Forward

I have been racing mountain bikes since I was about 29 years old.  I am now 48.  I took a 13 year absence from riding bikes as I got married, had 3 children, and worked on my golf game.  Biking just seemed to take a back seat as my interests changed.  I wasn't that I couldn't bike, I just didn't care too.

In my early 30's I worked my way up to the Expert/Elite Class of mountain bike racing in Michigan. I was very active with the MMBA (Michigan Mountain Biking Association) and the Southwest Chapter of the MMBA.  At one time I was chapter president and state president of the MMBA.

My success in racing really diminished as I came up through the ranks from beginner to  expert in my early 30's.  The longer the races got the worse I did.  It always seemed like I would have to bail due to back problems.

So what makes me think I can compete in 100 mile mountain bike races almost 20 years later?  Let me answer that by saying because I believe in myself and my ability, not to mention I have the best support team in terms of my wife and family.  I am also smarter about my training and am in a position to ride the best bikes available.  I am very fortunate to be associated with Cannondale through Cannondate Midwest Racing and Spin Zone Cycling Outfitters in Granger, IN.

I have hired a coach -  Mike Schultz in January of 2010.  Mike is the owner of Highland Training based out of Highland PA.. Mike will guide me and set my training schedule as we tackle taking on these 100 mile races.  I have already seen the results of working with Mike in 2011 by winning both the MMBA and USAC MTB Series for the Sport Class of Clydesdale in Michigan.

Yes, I do weigh over 200 lbs (that is why I raced Clydesdale in 2010 & 2011), thus another reason I took the sport back up.  2 1/2 years ago I weighed almost 280lbs and got winded walking a flight of stairs.  Today I am at 212lbs and am told that I don't look like I weigh 200lbs.

So going forward I will discuss the trials and tribulations that I encounter as I pursue becoming and Endurance Athlete in the sport of mountain biking at the age of 48.