I'm not very good at updating! But here I am a few months later racing as a cat 2. Training has been well and still with the same coach called Nathan. I think I have gotten a little bit faster and my sprints have been a bit more clean/quicker. I did my first race as a cat 2 in Arizona at Valley of the Sun stage race. It had a "cat 2 only" field. I thought I'd have a better chance not getting dropped here haha. I decided to go all out and do this stage race as my first because I have done well in this race before and have won the road race. I think I was just comfortable with it and decided to go for it, but unfortunately, it didn't go as well as I wanted it to. I got dropped in the road race, but I did get my first top 10 as a cat 2 that weekend. It was on stage 3. The crit! I managed to do no work and get through no problem. Probably the best sprint I have ever done with the *new bike we have.
*We are now sponsored by DiamondBack and the majority of the team are riding their podium 7. It's the stiffest bike I have ever ridden. It's just so responsive, too!

Last weekend was my 2nd race as a cat 2. Also the first road race I've done in the Pro 1/2/3 field combined. It wasn't that long, but it was fucking difficult with that wind blowing at 45 mph. I got dropped that day, but I did get another top 10 finish on stage 2. The crit...Again.. Though I'm wondering why they never saw me finish that day as they didn't put me down on the results. I did protest but never got anything back from them. I do have pictures anyway which is totally cool. After all, I went to that race to support and have fun racing with my mates for the first time! I really did get my ass kicked, though haha

Ok so it's been 3 years since my last update. A lot did happen and some didn't happen, but things are going really good and I'm able to focus a lot more on the things I like to do. (which is basically just riding and racing my bike.) I've been living in my new house that I bought 3 years ago and it's been good to me. A bit stressful at times trying to take care of my HOA and everything else, really. I can't complain, though, as I don't have as much "problems" as I did in the past. 

I'm finally using another coach and I've been with him for almost a year now. Things are going really good with my training and I'm finally getting comfortable racing with the dudes again. I just need to get my upgrade to cat.2 already! 

I think the last time I updated this, I was riding my first bike and upgraded a few things. I'm actually on a new one now which is also a Trek and it's riding really well.

Things have changed. Mostly my life. In a good way, of course, and I'm not really complaining. 

easton ec90

I'm currently still riding this bike. It's been 3 years now, if not more...This is my first bike and it's still treating me well haha. I currently installed new cranks to try them out. They're the Easton EC90 cranks. They are so god damn stiff, I didn't know I would actually feel the difference.

Before these cranks, I was riding Campagnolo Record and they were pretty damn good. I was able to tell the difference between the Record and the Ultegra I used before the Campy cranks.
The bottom bracket bearing was so much faster and smoother, I felt like I wasn't doing anything at all when I started pedaling.
The Easton EC90 cranks, however, felt a little more responsive. They are stiff as shit! I wish I couldn't feel the difference, but I could and it's weird as fuck. They are definitely lighter than Record and the bottom bracket's got ceramic bearings so they spin just as good as Campagnolo's bb. I'm pretty happy with it and I can't wait to get back on the bike!

I tested the cranks as soon as I put them on(3 weeks ago). I'm not sure if it's just me thinking too much, but I feel faster for some reason. I tried sprinting in them, giving it all I can up that hill and there's just no drag at all. All that power went straight to the wheel and there goes my bike, leaving me behind. These cranks put the Record to shame. Some of you know how much I weigh. I'm not very big, but for some reason...I can feel the difference. The Record cranks are definitely not as stiff as this. Not to mention, they are also super aero.

If you want something stiff and light...These are the cranks for you. IMO.

Honestly, this blogging stuff takes too much of my time. But since I'm about to go to bed, I thought maybe I can write something about myself. ....I'm not even sure if this blog is going to be about "cycling!"

Anyways, I haven't been on the bike for...maybe 3 weeks now. I feel that this year was a bit too much for me. That includes relationships, racing, LIFE in general, buying a damn house....SUPER STRESSFUL. So I felt that I would just pay myself back and have a good time. It's off season and all I've done is party every fucking day. I'm almost sick of it, and I'm glad cus when I'm back on the bike, I don't want no bullshit and wanting to go out on a weekday and not be able to wake up in the morning to go out for a 4 hr ride. I'm tired of your shit Chuck.

OCTOBER, OCTOBER, OCTOBER! You've given me so much drugs. I'm starting to think that I'm going to hate it SO MUCH when I get back on the bike. But it's all good, let's just get all this shit out of the way I guess...

I was thinking, the other day, I'm glad I decided to stay with Allegiant. Even though we were having problems with money, the team I ride for/with are so good to me. I feel no pressure at all and I feel that they understand what I've gone through. I recently talked to my team capt. Tony. I told him how I haven't been on the bike in weeks! Normally, I'd, mostlikely, get a smack in the back of my head but instead, I heard "October is the best time to do all that, just keep in touch!" I never told him about the drugs though, so maybe things wouldn't go as smooth? haha
I think it's important to love the team you ride for and understand the people that are in it. Without all of this, I wouldn't have the motivation to ride or even race! Motivation is the key and I will stick to it. Allegiant motivates me and I'm doing fine right now so nothing else will get in the way. Unless of course Garmin asks me to race for them :)

Ahhh, cycling has taken over my life. It definitely has and I have no problem with it.
I'll be back on the bike sometime next week! Time for another year of racing and lots of riding. Get all these stupid shit out of the way, out of my head, I don't need anymore problems.