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October 3, 2007

Recap of My 2007 Season – And a Bit on My Boyz

2007 Season was Great, but the Boyz I ride with are even better. Can you figure out who is who?

The season has been a great one for me. Sure it has had its moments; getting sick just in time for racing season to start or at like the Back Yard TT were I sat on the curb and contemplating not racing for the rest of the season. But as in life lows are always followed by highs, like bouncing back a couple weeks after the Back Yard TT in Grafton. This by the way looking back was my spring board for the rest of 2007. I have become more aggressive in the pack, easily moving around, cornering better, power output is probably at an all time high, and my recovery after hard efforts is the quickest it has ever been. This quick recovery gives me confidence that I can put in a major hard effort and still not get dropped. True I peaked late in the season, again, but it will carry me into the off season on a high.

Of course I had my one crash, not as bad as last year, but bad enough. Waukesha Super Week was a day that might have been, instead it was what was. And what I took out of it was a new toughness that will stay with me forever.

Some of the highs for 2007 were the Arkansas Spring Trip, Denzer, Trek 100, Grafton Crit, State Crit in Elkhorn, Super Week (as always), my epic day doing the Doc ride in the AM and Chiro Race at noon, followed by the Lake Geneva run from Eck’s the next day, Ft Atkinson RR where I had a blast, Rockford RR, awesome group rides through the year, and solidifying some great friendships; Navigator, 13 Pin, Scoots, Ecky, Chevy, Mack, Juice, Strings, O’Henry, Engine, Sap, HP, Dr B, Psych, The Defender, Chef, Otis, Try, well the list goes on and on. We all have a great time and you can tell we have a passion for an unbelievable sport. Yes the pro ranks have their issues to resolve, but our level is thriving. Team Wheaton had a huge year and made a great leap forward from 2006, with the addition of the new sponsor and some new riders we accomplished some great team and individual goals. Yes it truly has been a great year.

I didn’t reach my #1 goal of the Tuesday night Centennial Ride, well I did one time, but as The Rock said once, if you don’t get it early you are cooked. So look for that to be a big goal next season.

The chemistry of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Cycling Team is dialed in. We had more guys racing, and racing with success. The individual successes were not only a reflection of individual ability but of the team laying it out for each other. Here is a quick summary of my take on the boyz:

Scoots – arguably the strongest guy on the team, in fact I don’t think anyone knows how strong he can be. At Super Week – Waukesha he single handedly dropped 1/3 of the field in the first 10 laps of the race. He just needs to stay healthy and maybe skip the Trek 100 and Pub Crawl in 2008.

Ecky – has to look back on 2007 as an incredible year, after t-boning a deer and having major knee surgery in 2005, he appears to be back on form and definitely a force that the pack would not let get away. We have become good friends this past year, and he has given me some good advice. Which I have followed to the T, except the advice to take some time off the bike. No can do buck a roo.

Chevy – had a huge season, finishing 2nd in WCA pts and upgrade to a Cat 3 at the end of the season. He is a great team leader and great motivator. His past experience is something he shares with us all in making us better, and talk about smooth, wow! FYI: Friday TT’s SUCK!!

13 Pin – a great friend, for sure the most improved rider on the team and a strong case can be made for all M 4/5 riders too. He is becoming an all arounder and has a pretty good sprint. Look for that improvement to continue in 2008. Just no more crashes. (Ok, maybe an easy one at the Doc ride last week – ha ha). I hope he sets higher goals than just finishing in front of me.

HP – had a slow start this year and was also pulled away from the bike due to work. (Dang job stuff just gets in the way.) One of my favorite guys on the team, he is pure, on and off the bike. When he is on the bike he is strong. Do you even know that HP?

Mack – best word to describe Mack is POWER. He rides smart and can turn it on at a moments notice. Has great advice. I would give it all for Mack even if it meant getting dropped. Mack, just give the word and I am there.

Dr B – super guy, another guy who is pulled hard at work, yet some how manages to stay in shape and be there for a strong finish. He has a relaxed persona about him that keeps everyone loose. Had good success in 2007 and should continue into 2008. One of the guys I would pull hard in a pack for.

Juice – talk about power, Juice lays it out there until there is no more. When he gets that under control and stops doing all the work, then he will be cleaning up. I expect 2008 will be a great year for him.

Strings – dare I say the old man of the team, yet has a smoothness that is tough to mimic. Had some things going on that kept him out of some races this year. I hope he does the 45+ in 2008, cause I will lay it out for him. We did have fun at the State Crit for sure.

Engine – how good is this guy? He had some great, no awesome finishes this year despite blasting it for his teammates during each race and especially on the last couple of laps. He is an unselfish rider, I look for him to have a great 2008.

O’Henry – if someone loves this sport more than O’Henry I would sure like to meet them. Dedicated, and has a pre-race routine that few can match. His favorite saying is “It’s really cool”. And that is in July, when it is 90+ degrees out.

Sap – I hate the small guys because they float up hills, but you can’t hate Sap. He is too nice a guy. I think he is moving up to a Cat 3 which is a bummer, but will be a great addition for the Elites on the team. I will enjoy watching him next year.

Wheaton Wanabees:

Navigator – my best friend on and off the bike. Moved up to Cat 3 after the 2006 season and held his own among the best riders in the state. Huge power in the sprint. But, Dude, I needed help in Ft Atk and you just sucked my wheel?!? I owe where I am at to Navigator, I would be lost otherwise. (The real reason he is called Navigator – because the truth be told, he sucks with directions.)

Psych – talk about one of the nice guys in the pack, Psych is it. Yet when it comes down to the finish he has a gift for putting his game face on and getting to the front. And tough, can you say TT with cracked ribs. He’s the man! Tough luck in 2007, but still pulled off some awesome finishes and overall WCA Points.

Otis – he had me beat on road rash after Super Week. He might also hold the world record for number of crashes in one race; I think he crashed like 483 times in one race. Hey, we had a blast in the Ozarks, and when he is ready to stop working for you know who, then he is welcome on the Wheaties.

Chef – another one who made the jump to Cat 3 this year and did more than hold his own, he has some awesome power. On a side note; if you believe in reincarnation, I think Chef was a woman in his previous life. He is sensitive, caring, can cook a great tart and a mean omelet, just ask Navigator. We would have starved in Arkansas if it weren’t for Chef. Well Navigator would have for sure.

Try – well he tries to road race, but I hear he is better at triathlons, although that could be just a bad rumor. He is the only guy that can talk through a whole race or group ride. When we ride together I wear my ipod and blast my music to get a break, and I still see his lips moving. We do have fun going back and forth, and if he can ever beat me in a race, well get out the retirement balloons.

The Defender – despite being a bleeding heart liberal he is a great long time friend who this year rode the best I have ever seen him ride. We have many stories to share about each other, but as they say, what happens on a bike trip stays on a bike trip. (Manitowoc 1989.)

So what is in store for 2008? There will be another Spring Trip for sure, Asheville is the front runner, (and ample time to recover after), my focus for the year will be the 45+, with plans to double up in the Master 4/5 and maybe help some teammates along the way.

Only 27 more weeks until race day!

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