I’ve been thinking…

Scary, but yes, I do occasionally think. Sometimes even two or three times in one day!

You see… I received the latest Arizona Road Cyclist News, produced by Jack Quinn, and was giving it a read when I stumbled across something that got me thinking. Here, give it a read and see if it makes you think too:

“Old timers still remember when Eric Heiden, fresh from winning five gold metals in speed skating in the Winter Olympics, crashed a borrowed bike in the 1980 Turkey Day Criterium when he hit a pedal rounding the corner by the Memorial Union at ASU. (Incidentally, that day he was riding in a Phoenix Consumer Cycle Club jersey, thanks to the fact that he worked for Schwinn Bicycles, which was then the club’s main sponsor.)”

Did it make you think?

Cool.

Well, it made me think about the early eighties and the fact that Jack’s been around in the Arizona cycling community that along. I’ve been around since the early 1990’s (or the late 1900’s depending on how you wish to look at it) and I always thought that seemed like an eternity. Like the Yoda/Master Splinter/James Earl Jones of the local cycling community, seen-it-all, tell truth-stretching stories of the “old days” to people twice my age type of person. But, if Jack’s been around since at least the early 1980’s, I began wondering… “who’s been around longer”?

So I want to figure it out.

Here is my question to you: Who is the longest licensed Arizona cyclist? Or better yet, and not to exclude the non-licensed: Who’s been riding around Arizona the longest?

Let’s figure out who and VGCN will interview them to get the full scoop and if we’re lucky… a handful of truth-stretching stories.

Many hung up their cleats post Cyclo de Mayo weekend…

some have not…

due to the anticipation of…

The State Road Race.

Are you ready?

This just in from Bryan Staub

RE: Arizona Masters Racing Composite Team

———-

The Arizona Masters Racing Composite Team gave it a go for the first time in California this past weekend at the Barry Wolfe Grand Prix and the Long Beach Criterium.

Michael Castro (Bicycle Ranch) had a BIG weekend with a 2nd place finish at the Barry Wolfe Grand Prix and he out sprinted the huge 100 rider field for his first WIN in an Arizona Masters Composite Team Kit. Tim Risley (PCC) finished in 3rd in his effort to lead out Michael at the Barry Wolfe Grand Prix. Tim Fleming (Swiss American Racing) was the Prime Hunter bringing home a hand full of prizes.

The next big race for the composite team will be the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix, June 28.

———

Editors note: please visit www.socalcycling.com for full results.

Did you know that for the last 30 days, our 3rd highest traffic source via a ‘keyword search’ has been…

drum roll please…

“marty ryerson usa cycling”

I’m not sure what you people are doing out there… but yeah, that’s what you’re Googling or Yahoo’ing and finding this site.

As stated in our ‘About’ section… he is the most known man in the history of Arizona cycling’s history.

Summer heat got you down? Looking for some motivation or perhaps a group training setting?

Well, how about indoor cycling, core strength, and assisted stretch training?

Read all about it here.

Results for last Saturday’s Three Bears Time Trial have been posted.

See them at Summit Velo’s site.

Who is this guy? That’s exactly what many riders thought early in the winter as this ‘out-of’-towner’ was ripping everyone’s legs off on BOS. But then he never left and kept showing up on the ride. Hmm… must be some sort of long vacation or something? But week after week Eric Marcotte became a staple on BOS, pounding away at the front. Then he started showing up in a Bicycle Haus team kit. Uh oh… he’s staying… we’re going to see much more of him.

Fast forward to the Swiss Crit and the “squaty, muscular guy on Bicycle Haus” was making the break and standing on the podium when the dust had settled. He made quite an entry into our local racing scene. Look through the results because I don’t think there is a local crit he didn’t 1. Make the winning break 2. Race the final 3. Nab a podium spot.

That’s legit.

So, we thought we’d catch up with Eric Marcotte and find out what many are thinking…

Who is this guy?

VGCN: When did you begin riding? Why?

EM: I began riding in 2004, the year I started chiropractic school. I had only done bodybuilding prior to that and was going to train for a triathlon. Did the running and swimming in the winter, and hit the bike in spring. Tried a bike race….never ran or swam since!!

VGCN: What type of training do you do?

EM: Training depends on the time of year as we all know. A lot of base miles early on, then dial back a lot once race season comes around. I spin a lot. Helps keep my leg speed up as a sprinter.

VGCN: What are your hobbies off the bike?

EM: Hobbies of the bike… I really enjoy photography, so when I get a chance I mess around with that. Cross country skiing … ironic because I am out here. but I look forward do getting some in this winter up north. Dancing… did i just say that? I enjoy the hiking around here.

VGCN: What is your favorite training ride in Arizona?

EM: One of the best rides I did was to get out to Bartlett Lake and follow it up with a climb to the top of Mount Humboldt. Needless to say, it was a long day solo.

VGCN: What is your best Arizona racing memory?

EM: The one that stands out right now was actually Tour de Phoenix. I know its not a sanctioned race, but it was a trip being off the front with the police escort rolling through Scottsdale. I also love the battles to the line in all the crits. I like when they are close, makes it so much more fun.

Eric Marcotte on the front at the Scottsdale GP.

VGCN: If you had to pick another sport to excel in which would it be and why?

EM: Cross country skiing. Just like cycling it is so pure and is the ultimate workout. Plus, you are just connected with earth on those skinnys… gliding right along.

VGCN: Do you have any mentors or cyclists you admire?

EM: … That’s a toughie!! Might say a certain person, then next you know +++ on the tests. I’d say anyone really, anyone who rides ultimately for the fun of it, respects others and the sport, and has an appreciation for what its really all about.

VGCN: What are you goals for the 2009 season?

EM: Goals for the 09… well, a lot of the racing is done round here, and I’ve been pretty satisfied with the results there. I am heading to the Midwest this weekend to do some memorial day weekend bike races, really competitive, decent money. Also, I’ll try to get out to the west coast a bit and race those crits. I’ve done a couple and the field size and depth of talent is big, so it is always fast and always a strongman that wins. I’d also like to do the crit nats again, I’ve gotten 4th and 6th, so I’m right there. Just gotta time it right at the end.

VGCN: What’s on your iPod right now?

EM: Yo, bangin on my ipeezy right now are these dj sets from David Dann, Matt Darey, Bellatrax… they are all an hour or 2 long and you can just let them roll as you ride.

VGCN: What is your favorite Arizona race past or present?

EM: El Tour de Tucson was pretty cool. It was a trip having to jump off the bike in that second wash and try to catch the break!!

VGCN: If you had to be stuck on a tandem with one person for 100 miles, who would it be? Why?

EM: Who is that really good looking cyclist on… is it Vanderkitten? … Liz? Obvious reasons there!!

VGCN: Anything I missed?

EM: ….ahh, not really its all about cycling so that’s cool. I will say that because I am a doc and utilize this each and everyday. I will offer anyone who reads the article to come into the clinic and see if there is anything I can do for them. It is essential to take care of the spine and nervous system most importantly, because no matter how hard you work on that bike… if you don’t have a system that can adapt and recover from it. You really didn’t get that great of a workout …. AHH, I’m giving away my secrets!!…oh well, its all about helping others.

Thanks for your time Eric, we appreciate it. If anyone reading this is interested in taking Eric up on his offer, please contact him at ericdmarcotte@gmail.com.

Hmmm,  as I started to write this article today a few times I quit, then I got going again.  I was asked the question.  “What is it like owning your own business in the cycling industry?”  But then as it usually does I had an Ah Ha moment when I was riding my bike and now I have tried to put my thoughts on paper for you the esteemed reader.  Just follow me for a moment here and you will hopefully understand.

Most of the time I do my best thinking while riding.  I dont know why, maybe its that I can finally get away from the daily clutter of what happens in our lives.  All the filler that happens from the time that we wake from the time that we go to sleep.  If we do get to sleep.  As cyclists we get to learn some pretty valuable lessons that carry over to business.  One of the best things about cycling is you cant really fake it.  You can for a little while but if the race is either long enough or hard enough you cant make it to the end with out doing the training.  Same goes for running a business, if at the end of the day you dont have anything to show for it your the only one to blame. We are the ones at the end of the day that have to look in the mirror and say “did I do everything I could to make this company succeed today?”  Second is that you have to work hard.  Really hard.  I think for the most part people do work hard at their jobs.  But how hard would you work when its your own?  Think about it, in cycling we push ourselves to the limit a couple of times per week.  (or at least you should be!)  In business its the same.  If you dont then your business is not going to make it.  You have to push in order for it to succeed.  Third, you have to belive in what your doing.  If you dont have confidence in yourself then its not going to work out in the long run.  Usually cyclists gain the self confidence that they need to sucseed through their training.  At the end of a training block (which includes rest!)  a cyclist should look back and smile. They should be proud of how they rode and how the training went.  Same goes for business, at the end of the month or quarter the owner should be able to look back and see that yes they are making it and yes they will continue to make it.  Fourth there are no shortcuts.  In both cycling and business there are no easy way outs or easy wins.  They all come through hard work, some rest,  a little luck, and a will to succeed.

JR

www.athleteoctane.com

The Sonoita-Patagonia Time Trial results have been posted. To view them please visit Saguaro Velo’s website, or click here.

There is this spot on the south side of Camelback Mountain. If you ride up there on a clear day, just as the sun is going down, The view as you look south is amazing.

There is this sound you hear riding in a group: The clacking of the freewheel, the steady hum of carbon, the clicking of shifting gears. Something about that sound, keeps me coming back for more.

I haven’t really been doing very much riding lately. It has been a busy last few months, and for me, the first thing to get pushed aside has been cycling. I’ve reached a point though, where I miss the early mornings, the burning legs, lungs and eyes, the constant eating, the persistent growling in my stomach, razor burn, and a starkly contrasted tan line.

There are a lot of reasons for someone to go out and race their bike, but for me it’s all of the little things. They add up, and make it a great sport to be a part of. For me, I might not be the best, but it’s still a lot of fun to be out there rolling along in the group.

We all have various responsibilities in life that step in every now and then, but we all come back, because we need it, for whatever reason we have, we need it.

Courtesy of Anthony Molieri [reporter at large].

———-

Interested in contributing to velocitygroupcycling.com? Contact us at info@velocitygroupaz.com and we can chat.

———-