Looking Ahead to 2012

Right now I'm just getting out and riding as much as possible with school and working on my base fitness. The last week or so I've been starting to think about planning out next year and what my goals as a rider are beyond just the coming season.  Maybe its just me trying to deny the fact that I have papers and final exams due soon but either way its been productive to start figuring some of that stuff out.  

I'll start the season in February with Collegiate racing and continue that through mid April or so with a big focus on Collegiate Road Nationals in May.  I wanted better than my top 25 finish in the road race there last year and I'm hoping to break the top ten this year.  After that the season will stay full with big regional races in May. Including Memorial Day weekend in Iowa (I'll try and keep my self in one piece there this year).  Then June will have us hitting some big races including Tour of America's Dairy Land and I'd like to try and find a spot for Nature Valley Grand Prix as well. As for the rest of the year I expect I'll be pretty tired by July so I think I'll plan to focus on trying to hit some good results at the bigger regional races in August.

As for looking beyong 2012, I've been trying to figure out what I want as a bike racer in the long term.  And I definitly want to continue to develope and race as a pro.  I don't really know how this will effect what I do this next season and in the comming years but I'm sure Dale and Charlie (as well as Pat and Adam) can help me figure that out.  In the end though I think it will be helpful for me as a rider to have a clear idea of where I want to go with all of this.

There's just one more week of school left before I'm home for winter break and I can't wait to get out and ski with Dale, Dave, Dilly Bar, Pat, Adam and every one else.  Although from what I've heard they don't have any snow back home so hopefully that changes soon!  Happy holidays!

-Alex