The newest addition to The Cycling House staff is Jen Luebke of Missoula, MT. Recently graduating from the University of Montana, Jen decided to focusing soley on training for triathlon this winter so the opportunity to work at the house couldn’t have come at a better time.

At the beginning of March, Jen competed in the Tucson Bicycle Classic stage race, one of Arizona’s largest bike races. In her second ever road race, she took the top spot overall winning two stages and placing second in another. Nice work Jen!

Brendan’s known for his gazelle like trail running abilities at The Cycling House and back-to-back-to-back epic training days while looking fresh as a daisy through out. He’s not necessarily known for pulling out stellar road race results due to the fact that he’s rarely competed in road races. Despite having limited experience with road racing, he decided to jump into the Tucson Bicycle Classic for some training and proved that he can race a bike too. Brendan took 3rd in the time trial and again in the circuit race. A great result against a stacked field.

Brendan sported a mustache for part of the season. It filled in nicely once he found the mascara.

Sam and Andy competed in the 24 hours of Old Pueblo on a four man team…they won. Their season kicks into high gear at the end of this month so we’ll be hearing plenty of great racing stories from these two. Sam heads to Chile for the Pan Am Championships this week and Andy will be going back to California for the first Pro XCT national series event.

We owe a very special thanks to the part-timers that came down to TCH to slave away for a few days. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such talented, friendly and hard working people.

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Changes, By Andy Schultz

It’s been awhile since the editors of The Cycling House Circular have put pen to paper, or I guess a more accurate description would be fingertip to keyboard.  What’s happened in that time?  In two words: A Lot.  Here’s blow by blow of what’s been going on in my life.

The mountain bike season finally wrapped up for good at a race in Michigan called Iceman.  I got to partake in some team-tactics with my brother Sam at the race which was fun.  Unfortunately Sam took a spill in the last 1.5 KM and broke his bike.  I ended up in 5th.

The Iceman Afterparty.  Sam and I are soaked in beer.  That guy between us is not amused.

I took some time off the bike and seized the opportunity to climb some mountains around Durango, CO.

Pro Roadie and follow Durangoan, Ben Kneller shows off his other skill, balancing rocks on his head on top of 13,000 ft mountains.

Then it was off to Tucson to help Owen Gue open up The Cycling House.  Things have gone great.  Owen and I held down the fort until after Christmas when we were joined by Sam, Brendan, and Jen.  I’ve had a great time training and hanging out with all the folks who have come down.

I did make it up to Montana to partake in one of my favorite pastimes, bare-chested toughness training.  Man-points!

I’ve put in a lot of miles in the last couple of months and during that time the race season has gone from some abstract thing on the horizon to a reality.  The season kicked off with 24 Hours of Old Pueblo.  Sam and I got asked to join a composite 4-man team in an attempt to win the race.  It was a success and we walked away with the victory.

Sam gets ready for a night lap.

Next, I took off for one of three trips to or through L.A. for the first cross country race of the season.  Things went well and I ended up in third.

 L.A.  Isn’t it beautiful?

It is tough to wrap my mind around it, but we only have about one more month down here at The Cycling House.  I feel like my dad when I say things like this, but I don’t know where all the time went.  I’m looking forward to hanging out with those of you who have yet to come down to the house and plan on making the most of the rest of my time here at The House.  Thanks to everyone who has made it so much fun so far.

– Andy Schultz