MFG Cyclocross # 2 - Greetings from Lake Sammamish

Contrary to the sluggish blogging action, cyclocross season in full swing in the Pacific Northwest.  As is the Weeks 'N' Weeks of insanely nice weather we been experiencing.  Cyclocross is supposed to be Wet 'N' Misery on two wheels and I'm sure that will hit eventually.  For now, I'll take the perfect fall days instead.  No boots required.

This edition of 'cross tomfoolery, stop number two for the MFG series, took place on September 23rd.  See, told you the blog action has been sluggish - like me.  Only son and Racer Boy Ian battled for glory, while I ran around like an idiot and took a few zillion pics.  Narrowed 'em down to a few for yet another blog post.

See for yourself...

Low on the horizon fall sun makes for some cool shadows.

Risking camera and limb, I grab a shot of teammate Garth doing a little barrier dancing.  Cool thing about shooting 'cross - you can get stupid close to the action.

Go ahead, admit it - that disk brake is kinda hypnotizing.  You're getting very sleepy...

Garth, once again, this time blurring into the barrier section.

Some of Ian's fellow teammate junior racers.  Some of these kids at 13 -14 years old are pretty fast and give adult racers a run for their money.

Beach run on the shores of Lake Sammamish included at no extra charge.  Ian demonstrates.

More kid racers rockin' it.

Ian barrier sequence.  Well, I cheated - pics not from the same lap - but you get the idea.  Ian was doing fairly well this race, trying hard for sure, then derailed his chain while exiting the barriers.  Wrestled a bit getting the chain back on, losing a glove in the process, and some time.

Finished 12th out of 22 kids in his class.  Not bad at all in my book.  He was mad about the chain incident, but hey, that's how racing goes sometimes.  Still collects series points and I'm proud that he doesn't give up and keeps it rolling.

Ian enjoys post race burger at the team tent.  Nice bunch of folks involved with the JL Velo crew.  Most 'cross races involve social time with food and support included.  Very cool.

Even the Michelin Man raced.  And he's pretty damn fast.  Who knew?

A few more shots to risk my Nikon and health at the same time.  I'm actually not in the way at all, however, if someone stacked into the barriers - all bets are off - and I could become part of the action.  But not in a good way...

High speed dismount.  I wonder if all teammates gets a free Audi?...

Long pavement start that dumps into the grass.  Dead flat, but fun course.  My slow ass actually raced it last year.

Brian, nice dude and fast racer.  He bought a Triumph Speed Triple I was selling back in 2001.  A few years later, I recognized him at a 'cross race.  Two wheel interest spills over from moto and pedal power.

Got a little sand kicked in my face for this one.

Teammate Harrison sporting some sun glare.  Fast high school kid.

Hey kids, where's the beach?  Let the stampede begin.

Teammate Andrew doing a little sand sampling.

Why run when you can roost?

Teammate Luke looking a little too happy.

Run Luke run...

Many colorful characters in 'cross.  I dig it.  Great scene.

Scientific fact - mutton chops make you faster.

Brandon blurs into the corner.

That's all for now sports fans.  Another fun day shooting pics, chatting with like minded folks, watching 'cross, eating burgers, and quality father/son time.  All with a spectacular fall day as the backdrop.  We'll take it.

More pics and reports to follow.  Until next time...

Cyclocross Season Begins - 2012 Style

Cyclocross season in the Seattle area has officially kicked off, despite my late blogging action.  Racer Boy Ian, with less then usual riding this summer, gives it a go.  Me, bike geek dad, coming off one of the lamest riding summers in years, provides support and can't even comprehend entering a 'cross race at the moment.

Lucky for me, taking pics at races has proven more fun then actually suffering through one, though entering a 'cross race or two still on my agenda, even if that doesn't occur 'til next season.

Two races under Ian's belt so far.  First one the sarcastically titled Labor Day Cyclocross Championship, the season kick off event for the area. This edition held on some sort of military property near Tacoma, Washington...

Teammate Lars blurs the course tape.

In the heat of battle.

Race your shadow.

Lars frozen mid remount.

JL Velo juniors hanging out at the team tent.

Ian (on right) warms up with teammates.

Ella warms up, representing one of the few junior girls racing 'cross.

Start line smiles, Ian (sans shades) looks on.

Go Ian go !!

Ian sprints for the line, despite his 8th place out of 8 (in the 13 - 16 year old class) for the day.  Racing against older kids who are coming off a summer of racing road and track ain't easy.  Ian never gives up however, his face as proof.  Ironically, he won this event last year.

High school age teammate Anders day in the sun.  Nice kid and son of Lars, also on the team.

Racing hurts in many different ways.  An early lesson.

Post race Ian looking a little tired.  Warm and dusty conditions for the day.

A few blur shots for the album.

In the shadow of Mount Rainier.

Second race of the season, the following weekend, the first race of the MFG series was next on the list.  This being Ian's third MFG 'cross series since starting racing a few years ago.  I dig the MFG series and the folks running the show.  A very cool scene and something we look forward to.  As per last year, MFG # 1 held at Big Finn Hill Park in Kirkland, almost in our backyard.  Don't get to ride from your driveway to a race very often...

Junior teammate Evan in action.

Teammate Lars warmin' up.

Singlespeed action.

Hanging out.

This woman at every 'cross race styling on the yellow IF and always smiling.

Diggin' in.

Various shots from the several zillion I clicked through the day.

Junior teammate Jarrett on the go.  Some of the kids on the team, Jarrett included, race CAT4 men and their respective junior class during each event.

Go Ian go.  Did much better this race, around 12th place out of 24 juniors in his class.  Not bad considering he was in the ER three days earlier with a suspected broken elbow, courtesy from falling out of a tree.  The life of a 13 year old.  This season, the MFG folks split the juniors up by school grade, a cool idea and less confusing then "racing age".  Ian will compete in the 6 - 7 grade class for the series.  We dig it.

Junior teammate George exits the barriers.  George didn't even know what a cyclocross bike was until last year.  One of his school teachers mentioned it, his family checked out a race and here he is - now in his second season of 'cross.  Awesome.

Teammate Luke about to sample a little soil.

Start line laundry pile.

More examples of my patented blur shot.  Call now, operators are standing by.

Daytona 500 banked turn action, Zac Daab leading the charge.  Zac owns Cascade Bicycle Studio and is the driving force behind the MFG 'cross series.  Thanks to Zac and crew for providing a great series for the Seattle area.

No crankset?  No problem...

Pics-O-Plenty for the day.  It's late and I've turned off the caption machine.  Feel free to make up your own.

Two races down in the books.  Ian gave it his best and enjoyed both events, and that's what it's all about.  Plenty more races in the near future, with rambling Words 'N' Pics provided at no cost to you, the home viewer.  And with that, I sign off...