Wallie...

Dear Readers,

Backside wall rides were one of my favorite tricks. The first time I ever saw one was Mike Vallely in the INXS Devil Inside video. (see 4:55)


I can remember trekking off to downtown Wilmington with Bret and Bill to learn backside wall-rides over the stairs in park adjacent to the state building.

The next progression of that was the Wallie, which was basically a backside wall-ride off the corner of a building, where after riding the wall you'd launch into the air, level out the board the roll off victoriously. These were my all time favorite tricks. So much fun, and such an amazing feeling. While I have no muscle memory of the time when I could actually do a Wallie, I do vividly remember the feeling of doing them, and that second of floating you felt coming off the wall. Sometimes I dream of skateboarding, not the park cruising I do these days, but of when I could really skate and that's the sensation I vividly experience.

While I recommend the entire clip, skip to 2:00
yeah that left me pretty speechless..



that's all I have to say about that...

love this shot that Tom Burrows got of Monkey, John and Mr. Joe after Monk's race...

photo Tom Burrows

thanks for allowing me this journey down skateboard lane.
Thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

Quaker City Cross : Two Outta Three ain't bad...

Dear Readers,

Monk and I loaded up the car and headed to Quaker City Cross this weekend. On the way home, Diane and chatted about our races, and joked through bouts of cross cough. While it was a good day,  all I could think of  were the magnificent and wonderful words of the great prophet  Meatloaf who once sang, "two outta three ain't bad!"


That's how I felt about today's race. Great Venue, Great Production- but the course. the course not so much.

great crowds, and venue (photo by Dennisbike)

I am a grateful racer. I appreciate racers, I appreciate promoters. Promoting race is really hard work, and really thankless work. As a former promoter, I know how hard it is. I am happy to be a former promoter. Thank you QWC for your efforts.

The venue was super cool. The race was really well organized, all the volunteers were awesome. The weather was beautiful. The results were fast and accurate. The beer was awesome.

The course was the worst cross course I ever raced on. That's all I have to say about that...

I'll admit I choose to do this race because these guys did such an amazing job with the Hill Billy Hustle in the past. Perhaps my expectations were too high.

The good news is this: The QCW crew races a lot of cross. These guy and gals know what they are doing. This was a first year at this venue. They have the killer vibe, killer venue- it'll be better next year for sure.

Heading to pit for Monkey- Photo Dennisbike

My race was solid, not great but I was pleased. If the past 3 weeks, I won my group, today I lost my group. Had a good start, settled into a group that had Mr. Joe and Johan dangling off the front, with Benny, Luxy, Stevens and I. With 3 to go I fell off the group. With 2 to go D-Lowe caught me, and I gave chase but he held me me off in the end. Racing was fun, because I like to race with these guys...

Monk had a good day after being sick for a week. She battled in and seemed to get stronger as the race went on... She was pleased and tired on the way home.

Photo Dennisbike

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

Hub Labels Cross Classic (Ft. Ritchie Cross)

Dear Readers,

Pulled into Fort Ritchie and parked next to Mike Birner. I'll admit as he came over to give me a hug, I wasn't 100% sure he wasn't gonna put me in a headlock. But sure enough it was a hug. I like hugs, although I've spent sometime in headlocks too.

I have never done this race before. The venue was really cool. The course was fun, bumpy, and I'll admit I didn't love it warming up, but at speed the corner to corner action required you to stay focused. Cheers Joe Jefferson and team.

I had expected a slop fest, even had the baby limus all set up on one of my bikes, but the course was in great shape. One little soft spot, but no water, no mud. I like mud, but you know, not having to totally clean my bikes doesn't suck either!

As I waited to start my course inspection, one of the Junior Jr races was finishing up. A young girl from Baltimore Youth Cyclocross had a flat and was running it in. Her teammates- probably 20 kids all adorned in the yellow and red team kit ran along side her cheering. You've never seen a kid with a broken bike running towards the finish line with a bigger smile on her face. Kinda gives you hope for humanity...

But I digress- here's how my race went down:

There were 24 or so racers. I was lined up in the third and final row. Jon Hicks(Sportif Group) graciously offered to swap with me on the second row. I declined but appreciated the offer.

The race took off quickly, we came off the asphalt and onto the grass, the field filed into single file behind Mike. I charged up on the inside and moved up to Mike's wheel just around the first corner.
I'll admit my brain was squirming a bit as we worked through a tight section, after charging from the back row  up to second  wheel the voice in my head- all hopped up on courage and adrenaline was shouting "Go Man! Go Man!"

I know better, I know to be patient... but what the hell- I charged off the front. First time I have lead a cross race since 2012. It was pretty fucking magnificent.

But it wouldn't last.

At the end of the first lap a group reeled me in and dispatched me. I settled into a nice group with Peter (NCVC) and Jonathan (AFC).  Mark (SRAM/SANTA CRUZ) was chasing in no man's land. Peter and Jonathan were throwing down watts at me. Jonathan went to the front of our group, and I clung onto his wheel for dear life, Peter seemed to come off our group a bit.

With one to go, I followed Jonathan across the line. We hit a tight series of 180's and figured it was now or never, I passed on the inside and stood to accelerate out of the corner. Much to my surprise I had a small gap, which I was able to maintain to the line, as Jonathan never let me ease off the gas...

it was a good race, super fun battling/riding with those guys. I was exhausted, and really damn stoked.

my first podium since 2012. I was pretty damn happy, I won't lie.

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

Granogue Cross Clinic: sharing our passion for cross

Dear Readers,

About 2 months ago I got a strange email from my friend Lisa Vible about a cross clinic headed up by Nick Sears and I the Wednesday before the Granogue Cross Race. I had no idea what she was talking about.  No sooner did I finish reading my email than I got a phone call from Nick, "so man, not to put the cart before the horse, but do you want to put on a cyclocross clinic at Granogue the Wedneday before the event with me?"  I laughed and of course agreed. The Train Smart Sports Coaching Cyclocross Clinic at Granogue was born!

I'll admit, I drug my feet a little bit. It felt an awful like a race promotion and a lot of work I wasn't sure I wanted. But as I worked with Nick, Paul and Lisa their enthusiasm and excitement was contagious. I was excited that we could add to what was already going to be an amazing Granogue weekend. Before I knew it, I was writing up curriculum for the clinic, working with Nick and Lisa on the bikereg page,  and planning out where we wanted to teach at the venue.

Early on, Nick asked me, "how many people do you think we'll get?" I replied if we get 20 I'll be stoked. Lisa and Paul- ever the optimists recommended that we allow for more than 20 spots on BikeReg. It was with great pride that we sold out the clinic a week prior with 60 riders!!

Photo Dennis Smith

Nick and I quickly recruited some of the Mid Atlantic's top cross minds to help us share our passion and knowledge:

Train Smart Sports Coaching Granogue Clinic Staff- Photo Kita Roberts

Our coaching staff for the clinic: Heather Heindrich, Ben Anemone, Kevin Fryberger, Nick Sears, Kelly Cline, Fatme, Diane Vettori, Chris Consorto, Bad Kat Wulfkuhle and Bad Andy Wulfkuhle.

We had two groups: Advanced and Intermediate/Beginner. We worked hard to have a 6 to 1 coach to rider ratio.

Ben encouraging... Photo Kita Roberts 

Monkey explaining- photo Kita Roberts

Kelly demonstrates three points of contact. Photo Kita Roberts

Under the watchful eye of Consorto- photo Kita Roberts

While shouldering is a little used skill here in the mid atlantic- Bad Andy shows the proper technique.

Photo Kita Roberts

Paul walks some riders through the 3 points of contact drill- photo-Bill White

Kevin, Nick and BA lead the group through drills on Bamboo Hill. (photo Bill White)

From the outset, we knew that we had a lot of information we wanted to cover, and just 2 hours to do it. We raced the sunset to the very end. While the feedback on the clinic has been overwhelmingly positive- as a coaching team we recognized that in 2 hours we had to cover a lot of ground. Each of us felt like there were areas where we would have liked to have taken a deeper dive. Nick and I admit that we were both task masters as far as watching the clock, and making sure we stayed on target with the agenda. Spurred on by the great feedback, and great time that we had, we have already begun planning for either a 1/2 or full day clinic for 2016. I am incredibly excited at this possibility.

One of the most rewarding things for me post clinic was talking to folks who came Wednesday and then raced Sunday and were able to apply what they learned. I'm really proud of that...

thanks to all the coaches for giving up their time.
thanks to all the riders who could have been anywhere in the world, but chose to hang out with us.
thanks to Nick, Paul and Lisa without whom none of this would have happened.

Finally, thanks to you for reading.

respect
Fatmarc
(still stoked from this clinic)

The Ghosts of Granogue

Dear Readers,

Granogue is my favorite race in the Mid Atlantic. I'll be honest that I'm biased, but I love this race. I'll admit it's weird for me now that I am no longer a member of the promotion team. Naturally, folks will ask me questions- and I happily direct them to the current promoters of the race: Paul and Lisa.
Paul and Lisa are awesome. I love what they have done with the race and the I love their vision. Most of all I love that I'm not a promoter. Paul and Lisa inspire me. Cheers to them.

That said, I admit I felt a weird stress Sunday Morning. I was rushing to get out of the house and Diane said to me, " dude, we aren't on the promotion team anymore. Paul and Lisa have this..."  And I relaxed.

At the venue I walked around and took it in. Granogue lingers with me in a way I can't easily express. It will always be a special place a special race to me. Thank you Paul and Lisa for bringing this back. Thanks for your graciousness to Monk and I...

Loving the Vanderbacon Logo on the podium!

My race was really hard and really fun. I'm not gonna lie I was pretty damn stoked... I got a good start, and after two laps settled into a nice group with Johan (EVO), Peter (Bikenetic), and D-Lowe (Philly Ciclismo).

My group this weekend. - Photo Credit Bill White

across bamboo hill

We rode together each taking turns pushing the pace at the front, and stretching things out. With 3 to go  Peter went to front and lifted the pace. Johan came of off our group. With two to go, D-Lowe went to the front, and I struggled to follow his wheel, but just made it. It was down to just D-Lowe and I going into the final lap. I knew that no way, no how did I want to come into the final straight and have to sprint D-Lowe. I put in a dig on one of the steep pitches and got a small gap. D-Lowe chased me around, and I stood and sprinted as we hit the pavement for the last time nursing the little gap to D-Lowe. 

In my effort to distance myself from D-Lowe, I started to gain on my old buddy Benny the Jewlar, who had been tantalizingly in front of our group for the last two laps. Ben didn't realize I was there, and I didn't think there was enough room to get to him, but being the good friend that I am, I drilled it. He hit the line a half wheel a head of me! He looked over and smiled at me, yelling, "FATMARC!!"  I smiled and said, "I wasn't gonna get you, but I couldn't let you sit up either.."

Benny the Jewlar!

While I didn't get the spot, what I did get for chasing on my buddy down to the line? I puked. 

And just as I wiped the spittle off my chin, my in-laws came up to congratulate me. It was an awesome moment. I'm sure it's an image of their most favorite son-in-law in the world that will stick with them forever.

still on the vomit comet! 

It was a beautiful day. I am destroyed.

thanks for reading.

respect

fatmarc

PS- Blog about the clinic coming this week I promise...

"Have a nice ride- asshole!"

Dear reader,

It's been 7 days since Cross of the Corn. Still no results. 

On to subjects that make me happier:

Monk and I did a couple of laps around Lums Pond State Park this morning on our cross bikes. On our first lap, we came upon 4 equestrians all women, I would say in their late 50’s or so. We got off our bikes and let them pass. They were very nice and appreciative. On our second lap, we came upon them again, and again got off our bikes to allow them to pass. We struck up a conversation and the lead woman said to us, “You guys are so nice. Thank you. Lots of times bikers come by and don’t even slow down.” Diane chirped up, “I’m sorry, many riders are new and don’t know to yield” I followed up with, “we’ve been riding bikes in the woods since the late 80’s, maybe longer as kids. We all want to use the trails – bikes, runners, horses- we just have to work together.” The woman on the second horse said, “maybe they just don’t know.” I smiled and said, “Let’s hope so, but you know I hate to say it there are assholes in every crowd!” The ladies all laughed and shook their heads in agreement. We wished them well, and they started on their way. The last woman stopped her horse next to us leaned down smiled a Cheshire cat grin, winked at us and said, “have a great ride asshole!” we all laughed as she trotted off…

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

Cross of the Corn #Crossishere!

Dear Readers,

Cross of the Corn!

It was spectacular. Perfect Kick off race. Monk and I are still stoked.

Before I dive in I'll say after staging for the 45+  men, we gave a moment of silence in honor of Kevin Breckenmaker. He was in all of our thoughts as the new season kicked off. As Luxy said, "I just felt like he'd drive around the corner in his Element any moment." God Speed Kevin.

This was one of those moments in bike racing and the Mid Atlantic  brother/sisterhood that sticks with you...

Monk and I traveled to Aspers, PA for the PACX kickoff race of the year- Cross of the Corn.

Monk and Bad Kat staged for the Women's Race!

It was rad. It was really hard, and it got hot.

This was an August Cross race. I know cross comes too soon. Blah, Blah, Blah...

I hate racing in the heat. I loved when cross started the last week of September and ran through December. However, that ship has sailed. Cross starts earlier these days, and frankly if you love cross I have a hard time reconciling being bummed about it.

This was a second year course. A good sign of a good promoter is that after the first year of the race, they work hard to get feedback and improve their course and learn from their mistakes. I'll be honest the course from last year didn't get a lot of love.

I heard nothing but good stuff this year. I dug the course, thought it was challenging, balanced and really fun to race. It had quick good power sections, tight bike drive sections and a couple of tough pitches. Two dismounts a lap rewarded those with good traditional cross skills.

It got hot in the corn!

It was amazing to see so many familiar and friendly faces. The first day of school analogy gets over used but it really is appropriate. It was great to be back in that fold. I was happy to connect with my teammates John and Mr. Joe. The Snitz Creek Brewery Team Recovery drink was delicious as well.

Monk and I both had good races and we were stoked. Destroyed, hot, smelly and sweaty, but stoked.

Monk chasing on the last lap...

As we rolled out of the Fields of Adventure farm/park Monk looked over at me and smiled and asked, "when is the next pacx weekend?"   I replied, "A couple of weeks why?" She smiled that shit eating grin that I fell in love with and said,  "I got a front row call up now, I can't let that go!"

Thanks to Scotty Roberts for my new FB profile picture!

It was a good day for both of us, as now we'll turn our attention to the Granogue Clinic on Wednesday and the Granogue race this weekend! Monk and I are heading up the kid's race sunday, so stop over and see us!

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

Noticing a Trend

Dear Readers,

I am noticing a trend in reaction to my cycling fashion:



"I can't have you looking like a hobo.."

-Current Team Director John Lux

"We are doing sleeveless jerseys this year mostly because I'm tired of Vanderbacon slashing the sleeves off his jerseys. That guy racks up uniform fines like it's his job."

-Former Team Director Kris Effin' Auer

"So about that pink leopard helmet, it kinda clashes with the kit a bit, I can get you something else..."

-Former Team Director Fort Greg

"You know if you ever fall on hard times, and you know you are homeless, please speak up, because  based on your fashion choices, your friends won't know if you don't say something..."

- Tom McDaniel

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

FATMARC GUEST BLOGGER: ANNE ROCK- Brain, Body, Heart & Soul

Dear Readers,

Yesterday, one of my favorite people in the world Anne Rock raced in the Arsenal Crit in South Philly. The was a huge mile stone, and victory for Anne. After swapping texts with her in the afternoon, I asked her to put together a write up of her event. I hope you love this piece as much as I do! Without any further ado:  

Brain, Body, Heart & Soul

I love bike racing. Road. Track. Cross. Mountain. All of it.
You know those freaks that go bananas on the top of cols at the Tour de France? Who join
fantasy cycling leagues? Who wear costumes at races because how could you not? Who eat
French pastries during July and watch both morning and evening broadcasts of the Tour
stages? C’est moi.

My passion for spectating is almost proportionally opposite to my skill at racing.  I’m a cat 1
spectator and pack fodder in cross and mountain bike races. Road has been my weakest
discipline, my nemesis, the one that constantly crushes my spirit.
I’ve been doing Tuesday morning sprints.  And the Thursday Great Valley training crit. I’ve
got two ascents of Monte Sainte Anne in my legs. Two!  I’ve lost the equivalent of a cat litter
bag of weight over the last few months. I’ve been frequenting the local yoga studio so much

I say OM in my sleep.

My body is ready!

When I got shelled almost immediately in last week’s women’s open at the Ambler Crit, I
couldn’t believe it. Getting shelled is what usually happens when I try a road race, but I
thought all this training would produce different results.

It turns out my shellacking wasn’t due to lack of fitness. Worse. The culprit was my brain.
I am a head case. And my head is enemy territory.

I’ve never been a strong road rider. Or at least that’s what I’ve told myself. And when you
tell yourself something enough, you start to believe it. Then you become it.

“I can’t climb.” So I get dropped on hills.
“I can’t bridge gaps.” So I get dropped during attacks.
“I have no business being at this race.” So I take myself out.

In preparation for cross, I aimed for the ¾ race at the Arsenal crit. As I rode through 24
miles from Northwest to South Philadelphia to get to the course, I was at peace with being a
head case. I knew that being physically prepared for the race wasn’t an issue. It’s all about
mental toughness.

Before the race, I chatted with Shaina Kravitz, a rider I admire greatly for her grit and
perspicacity. She offered sage advice, as did Werner Freymann and my husband, Gus
Maurer.

For once, I followed directions.
From Shaina: “Stay in the pack. Don’t go off the front.”
From Werner: “Try to be 5th wheel. Don’t go off the front.”
From Gus: “Your goal is not to win. Your goal is to finish with the pack.”

The race went well, without incident. I managed to stay 5th wheel or thereabouts for most of
the race. I ignored invitations from the front to take a pull, accepting only one and pulled
for about ¼ lap. Any time a gap started to form, I had Paul Incognito’s voice in my head
yelling, “Grab a wheel, Rock!”  I almost over-cooked a turn, narrowly avoiding hitting the
curb, and slightly soiling my chamois. Just kidding. Not about the turn, but the chamois.

Bell lap, and I’m still in it. Not just in it, not just hanging on, but moving up, making choices,
bridging gaps.

You know. Racing.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Miesemner via Annette Weaver FB 

I didn’t contest the sprint. Coming out of the final turn, I sat up, mesmerized by the
kaleidoscope of jerseys and whirling cassettes. Dizzy from a hard effort. Comforted by a
sense of belonging. Grateful for the joy of two wheels. Pumped that my body overcame my
brain.

And that’s when I burst into tears.
Because today was all about the mental and emotional aspects of racing.

After my cool down lap, I rode over to Gus who had been cheering for me like a champ.  He
helped me understand that it doesn’t matter what other people think about your
performance. It’s only important what you think about your performance.

And then I burst into tears again.

Because let’s face it. Cycling is all about the passion.

At least for me.


Thanks Anne and Congratulations and thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

Kris Auer and The Magic Skinsuit

Dear Readers,

I am really excited to be flying the Deluxx Bikes Cyclocross Team Colors this fall. I think that the change of venue for me has added an additional  sense of excitement for cross. I am honored for this new opportunity and excited to be apart of this new team. It's gonna be an awesome season.

That said, without a doubt the best years of my racing "career" were as a member of the C3 team. I'll add that I will always look back on my time with C3 with great pride. Kris Auer is a good friend. I was stoked to work with him as a coach, and as a team director. I learned a ton from him. I count myself lucky to have him as a friend. He was the kind of guy that could make a mid-pack guy like me feel like a world beater. A number of times, I know he coaxed my best rides out of me. Rides that frankly, I'm not sure I believed were possible. He taught me to believe.

then there was this one time...

A few years ago, I came into Charm City pretty cooked. I was in school, work was hard and I wasn't so stoked about racing the Charm City Weekend. Auer gave me the ole "fatmarc the team needs you to race this weekend." which I always suck up. I could never say no to Auer.

That weekend of Charm City our new kit also came in. The new skinsuits were bad ass. But, I'll admit it, I just wasn't into racing that weekend. I was tired, I was busted. I wanted to do my stuff for the race, and go home and sleep.

As I kitted up, Auer noticed I wasn't wearing my new skinsuit. As we warmed up and rode together, he commented, "it's a tough field today, gonna be a hard one, make sure to race your race, and make sure you wear your skinsuit."

In my mind, Auer knew that I wasn't mentally into racing. I reasoned, that if I wore the skinsuit it would mentally trigger me to bring my best. This was our race, Charm City- regardless of how tired or cracked I was, it was my job to bring my best. It was my responsibility to the team to race my guts out for the team regardless of how I felt. Auer was once again tricking my best out of me.

On Auer's advice, I put on the skinsuit. And I threw down during my race. I finished 21st that day in a nasty deep and hard race that was one of the deepest field I'd see that year.  Looking back, that race was one of my best races of that season. I was super stoked.

After the race, all of the C3 guys in the 35+ race gathered and shared stories. I hugged Auer and thanked him for once again coaxing another ride out of me that I wasn't sure I had in me. Auer looked at me puzzled. I explained, "dude, telling me to wear the skinsuit, you knew you'd get the best from me. It was a stroke of motivational genius. Well done."

Auer laughed, and said, "man, the new skinsuits look rad- I just wanted everyone to wear them."

Sometimes I just need to get out of my own head.
fucking Auer.
ruined short sleeve skinsuits for me that day.

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc