This year I went back to the USA Cycling Southeast Development Camp in Greenville, SC.  Below is a day by day review of my life living at Furman University and the riding in SC/NC.

June 8-13, 2008

Sunday

We arrived at Furman on Sunday around noon. I had a lot of bags to unpack, check in and get to my room. I happened to be on the fourth floor which made hauling the bike up and down a pain. It was pretty much the same group as last year with a few additions, 35 juniors total and 8 support staff. We went for an easy 2 hr social ride that afternoon to get to know everyone.  Every evening we had a class and today was a welcome to camp talk. It was great to finally be back in the mountains.

Monday

Rusty, one of the ride leaders, woke us up with his famous speech and cowbell at 6:30. Then it was off to breakfast at 7:00 for some grits, scrambled eggs, pancakes, etc. After that we went back to the dorm to get ready to ride at 8:45. We did a skills and drills ride for 2 hours in the parking lot. We worked on cornering techniques such as counter steering and some sprinting techniques. The staff set a trench of tape about 6 in wide and 20 yds long with tennis balls cut in half down the sides that we had to sprint through. Then after doing some of that they would add water bottles on the sides, and a board we had to hop. After that it was back to the dorm for a shower and off to lunch. This year we stayed in a different dorm which actually worked out much better than the last. The rooms were much larger with a connecting bathroom with one shower for four rather than four community showers for 30 at the same time. Then it was off to lunch with everyone. After lunch there was some time to rest and talk. Then at 1:45 pm we started another 2 hr fairly easty social ride. Then, it was off to dinner, then to class. Today we had a representative from USADA, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, to talk to us. It was about an hour talk and very interesting. Also, we recieved a USA development jersey which was really cool and we all rode in them on Tuesday.  After that class was the famous field games. We did bumping drills and the world famous rounds of knockdown, winning one.

Tuesday

Today was the same, leaving at 8:45, but today was the first day in the mountains. We had a USAC Power Test which included 2 uphill time trials. The first one was 1.1mi, came back down to the start and did the 3 mi. It was extremely hot this day and I really blew on the long climb. After the time trials, we headed up to the top of the mountain called Ceaser’s Head. At the top we ate box lunches and then got to descend the mountain. We got back at around 3:00 pm with a little rest time before heading to dinner. Class today had an official to talk about many things that most racers just don’t know. Also, we got to learn many of the things that happen and have happened behind the camera at some grand tours in the U.S.

Wednesday

Today we left for the ride earlier at 8:15 am for a 3 hour ride with an 8 mi TT. This TT suited me more as it was rolling hills. We came back to campus for lunch then off for a skills and drills and a ride through downtown Greenville, SC. We did a fun obsticle course that was actually pretty challenging.

Thursday

We left at 8:45 am for a 90 mi ride. We rode out to where we would to 4 flat repeat TT’s. These were about 2 miles each and my average time was about 4 min 54 sec. After everyone finished we rode out to a park where we had box lunches. Then it was the great mountain climb to the bakery. This is the one time that we get to actually race against each other, rather than in TT’s. I was in the front group of 8 up the climb with many repeated attacks. We finished at the North Carolina border and rolled easy into the town of Saluda to the bakery. I got to eat a sticky bun which are really good right before the descent back down the mountain. We got back from the 90 mi ride pretty tired, then it was off to dinner then to class. At class we played some trivia, then got the final GC standing from all of the time trials. I finished 9th in the 17-18 field. Then we did some field games with barrel racing, then knockdown which I won the “world championships of knockdown” lol.

Friday

On the final day of camp we woke up at 7:00am and did an easy campus ride with Rusty and Travis.

Thanks to the staff, Richard Dunn, Coach Eric, Ken R., Michael J.,  Lesli M., Herman, Keith C., Bob T., Rusty, Travis, Matt and Andy Baker.  It was great seeing everyone and getting to ride in the mountains. This is really one of my favorite weeks of the year and I can’t wait to go back next year.