S.C.X. #4/Steliacoom

Halloween morning we pack up the True Northg O.S.V. and headed down to Steilacoom for by Northwest CX history, a classic Cyclo-cross venue. The sky's lifted and the sun shined on this Halloween day, and finally graced us with a race sans-mud!
The course was laid out in opposite fashion of the traditional course and Rad Racing Grand Prix. Very fast, twisty in the grass fields, fast pavement, and some moderate grade power climbs in wide trails to start all over again.
With a last row start due to not having much for series points, I had my work cut out for me. I made sure to race within a group the entire time, since with the speeds and openness of portions of the course, it would be suicidal to work alone. Most of the time I was in groups with the likes of great riders like Tim Ellis(Carbon Neutral Racing), and Randy Iddings (Redline), and we all worked good together. Unfortunately what felt like a good ride, only amounted to an 18th place. I was happy with the ride, but the result was again...dissapointing. Well, there is always next week.

M.F.G. #1 - Big Finn Hill

Sunday was the first opening round of the M.F.G. Series held at Big Finn Hill Park in Kirkland, Washington.
I didn't expect too much in a performance from myself, after climbing 220 floors the day before (Sept. 11) to remember and pay tribute to FDNY's fallen. My body was tired, and it didn't help that a drank my share of beer throughout the day at 2 other Fireman gatherings to remember the 343 and celebrate their lives.
I lined up on the back row, since I knew I wouldn't be in the front group today. The gun went off, and we were off. My legs never hurt per say, but at the same time, they just felt dead and could not produce any speed or power. With two laps to go, I was closely following Zak Daab of HUP United, when we entered a high speed grass hump to pavement transition section at approximately 25mph. Zac lost traction as he transitioned to the pavement portion and laid it down hard. I tried to make it around with no time to apply the brakes. His wheel flipped into the air and I hit it dead on, flipping me over the bars in suddenly I was airborn at 20+mph! I rolled several times as me and my bike plowed into a row of parked cars. I quickly got up and saw that my tire had rolled off of the rim. Zac was not so lucky and was injured and out of the race. I shouldered my bike and ran 200 meters to the pits and got a new bike from DP who was ready(Thank you DP), and remounted continuing on. I knew the day was going to be rough, but jeez!
As I continued through the course, I was handed off a beer when I rode through the beer garden. I drank it up, and rode the next muddy technical section with the cup in my mouth, since I had every intention on consuming my "gift". I cleared the section and finished the brew. I finished the race in 22nd Place. Not much of a result to say the least, but I knew it was worth the small sacrifice I paid the day before.
I'm about the head out for a training ride to get things back in gear, to prepare for the next race. All is well, and thanks for reading.