The Storm

I'd almost forgotten about the Storm Eva Bandman Halloween CX race that went down in Louisville, KY the Sunday before our Salem trip. MOAB Cyclocross teammates Jeremy, Whitney, and I did the red-eye drive up way, way too damn early that Sunday morning.

Due to fog and a time change we ended up getting there just before Whitney's race took off. About 80 racers lined up in the cat4 race along side Whit. Nearly last row start position, no warm up, and no pre-ride, Whit raced his way up to 9th overall and 4th cat4!

For me, it was my first CX race on a real CX bike with gears, carbon tubulars, drop bars and canti brakes. For 9 years I've only ever had a single speed mountain bike at my service. 97 racers toed the line with me. I was second row from the back not having any OVCX points. I was so far behind the physical start line it took nearly 10 seconds to pass through it once we all took off. 

The start had a hard left turn just after the paved start straight away. I was nervous being surrounded by 97 others packed into a 10' wide swath of lane. A crash took out the group ahead of me. Another few seconds lost trying to thread through the carnage, but I'd made it and put in a surge to get a gap and try to catch back onto the field that was quickly getting out of sight. 

A few turns I was too nice and got doors shut on me. By the fourth one I'd realized I was better at turning with speed than those around me. I stopped worrying about upsetting people and held my lines. I quickly started making ground. CX racers corner like roadies, tape to tape catching the apex of the turn. For better or worse, I turn tight like on singletrack, inside turn to inside turn. Leaning the bike, no brake. That alone allowed me to make passes on groups of racers, not just one at a time. 

I was having a lot of fun. My brain shut off. I was focussing on reeling in the person in front of me and getting around. Then I moved focus to the next rider. Never looked back. Zone. 

Normally I have 30 conversations going on with myself in my head. Worries of all sorts. Distractions that lead to hesitations or playing it safe. None of that happened. For 45 minutes I just pushed my limits and let it ride. Focusing only on momentum and catching riders. 

By the final lap I'd clawed my way up to 15th and had 3 challengers on my wheel going into the steep hill just before the finish line. I punched it and held on to the finish, keeping them at bay. Euphoria. 

My only regret is I couldn't double up. All 3 classes I can race in happened at the time of my race. I'm also sad I didn't cat up to 2's before everyone in the 3's got too fast for me to podium on my ss mtb, I really wished I could have raced for a full hour.  A couple years back it was possible to be competitive in the 3's on an ss, not so much nowadays. I had enough points to cat up to 2 but I knew I'd just be in the way on my ss as they were all next level. Ah well, I'll just have to work hard to get the points to move up this season. 

Regardless of category, the OVCX race reignited my cx flame and a new drive to compete in the big fields vs the 10-15 racer local scene. Though the local scene is growing. The 4/5 field has been in the 40's regularly this year and I am told the last Cat3 race had 30+ racers as well. Hot damn, I think we've got a renewed cross scene. 

Next Sunday brings the 2nd race of the MOAB Cup down in Bell Buckle. Brand new series, brand new venue. I can't wait. We might even have a chance of some mud. Hells yeah. 

Swinging Back

With only a 4 day work week for me this week, things quickly got back to normal. Riding has resumed albeit we bailed on the cold and wet Weds night ride in favor of a cold and dry Thurs night ride. Which worked out better for me as I had managed to squeeze in an early morning cross ride before the rain on Weds. 

Having a few extra days off at home after Salem allowed me to focus on finishing the tack room build up (or at least all the wiring and most of the insulating). We also got the massive burn pile tended to, getting us caught up on chores needing completed before winter really sets in. Freeing me up to get out and off the farm a bit. Something I took full advantage of early, early Saturday morning before work.

Several of us met up at the new mountain bike trails at Percy Warner park. It's a little bit of Pisgah in our backyard. Pretty dreamy. 

Though not without its risks. One broken collarbone and one concussion for two of my friends out there already. Quickly making it a must visit trail. 

Rocks, berms, doubles, table tops, berms, drops, ramps, bridges, and flow. A little slice of heaven out the back door and just what the doctor ordered. I need to take 3 rides a week until symptoms clear up. Symptoms? Wishing I was on my cross bike most of the time. Maybe I ought to take 2 rides a day until further notice. 

Maritime All Hallows E'en

With the fall comes a brief slowing of the cycle shop madness and offers a chance to sneak away for a bit without your co-workers wanting to strangle you upon your return. This year aside from New Years and a day in March for CedarCross, I haven't taken time off. A vacation away was long overdue.

Fall is my favorite season and Halloween my favorite holiday so what better way to celebrate them than a trip out to my sister and her family's home in the Mecca  of Halloween, Salem Massachusetts. 

I hadn't seen my goddaughter since my surprise party in January and needed to make up for lost play time. We walked into town for a carrousel ride, raked up and jumped in leaves, splashed in puddles, read books, built houses out of Lincoln logs and blocks, and played scary ghosts in the playground. 

We also carved pumpkins and went trick or treating. She has been a good babysitter, always keeping me engaged and fully entertained. I sure missed this kid. 

Salem is a really quaint New England Maritime town and the weather couldn't have been more perfect for a fall visit. Sunny and cool days, spotty rainy days, and sunny warm days as we left. Each day allowing for some outdoor exploring. I only wish I could have brought my cross bike to join in some of the New England games. Maybe next year. 

Fall Fun (aka the first week of October)

My favorite time of the year so far hasn't disappointed. It's been a roller coaster week. Work, hauling hay, cross course farming, night riding, cross riding, some real mountain biking, and an anniversary. All amongst the backdrop of beautiful fall weather and its picturesque sunrise and sunsets. 

Winter will be here soon but I'll not be wasting time worrying about it. I'm planning on enjoying the hell out of each and every fall day. Weather this good is far to fleeting. Up and at them!

Productivity

I've really been lamenting the fact that I missed out on trips to Steamboat Springs twice this year. First was a planned (well, hopeful) trip in the spring that never came to fruition due to lack of staff at work to allow for any extended time off. The second was a chance to a free paid for trip over Labor Day weekend that again fell apart due to staffing shortages. Meh. 

Next year I am going even if I have to quit for a week and then beg for my job back. Luckily this cool snap we've had lately has really helped quell the pain. Low humidity and cool temps at night and in the morning have been very Colorado-esque. It's been fabulous. 

Cross season is rapidly approaching. I'm stoked. I've always enjoyed racing cross since the days when Dan Werle and I were battling each other in the CCC 4 race/dual weekend series. An A and B class only. That was our cross season here until White Lightening Werle picked up the mantle and created a 5 race UCI legal race series. Each race magically containing a sand pit. I miss those days. 

As I said I've always loved cross but never have I been so stoked for the season. I think it is because cross and all it's short intensity fits into what life is allowing me lately. Plus it's what I have available to me with my wacky work schedule. Another plus is I will have the rare opportunity to be able to sleep in my own bed, use my own bathroom, and race my bike all without leaving my property. Man I love cross. 

It appears as though we ( MOAB Cyclocross) will be having a 3 race MOAB Cup series with potentially 2 races at the farm. If a third location (already in the works) works out, it'll just be the one. Either way the course is dialing in nicely. All the work put in last year has made this years workload much easier. Less building and creating and more maintaining and improving. Very productive with myriad course and obstacle options. Even a legit ditch. 

I'm hoping to secure a projector for movie and bonfire / camping night before the race. Movies are being secured at the moment. I'm slowly combining all my favorite things to put together my own personal über-weekend. I love fall. 

Want, Can, Have, Should

Fall is nearly upon us and so much of the spring and summer passed by too quickly thanks to things I had to and should do. Things wanted to do fell by the wayside or effectively stalled out with hopeful thoughts of "maybe later". 

Only seven days remain officially of summer. Time is racing by. Opportunities missed, sacrificed, or just forgotten. 

Races and trips missed due to work events and/or retail Saturday hours. But it is what it is. No use crying over spilled milk. I can only do what I can do. 

And what I can do is get out for whatever adventure, great or small, for which I can make time. But all is not lost. Better weather is on the way. No more hot humid muggy buggy days. Cool crisp nights and cooler mornings will soon be the norm. 

Fall has always been my favorite season. Caramel is ripe and ready, pumpkins, Halloween, sweater weather, and my clothing palate becomes aesthetically pleasing to natures backdrop. I've always  been an autumn. 

The lesson learned from the missed summer is to not waste time. You can never get it back and it never slows down.