The most intense CX weekend in this lil rookies life for sure...so much f*ing mud I feel like I am a mud scientist. I saw peanut butter mud, greasy mud, ankle deep energy zapping mud, mud that was unrideable, doggie mud, Mudweisers...all sorts of flavors. We had it all: classic Oregon CX weather/conditions. fondue, a sketchy bike rack, lots of Beermongers, a bonfire, doggie cross race, smiles, broken bike parts and everything you would look forward to seeing at a race.
 |
| Part 1 - Saturday, 17, 2012 Krugers Crossing |
We got things started off at Kruger Farms on Saturday...it basically rained all night (Friday) pushing the water table under Sauvie Island up high. Kyle H, Gina and I were setting up in the rain when they told me they saw 'B.A.' Sam towing his bob-trailer down Hwy. 30 toward the race course. He arrived with 25 pounds of wood in his trailer and a smile that stretched from ear to ear. The BA obviously stands for Bad-Ass as this mofo rode (I mean submarined) his way to the race in a fierce rain.
B.A. Sam joined Hammerin Hambone Heddy and Bill in the Cat. C race. In this photo it certainly looks like Hammerin Hambone is riding out of the gates of hell.
Krugers is legendary for snapping rear derailleurs but aside from Bill's broken chain on his last lap the Cat C. dudes made it home unscathed.
Master Cs were up next and even though I was in the 'loo' when I heard my name get called up I was pretty confident that my third row start was going to be fine. Stroup and Kyles S. joined me on this one. The mud was heavy and half way through the first lap I snapped my chain...shit! Well this has happened before at Krugers. I ran around the course and shouted for a new steed when I passed our tent. Kyle H brought me Brian W's Giant to the pit and I hopped on. That bike was a dream and I was able to claw my way back into the middle of the pack, finishing 19/43 after running a mile in lap 1. Thanks a bunch Brian!! Kyle H was not as lucky as he got a flat and was done. Stroup had an amazing race...he ate shit on a slippery run up in lap one and still managed to finish second, nice work brothers.
Between the boys racing in the morning and our Fair-maiden Mongers we were treated to my brother Pat's Beer Fondue recipe. This was the first time I tried to bring fondue to a CX race but it worked out well. Look for more in the future. The Campbell Clan was in town from Bend and Virginia for this heavy day of crossing and the Doggie CX made it all worthwhile
Paul & Lucy, Emily & Wally and Kyle and Jericho all took their dogs for runs in this race.
At several races this season there has been a funny, jovial fellow with a badger hat hanging out at our tent. He brings the laughter and good times but does anyone know who he is? Oh wait, that's my Dad a retired Federal Police Officer under that skin cap. Here he attempts to wrap all of the cheese around his fondue bread.
Oh and who could forget the little girl that was screaming at us during kiddie cross...that was hilarious.
The Ladies were not scared off by the rain or my fondue and they came to this race in droves. Julie is usually looking back at the competition but you would think that she would give these B riders a little more respect, not. Plus, check out the Trusty Switchblade chick sticking her tongue out. "Give me a Voodoo Donut here!"
Steph and Shawna rode in the Cat. C race and I caught Steph channeling her race face.
As the race got started it was clear that these ladies were working their arses off and they were going to take a little mud home with them. Shawna rode through the mud, leaped the barriers and finished with a smile.
Jericho rode in the Beginners race and ended up in the middle of the Cat. C field...time to move yourself up I think.
All of the Lady Mongers did us proud as there was probably another inch of rain on the course by the time they rolled. Julie was so crushed after her race that Stroup needed to assist her with her post-race hydration.
All in all Day 1 of this epic weekend was really fun...oh in classic Monger style our bike rack fell over even with two bike stands a solid 2x4...can I get an engineer to design, never mind.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| Sunday, November 18, 2012 - CX Crusade Race 8 Pro Paddock (PIR) |
Well everyone says that Krugers is the place to ruin your derailleur...think again. The mud was so thick and nasty after days of heavy rain that lots of bike components were ruined on this day. The last CX Crusade race is always a fun day and we set-up our tent next to the friendly PDW peeps, thanks DPowell for for all the beers. That was super awesome! Kim said it best, "CX in Oregon is an ass warming good time!!!".
Karl rolled out first in the Clydesdale race and he kept his bike out of the mud and his kit unsoiled, for the most part. Bill earned a call up for his Cat. C race and this allowed him to push his sweet tubulars through the mud to a 15/68 place finish. I could not find my camera so no early pictures were taken, sorry.
Our Mster C crew included Stroup, Ryan, Kyle S and myself. Sean got his normal call-up and I could see Ryan and Kyle in the front half of the start pack while I was in the back. Second to last number...behind everyone without a beer coupon, doh! The first lap and a half were slow as I tried to work around 100 riders in front of me...eventually I saw the green/yellow/blue jersey of Kyle and tried to work myself up to him. After a few more laps we traded places and I had a good battle with Snorkel from the Stumptown team but he beat me by a second. As a group we had awesome finishes: Stroup 8/Ryan 30/TC 40/and Kyle 54 out of 154 riders.
Abram raced in the Master Bs and he had a solid series finishing race with a 59/95 placement. Next year he will be pushing higher for sure. No pictures as I was waiting to wash my bike while going hypothermic.
 |
| Yo baby look this way... |
As has been the case all series our Lady-Mongers are attacking almost every category, except the Masters, with some new blood and fight. Jericho rolled for a second day in the Beginners and she finished 13/35. Here she picks the line that is not choked with mud.
Steph, Chris, Shawna and Erin all raced in the Cat C race and I can see some real competitions brewing in this Category for 2013...who is going to be secretly seeking an off season training regime to have that edge next autumn? Sorry to Shawna and Erin the only pics I took of you two were out of focus.
Julie was racing in the Cat. Bs even though I felt she got shafted by being 'cat-ed up' before the last race. Whatever..she still raced to a 9/25 finish and had lots of solid B riders worried about next season too.
.jpg)
Nick was warming up in the tent as rain was accumulating on top...so we made it Bloody Knee Nick Falls. There was a flow later that went down my jacket, sweater, and T-Shirt...whoa that was cold.
Nick and Matt both rolled in the Cat. B race and from the sidelines it looked like Matt was enjoying the course and giving Nick a run for his money. A flat knocked Matt out of the race and Nick finished with a solid 26/52 place. I think Nick's new pre-race hydration, Mudweisers, were having there sleepy affect on him. Either that or this kid is Luke Skywalker practicing his Jedi mind tricks.
We agreed to help CX Crusade crew clean up the course after and we made a lil $$$ for our coffers while giving back to such a solid series. However, the rain did not stop and we all were pretty happy and wet by the ended. Thanks to all that helped, even those two nice S&M girls that are always hanging out at our tent. They may wear a different color but they bleed Mongers green/gold/blue.
Well the season ain't over yet but the CX Crusade is...its has been a phenomenal year and we have added lots of fun people to the club. Overall we came 19th in the CX Crusade and individually we had some outstanding performances: Julie Deal came 1st in Beginners, 3rd in Cat C and has been pushed into Cat B all in one year. Sean Stroup even though he was injured much of the season finished the Master C of Crusade in 19th and Bill finished 20th in Cat. C for the Crusade. Other outstanding mentions include people riding for the first time, over coming the fear of a particular course (Barton), Cat'ing yourself up, getting to know other Mongers/riders, and having those inter-team battles that are so much fun.
Plus, I would like to give a shout out to all the new Lady-Mongers...we have lost a few over the years but we have a solid crew now that I hope we can build on.
Sean will be riding for the Master C series Championship at 10:30 on December 2nd at WinterCross and it would be awesome to have as many Mongers out there as possible to cheer him on. I will be doing the best I can from inside the race to push him around the course, you can help by bringing your coffee, cowbell and vocals to the sideline.
Many of us are planning to head to the USGP in Bend during the weekend of Dec. 8/9.
SAVE THE DATE: The BMCC season ending party will be on Thursday, January 17th at 6:30 at the Beermongers (SE 12th and Division). We will have awards, drink specials, a slide show, and more
No comments:
Post a Comment