Jay Alberts
Why/how
I started cycling:
Other than the typical biking as a kid, I started mountain
biking in Arizona in 1995 during graduate school for fitness and
stress relief. First time on a road bike was May 2002 and I began
riding with the Frazier group August 2002.
First bike:
Borrowed 1987 Cannondale Touring bike
Number
of bikes:
6: 1987
Cannondale Touring bike, Specialized Mountain Bike, Cannondale
IM-2000 Tri-bike, Cannondale CAAD3 road bike, Kestrel Talon SL and
Trek T-2000 tandem
Favorite
bike:
Kestrel Talon SL
Dream bike:
Scott CR-1 Team Issue and Calfee Dragonfly carbon fiber tandem
(for the wife and I).
Cycling
Goals:
Continue improving my overall cycling
fitness, in particular hill climbing capability. Truly assault
Mt. Mitchell in 2006. Complete a 24 hour race in 2006. Complete a
century on the tandem with my wife Janelle; break the tandem
mileage record in 2007 at the 12 hour race in Sebring and Calvin's
Challenge in Ohio.
Expand the Pedaling for Parkinson's efforts
and conduct a research project aimed at determining the effects of
cycling (tandem and individual) on the motor symptoms of
Parkinson's disease. For more info see: www.pedalingforparkinsons.org
Most
Memorable/best cycling story:
On my first ride with Ralph and the Frazier Group I was so far
back that I missed the turn at the top of the hill by the Falcon's
training facility. Upon completing the ride Ralph and the group
were debating the year of my bike and Ralph assessed my equipment
and stated, "You need to get STI shifters, an aero fork, raise
the seat and by the way, get different shorts." Despite my deficiencies,
Ralph invited me back for the next week.
Fast forward to 2005, my right handlebar
broke at mile 65 of 117 on the "Assault on Mt. Mitchell" ride.
The remaining 7000 feet of climbing was done without standing and
no rear brake for descents. My "friend" Mark Hutson passes me at
mile 85 or so, I tell him of my mechanical and he encourages me by
saying, "I don't if you are going to be able to make it up Mt.
Mitchell, its pretty steep." What a guy.
The 2005 Sebring race with the FCP group was
probably the best example of teamwork in cycling. We all suffered
at different points throughout the day, yet, we helped and
protected each other.
Favorite
ride:
Braselton 23 ride in the Fall; Jack's summer
century; Laps; fast lunch rides
Longest
race/ride:
2005 Bike Sebring 12-hour Race: 255 miles; FCP ride:261 miles
(extra half loop at Bike Sebring 12-hour Race)
Fastest race/ride:
27.07 mph, Lunch-time 20-miler on March 13, 2003
Athletic
Accomplishments:
1 Place, course record: 2005 Bike Sebring 12-hour Race
1 Place, course record: 2004 Bike Sebring 12-hour Race
Top 20 in age group 2002 Callaway Gardens Triathlon.
Worst
crash:
Crashed at the turn-around point during my 3-mile time trial on
August 7, 2003 while trying to catch Mike Notheis - a few scrapes
and messed up the
shifting on my Cannondale Multisport.
Interesting
facts:
I have a great wife who is supportive of my
cycling and she even likes to ride the tandem with me. She is the
only woman I know who actually likes to ride rollers for
training. I also have a sweet little girl Abigail (2 yrs) who
knows the major components of the bike; she also loves the Frazier
family.most of all, Flip the cat.
I currently live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and
work at the Cleveland Clinic http://www.lerner.ccf.org/bme/neural
I hope to make it back to ride with the FCP group for special
occasions or events.
Best/favorite
sport:
Cycling.
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