The Good, the Bad and the Ugly at DC CX V....

The Good: I had to travel to Washington, D C for work so I decided to tote my CX bike with me to compete against some East Coast peeps at the annual DC CX race. The weather was sunny and in the mid 60s at an event that was sponsored by Dogfish Head Brewery (yummy!). I had no problems rebuilding my bike after I had boxed it for the trip. Everything was set...

The Bad: I had signed-up for the Masters Cat. 1/2/3 race, a week before, thinking that they would release the 1s, 2s, and 3s with broken intervals. Upon looking further at the event website the day before I realized that I had signed-up for a race that included anyone who normally raced in Masters Categories 1, 2, or 3 with no interval starts, ITS OPEN SEASON, brah! Once at registration I tried to sign-up for the Cat. 3/4 race but it was full (they have limits). I knew I was in trouble during line-ups when everyone's bike was way nicer then mine, there were lots of skin suits, fancy shoes/sunglasses and there were only 50 riders. Uh oh!!

The Ugly: I knew I was in deeper trouble when the starter blew his whistle and I was at the back within the first sprint section. I mean I did start in the back row already... I was in way over my head. My goal was not to get lapped. By lap four I had to pick a new goal as the top 5-6 riders flew past me like I was on a unicycle. Alas I found my target another guy who was in over his head but within my sights. By lap 5 I tracked him down and passed him ensuring that I did not DFL...lapped but not destroyed I basked in the post-race sun and enjoyed a few Dogfish brews very content that I got 5 laps in. Plus, I was looking forward to coming back home and re-uniting with my fellow Mongers and racing in Mster Cs again.

In the end I apparently raced in the Masters A race (DOH!) but I kept my kit clean. I just need to learn about other region's racing categories.

A Birthday To Remember-Blind Date at the Dairy #4

Last Wednesday (10/19) was the 4^th Blind Date. We had a great showing of Mongers including our studly crew from the Men’s Beginners, Jamie and Tim, our Men’s C consisted of myself (Bill), Terry, Sean (no need to mention these two have “Mastered” Cat C’s, right???). Now, one thing about cross is you have to be careful how you place in your races. Many of us like to place as low as we can but if you ride too well the folks from OBRA recognize this and you’ll soon receive an email stating that you are basically too good for your current Cat(egory) and will been bumped up to the next level. This is what happened to Nick. He got a note last week with the instructions that he’s been pushed out of Cat C’s and moved into Cat B’s. Congratulations Nick! (dare we call him a sandbagger???)

The course was dry had a share of ruts that were formed from last week’s race in the rain. The Beginner Men had a great ride that endured 30 minutes. Jamie’s spinning class is paying off and he had his best finish of the year. The sun had set by the time us C’s took the course and darkness soon fell upon us. I remember looking at the bikes next to me in the start line and the majority all had lights; damn, wish I thought of that beforehand. The gun went off and I tried to pull the old Hammer Heddy from the gate but quickly noticed there was a 13 yr old ahead of me, I'll call him Kyle Jr. Now there were a few lights setup on the course but for the most part it was pitch. You could tell where the course was set and you had to trust there wasn’t anything in your way. This was the first time I’ve ridden in the darkness and it was a bit terrifying, I mean, exciting. I think Terry mentioned that your eyes would adjust in the dark, yeah, not quite sure about that. I mentioned in a previous email that I was going to get into better cardio shape…well, I guess I’m not there yet. Despite another flat tire Sean had a great race. On the positive side TC nor I had any mechanical issues this time around either. Oh, and I did catch up to the 13 yr old, he was the only one I passed.

Moving on to Men’s Bs. These guys haul arse. Their starts out the gate are extremely fast and using brakes is completely frowned upon. This was Nick’s 2^nd Cat B race and it just so happened to be his birthday. Sean and I were cheering Nick on as he blazed by riding towards Dairy Town. There were a pack of riders he was amongst and this pack quickly emerged from town but there was no sign of Nick. Several minutes later birthday boy came around the corner by himself, but things just didn't look right. As he got closer I noticed something on this face and it wasn’t mud. As he flew by I heard him tell us that he “ate $ht” on the pavement. Nick took a nasty spill while ripping through the course and his face took the brunt of his fall. Is his pretty mug a thing of the past? A little fall might have slowed Nick down but it certainly didn't stop him from continuing. Nick carried on 5 more laps and powered through the pain. After the race I went to see if he was ok and found him in the medical tent being treated for his road rash, ouch:

The next and final Blind Date is Wednesday the 25^th. Come on out to participate. It is a great way to ease into Cyclocross (is there such a thing?) for the races are only 30 minutes long. If you don’t want to race come on out to cheer on fellow BeerMongers, it’s always encouraging have fans. http://www.crossseries.com/schedule.html

Rainer’s “”Run for the Hills”

You might wonder, “Why is Terry posting this Blog late in the week and not first thing Monday?” Well, the answer I would provide is easy. Rainer kicked my arse so severely with the non-stop hill climbs that I have been tired and having nightmares about having to do that hill one more time. No thanks, not til next year!

Shaking off the debauchery of a bachelor party the night before I met Glen in front of the Beermongers World Headquarters at 7am. A quick stop at Kettlemen Bagels (a possible future sponsor, Bill get on that J) and we were off towards Longview, WA and the Lewis and Clarke Bridge back into Oregon. An excellent group of BeerMongrels assembled at Rainer High School for the second Cross Crusade race of 2011.The course was just under 2 miles and consisted of a mix of terrain from road (paved/dirt) to rooted wooded trail to long downhill to slippery uphill technical turns in the woods. Lastly, there was a hill that started in a pile of thick mud and proceeded over a rock/mud section which led back onto the pavement. A slight reprieve was found around the finish line only to require more climbing to top-out. The rain was on and off, as always, which made the course quite sloppy in the morning but by early afternoon it was drying out a little

Our beginners tore up the course with Glen joining Karl and Jamie for his first ride. The excitement once these fellas completed their race was addictive. Glen arrived back at the tent somewhat out of breath and splattered with mud only to say, “I am hooked! That was awesome!”

Nick Wagner shook off the prior night’s bachelor party to lead our Men’s C category and finished 12^th overall. He is picking up points every week. Well done Nick!! Keep kicking ass!!! Bill and Marc also had strong performances and they kept their kits clean by not wiping out.

Mongers in the Master Cs include Ryan, Sean and me. We all fought the HILL four times and with Ryan finishing in first for the week. Nice work RT!! For me the race was a little frustrating as I wiped out in a big way and my bike came up lame. After try to fix it for several minutes Nick, who was on the side of the course, said it’s your brake. It had jammed into my wheel frame during my skid out. Once I popped that out I was off and pedaling. I had been off the course for several minutes and even though I was mildly rested I had dropped lots of places.

Beth was our sole woman’s rider this weekend in Cat. B and she had an awesome finish in 12^th place. Great effort Beth!!!! With injured Cat. C rider and husband Abram cheering her on Beth passed all sorts of gals on the course to her well-earned finish. The best pass came on a steep, short uphill section that most people ran up. Beth pedaled up that hill with such force she drew neck and neck at the top with a Green Sub. rider, who had ran it. As the course turned right Beth took off like a bullet and passed that Green Sub. on a rather technical tight downhill corner. It was awesome!!! She came into that corner a little hot but pulled it off.

Last race of the day involved a sick lot, single-speed riders. Anyone who rode this course with a single speed bike deserves a beer on me for sure. Jeremiah come and get it! At the same time Andrew was kicking up mud in the Cat. Bs.

Another great day for the BmCCers on a course that taught us a lot and will prepare use for future glory. Oh and thanks to TrustySwitchblade for the Voodoo donuts. We need to be careful about putting our tent next to these nice folks cause TC goes nuts for donuts!!!

Cat B women at Rainier

Kim just ahead of her frenemy - JPow.

Beth does barriers...

with style!

Kim and Joy sprinting up the hill towards the finish on the bell lap.

Beth looking strong into the finish.

Photos from Rainier

Some photos from Shannon and Karl from Sunday's race at Rainier.  Thanks for shooting, Shannon!  Great pics:

Terry

Sean

Savory Marc

Ryan

Nick

Jamie

Billdozer

CX Crusade 1 Alpenrose Dairy – Fun in the Sun and the Rain!

It rained on-and-off all night prior to the first Cross Crusade race but by the time the Beginners lined up at 8:45 the sun was just peeking through the clouds looking to dry off the 1.9 mile course meandering around the Alpenrose Dairy. Jim, Karl, and Jamie represented the Mongers very well in the first race of the day. The field was very impressive with over 150 riders.

Category C followed with the Beermongrs first call-up of the year for Nick Wagner. He also earned himself a Cinna-Dog (from Dave’s Killer Bread) for being the first rider through Dairyville and out into the ‘stank ass’ horse shit covered pasture. Well done Nick!! Plus, Nice finished in eighth place in his race which is friggin awesome as well!!! Abram unfortunately strained his calf at the base of the first run up and was unable to finish the race. Bill charged on and finished in the top half of the field. Marc made a mental error after four laps and was qualified as DNF but he felt better than last week.

Master Cs consisted of Ryan, Stephen and I. Stephen was called into duty by Ryan that very morning. Stephen had not even thought he was going to race that day. He figured that he would have a nice relaxing day with his family but ‘oh no!!’ I can’t even imagine waking up and being focused on relaxing only to jump into CX action for 45 minutes. Both Ryan and Stephen worked the course to their advantage and rode very well. I dropped out after a few laps, 5 dropped chains and a wipe-out on pavement that did not rip my shorts but left me with less skin then I started with. The only solace for me of the day was Ryan Trebon (a CX professional rider) wiped out on the same corner I did. I guess I don’t suck too badly.

Beth was our only women rider of the day and even though the rain had returned and the steep downhill turn became slippery she focused on her line and stayed afloat through the wetter, more challenging afternoon course.

Lastly, Jeremiah and Andrew both ‘manned up’ with their single-speed sleds. Jeremiah had his new ride out for its first public viewing and everyone was excited to see what he had been working on. Sweet ride Jer! He had a solid back-and-forth race with our friend John Howe of Team Beer. Andrew used his Irish powers to steam past several people on the slippery run-up but kept his cool on the even more slippery downhill section.

It was a good first Cross Crusade day full of laughs, gasps, cheering, success, and smiles. See you all next week at Rainer High School. It has become my favorite way to spend a Sunday, rain or shine.