But when you focus your sights, specifically on the Cyclocross courses, you'll notice 2 things in particular
* No two courses are exactly the same (even if the venue is the same for both days...)
* Weather conditions are a huge variable to any course
With that said...
Year in and year out, certain races become a tradition... to name a few
Gloucester
Providence
New Gloucester, Me
North Hampton
Some courses are traditionally dry, some courses are traditionally flat and fast... Some courses are known for their mud, some courses are very technical, and some courses (like the one we raced on last weekend in Maine)... are known for their MOOP!
What the hell is MOOP????
HAH!!! Funny that you ask!!! Cause I'm going to enlighten you... with pictures even!!!
First... we'll start with a cow field... In Maine.
Actually... that's not accurate... let's add more cows....
That's better....
And then... let's factor in the first thing that cows do...
As we all know... what goes in at the front end must come out at the business end...
This shot wasn't an easy one to get SPORTS FANS!!!
This is a single serving size.....
Now..... when you add in a bunch of these guys....
a bunch of these
Aaaaaannnnd
And a metric crap load of rain the night before the race!
Hey Peanut... I have a question for you, what's all the rain doing to the cow fields?
Answer! Turning it into MOOP!
Translation of Moop is - Equal parts of Mud and Cow Poop!
This is what happens when things don't go well in Moop
This dude hit something buried in moop that broke his frame in 2 places... he was lucky to walk away with no injuries!
But this is what you got if you did really well... Pie for 1st place!!! What a great award!
All in all, racing in moop is like racing on any other course... you and your stuff just smells a little funkier!
Only in Cyclocross!! Gotta love it!
With the Cross season well on it's way, I feel the need to send a very special shout out to all the race promoters and course builders and volunteers, for all the time they put in to putting on these great events. It's certainly not for the money... God knows they break even at best. It's purely for the love of the sport. You all do a wonderful job. Thanks for all of your efforts!
Many, many thanks!
Have fun out there
Ride Safe!!
Talk with you soon
The Peanut Gallery
