Do They Grow on Trees?

Since there aren't any races in the metro for another couple weeks, we must improvise. Today a few of us gathered at Loose park for the circuit. Set up a couple barrier sections and went for it. The wind was jammin' (30-40mph gusts) and the 80 degree day made it exceptionally tough in the tall grass. Mitch and Brent are captured here approaching the barriers before wind tunnel hill.

Brent's De Rosa was hangin' out in the tree, just ripe for the pickin'.

Another One Flies the Coop

One of my recent acquisitions just flew the coop this week. This 2007 Trek XO2 was around for a couple months, but had to make room in the barn for the real deal. The Ridley X-Fire will be here soon and although its hard to have too many cross bikes, the wife has a different opinion. The wait seems endless.
OUT




IN

Defecting to Ridley Factory Team

Well I'm making a change in teams for cyclocross this fall and will be with the Ridley Factory Team. It is very much for the better and I'll be on one of sickest rides out there... the all carbon X-Fire. Now its just the impatient waiting for the boxes to arrive. With most of the cross world out in Vegas at Interbike this week, it may be a longer wait than normal. The sizing is a little different on the Ridleys so I'll have to post after I've got my frame built up and out for a test ride.

Cross Season is here

Well today the rain finally fell and the temps dropped into the 60's. Oh how I've been longing for this weather, cloudy and cool. This morning I was able to get out in the pouring rain for a quick 25 minute run and that was nice with the little one. Although she stayed dry in the Chariot, I endured the downpour. I just sold my 2007 Trek XO2 so thought I'd take her out for one last spin on the brewpub road ride tonight. Will be exchanging it for some duckets tomorrow so wanted to keep it somewhat clean ready for delivery. I got lots of comments tonight like "It looks like you're ready for cross" or "Do you race cyclocross?", duh you fools. Cyclocross is eminating from my very soul each and every day, so my response was always a pleasant "Yes" with a shit-eating grin on my face. The first real race isn't for a couple weeks so all I can do is prepare and prepare and prepare. Got in an easy 30 miles and looking forward to the final cross clinic tommorow night.

Bully Cup Preview

Yesterday the Boulevard Cup preview was out at Wyandotte County park where the Cyclocross Nationals will be this year. It was a hot and sunny day pushing 90 degrees, certainly not cross weather, but any day is a good day for cross. Rolling up, it didn't appear there were that many people, but they came out of the woodwork with probably 40+ locals out to jockey it up. We did an easy lap together then hit up a real start and bombed it. The pace was pretty high in the front and I was dying of thirst in the heat. The course was mainly in rolling grass with a couple of short paved sections, one barrier, and the railroad tie runup (look for that one at nats). We did a 45 minute session that left most of us red-faced and needing something cold to drink. Luckily there were some cold ones on hand for recovery. It was a great time to blow out the cobwebs and turn it up a notch. That level of intestity can't be replicated until you get a bunch of competitive guys together and say GO! Can't wait for the next one.

Du-Du- Dugast

Well the Rhinos are finally mounted up and it took a full week. This is my virgin glue job as I've never had tubbies before and I'm hoping for the best. I did a quick and easy spin around the park the other day and they felt good. I had too much air in them but was a little nervous about running them with very low pressure for the first time out. I put them on the spare Slingshot DD-X that I'll be using as a training/pit bike this year.

They look sick and can't wait to put them through the paces, although I have read a few posts about people rolling them (yikes!) Lets just hope I have enough glue in all the right places. I may peel those stickers off the wheels too, they look a little much and all black is always BA.

Tour of Missouri

Well the Tour of Missouri ended almost a week ago but I'm still buzzing from the great race that took place locally. Living so close to the first stage I was able to get up close and personal with many of the riders. We went to the gala and team presentation on the eve of the first stage. It was a little overrated but nonetheless a humbling experience to see some of the world's best cyclists in one setting. They are all semi-dwarfish, I guess logging and insane amount miles does that to a person. Some of my favorite moments were meeting Tim Johnson and Jeremy Powers, being the cross supastars they are. The day went a little like this... hang out around the start, watch the start and then jam it up to the feedzone to just catch the break going by with Tim Johnson leading them. Head back down to Meyer fountain to watch the circuits, again Tim Johnson pulling like mad. Finally down to the finish were TJ gets gobbled up and Ivan Dominguez hammers the sprint for the win, on the hoods no less. What a day!! Check out the pic... chillin' with J-Pow before the start.

Long Time No Talk

Well it seems that a million years have passed since I last posted here. MTB racing has more or less ended and the focus is solely on cross now. We did a sick 12 hour 3 man team here in the heartland called Rapture in Misery about a month back now. Smoothe B, LT, and myself placed 4th in the Open SupaFast category and had a jolly old time in the humid heat. Those two just got back from Chequamegon last week and put in a respectable 2:45ish time. Not close to the muletia but still they had a good time. So much to write about in the cross world so will just start adding more posts and start mind dumping... beware