MFG Cyclocross Series # 3 - Beyond the Velodrome

Gather 'round kids for yet another 'cross report.  Oh, I know my massive readership - now numbered in the tens - has been waiting for the latest. Well, the wait is over and here's the farm fresh edition.  Sorta.  Due to tide levels, Elvis sightings, and trucking delays - race actually occurred on October 6th - action packed Report 'N' Pics only 10 days past the expiration date. 

This cyclocross adventure, stop number three on the MFG express, is the much heralded StarCrossed event of the 'cross season.  Usually with pro level dudes and dudettes doing battle under the lights for the cheering masses.  Except this year, no big names, but still some crazy town eliminator race scheduled for night action.  However, we missed that due to unforeseen circumstances...

Reeve, dad to two of the racers on the team - and 'cross racer himself - warms up the juniors armed with iPhone and steely glare.  Race venue being the Marymoor Velodrome in Redmond.  That be Washington.  Grassy knoll behind Reeve drops off into the velodrome banking - trust me - it's there.  Velodrome, cyclocross, vibrant bike scene in the Seattle area.  Feel free to hate us...

My favorite son, Racer Boy Ian, warms up under the festive Redline team tent.  I can tell by his face, he's not digging it today.  Tired and a bit cranky, been a busy few weeks getting used to junior high school.  I swear he also grew another inch during the last week.  Trials and tribulations of being 13 years old.

After warming up, wasn't sure he wanted to race - a rare, like never - event for him.  I prodded a bit - we're here, you're registered, give it a go and see how you feel.  If tired, just cruise for series points.  It's all good and supposed to be fun.  A parent call and I decided to push a tad, knowing he'd be glad later.  I hope.

Juniors line up for action under a '70s looking sun.

JL Velo junior team triple play.

And they're off, Ian delayed behind a crash in the Junior Boys 13 - 14 class.

Anna, niece of a teammate, has done a few 'cross races this season and seems to be digging it.  Gotta love seeing stuff like this.  Fantastic.

Shadows on the velodrome banking.  That's me on the left, now you know what I look like.  Handsome, huh?

Junior teammate Henry clears the log section, much to the delight of headless spectators.

Ian displaying log running skills, while staring me down.

JL Velo, high and low.

Junior teammate Matt runs the barriers.  Looking good.

Towards the end of the race, Ian was dragging and not looking too happy.  Post race, plopped into a chair at the team tent looking toasted.  Did I mention it was also a hot day?  In October, in the Pacific Northwest.  Something strange is going on.  Sweaty Ian attempts to recover with a bottle of cold water.

To add to the enjoyment, I was on call for work and of course, get called during Ian's race.  Nothing more fun then attempting to decipher some computer issue, via a bad cell phone connection, from off-shore contractor, with race announcer and cow bells as background noise.  Awesome.

So, no rest for weary Ian.  Loaded him and gear into the car for the trip home - punctuated by shortened Chipotle stop - with more work issues. Once home, wound up working online 'till 10:00 PM.  The rare day where maybe we just should of skipped a race.  The work fun also continued most of Sunday.  Such is modern life and earning a paycheck.

Silver lining however, when we checked results online later.  Ian placing 11th out of 20 kids in his class.  Not bad at all, considering the bummer mood of the day.  Sweet.  And makes Ian a semi-happy camper, now being in 7th place overall for the series.  Good work, consistency and hanging in there pays off.

Bit of a life lesson combined with cyclocross.  True?

Seattle Cyclocross Series # 2 - Arlington, Washington

The 'cross train keeps on rollin' here in the sunny Pacific Northwest.  That's right, I said sunny, it doesn't rain everyday as most people suspect. Okay, it does rain most of the winter, but weeks of insanely nice summer weather make up for it.  Don't tell anyone though, it's already getting crowded here...

Enough weather talk, let's get down to business.  Cyclocross business.  Today, race # 2 of the Seattle Cyclocross series - not to be confused with MFG series, also underway - went down in a blaze of sunshine.  I'm also fibbing a bit, race actually occurred September 30th.  I'm just writing about it today, delay being working for living, family festivities - and wasting too much time on Facebook.  Better late then never.

Race venue was near a small airport in Arlington, same area as the state championship held last December.  Dead flat course with an interesting sand section tossed in for fun.  But what do I know?  I didn't even ride it - just ran around and took pictures - which has been the story this 'cross season, and will probably remain that way.  I'll just say I'm semi-retired instead coming up with a list of lame excuses.

For your home viewing pleasure, assorted Pics 'N' Words to describe the day...

It's gonna be a bright, bright, sun shiny day.

My #1 son, Racer Boy Ian, looking pro in the sand section.

Ian rode the sand section every lap - nice job.  While pre-riding the course and warming up, said he didn't feel too good, felt super tired, wasn't too jazzed on racing.  I made the parent decision to nudge him a bit - we're already here, give it a go and maybe you'll feel better.  

Good call, after the race said he felt okay and had a good time, placing 9th out of 13 kids in his class - fast kids - not easy.  For this series, he races in the Junior Boys 13 - 14 class, some of which also race Mens CAT4 and do fairly well.

Teammate and junior girl racer, Ella, runs the sand section.

Junior racer recovers after crossing the finish line.  Fantastic watching these kids go for it.

Furry visitor to the team tent.

'Cross requires some barrier jumpin'.  Nobody said this was gonna be easy.

Under a September sun.

This dude appears to be the Seattle area race fixture, see him at every race.  People call him Cosmic - hope I got that right.  In any case, seems like a cool character, one of many in the local 'cross scene.

Standing on large mounds of sand gets you some interesting angles - and shoes full of sand.  Here, single speed dude throws up a roost.

Junior racers do a little dirt digging after racing duty.  This turned in a full scale dirt clod war that lasted forever.  Good clean fun.  Race turned out to be an overall fun day for Ian.

Freight train delivering the mail on the backside of the course.

Later, I constructed a scale model of the entire course in my yard...

High school racer and teammate, Theo, styling in the sand mounds.

Another high school age teammate, Harrison, plows into the sand.

Andrew powers though the sand looking pro.  Later used this pic for his Facebook profile.  I've had a few folks do this, which to hack photographer me, I find flattering.  Much better then having a zillion pics fermenting on a hard drive somewhere.

Count the grains.  Submit all entries for cash and prizes...

Cyclocross is tough.  No doubt about it.

Theo in action once again.  After sorting through all the pics, difficult to pick which ones to post.  I guess that's a good thing.  Even with the sun washed out kit, I dig this shot.

Under a glaring late afternoon fall sun, Garth blurs towards the finish.

Junior racers Mitchell, Ian, and Jarrett after a full day of dirt action fun.  That's Theo lurking in the background.  Cyclocross is fantastic for kids, and adults as well.  Trust me on that.



Another race down in the books.  Another positive experience for all.  Another post for the ol' blog.  Adios and good night...

Left Side Story - No Excuses

If this film doesn't give you the inspiration to do something, whatever your something is, might be time to order up that rocking chair and subscription to Readers Digest.

No excuses, no waiting.  Amazing, motivating story to get you moving...

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...