Red Bull Ride + Style!
April 25, 2012Hey All,
I’m here in San Francisco this week for the Red Bull Ride + Style. It was a long winter of intense, world class racing…but I’m stoked to be able to mix it up and ride with some badass dudes on the streets of SF! Thursday night we compete on the Red Bull Mini Drome, with the top 15 qualifiers to race on Saturday in the Justin Herman Plaza where two-up races are held until a champion is crowned. Wish me luck!
Kit
Smashed Up Sunday
March 7, 2012Here are some shots from this past Smashed up Sunday. About 70 fixed gear riders combed the streets of LA, checking out spots to get vertical and test their comfort zones. Although I “kept the rubber side down”, as I’ve been force fed that school of thought for years…and I would probably fall straight on my face anyways…it was great to check in with some of the riders and old faces. LA fixed lives on!
Start of Race Season!
February 10, 2012Hey All,
February is finally amongst us! With that said, so is the racing season. After a long and productive winter season, I’m licking my lips to finally start racing the road. First stop, my U23 team Get Crackin’ – MS Society are heading to the Valley of the Sun stage race in Phoenix, Arizona. It’ll be 3 days of racing, including a time trial, road race, and criterium. After that, I am scheduled to race the Rutas de America stage race in Uruguay with the national team. That will also be used as a prep for riders attending the Pan Am Championships in Argentina. The trip should be about a month in time and a good platform for the rest of the year.
Once I return, I’ll be back with the boys and have San Dimas Stage Race and the Redlands Classic on tap. It’s been a great winter and I’ve been training my tail off, pumped to finally put some this work to good use!
Thanks for the support, and keep you posted!
Peace,
Kit
End of a Winter Season!
January 20, 2012
Ahh, January. For most bike racers, January marks the ending to their off season of low intensity and high volume. As for myself, it’s the complete opposite. Being a track racer green lights the idea of year round racing instead of a few months “off”. I’ve been lucky enough to be apart of a growing exhibition within the USA Cycling Team to create an Olympic capable team pursuit squad. In a nutshell, the “TP” is comprised of 4 riders in a team formation going against the clock. The fastest team wins.
I think within a year, I’ve clocked in 5 or 6 training camps specifically geared towards the
TP. I personally love the fact that it’s a true testament that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Iron to most racing, team time trials and team pursuits don’t grant automatic success if you fly in the big guns with even bigger engines. Practice, build, practice, build…repeat.
I was lucky enough to go to my first two World Cups this winter, one being in Astana, Kazakhstan…the other Cali, Colombia. Both extremely different from each other, but both amazing experiences nonetheless. Sandwiched between the intensity of being on the bike,
my world has revolved around growing the foundation, piecing together my 2012 family of sponsors, and a few other projects which will come to light in the coming months.
The majority of my “Winter” season is now behind me, and aside from the Pan Am Championships in March…my track season is done! I’m stoked to announce that my 2012 road racing team will be Get Crackin’ – MS Society. The continuation of Team VRC brings in a new name, sponsors, riders, and even team director Roy Knickman! We have a training camp next week, and will have a second one that trains through Valley of the Sun in Arizona during the first part of February. Thanks to you all for the unparalleled support, couldn’t do this without ya!
Until next time,
Kit
(Pictured: Teammate Collin Berry and I at the Jukin Video Launch Party in Hollywood. Winter time at its finest!”
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Nationals Wrap
October 21, 2011
I’m in yawn mode. And by that, I mean having nationals, two weeks of team pursuit camp, and then just a few days of recovery…exactly, yawn mode.
My National Championships kicked off with the omnium…two days of painstaiking timetrials and pack races. Long story short, it’ll chew you up if you don’t respect it. I was able to take 5th overall after various results from the 6 events, but all things considered, I was pretty pleased with how it all shaped up. I broke 2 personal records and managed to keep it fun the entire time…well, I might need to book an appointment with a shrink soon to get over the inherent highs and lows that come with the omnium. Results can change on a dime, one minute you’re top five…next your just “that guy” who is stuggling to make it in the top ten. Talk about an emotional roller coaster.
I tell ya, I could have never imagined how big of an affect breaking my hands would be this year. So looking at that mess, and the 13 weeks of casts, X-rays, and Ben & Jerry’s it took to get through that…I’m pretty content with how we made it out of there. It’s times like these where I am pretty damn thankful to have the “off-the-bike” life that I do. I’ll just say this, if all I had to go to with a broken hand was my bike and nothing else, I’d be in a way worse situation. Balance is key.
The rest of nationals included the points race and madison with Colt Peterson. The points race, I suffered. I did some deep digging in that omnium, and it made sure it stuck with me throughout the rest of nationals.
But speaking of balance, my sponsors really pulled through at Nationals this year…even to the point of sponsoring the LA Velodrome! After dismantling from my bike and that “so-so” points race, instead of wallowing about it, I decided to go on a product toss to the crowd. I grabbed my teammate Colt Peterson and we threw a few hundred units of sponsor product into the crowd. They, as planned, went crazy and that got me pretty pumped. You never want to leave a venuewithout making sure some sort of mark has been made. And if winning a race wasn’t on the menu, then sometimes you just gotta hit em’ with dessert. People like dessert.
I was very impressed with how Nationals was run this year. Great attendance, new sponsorships for the track, beer garden, and people had a good time. I haven’t seen that track packed like that in years…change is good!
As for the last day of racing, Colt and I took 4th in the madison. I’m pretty pleased with how that shaped up. Colt is a good kid, who I’ve been able to watch progress over the past few years, and now am able to even call a teammate. We had a pretty solid ride, and I’m happy with that.
Now that my Winter season is underway, I’m finalizing schedules and getting geared up for one hell of a fun track season. Next stop, I leave for Kazakhstan for the first world cup! Wish me luck!
Make sure to hug your mother,
Kit
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Interbike
September 17, 2011
I’m sitting across from a couple sipping on a huge cup of beer before their flight…most likely acting as the last reminents of their time here in Vegas.
Out of the two days I’ve been here, I’ve only experienced sunlight two times, walking into the Venetian….and walking out for LA.
Interbike is like my own reunion party. Time is spent catching up with sponsors, other riders, and generally making new friends as we all suffer in our freshly oxygenated death box for days on end.
This past week acted a bit different for me than my past times in Vegas, as I had my foundation’s events director by my side to help with some upcoming fun.
One of the typical mental inbox suggestions I get from people is, “Kit, focus on riding your bike and nothing else.” I hear that A LOT, but three things usually run through my mind as I respond with a generic “ha ha”.
1. If the foundation’s mission didn’t already make sense, I’m not the very “focused” type. If I’m pushed into zoning in on one thing, chances are I’ll just get bored or depressed and reach for the bucket of Ben & Jerry’s. It’s a vicious cycle.
2. What more fun could it be than to rep your sponsors and travel for “off-the-bike” stuff? I mean really!
3. I think one of the biggest reasons why cycling has its sponsorship issues falls on the shoulders of the riders. The demise of HTC Highroad, the winningest team in our sport, was absolutely devastating…but I do see lessons to be learned from it. And the biggest one…maybe it’s not all about how good you are on the bike. Cyclists, profesional or not, aren’t in the position let our results speak for ourselves and let the checks roll in…because it’s either not going to happen or at the numbers we need. This quote comes to mind, “If a tree falls in the forest and no one’s there to hear it, does it really make a sound?”. Until I’m comfortable with cycling’s PR and media model, I’m more than happy to make sure my sponsors, team, brands, and foundation are taken care of…and in turn, they’re taking care of me really damn well. I can’t encourage more riders enough to do the same…stop being just being good bike riders, and start becoming professional athletes. This is how we will grow the sport.
Up next, the foundation starts it’s first Assembly School Program…where we’re taking our bikes, energy, and excitement to schools and getting kids with ADHD connected to cycling! After that, nationals baby!
Busy is good…
All the best,
Kit
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The Answer
August 1, 2011Howdy from Los Angeles! Wait, that’s wrong. Sup, from Los Angeles. After experiencing the supernatural phenomenon that is Portland, Oregon, I’m doing everything I can to be more hip. This body ain’t getting any younger…might as well get a head start on my mid-life crisis.
The past few weeks have filled my calendar with racing in the NorthWest. Trip one included the Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge in Portland, and the second was the Marymoor Grand Prix held near Seattle, Washington. Both were pretty damn colorful events, and glad to be able to attend both. The highlight was winning the Madison Finale at Marymoor, partnering with Daniel Holloway.
The past few months, I’ve been involved with a documentary about track cycling alongside a few other athletes. The crew flew up to Portland for a few days of shooting, and once we captured some sound-bites the crew decided to ask me a few follow up questions since our last session…which was right before Pan-Ams.
We got through the typical ups and downs of an athlete, but then they started asking more point blank questions. One in particular: “What is cycling the answer to?”…I was speechless.
For something that should be so simple to respond to, left me looking down at the floor, trying to think of a good enough answer. Apparently this question wasn’t a piece of cake for everyone either, as another rider had apparently broken down after hearing it told to them.
So there I was, looking at the floor like it was a bottomless pit with my hand over my mouth, trying to think of an answer that would give this question justice….I had nothing. I don’t give answers on tape that I haven’t thought through, and I wasn’t about to start now.
I spent the rest of the day asking people the same question, and even put it on my social networks. I got everything from “life” and “gas” to “cubicles” and “fat”. There was an underlying theme though, it seemed like most answers were catered to the person who answered it.
Since I can remember, I’ve always had trouble falling asleep. I’m either too distracted with life to sleep, or I’m not tired enough. The days where I don’t ride at all, I’ll usually find myself up till midnight. But riding has always complemented my sleep, in making me tired enough to need it as soon as I walk in the door.
Back East
June 21, 2011Hey All,
Writing to you guys from the East coast this time…Pennsylvania to be exact. My parents are actually from the East coast, so it’s cool catching up with family and old friends here and there. As I’ve come to realize, I am further away from home than I originally expected. Values, traditions, and atmosphere are different here than that of the Los Angeles hustle and bustle. My number of travels across the states are fractional compared to the European ones, so it’s enjoyable to get an up-close and personal view of the country I try defending the honor of in random bike races across the pond and border.
I went on a ride the other day with Matt Baranoski, an up and coming track sprinter who’s already taking the world by storm. Not to mention I’m staying with his family for a few weeks. It was an easy spin through the county to open up the legs and appreciate where I was. I saw the new cow milking farm, a hell of a lot of fields, and that was pretty much it. Whoever says they want to enjoy the “simple things”, check out Perkasie, Pennsylvania for a bit. We also waved to some strangers. I told Matt how most people walking alongside a road where I lived weren’t in the mood for a friendly exchange. “That’s just the way we do things around here.,” he says. I’ve been hearing that phrase a lot lately.
I can tell the people around here have a lot of pride about where they live. There’s a constant buzz in the air of mowers at work on the front, rear, and side lawn with someone from the household at the helm. Some of the best damn yards I’ve ever seen. Also, I feel there’s an inherent need to know your neighbors around here. Homes here are spread out more than usual, but you still should know your neighbor…and the one beyond that one, and that one. Los Angeles is built on people being individualistic, but I get a feeling like that’s turning the city into less of a community, and more of a holding place of co-existence. This feels like a community.
I’ve counted over a hundred people mowing their front lawns, and have seen dozens of “curb-side stands”. That’s where you see a sign on the side of the road for “Freshly Picked Blueberries, $2″. You go up to the stand, leave 2 bucks in the container, and walk away with your goods. There’s trust here…that’s nice.
We had a race yesterday in a place that I hadn’t visited in over 10 years, New York. The “Concrete Jungle” has a special place in my heart, 20 years ago I was born there. Before we moved West, my parents lived in New York for 25 years. I can tell why my mom misses that place so much.
Now I’m back in a tiny Pennsylvania town. The sun is setting, and the neighbor’s grilling up a storm…probably that cow I saw yesterday. Not too sure about the vegan count around here.
Till’ next time.
Leave a commentIn the Element
May 13, 2011Being home is nice. I’m here in Los Angeles writing in bed, looking out the window as the day begins its routines. It strikes me odd how just a few days ago I was in South America, keeled over a trashcan and puking my guts out after my last event in the omnium.
Now what exactly is the omnium? It’s the ultimate hard-man’s track race…a true teeth kicker. Held over two days, it encompasses six events that test every piece of the puzzle that creates a good bike racer: power, tactics, speed, endurance, bike handling, threshold. Not to mention, it’s a mind-f%#@ and a half. All in all, it’ll chew up any rider that doesn’t respect it and spit them out without thinking twice.
During my time in this sport on and off the bike, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are two types of people. Those who are in their element, and those who are not. Someone in their element has no sense of time. Hours feel like minutes, they truly enjoying what their doing, and they’re good at it. Those out of their element “get” through their day, feeling as if they’re in a state of standing still, and all in all, would rather be doing something else. I’ve met many people who are out of their element, but this past trip to Colombia I found one hell of an example that exemplifies being in their element.
Evelyn Stevens is a bike racer, but not just any bike racer…she’s one of the best in the world. Now Evelyn didn’t grow up in a bike racing family…in fact, she hasn’t even been riding that long. A few years ago, you wouldn’t find Evelyn on a bike, but rather behind a desk on Wall Street. She was making a good buck, a true mover and shaker in her business. After trying a cyclocross race one weekend, Evelyn used the momentum she gained from being bit by the cycling bug to completely one-eighty her life, and is now desk-less, riding for HTC-Highroad, and to put it lightly…kicking ass and taking names. It’s safe to say that Evelyn is now in her element.
Now in my second year as a U23, I’ve seen riders drop like flies during what is one of the biggest question mark periods for a young cyclist. It’s a pivotal point in that it enacts the question, “All right, do I want to continue dicking around or really start my life.” Some riders’ lives are cycling and continue forth, others I’ve seen take a change of pace and head to school or look for a nine to five. The great thing about cycling is that it has the easy job of weeding out the ones not fully “into it” by the sheer insanity that it takes to become a great bike racer. You need the love of the sport to propel you, especially because there’s a lot to be easily discouraged by. Being good at something isn’t enough reason to it. It’s about being in your element that will ultimately help fulfill your inner “spirit”.
This past trip, I could have sworn I was at MLB training day, I was being thrown so many curveballs by the one they call “life”. The great thing about it though was that Ben Sharp, the USA National Team coaching me in the omnium, and I didn’t spend our time dwelling on negatives and having freak out sessions. Quite the opposite, actually. Time was spent analyzing improvement, taking ideas and testing them out, and being down right positive. Ben and I, we were in our element.
If it’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that it all comes down to how well you can handle and compose yourself, on the good days and the bad. Of course variables come and go, expect them, but if you get to the line and you throw down as hard as you physically can, mentally handle, come off the bike collapsing after every race, even throw up some chow after your efforts made, then you’ll be able to move on with a clear conscience that you put out as much effort as humanly feasible and move on…continuing to be in your element.
Before I left Colombia, I was asked about my reaction to the week of racing. Giving my dog away, that crushed me. This on the other hand, has me more excited than ever. I, am in my element.
1 CommentHello world!
May 3, 2011Welcome to NOW™ Athletes. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
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