not in 2016. Jim, not in 2016... like point me to koppenbercross if you can

Only clips/ highlights so far but Euro Champs are up

Bubblecross Report

Why is Bubblecross not more popular? First, It’s so near NYC. But I admit that the goofy name initially made me question its seriousness. I learned that it refers to Bubbling Spring Lake, around which is built a cyclocross course that is nothing if not serious. The “lake” was nearly dry this November weekend, but that didn’t stop the organizers from welcoming us to their “beach party.” While sand is the star of the show here, it’s not the only player. Just as soon as you finish navigating one kind of terrain, you’re on to something else: rooty singletrack with peaks and valleys like a berserk NASDAQ ticker, or a paddock twisting through grass so thick I’d have daydreamed of riding pavement if I weren’t so busy cursing my legs. All these different terrains flow together. Kudos to the designers.

On Day 1, thirty-six Cat 5 racers took the start line on the gravel road. Because I picked up some NJCX points at Marty’s Cross I was called up 8th, first to the second row. After 33 minutes of racing, I finished in 9th place, about three minutes behind the winner. So, a net loss in places, but still a Top Ten. 

Day 2: Run the course backwards! Overall we lost a few riders from Saturday, down to 26 in the Cat 5 field, but saw some new faces, too, including our own Thierry. I reached a cyclocross milestone: my first front-row call-up (seventh of seven). I am pleased to report that after 41:49 of racing I finished in 6th place, higher than I began and 1:32 off the podium. 

Bubblecross was just real damn fun. In addition to its appealing proximity (big thanks to Harry Bolick for the rides) and course, the organizers created one my favorite race atmospheres of the year. The announcer was attentive, spoke vividly without cliche, and put on a master class in funny heckling. Registration, the finish line, and the facilities were centrally located with especially good views of the sand pits, alongside food vendors selling wood-fired pizza and hot empanadas. Unfortunately no booze, as it’s a dry park by law, but on Day 2 the race did provide much-appreciated free coffee. Even the music was different: instead of an innocuous but bland mix of folky strumming and pep-rally electronic pop that I've noticed at more than a few races, we were treated to David Bowie and old school heavy metal. Maybe that's not to the taste of some, or you never pay much mind to the tunes, but I think it's one more way that the organizers made sure that when you go to Bubblecross, you know you aren't anywhere else. 

A few pretty fantastic races coming up this weekend.

Overall best race has got to be Myerson's NoHo CSI, oldest UCI race in the US, and some serious hotness. Some fields still open and available. Last year it was real fun, best racing I saw all year. Come prepared. I will be there and so should you:
http://www.nohocx.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqHCzrUmyCc

Kutztown is close to NYC, for 2016 it is a Friday, Sat, Sun event. Saturday it is the last of the MAC series, I'll be a little sad to miss it. Sunday is part of the PACX series:
https://www.bikereg.com/kutztowncx-saturday-mac

Sunday brings SCCX part of the NJCX series, in one of the coolest courses close to NYC. This course will throw sand, climb, and even a reservoir at you, usually benefits New Yorkers:
https://www.bikereg.com/sccx

go race.

MaxThorn said:

Bubblecross Report

Why is Bubblecross not more popular? 

Kissena has had some strong showings here in the past (like when we took 4 of the top 5 places in the Cat 4 35+) Glad to see you continuing the tradition. I really like the course and absolutely would have been there had my back not been f'ed. Next year.

mugwump said:

eloy said:

Very easy informal suave relax: Ellen Noble and Jeremy Powers will be in town next week, they are planning on joining cyclocross practice on Wednesday, November 9th.

Gonna be the hotness.

what time?

Should we bring super cross flyers?

@eloy

Details please.  

Niel should be streaming live today from Trek site:

Women at 7:45am EST
Men: 9am EST
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/dvv_trophy_cyclocross_series/

pre race fridays

so kojside was cancelled, wout shows us how to get better in sand

Cancelled due to heavy winds.. They should race Supercross instead.

adding to that video...

Wout's nemesis Mathieu Van der poel and his brother David, simply rode home from the cancelled race.

ALL 200KM home.

https://www.strava.com/activities/781024262

^ where is the #baller tag?

I did one 200km ride this year.

On a perfect summer day.

And it still took me about 8 hours.

CX Coming Up:

Ooh, long island CX sounds up my alley and relatively close by.

Hey @eloy, how are you getting to Westwood and Solstice? I've circled Westwood on my calendar and am considering Solstice, too. 

Also, don't forget on December 17: March Farm Cyclo Madness, Bethlehem, CT

@David Yang, Long Island CX at Sunken Meadow on Thanksgiving weekend last year was my first ever bike race. I would have liked to go again for an anniversary, but I'll be out of town. (Though I plan to race there on December 11.) It's nice to have a local race accessible by public transit, and the 12 p.m. start time is just plain luxurious for 4/5 racers. 

@MaxThorn if I can't find a ride, I'll probably get a zip car. Our races might be far apart on time, but if not and the times kinda work, happy to give you a ride.

Didn't see the Dec 17 race on Bikereg, but that is awesome!! (added it to the calendar above)

If I feel good, I might even stay in CT and make it a double weekend, getting ready for CT style cyclocross nationals.

@eloy, What fields are you racing at Westwood and Solstice? Mine go off at 8:50 a.m. and 9 a.m., respectively.

Sunken Meadow used to be the beach we'd go to as kids.  Google says its a 40 minute drive from our house which...okay.

MaxThorn said:

@eloy, What fields are you racing at Westwood and Solstice? Mine go off at 8:50 a.m. and 9 a.m., respectively.

Westwood, I am racing at 11:30 am which means I probably arrive there around 9:30ish am -- but if you don't find a ride, let's chat offline.

HarryB won the 50+ Masters at LI Sunken Meadow yesterday. 

Thierry Bonnaire said:

HarryB won the 50+ Masters at LI Sunken Meadow yesterday. 

BOOM! Pictures!?!

hotness, congrats!!
there are some photos in FB by Eamonn Dougherty

Well deserved!!!!

M28nov LI CX d2
hi ALL, ...long time coming 1st topStep on CX podium...'of course' on the weekend that podium(girls/boys) were not available nor champagne or teddyBears, still i'll credit Krebs Long Island Sunken Meadow CX for a cool refreshing greatBear spring bottle of H2O!!! &kisses from 'les KCC boys' Patrick&Thierry, who tore-up their fields as well Patrick's elite123 4th on Saturday &Thierry's 5th on Sunday Blocking to keep the 'pack' off my tail... merci TB! funTime -harryB;-)

Amazing job Harry, congratulations!

how to get up steep climbs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weg-gIvS244

Anybody racing Westwood on Sunday? I'm looking for a ride (Cat 5, 8:50 a.m.). Yeeehaw

Elle Anderson story is quite amazing, and while others have done it --- BrittLee spent quite a bit of last season racing in Europe, including KoppenbergCross --- this particular post about Elle's Koppenberg race is just so super well done, sponsored by Strava, her off-season employer.

Go, Elle, go!

Literally chasing dreams. 

http://stories.strava.com/living-the-cyclocross-dream