Smud.

It's a bummer I had to miss out on this.

MN State Cyclocross Championship

Conditions were great at state cross this weekend--heavy snow and mud. A lot of guys who ride on the road most the year surprised me with their bike skills, Jordan especially. That kid is going to be untouchable in a few years. As for me, I finished 6th overall, not the result I was hoping for, but like I said a lot of guys were surprisingly adept in the slick stuff. Marko Lalonde showed up and Adam Bergman gave the mountain biker a run for his money--well there wasn't actually any prize money involved for this race, just prestige. The Ukrainian national road champion--or something like that--showed up, but wasn't much of a factor in the race. Doug had a good ride, coming in 3rd. Then it was Jordo, who had a horrible start but somehow worked his way up there. Josh Roser killed it for the 35+. He could only get one pedal clipped in. I finished right behind him.





I wish I could make it to the Zac Dap today, but I pulled calf muscle during the running start yesterday, and now I can hardly walk. Hopefully it comes around for Jingle Cross.

Limping my way up the stairs. Check out the gloves. $4.95 at Menards!

velocx and gopher gallop cx

3rd on Saturday, behind Adam and Jordan. 2nd to Doug on Sunday, Eppen 3rd. Here's some pics from the Gopher Gallop on Sunday (some by Josh of Angry Catfishery, some by Tim Gut, fellow fishery teamate).

 

Starting the second lap.

Taking a bad line though the sand to avoid Eppen after he plowed into the pile on the right of the photo.

A short but steep (and rough) climb.

This is a little climb right after a very tricky, off camber corner.

Top of a somewhat steep climb out of the woods. On the last lap, Doug made his move here. My gaurd was down as I didn't think he would attemp a pass in the single track.

Green Acres CX

The run up during the cat 3 race. Barry Tungseth was the only one who was able to ride it all the way to the top.

My Team-mate, Owen, making his way through the mud at the front of the 3 race.

Me and the birthday-boy, Pat, who went on to take the win for the day.

I ended up 4th behind Pat, Adam, and Tuftoy. After lap two, Pat and Adam were gone. I was left yo-yoing off Tuftoy, and when I struck a pedal (I have to stop doing that) he got away. I tried to get back for a few laps, but he was too strong. If the race were a few laps longer, I bet he would have caught the leaders. I was just trying not to get caught by Fisher and Cj, who were charging for me about 20 seconds back.

Check out this 45+ rider trying to make it up the climb with half a handlebar.

Photos by Tim Gut.

Big Ring Flyers CX

I took my first CX win this weekend! Got the holeshot and maintained about a 15 to 20 second gap for the rest of the race, which consisted of about a million 180 turns, two longer power sections, a really bumpy section, and zero hills. All the turns made the tempo really punchy, which suited me well. The single barrier that I was able to hop was also in my favor. All those years of BMX are really paying off.

The new bike, a Focus Mares 2 carbon, is awesome. Super stiff. You stand up on the pedals and all your power goes to the rear wheel. And the robust fork, while contributing to front-end stiffness, doesn't allow even a hint of brake shudder. The Rapha CX kits are pretty sweet too, and warm. You wont find a better chamois. Chamwow!

2010 Wirth Classic CX - Mens Cat 1/2, 35+

Vid from Wirth by Skinnyski

Crossotober and Wirth

Two races last weekend. Two very different races. Saturday I pulled off 4th on a flat, power course. It was the kind of course that when I went down in an off camber corner I couldn't catch back on to the lead group, and spent the remainder--about half--all alone and in the dark. That's right. It was a night race, sort of. The course was deceptively boring, but I guess it's more "euro" so that makes it cool. Nevertheless, it made for a close and exciting race.

A lot of roadies seem to get all worked up about courses that might, just might, slightly lean toward a mountainbiker's favor. That was Theo Wirth, although it's not at all mountain bike course as many were claiming. After Pat ate shit, which you can watch on skinnyski.com, I took over the lead. I kept the pace high enough that only Bergman was on my wheel after a few laps. With one to go, Bergman pulled in front and took off. I have to learn to be more aggressive. Earlier in the race, I could feel he was slipping off in the technical sections, but I used that time to rest instead of attacking.

I have to go to school now. Practice cross race in St Louis Park tonight, then homework induced rest is on the schedule.