Connor Mc Cutcheon's "Bike Racer Blog"

Cross at the College

connormccutcheon — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:13:59 +0000

Today was the last race of the cross at the college. It consisted of two short/technical races this Thursday and last Thursday. Because the race was so technical and rocky I chose to ride a mountain bike, it was certainly the right choice. I Won both races, and a rider with much better handling skills than I went over his handle bars, flatted and bent his chainring on his cross bike. Thanks to Matt Plummer, for putting on all these races that make Bend a great place to be a cyclist.

Marathon Nationals

connormccutcheon — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:56:12 +0000

I got 3rd at marathon nationals. It was a terrible race for me, but I’m happy to have gotten on the podium! Thanks to Jack at Shimano, Bear Valley Bikes, and Village Bike and Ski for making it all happen.

Healthy and back on the bike

connormccutcheon — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 21:16:49 +0000

I just finnished taking all the antibiotics the dr. gave me. I have been back on the bike for most all of this past week! It feels great to be riding again and I’m very much looking forward to marathon nationals on the 17th.

Sick

connormccutcheon — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:41:34 +0000

For the last week I have been super sick. When I finally went to the Dr. I could hardly talk and I had not eaton for a while. My weight dropped down to 142 pounds, about 12 pounds lighter than normal. I have missed about a week of riding, but I’m feeling loads better! Time to get in what training I can before marathon nationals. I had some sort of infetion inside my tonsel.

Sick

connormccutcheon — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:07:57 +0000

Went to bed last night not feeling well. Didn’t sleep much and now it hurts to swallo my own spit. Doing everything i can think of that will help me get better for this weekend. But along with the sore throught and just overall tiredness. I got a couple of mean saddle sores that make riding not that fun.

A Much Needed Update

connormccutcheon — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:34:02 +0000

I’m still living in Bend, Oregon. And being coached by Bart Bowen with Rebound Sports Performance. Just laned a job working and renting out bikes for Village Bike and Ski in Sunriver, about a half hour south of Bend. I have been having a good season, that got a lot better during stage 3 (crit) of the Cascade Classic. In which I attacked with 6 laps to go and road solo for the win. It was a much needed result and it felt great to through up the hands at the finnish line. More updates to come.

Cross Bike Resurrection

connormccutcheon — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 05:07:54 +0000

I received a new lever thanks again to Jack Vincent! I waisted no time in putting the bike back together, much to Emily’s (the female roommate) excitement, because there is no longer a bike shop in the living room. It’s seems to be shifting smoothly, can’t wait to test it out on the road and in Portland this weekend. I have heard this race is notorious for mud up to your knees. Can’t wait, should be interesting.

cross crusades

connormccutcheon — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:14:41 +0000

I did not race this last weekend because the 5 hour drive up and over the pass! The pass was expected to have snow, ice and low visibility. So it was concluded that it wasn’t worth the money and risk to go.
As for next weekend, I am looking forward to it very much. The last race I did was my first race in the A’s category. It started out good but before the end of the first lap I was in the pit getting a wheel change. That put me in last by a long shot. I worked my way back up but then with about 4 laps to go I broke my saddle as I jumped back on my bike after a barrier. Not having a saddle to weight my back tire made it very difficult to get through the deep mud and puddles. When it came down to it I ended up in 36th place.
So this whole last week I have been making changes and improvements to my bike to reduce mechanicals and improve control. I met with my coach Bart Bowen at Rebound Sports Performance Lab on friday to adjust my position on the bike. I also got tubeless tires a new seat and switched my break leavers from the traditional left hand breaking the front tire so that my left hand now breaks the rear tire so that as I’m dismounting I can still break with one hand. And of course after I rewrapped my handlebars with brand new bar tape my shifter broke! So pending a new shifter that was put in the mail today thanks to Jack Vincent, the cross bike is currently out of commission. But I have no doubt that it will be ready for this weekends Cross Crusade!

Bend Oregon

connormccutcheon — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 22:48:55 +0000

As most of you probably know i have moved to Bend Oregon to attend Central Oregon Community College and pursue a degree in structural fire science. But Bend is also a great place to be a cyclist. Since I have been here I have competed in two races, the Bend Super-D and Crossaflixion Cup #2. Both of these races were extremely fun. In the Super-D it poured rain all day and the course was slippery and muddy adding to the already challenging course. Fortunately I was able to keep the rubber side down and won my age group 19-39. For winning I was awarded a set of 2011 Avid hydraulic disc breaks! Which look very nice on my bike.
The Crossafixion race was my very first cyclocross race. I was told to start out in the B race and then if I do good maybe move up to the A race in a few races. well with 3 laps to go people started yelling things like, “the A race isn’t for an hour,” “you won’t catch the A’s, they don’t start for an hour” and “Up grade.” I was in the lead and had been since the first lap. Needless to say i won this race too.
I’m looking forward to a great cross season! And would like to thank everyone that has supported my racing and made it possible. A special thanks to Jack Vincent for supplying the parts for my cyclocross bike and to Derek Hermon for putting them all together. And to my Parents and Paul Zamoyta for everything els.

Rim Nordic Cross Country

connormccutcheon — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:55:03 +0000

Yesterday I raced the Rim Nordic cross country. The course is awesome! it has a lot of single track and technical sections. First lap went great, other than getting stuck behind many of the riders that started in front of us nothing went wrong. Same with the second lap until about a half mile from the finnish when my rear tire went flat… so i just got off my bike and ran! and i was able to make to the finnish still in first! Great day at Rim Nordic!