As previously promised, here's the photographic evidence from my trip to China.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
CrossVegas ---> Beijing, China
That's right, my most recent adventure had me traveling from the plains of the Midwest to the desert oasis of Las Vegas, NV for my the first 'cross race of the year with the Giant Factory Off-Road Team. I was there ONE whole day before boarding a plane on Thursday morning bound for the other side of the world. I lost a day, arriving in Beijing, China on Friday afternoon for the country's first UCI cyclo-cross race. Here is a brief recap, and some fun stories from along the way!
CrossVegas under the lights
My time in Vegas was a whirlwind. Even though I was only there for a short time, I accomplished a lot, taking advantage of the many hours the day has to offer and not sleeping - the typical lifestyle there. It was great to meet my teammates on Wednesday while we dialed our bikes in and took some photos. We did this in the earlier part of the day to allow for a bit of downtime before racing that evening.
Riding down "the strip" to the hotel with AC
The venue is a soccer complex, one of the only open spaces in the area with enough grass to host a bike meet on. When we arrived at the start of the evening things were starting to buzz. There were a few races that happened earlier in the day that finished up as things were starting "heat up" (figuratively). Thankfully for us, the actual temperature was cooling down as we neared the races: Wheelers&Dealers, UCI Elite Women, followed my the UCI Elite Men.
The team setup was dialed
After spinning the legs, I did a couple laps on the course at race speed to fire up the legs and figure out the lines to take in the race. While I completed these laps, I saw the sea of people that had made their way out to watch the race, it was exciting to see! During the call-ups, I realized that I was about to start my first race 'cross race since U23 Worlds in Louisville, and with that realization I knew suffering would ensue.
The race: I had a solid start, maintaining position while waiting for things to settle down a bit. In the second lap I was charging hard to work up to the front group, which was within reach. At this point I was redlining, so I backed off to get into a rhythm. This paid off, because I was able catch a handful of guys that were dropped by the lead chase group of 8+ riders. The group I was racing with ended up five strong (myself included) before finishing up. In the final lap, the group was still together when Yannick Eckmann attacked with a half lap to go. I followed. He held me off, taking 12th, with your truly in 13th.
Coming into the race, I felt good with how my training had been in preparation for the season. My result was a great indicator that I'm on the right track this season. This is give me motivation to keep working hard toward my goals for this year.
Once the race concluded, I was fortunate enough to see a whole slew of people that I knew, as well as having the opportunity to meet a bunch of new folks. Having so many people that are friends who support me at the race, really made the experience that much more memorable.
Fast forward to the next day:
Wait, where are we now, you ask... I had hoped you wouldn't, because we're now on a plane, a plane en route to China. After a lengthy rest of an hour, I was up and off to the airport to begin phase 2 of my trip. I wasn't alone in my venture, there two super cool people from CX Magazine (Andrew Yee & Molly Hurford), along with four other US riders.
Now that I've sparked your interest, I'll stop and save the rest of this my trips stories for another time.
Thanks for reading!
If there's been anyone who checked for updates over the summer, I do apologize for my posting hiatus.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
"THE DAY I RACED WORLDS"
Click the photo above to view the readable version.
If you enjoyed reading this and would like to receive dedicated cyclocross coverage, consider subscribing to CX Magazine (offered in Print or Digital).
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Q&A for the local VeloClub
I was asked to answer some questions for a column in the 3 RiversVeloSport
Club monthly newsletter. I thought I'd share it here as well.
How did you get started?
I began cycling with my dad seven years ago. The riding we did was mostly on the river greenway, urban exploring around town, and the occasional jaunt into the corn fields for a longer ride. After a bit of time, we linked up with Phil Snider and the rest of the “fat tire crew” for the club's Thursday night urban/off-road rides. I eventually joined a local team, began racing, and have become fully immersed in the sport.
What’s a typical week of training like?
My training schedule fluctuates throughout the year depending on the discipline I'm racing at the time. In the spring I'm usually on my road bike putting in longer rides at a lower intensity. After a month or two of less structured training, I begin to decrease the quantity of hours and increase the quality of training, mixing in specific intervals intended to bring me into race form. In the summer I work to build and maintain fitness throughout the remainder of the road season. Late summer/early fall, I transition into cyclocross training which consists of trail riding, cyclocross drills and workouts and, of course, racing!
What do you like about what you do?
I enjoy being able to compete in multiple disciplines, each presenting specific challenges and having their own unique flow. Coming from an off-road background, I was able to develop and hone my skills in Mtb and CX racing. This past year I signed with Bissell-ABG-Giant and raced a full road schedule regionally and nationally. The road has presented me with a fresh new challenge of having to learn the tactics, find my own style of racing, and find new ways to improve.
What is most challenging about what you do?
Some of the challenges I encounter is finding the balance between the multiple cycling disciplines I compete in. I want to do them all well all the time, but there are periods in the season when I have to take a break and it affects me in the short-term... It's important for me to remember my goals for the entire season and beyond!
What advice would you offer someone considering getting into racing?
When I got into cycling, I did it for the enjoyment I got out of riding my bike. I still receive a great level of enjoyment and satisfaction from riding, although it comes from different factors other than just riding. KEEP IT FUN!
What is most rewarding?
More recently I began setting specific goals for myself on and off the bike. I have found this to be incredibly motivating and the results have been very positive. I would highly recommend someone who is looking to improve and track their progress to write down some of their goals, hopes and dreams. It's a simple thing, but it can be very rewarding.
What are your goals/dreams for the future?
My goals are to continue to improve myself and find ways in which I can take my racing career to the next level. I have aspirations to race professionally and I am actively pursuing that dream while also receiving an education at Marian University.
ALSO: I know it's long overdue, but look for a reflection article I wrote for CXMagazine on my Worlds experience to appear in the next couple of weeks!
Thanks for reading!
-Josh Johnson
How did you get started?
I began cycling with my dad seven years ago. The riding we did was mostly on the river greenway, urban exploring around town, and the occasional jaunt into the corn fields for a longer ride. After a bit of time, we linked up with Phil Snider and the rest of the “fat tire crew” for the club's Thursday night urban/off-road rides. I eventually joined a local team, began racing, and have become fully immersed in the sport.
What’s a typical week of training like?
My training schedule fluctuates throughout the year depending on the discipline I'm racing at the time. In the spring I'm usually on my road bike putting in longer rides at a lower intensity. After a month or two of less structured training, I begin to decrease the quantity of hours and increase the quality of training, mixing in specific intervals intended to bring me into race form. In the summer I work to build and maintain fitness throughout the remainder of the road season. Late summer/early fall, I transition into cyclocross training which consists of trail riding, cyclocross drills and workouts and, of course, racing!
What do you like about what you do?
I enjoy being able to compete in multiple disciplines, each presenting specific challenges and having their own unique flow. Coming from an off-road background, I was able to develop and hone my skills in Mtb and CX racing. This past year I signed with Bissell-ABG-Giant and raced a full road schedule regionally and nationally. The road has presented me with a fresh new challenge of having to learn the tactics, find my own style of racing, and find new ways to improve.
What is most challenging about what you do?
Some of the challenges I encounter is finding the balance between the multiple cycling disciplines I compete in. I want to do them all well all the time, but there are periods in the season when I have to take a break and it affects me in the short-term... It's important for me to remember my goals for the entire season and beyond!
What advice would you offer someone considering getting into racing?
When I got into cycling, I did it for the enjoyment I got out of riding my bike. I still receive a great level of enjoyment and satisfaction from riding, although it comes from different factors other than just riding. KEEP IT FUN!
What is most rewarding?
More recently I began setting specific goals for myself on and off the bike. I have found this to be incredibly motivating and the results have been very positive. I would highly recommend someone who is looking to improve and track their progress to write down some of their goals, hopes and dreams. It's a simple thing, but it can be very rewarding.
What are your goals/dreams for the future?
My goals are to continue to improve myself and find ways in which I can take my racing career to the next level. I have aspirations to race professionally and I am actively pursuing that dream while also receiving an education at Marian University.
ALSO: I know it's long overdue, but look for a reflection article I wrote for CXMagazine on my Worlds experience to appear in the next couple of weeks!
Thanks for reading!
-Josh Johnson
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Louisville 2013 Media
A bit of media coverage from the World Championship race. There's an article, post-race interview, and two videos with some race footage.
Prior to Worlds a local Fort Wayne newspaper did an article on my experience:
Post-race interview. I had no idea there was mud on my 'grill' until I watched the video.
Watch more video of 2013 Cyclocross World Championships on cyclingdirt.org
2013 UCI World Cyclocross Championships from Gizmo Pictures on Vimeo.
Stay tuned for more updates, including a write-up and some photos from the race!
Prior to Worlds a local Fort Wayne newspaper did an article on my experience:
Post-race interview. I had no idea there was mud on my 'grill' until I watched the video.
Watch more video of 2013 Cyclocross World Championships on cyclingdirt.org
2013 UCI World Cyclocross Championships from Gizmo Pictures on Vimeo.
Stay tuned for more updates, including a write-up and some photos from the race!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Louisville 2013 TV and Internet Broadcast Schedule
The
World Championship races will be streaming live via the UCI youtube
channel - see attached link for all the details, including the times!
The U23 race will be on Saturday at 2:30 EST.
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