State Championships. Redemption.

While State Championships doesn't provide UCI points, or any prestigious invitations, what it does provide is redemption.

After a period of disappointment, a chance to put the trains back on the tracks approached. The depth of the 17-18 category in Colorado is deep, and nearly everyone was going to Europe with EuroCrossCamp or Clif Bar. So I had one last time to not only prove to myself that I have what it takes, but prove it to others too.

State Championships for 'cross have always been a toss-up for me. My first year doing it I finished mid-pack, and then the next year I had appendicitis. So I've never been particular strong at this point in the season. My approach to the race was mixed, on one hand I was unconfident, and on the other hand, I wanted this win badly. I decided to put no pressure on myself, and approaching the weekend as just another race.

We drove down to Castle Rock early Saturday morning with my Dad and Zack. First City Cycling Team was there to support us, and all the Fort Collins cyclists, and the team, warmth and embro was very appreciated! Thank you very much Jay! I raced 17-18 at high noon on Saturday and the course was awesome. The ground was drying out and the snow was melting, and was going to create the second mud race I had done all season. The course had some good elevation gain, and took skills, and being smooth to keep the bike upright. I threw on the Challenge Fangos and put 'em at 20 psi.

We went to line up, and sitting next to me was Garrett, Liam, Cormac, Grant, and Chris. I knew it would be a fast race when the gun went off and the uphill sprint was elbows out. Down the first descent it proved to be decisive, and the front group formed almost instantly. All the big names were there, and battling for position in the mud. The group slowly widdled down with Chris pushing the pace, and with 3 to go, there were 5 of us. I was the only rider in the group without a team mate, and decided to just sit back and watch how the race would unfold.

Coming into 2 to go, Grant had a mechanical and would be left behind, and Kurtis would be dropped. Soon the 3 man showdown was on display. Garrett and Chris were trading blows, even getting aggressive around corners, and as they battled each other, I gave the appearance I was in trouble, just dangling off the back. The final uphill came, and I decided it was time to go. I sprinted past Garrett, with no reaction from him, then past Chris. I had a 5 second gap nearly instantly, and riding smooth kept me out of trouble. I crossed the line 3 seconds ahead of Garrett, and had time to celebrate.

I have added another State Championship Title along with my USAC MTB State Champion, and NICA State Champion. The feeling of the win made me ecstatic and even though it didn't count towards much, it made me feel like I can without a doubt compete at the top. There is very little time until Nationals now, and with all my competitors over in Europe, I have training time, and am able to sleep in my own bed.

The support I've had this season is impeccable, and everyone involved is so appreciated. Thank you to Jay Zorn for his support over the weekend, Nick Frey for his continued support and encouragement, Andy Clark for keeping my head in check, my Dad for always being there, and my family for being my support. I couldn't do it without these people and my sponsors. Thank you so much to Boo Bicycles, TrainingPeaks, Braaap Nutrition, and Challenge Tires. Nationals is coming up and I want to bring my A-game and represent well. Thank you to everyone who has supported me this season! I'm looking forward to Nationals.

City of Angels (and Ramen)

Los Angeles, a town of cars.

Seriously, the highways are madness, at any given time there are more cars in a 3 mile stretch than all of I-25... Despite the traffic, LA was a great experience and I had a great time racing and seeing the city.

Colorado Represent!

CXLA was over Thanksgiving Break which provided the perfect time for a little family vacation and a relaxing time in the sun. We arrived in LA on Tuesday and we were staying at Disneyland, which was pretty rad because all of the food was a 5 minute walk from the hotel. We walked around Disney on Wednesday and rode some roller coasters and had a good time. Then Wednesday was more relaxed as we got closer to the race. Then on Thursday my dad and I went to find a place to ride, which ended up being next to a ditch/river which was actually a really cool place for a bike path.

It had rained hard on Thursday night and I was praying it would keep raining, but by Saturday morning it had dried up and the course was ultra-fast. CXLA is situated in downtown LA, a little west of Chinatown and made for some awesome scenery. The course was like a Colorado course which I was excited about and as I pre-rode on Saturday I thought about Louisville and how my season was going, based on my goals. I really wanted to race my best over the weekend and prove that I have what it takes to be at the top, but as we lined up at 6:00pm on Saturday night, my legs had other ideas.

Ian and I building the gap

13 of the fastest juniors took off down the start straight and as soon as we hit the first corner, everything went crazy. I couldn't focus and I was being shoved around every where and making tons of mistakes. Within the first 2 minutes of the race, I got shoved down and bent my derailleur hangar, and ended up with chainring cuts on the inside of my bicep, the most painful cut I've ever had. The race only got worse and worse and I came in 10th, the most disappointing race finish of my year. We went back to the hotel that night without much talk of the race.

Mentally, I woke up the next day thinking about how I would survive today and not get last. My head was slowly getting the best of me and as the saying goes, its easy to fix a mechanical, but hard to fix a physical. I decided to nut up and have fun, race my race and control what I can control. This ended up being a great plan, and within the first minute, I was sitting 3rd wheel. I just followed wheels and I looked back and there was a group of 4 off of the front. We started working together and Ethan soon fell off the pace and Ian, Kyle and I were holding on at the front, with a hard charging group behind us. It felt awesome to finally be at the front of the race, throwing punches and pushing the pace for the first time in almost a month.

The straight away where it went wrong

One thing almost always goes wrong, but this one was during the most vital portion of the race. On to the long flat straightaway on the backside of the course, my chain dropped. Almost instantly the other group was on me and I was tailing off the back of the group for almost 2 laps. I suffered off the back for those two laps and finished in 6th place. It was crushing after my other 6th in Cincy. But I soon found out that Nolan had tried to take a feed in the pits, and didn't get the bottle, and didn't get off the bike and was relegated a single place. Finally, 5th place.

While it wasn't me getting 5th, I felt as though I had earned it, and for sure next race I will have a chain guard on. It felt so liberating to finally get a UCI point, and although it wont be used anytime this season for me, it feels good to know that I can be a force at the front of races. Congrats to all the guys out there in LA, it was so much fun racing with you boys, it's great to know that we support each other.


That night, we went to the best Ramen place ever. It was in Little Toyko and had the spiciest noodles ever. I ordered the 4, and there were still 6 spice levels above that! All in all it was a great trip, and a learning experience and something that taught me more about myself and the way I approach situations. Thanks to Boo Bicycles for their constant support, as well as TrainingPeaks, Braaap Nutrition for keeping me fueled, and Challenge Tires for the sweet tires!

Podium. Finally.

To all that have supported me this season: It means so much to have you behind me and I am forever grateful, and without your words, I wouldn't be the racer I am. Even though I failed at my goal to go to EuroCrossCamp XI, it has opened a new door, and one that is only an hour away from my front door. Look out Boulder, Brannan is coming to Cyclocross Nationals with a goal.