180: the motherland

No American crosser can dispute that while Portland may draw the largest crowds to it's wonderful races, that New England is the motherland of cross in this country. It is New England where the sport took it's roots, and spread region to region across the country. The history, the skill level, the respect for the game is just amazing in New England. I have gotten to make the pilgrimage to the mother land a number of times over the past few years. Having my brother and family smack dab in the middle of Western Massachusetts makes it really fun and easy to make a run up North. If you get a chance to get to New England for a race, I strongly encourage it, big, small it doesn't matter, it's a right of passage that all self respecting crossers need to take.

The weekend with my Brother's family was amazing. Saturday we worked the Grange Fair, which is basically a fund raiser for a local service organization. The Smith Family BBQ has been drawing crowds and raising funds for almost 30 years. As Craig married in, he has become a key part of the BBQ team.

There were many other attractions like the pocket lady, who I admit made me feel a little scared.


and the hula lady who I have to admit made me feel... well a little pervy.

yeah, pervy, can't think of any other way to say it. I'm going to change the subject now.


Saturday Night we got together with a bunch of the family friends for a good old horseshoe tournament. Thankfully my partner was lights out, as I pretty much suck at horseshoes.

Sunday, Monkey and I headed out to Blunt Park in Springfield, Ma for our first cross race of the year. The weather was beautiful, the course was very technical and fun. Lots of logs, and being in New England the level of cross was high, despite being an early and small race.

On the drive home, Monkey and I commented how much fun racing cross was. It was even better than we remembered and talked about on the trip up. We admitted it was a little weird because we didn't really know anyone, where as in the Mid Atlantic we have lots of folks around us. That was a little like Bizzaro world for sure, but still the racing was so good, the people were so nice, man what a great time.

Both Monkey and I took the hole shots in our races respectively. I relinquished the lead when I dropped my chain bunny hopping a log. I went back to 10th place before fighting my way back to 3rd with 3 to go. Of course, I dropped my chain again falling back to 5th before finally clawing my way back 3rd on the last half of the final lap. The winners were pretty bad ass, I would like to think I could have ridden with them save for the time given away dropping my chain, but maybe not. I was pleased with my result, but also know I have a lot of work to do in the next few weeks. ( you knew that was coming right?)

Monkey rode a very solid race. I was super proud of her. She battled in and out of groups before finishing up in 7th place. She was all grins coming across the finish line, very satisfied with her ride, but like myself knowing she has a lot of work to do in the next few weeks. (you knew right?)

Having Craig, Beth Carter, and Taylor on hand and cheering was awesome.


Yeah, that's a four pack of barriers. Sometimes when you are the Motherland that means you can say "F-you USA Cycling, and your only 2 barriers rule too. We like 4 packs of barriers because they are fun!" First time in 4-5 years I got to run barriers like that, super duper fun. Thank you for that treat Motherland...


seeing JD and Mega is always an added bonus for us when making these pilgrimages.

Much love and respect to the Motherland of Cross: New England.

Much love and respect to the Pocket Lady of the Grange Fair,
thanks to her, everyone is a winner.

Much love to the Hula Girl for making me feel like a dirty old man.

What a great weekend.

respect.
faticus

It was nice to meet so many kind folks. I am blown away by how great this weekend was.