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...

I'm Not Dead Yet

Despite not blogging anything for 2+ months now, I'm actually not quite dead yet.  Too much work, not enough fun time, and being family guy will put a crimp on things.  It's all a blur.  And lately not really a good blur.

Not happy to report that my bike commuting has been nil for the past two years or so.  For various reasons, I did not coach the junior high mountain bike team this season, nor been out mountain biking much.  The tide ebbs and flows over the years of being a life long cyclist.

It's not all bicycle Gloom 'N' Doom though.  I've been hitting the trails a bit on my trusty and now vintage Ibis Hakkalugi 'cross bike.  Since my commuting as fallen off the map, ripped the fenders and 25c road tires off 'Lugi, then levered on a pair of Kenda Small Block 8 'cross tires.  You could almost hear the old Ibis breath a sigh of relief - like swapping the sport coat and neck tie for some light, bouncy sneakers.  Yes please.

Riding familiar trails on the 'cross bike sheds a new light on the whole experience.  Compared to the mountain bike - I'm going half the speed in technical sections - but feels faster on smoother sections.  Along with all around Light 'N' Zippy feeling of goodness.  Even if my current fitness level is nowhere near Light 'N' Zippy.  More like Slow 'N' Plodding.

In any case, who cares about speed.  Being out on two wheels with dirt under the tires is what counts.  Doing it with drop 'bars just adds the additional fun twist to it all.  Highly recommended.

WAWCX - Washington Women of Cyclocross

Man-O-Man, the ol' blog has been collecting serious dust lately.  Time to crank it out and help clog up the ol' Internet…

Last, uh, July - I hit a cool cyclocross event, practically in my backyard - held at Saint Edward State Park.  This 'cross event focused on getting more women out there racing cyclocross, complete with clinics and other info sessions.  The racing action itself for women racers, though men allowed to compete in a few non-timed events - if I remember correctly - been a few months now.

Washington Women of Cyclocross, WAWCX for short, hosted the gig.  Kari Studley, who I know through the Evergreen Washington Student League, ran and promoted the shindig, along with Lisa Miller and other volunteers.  Oh yeah, Kari is also a single-speed 'cross world champion, along with being a national champion.  So I guess she knows a thing or two about 'cross.

I buzzed my 29er over, complete with Nikon in tow, thinking I'd snap a few pics and head home.  Wound up staying for the whole shindig - great crowd, good racing, great event - and the first of its kind in the area.  I can imagine this getting pretty big in the years ahead.  One thing bike racing needs is more women involved and events like are a great concept.

Few of the many pics I grabbed for the day...

Evan, super fast high school kid, gives is a go during one of the men's "fun" events.

Two competitors in action from the kid's race.  Along with more women, attracting more kids to bike racing should be on everyone's agenda.

Nice course setup, mostly grass, here sampled by one of the many women racers in attendance.

Round 'N' Round they go, where they fall - nobody knows.  Entertaining circle of death feature included at no extra charge.

This must be the place.

Warm temps and sunny skies greeted everyone.

Sprint for the finish.

Off they go!  Awesome to see the many women who raced the event, experienced and beginners alike.

Some single track added to the mix.  Well done course layout.

Women racers always seem to have a smile on their face.

One of the many podium celebrations, complete with Kids 'N' Babies.  Nice.

Future champion.

Caution:  You may end up digging 'cross.

You gotta be fast to rock the pink lightening bolts.

The really fast girls in action.

Course even featured a short sand section, someone here putting the power down.

These girls will kick your ass.  No doubt.

The seminary building made for a cool 'cross barrier backdrop, no?

Festive pit area.

Kari, promoted and ran the event, then crushed the single-speed race.  That would be multi-tasking.

Mr. Cyclocross rocks on.

It ain't over 'til you get the high five from Mr. Cyclocross.

At the end of the day, super cool race - well run, great turn out, fun course, perfect weather - fantastic day.  Here in the 'cross crazy Seattle area, perfect demographics for this kind of women focused event.

Kudos to WAWCX for putting this on.  See you next year...