the word is out

You know, you think when your riding and cars are going past you fairly quicly they would not know what is written on your jersey and or shorts. Well I found out yestarday that is not always the case. I was in a bike shop down in corpus where I have started working part time. I was helping a customer and he was asking me about my riding and about halfway through my sentence he said "wait are you that MAD DUCK guy?" My reply was yes. So I thought I would share that with you guys.

Matt

The Kids on Christmas 

The ladies in my family (L-R: Jill, Mom, Emily and Nana) 

When I was a Triathlete (New Hampshire) 

The Shower State

Well we just got back from Mississippi, racing the Mad Potter Stage Race. I titles this entry the shower state because if you live in Mississippi, then you will be taking a shower multiple times during the day. This is because when you go outside and stand in the shade motionless your body will begin to sweat like there is no tomorrow.
Ok, back to the trip. We (Shannon, Nate and myself) drove to Troys house on Thursday and then drove to Mississippi on Friday. Well this drive took about 3 hours longer than it should due to some unforeseen traffic problems. I can not complain because Nate did all of the driving. This guys works hard to keep the riders ready to race. So we arrived in Mississippi about 12:30 give or take. By the time we finally were in bed it was a little after 1am and had to be awake by 6am to race. So we arose bright eyed and bushy tailed, ok not really we awoke groggy and stiff. After breakfast we were off to the race, but wait my front wheel is still in the garage. Once we straightened that out were finally made it to the race site. (Nathan is still driving) We arrive with about 15 minutes until the start so we have to register, mix our bottles, warmup and get other pre-race routines accomplished.
The race is off and everything is going well, I'll cut to the chase. I attack, this is brought back Nate counters the attack this is brought back, I counter and we are off for the rest of the race, about 50 miles or so, about half way through the break I remember my doctor telling me "now these antibiotics I'm having you take may promote dehydration if you do prolonged exertions in the heat of the day." (O yea, I had a Root Canal done two days ago) As we get about 15k from the finish I begin to try and shed the riders in the breakaway. I manage to get two or more riders to drop. I attack with about a mile to go and some guy from Holland sticks on my wheel and the other follow next thing I know the 500 meter mark is there and then 300 meters so I begin to go and I am trying to sprint. I am free and then 10 feet from the line three front wheels appear and I am caught at the line.
That evening the TT was 2.5 miles. As far as I am concerned this is not a TT, but I will give it all I have. So that is how it went I caught my 30 second man and almost my minute man, but was 1 second from 1st. That is right 1 second. No worries this is a stage race based on points not time. So I am now sitting 2nd overall in points.
Sunday, the Criterium is 60 minutes. I tried to ask the officials if we could add another half hour to this since we are the last race and would not be holding another race up. Well, it did not work. If you have not figured me out I like longer races. The Crit was going as planned Nate got into a two man break and created a large gap very quickly, the only catch was that the other guy would not work. All I have to say to that is CRAZY. So they were brought back. I countered and was off with three other guys for the rest of the race. I picked up a prime in the process. With 3 corners to go I put a pedal into the ground. Now before you think anything. I had been testing every corner thoughout the whole race to see where I could pedal though. So that when the finish came I would not have to worry about it. Well, the old saying is not completely correct. Practice does not always make perfect. Right when I put that pedal into the ground the two Herring Gas riders attacked and got a gap that gap held all the way across the line. This left me 2nd in the overall classification for the weekend.
This race was fun and the courses were good. The race promoter is a very good guy. He let us stay at his house the whole weekend.

I would like the Thank all of those who make this team possible.
Also check out the new company website
www.compliancedepot.net

Matt "I did not know my body could sweat this much" Seagrave

back in Corpus

Well I just arrived in Corpus Christi at my parents house. I was staying with Aunt Erin and Uncle Nathan in Dallas. I came home to have some dental work done, or what I thought was just replacing a filling that fell out. Well, really what ended up happening was a Root Canal. So my mouth is a little sore and I am not on antibiotics to be safe and make sure that I do not have any residual inffection. I had a feeling something was up, because I am pretty good about knowing when my body is dealing with an infection. Other than that I am going to try and take some pictures of where I call home when I am not on the road so you guys and pretend that you are visiting. Seeing as it is a long drive to Corpus Christi.
We will be racing this weekend in Biloxi Mississippi. I am looking forward to the massive 2.5 mile TT.
Check back here in a day or two for more updates and monday for some details on the race.
Matt "I have a hole in my tooth" Seagrave

whats shake'n

Well, I apologize for being a little late on this update.
I have to say that the 4th of July was very fun. There was watermelon, exploding lights and everything else that comes with the holiday. I went to the Kochs' family shindig. There was a perpetual grand finale going on for a few hours, just down the road from us at a fireworks stand. We too had fun getting to create our own show. Some of the bottle rockets even went in the wrong direction (towards the people). I had fun and made some new friends.
The rest of the week had been pretty uneventful except for Thursday when I had a ride scheduled and was about two hours into it, when a large thunderstorm rolled in. So I waited it out and then continued on. About a few miles into the continuation of the ride I noticed a noise coming from the rear wheel so I spun it and the wheel hardly moved. So I ride over to MAD DUCK and they show me that for some reason my bearings are shot on both sides. Ok so I get a loaner and head back to the house to get on the trainer. So I finish my ride on the trainer. Later I go to the Superdrome with Nate pull everything out of the car and realize my pedals are on the workbench of the garage. So I get to play "helper" This was actually fun.
Today was a longer day in the saddle. I did the bluebonnet ride then put a few more hours in just for safe measure.
Until Next Time

Matt

Saturday Party!!!

What's up ya'll?
Well Saturday is going to be kickin (that is my slang for the day). There will be a reception for Shannon to congratulate her on the two national titles she earned this past week in Park City. There will also be a grand opening celebration for MAD DUCK ADVENTURE SPORTS. I ask that you guys come out and support the shop, because they have gone out of their way to help and support the team in our traveling and racing for the 2005 season.

Matt

heatwave

Today on my ride towards the end I began to have a mental flash back Waynes World style (doo la loo, doo la loo, doo la loo etc.) about the cool weather in Utah. The reason why I was having this episode was because today I went for a 3 1/2 hour ride. For those who know me pretty well you know this is a shorter ride for myself so normally no problems. Well, being in Utah for about 3 weeks and acclimated to the cooler weather I had a little bit of a problem with the TEXAS HEAT. In the 3-1/2 hrs. I had to consume 7 bottles and a sprite just to attempt to keep up with my hydration needs. This was crazy.
Also on today's ride I came past a carwash/detail business where there was giant blowup rhino, with straps holding it down. Due to the strong winds, it seemed to be alive and trying to break free from the restraints (remember it was very hot when I was riding).
I am glad to be back. O yea, I forgot today was the first day I had a chance to ride because the airlines had lost my bike for about two days. Yea this was a real stresser ( maybe not even a word).

overview

Now I am back in Texas and the air feels like soup it is so thick! I want to Congratulate Shannon on some reallying good racing. I had a chance to drive the surburban throughout the road race course while the race was going on. Evertime she and the other girls would come past Shannon would be on the front pulling the other riders around. The finish was fun to watch when she made her final jump and Kim was not able to react. Putting Shannon across the line first.

Go check out the various pictures from the races on cyclingnews.com, www.actionpic9.com along with other various sights.

Matt

Elite National results

Well I had my two races yesterday and today. Yesterday was the time trial (35Km). I got there with plenty of time to get warmed up and this is exactly what I did. I was feeling pretty good rolling to the start get on the starting ramp and I a off. I get upto speed pretty quickly and try to settle in. For some reason I just could not find that rhythm I usually feel when doing a TT. But that is ok, I will just keep going and see what I can do on the way back from the turn around. At the beginning of the second half I am moving along at about 30mph and starting to feel better. He speed would vary for the rest of the ride but stayed at high as I could hold it. On the day I ended up 30th. I would have enjoyed a higher placing but it just was not meant to be.
Today was the road race (130miles). I woke up about 5am and got going on my morning routine. Which is eat and get dressed with a shower in there, before taking off for the race start. The warmup was minimal due to the length of the race. I do however ride around just encase someone gets the idea of taking of from the gun. Trust me guys do this sort of thing. Because I have tried it before. Ok back to the race. Everything stayed together except that a 14 man break got up the road and was eventually caught about 2 hours later. Early on I saw my chance to try and bridge the gap and tried but to no avail. I tried a move or two more and decided I was doing too much work and needed to just rest the legs a little bit but stay very attentive incase someone decided to try and make a move and I could follow the across. No this did not happen. After spending about 90 miles in the valley it was time to start heading back to town, which meant more climbing. Usually I am all for this because I can hang with these guys and still be able to fight it out closer to the line. In the beginning this was true over the first climb, but then on the second climb and final one before we hit town and do some smaller climbs. On this final bigger climb I looked to my right and I could see this very large monkey come running out of the bushed right toward our group. I thought to myself I hope he is not headed for me, because my legs still feel ok and he real hard stuff is almost over. Sure enough before we get most of the climb done he jumps on my back and will not let go. So I am officially off and trying to fight my way back. I finished the race and left everything I had on the road. This was not to most difficult course I have done this year but this was a pretty difficult race.
I might not have had my most stellar two days of racing but I can definitely say that I have learned a lot these past two days of racing. Both about myself and racing in and of itself.
I would like to thank everyone for there support. I just wish I had better results to share with you.

Matt

morning

Well we are about 4 days away from getting started. The weather has finally turned around for the past few days and is getting warmer. Not a whole lot has happened since my last update. I have been out to the TT course again to go over the course and figure out the gearing that I will be using the produce the fasted time I can. Yestarday Nate, Shannon and I took a ride around and through town. Stopping for a bite to eat on the way back. The eatery was kinda cool there where to big wall that were covered in old beer can from all over the world and going back many years. It more of and art piece than a collection of drink recepticles. I have to throw a bigger word or two in there just to keep mom proud.
I am now about to go out the door to meet Nate for a ride and maybe something will occur that will be entertaining and I can share you you guys.

Matt

quickset

I title today entry the way I did because on my way to meet up with Nate and Shannon for the ride. I am on the side walk just outside their door and on the phone. I look forward and see the ground looks a little wet but do not really have time to react and sure enough the wetness was because some workpeople had just laid some fresh concrete. well my wheel sinks about 4 inches. I hang up tell my coaches wife I have to go. roll into the grass and take my wheel off and proceed to wipe the concrete off as fast as I could. LUCKLY it all comes off and no one was the wise till now! Except for that rather large hole the siz of a bicycle tire in fresh contrete. I would have smoothed it back out but the only thing I could think of that would work is my arm and no that was not an option. Other than that my day was really good. I had a chance to ride the road course again. The climbing was much better today.

Day off

These past couple of days have been nice. I had a chance to ride out to the race course on saturday and just become more familiar with the first few larger hills before you end up in the valley. Everything is really pretty here. You have to remember that a Corpus Christi mountain is better known as a Sand Dune. The air is begining to get a little thicker for me. Today is a rest day for me so I think I will catch the bus into Park City and see the sights.

Interesting facts

Back during the Roman era, the Romans believed that hippopotamus sweated blood. The scientific world has disproved this theory. By showing that their sweet contains two separate pigments wich act as a type of sunscreen
I will be trying to put more facts up as the year goes on.

snow man

I forgot to mention i made a snowman and a snow angle today. My snowman fell off the porch.

Utah

Sorry for the gap in my updates, I have been away from a computer for a little while. I am now in Utah and it is snowing. Yes that is right, I am writting this during the second week of June!! Well I have been here for about 5 days or so. The riding has been pretty good. Wait! before I talk about that stuff. I should say why I am in Utah. Elite Road Nationals. Ok, now with the stories. I am in park city for the most part. Ok not exactly in, more on the outskirts ( 8miles away). On my rides I end up passing by the 2002 olympic park with the ski jump etc. The town is pretty cool. The climbing is pretty good also. Seeing as the house where I am staying currently is about 6500 - 6800 ft in elevation and that is at the base of a small mountain. Yestarday after spending two hours in the garage on the trainer finally all the snow melted off the roads and dried up. So I ventured out and up the mountain. This was pretty cool. On part of one of the climbs my front wheel kept trying to come off the ground and I was pushing my 39 x 27 pretty hard. In the process of getting up the hill there were alot of switch backs, my fovorate kind of climbing. Later today Nathan and Shannon will be arriving here. I am looking forward to more teammates around.

Until next time
Matt

Track Cup

I do not have a lot stories to tell on this installment. Due to the fact that on the Track I am a Cat4. So I really could only do the 4K pursuit. Which is good because TT is what I know, having been a professional triathlete at one time. Ok enough of that let me let me give the run down.
I did my usual warmup well most of it. I did not get to finish because, they decided to swap the race directly infront of the 4k and start our race earlier. Not a big deal, because I had done the important stuff already. So I go the the line and get set. 5 - 4 - 3 - 1 - whistle sound. I am off, ok no I am not there was a false start. This actually worked in my favor because I got a chance to check with Nathan on whether my start was fast enough and if the line I chose was good. Yes, Nathan is alot of help on the track. Because I had never done a pursuit before. Ok well the second start was good and I am off. Pedaling as hard as I can. Trying not to think of anything but keeping pressure on my pedals and staying ontop of the black line. Everytime I came past the bleechers on the front side of the track I could hear the cheers. So I would like to thank all the club members to being there and helping on my way. When it was all said and Done I posted the second fasted time of the night, for this event. I was happy. I now have alot that I would change in how ride this event.
I saw some people taking pictures so I will post some as soon as I find them.

Matt

Joe Martin II

The TT was up a climb for 2.5 miles. That sounds like a piece of cake with lots of frosting, but NO! the first 200 meters was fast. I got into my big ring from the begining and then was in my small ring the rest of the way and breathing like a vaccum, you know the sound. I ended up somewhere in the top 40. Satuday road race prior to the TT was a 93 mile road race where you rode 11 miles to a loop did the loop 3 time and then road back to the finish line which was the first 11 miles. This course was good in that the climbs were gradual and not nearly as long as fridays climbs. The main feedzone climb was super steep and pretty much you would not overshoot your feeder, because you are moving slow in relation to the rest of the race. I almost forgot the one long descent that had a 90 degree turn at the bottom and had a strong odor of carbon fiber and breakpads everytime we came through.
The Crit on Sunday was hard. No, not just hard but can I have a new set of legs hard and we are only halfway through the race. I gave everthing I had. There was a climb that lasted about four blocks and kicked up for the final 200 meters before the finish line. Just then you think the hill is over you turn left and the road give you one more kick for good luck.

Joe Martin Stage Race was deffinately one race that I am looking forward to doing next year. Now that I have sat down and reviewed my notes and know how to better approach the race from a stretegy standpoint.

Matt