Movin' for Mallory

Benny, Josh, Paul and Blake spinning it out.

Dear Readers,

Movin' for Mallory is a Cystic Fibrosis Research fundraiser held at Henry's Bike in Pike Creek Delaware. Matt, Katrina and Mallory- the owners of Henry's, have trainers set up in the parking lot for 24hrs. Lots of riders hop on and see how long they can spin. Mallory, who has CF, cheers on the riders and of course spins for a bit herself.... It's pretty amazing... I am honored to be apart of this event.

Props to Ricardo and Laura who both put in 8+ hours. Most folks, like myself spin for just an hour. A number of local team each signed up for an hour with their team.

I am really proud that our hour (5pm-6pm) (Rides of the Week-Vanderbacon Family Picnic-DCCoD) raised $1300 dollars! Thanks to all of the members of the team. (Diane, Jay, Buddy, Paul, Shane, Benny, Blake,  Travis, Joe B, Blake, Travis, Kita, Josh, Consorto, Craig, and Beth). Thanks to all our friends and family, and readers that contributed not to just our hour but to the entire event.

it was awesome.

Photo/Video Blog Start now:

Craig and Beth and family spinning in Shelburne Fall, MA.

Diane and Buddy's recovering knees get wonky on the trainer so they rode laps around the venue.

Matt oversees the events...

Mallory cheers on the Spinners...

That's Laura right behind me, she rodE a trainer for 8 hours. That's awesome.

Ricardo rode 10 hours himself... crazy stuff

Spinning into the night...

Afterwards we all retreated to Two Stones to Celebrate!

A great time was had by all

Thanks to Matt, Katrina and Mallory, and everyone involved for making this such an awesome event and experience. Looking forward to 2015!

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

You sure as hell aren't going to find your legs at the bottom of that glass of beer...

Dear Readers,

No race report this week. I didn't race.

I was excited to race early in the week, and then I just hit a flat spot.

I have felt wonky all week. Not sick, but not right either. Tired, not sleeping great. Life stuff. Totally normal. I kinda promised myself that I wouldn't chase points this year, but I also noticed that with the 1.5x points and a descent ride at West Chester, I could maybe steal 10th place for that series. That realization was the kiss of death. My mantra of not chasing points was now kinda out the window, and I found myself looking at the race differently. I didn't have a positive attitude. I felt more and more like "have to" versus "want to"...

Saturday night I was at a sausage and beer tasting with some good friends. We were having a wonderful time. The menu was wonderful.  I had a beer, which isn't totally unusual the night before a race.Conversation was great. Lots of laughs, and  we ate amazing food. It was a great time.  As I realized I was tilting back my fourth glass of beer, I thought to myself, "I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna find my legs at the bottom of this glass, but it's gonna be fun trying..."

Leaving the dinner my friend asked, "you racing tomorrow?"

I responded, "If I wake up on time."

I didn't.

I actually woke up a little hung over.

Diane was meeting Anne Rock, Jill, Grim, Lisa, Nancy  for a nice ride around the Fairhill System. I kitted up, put a couple of cold one's in the jersey pocket (hair of the dog that bit you)  and headed over to meet some friends for a wonderful day on the trails.

my latest frankenstein bike project is going well. It's be fun playing on this thing for a little bit.

It's been a wonderful season. Mine is now over. For not planning a cross season, I'm really stoked. I also plan on having a season next year.

best to you all.

thanks for reading.

respect
Vanderbacon

Four Random Things

Dear Reader,

a few random things for today.

Haircut
I finally got a haircut. It was greatly needed.
I suspect that the woman down at the super-cuts-hair-stylery-fashion-gap is from a wrestling family. She definitely had heavy hands as she pushed my head left, pulled it right, and pulled my ears to cut around them. I was pretty sure at one point she was ready to give me a full on cross-face. While not the most relaxing hair cut I have ever had, she did a nice job. Man, I needed a hair cut.

Where my heart lies
I was talking to my buddy last weekend after our respective races. He is a pretty accomplished mountain bike racer, and just scratching the surface of what he can do in cross. This was his first full cross season, and man he jumped in like a cannonball.He was at the hardest race he could find every weekend. I have much respect for him and that approach. It would have been easy to downgrade to a cat 4 and steal some results.

Sunday he had a really good race, and I wished him well. He said, "I have had fun racing cross this year, learned a lot, but I also know from this season that I am a mountainbiker at heart. Cross is really hard." I kinda chuckled, and replied, "it has been a very good season, and looking at myself I have to admit, I learned this fall that in my heart I am a cyclocrosser... I'm doomed."  We both laughed.

Andy Van der Haar
Sunday, Mike D (the awesome cross official not the Beastie Boy), gave us the one minute warning at the start. We all threw our jackets off. My buddy Andy and I were kind joking around as we staged, and he suddenly got good and crouched ready to start. I had missed Mike D (the awesome cross official not the Beastie Boy) give the 30 second warning as I was goofing around a bit. So I look over at Andy and say, "man, check you out Andy van der Haar! " and sure enough the whistle went off.. I was kinda unprepared but luckily had at least one foot clipped in..." Damn, karma bit me in the ass there... That's what I get for being a smart ass...

Unremarkable Movie
Sunday night, Monk and I watched a pretty unremarkable movie. It was entertaining. But nothing I would really recommend to anyone. This is perhaps the part I remember most:  the protagonist was pouring a gallon of gas on her car as she prepared to torch it. She looks at the camera and says, "$4 a gallon of gas- Thanks Obamacare!" Diane and laughed out loud, because you know Obamacare has nothing to do with the cost of gas, and well Obama- everything...  Regardless of your political slant, I hope you can see the humor there.. Anyway that was the best part of the movie, which is why I wouldn't recommend it...

I'm feeling pretty good about this haircut.

respect
vanderbacon

Skyline Grill Ugly.

Dear Readers,

I still need a haircut. Maybe this week.

Movin' for Mallory Happy Hour
Friday Night Movin' for Mallory had a happy hour at a local watering hole (the Skyline Grill). The owners of Henry's Bike Shop daughter has CF. They have been doing great stuff getting the cycling community rally around fundraising for CF research. I like community movements.

A few weeks back Matt asked if I could guest bar tend for a half hour or so. I agreed. He promised I would only need to pour beers. Flash forward to Friday night. I got held up at work, and was late. Shit, I totally missed my shift. I tried to call Matt, or message him. I couldn't get him. I felt awful.

So Diane and I showed up at the Skyline Grill an hour late. I found Matt and apologized for missing my shift. He smiles at me and says, "dude, get back there now!"

a four count of whiskey what!!??

And I did. I was terrified. What I had expected would be just pouring beer. It also ended up with me making a few missed drinks, which was totally crazy. I think I sweat through my shirt in 20 seconds, not because it was hot, but because I was scared to death. Too much vodka, not enough Captain Morgan. Doesn't anyone drink beer anymore? What do you mean what kind of beer do we have?

Thankfully the real bar tender was a saint and incredibly helpful. Thankfully, my half hour make up shift went by very quickly! I have new found respect for the bar keeps!

Best of all! The evening raised over $3000 for CF research! Yeah!

What's that you say? You'd love to help support our communities CF research efforts? Well, good news my friend. Henry's Bikes is sponsoring a 24hr Spinnathon on Black Friday. The Vanderbacon Family Picnic has signed up for an hour (5pm-6pm!)  and we are looking to raise $1000 for our hour! We are a little more than half way there! If you'd like to help out with a donation it would be greatly appreciated!  YOU CAN GIVE HERE!

Kutztown Cross Day 2 a PACX Event

Kutztown was a fun race. Small field, absolutely worst start of the year for me. Missed my pedal and I had to be DFL off the line. I punched it a bit and got up to the wheels I wanted to race with. I proceeded blow two corners that forced me to put a foot down to save the ship. I chased, but couldn't get back on. By the end of the second lap, I was gaped off and had a dude from SRAM covering me pretty tightly... I tried to up the pace on the back section and I got a little space....The final two laps Joe P (55+ leader) was closing... He kept me honest the rest of the race as I finished up...

This corner was the scourge of my existence today.

And yeah, I'm probably getting a uniform fine... It was cold...

Looking at lap times I was very consistent. Consistent is good. I'll take it.

I like the Kutztown course. Bob and his team do a nice job. The new dirt rollers were a cool feature, and I always like the tight and hard corners that Bob lays out. A set of barriers today would have been nice. Very fun day. Thanks to the Bob and the Vortex crew for their work.

man, I need a haircut.

thanks to Jenn Sears for the racing pictures...

Thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

a blog about our broken washing machine

Dear Readers,

I still need a haircut.

Last night Diane and I  were doing laundry.

Diane went up to switch the load from the washer to the dryer. The washing machine door would not open and was stuck locked.  We bumped it. Gave it the Fonzie. Even my best " that New England Bullshit" Hip but it still wouldn't open.

I sent Diane to the google for ideas.

The google suggested running a short spin cycle.- No luck.
The google then suggested unplugging the washer and let it sit for 10 minutes- fail.

Diane was getting frustrated.  "My clothes are stuck in there! All my underwear!"

I responded, "all your underwear! lost forever! We'll have to go underwear shopping immediately, I'll get my coat! "

She was not excited as I was at this potential shopping trip.

Back to the google. I saw a cool trick were a dude used a little wire and popped the door right open. It is clear that I do not have such skills.  Fail again.

One last shot with the google. I found a video where a dude tipped up the washer and reached through the bottom to unlatch the release. This had promise.

Our laundry room is actually a closet. It's tight. But we twisted, turned and finally got the washer up on it's edge. I reached under the washer and into the inside.

Danger Monkey flew into full action. "You're going to break your arm, you can't hold it and reach up in there!"

"calm down McFly, everything is cool." I smiled and replied. "I'm rescuing your underwear!"

I continued,  "I can't reach it. I need you to lean this up a bit more and hold it against the wall."

Hesitantly, Monkey held it, "I'm not sure I can hold this for that long..."

I ducked my head under the washer and got some extra reach.

Danger Monkey exclaimed, " don't put your head under there, what if I drop the washer?"

I quipped "you're going to jail if you drop the washer, it's not that heavy and clearly you would be trying to kill me."

With my extra reach, I felt the latch, un-clicked it from the inside and Diane's underwear was saved!

"I can do anything with the google at my side!" I exclaimed and Diane shook her head at me, smiling in relief.

"Can we still go underwear shopping?" I asked coyly.

No response from Monk on that one.

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

First State Velo Cross: Best Cross Race You Haven't Done Yet

Dear Readers,

 Saturday Night, our guests from Pittsburgh,  Mayhew and Eric, joined Diane and I at one of our favorite resturants for dinner. We were talking about race weight and how and what we ate to try to squeeze into skinsuits. Eric shared that he makes sure to eat a lot of vegatables and that everyday when he goes to work he brings lots of cut up apples, carrots and tomatoes. No sooner had he finished that sentence, then our favorite waiter came to the table, and Eric orders, "I'd like two entrees.. Can I have the Gyro and the Falafel?" Laughed ensued from around the table.

Clearly something was working as Eric nailed down 4th in the elite race Saturday...

Kelly and Dan rocked the Vanderbacon Kit in the race. Which was super cool. 

I was a humbled by that gesture.  I warmed up in it... 

A few stories from the weekend.

I love my team.
I love my team. I love my team director. I am lucky to be on this team. I gotta say it, I love my teammates. There was a time not that long ago that C3 Twenty 20 Cycling Co. was actually a small team.  But in the Mid Atlantic the truth is that cross has grown out really into a Baltimore/DC region and a Philly/PA region to some extent. I have always counted myself lucky to be right in the middle and really get a chance to hit the best of both worlds. In recent years, I'll admit I haven't made as many Maryland races as I used to.. The benefit of being on now a larger team is that my teammates have this covered. Yesterday, at the First State Velo Cross at Fairhill, or as I like to call it the best race in the Mid Atlantic that you haven't done yet, lots of my teammates who I have met at Charm City or around the shop, or on our awesomely active email list, were up for Fairhill. It was awesome cheering for each other, supporting each other, and frankly as a grouchy old man on the team, feeding off of their enthusiasm. I had a rough day at Fairhill, but it was awesome to see and hang with so many of my awesome teammates. Viva la C3 Twenty 20 Cycling!

Okay- everyone pictured here is old guard... But EVERYONE IS AWESOME! 

The Race is just part of the day.
 Diane and I were stoked to have our friends Eric and Mayhew crash with us for the weekend. While of course the race was fun, and that experience is awesome in of itself, but getting to hang out, enjoy a few tasty beverages and sharing stories. Certainly a highlight of the day for me. Diane and I love sharing Newark (the center of the universe) with friends. It was really a ton of laughs and lots of fun.Thanks for the memories guys... Viva La Host Housing!

Sharing is caring..
Perhaps you have noticed that Diane is somewhat diminutive in stature. Over the years, we've had the pleasure of passing on some of Diane's old cross bikes to up and coming juniors who would eventually grow out of the frame, and well we've been able to pass that on to the next family. Diane takes a special pride in watching this frame live on...

Yesterday, our good buddy Hailey Sears became the next in a long line to take on this particular frame. Viva La Sharing- Viva La Green Jamis..

All the owners of the awesome green jamis- and the newest Hailey Sears! 

Traditional Race Report:
Dennis Smith and Mike CZ nailed the course this year. I have been saying for a couple of years that the First StateVelo Cross race is the most underrated course in the Mid Atlantic. Last year I thought the course was really fun,but needed an additional feature or two. They nailed it this year. The course was spot on, and frankly probably the best race you haven't done yet. Make it out next year, I promise you won't be disappointed.

As for my race, I lined up at the back. Got a good start, rode up as high as 13th on the second lap, and then proceeded to fade. The course had amazing driving sections, and I felt like I was on it, but in the end I just didn't feel great. My legs were heavy. The course was heavy, while not muddy or wet, there were soft spots, and I just wasn't great this day. I'll also admit on lap three my mental attitude was pretty bad. I was looking up and seeing the guys I wanted to be racing with a couple corners in front of me, but for the love of god, I couldn't get there...  I was loving the course, but I just couldn't go. Final laps I did my best to hold of a charging group of 55+ riders, which I failed to do, and then a hard charging bunny barrier bunny hoping Nik from breakaway, which I barely did.  Looking at the numbers, they were all in line with what I would expect, it just wasn't a great day.... I've had a pretty awesome season, so I'll take it. But we'll also look to do better next time...

thanks to Dennis Bike, Linda Lennon, Diane and Jen Sears for the awesome pictures in this blog.

thanks to Bob Joos for pitting for me, and pretty much being everything that is right about Cyclocross.

thanks for reading.

respect
Fatmarc

Cycle Smart International Weekend

Dear Readers,

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Cycle Smart International in Northhampton, MA. My first New England cross experience was years ago back when the CSI was at U Mass. It's become a traditional pilgrimage for us. This is one of my favorite weekends every year. This year was a notch even better. My brother Craig lives close to Northhampton. His amazing wife and kids are all so generous to let us crash at their place, as we all bound to the races and around town. This year we worked in Halloween.

I have had the extreme pleasure of racing with Craig 6 times this year. Competing in the same race, working together, pushing each other is something that I know is pretty damn special. It brings back memories of when we were all kids wrestling and my 3 brothers and I would travel to tournaments stuffed in my folks mini-van or even with Bob Watson and the Walnut YMCA team.  These days there's more food and beer involved, but really - a season of a life time.

here are some random thoughts and memories from the weekend:

I need a haircut. Badly.

Halloween in Shelburne Falls is a magic. It's the great pumpkin Charlie Brown, Maleficent, dude dressed as Jerry Garcia passing out hot-dogs off his grill magic. Maybe the best Halloween ever.

At one point I was holding Maleficent's staff, and an older (high school) trick or treater walked by and said to me, "nice staff Gandalf "... Another high school kid came by the first and said, "hey man, you got any weed?" (not directed to me) which somehow turned into "Hey Gandalf, you got any weed?" Which we laughed about for quite a while...

So the kids went to this one door to trick or treat, and they appeared to be having a pretty rad grown up party going on. The woman gave the kids some candy and asked, "are you guys the parents?" To which I answered, "well, I'm dressed as a parent!" She smiled and said, "that sounds a little creepy, do I need to call someone?" More laughter.

Berkshire Coffee Porter is really good. It was flowing like a river this weekend.

Putting a Go Pro on a my 8 year old newphew's bike and going  pre-riding with him. It's pretty rad.

Diane rode her cross bike for the first time in a year. Yeah, it was a sexy jean lap. Yeah, she can't do run ups yet, but it was pretty rad.

Saturday's race was fun. I over started,  ended up dangling off the group from the 3rd lap on.
it was fun in a painful way.

My only disappointment Saturday is that I was hesitant a bit in the corners, not aggressive enough. I know when I write this next line some of you will think I'm crazy, but many of you will know exactly what I'm talking about. I raced in gloves that I hadn't raced in before, and they weren't good. I didn't have good touch, and I blame the gloves for sub-par bike driving Saturday. Yup, the gloves- seriously.

Craig got McCormacked by a Junior McCormack in the final corner as he was sprinting to win his group Saturday. Seriously young mccormack jammed him into a stake on the final corner...

Craig was railing corners all weekend! 

Hanging with Mega is always a win. There was a lot of laughter going on at our tent spot.


Saturday Night Craig and Beth made an incredible meal and Matt, Janet, Heather, all the kids, joined Bill, LVG,Diane and I for a fun night and probably too many porters as we joked and the kids bombed around. It was awesome.

Sunday was cold. And the wind was brutal. The wind was really brutal. Our EZ-Ups started to get blown away taking Beth and Diane with them Mary Poppins style. It was that windy.

Sunday I had the worst start of my life. Like miss my pedal can't get clipped in for the first 500 yards bad. I just tried to stay cool, and move when I could. Man, that was bad.

In my mind Sunday's course was less technical, but it also had a ton more flow. There were a couple really fun fast, loose corners... I had better gloves on today, and felt like I drove much more effectively.

Lots of time in the drops Sunday.

Spent the last two laps kinda out on my own with a HUGE group breathing down my neck.

Thanks to the Joe and the fine folks at Joe's Garage and Team who took Monk and I in this weekend. Thanks Johnny M, and Matt.

Amazingly, I finished in the exact spot both days. this is like the fourth time this has happened to me when doing a New England weekend.Weird huh?

Diane had a super fun ride Sunday around North Hampton. The bike infrastructure here is amazing.

Beth made the best pumpkin muffins ever. SO GOOD.

Okay, I'm pretty shattered.

Thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc