So now I know how it feels to get whooped:) I finished my first World Cup race in 41st place and for some people it seems really far away from the top girls but for me it feels really good. I raced against the best women in the world, which most of the them have been racing much longer than me and have worked all season for these two weeks with their peak this coming weekend at World Championship. I started from the back of the field in 66th place which puts you 2 minutes down automatically with so many girls up front.    I never have great starts to begin with and especially when you have 70 girls in the front of you running through the wood with their bikes doesn't seem to exciting, so first lap was the toughest for me. After the first climb the traffic jam spread out and I could start to focus and ride my own pace. I felt good and passing some riders gave me some confidence which helped towards the end where I felt stronger.  Our good friend Bryna also started towards the back where she had to endure the backup going into the woods.  She finished her first World Cup strong as well and hopefully she comes back for more next year.  I really enjoyed racing with Bryna this season.

     I love big races with big fields of women. It's seem scary and I didn't know what to expect but I just wanted to make sure I did my best.That was the biggest race I've ever done and it was very exciting for me. I could see ahead of me around five riders  and the same behind me through the whole race. There wasn't any break and any mistake can cost you a few spots.     

     I had extra super power from all the spectators and I felt really lucky. It was unbelievable how many friends were there and I'd like to thank everybody for cheering! Doesn't get any better than having people scream at you.  I love that. Thanks again!   

     My biggest support came from Mike who was more nervous than me on Saturday and also Matt . Both of them were giving me water on the feed zones.  Every time I rode next to Matt  he was jumping around with excitment and I was wondering if he is going be able to stay still to give me water. It was really motivating and pretty funny because he was jumping so high that you could see him at the bottom of the climb. It was also a relief to know that both of them had extra sets of wheels for me but fortunately we didn't have to use them because a lot of people, especially in the men field, were getting flats. Thanks to my two favorite guys for all that support!     

       Next weekend is the most exciting race of the year- World Championships in Mont Sainte Anne Quebec.  I'm looking forward to seeing the results almost as much as if I were racing. Canada is definitely my favorite place to race so far but I think going to World's you have to be at a certain level...hopefully I'll get there next year:) I keep my fingers crossed for both: Polish and American riders. My favorite is definitely Georgia Gould and I believe she is one of the leaders. I'm keeping my fingers crossed also for Marek Galinski-my  favorite male rider who spent 10 great days with us and shared his knowledge and experience with us. We had a really good time and having him around was lots of fun.  He placed 15Th in Windham and I think both Mike and I were more excited about his result than he was. Thanks for all your help Marek!     

    Our MTB season is going to slow down... Fall is coming and I look forward to ride colorful trails with the local riders and drinking red wine after on the porch. There is going to be more time to spend with friends and having  fun at the SMBA trials not thinking about specific training. Both - Mike and I will race some cyclocross races without big expectations. I'm already thinking about my 2011 MTB season and the World Cup series which will make it a very busy year. But for now we both need some time home to relax. Saratoga Springs is beautiful in the fall.  

Enjoy riding and feeling good afterwards,
               Aleks and Mike 

  ps. I'll post some more pics soon. Pete is the best photographer ever and he took a bunch of them. Thanks for the loudest scream as well Peet-o! :)
 

     Its been a long time since we have updated our blog.  Everyday I say I'm going to do it but then something comes up and I forget it for another day. Have to get better with this.  Since Aleksandra has come back from Colorado we have done a few races around home.  One of my favorites is Pats Peak which seems to have endless climbing and a really cool Mt Snow type downhill.  I went with just Scotty this year because Matt and Aleks were still on there way back from Colorado.  The field was pretty stacked like always there.  Pats Peak seems to attract some really fast guys for some reason.  With fast guys you have fast starts and this was no exception.  I pushed super hard on the first hill hoping to gain some time on Jonathan Page, who was right behind me from the start.  Trying to keep myself from blowing up I gained some time and had a nice gap.    I stayed away for the rest of the race to take the W.  It was a great day in New Hampshire.

           The next race was Mount Snow 2 weeks later and we headed over with Matt as our driver.  The weather was beautiful and the place was busy.  For a local event the place had a lot of people and even a venue area.   Chris and Jill that run the series do such a great job making sure these races entertain everyone.  My parents came to watch with their new puppy and they were there for a total of about 20 minutes and some jerk off kicked them out because Mt Snow has "a strict policy on no pets allowed on the premises"  FU Mt Snow.  Your mountain sucks.  Everything sucks about Mt Snow.  Okemo, Stratton, Bromley, Magic and Killington blow that place away.  Even the national MTB races have sucked the last few years.  Anyway enough bad mouthing crappy ass mt snow.  Aleksandra won the womens field, Matt got 5th, and I flatted twice and ended up 8th. 

    Somewhere in there we had the Powell family over for dinner.  Seamus and his parents came to saratoga for a big dinner and we had such a good time.  They are such easy going friendly people who have become our really good friends.  Except when John forgot my feed at the Domarski Farm race.  (no I haven't forgot)  
 I did have a few drinks but I didn't make them ride in the Land Rover, it was raining damn it.

    The next race was the Mass state championships at the Hodges Dam venue in Oxford Mass.  The race was long, flat but really bumpy.  I was having daydreams about full suspension at this one.  There was one section that bounced you around like a pinball machine.  Seamus took off in the beginning and a few of us chased but couldn't catch him.  I battled it out with mike Bartlett and Jon Foley until Foley faded and it was just Mike and I.  With a lap and a half to go I had a nice crash which has been a typical thing for me this year.  The same type of crash very frequently is my front end washing out.  I have no idea why this happens but it happens before you know it.  Anyway I crashed and ripped my rear brake off which sucked.  I couldn't catch Mike who was only about 15 secs ahead of me by the time the race was over.  It was a real sufferfest but always a good time racing against "famous Seamus"  and the rest of the locals.   My brother ended up 3rd as well and Aleksandra won again.  Fun day.
 
      The next weekend we had plans to do the Norcross Scurry race in Ashford CT but decided to stay home and do some training.  I really liked that race last year but I am tired.  Work has really picked up and with that and racing I have become a bit burned out.  So we did some intervals on Lake D, rode some cool mtb trails and relaxed.  A nice little rest that was much needed.

     Bromont Canada was the next race this month and we headed up with Matt and Bryna on Saturday morning.  This is our third trip to Canada this year together and this course was right on par with the other two.  Awesome.  Short punchy climbs and a really long downhill.  In previous years this is the same course the World Cups were raced on.  For me there is no better course and everyone else was really excited.  We parked next to Mike and Mary who are always so friendly.  They are travelling around until the World Championships with their camper loving life.   Pretty low key though.  No logos, decals, nothing.  Both in their late 30's and still kicking ass.  And ass kicking is what Mary did.  I think she passed most of the men's field.  Unreal.  Aleksandra ended up 6th which she was not to pleased but I know she raced well with a really tough field.  Both the Austalian, and New Zealand national champs were there as well as a bunch of fast Canadians.  Bryna did awesome finishing 12th out of 30 starters which gives her even more UCI points (Terry will be really proud)  I however dropped out due to sickness.  I felt so bad.  Thats about all that I can say about it.  Puking and a disgusting feeling.  I was in a pretty good position by lap 4 in the low 20's but I just pulled the plug.  Its such a bittersweet feeling to drop out of a race.  Maybe not bittersweet but a relief that your not suffering anymore but a mental overload of feeling like a failure.  Sitting there getting myself together thinking I should of stayed in the race.  Its funny that the 3 best courses of the year were in canada and they were my 3 worst days racing.  Matt also had a bad day crashing so bad his rotor was mangled.  You would never know it though.  He is about the most positive person I know.  Nothing gets him down.  I appreciate that.  All in all its really fun going to Canada and I enjoy going with our crew.   

      Now its time to get ready for the big one.  Windham World Cup.  Marek Galinski, who is currently the Polish National champion, is staying with us this week and riding the local trails.  He has finished on the podium at several World Cups and once at World Championships.  Racing professionally for 20 years on the mountain bike, road bike as well as the cyclocross bike he has tons of cool stories and loads of experience.  I'll have some pics of our local rides this week.  
       See you on the Dam Trail or maybe the Blue Trail.

         Mike & Aleks
 
     
  

    Very sorry for the long no show on the blog updates.  Well, I didn't want to be dramatic on our website so I rather stay away from it for a while. I'm back. Things are not going always the way we had planned.                 
    Starting with my Colorado trip. I was trying very hard to have a great race weekend and I guess I put little bit to much pressure on myself.    I was fighting myself mentally but I felt like somebody sucked the life out of me because I had nothing in these legs . I should be happy with my season so far so Colorado was a great learning experience.  Altitude is tough.  The trip was great overall and I'm very happy I had great company, hanging out with Bryna and Matt. Bryna and I went for an outstanding breakfast on Sunday and after we went cruising around in the car exploring the beautiful Colorado Mountains. It was fun.     
 
     Short track was ...tough. I'd say super tough. You are going full speed all the time. That's how everybody described the World Cups...ouch, just felt that pain for 20 minutes and it wasn't that exciting for me. I just have to get faster:) Overall after 3 stages I ended up 13th and oh  ...I think that's my second lucky number. 
   
    My biggest benefit from the weekend is talking with Georgia Gould and Mary McConneloug . Those two are my favorite top female riders and I admire them a lot. I love the fact that they encourage "small" riders like myself and give them advice, positive vibe and they share their experience. Georgia gave me the best "Pep talk' and I appreciate that more than anything. She is definitely one of the biggest talents in women's MTB history.   

 I had a pleasure to meet Phil who design great KOOBI saddles and gave me one to try it out. He also had a tent and he worked on my bike so I could feel like real Pro. Super nice and generous guy. I tried new saddle and it's really comfortable. Thanks Phil! 

  Matt and I went to Boulder on Monday to relax a little bit. I like it up there. I like the open main street with no traffic and plenty of outside dining. That's one of the things  I miss about home. Places where all the people chill out and you are always running into some friends. I like to observe happy people relaxing, having good food. We also went to a great bike shop.   University Bicycles was were I couldn't take my eyes from all the old school hanging bikes (check it out some of them below) I just love old bikes. We also went to Pro Peloton Bike shop and chatted it up with the nicest crew up there. I like those guys. 

    So after a long day and almost all night travel I got to home, sweet home. Next day was unpacking,putting bike together,  cleaning everything in a mad dash because I was supposed to go to Europe the next day for Polish Championship and Champery, Switzerland after that. I was super tired but even more excited. My first World Cup race and my missing Poland and most of all my ego planning to put lots of effort in my upcoming races. I was dreaming about it. Oh  well, we got to the airport and my flight was delayed and I wouldn't make an international connection. Lady behind the counter was a real b... and it made even more angry. They wanted send me in the next available flight but I would miss couple of days and made it to Poland the day before the race. I just gave up. I was already tired after my traveling from Colorado. Flying to Poland twenty something ours and after drive 2,5 hour to the race venue to Pre-ride the course. Oh I forgot about making sure my bike gets there the same day. It would of been too much. So I stayed. Good idea or not...who knows I suffered my own way. I just wanted to race.

   Good thing, Mike and I spend that great weekend celebrating his birthday and going away to Vermont to our favorite places. I also surprised  him with new  Kelly's Bedford cross frame. We went to see Kelly and I told him I needed some touch up paint for my bike. So we walk in and there is this SWEET white frame hanging and Mike is : " Wow that's HOT" and Kelly is "it better be hot because it's yours MF". I wish I took a picture of Mike's face. I love surprises:) Thanks Kelly.    Just like I say I'm back. Training hard for Windham which will be my first World Cup. I hope most of you can be there. I keep my fingers crossed for American riders. I know how it is to travel to Europe and it will be interesting to see European riders to deal with the time difference and long distance of travels. Hope Georgia Gould will wins!      

Have fun riding in this beautiful weather. Couldn't be any better.  

   See ya, Aleks  

  It wasn’t my best race but I guess I should be happy and I have a chance to show some better form tomorrow. I didn’t feel comfortable on the bike today. I like to spend more time  pre-riding the course, especially if it is such a short race and every second counts. Oh, well I wasn’t proud of the rocky section and I tried to make the time up on the second part of the single track. I was going pretty fast and didn’t make one of the turns and flew off the trail, oops. I should be happy that I wasn't hurt and I  finished  in 15th . Forgot that it is not east coast with our sticky ground,  it’s pretty loose here so I’ve had my lesson for today. Have to be more careful.

   Matt was doing great and caught up to the guy in the front of him. I guess he was doing the same mistake as me and crashed pretty hard. We are not sure how he did overall… you know Matt, he loves to go to races and talk to all the people and I think he forgets hes even racing.  He is like a kid going from vendor to vendor getting FREE stuff, jumping for joyJ He almost missed his start. UCI  representive was calling him up 4 minutes before the starts but Matt was chatting with people, showing up on the start line 15 seconds before the start with a BIG smile and saying “it’s perfect timing”,  angry UCi representive  didn’t even say anything.    
   
     Bryna was 17th and she didn’t like the elevation too much. It’s hard to breathe. Enough talking about crappy race day…We actually had a good time during the day exploring the area. We went to see Gardens of God and it was beautiful. Check it out some pictures below. There is always a good think about traveling to the races, you always see new places and I love that.  

  Keep your fingers crossed tomorrow. It’s always helpsJ

Thanks! Aleksandra

     I came to the final National US race without Mike. He doesn’t like elevation, neither do I but I try not to think about it too much. Mike is racing at Pats Peak New Hampshire this weekend so we will have more updates on our blog. Im racing in the finals of the US National circus and so far I am in 8th place overall. It will be challenging to hold on to the spot throughout the 3 days racing but I’m really excited because I’ve never raced a stage race. I’m racing time trial Friday, cross country on Saturday and short track on Sunday. Lots of fun J 

    I came to Colorado with Matt and he is racing as well so it will be exciting to see him at the national level. I really believe he can win his Cat 1 race if his bike stays together. Bryna is also with us and we pre-rode the time trail course together today. It was the worst pre-ride I’ve ever had. The course is fun  but were caught in the middle of a major hail storm that hit us pretty strong . It was a little shocking for my poor body freezing today after our last few hot and humid days in NY . I was warming up for the next two hours after that ride and it was pretty miserable. I am always one for wet conditions but this was a bit much.

 We will see tomorrow. See ya!



Warm greetings from Colorado,

Aleks















 

    Lucky 7 :)   I had a great time in Wisconsin and so far it was the most organized National of the year in my opinion. The course had plenty of single track and also many places to pass but best of all were the tons of spectators cheering everyone through the whole course. I truly believe in the power of cheering and there is nothing better than that, so a BIG thank you to the Wisconsin crowd for a wonderful atmoshere:) We will be back for sure. 
    I'm really happy with my result. I tried to keep a steady hard tempo through the whole race and I was battling with Chloe Forsman for the first 3 laps. I loved the single track and that was my advantage for sure. I'm still working on my power so when on the last lap I saw Kelli Emmet and Kaitie Compton in the woods I had to ask myself " Am I in the right spot? " suprising myself... Saw Mike on the feed zone screaming and jumping around giving me more of that much needed power - I knew I had to push harder to catch Kelli. Even though I didn't catch her but I'm proud of my last lap which I gained quite a bit of time. I can't wait for the next race. 
     Mike had a good solid race with kind of bad luck with the final results which happens to him quite a bit on the important races...  :(  I almost think that he puts too much energy and effort into my races and kind of forgets about himself. Being in the feed zone running around and cheering me all morning in the heat takes away your energy. ... He got 32nd but it was listed as 36th.  Famous Seamus finished right behind after riding the whole race together which was great to see them together.  After the race we went immediatelky to our hotel to pick up our bike boxes and packed our bikes. We lost the "protest time" and we couldn't do anything about the wrong result. I guess it's good lesson for both of us but I'm still pretty upset about it. We sacrifice a lot for those trips and it would be nice to see an actual correct result posted. 
   After rewards we drove to Madison to stay with Linnea's family before our departure the next day. Thanks for Linnea, Zoey + her parents for letting us stay in their beautiful and comfy house. Great people and we hope to take care of them one day in Saratoga! You guys are welcome anytime.
    Linnea didn't have a good day but I think her time is coming. She is so dedicated and a really hard worker so I'm sure this will all pay off soon.  I know it.  Her friend Zoey finished her first race ever 2nd overall in the sport class on a single speed against the geared people.  Awesome result for her.  Bryna is showing great form , she got 14th- she loves her new 29er and she thinks it made her faster. I think she is faster :) but also there is nothing better that 29'' wheels. 
   
     Have a great time riding and hopefully to see you on the trails,
Aleks and Mike



     




  

   Made it to America's Dairyland with no trouble other then one broken bike box.  Not a big deal considering the amount of things that go wrong when you travel these days.  Seamus "Famous" Powell joined us this time around and he is a great travel companion.   Best of all he doesn't snore which is a good thing when sharing a room.  We have been able to pre-ride the course twice so far and we all decided the course is alot of fun and has a nice mix of climbing, singletrack, and technical sections.  The forcast was calling for rain which would make it interesting but I think its going to be hot and dry.  The race is also a bit later then usual with the women going off at 12:30pm and the men at 3:30pm.  Cross your fingers.  
 mike and Aleksandra in cheeseland
 

    The annual William's Lake race has been around for many years but we've never raced it.  Usually it's around Halloween time so my season is usually over by that time.  We've heard such great things about the race and now that Favata's Bike shop puts it on we decided it was one that had to be checked out.  We went down with Scotty, Stevo, and Mabel.  Luckily for us the super awesome Powell family watched Mabel while we raced.  It was hot and humid but overall a great race.  The limestone cave that I've heard about for years is really neat.  Its about 100yards long with candles lighting the way.  I looked forward to it every lap because the temp went from 85 to about 50.  The rest of the course was really fun with mostly singletrack and a couple of nice climbs.   Seamus won the pro men's race with me following behind for second and Aleksandra won the women's race.  Scotty and Stevo both did very well but I'm not sure how they did because the NYS series won't post the results until 2012.  We will definetely be back next year.
 mike and Aleksandra 

   Last Saturday we took a much needed break from racing. It was great to spend some time at home, sleep late and enjoy long mornings getting our fill of pancakes and coffee. The weekend started out pretty rainy but that didn't discourage the big turnout for the Great Demo event put on by our local club SMBA, short for Saratoga Mountain Bike Association.   The club put on a super event with plenty of food, drinks, friendly faces and best of all BIKES to beat on. HaHa just kidding.  Gary Fisher and Trek provided demo bikes which was a perfect time to check out how a bike rides that being in pouring rain and mud everywhere you go.  After  the ride we both agreed we liked the Superfly but not as much as our Bedfords.  Brian from Sigma and Steve the Happy Chain guy were also both there showing off their great products.   
  It was great to see everyone! Steve G did a great job on welcoming everyone.  Thanks for all the work, great food and atmosphere. You guys are the best!

See ya up there on the trails,
Happy riding,
Aleksandra & Mike