This year was my 2nd time at the Cry Baby Classic at Nubs Nob Ski Area in Harbor Springs, Michigan. This course is one of the toughest courses in the state! The Expert/ Elite race is 3 laps (8.5 miles each) with 1000 ft of climbing per lap!! It also has smoking fast downhills and [...]
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I raced motocross from age 9-12, I really enjoyed it, but motorcycle maintenance was a lot of work and money. I grew up in Ada, Michigan, near the place where the Rapid Wheelman hold their weekly time trial. I watched it a few times and wanted to give it a try. I was 12 years old and only had a BMX bike, they encouraged me to do it anyway. I remember the 15 miles seemed like an eternity. It was quite a few years before I would do it again! When I was 16 years old (1980), my friend and I started snowboarding. This was several years before it was allowed at ski resorts. We thought we were getting pretty good so we traveled to Vermont to compete in the national championships. We both finished in the top 10 and got a sponsorship from Burton Snowboards. We got to travel North America for a couple winters, it was a blast! When I was 22 years old, I started racing mountain bikes and eventually some road races as well. Its 25 years later and I still love it! |
| Age: | 46 |
| Hometown: | Rockford, MI |
| What‘s your history? | Over the years I’ve had the privilege of racing with several different teams/clubs before Priority Health, they include; Freewheeler BMX, Nuke Proof, Barracuda Bikes, Speed Merchants Bike Shop, Slingshot Bikes, the MUDBATS and SPOUT. |
| Tell us about a memorable race experience. | My best race ever was at the 2004 ICEMAN, I entered the 40-44 expert class racing a single speed and won my category as well as having the fastest time of all the expert age groups. I finished in 1hr 37 min. It was one of those perfect days! |
| What are 3 adjectives that describe your approach to your sport? | Unpredictable, fast, exciting! |
| What are nutritional tips you use to gain optimum performance? | Now that Im getting older, Im trying to take better care of myself. Im eating more fruits and vegetables and less red meat. My pre- race meal usually is, bananas, bagels and coffee! |
| Give us some inspiration! | I realize that no matter how hard I train there will always be people better than me, so I just try to be the best I can be and enjoy the sport. I also enjoy helping my kids and other people enjoy cycling and try to help them improve. |
| What is your single most important goal this year? | I really just want to enjoy life everyday!! Whether that is training, racing, at work or with family. Im not really focusing on one race, but more of maintaining a high level throughout the year. |
| Complete this sentence: The thing I love most about competing is______________________. | This thing I love most about competing is it pushes me harder and further than I can push myself. |
Author Archives: Craig GietzenBostwick Lake TriathlonOn Saturday 7/7/12 I participated in the Bostwick Lake triathlon! It was a very “laid back” race, yet well organized. They cap the field at 150 people, and divide the heats into men’s an women’s. The distance is a little shorter than a “sprint”. I would recommend this race for a beginner, but you need [...]
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45+ Westbranch Road race recapJune 2,2012 It was 48 degrees and drizzling at the start! I found my fellow priority rider (Jon Morgan) at the start line an introduced myself, although we met briefly at the spring meeting.
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Week day racesNow that the race season is on you may be looking for some weekday races to keep yourself sharp! Here are a few ideas!
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Gramma’s bike VS the carbon racersLast week I was on vacation in South Florida with my great wife and awesome kids visiting our favorite (only) Gramma!
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Inside-Out cyclocross race #3The third and final race of this series is Sunday, March 11. The race location is TAIBMX in Greenville, Michigan. Its a fun event and you can ride a cross bike or MTB. The race is on a 1.5 mile section of fast off road trail and also part of the indoor BMX track! Its [...]
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My first time on a “FAT BIKE”When I first saw these bikes, I asked myself, WHY? But I’m always up for trying new things. This years “Farm Team” (farmteam.com) race was all about the fat bike.
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Inside-out cyclocross race #1Im always excited when a local fun event comes up on the winter calender!
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My 2011 ICEMANRacing conditions couldnt have been faster! Traverse City got rain mid-week, which packed down the sand sections! It was a bit chilly At the starting line, but once the race started , I felt great!
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Mountain Biking, Single Speed StyleI started mountain biking 26 years ago! Ive seen many changes in technolgy and styles. My first Race was at Pando Ski Area in Rockford, 23 years ago.
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