Good stuff!

The taper for Nationals next weekend is going well. I am ready to rip into it in Kansas and then be done for a bit. The off season is looking really good right now. It has been such a long season, but an awesome one for sure. Maybe the best?

Sorry for the lame post , just not creative right now. Thanks for stopping by.

Straight from the Jittery Website! It is going to be a good season and I am already looking forward to racing and traveling with this group of professionals.  One more week of training for Cross Nationals and then a break for a bit! Read the roster below.

The Jittery Joe’s Professional Cycling Team has finalized its roster for next season by keeping six riders from 2007 and adding five new riders.
Headlining the returning squad is Aussie captain Trent Wilson and American Neil Shirley. Neil surprised the cycling world at the end of the 2007 season by out sprinting Freddy Rodriguez for the last podium spot at the USPRO Road Race Championships behind winner Levi Leipheimer and runner-up George Hincapie. Also returning to the squad is Oregon’s powerhouse Evan Elken, Australian sprinter Cody Stevenson, Durango native Matt Shriver and Georgia’s young talent Tim Henry.
Returning to the team after spending a few years with TIAA-Cref and BMC is Chad Hartley from the Chicago area. Chad raced for The Bean Team in the first Tour of Georgia in 2003 where he was second by only 5 seconds to Saul Raisin for the Best Young Rider’s jersey. Jonathan Cantwell and Ryan Sullivan continue the Australian tradition on the Jittery Joe’s squad—Jonathan spent a bit of time racing for the LaGrange team in California this year and Ryan (brother of Toyota-United’s Sean) spent his time honing his racing skills in Europe.
Two American neo-pros round out the roster. Jared Barrilleaux from San Luis Obispo, CA and Ben Kneller from Durango, CO will bring youth and strength to the team.
2008 Jittery Joe’s Cycling Team:
Jared Barrilleaux
Jonathan Cantwell
Evan Elken
Chad Hartley
Tim Henry
Ben Kneller
Neil Shirley
Matt Shriver
Cody Stevenson
Ryan Sullivan
Trent Wilson
Director—Jesse Lawler