Tag Archive for 'competition'

Not that bad

Published on July 17, 2010 in Biking. 0 Comments

I certainly can’t say that I was looking forward to waking up for the 7:45am start of the OBC Grand Prix today. Especially given how terrible I felt riding home from work last night…

I was kind of worried, but I felt ok this morning and when I got on my bike, I was good.

But that first lap was hard! I pulled out the climb on each lap in my file and I thought the last lap was the hardest, but nope, it wasn’t even close. It was mostly a race of attrition. I covered lots of accelerations and tried to make all the splits. I felt really good on laps 2 through 5, but I just could not hang on the last time up the climb. I suffered as much as I could and was rolling through in the chase, but we just couldn’t close it.

After a wheel-finding adventure, we were all hurtin’ a little bit and made a pit-stop at Kettleman’s Bagel Co. for some food. My first time there for lunch, and it hit just the right spot. Aaaanndd, while we were eating the wind picked up and the skies started just dumping all kinds of rain, making me quite glad that we actually started at a ridiculous hour of 7:45 in the morning.

I had heard stories about the OBC Grand Prix and when we walked in the house Marc said, “So, Shaun, you did your first OBC Grand Prix…” and I joked, “Yup, now I’m good, I can die tomorrow and be fulfilled.”

Thanks to Peter and all the volunteers and commissaires for a great race. It was good, hard, fun. That is all I can ask! Thanks!

::SAdamson

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Canada Dry reflects

Published on July 8, 2010 in Biking. 0 Comments

I started writing this post on Monday night at Dave’s house…

Then I opened it up again at the Boston airport…

And it’s been in an open tab ever since I got back to Ottawa…

I felt pretty good going into Monday’s crit at Fitchburg. I was able to race conservatively for the first half and use as little energy as possible. As the race progressed, I stayed nearer the front. A good-looking break went at 14 laps to go, so when I felt the chase slow, I jumped hard and almost caught them in half a lap, but then I eased coming down the hill and struggled to close the gap. That break came back within a few more laps, so it really wasn’t that big of a deal.

I tried to put myself in a position to throw down in the last few laps, but couldn’t quite make it happen. So I settled in for the sprint and just finished in the group, while Jim finished 2nd on the day!

I ended up losing 11th to the guy who got 3rd on the day and was tied with me on GC.

All in all, I can be happy with my race in Fitchburg this last weekend. I learned some things. I know what I should have and could have done. I have come away a better bike racer and I will take all those things with me into my next races.

And a huge thanks goes out to everyone who took care of me this weekend. Dave for hosting me and driving me around, Landen for driving, his parents for support and feeding, and all the NEBC team. And thanks to Vince and Scott Racing for letting me off the hook for a few days… Oh, and of course my parents and all those who have emotionally supported me!

Now my thoughts turn to the second half of the road season and Cyclocross!!! If you want to help me out or know somebody who might, check out my sponsorship package or the S.Club. Anything and everything is always greatly appreciated!

::SAdamson

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The Great White Hope

Published on July 4, 2010 in Biking. 1 Comment

Landen came up to me in the race yesterday and said, “Our great white hope is that you can time trial…”

I tried, but I couldn’t quite get onto the podium…

I rode a good race, put down some good numbers, caught 3 guys, but I could only manage 7th. Although that did put me in 11th overall…

Now, if I had only raced the first two stages a little better, then I would be where I think I should. However, as Jamie said, “If my hindsight was my foresight, I would be in the protour.”

Tomorrow we’re gonna crit it up!!

::SAdamson

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More borrowed concepts

Published on June 8, 2010 in Biking and Thoughts. 0 Comments

I just found this interview with Gerard Vroomen of Cervelo and Cervelo Test Team on cyclingnews.com. I think it relates nicely to the post I put up earlier from Richard Sachs. I will mention that I’m not a big fan of all the doping talk, so feel free to ignore those parts…

Vroomen has set about instilling a philosophy within his riders that goes beyond the demand of winning at all costs. Instead the team place race success alongside product development and fan access as their top goals.

Obviously the biggest goal within sport is to win. The question is what are you willing to do in order to achieve that? I don’t want to change cycling for riders to aim at finishing last and if it’s a choice between wining and coming second, you’ll try and win. However, winning at all costs is a particularly strange concept in cycling. What I mean is within cycling, winning from a financial point of view is not nearly as important as it is in other sports.

For the rider, winning is important and if he doesn’t have the drive to win he’ll never make it to the top level. For us as a sponsor, winning is not that important because on the one hand we also focus on product development and fan access. But also, winning is not that big a factor in how much exposure you get. So even for companies just looking for exposure, winning is not that important as say winning in soccer.

the return on investment in cycling is so great. The investment is so good even if you did finish seventh in a major race. Cycling is essentially unsophisticated in how it’s marketed. So you have these companies getting 60 million in exposure and they pay a tenth of that so even if you have a bad year your exposure is still a great deal.

I think Mr. Vroomen may be a little optimistic in some of his thoughts here, but they still make a good point. Over the last few years I have realized that it’s not always the guy who wins that is the best person to sponsor. As I have searched for sponsors, I have found that it is best to be personable, to provide brand recognition wherever possible, to be a positive influence, to make yourself known, visible, and have a good image. Being fast and having results can make those things easier. But talking to people, showing off your sponsor’s stuff, and just being in the action can almost make up for results.

Lots of good things coming now. Stay tuned…

::SAdamson

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Spring Series Spectacular

Published on April 19, 2010 in Biking. 0 Comments

Here it comes…


Spring Series Spectacular

I’m still looking for a few volunteers, so if you are willing and able to help it would be greatly appreciated! I’ll make sure to make it worth your while!!

But it really is going to be good times. Last chance to prep for the Velocity Stage Race.

And I really do owe thanks to Travis and ERTC and Trev and Speed Theory and all their volunteers and everybody who made the first 2 spring series races a success!

I was going to tack on a short report from yesterday’s adventure, but I think I’ll save that for its own post…

See you Sunday!!

::SAdamson

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Yeah? Or something like that? Maybe?

Published on March 9, 2010 in Life and Thoughts. 0 Comments

Thanks Tom.  Thanks for all the good people in the world.  Every single person out there that makes the world go ’round… Thanks!

I think this letter sums up a lot of what has been on my mind.  I don’t have the same motivation bringing me to same conclusions (by conclusions, I mean questions), but I do come to a similar place in the end.  If you’ve been reading my blog, this has hopefully been coming through in a lot of my posts.

As the boss puts it, there are two major questions at play here:

  • One is in the meaning or importance or role of sports in society.
  • The second is the idea of simply being good at whatever it is that you do.  It doesn’t matter what it is that you do, just that you do it honestly, sincerely, excellently.

Let me take you back to an old post and this video…

And another video with Adam Kreek; it is actually Mr. Whitfield who pointed me over to this clip…

There are so many things going on here.  I could go on for days and write so many posts about all the great things these guys say.  But I’ll let you mull them over and maybe come back later…

But here is an idea I borrowed from John Verheul:

It’s the idea that even 1% can help.  For all those that have helped me, I want to pass the buck.  One day soon, I also want to pass on more than that; I want to pass on my time!

There are so many people out there who need help.  There are so many people who don’t have the same opportunities.  There are so many people out there who are struggling in pain.

Many people in developing countries.  Many people that live in my neighbourhood.  Young kids.  Adults.  Elders.  Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes!

I want to do my part.  My first 1% will be Kidsport.  After all, that is the idea that has stimulated so many  of my blog posts in the last little while!  That is why I believe in the Olympics and elite sport.  So at least 1% of all revenues generated from Shaun Adamson Training and the Shaun Adamson Supporters Club will be donated!

Thanks to everyone who has helped me reach for my dreams thus far and to all those will help me to make my dreams in the future.  I just hope I can pass on as much as I have received!

::SAdamson

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An Olympic Future

Published on February 28, 2010 in Thoughts. 0 Comments

I don’t want to detract anything from all the Olympic hype, from the Canadian men’s hockey team winning the gold medal, Kershaw finishing 5th in the men’s 50km mass-start, from another Canadian men’s gold medal in curling, but I just have a few more things to say…

I just finished an article in the Edmonton Journal with some thoughts from silver medalist Helen Upperton.  She drew inspiration from Kristi Richards, who finished 20th in women’s moguls after picking herself up, drawing energy from the once-in-a-lifetime crowd, to hit a big second air.

We have to change the way Canadians view amateur sports and fund amateur sports and keep this momentum going.  Funding amateur sport needs to be as much philosophical as performance-based.

Upperton is not simply calling for governments and corporations to plow money into the upper echelons of sport.  She believes she’s “a truly ordinary person” who grew up playing many sports and none exceptionally well.  She loved it and had a great work ethic.  And when the Calgary Olympics rolled through town, she got her Petro Canada torch and saw the luge and was hooked on the whole thing.  ”You’ve got to start pumping money into grassroots and recreational sports programs and make sure that physical educations stays in the school system.”

It’s all about the amateur sport.  I didn’t used to think that.  I remember being excited when NHL players were going to be allowed into the Olympics in ’98.  But now I think they’re all just overpaid.

It must have been ’98 as well because I remember loving aerials back in grade 6.  I actually set up a ruler on the edge my desk and we flipped erasers and scored them based on each eraser’s air and landing.

I think I may have seemed a little pessimistic toward the Olympics in some of my last posts.  But as I’m watching the closing the ceremonies right now, it’s pretty cool.  It’s amazing how sport can bring so many people together, even people who don’t necessarily like sport.

This is the part we need.  We need to motivate people to be active, to get involved, to go out and do something!  Our society will be so much better off.  If we are active, our kids are active, our communities are active, we will be happier, we will put less strain on the health care system, and we will just be better people.

Get together.  Go out and do something.  Inspire people.

::SAdamson

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What up?!? with Dustin Andrews

Published on February 26, 2010 in What up?!?. 1 Comment

In this segment of What up?!? we catch up with Dustin Andrews.  I don’t know if I remember the first time I met him, but he has really burst onto the scene in the last few years showing some real dedication and talent coming up through the junior ranks and now as an espoir.

SAdamson. So I hear you were causing a ruckus on the shootout when you were in Tucson… what’s the story?

Dustin.  Hahahaha, by causing a ruckus I think you mean getting in the way of the sprint! I was just near the front of the group coming up to the “sprint” and I was hurting before the sprint launched, and someone thought I was a good wheel to follow haha. They had to go around me as I dropped anchor.

SAdamson. Ok, jokes aside, how was the national team training camp down there?

Dustin. The training camp was awesome, lots of good riding with good people. Made me miss riding outside even more (if that’s possible)

SAdamson. You were off for reading week, right?  What are you taking in school now?

Dustin. Yea, the camp was perfect for me, right over reading week. I’m in engineering right now, about year 1.5

SAdamson. Do you find it hard to balance training, school, and having a life?

Dustin. Sometimes I find it hard to balance it all, but that doesn’t happen too often as I’m taking 4 courses (instead of 5 or 6) per semester. That and if it really gets tough I’ll cut out a little bit of homework to get the training done haha. I still get to have a life a couple times a week, so I have it pretty easy. Working full time and training is I’d say 3 times harder, definitely makes school appealing.

SAdamson. Do you usually train alone or with a group?

Dustin. I normally train alone just because I try to fit my workouts in right after classes. Often though I’ll get to train with Marky Mark  (Mcdonald) or Bailey McKnight. Weekends I try to get out with a group though.

SAdamson. You are with H&R Block for another season in 2010, right?  What are your plans with the team this year?

Dustin: I’m back at the Block Party for 2010, my plan with the team is to  race outside of Alberta as much as I can, and hopefully have a couple good bike rides.

SAdamson. What were the highlights of 2009 for you?

Dustin.

  • Top 3 Tuesday  Night Crit
  • Hanging out in PEI for Canada Summer Games
  • Tour de Delta

SAdamson. What is your best memory on a bike?

Dustin. Best memory on a bike is probably the first time I ever had a real good wheelie hahaha

SAdamson. What is the key to your past successes?

Dustin. I guess I would say consistent training through the winter. That and pumping the 45’s at the gym.

SAdamson. What do you think about while you race?

Dustin. I really don’t know, maybe I’m thinking about how I can take advantage of someone? That or I might zone out for half an hour at a time.

SAdamson. What was your first bike?

Dustin.  Purple Giant 6 Speed

SAdamson. What do you do when you’re not riding your bike?

Dustin. For other sports I would say….hiking (with Jamie Sparling pumping the tunes), rock climbing or soccer. When I’m just hanging out I do like the video games, or watch a movie.

SAdamson. The world is ending tomorrow. Describe your last 24 hours.

Dustin.  Hmmm I would say  a quality mountain bike ride with the family, hang out with some friends, and a Nutella/Banana Waffle.

SAdamson. What is your favourite quote?

Dustin. “When he attacks, it’s like getting hit over the head with a club” -Samuel Sanchez talking about Phillipe Gilbert

SAdamson. Any last words of wisdom for any aspiring readers of shaunadamson.com?

Dustin. Haha, I guess I would say figure out what works best for you  for training

SAdamson. Is there anywhere that people can keep up with you and your adventures?

Dustin.  Yeah, on Facebook

Thanks for having me!

SAdamson. No, thank you Dustin!  And good luck with your season.

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“Greatest guy in the world”

Published on February 22, 2010 in Thoughts. 0 Comments

Well said Jerry, well said.

::SAdamson

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More

Published on February 20, 2010 in Thoughts. 0 Comments

Simple title, lots and lots of thoughts!

I think my previous Olympics/money/sport posts have been taken in a different light than I was intending.  But I got lots of good comments and feedback, so thanks.  After re-reading my posts I think I just said what I was trying to say poorly (what else is new?!?).

But after getting a chance to go downtown in Vancouver yesterday, I got a renewed perspective.  Not a new perspective, but a reminder of what I thought or was trying to say.

Sport is a great thing!  People are great.  Sport bringing people together must then be really, really great!  No?

I don’t know if that’s what the Olympics has really come to.  But I certainly appreciate the sport.  I appreciate that it brings people and fans together to cheer on their favourites!  I like when Olympians encourage kids to try new things, to push their limits, to motivate them!  That is one great aspect of the Olympics!

And sports and athletes are unreal!  That’s all I have to say!

I LIKE THE OLYMPICS!!!

But are they the best for society?  That’s what I don’t know.

::SAdamson

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