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...