A Weekend of Cyclocross in Oregon

A weekend of great racing and finally some mud...

Cyclocross season comes fast and it's always a roller coaster. Good races, bad races, mechanicals, sickness, it's all part of the game, but this weekend was a good one.

Sat saw us making the trip over the pass with a stop in Salem for battlecreek cross. An amazing course set on an abandoned golf course with lots of good twists and turns and sand traps thrown in for good measure. I lined up with a small group of A's who were there to race around on a beautiful, sunny, warm, fall afternoon. The course is flat as can be, and was really fast due to the mostly dry conditions. A quick start into a slippery right turn set the pace. The backside of the course was windy, and some gaps opened up from the front. I spent most of the race chasing and trying to close down gaps, I spent a couple laps working with a guy on my wheel only to bobble on some roots and have him gap me. A fun race for sure. It was tough with all the flat as there was very few places to get any rest or slow down. The teammies were out in force. Damain took out his aggression and raced to a solid 4th place. Wade and Chad tag teamed their race and took the two top spots. Serena and Renee put the hurt on the A women with Serena taking the win and Renee in 4th. I didn't feel like I had the best race, but I was really enjoying myself and was glad to get the legs going. Such a nice day to be racing around in the sun. Put on the recovery socks and made the quick trip into Portland for the evening.

Sunday morning was lazy, espresso and a big breakfast with friends. Rain was creeping in and I was getting anxious. We got out to the course in time to watch some racing and heckle some folks on the tricky sections. My legs were feeling tired and heavy, but I rode around checking out the course and enjoying the scene. Lots of people crashing, it was slick and there were some tricky corners. Watched the women start and then jumped on the trainer. Got to the start line with a few minutes to spare and got lined up. I had a good spot and snuck in behind some folks that I knew would be outta there fast. It worked great and I had my best start so far. I got into the muddy slog section in a good spot and powered through gaining a few spots and leaving all bottlenecks behind. I found myself riding with some guys that I hadn't been up with yet and was sitting in a good position. I was feeling strong so I just hung on, tried to ride smooth and stay right side up. D was just in front of me when I saw him pull into the pits...his luck is just not right...He was hounding me the rest of the race. I found my way around a few crashes, pushed it on the hard pack, rode smart through the slippery stuff and generally felt strong. It was the first race since September that I have felt 100% and like I could stand up and sprint in the middle of the race. The course suited me well and was a good mix of mud, technical sections, and power sections. I had a blast and was real happy with my result. (photo: pdxcross.com)

The rest of the team did great. Ruth had an incredible race and placed in the top 20, she wasn't so sure of the mud when we got there, but I assured her that it was the best part of cyclocross...she was definitely convinced by the end of her race. She had a blast and did a great job with the tricky conditions. I caught the tail end of Chad and Wade's race, they both looked strong. I didn't get to see the women race, but I know that Renee and Gina tore it up. Mike looked muddy and strong pulling off a top 10 in the masters A's. Veronica and Serena were both looking strong and Serena pulled off another seriously impressive 3rd, with more press for sunnyside on the velonews site...Don is right on.

A great weekend of cross racing and I am feeling much stronger than previous races, let's hope it keeps up and improves.

Got 3 very dirty bikes to clean and get set up for another weekend of cross racin Halloween style.

Cyclocross Nationals in Bend Oregon!

The buzz keeps spreading about cyclocross nationals in Bend this winter- folks asking at work, friends who have heard about it, chatter online, people coming to visit. It will be here before we know it. Lots of folks asking what the weather is going to be like... I have only spent one winter in Bend, but my guess is that it could be just about anything. It might be in the 40's, it might be 20 degrees. Maybe it'll be sunny and warm, it might just be freezing and snowing. There might be mud, could be some dust, one might see frozen ruts...I do know, that no matter what the weather, it's going to be a ton of folks out racing, it will be an awesome spectacle to watch, there will be beer, cowbells, and craziness! After the first couple days of registration there were already more riders registered than raced in last years nationals. It's exciting to know that the national cyclocross scene will invade Bend for a few days. Team Sunnyside will most definitely be out there representing.

It's only 7 weeks away now. There's racing pretty much every weekend from here till then. I got a late start on the training this season, here's to hoping that bodes well for late season fitness and cyclocross nationals. You can bet it will be crazy fast no matter what mother nature give us.

Here's the Schedule

Cyclocross Crusade Numero 3

Cyclocross is HARD. It's part of the reason I love it. Last Sunday was HARD. I didn't love it while I was racing...per usual my perspective changed when it was over, things were better. Races don't always go like this for me, most of the time even when I am suffering, somewhere inside I realize that I am having a blast. Sun I was mostly suffering. I can't figure out whats going on with me, I felt tired, sore, heavy. I am not making excuses, I had a decent race, but I didn't feel all there. It was mostly the first two or three laps. The second or third time up the hill I couldn't believe how beat I was...a lap later I looked at the lap board in my oxygen deprived haze did some figuring it would say one or two to go...Not so much...When I was hurting so bad I looked at the lap board and it said 6 to go...well, believe it or not, things got better after that. I settled into a pace, caught some folks, pushed it a bit more on the hills, and enjoyed myself a little more. 9 gruelling laps, that was a tough race mentally and physically. I apologize to anyone I tried to speak to after the race...I wasn't all there.

Sunnyside was out and killing it...Renee had an amazing race and took 1st. Serena put up a serious battle and came away with 3rd in a stacked field of tough women. (read about her race on velonews). Wade with a big 4th, Chad did some mean beer drinking (flatted out early). Veronica was out giving it, Mike raced hard, Gina looked super strong. D with not the best luck, starting on the back, getting run over, then flatting...things can only get better D. Ruth raced again and did way better than she will admit to...That's a tough course for anyone. Nice work Ruth!
Don, we miss you out there! It's tough not hearing Don cheering from somewhere on the course.

Jumped back on the horse early this week and training has been tough. I am not sure if I am still battling part of this cold, respiratory wise I don't feel 100% and maybe it's making me tired...I hope so, because I have felt pretty heavy and slow all week so far. Doing my best to get sleep, eat healthy, and train smart.

Amazing pictures as usual at pdxcross.com. Check em.

Battlecreek cross and Washington County Cyclocross Crusade #4 on tap for the weekend.
Thanks Serena for reminding us... 8 weeks till cyclocross nationals!

Cyclocross Crusade #2 RAINER

Rainer is always one of my favorite courses. I love all the up and down, the fast grass corners, off camber, singletrack in the woods...it's just a great course. I only wish I was feeling better going into it this past weekend.

I was sick all week after last weekend, stayed home from school, didn't ride at all, tried to recover. I felt decent enough to race, but just didn't have any energy. Still really glad I raced and I had a great time, just didn't produce any results. That's okay.

The plan is to get some intervals in this week, get the power back, go into the weekend feeling fast. New venue this weekend, and a race sat in Eugene? It was sleet and freezing rain this morning and looks to be the same for the rest of the week. Not the best for getting some rides in, but if it's trainer weather, well then so be it.

Got all registered for cyclocross nationals in Bend (Both the 30-34 race and the Elite race). The registration was a big pain in the ass, but it's all set and we'll so how that puts me on the line. Can't wait for cyclocross in Bend in December.

Alpenrose Cyclocross Crusade #1

I really love the cross crusade...there were something like 1400 people out racing on a beautiful Sunday. The course was great, the crowd was great, a damn great time. Ruth came out for her first cross race and kicked some serious ass. She most definitely does not give herself enough credit...she rode through traffic and looked like she belonged a couple categories up. She was passing folks every time I saw her and when she was done, she told me she could have done more. Guess she'll go even faster next time.

I had a good race minus the dropped chain along the backside of the velodrome. I don't feel like writing all the details out, but I chased and chased and chased some more...I was moving up the entire race. Anderson and Tommy caught up with me on the last lap and I suffered in right behind them. I feel like I should have been further up and know I can improve the results. Regardless, I had a great time.

I went into this race starting to get a cold. I came out with the full on cold. Fever, coughing, sore throat. Monday and Tues I was on my death bed and I have been feeling like hell till today. I missed one day of work and I've gotten behind on most everything...school work, house work, training. Oh well. Was feeling decent enough this afternoon to ride around the park with Don, Serena, and our jr teammate Mitchell practicing barriers.

Rainer this weekend is gonna be a suffer-fest.