2008 Season Review and looking ahead to 2009

OK so the season is officially over for me now. I can definitely say the hard work in the early months of this year paid off for me in the end. After only doing 2 races in 2007, I was pretty anxious to get back out on the road in full swing. I started riding back in February, probably right around the time I started blogging. The blog king of held me accountable since I was riding by myself out in the desert nearly 3 times a week. If you put in the work, the results will come. I felt very strong in nearly all the races I competed in this year. I'm still chasing my first win, but this year I came very close on several occasions to getting it. Some races that stick out in my mind are the California State Road Race and Cliff Drive Classic in Kansas City. Those races were both really challenging and just a lot fun. With that said, I'm very pleased with the year I had.

What does 2009 have in store for me? One big thing is I will start the year racing as a Cat 3. Wow, is all I can say about that. I remember like it was yesterday doing my first race as a 5 and getting dropped like a bad habit. Also, next year the goal is to do a couple Stage Races and the state time trial race. Hopefully the job will allow for me to train enough to be in a position to have some results next season. The first race of the year for me will be in February at the Valley of The Sun Stage Race in Arizona if all goes as planned. Several Hub riders should be at this event in the Cat 3's. So I'm really looking forward to training for that. I will be on a new bike for 09 and I hope to purchase a time trial bike too. I'll post at later time on the new rigs. I'm really looking forward to riding with the other Hub guys currently in the 3's. It has been a few years since I have raced with them. Get those trainers out racers because 2009 will be here before you know it!

St. Gen road Race Saturday Sept 20

Plan on lining it up one last time for the 08 season. Course is a 33 mile loop with 3 nice climbs from what I hear. Looking forward to it as I havent done a road race since the State Road Race in California.

Tour of Missouri

The Tour of Missouri took to the roads of ole Missoura, not Missouri but Missoura. Really who says that?!!?!? ITS MISSOURI!!!!!!!!! Say it like it reads. Ok the race waspretty cool to follow online and see BIG time racers right here in our state. I saw 3 of the stage finishes over the course of the weekend. Rode down to Jeff City Friday to catch the finish, then in St. Charles, and finally a few blocks over the from house on Market St today. It was pretty amazing how close you can get to the teams and all there equipment. The lessor known riders hung out more outside there team cars and the big name guys came out for autographs and then jumped right on the bike. I hung out with a Rock Racing rider Justin Williams for a few minutes picking his brain about what it was like riding in the Tour. This guy is only 19 years and is the current reigning U23 National Crit Champion. He also recently beat the Cuban Missle in a sprint finish about a month ago out in Cali. This was his first stage race and he is very excited to return to the Tour of MO next year. I also got a jersey autographed for a friend Dan, of a rider that won the 2005 National Road Race that was in Philly. Dan had a jersey that he has been holding onto for the last ten years to get it signed by Chris Wherry (only j/k about Dan holding out for ten years, that gives the story alittle more kick though!!)

The Hub was out in full force too, had a good time hanging with the guys.

NEW KITs NEW KITS NEW KITS

Yes, we've got them in. The new kits, the Hub has a new look essentially for the 09 road/crit season! Pictures to come soon...if I race tomorrow, those will pics of the kit will be posted.


EDIT to add photo of our new jersey. Ok so that's the new jersey. Heine wasn't in full kit, only the jersey, so full kit photos will come after the St. Gen road race next Saturday. It's pretty coool how our wings favor Rock Racings signature design.

2008 Gateway Cup Wrap up

Overall a really good weekend for The Hub at he Gateway Cup. I felt really good all weekend, only wish I would have made a couple moves late in some races. My goal was to finish top ten in all four race and I was able to do that. Here they are:

Friday Lafeyette Square - 7th place
Saturday Downtown - 2nd place
Sunday The Hill - 4th place
Monday Delmar - 6th place

Pictures will come later and maybe I'll talk more about each race. Peace