NCCX #3, Boone Cross, aka DNF Train

(circular thingie)

Spoiler for those who dont have time to keep reading...i flatted on lap 2.5 while in 10th place, DNF'ed, and drove my ass home.

Kel and I decided to get out and mosey over to the defunct Hawksnest ski resort to enjoy some leisurely riding along old cart paths and greens formerly known as Hawksnest golf course. Despite our best efforts at arriving early we still didn't get there in time for me to pre-ride the course. We watched some pro's get their pro on, then i straddled a trainer for a little bit, got bored, put my number on, lubed my taint up, and headed to the start of the 4's race. Don't even think about being late for the start of a 4's race around here. If you aren't toeing the line the second the they let you, you're fucked. I rolled straight to the front, put my shit in the big ring, and upon hearing the start whistle, pushed off and couldn't find my pedal to clip in. Sheesh.


(coming out of the litter box)

Anyway, all was not lost so I threw some 'bows in the narrow starting straights, and hit this big circular thingie in 9th place. Jesus, thank dog i was near the front because the shit hit the fan behind me. Kel has awesome pics...it looked like I-95 on a holiday weekend. Mother f'ers blowing through tape, crashing, walking. It was insane. Anyway, made it through the tallest barriers ever, up a super aggro off camber section, through some serious whoops, then through a section called the litter box (aka sand trap), up a steep ass hill, up another hill, through an awesome sand pit, ANOTHER circular thingie, and then a totally rad DH back to the start.


(start of aggro off camber section)

Lap 2...I'm winning 10th place, getting my I'm blown the fuck up on, make it to the 2nd circular thingie, begin shredding the gnar on the DH, then decide to jump the little bump at the bottom of said DH. Pop off the jump, land, then hear my tire almost roll off the rim. Note to self, no more rad getting in race situations... I continue my race, roll past the start finish for my 3rd lap, into the 1st circle and poof, flat ass fucking tire, on a really nice latex tube no less. Guess when i almost rolled the tire, the tube squeezed in there and pinched.


(end of aggro off camber section)

Seems like every time i do a cross race I screw up. I used to enjoy crashing real hard, but now i have flats to look forward to. Oh well, the course was rad and the atmosphere was great...beer was everywhere, DJ, fireworks in the course you had to ride through, and a tandem category.


(steep ass, loose hill)

A parting booty shot for all our fans.

BlueSky Cup and Boulder Cx #3

This weekend I had the nerve to get my first dual days of racing. Saturday was the BlueSky Cup. It was, I must say, the most organized/pro style race of the year (so far). There was a high school marching band jamming during the races, a heavy metal band on the far side of the course, an announcers trailer/stage all in all pretty rad. Check it here. Of course like the idiot that I am, I left my camera at home. My buddy Aaron decided to come mix it up in the single speed class. Aaron is the man behind Mosaic Cycles (rad ass custom Ti and steel bikes). Be sure to check him out on Facebook to see what he has been up to lately. It was really nice to have someone there with me instead of being by my lonesome self as usual.

Sunday was the Boulder Cx Series race #3. The course had two huge run ups that were a killer, especially for the non-runner like yours truly. Check it here.

Amanda Miller-Subaru Hudz the woman who took both days (at least I'm pretty sure)

Jake Wells-Subaru Hudz the man that took both days (I'm positive)

As for my races... Both went equally mildly crappy. I finished about 30ish both days in a field of about 50. I've come to terms that I'm not going to be mixing it up at the front of the 3s like I did back east. It really is another level on the front range. It won't however keep my from racing or trying to do my best but I'm thinking of this season as gaining knowledge base. Not to mention the courses here are back/shoulder/kidney jarring bumpy.

On another note, I'm more than stoked to be heading into the most exciting part of the season. We have the NACT series rolling into town next weekend for the Colorado Cross Classic and the Boulder Cup. Then the USGP series coming to town mid November for the New Belgium Cup. I'm so excited not only because I'll finally get to see some of the best crosser in the country but my race will be held earlier in the day so I can finally have some beers and watch the pros!!!

Cyclocross Update

Because of numerous symphony gig conflicts, my cross racing schedule is shrinking faster than Grandpa's pud in the pool. That being said, now that I live 3 blocks from Owens Field Park, it's pretty easy to ride over, set up the barriers and have a fun 25 minutes of riding around in the grass and crashing on the dismounts one out of every 4 tries. Yesterday evening, I rolled over after work about 10 minutes before dusk. I set up the barriers and did a few "rounds". I stopped to take a sip of water and upon looking up, I noticed a crackhead, blank-faced staring right at me as he squatted behind the memorial stadium dumpster. It appears he was in mid-deuce when I started up my barrier practice. For some reason, I decided to ignore him and go back to practice as I had only a few more minutes of daylight. When I gathered the courage to look back at the dumpsters, the phantom shitter was gone. Only in Columbia. Jesus. Happy Halloween.

(Practice shots from last Friday)




Because of numerous symphony gig conflicts, my cross racing schedule is shrinking faster than Grandpa's pud in the pool. That being said, now that I live 3 blocks from Owens Field Park, it's pretty easy to ride over, set up the barriers and have a fun 25 minutes of riding around in the grass and crashing on the dismounts one out of every 4 tries. Yesterday evening, I rolled over after work about 10 minutes before dusk. I set up the barriers and did a few "rounds". I stopped to take a sip of water and upon looking up, I noticed a crackhead, blank-faced staring right at me as he squatted behind the memorial stadium dumpster. It appears he was in mid-deuce when I started up my barrier practice. For some reason, I decided to ignore him and go back to practice as I had only a few more minutes of daylight. When I gathered the courage to look back at the dumpsters, the phantom shitter was gone. Only in Columbia. Jesus. Happy Halloween.

Boulder CX #2

This may be a day or two late but what the hell. So I decided instead of give you a run down of my race (which once again didn't go as planned) I would simply give you a little taste of the general vibe. The course was tough! Lots of thick muddy grass that sucked out every ounce of momentum you could muster. Lots of elevation changes, on and off the bike.

First glimpse of the Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie. I'm definitely a fan of VD. Ha

BCS' Brandon Dwight
Georgia Gould raced the open men.

Open men lap 1. Quick note: the kid who got the hole shot and bunny hopped the up hill barrier, rode all the "run ups" is a junior and he has braces....boyah