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.