One Final Party

Last night Lyle F, owner of Scholars Inn and the two Bakehouses here in town invited the top two teams up to the restaurant for a night of reflection and celebration. What a great time! Lyle is an awesome guy and its hard to come by someone as passionate about cycling as him. Hosting the two teams for dinner was a true pleasure and it was nice to hang out with the Phi Delt guys over a few drinks and dinner. Lyle being the party animal and great host that he is probably dished out one too many drinks but I guess you'll have that. It's always nice to relax and celebrate with friends, teammates, coaches, whoever it may be and it's even better when there's an open bar and New York Strip Steak involved. Mine was delicious! Not eating steak on the regular like at home really makes you appreciate a nice dinner.

As we were packing up to leave and saying our farewells Fowler said that this could possibly be the last time the race team from 2011 was all together and to take a look around and reflect on the memories of the year. I know this seems to be a reoccurring theme in my posts but this god damn bike team has been my life for the last 3 years so it's weird to think of things like that...

Finals are quickly approaching and I can sense the bittersweet ending drawing closer and closer with every passing day. Although I'll be in Bloomington for at least part of the upcoming summer its hard to imagine leaving this town. As of now I don't know where exactly I'll be heading as graduate school classes have seemed to fill up rather quickly so I guess only time will tell. Until then good luck on finals to my fellow classmates and let's take Bloomington for everything its worth the next couple weeks!

One For the Ages

The 2011 Men's Little 500 race will go down as one of the most amazing displays of human performance put forth by 4 individuals and a slew of supporters that I may ever experience. This was a battle right from the start ranging from cheers from our fans to rowdy cries from haters! Zach Hetrick took some amazing photos that really capture the essence of the day better than any words I can put on here.

 During the prerace walkout by the teams we were greeted by some choice words from a select groups of haters (everyone in the stands it seemed like). Like true champions we shook it off and used it as fuel. I really like this above walkout photo taken by Z. Hetrick because it truly captures our team dynamic: a cluster of dudes who don't match, trust each other, and love riding our bikes.

Yours truly laying it down on a little burn out with Eric Anderson of Beta and Greg Bortz of Acacia in pursuit.

Legs were definitely feeling it toward the end of the day. Whenever the pedals weren't moving, my legs were locked up. A pain that I will never forget!

It's been a while since I updated this blog as I've been pretty busy celebrating alongside my teammates and coaches. Since that time I've had a little time to reflect on how this year has played out and everything that we all endured during this crazy adventure. Whether it be car accidents, roadtrips, winter training trips, IUCC racing, wrecking on the beach/wrecking on the track, quals, series events, the race, or the parties this team consisted of a group of guys that stuck together to accomplish the unthinkable. I'd take these crazy bastards to war with me and just like this entire year they would fight until they had absolutely nothing left.

As we head into the summer months I believe everyone will be dabbling in the race scene so it will be good to keep riding with these guys progress and around town before I set off on my next adventure wherever that road takes me. Wish I knew but sometimes that's the way life is.

Zach Osterman summed it up better than anyone and his thoughts are included here: IDS BLOG POST

After reading Zach's entry it makes it hard to believe that my cycling tenure with the Cutters is finished. It's been an amazing 3 years that included a lot of highs and just as many lows but throughout the entire time I fell in love with the sport of cycling, my teammates & coaches, the Cuttes family, and so many other things along the way. This team transformed me from a lost college student trying to find a niche to a badass, shit-talking veteren out on the track. It's funny to look back at the beginning and like an old teammate, Clayton Feldman, used to say, "Imagine if you could go back in time and go for a ride with yourself during the first month you were on the team?" I'd give anything to see that: a 215 lb ex-baseball player who was just trying to survive to the present 180 lb pulling at the front and breaking legs; amazing what a good supporting cast can do for someone eh? Next year behind the fence will be weird I won't lie to you but this race left an impression on me that I will take to the grave and I can only hope that I left the slightest impression it and more importantly, on my boys. Once a Cutter, Always a Cutter.

Last Little 500 set ever; about to put em in the hurt locker!

I bid farewell to the team called "The Cutters". It's been an amazing ride and one that I'll cherish forever with people I'll never forget! Thanks for all the memories to everyone involved!

The Wait

On the eve of the eve of the race I can't really say that I'm nervous surprisingly. Being my third race i feel somewhat of a veteran to the event but the greatest thing about this bike race is that you can never come close to predicting what will happen. I know once the stadium starts filling up with rowdy fans the adrenaline will start pumping but right now I'm nice and chill and living in the moment!

Tonight we had a basic team meeting to talk about the race, and the time leading up to it logistically. At the end Fowler opened it up to Eric and I to say anything that we had on our minds and for one time in my life I froze; unsure of what to say. Honestly he put it in such a way I was fighting to hold back tears because 1) I didn't want to look like a bitch in front of the guys but more importantly 2) this silly little race had shaped my life in so many ways possible that's its hard to believe that in less than 48 hours I'm done...something I've poured my heart and soul into for 3 entire years completely finished.

Last go around out on the cinders. What impact will I leave on the race this year? That's the looming question. Each person on this team must leave nothing behind and attack every single lap like it's their last one they may ever ride. I know they will without a doubt but to say that I won't have the little extra motivation this Saturday I'd be lying. This race is mine and no one is going to stand in my way of making memories out there one last time. Only hours away now as time is tinkering away one pedalstroke at a time.

Go Cutters!

                       Pitboard 2011. Coming out of the #2 position: The Cutters!

IU Happenings

Little 500 week is upon us and one can definitely tell when attending class as they were about half full today and its only Monday. To my liking I've got 3 exams this week...what the hell? In my mind it should be damn near illegal to give exams this week but then again I don't really want them next week either due to the obscene amounts of liquid courage I plan on consuming.

LiL Wayne kicks off the festivities with a concert tomorrow night!

Who wouldn't love this face? As we were having our weekly team breakfast at the Bakehouse this morning we notice 5 large buses outside taking up an entire block of parking spaces. Then a very large black man came in and ordered a fluffy coffee drink and egg sandwich and ask the manager Tracy if she knew who LiL Wayne was. I wouldn't be surprised if she said no and I almost hope she did! Even better though was how impressed this guy was with the new construction at the bhizzle. He absolutely loved the new counter top that was made here in Bloomington by a local gal. I must admit I've sat up there at the old bar man of hours studying and the new one does look a million times better!

In other big news that gay Phi Delt music queer made another video describing the essence of Little 500 here at Indiana University. Ha. 1) the video is the worst thing I've seen in a while  2) it doesn't even hint at the real reason everyone is celebrating this week (the bike race)  and 3) he called out our team by spilling "shit" all over a cutters shirt. Those are fighting words where I come from. Here's a link to how IU spends this week supposedly; I'll let you decide about its integrity.

"iLL 5"

Here's how you shit on people Bryce Fox. Let your legs do the talking.

Team Pursuit

Waking up yesterday morning to the dull roar of thunder and rain trickling down the rooftop I thought there was no way we were doing team pursuit. The rain and clouds didn't seem to leave until and 1 in the afternoon and boy did it become a fabulous day! The track was nice and compact and the sun was shining.

Our team pursuit run was pretty good in my mind. Were there flaws? Of course, but looking back on it there were positives and negatives, much like everything else in life and it should be interesting to see how everyone responds next week to this little downfall. We ended up third but on a little cool down ride after everyone was in consensus that we saved a little too much. Kind of sucks but we know we could have went a few seconds faster have we used everyone properly and possibly could have won team pursuit but we will never know. Delts ending up nudging us out of the finals by about 0.2 seconds so it definitely leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. One that is going to sting a little bit this week heading into the race.

Little 500 week is officially upon us: the bars are packed, no one attends class, concerts all week, drunk naked girls puking off balconies. What more could you ask for? College is crazy! Go Cutters

   Kevin will a great save at the start of team pursuit. We may have got third place but damn we look good!                                                    Photo compliments of Zack Hetrick

Drama

I always get a good laugh out of the ridiculous things people post on blogs but BVN really topped itself this time. Not only did anonymous posting get taken care of but no I have a coach (who's roughly 60+ yrs old) telling me that I've got self-confidence issues and wait it gets better: that his mother could beat up my mother. What this has to do with cycling? I ask myself the same thing: Tom why are you such a goofy old man?

First off if anyone has any insight to the kind of person I am they'd be quick to tell you that I'm not suffering from any sort of self-confidence issues whatsoever. If anything I have an elevated self-esteem; maybe not Charlie Sheen level but definitely more than your average Joe. I can do anything and nothing is going to stop me from getting what I want its just that simple. Can I be cocky, yes but I strongly believe I can live up to my expectations!

Secondly I'd put some mad money on my mom beating some serious ass let alone that of Tom's mother, assuming she is still alive. RIP if not and God rest your soul for having to put up with Tom's shit. A little background of my mom. She grew up in Michigan and was the youngest of 7 children; that alone says she's a warrior having older brothers to deal with because I know the shit we put my sister through when she was younger. World class sprinter that used to beat up on all the sista's from Detroit! Go Tigers! And finally and most importantly she's like a grizzly bear. You fuck with her kids and she will rip your head off.

So Tom I'll be at the track the rest of the week if you've got anything else to say and upon completion of the race next Saturday when you suddenly don't have anyone to hang out with because the Sigma Chi guys don't want anything to do with you don't not bother coming to our Cutters party because you've been officially taken off the guest list. If you come you will be prompted to leave by none other than myself! If I'm feeling giddy I might give you a beer and a cookie for your lonely walk home.

Aside from being a complete asshole in the paragraphs above I want to leave you with one last note about me. I like to think of myself as a pretty nice and caring guy; that is, until you give me a reason to hate you. So Tom, hope you have fun chasing your dream because here in a few short days I fully plan on unleashing the biggest ass-kicking ever seen in the history of this silly little bike race.

Almost There!

Eric and I were invited to complete a little segment with the Hoosier sports network about how the team looks this year and other facts about the race, etc. After parking behind Mother Bear's in illegal parking spots like the criminals we are we were walking to the studio just shooting the shit when Eric chimes in, "Man, it's almost over; like a couple weeks and we're done can you believe that?"

Man, it is almost over. So much time and dedication has poured into this race that you sometimes forget to stop and take a look around and appreciate the smaller things like graduating...ha. I've been somewhat in limbo the last few weeks too because I've been waiting to hear back from graduate programs and what the hell I'll be doing with my life for the next few years in regards to living arrangements, school, work , etc. So many possibilities.

Spring is definitely coming as well even though there have been plenty of days where people could easily mistake it for winter still. The trees are beginning to bloom and the flooding rains in the forecast over the next few weeks should account for a beautiful spring. Hopefully it was be about 70 and sunny on April 16th! Getting excited to see everyone making their way back to Bloomington; only a few days away!

C-U-T-T-E-R-S!

                                            Our fearless leader celebrating during Miss-N-Out!

Miss N Out

This past weekend was the infamous Miss'n'Out event for all Little 5 riders. In my mind its the most entertaining event besides the actual race due to the shuffling of riders and the wrecks. The weather was also less than ideal being rather windy which threw another obstacle in the mix for riders to contend with. As a whole I think the Cutters all rode extremely well! We advanced 5 guys past the first round with the other 2 rookies riding in heats loaded with talent and both just missing the cut-off. The fun started when Hazel and I were paired up in the semifinals and got to work together and both represented the Cutters in the finals. We were the only teammates in the final 6 riders so that was pretty cool having both seniors in there together. The other competitors had our number though and immediately boxed us in and I found myself with no where to go; that's racing though. Hazel ending up winning, surprise, surprise and I brought up the tail end of the finals but for the day we increased our lead for the white jersey so that's good.

Less than two weeks now! Starting to get anxious