StarCrossed 2014

Hit the annual StarCrossed event over the weekend for some 'cross spectating and photo snapping action.  Been a few years since the last visit, this being a cool stop on the Pacific Northwest cyclocross calendar.  Usually a big crowd, big names, beer garden, cowbells, and noise a plenty.

Racing throughout the day with the elite level Boys 'N' Girls hitting the course under the lights - velodrome lights - at Marymoor Park in Redmond.  That be Washington, as in the USA.  We arrived just before the start of Elite Women's gig at 7:00 PM.  Crowd seemed smaller then previous years - parked in the velodrome lot itself - not the field overflow.  First time for that.

In any case, event run by the fine folks at MFG Cyclocross, so all went well - with a decent amount of spectators heckling, handing out dough and beer to the racers.  Cyclocross is always a good scene.  (Ex) Racer Boy (son Ian), hasn't raced 'cross in two years - so cool to run into some former teammates and other folks at the race.

Setting sun, darkness and artificial light on the photography front.  I still don't own a flash unit, so goofed around with various ISO and other settings.  Some photos a bit grainy and play with the blur.  All good fun though, been awhile since I've shot a 'cross race…

Setting sun and rising dust.

RCR Pan 'N' Blur.  RCR for Recycled Cycles Racing, as sponsored by Recycled Cycles in Seattle.  Good folks there, I know the owner a bit via the school team I coached a few seasons ago, his son on the team.

Barrier a go go.

King of Cyclocross handing out the dough.

Sprint past the beer garden.

Full tilt boogie.

RCR Pan 'N' Blur Part II.

Full flight.

Focus.

Smile, you're on Candid Camera.

111 = Go Go Go.

Jump into the party.

Barrier action in progress.

Beards make you faster.

Evan in action, fast high school kid in his first elite level race.  Teammates with my son back in the JL Velo days.

Theo, another fast kid and former teammate.  After being away for a season or two, cool to see these kids mature and become seriously fast.

Infield of the velodrome turned into 'cross course - including the surrounding areas and parking lots for more terrain.

Into the mayhem.

Pavement to dirt transition shortly.

Cyclocross ain't easy.

Not a bad night out, all good clean fun.  I don't even remember who won - lame, eh?  Soaking up the scene, chatting with folks, shooting pics, and some Father 'N' Son time included.  Bonus.

As the night ended, I asked Ian if he missed racing cyclocross.  At the moment no, seeing folks in action reminding him how hard it can be. That indeed be true.  For now, some recreational mountain biking is enough.  If he's happy, I'm happy.  Any time spent on two wheels is good...

MFG Cyclocross Series # 4 - Mangnuson Park

Cyclocross season keeps on rolling, along with my never ending supply of pics and rambling words.  Photography is like racing - some days you have it, some days you don't.  I'm just a hack, but must be doing something right, since I usually arrive home with a decent Pile-O-Pics after most races.  In any case, I'm having fun and that's what it's all about.

This week's Pics 'N' Words from MFG series # 4, that took place last weekend.  Venue was Mangnuson Park in Seattle, nice spot for a 'cross race.  Very flat and fast course, some pavement included.  Barriers and one run up section.  Usual cool 'cross scene that we're lucky to experience in the Seattle area.

See for yourself...

Teammate Lars trades dirt for concrete.  Super nice dude, along with his teenage racer son, Anders.  Anders assisted my own teenage racer son Ian, warm up for this race.  Anders appears to have the series already won for his Grade 10 - 12 junior class.  Cool.

Kari Studley, woman's single speed 'cross national champion, can also go pretty damn fast with multiple speeds.

Concrete underpass allows for some fun camera angles and blur shots.

Dreaming of life beyond training wheels.

Past the secret door.

Monster Cross bike flattens everything in path.

Birds eye view of the action.

Girls racers rock.

Snippet-O-Cross

Racer Boy Ian chases teammate Matt into the concrete abyss.

Scenic cruise on the shores of Lake Washington.  Ian demonstrates.

Run Ian run.  Check out the new white Northwave shoes.  Pro, eh?  Considering this was a flat, fast, and not very technical course - not really his style - did pretty well.  Scored 9th out of 18 kids in the Junior Boys Grades 6 - 7 class.  His currently sitting in 7th place overall for the series.  Great job!

Follow the leader.

High speed leaf crunching.

Insanely nice fall day.

Various barrier action.

Back of the course featured a run up, courtesy of wooden stairs.

"Do my cleats look worn?"...

Grimace into the corner.

Go JL Velo.

Old school cool.

Lined up for torture.

It's late and my mental caption machine is operating in sleep mode.  Time to wrap this up and hit the sack.  A few races left in the season, more to follow.  Adios...