Dec 16, 2025
Crew or no Crew Support Pro’s and Con’s (1of 2) As many may have noticed I have been riding with zero crew support all 2025 race season. All training and racing no more support mainly started as cost savings. I had the luxury and paid for crew support most races in 2023 and 2024 on the ultra-distance racing. Before Texas Longhorn500 race in 2023 I had no idea how to ride or race with a support crew. Once I noticed it, I was impressed since a support crew is improving average speed on a race or for a ride a lot. Benefits having a crew are very simple. You automatically get drinking supply and nutrition handed without stopping and trying to find the stuff yourself. Because no stop required it safes the power to accelerate and it’s saving the time of the stops. And reality is as racers we need to refill our drinking bottles on regular basis, and we need a minimum level of carbs. Crazy as it is ... with crew support it is possible to get nutrition ongoing and no lack of nutrition during complete ride or race. It’s truly comfortable to get a refill every 30-45 minutes. Specifically in hot temperatures that’s amazing since drinking consumption is very high. During daylight mostly the crew is leapfrogging around the racer. So, they can communicate with you and see what is needed in addition of the agreed supply. Also, they see how the cyclist is riding and can help directly either allowing for a rest stop or provide specific nutrition. Critical at night or with foggy sections the crew drives behind a cyclist. That increases safety because they protect the cyclist from traffic and they help with better lights. From the car headlights. In addition to food, drinking supply and protection the crew also has the option to either swap bicycles which is helpful when landscape changes drastically (from flat to steep climbing …). They also can charge and swap head or taillights as well as any external batteries. The level of comfort using crew support is amazing. To me the option having crew support is great and would be my preferred option. However, the downside of crew support is the cost. And without any financial support it will turn out very costly. Cost means all travel expenses such as flight, accommodation and food plus proper car for the crew. That cost must be paid by the cyclist or any support organization helping the cyclists financially.
Nov 30, 2025
Since I moved the 7 day distance record attempt due to medical advice I used the time over Thanksgiving week to ride a series of 8 centuries (total about 855 miles / 1375 km)... It's still below my target for the Thanksgiving week but was a good test to see how I would do. For safety reasons I did ride all on the Wahoo Kickr Shift trainer bike. Most who know me know I do not like riding on trainer bikes but it's my only option t stay ion shape. The first days did show I was in bad conditions and doctors have been correct with their advice. Towards the end I did improve and it felt a bit better. Still trying to find a good week that may include a holiday to take off for the 7 day attempt. Will decide within the next week when to do it and if I actually even still do that in December or if January - March would be the better option. For now I may have to focus 2 more weeks with either no road rides or only slow and easy riding on the road. All rides in Thanksgiving week have been scheduled after work and before family events on Thanksgiving weekend
Nov 19, 2025
Coach or no coach Crazy to see the year 2025 is quick coming to an end. So, some questions go through my mind. One is about coach or no coach when getting into ultra distance racing .... OK ... Question about benefits of using a coach is not only related to ultra distance it effects all cycling. As many know I am no very long into cycling however I decided in 2022 to first time start using a coach to get ready for RAAM Solo 2023. When picking a coach it’s not only a financial decision ... make sure that you get along ok with your coach since it will be important to follow proper instructions. After I had some bad experience in 2022 until mid 2023, I ask Giovanni Prosperi to help e getting ready for RAAM 2024 Solo. It was a great decision and Giovanni turned out to be a very good coach supporting me and my ultra distance racing very well. And yes, I did finish RAAM Solo plus having a few great results at end 2023 and all 2024 in ultra distance racing. I am happy Giovanni was my coach and highly recommend him in case you are looking for serious help to improve and reach your future cycling goals. Since early 2025 we do go our own ways which I believe is kind of normal after some time. At once I learned a lot and my personal attitude is to stay focused by myself, so I do not need the extra pushing from a coach. I use a lot of the strategies Giovanni applied to me and have a few variations related to my training simply be fun and mainly focused on my age. But key is fun at the moment, and my main goals are accomplished. So, do I have cycling goals left? Absolutely yes ... whomever followed my 2025 race season knows I stay still fully focused on my training and racing in ultra distance cycling world. Only difference to 2023-2024 is that I do it on a very slim budget and I try to focus on fun and enjoyment only. OK ... results I check after tracing and enjoy when not turns out to be ok. Even 2025 race season is almost over I do have plans for 2026 as well. At some point I may provide input to my 2026 race season. but I can guaranty it will be a heavy loaded race season again like 2025 was. Key for 2026 is to stay without new injuries and for sure no incidents in training or racing.
Nov 17, 2025
Ride? No - race against myself. … Yes race year 2025 is technically over and behind us but want to test myself a bit so I did a little bit of a self-supported race against myself to see where my limits might be even thats not fully possible. More as report day by day coming the next week but overall I pushed for my absolute limits related to handling sleep and freezing conditions. Overall kind of ok even some bystander’s at the end had been worried a bit too much (if I had seen it I would have don the same 😉) calling 911 and yep putting me in the hospital … no explaining helped. The ambulance and the people as well as hospital made clear I am staying there until things are sorted out 😮 Did a total of 1142 miles with over 30288 ft elevation gain in a bit over 4 days. Riding from Tallahassee FL to Raleigh NC and back to Tallahassee FL. It was fun doing it but weather was a major challenge. Partial due to rain and heavy thunderstorms with near lightning and no options of cover and last third with temperatures dropping actually into the 20th. Did it all completely self-supported only to add a bit to the challenge. No worries .. convinced doctors in the hospital but took me a while and made it back home safe as well. No misunderstaning … its only a 1142 mile event I have conpleted so far and for some most likely nothing but for an average cyclist as I see myself its a bigger deal rhan I normally try to do so I am proud of having it completed.
Nov 04, 2025
I know some might mainly look at my cycling activities and I try keeping them up somehow decent. Simply enjoy the hobby a lot. This year I noticed that I got a bit sloppy on other activities that do support my cycling performance. Last 2 years I always had some weight training, stretching/yoga and barefoot walking and running included in my regular procedures. Sadly sometime earlier this year I stopped the walking and running part. OK running is a bit borderline for me due to fear that I may cause some issues (had a major stress fracture in my left leg a few years ago that caused me to almost loosing my leg ... so I am nervous about that). Nevertheless I noticed the negative effects for not doing the regular barefoot walking. That made me pick up slowly barefoot walking a few weeks ago and I try keeping it in my mix of activities almost daily. Cool thing ... specifically last weekends on my endurance training rides I start notice the great effects on my feet again and happy I am back into it. It should help me on the last activities this year and be great preparation for my goals in 2026. Ohhhh ... even I dropped the running ... I am considering to mix in 1-2 mile running barefoot latest in December. With that I may do a 5k race again early 2026 ... just to proof to myself that its doable 🙂 Stretching and some minor weight training better stay in my routine weekly as well. Hardly record those at the moment but enjoy those as well. Its normally after my other activities.
