October 23, 2006

So I meant to update this a lot between July 4th and now, but just kept forgetting. We are back at school now and have been for 2 months. We have a good crop of about 15 new cyclists and the returning veterans are continuing to gain fitness. The Champion System clothing is looking SICK, and today we got the templates for the accessories. We will be the best dressed in the ECCC for a 3rd year in a row, for sure. We are nearing the end of our sponsorship drive right now, and its looking very good. The next big hurdle is getting our race courses approved and accepted at the ECCC pre-season meeting. Overall, we've been kept busy.

Adam

July 4, 2006

Well I've been back on the bike for a month now, and my fitness is really starting to come around again. Last weekend Chauner and I did the Tour deSales collegiate only race near Allentown. The fields were small, only about 15 or 16, but pretty much all that were there were A or strong B riders, so it was still challenging. I finished 6th in the crit and 7th in the circuit race, getting nipped at the line by Drexel's Chris Hare. Overall it was a great weekend, I won some cash and Chauner and I ended up with some good stories from the bar in Kutztown on Saturday night to share on the start line Sunday morning.

So today I completed my first century ride in just over 5 hours. Todd and I were among a group of 14 that rode to Centre Hall and back. It was rather humid, but ended up being a pretty nice day to ride. I felt awesome all day, and sprinted against Todd throughout the ride. We were both still on fire even near the end of the ride and continued to attack each other, much to the chagrine of the other guys.

This weekend I am planning on racing in the Faulkner Honda crit near Harrisburg. I think I'll register for both the 3/4 and the 4/5 races and get more experience in the 3/4 and try for some upgrade points in the 4/5.

Love,

Krowbar

Last weekend was the Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling road race in Philadelphia. I was lucky enough to get VIP access thanks to the Chauner family. What an awesome weekend. Saturday night at the Manayunk wall was amazing. Picture houseparty, times 10. The roads were just flooded with college-aged people having a great time and watching those without much worry their physical health descend the steep roads in various vehicles, including cardboard drums and shopping carts. The parties on the wall followed by the unforgettable cab ride with a very charismatic black man named Clyde landed us at 3:30am with a 6:30am wake-up. Oh but it was worth it. Sunday was spent doing a few menial tasks for Carolyn, hanging out with the Chauner brothers, and riding in cars with the peloton. Manayunk was once again the happening place, as the streets were lined with many of the suspects from the night before. Michelob was kind enough to set up a tent at the top of the wall and offer their product to the crowd. At one point during the race a large German sprinter got popped on the climb, and someone offered him a can of beer. He took it, opened it, pounded it, and continued to ride. A true crowd pleaser.

Love,

Krowbar

June 7, 2006

So I took three weeks off the bike after nationals and went to New Mexico on a geology field trip. We spent our 14 days hiking and mapping for 6-8 hours a day. I got to see some spectacular geology and got to spend time in the awesome cities of Santa Fe and Taos. I would recommend visiting either or both sometime before you die.

Well the three weeks off refreshed my interest in riding my bike, but killed my anaerobic fitness. Of course the first ride I did after I got back was Jack's. Four miles from my driveway to the foot of the monster. From the bottom to the crest my heart rate was between 190 and 206, but it was still pretty sweet, and the descent is still fast. Hopefully it won't take me too long to get my fitness back and lose the fat from New Mexico.

Also, I sent an interest email about the team to all of the incoming freshmen. So far I have gotten five responses: 4 girls and 1 guy. At this rate we should have a sick 2010 contingent to the cycling team...

Love,

Krowbar

May 21, 2006

Nationals. What a great experience. It goes to show how far we've come as a team that we can send 7 racers to Kansas this year, while only sending 1 last year. The races were tough and the competition was tougher, but we held our own considering the number of crashes and mechanicals we experienced. In the road race, Mike flatted and later had his wheel crashed into, breaking a spoke and causing the rim to rub the brake badly. Lauren, who was looking very comfortable after the first lap, was forced into a ditch early in the second lap. She finished, but was out of contention. In the crit, Todd, who was looking very strong and doing a lot of work throughout the race, was forced into the barricades on the last corner on the final lap. We had a strong showing for sure, but it was a showing littered with misfortune.

We were given quite a surprise by Big Show, 2006 winner of the ECCC best nickname award, on Thursday we arrived in Kansas. Apparently he decided he had nothing better to do than to DRIVE to Kansas and meet us at the hotel. I walked out of the shower to a very large man standing outside of the door, much to my surprise.

The reception in Lawrence, KS was not exactly welcome to the Bison. It seems that the first round defeat of the Jay Hawks in 2005 took quite a toll on the residents of Lawrence. We were given vulgar gestures, had obscenities yelled at us, and even the police at the crit told Charlie that "nobody likes you here." A local was taking pictures of us in our sweatshirts at the crit and a woman outside of a restaurant gave us a guilt trip. We of course tour-de-caked the KU campus the day we got there, how could we not?

Today the seniors are graduating... a bittersweet day for sure. Congratulations guys, hope you enjoyed your brief, but awesome time with the team. Best of luck in the future.

Love,

Krowbar

May 9, 2006

Well the 2006 collegiate season has come to a close, a bittersweet moment indeed. While many of us were growing tired of racing thrice a weekend, I know we will all miss the atmosphere of the ECCC, our friends on other teams, and the unforgettable nights in the hotels 'finding the outlet' and hunting for Easter candy. Bucknell Cycling reached a new level this season, in performance, in growth, and in camaraderie. We leave this season to work on the many new goals we have for the team, to bring the team to the next level of growth and competitiveness. To everyone who made this season memorable and great, thank you, and pat yourselves on the back Bucknell Cycling, because this season we made a name for ourselves with our 11 total wins, up from 2 last year. To the graduating seniors, your contribution to the team is invaluable, and you will be missed. To those who aren't graduating, if you thought this season was sweet, just wait for next season.

We will leave this haven for the summer to continue to train and race, and to work on the goals we have set for ourselves, goals to advance the team. This summer we will be working on, among other things:

• Getting a jump on freshman recruitment by sending interest emails over the summer

• Updating and refining the sponsorship packet by July, so that we may begin contacting potential sponsors as soon as possible

Again, congratulations ladies and gentlemen on a spectacular season, the first of hopefully many more to come. I wish you all luck with your training and racing over the summer and I look forward to seeing you all in the fall, with a whole crop of new cyclists.

Love,

Krowbar