Woodland Park CX 2012

The 2012 version of the cross venue we like the most has come and gone. Once again, some 1000+ people came out on a cold, cloudy day with some sprinkles to watch the spectacle of lycra-clad guys, girls and kids race their bikes over mud, grass, gravel, logs. 

Donovan had a blast in his race, and despite starting in the back, made good progress thru the field.

Working through the traffic....

"I'm beating that big kid in the big helmet & big kid bike!"

That loud spectator in blue/black couldn't be more proud

The finish... and feeling the effort.

I was hoping to defend my win from last year, but alas, it wasn't to be this year. After fumbling at the start with getting clicked in, I was sitting in ~24th spot just 4 seconds into the race. I spent the remainder of the time racing flat-out, and managed to get back up to 6th.

I caught my good friend Todd for 6th with 1 lap to go, and thought we could work together, see if we could catch the leaders, but we were both at our limit and the front of the race was out of our sight.

Theresa and Donovan picked a really good spot near a corner, where I could clearly see and hear them every lap. "Vamos Papa!" cheered Donovan every time, and it gave me a little extra motivation.

Another good race. Another good memory...
peace

All photos above courtesy of Woodinvillebicycle.com 

While sick...

Ugh... being sick is so annoying. I know I've had the conversation with other tri guys, and seems the consensus is, when we get sick, we get SICK and for a while, even if it is just a little cold.

Forced to race on a demo bike with discs.... didn't like it one bit.... it was either no brakes, or locking wheels and/or over the handlebars every time....

So this latest bout against a cold rendered me unable to race cross this past weekend. While sniffing and coughing, I perused online at the latest CX results from Europe. One thing that has been on my mind is the market push from manufacturers for disc brakes and how that has actually translated into # of guys riding discs. I just don't see that many. Or hardly ANY at all at the top level across the pond, in conditions (like below) where I would assume they would be preferred, specially when grabbing a pit bike with clean cantis could cost the race.

I'm sure the argument is like onions with thick layers. I certainly would like to hear about performance, longevity, etc. from anyone who successfully uses them in cross.

little black CX cloud...

when will you blow over....? Man, I just feel like almost every race this season, there is always something bad happening. I am either sick, or break some piece of gear, or get injured, or get taken out by someone, or something....

Photo by Woodinvillebicycle.com

But that's why we keep going out, right? It's part of racing, part of the fun. This weekend brought another bent derailleur hanger, complete with chain in the spokes. Time to put the bike back on the work stand, see what the damage is....