The Way Things Should Be VS The Way They Are

The local bitch and moan haven, er I mean message board, is once again all a flutter about this-n-that. To summarize, some are unhappy with the State wide cycling org, some unhappy about prices, others prizing, others the lack of "points", and some are just plain unhappy. Whatever. The fact that the dialog is happening is good, but the race they are using to bemoan isn't about any of that. It's about a cheap, fun, weekend centered around bikes, being outside, and getting people on the trail.

$20 bucks to race. No fees. Just $20.

Enter a little land owner that could and a local bike shop. They are putting on a little grass roots racing this weekend for the fun, challenge and excitement that is off-road bike racing. The course is a challenge, physically and mentally. There are rocks, roots, rocks and roots, climbs, climbs with rocks, climbs with roots, rocks with roots and climbs, harrowingly twisty descents, harrowingly twisty climbs, perhaps even some muddy spots. If you've ever seen Klunkerz or the recent postings of the old Crested Butte to Aspen race then you've caught a glimmer of what this race is all about. The fun, the shenanigans, the beat down, the beer, the trash talk, the mocking of friends.

Damn hidden fees.

So whether you plan on racing or not, come on out and join in the fun. Come see what off-road racing is all about and heckle some racers. Bring a bike and test yourself against the trail. Fellow GrassMOOTS team rider Meanjoe will be going toe to toe, pedal to pedal against me in the Cat1 race. MJ is coming off a very successful early season season but is just getting his game back after being out for a while due to illness. My later than late season start has been bringing form on nicely only to have found me performing the Clayetteville Two-Step back and forth from the crapper all week. I'm down several pounds which should be good for achieving my race weight goals, but the energy level, recovery, and beer intake levels have been hampered. Should be a knock down, drag bike fight for last place. You won't want to miss it.

Hit up CrudeXC.com for more info and registration.



In other news, Buddy got his summer hair cut. Not sure if it was due to the increase in temperature or the fact that they couldn't quite rid Buddy of the smell of Jeff Scott. Either way Big Buddy looks pleased as punch with his MJ fauxhawk do.

For once not douche bags, but golf bags on bikes.

Coming home from getting the Lemonero's oil changed H. and I happened upon this scene. Armed only with my phone cam I snapped a blurry photo to show the class. Three Honda Goldwings and one Harley piloted by people older than Jeffy with golf bags strapped to the back seats. Now that is a fore-some of golfers I can respect. Sadly I wasn't able to snap a photo of the 3 topless fixie riders that passed me leaving work. Three dudes all with no shirt or tan, wearing matchin khaki shorts and flip flops riding fixies down Westend pushing way too hard of a gearing at about 6 mph. Just like spying the first robin, seeing shirtless dudes on old bikes means Spring has definitely sprunged.