I Messed Up (Broke) My Shifter 2 Laps In...

But Joshie got some fucking raw ass footage of me goofing around on the last lap. You can't see it but I was stuck in my smallest cog for the final two laps. C'est la vie.

CHARLOTTE CX REPORT!

Not much to report. I started in row 3 or 4. The start was slow for those of us in the back. Rolled through the first straightaway and then hit the steep downhill and got in where I could fit in. Grabbed a bunch of easy spots on the first run-up and then reeled in 4 or 5 riders over the course of the next 3 laps or so. Realizing everybody else was out of reach, I called it a day. How fortuitous. I was 30 yards from the finish when I made that decision, so it goes. The sandpit was fun and according to Josh, quite bonkers at times with riders flailing here and there, to and fro. The only set of barriers was on a slight uphill after a sharp turn so that wasn't too sketchy. First cross race I've ever gotten to lap somebody. Weird. You end up feeling a bit like a jerk. Eric and I are doing Hendersonville this weekend so that means serious racing Saturday and then some sort of hangover-centric recovery race Sunday. Wish I had the foresight to order that skinsuit. Feels too much like Amateur Night At The Apollo in a standard kit. Don't let me forget to switch out the latex tubes before Saturday. Pretty sure I have a Spanky DNF in my future if I try and run that set up one more time. Things of interest: Dropped my I Pod outside Josh's car. Was still there after the race. I refused to hug Eric's mom (I was filthy). 68 degrees or warmer is the cut-off temp for water bottle hand ups. Riding by yourself in headwinds is dumb. Attacking on anything resembling an uphill is smart.

USGP New Belgium Cup Photo Dump

There was snow, it was COLD, it was MUDDY, it was SLICK!!!

Colt from Cyclingdirt.org doing his interview thing.

Elite men start

USGP New Belgium Cup

This weekend is the USGP New Belgium Cup up in Ft.Collins. After my recent back problems (probably suffered while playing extreme frisbee at work) I've decided not to race. Instead the plan seems to be head up north, do a brewery tour or two, grab some lunch, check out some rad ass cross racing, more breweries, dinner, then maybe, possibly head home. Most people know that I would rather race/ride my bike any day of the week rather than watch but this time I think it best to leave to the serious folk. Don't worry I'll update later with all the goodness.

Colorado Cross Week

Halloween weekend marked the biggest cross race weekend here in my new home of Boulder, CO. The Colorado Cup NACT (thats North American Cyclocross Trophy series for you noncrossers out there) #5 was Saturday out at the Boulder Reservoir and the Boulder Cup NACT #6 was Sunday out at Interlocken Mall in Broomfield. I'll be the first to admit I was in full nerd mode. As some of you know I've been waiting a looonnnngggg time to see a pro level cross race and man did these two deliver. Let me tell you the story via pictures.

The Boulder Res and it's infamous sand pits.

My buddy Justin England, who many years and lbs. ago raced pro for Toyota United, Cal Giant, among others. He had the in and let me tag along and meet all the elites. Thanks buddy!

Compton leading Gould

TJ through the sand

Your winner Jeremy Powers

and new NACT series leader
The Boulder Cup (racin at the mall)

Elite Woman's winner Georgia Gould.yea cross is kind of a big deal here

J-Pow out front... Again

Kabush

Wells leads TJ through some sketch off camber. Pretty much the entire course was off camber technical actually and the laid down grass made it super slick

Elite men's podium: Wells, TJ, Jamey Driscoll

New NACT series leader

It just wouldn't be cross with out a bag-o-beer

and Halloween costumes
please note the Yeti

NACT champion's belt. True WWF style. Thing must have weighed about 15lbs. too
Boyah!

Picasa Web Album: Colorado Cup

Picasa Web Album: Boulder Cup
be sure to watch the videos of Adam Craig riding EVERYTHING. Seriously I don't think I saw him dismount all weekend.

Cross RULES!!!