Hincapie Berkley's 1st win of the year!!!!!!

Im looking at the ground for whatever reason in this photo, but yea thats me an Gabardi going 1-2.

FIRST RACE WEEKEND

Sat.

This was a 56 mile rolling circuit race, nothing bad as far as terrian, but the wind made up for the lack of hills. Our team covered many of the early attacks, but the days break slipped away without anyone from the team in it. Me, Nick, and Dave went up and set tempo for 30min or so, with the Time team, we brought the gap down, but didn't have the firepower or fitness to reel them in, but hell its Feb, so i aint worried. Anyways the wind made this normally easy race, hard as crap. I was happy to just finish in the field that got reduced from around 100 riders to only about 30 main field finishers. My teammate David Talbott launched an attack around 5k out and held of the main group for an 8th place finish. All an all I accomplished what I wanted to do, and woke the legs up for Sundays race.

Sun.

Juniors
Me, Ben, and Tyler did the juniors race in the morning to wake our legs up for the latter races. Me and Ben ended up attacked with a group of 4 and dropped both riders. We came across the line together with our hands up. (may sound gay, but felt cool) Tyler controlled the field really well, and finished up 4th.

Pros
My job in this race was to stay on the attacks, and if nothing got away, be apart of Ty's lead out train. So I pretty much followed alot of moves, and rode my ass into the ground. If only a break would've worked because the team had a guy in every move. Anyways the whole leadout thing fell through because we had Chris in a move that looked like it was gonna stay away, and didnt get caught till three to go. At that time, Ty had gotten on Geri Mewett's wheel, so when I learned this I decided to wing the sprint, and see if my sprint had survived the long winter. Needless to say it survived, actually it got a hell of alot better. I finished 4th in the race, which i thought was good, considering my legs were trashed, and it was a fast sprint so junior gears totally screwed me (I think thats all my excuses!). Overall a good result for such an early race with a stacked field. Thats bout it,

aj

Killa Days!

Yea the past 2 days i've logged in a total of 8.5hrs......i'm taking advantage of our week off from school. Today I did a crazy ass ride with fellow teammate and coach, steve. I even wore a helmet in honor of Hutton's scolding in the last post lol! But anyways we rode out to this climb that was hard as hell (try like 15% for the first mile, and it dosent get much easier!) Yet as bad as the climb was, the road up that god-forbidden mountain was worse. So I finally make it to the top of this mountain only to be rewarded by an 8 mile ride on some rancid dirt road. Despite all the bitching and moaning it turned out to be a fun ride. A little over 4hrs. I'm really sore, so i'll probably just take it easy and try to get my legs back under me for the races this weekend. thats all the good i know,

aj

Good Weekend

Yep. Had a cool ride this weekend up near Brasstown Bald. Three big climbs, three hrs. I took the crappy picture on top of Hogpen. But anyways, first race of the year this coming weekend......its gonna hurt. I don't have school this week, so expect to see many posts and hopefully i will ride a lot, if i'm as bored as i'm thinking i'll be.

aj

TEAM CAMP

Was great!!!!!! Great times, riding and exc. The Hincapie Barkley team is looking great! First off we got our new team bikes. I have rode a lot of differ bikes and this one is the BEST BY FAR! Stiff as hell and lighter then a feather! Anyways we did a good ride sat. that was around 4hrs. We did some good paceline work and a few other efforts but nothing killer.......That night we went to a HEADSTRONG presentation which was amazing......its crazy the things you can improve without ever stepping foot on a bike.....we learned all kinds off usefull mental things.....Sunday we did tts up Paris mnt........I rode decent.....felt like shit but thats expected this time of year. I actually impressed myself. It was one a my few efforts of the 08 season, and i managed to go sub 10 on the climb and avg 375 watts.....not so bad for weighing 148.....Anyways that moves me on to the next topic..........CHRIS BUTLER (i think thats how you spell his name) any how he is our newest teammate. We heard he was a strong climber, but we had no clue......The prodigy rode 9:01 up the climb!!!!!! For those how don't know how significant that time is i will enlighten your mind. George Hincapie's, yes the same George who won Plat'de something, best time is 8:56!!!!! Man its gonna be a killer year for the team..........A big thanks to Rich, Dave. both steve's, Randy, and all the other Greenville guys who made this camp and team happen!

aj

Training this week..............

Has been pretty good........Last week I was sick for around 4-5 days which completely sucked....I didn't eat or anything. I'm finally starting to feel healthy again..I did a great ride today with my teammate David T.....We had to set out dreadfully early since I had some plans for the night....anyways we rolled out at 10:30 and did 4hrs, and like 3 climbs......I got some good tempo in on the climbs.....at first my legs felt dreadful but after a while they started to wake up......anyways the season is damn near here which I'm really excited for. I won't be in shape for the early races but I'm still looking forward to getting back in the peleton, and doing what i can for the fit guys on the team.......hopefully we'll pull out a W in the early season pro races....I know the cat 3 guys on the team will dominate!!! I swear they are so strong...If there was a cat. 3 tour de france we would probably win it! lol......well hope everybody is staying healthier then me.

aj