Xilinx CX #2

Check out this great video Mat took of the 'cross race on Sunday! I had a blast riding around in the mud, although my desire and ability to race at 100% seems to have waned for the year.

Gunnison CX

I've been sick for the past couple of weeks and have been taking it easy on the CX racing. My big race weekend for the month was the UCI race in Boulder. Unfortunately I didn't start the first day and had to take it easy in the second day's race. Last weekend I got back to it at the RMCCC collegiate cyclocross championships in Gunnison. Here's my report from the Mafia blog:
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One of the best programs for showing people how incredibly fun bike racing can be is collegiate cycling. It’s how I got into riding bikes, and I know many other riders (including some super-talented pro racers!) who have their roots in collegiate cycling. Most college cyclists have the right kind of attitude for attracting people to the sport. It’s not about how much your gear costs or who your coach is; it’s about having fun, bonding with your teammates, and racing your heart out.

Unfortunately my academic days have ended, but I still try to support collegiate cycling events when I can. They are usually organized by a small group of Red-Bull-fueled kids on a shoestring budget, who are simultaneously studying for their organic chemistry finals and working a part-time job washing dishes in the cafeteria. This makes it even more impressive when college teams pull off great events, like Western State’s cyclocross race in Gunnison this past weekend.

The course in Gunnison was one of the best I’ve raced all season. It had a sweet flow with lots of grassy, off-camber turns that you could just carve. Despite the small fields, the racing was a blast. I got to battle with local Gunnison powerhouse Jenny Smith. I barely held her off for the win—if we had another 15 minutes, she probably would have caught me.

The race day ended with a killer afterparty at the Gunnison Brewery. There were tons of prizes and a keg just for the racers. I came home with more than my fair share of prize money and a bunch of yummy ride food. Like I said, college kids know how to get it done! Be sure to support your local collegiate team by racing their races, even if they seem dinky. You might be surprised at what they can pull off!

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On Sunday Spencer and I went to ride mountain bikes in Fruita. I meant to take a bunch of pictures but only managed these two:

Providence CrossFest

I wet my feet racing cyclocross in New England--literally and figuratively--so when the chance came up for me to race a weekend of UCI races at Interbike East, I jumped at it. I had raced at the same venue in Providence, Rhode Island during Nationals in 2005 and 2006. I loved the course back then (imagine a pump track turned into a cyclocross course), and it was supposed to be the same this year. I also had a string of bad luck the last time I raced there, double-flatting my way out of the top-5 in not one but both of my races. So, I was psyched to be representing Mafia again at the Providence CrossFest.

I spent the Thursday and Friday before the races getting my work on. (I work full-time for Bikes Belong, a national bike advocacy group that works to get more people riding bikes more often.) Thankfully, this East Coast Interbike was nowhere near as draining as its Las Vegas cousin, and I managed to end the nights early, (mostly) sober, and with sensation in my legs.




It rained steadily all day and night Friday, but the rain was light enough that by the time I raced at 2 PM, the course was perfectly tacky. The course was such a treat; nothing in Colorado compares to how awesome it was, and we have some great courses here. Like I said, it was a cyclocross pump track, with plenty of corners, roller coaster sections, and a few flat power sections thrown in for good measure. There was also twice as many obstacle and running sections than the average course here. Super tough, but super fun!

Along with a few national-level pro riders, there was a field of strong New England and Mid Atlantic riders, so I had to fight my way into the top-20. I raced strong and smooth (besides a couple of behind-the-saddle remounts) and was happy with my finish. Typically with three or two laps to go in a cyclocross race, I think to myself, "My god this is painful and stupid, when will it end?!" But, this course in Providence was such a blast that I almost didn't want it to end. If only every cyclocross race had enough whoopty-dos to keep my mind occupied!

Sunday's race was less my style than Saturday's. There were more steep, short climbs and fewer flat, power sections. I had to work a lot harder in the second day, especially because I wasn't riding in any groups like on Saturday. I finished a few spots back from where I did the day before, my legs absolutely cooked from the high-intensity efforts.

Major thanks to the Q and the Felt Crew for helping me with my bike repairs at the race, to Richard Fries for the over-the-mic encouragement, Chip at Interbike for the pics, and to all of my friends in New England for heckling the crap out of me!

Why I miss New England cyclocross

It's not unusual for the fondest memories to be when you first fell in love with something. I fell in love with cyclocross while living in New England. Between the region's long history of races, good friends, ebullient spectators, and gorgeous falls, cyclocross season in New England is just magical.

Don't get me wrong--we have a great scene here in Colorado--fast competition, lots of nearby races, a UCI weekend. There's just something I miss about New England.

Is it racing on mud and fallen leaves in Vermont?

The run up at Putney?



Frozen mud and grass caked to my bike?


Watching Horner race in the mud and snow in Providence?


UVM super fans at Catamount?


Spectating with these girls?


Driving home through New England fall scenery?


Having the bikes on top of my car look like this?


Antics like these?


Having the back of my car look as so after a weekend of racing?


Mark A (and Mr. Nibbles)?


Ryan Kelly and Katie Dunn...the matching superfans of the ECCC?



C'mon Colorado. Let's see you step up your game.

Boulder Bike Story

Boulder Bike Story from Bikes Belong on Vimeo.