Dear Readers,
My name is Vanderbacon. Here is a little radness for your turkey day.
have a great thanksgiving.
best to you.
respect
fatmarc
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
And the elastic snaps...
Dear Readers,
My name is Fatmarc Vanderbacon. I have just been popped. The elastic has snapped.
Have you ever found yourself racing in a group during a cross race and you're struggling to keep in contact? On the wide open spots the guy at the front drills it, and you find yourself in your drops starring at the wheel in front of you, just hanging on. As the power section ends, you are gapped just so ever slightly off the group, but still perilously close to the group. In the tricky bits, you can get back on, but there's not enough there to move up in the group, not enough to really improve your position, you're hanging on. The group heads back to the next power section and again stretches out single file.
You're at the tail end of the accordion, and the extra energy needed to sprint out of each corner to get back in the group starts to take it's toll. Another tricky section, and you're back on, and as the course opens up, the kid on the front drills it, and you can no longer hold that wheel. The gap is too big.
You've just been popped.
That my friends is what has happened to my life in the past two weeks. I will admit my group includes my awesome wife, school, work and cross. The intensity in all areas has been up for a while now. The addition of Logan may have been a silly, but incredibly cool mistake. But here's the real deal:
I have three classes left in Grad school. I expect to be finished on March 8, 2014. When I started school, I had real fears of what I could and couldn't do. I was a horrible undergrad student. So, here I find myself with 3 classes, roughly 3 months of school left, and it has been a wonderful experience. I have worked very hard, learned a ton, and it's helped me grow in my profession, and in my confidence. I very proud of my efforts here.
Right now, I have a 4.0 GPA. This would have been inconceivable to me when I started this adventure. But there it is. I will own, that while there never was a goal to finish with a 4.0, at this point in the game, it has become one. I'm working hard, not sleeping a ton, and frankly, I want to graduate with a 4.0. There I said. I want it. It's a real goal.
Now look, I have perspective on this. If it doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world. The experience has been one of the best of my life. That said, I also don't want to half ass this, and let that slip away.
The past couple of weeks have been very hard. All area's of my life were demanding lots of energy and frankly, sitting down with Diane and talking about what was going on was really helpful. Something had to give. Cross is over for me this year. I'm a little bummed, because frankly I think I've been getting stronger as the season has developed, but I also recognize that when I went through a mental check list of my priorities, at this point I just don't have the mental energy to finish up the season. There aren't that many matches left in the book.
As Diane reminded me, "look man, you didn't think you'd be racing at all, you did 20 races last year, and 9 this year... That's pretty good..." She's right. And so, and so I'm closing the books on my 2013 race season, dreaming of my 2014 cross season, and I'm gonna do my damndest to make that 4.0 happen.
thanks for reading.
respect
vanderbacon
My name is Fatmarc Vanderbacon. I have just been popped. The elastic has snapped.
Have you ever found yourself racing in a group during a cross race and you're struggling to keep in contact? On the wide open spots the guy at the front drills it, and you find yourself in your drops starring at the wheel in front of you, just hanging on. As the power section ends, you are gapped just so ever slightly off the group, but still perilously close to the group. In the tricky bits, you can get back on, but there's not enough there to move up in the group, not enough to really improve your position, you're hanging on. The group heads back to the next power section and again stretches out single file.
You're at the tail end of the accordion, and the extra energy needed to sprint out of each corner to get back in the group starts to take it's toll. Another tricky section, and you're back on, and as the course opens up, the kid on the front drills it, and you can no longer hold that wheel. The gap is too big.
You've just been popped.
That my friends is what has happened to my life in the past two weeks. I will admit my group includes my awesome wife, school, work and cross. The intensity in all areas has been up for a while now. The addition of Logan may have been a silly, but incredibly cool mistake. But here's the real deal:
I have three classes left in Grad school. I expect to be finished on March 8, 2014. When I started school, I had real fears of what I could and couldn't do. I was a horrible undergrad student. So, here I find myself with 3 classes, roughly 3 months of school left, and it has been a wonderful experience. I have worked very hard, learned a ton, and it's helped me grow in my profession, and in my confidence. I very proud of my efforts here.
Right now, I have a 4.0 GPA. This would have been inconceivable to me when I started this adventure. But there it is. I will own, that while there never was a goal to finish with a 4.0, at this point in the game, it has become one. I'm working hard, not sleeping a ton, and frankly, I want to graduate with a 4.0. There I said. I want it. It's a real goal.
Now look, I have perspective on this. If it doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world. The experience has been one of the best of my life. That said, I also don't want to half ass this, and let that slip away.
The past couple of weeks have been very hard. All area's of my life were demanding lots of energy and frankly, sitting down with Diane and talking about what was going on was really helpful. Something had to give. Cross is over for me this year. I'm a little bummed, because frankly I think I've been getting stronger as the season has developed, but I also recognize that when I went through a mental check list of my priorities, at this point I just don't have the mental energy to finish up the season. There aren't that many matches left in the book.
As Diane reminded me, "look man, you didn't think you'd be racing at all, you did 20 races last year, and 9 this year... That's pretty good..." She's right. And so, and so I'm closing the books on my 2013 race season, dreaming of my 2014 cross season, and I'm gonna do my damndest to make that 4.0 happen.
thanks for reading.
respect
vanderbacon
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Nothing New To Report...
Dear Readers,
My name is fatmarc vanderbacon. I once thought a had beat a cold. Then I worked an 11 hour day, followed by staying up all night with a new puppy. Then I became really sick and missed a double weekend of racing that I had been looking forward to for a very long time. I did sleep like 18 hours on Saturday, so I have that going for me...Oh, yeah and I totally underestimated my take home exam. Holy 6 pages of essay questions, and 51 really tricky multiple choice, and 3 case studies. The cases might have been my favorite. I figured the exam would take 90 minutes, 2 hour tops. I am embarrassed to admit how much time I spent on that bastard... Frankly, I'm not even sure how well I did... Erg... well, this class is really good, my grade might get really interesting this week...
Left work today in a rare state of fury tonight. And not the good kind. In the end it will all work out... The downside was that I was really in no state to ride my bike tonight. The upside was I got to watch Diane play some guitar, which since she can't ride a bike right now, she's been doing more of... I do enjoy watching that...
Hoping to get our early tomorrow before work and catch some quick trails...
thanks for reading.
respect
vanderbacon
My name is fatmarc vanderbacon. I once thought a had beat a cold. Then I worked an 11 hour day, followed by staying up all night with a new puppy. Then I became really sick and missed a double weekend of racing that I had been looking forward to for a very long time. I did sleep like 18 hours on Saturday, so I have that going for me...Oh, yeah and I totally underestimated my take home exam. Holy 6 pages of essay questions, and 51 really tricky multiple choice, and 3 case studies. The cases might have been my favorite. I figured the exam would take 90 minutes, 2 hour tops. I am embarrassed to admit how much time I spent on that bastard... Frankly, I'm not even sure how well I did... Erg... well, this class is really good, my grade might get really interesting this week...
Left work today in a rare state of fury tonight. And not the good kind. In the end it will all work out... The downside was that I was really in no state to ride my bike tonight. The upside was I got to watch Diane play some guitar, which since she can't ride a bike right now, she's been doing more of... I do enjoy watching that...
Hoping to get our early tomorrow before work and catch some quick trails...
thanks for reading.
respect
vanderbacon
Monday, November 11, 2013
FSVS Cross at Fairhill: My home course?
Dear Readers,
My name is fatmarc vanderbacon. It would appear that since we have added Logan to our family, sleep has become even more of a thing of the past for me. At 5:15am this morning, I was super stoked as Logan jumped up, and I was abruptly awoken as Monkey let everyone know,"Logan's up" Potter and Layla jumped to attention too, as I commented, "don't worry I got 'em" and I charged down stairs with the thundering herd in tow. I got them all out safely, and an hour or so later Monkey came down and said, "sorry buddy I thought it was 6:30..eer I could have taken them down.." Ah, life with a puppy. Good thing they're cute, otherwise, I might eat them.
Saturday, I raced the FSVS cross at Fairhill. There are some awesome benefits to having a cross race less than 5 minutes from your house. These include doing a couple laps on the course the night before, and, in theory, a little more leisure time around the house before heading out to the race. I can't forget the getting kitted up in the warmth of your home, instead of the abrupt coolness of being wrapped up in a towel in a field, on the cool November day.
That said, someone asked me if I considered this my home race. Oddly, I responded, "no, not really" In the past, I would always consider Granogue my home course. These days I'll admit I don't feel like I have a home course. I want Fairhill to be my home course. Hmmm I'm gonna have to work on that...
The Fairhill Course this year was my favorite version of the course yet at this venue. The lap was a little shorter than the previous years, and had a great flow. My one complaint, and I get that it's a selfish one that benefits my skillset, there was only one dismount a lap, (the barriers) and just that one place to force folks off the bike, or to make a choice about riding a section. As I told the promoter, and my buddy Mike CZ, the course was wicked fun to race, and I really liked it, it just needs a couple of more tricky bits.
As a side note, my father told me years ago, don't complain about something unless you are willing to contribute to make it better. This advise is how I ended up on the MAC board, and promoting races by the way- THANKS DAD. So I gave my feedback to CZ, but also committed to CZ that next year, with Grad School in the rear view, to be more help, and you know slip in a tricky bit or too. Honest to god truth, the course is rad, it just needs another set of planks or a run up to be one of the best courses in the region. It was SO MUCH FUN. I vow in 2014 Fairhill will be my home course.
My race went well, I had a ton of fun, suffered a lot, bled out my eyes-got a good start, settled into a nice group, and waged a pretty epic battle with Werner the entire race which ultimately, I would lose on the last lap. It was fun. I wasn't great today, but on this fast course, and I get fast isn't my strong suit, I left it all out there, and I was happy with that...
Monk and I were happy to host Eric and Brett Friday night. It was great to see those guys, and frankly, they may have moved into the top spot as easiest guests at the house. Super Good Times.
Thanks for reading.
respect
vanderbacon.
My name is fatmarc vanderbacon. It would appear that since we have added Logan to our family, sleep has become even more of a thing of the past for me. At 5:15am this morning, I was super stoked as Logan jumped up, and I was abruptly awoken as Monkey let everyone know,"Logan's up" Potter and Layla jumped to attention too, as I commented, "don't worry I got 'em" and I charged down stairs with the thundering herd in tow. I got them all out safely, and an hour or so later Monkey came down and said, "sorry buddy I thought it was 6:30..eer I could have taken them down.." Ah, life with a puppy. Good thing they're cute, otherwise, I might eat them.
Saturday, I raced the FSVS cross at Fairhill. There are some awesome benefits to having a cross race less than 5 minutes from your house. These include doing a couple laps on the course the night before, and, in theory, a little more leisure time around the house before heading out to the race. I can't forget the getting kitted up in the warmth of your home, instead of the abrupt coolness of being wrapped up in a towel in a field, on the cool November day.
 |
| Rad Picture from my buddy Saul.. |
The Fairhill Course this year was my favorite version of the course yet at this venue. The lap was a little shorter than the previous years, and had a great flow. My one complaint, and I get that it's a selfish one that benefits my skillset, there was only one dismount a lap, (the barriers) and just that one place to force folks off the bike, or to make a choice about riding a section. As I told the promoter, and my buddy Mike CZ, the course was wicked fun to race, and I really liked it, it just needs a couple of more tricky bits.
As a side note, my father told me years ago, don't complain about something unless you are willing to contribute to make it better. This advise is how I ended up on the MAC board, and promoting races by the way- THANKS DAD. So I gave my feedback to CZ, but also committed to CZ that next year, with Grad School in the rear view, to be more help, and you know slip in a tricky bit or too. Honest to god truth, the course is rad, it just needs another set of planks or a run up to be one of the best courses in the region. It was SO MUCH FUN. I vow in 2014 Fairhill will be my home course.
My race went well, I had a ton of fun, suffered a lot, bled out my eyes-got a good start, settled into a nice group, and waged a pretty epic battle with Werner the entire race which ultimately, I would lose on the last lap. It was fun. I wasn't great today, but on this fast course, and I get fast isn't my strong suit, I left it all out there, and I was happy with that...
 |
| Finally dispatched by Werner, I make a final ride up the finishing straight- Photo By buddy KITA |
Monk and I were happy to host Eric and Brett Friday night. It was great to see those guys, and frankly, they may have moved into the top spot as easiest guests at the house. Super Good Times.
Thanks for reading.
respect
vanderbacon.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Caffeinated Cross- Hangin' with Ferg
Dear Readers,
My name is fatmarc vanderbacon. I once had the opportunity to be one of two "killer B" riders on the Fort Factory Team. That year I had the pleasure to follow around my teammates sponging up as much as I could from my more experienced teammates. That year, I learned a ton from that team, those riders. I am grateful for my time on their team. In my opinion, if there was was a Mount Rushmore of Mid Atlantic Cross it would probably be Yozell, Shogren, Elliston, Fergie, Auer and Ruether. I am happy to have a relationship with all of those guys.
Yesterday, as I was unpacking the fit, Fergie pulled into the parking field. I haven't seen him in probably a year. We started chatting, and he said he hadn't been riding much, and questioned racing. The race was in his home town. I encouraged him to race, that it was fun, and that racing cross is fun in of itself. The process is always good. Battling is always good.
I have always enjoyed pre-riding with Ferg. He sees lines, and breaks down a course in a manner that I don't always. He's been doing this so long, he is just so generous with his knowledge and such a resource. I appreciate his experience and guidance.. Plus it's really fun to ride with him. The day at
Caffeinated Cross was no difference. Thanks Ferg.
Caffeinated Cross is a first year race about 45 minutes from my house. I want to tip my hat to the promoters. The course was super fun. It was balanced with some open long straights that require lots of watts, and lots of tricky off camber, tight corners, a log, some steps, and awesome loamy corners. So much fun.
My race went well. I can't say I had magic legs like last week, but it was a good race. I started strong, maybe a too strong. Mid race I was pedalling squares and battling with a good group of guys. The final two laps I got myself together a bit and tried to bridge back to Trevor, who passed me when I was pedalling squares. And who was dangling just off of me? Yup. Ferg.
Now, I know if Ferg had been in form, I wouldn't be in the same race as the guy. But here we were, one to go. Trevor right in front of me, Fergie right behind... And that's how the group settled out. I was happy with my ride, with my effort. As I rolled across the line and tried to get off of the vomit comet, Ferg rolled up to me and said, "good ride, no gifts today... no gifts.." My day was freakin' made.
Afterwards Ferg and I spun down a bit and collected our pit bikes. We talked about our races, debriefed a bit, and broke down how things went. This something I've done with Auer often after races, and with my brother, and in the past with Ferg. It was awesome. I gotta be honest, I was happy with my ride today, but getting the chance to hang out with Ferg, well that made the day.
Hope to see Ferg at the races again soon.
thanks for reading.
respect
vanderbacon
My name is fatmarc vanderbacon. I once had the opportunity to be one of two "killer B" riders on the Fort Factory Team. That year I had the pleasure to follow around my teammates sponging up as much as I could from my more experienced teammates. That year, I learned a ton from that team, those riders. I am grateful for my time on their team. In my opinion, if there was was a Mount Rushmore of Mid Atlantic Cross it would probably be Yozell, Shogren, Elliston, Fergie, Auer and Ruether. I am happy to have a relationship with all of those guys.
Yesterday, as I was unpacking the fit, Fergie pulled into the parking field. I haven't seen him in probably a year. We started chatting, and he said he hadn't been riding much, and questioned racing. The race was in his home town. I encouraged him to race, that it was fun, and that racing cross is fun in of itself. The process is always good. Battling is always good.
I have always enjoyed pre-riding with Ferg. He sees lines, and breaks down a course in a manner that I don't always. He's been doing this so long, he is just so generous with his knowledge and such a resource. I appreciate his experience and guidance.. Plus it's really fun to ride with him. The day at
Caffeinated Cross was no difference. Thanks Ferg.
 |
| I was sandwiched between 2 MTBNJ riders for most of the day... |
Caffeinated Cross is a first year race about 45 minutes from my house. I want to tip my hat to the promoters. The course was super fun. It was balanced with some open long straights that require lots of watts, and lots of tricky off camber, tight corners, a log, some steps, and awesome loamy corners. So much fun.
My race went well. I can't say I had magic legs like last week, but it was a good race. I started strong, maybe a too strong. Mid race I was pedalling squares and battling with a good group of guys. The final two laps I got myself together a bit and tried to bridge back to Trevor, who passed me when I was pedalling squares. And who was dangling just off of me? Yup. Ferg.
Now, I know if Ferg had been in form, I wouldn't be in the same race as the guy. But here we were, one to go. Trevor right in front of me, Fergie right behind... And that's how the group settled out. I was happy with my ride, with my effort. As I rolled across the line and tried to get off of the vomit comet, Ferg rolled up to me and said, "good ride, no gifts today... no gifts.." My day was freakin' made.
Afterwards Ferg and I spun down a bit and collected our pit bikes. We talked about our races, debriefed a bit, and broke down how things went. This something I've done with Auer often after races, and with my brother, and in the past with Ferg. It was awesome. I gotta be honest, I was happy with my ride today, but getting the chance to hang out with Ferg, well that made the day.
Hope to see Ferg at the races again soon.
thanks for reading.
respect
vanderbacon
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