Just imagine, in 25 days we will be lining up for Race # 1 of the NashvilleCyclist.com Criterium Race Series, brought to you by Toyo Tires serviced by Gateway Tire & Service!

I'm already perfecting my NASCAR like ability to roll sponsors off my tongue to plugg them every chance I can get.  Kind of like yesterday when I stopped by MOAB to pick up a new cassette, chain and race food, but unfortunately it was near dinner time so I wasn't able to hit Smoothie King of Belle Meade for a peanut power plus!  We have some dedicated sponsors who have stepped up to make our race dreams a reality, which gives me extra motivation to work harder so everyone has a wonderful experience.  I love the fact it's just a mid-week crit series and people take it more serious than some of the TBRA events!  I guess a large championship belt to wrap around your waist will do that to you.

After today's water logged Sumner County Road Race and the just announced postponement of the Gatorade Brentwood Criterium I figure there's nothing much better to do than blog about a few random things.  Well that and uncorking a bottle of vino.  Enjoy.....

Ustream.com - NashvilleCyclist.com
This is a cool new app and tool I've been using to broadcast LIVE video feeds from collegiate races this spring.  I am able to use my iPhone and the Ustream app to show race video and voice as it's happening.  I had several parents watching over the season, even one father from South Africa!  It's hard to go live when you're working a feed zone, but crits are pretty easy to cover.  I may try and do this a little during the crit series this summer. 

Twitter - follow NashvilleCyclist.com
I am a big Twitter user as it relates to cycling.  You do not have to create an account to follow me there as you can simply visit the link, but you can join and then receive immediate updates from anyone you end up choosing to follow.  Sure, there's a lot of nonsense there but you can get real time updates on many things related to cycling. 

Here's what you can expect to regularly read there from me:  live race updates, results, coaching tips, website news updates, and relevant re-Tweets (you'll catch on).  I will not blast mindless things over and over either.  The only time I Tweet a lot in one day is if I'm at a race and I'm giving updates on the action.  You wouldn't believe how many people follow race action via Twitter when they cannot attend in person.

Twitter - follow Cumberland University Cycling Team
For all the same reasons above!  Yeah, I'm the guy behind the Tweets on this account too.  Expect to read a lot here next week because here's where we'll be.....

Who to watch for at Collegiate Road Nationals
This is a great rundown of the top contenders from each conference in Division I and II at Madison, WI next week at the national championship.  I will be there with a few of my riders from Cumberland University; Ryan Sullivan and Alejandro Padilla will both be competing in the road race and criterium.  I will be Tweeting racing action as it happens and trying to provide as much live Ustream action as possible, provided I have a good iPhone reception at the race venues.  This will mark my 5th road nationals in a row and it's always exciting.  The quality of the event is second to none, and the caliber of collegiate racing is incredible.

Blazin' Saddles
This is a blog you want to check on a regular basis.  There's a sense of humor here you won't find anywhere else, and nobody in the pro peloton gets a pass. 

Yahoo UK Eurosport
This news link has great videos posted regularly.  Take note of the two crash videos; one from Turkey and the other from Fleche-Wallone, wow!

Cavendish withdrawn by team over gesture
Surely Blazin' Saddles is smiling with this new material.

De Rosa bikes await the Carmiooro-NGC team
My mouth is watering.  I love to drool over DeRosa bikes.  I have one myself that I rarely ride, but I sure do enjoy looking at it.

Greensboro Greenway Getting Closer to Reality
Good news for the cycling community of Greensboro, NC!

Sheriff wants inmates to pedal for TV rights
Maybe I'll take the same approach and put my threshold wattage to better use and lower my electricity bill!  I think this is a brilliant idea that could be incorporated elsewhere. 

Hekman aims at NRC in his final year
This super strong domestic pro has specialized in criteriums, but up until this year had not trained with a power meter.  You'd be surprised to know that many high level elite cyclists do not train with power, but once they do their eyes open wide.  Read what Hekman has to say about the difference it has made for him.

The Street Stops Here
This has nothing to do with cycling, but about the pursuit of a high school basketball team to win the state championship.  They have an old school coach leading these young men and he's very hard on them, but he gets every ounce of ability out of every kid.  Coach Hurley is the kind of coach I grew up playing for, so needless to say this got me pretty motivated to compete.  If you are into nice pats on the back and a "you'll get 'em next time" attitude, then this coach and movie are not for you.  However, if you want your tail kicked to help you reach your full potential then I highly recommend you find this movie and watch it. 

Motivational Posters - Bear Bryant
Speaking of old school hard core coaches, they don't come any better than Bear.  Here is a list of some of his best motivational quotes.  Personally, I love the "hustle" quote.  There's nothing that rubs me wrong more than someone who doesn't hustle.  Then combine hustle with what Bear says about "priorities", class, pride and character.  Act like you've been there.

Masters Road National Championship
I am pretty excited about this being in Louisville again this year; especially considering it's moving to Bend, OR for 2011-2012.  I have done the criterium the past two years and the road race last year.  These races are some of the most difficult ones I will do all year.  The level of competition is fierce and full bore intensity all race long.  If you are of masters age and of the proper category level then I highly recommend signing up and racing.  If you get blown away so what, it's all about the experience and giving you a great idea of where you stack up against the best in America.