215: stupid fun

So I admit I was feeling a little bit of cyclocross withdrawal, I mean if you do something every weekend for 3 months and then it suddenly stops, it feels just a little weird. When Anne Rock sent me a note about the urban cross race, and Lenore confirmed for me it was on despite icy conditions here in northern del, how could I resist ?

Jebalicous and I got to the race, paid our entry fee of $5, and walked through the shop of Bilenkey bike works into to the junk yard. Instead of the status quo pinned on number, once you registered you were given a Styrofoam plate, and they used packing tape to attach it to you. You walked through the metal shop and out the back door.


At the opening of the junkyard there was a keg of beer, and fire in a trash can off to the left, and then an army of Philly bike couriers, single speeders, tired crossers and other assorted bike nerds. It was also great to see my C3-Sollay teammate Kevin Dillard.

The course was super fun. Originally I had planned to race in pants and a sweatshirt. There were 2 heats of 25 or so. Jeb was in the heat before mine, He was wearing pajama bottoms and riding his mountain bike, because cross season is over. Jeb’s pajamas got really nasty and muddy fast. Jeff in his PJ was chasing Harlan around the course. Looking at the muddy mess that was Jeff’s wet sagging pajama pants, I realized it would be in my best interest to throw on some tights and shorts.

Harlan won his heat with Jebalicous 2nd, Joe Reynolds 3rd and Josh West 4th.

My heat went well, I had planned to ride with Anne Rock, but she stood me up.

So I kind of started slowly, and then over the hurdles, I found I was able to move through traffic, I got myself back to 4th place by the end of the first lap. Action Dan was out in front of me, and despite my efforts to close the gap, we stayed pretty much the same distance away from each other the entire race. Around the switch backs I decided to try a different strategy. I asked Dan to slow down. “hey Dan you mind slowing down so I can catch up?” this tactic didn’t work any better. At the end of my heat I was beat by three good guys: Big Bush, Porno Pete, and Action Dan. My fourth place finish was good enough to advance to the finals, and low and behold Anne showed up. Jeff and I were both really cold, and figured racing around the junk yard once without crashing into a car and having to be rushed to the hospital to get a tetanus shot was good enough, so Anne took our place in the finals with Jeff’s number on one side, and mine on the other.


She rocked it! Anne you have represented the DCCoD Proudly. We salute your service!

All in all a good day, it felt good to drive the bike fast again or what I perceived to be fast anyway. Since Reston the only bike I have ridden is my beloved fixed gear. As much as I like that bike, my cross bike felt like sex on fire as I carved through wreckage that was this wonderful course. I love my cross bikes. LOVE them. I'm due for new cross frames this year, it will be mighty interesting trying to replace my current rigs.

I also got to meet Joe Reynold’s sister. She as nice. Good to see niceness runs in that family.

a pretty awesome day I must say. Freakin' silly stupid fun.

respect.
fatmarc