Where to start...
After what feels like a million races and as many crashes (Paul Curley once told me if you don't crash a lot, you're not racing hard enough, so that's the story I'm sticking with!)... what is left of the 2011 Cyclocross season, boils down to 2 races spanning the weeks of January 3rd through January 15th, for all of the proverbial cyclocross marbles.
This Sunday, a few of us will be heading up to Madison WI for the Cyclocross National Championships which begins the week of January 3rd. On Jan 9th, we'll then head down to Louisville, KY for the Masters' Cyclocross World Championships to race the following weekend. The Worlds are big in more ways than one... this is the first time the World Championships are being held on US soil. So, more US competitors than usual will be vying for the coveted rainbow jersey.
Wow, talk about pressure. Ok, who's the funny guy who hid the toilet paper!
Before jumping head first into what looms in front of us... I want to briefly highlight some of the things that are now fond memories of the past season.
This Sunday, a few of us will be heading up to Madison WI for the Cyclocross National Championships which begins the week of January 3rd. On Jan 9th, we'll then head down to Louisville, KY for the Masters' Cyclocross World Championships to race the following weekend. The Worlds are big in more ways than one... this is the first time the World Championships are being held on US soil. So, more US competitors than usual will be vying for the coveted rainbow jersey.
Wow, talk about pressure. Ok, who's the funny guy who hid the toilet paper!
Before jumping head first into what looms in front of us... I want to briefly highlight some of the things that are now fond memories of the past season.
In looking through the rear view mirror... it's been a epic cross season. The racing has been a mixture of fun and excitement, with 100+ women fields and 10-15 of us slugging it out every race. But racing aside, I've had a epic time this year and I just wanted to share a few highlights from my memory banks while they are still fresh.
What initially started out as a one time offer from the Tripp's for me to "stay the weekend in their motor home" turned into a weekly tradition of what appeared to be a major space mission with the docking of the space station (the Tripp's Motor Home), the Space Shuttle (Little Georgie Boy...George's motor home), and the Lunar Space Module (the Blue Steel Van) every weekend at the various race venues.
The race promoters were good sports about allowing us adequate space for our "rigs"... which often included some variation of the blue steel pop-up tent, Georges tiki torches, Blue Steel Banners, several folding chairs and tables, fire pits, portable grills, bike repair stands, motor home awnings (with lights and various things dangling off of them...). There were moments I half expected the Beverly Hillbillies to roll around the corner and join us, they certainly would have fit in just fine.
What was an even cooler unplanned development was what took place after the first few races... once the Blue Steel rigs were docked, it was if a battle cry went out to rally all the team members cars together in the same parking location. Every race... every weekend, Blue Steel teammates would huddle together, supported each other, hung out and had a lots of fun together.
What initially started out as a one time offer from the Tripp's for me to "stay the weekend in their motor home" turned into a weekly tradition of what appeared to be a major space mission with the docking of the space station (the Tripp's Motor Home), the Space Shuttle (Little Georgie Boy...George's motor home), and the Lunar Space Module (the Blue Steel Van) every weekend at the various race venues.
The race promoters were good sports about allowing us adequate space for our "rigs"... which often included some variation of the blue steel pop-up tent, Georges tiki torches, Blue Steel Banners, several folding chairs and tables, fire pits, portable grills, bike repair stands, motor home awnings (with lights and various things dangling off of them...). There were moments I half expected the Beverly Hillbillies to roll around the corner and join us, they certainly would have fit in just fine.
What was an even cooler unplanned development was what took place after the first few races... once the Blue Steel rigs were docked, it was if a battle cry went out to rally all the team members cars together in the same parking location. Every race... every weekend, Blue Steel teammates would huddle together, supported each other, hung out and had a lots of fun together.
I have to say, having the luxury of staying right at the venue and basically rolling out of bed and out on the course was something you can't begin to put a price tag on. It saved valuable time but more importantly, it lowered our stress level by about 1000% by allowing a regular routine with zero worry. Wow... I loved it. Not to mention, I developed a strong friendship with Karen, Jeff, George, Sheila as well as the rest of the Blue Steel Team during the course of the racing season. Thanks to all for allowing me to be a part of it.
So, now what????
Well... This weekend is our last training race. Yup... on New Years Eve, a bunch of cyclocross lunatics have organized a unofficial Cyclocross race down on the Cape, to help those of us heading to Nationals get a final tune up race into our legs. Then the next morning (New Years day) Jeff, Karen, Tom Stevens and I, will pile into 2 vans and start heading North towards Madison. We will take a total of 9 bikes, a bazillion sets of race wheels, bike cleaning equipment, repair stand, tools and parts, every piece of cold weather riding gear I can put my hands on, plus a bunch-o-other crap and stuff it into our vans. I'm not sure where Tom will sit but since I'm driving, I'm at least assured a spot :).
So this brings us to the current moment... I'm nervous just thinking about heading out to another Nationals never mind Worlds. But... One of the things I am, is a bike racer... it's what I do.
Over the next day or so, I will drop another note into the blog and update all of you on our progress and hopefully provide you with a laugh or two.
Until then, I wish all of you a Happy New Year... stay warm and I will talk with all of you soon.
Kath
So, now what????
Well... This weekend is our last training race. Yup... on New Years Eve, a bunch of cyclocross lunatics have organized a unofficial Cyclocross race down on the Cape, to help those of us heading to Nationals get a final tune up race into our legs. Then the next morning (New Years day) Jeff, Karen, Tom Stevens and I, will pile into 2 vans and start heading North towards Madison. We will take a total of 9 bikes, a bazillion sets of race wheels, bike cleaning equipment, repair stand, tools and parts, every piece of cold weather riding gear I can put my hands on, plus a bunch-o-other crap and stuff it into our vans. I'm not sure where Tom will sit but since I'm driving, I'm at least assured a spot :).
So this brings us to the current moment... I'm nervous just thinking about heading out to another Nationals never mind Worlds. But... One of the things I am, is a bike racer... it's what I do.
Over the next day or so, I will drop another note into the blog and update all of you on our progress and hopefully provide you with a laugh or two.
Until then, I wish all of you a Happy New Year... stay warm and I will talk with all of you soon.
Kath
