Nov 07, 2013 at 03:51 PM
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Cyclocross!
Nov 07, 2013 at 04:10 PM
FWIW, Todd and I are heading down to Fair Hill for the next race in the MAC series. Jim Feehan will be there racing too. It's a bit far for the low key, quiet local feel this race has...but, if memory serves, it's sort of pleasant course/venue with some roller coaster elevation changes, off-cambers, gravel roads (more crashing!) and enough for me to clean my kit one day early this week.
Nov 07, 2013 at 04:17 PM
How the hell did Jules get this picture...he wasn't even there! Stay tuned for the Hotlist: KCC CX Championships Edition, when the rankings are strictly in order of the finish. Maybe Bertucco will get his act together by then and finally crack the code.Jules said:Hotlist, upon realizing he hasn't yet made the Hotlist...
Nov 07, 2013 at 04:49 PM
As for me, I'm pretty happy about grabbing a win at a great event. I was planning for this past weekend to be my last in the 4's (I had already registered for the B's or 35+ 1/2/3 in races moving forward), and now the upgrade is mandatory, so it's nice to move up on a high note. Here's the quick report:
Day 1 - Front row call up, but horrible start. I was slow pushing off and clipping in, and then managed to pull out of my left pedal. Got back in, sprinted for my life, and ended up 15 to 20 back going into the first turns. Damn. Most of the first and second row are in front of me, including Patrick. But, for some reason, on the moderate straightaway after the second turn, no one seems to be hammering. So, I decide to go for it, and pass about 10 guys, who all seem content to follow wheels. I'm roughly seventh heading into the pavement before the start finish. From there it's battle after battle to pick off each guy ahead of me. I watch as Matthew Tyler of Laughing Dog Cyclery (who many of you know from his green helmet, beard, and raucous start line banter) leads for the entire first lap. He's riding fast enough to keep things strung out in our lead "group." Then, on lap two, he sort of half jumps the first set of railroad tracks, comes down sideways, and slides out. Nolan Garon from the Minuteman Road Club takes the opportunity to attack, and ultimately gets a 10 to 15 second lead. Over the next lap and a half, me and another 35+ from Team Edge are furiously trying to dispatch each other, and change positions three or four times. Our battle is apparently fast enough to bring back Garon, and we blow by him on the lower section of the course. At this point I'm in 2nd position about 2 to 3 seconds behind the Team Edge dude, with less than a lap to go. My plan is to stay close through the single-track and turns, and then take him on the long grassy straight (which doubled as the hole shot). But then, in the last turn before the barriers, he goes in too hot, and slides out into the tape. I go by him, and realize suddenly that I've got a shadow - some dude from the High and Mighty Beer Co. is right with me. So, hammertime on all straightaways is still on. I'm in the lead, and give every straight the Rageface, but take the turns with a bit more caution. Coming onto the final pavement, I've got a gap! Finish line! Hooray!
Notes and Oddities:
· As usual, the KCC and event atmosphere were awesome. Jeff White found a great cabin for us which was relaxingly off the grid. Unfortunately, I accidentally left my Fango wheels at our cabin, so was forced to use my Limus mud wheels. I think the extra tread may have actually helped in some of the sketchy dirt, and I can't argue with the result. I purposely used the same tires on day two, and got 5th overall (2nd in the 35+) but in retrospect, the Fango's probably would have been even faster.
· Richard Fries put down the announcers mic briefly on both days as the lead group was going by on the lower section to give us our position and some encouragement ("you're in 4th, great ride!!!"). This, to me, says everyting about why his races are so well attended, and so well run. That he would be so amped about all the non-pro events in such a genuine way obviously goes into every element of the race, and explains why all us weekend warriors come away feeling like these races are a cut above.
Nov 07, 2013 at 05:54 PM
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Nov 07, 2013 at 06:21 PM
Nov 08, 2013 at 01:35 PM
Hey, in case you didn't see this Op Ed in Cx magazine, it's worth a read, if for no other reason, than for you to consider who/what/how/why you are heckling at the next cross race. Because you know, some folks would rather just hear a cowbell, or a "go faster!" or "Catch that dude!" Or something a little more neutral and supportive.
Most of us are pretty hard-core about our CX racing and unless we're smiling and grabbing beer enroute, chances are we're in the pain-cave pretty deep and hearing something nasty from the crowd is really, just not nice.
http://www.cxmagazine.com/heckling-heckle-fat-mean-texas-daniel-curtin
Nov 08, 2013 at 01:54 PM
Although my first reaction to this was 'so what'. I have to admit that I was miffed last weekend when the 'announcer' (guy with the microphone standing at the top of the steep run-up) announced (over the loudspeaker) that I 'looked tired and should probably pull out of the race'. Even in my pain cave (which wasn't actually very deep at that moment, having just missed the over-the-log-bunny-hop and ended up flying over the handle bars, which gave me a chance to catch my breath but also gave me a painful charlie horse that lasted for 3 days) that comment wasn't very helpful or welcome. Fortunately, he got my name wrong the next time he saw me riding across the sand and I didn't have any idea he was addressing me.
Nov 08, 2013 at 02:04 PM
I remember when I was a stadium announcer for my High School's football team, and I really was shocked to learn that I wasn't allowed to do commentary. I think announcers at bike races should be forbidden from heckling over the PA. Poor form.
Nov 08, 2013 at 03:30 PM
1. Someone asked about this a while ago and I didn't realize it.. forum fail.
Timing in CX doesn't really work so well because your helmet is first, an insulated thing (foam) and second sort of far from the ground. Most closed loop systems only pick up to about chest/waist level reliably. Thus why tdf transponders are on the forks/seat number. (when used). That system then leaves you with what if we swap bikes? ugh. F that. I have heard rumors that the speeds we can be travelling (approaching light) may be too much for some systems.. not sure I buy that one myself.
More importantly... Dude it's a cross race. Any reasonably competent timer can manually time lap times for the pack. Seriously. It's not that hard, JD did it for us for years. Publishing them is another matter, most results postings don't include those.
2. And without question more importantly. Triathlon is not in any way, shape, or form, fun. it is without doubt mankinds most boring sport. Skinny OCD people moving relatively slowly. All day long. Y a w n.
It does however, allow for a very important thing to take place. In triathlon, and unlike virtually every pack animal/human scenario on the planet (with the exception of Jules corporate existence), the weak are culled, ridiculed, or handed a cream filled doughnut and sent on their merry way. Why? Because of this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaaVljKXikc&t=1m7s
Yes thats right. Triathlon is too merciful. And mercy is for the weak. Plus.. man, those guys are like mathematicians or some shit. Every single one of those people has some whack assed story about how they are the "#4 bike split for male teachers in the 44-49 yr old age category in the state"... "great, how'd you do overal?" "10,324th." And to that I say
http://splicd.com/4kr24G8jQpM/3/7
Yeah, thats right. you heard me..
http://splicd.com/4kr24G8jQpM/3/7
Finally. Regarding cross results, and why roger aspholm is more bad ass than you perceive your own bad assedness to be. Traditionally, in my own case, I have discovered that I've got the suck knob just turned up way to high. See below
http://splicd.com/NrVCjnRdB_k/33/48
Mark, I suspect this may be your problem as well. Although, your hair is quite manly, and we thus award maximum style points, which are far more valuable than cross results points.
I feel that is all for this friday morning. let us recap. triathlon bad, cyclocross good, mercy for the weak, eat doughnuts whenever possible, sweep the leg, grow long flowing hair and take that shit to 11.
Got it kids?
www.supercrosscup.com
Timing in CX doesn't really work so well because your helmet is first, an insulated thing (foam) and second sort of far from the ground. Most closed loop systems only pick up to about chest/waist level reliably. Thus why tdf transponders are on the forks/seat number. (when used). That system then leaves you with what if we swap bikes? ugh. F that. I have heard rumors that the speeds we can be travelling (approaching light) may be too much for some systems.. not sure I buy that one myself.
More importantly... Dude it's a cross race. Any reasonably competent timer can manually time lap times for the pack. Seriously. It's not that hard, JD did it for us for years. Publishing them is another matter, most results postings don't include those.
2. And without question more importantly. Triathlon is not in any way, shape, or form, fun. it is without doubt mankinds most boring sport. Skinny OCD people moving relatively slowly. All day long. Y a w n.
It does however, allow for a very important thing to take place. In triathlon, and unlike virtually every pack animal/human scenario on the planet (with the exception of Jules corporate existence), the weak are culled, ridiculed, or handed a cream filled doughnut and sent on their merry way. Why? Because of this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaaVljKXikc&t=1m7sYes thats right. Triathlon is too merciful. And mercy is for the weak. Plus.. man, those guys are like mathematicians or some shit. Every single one of those people has some whack assed story about how they are the "#4 bike split for male teachers in the 44-49 yr old age category in the state"... "great, how'd you do overal?" "10,324th." And to that I say
http://splicd.com/4kr24G8jQpM/3/7
Yeah, thats right. you heard me..
http://splicd.com/4kr24G8jQpM/3/7
Finally. Regarding cross results, and why roger aspholm is more bad ass than you perceive your own bad assedness to be. Traditionally, in my own case, I have discovered that I've got the suck knob just turned up way to high. See below
http://splicd.com/NrVCjnRdB_k/33/48
Mark, I suspect this may be your problem as well. Although, your hair is quite manly, and we thus award maximum style points, which are far more valuable than cross results points.
I feel that is all for this friday morning. let us recap. triathlon bad, cyclocross good, mercy for the weak, eat doughnuts whenever possible, sweep the leg, grow long flowing hair and take that shit to 11.
Got it kids?
www.supercrosscup.com
Nov 08, 2013 at 08:30 PM
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Nov 09, 2013 at 03:39 AM
Hold on to your shifters, if you haven't seen this awesome euro-cross goodness your minds are gonna get blown!
I stumbled onto the #SVENNESS series of European CX recap videos at www.cxhairs.com and they are freaking awesome! Makes we want to run right out and ride my cross bike in the mud right now... even thought it's 10:30 at night. That would be bad.
Why is it so good? While the hypnotic Euro-pop soundtrack grows on you like the Martian death flu, it's the insightful commentary that comes across as an advanced lesson in racing cross. Not only is it not as annoying as Phil and Paul banter, it has the advantage that the narrator (via text not audio) knows what he (or she?) is talking about and has a similar sense of humor to Cosmo Catalano's HTRWW videos. Golden.
Nov 09, 2013 at 04:17 AM
meh.
This is some straight OG sh#t
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHyqFSCnGSA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
This is some straight OG sh#t
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHyqFSCnGSA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Nov 10, 2013 at 01:44 AM
Fair Hill Cross Report: The Brief-ish Team Summary Edition
Since Estelle (Joaquin's better-half) was unable to live tweet the action from Elkton, MD, you'll have to do with my update. This was a course that made you work for reals with slow up hill bumpy slogs, quick downhill turns, and way too tight grassy turns in the flats, log jump/rides. Same basic course as last year, but the flow was not as good. Still the rolling hills, of an equestrian facility of this tiny corner of Maryland was quite scenic. About 2.5 hour drive from Washington Heights. A bit far for a low key MAC race, but Todd and I both like this race so we decided it was worth it.
Jim looked strong in the 45+ open category late in the race, passing dudes with ease. Unfortunately he...wait for it...rolled a tubular and lost lots of positions. I don't know Jim very well, but the quiet warrior was PISSED. You know why? He paid someone to glue his tubulars using Belgian tape and guess what...you guessed it...no tape anywhere near his rim, tubular anything. There might have been some tape in the next county on somebody else's wheels, but not Jim's. I wouldn't want to be the guy at the shop in the next couple of days getting a return visit from Mr. Feehan.
Todd and I--after getting to the race nice and early for proper warm-ups (thanks Todd!)--lined up with about 50 other cat 2/3/4s. Gravel road starting grid and hole shot ensured generalized madness at the start. Todd was in the second row, I was in the fourth and when the whistle blew, I was on my way to a solid, almost good, start. Until the guy to the left of me forgot how to ride his bike in gravel and basically t-boned me into the course tape. No damage, but I was now chasing from the very back in a field that was already much better/fitter than me. Todd's start was rock solid and for the first two laps he was solidly top 10. I was working my way around riders, but every off-camber in was serious clown-shoe showtime and as I was trying to avoid all the madness the front, middle and most of the back of the race was long gone.
Todd continued to ride strongly for 1/2 of the 7-lap race when he started to lose some ground on some tricky, dusty off camber whoopty-doos. I overcame my fear of bunny-hopping logs and managed to not get beat by everyone, finishing the 45-minute race in 53 minutes and being the second to the last guy not pulled in the last lap for 35th place overall. Todd hung tough for 21st place.
All three of us, have revenge on our mind at HPCX.
Nov 10, 2013 at 02:18 AM
Damn @Jim, that's stone cold, is what that is...
Nov 10, 2013 at 04:48 AM
Nov 10, 2013 at 03:48 PM
11
Nov 10, 2013 at 09:17 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dyl0j3WU6Y
Nov 10, 2013 at 09:56 PM
Nov 11, 2013 at 02:01 PM
His Svenness on disc brakes:
"The difference is massive. With disc brakes you are braking, instead of slowing down,"
BUT,
"The difference [in weight] is about two bottles of water, and it's not all in the brakes," Nys said. "It's an adapted frame which is strengthened. It's too much. Too much to run up a climb with that bike on your back."
Nov 11, 2013 at 04:38 PM
Hey, this interview doesn't include one of my favorite quotes from the brain/man behind crossresults.com, but I thought you crosser might like to put a face to the interface we all obsess over:
http://dirtwire.tv/2013/11/colin-reuter/
P.S. That quote was, when asked why he upgraded to the Elite ranks, he said, "I upgraded because I realized I was NEVER going to win a Cat 3 race."
Nov 12, 2013 at 03:33 PM
I'm doing Kutztown Cross this weekend. I'll know in a day or two if I can offer a ride. It's a mac series race.
Nov 14, 2013 at 12:44 AM
https://www.bikereg.com/net/cheshire-cross-2013
I'm racing the 4/5s at Cheshire Cross in CT on Saturday. The race is at 1:30 and there are 51 folks reg'd so far. I can probably give someone in Brooklyn a ride
Nov 14, 2013 at 01:01 AM
Rick, I'm likely going to Cheshire as well. Not thrilled about starting at the back of the 51-rider 4/5 field though. The promoter says, call-ups done by "reasonable first-come first serve." Whatever that means.
Nov 14, 2013 at 03:04 AM
Hey Marc
I took that to mean order of reg...we'll see....preferential treatment to CT racers maybe? It's up to 54 riders now.
If you wanted to ride up together i could just tack on another half hour to my rental and collect you in the city
Nov 14, 2013 at 03:50 AM
Thanks for the offer Rick, but I'm bringing the whole clan! 54...eeeesh...I better get to get'n.
Nov 14, 2013 at 12:24 PM
All. We are in the midst of adjusting start times for supercross to accommodate potential darkness issues at 430pm.
It appears that all races will begin 15 minutes earlier than posted on bikereg now. We should have this adjusted onto the reg form shortly.
It appears that all races will begin 15 minutes earlier than posted on bikereg now. We should have this adjusted onto the reg form shortly.
Nov 14, 2013 at 02:28 PM
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Nov 14, 2013 at 07:09 PM
Kissenacycling's YouTube post from xc worlds gets mentioned in Cosmo Catalono's latest HTRWW
Now you're famous
http://www.behindthebarriers.tv/how-the-race-was-won/htrww-the-mudfund-derby-city-cup/
http://www.behindthebarriers.tv/how-the-race-was-won/htrww-the-mudfund-derby-city-cup/
Nov 14, 2013 at 07:22 PM
Kissenacycling's YouTube post from xc worlds gets mentioned in Cosmo Catalono's latest HTRWW
Now you're famous
http://www.behindthebarriers.tv/how-the-race-was-won/htrww-the-mudfund-derby-city-cup/
http://www.behindthebarriers.tv/how-the-race-was-won/htrww-the-mudfund-derby-city-cup/