Cross The Way #1 @ CCRC

Despite Ma Nature's best attempts at submerging the farm the weeks leading up to the Cross The Way race at our Cadence Creek Riding Center, we ended up with a great event. What we lacked in elevation gain (about 18' per lap) we made up for with some sloggy Belgian style mud, super fast hard pack, a crowd dividing Green Monster-esque fly-over, and a bottom bracket deep swamp feature that made for some fantastically fun Mid-TN cross racing.

photo cred: Tara Roper Ludwig

Jess O. charging through the return field.

Swampy.

Photo Cred: Tara Roper Ludwig

The Simms Bros. Wrecking Crew.

Trashy racers.

A lot of effort and stress went into creating the event and I'm thrilled of what a success it was. We are still dealing with a little of the collateral damage - ie. trash in the fields and a super high water bill due to the nearly 8 hours of constant bike washing going, but for the most part it went swimmingly. I couldn't be happier. Huge thanks out to everyone who came out and helped and who came out and raced/supported.

Photo Cred: Lisa Brantley Myers via Patrick Smith's Camera

Photo Cred: Lisa Brantley Myers via Patrick Smith's Camera

Note: More photos available here and some really entertaining ones here. 

However, I am damn glad it is done and over. Tuesday was the first relaxing day off I've had in months. I was able to focus on items needing done around the farm and just take time to ride and hang out. It was wonderful. Time to get back to riding and enjoying just being. Maybe even start racing again.

Photo Cred: Lisa Brantley Myers via Patrick Smith's Camera

H. Mud boggin'.

Pond horsin'.

Tending to the herd.

The roaming barriers atop the fly-over.

Taming of the Few

Roaming barrier practice. 

Every day off I've had available since August 14th has been spent working on creating a cycling park similar to the Eva Bandman Cyclocross Venue. Nashville really needs something like it and not being a very patient person, I'm trying to create one we can use. It's also to better the farm for equine boarders (which help pay the rent) so it's not all just cycling. It's a riding center.

When a local race promoter was in need of a venue, I was quick to offer up my services. For one it would light a fire under my butt and force me to get stuff done. For two, it would allow me to have a race to help burn in the trail. I've spent upwards of 15 8+ hour days cutting trees, hauling brush, clearing brush, sculpting dirt, and trying to improve drainage trying to make the course the best it can be. It's mostly been a one man/three dog show with the occasional help (and lots of coordinating and purchasing of machinery) from H. and the last 2 Sundays with the Simms Wrecking Crew. We've made some incredible progress. It's shaping up nicely but there's still a lot to do. We've only been at the farm since March and we've barely scratched the surface of all the improvements needed and wanted. But it is coming along beautifully.

You learn a lot about people when you start working with them. There are those like Jim who tear through a list of items to get done, get them done in half the time and above expectation, and ask what else they can do. Selfless and happy to be of service.  Those like H. who work hard after coming off of several 12 hour night shift days and miss out on sleep. There are those like Cooper who drive over an hour each way to help work on something he'll probably only ride once or twice. There are those that offer to come out but never seem to make time to show up. And then there are those that never miss a ride, never lift a tool, but have a whole lot to say about how things should be done.

The latter has really been chaffing my hide a lot lately. I've been busting my back. Missing rides. Missing out with friends. Missing out on races. Missing out on days off all in order to try to make this race course be the best that it can be.  I don't know if we'll have a cross race near Nashville on a more groomed course unless one pops up on a golf course. And yet still all I hear complaints about parts being too bumpy, too narrow, too laden with something that isn't pavement. I listen to them all and try to fix and groom. But still it's more complaint than appreciation of effort or lifting of tools to help. So be it, but my patience is growing thin (Remember, not a very patient person here).

H. asked me recently what I was getting out of hosting this race to which I answered "a great course and a slipped disc". I just need to let go of the frustrations caused by the few.

Once this race is over and done with, we'll be hosting some family oriented fun night time short track/CX races I'm dubbing the Winter Solstice Series. Each one will be held at night similar to the Knog Muddy Hell and Memphis' Cyclocrunk. I think Nashville is way over due for nighttime racing.

In the distance, I hear mooing.

And I wished I had some money with which to buy a round
I wish I'd cashed my paycheck before I came to town
But I reached into my pocket, found three twenties and a ten
It feels so good feelin' good again

It's been an eventful week and not a lot of down time. Sometimes you just have to kick off the work shoes, clip in and be a kid. After the shop closed Saturday, the 4 of us went to blow off some stress. We got in 10 miles of fun before the rain set in. Sunday was more of the same. Feels so good feelin' good again.