DCCX

The cross season is short, but packed.

In just under 10 weeks or so, Monkey and I will find ourselves racing 20 or so times.
There are weekends when we do races that are fun, and  are a part of our season goals.
There are weekends that we do races, because they are a pilgrimage and doing them makes us better at this game we play..
There are weekends we race because it's a work out, and no training is ever better than racing.

Then there are races we do because you just love the races, and know at the end of the day you are going to have a great time.

DCCX falls into that last category for Diane and I . The DCMTB team does a great job of creating a race that loops around the center of a great venue. The race, the only one in the nations capital, which I'm not sure why, but for some reason (maybe because my parents grew up in DC), holds a special place in my heart. The course twists and undulates, and is hard, but fun. The course is technical, and has 3 dismounts, and another optional. It's a beautiful thing.

While I tied crossresults today ( 5-3-2 on the year), I was pleased with my ride. It was fun.I got off the line well, but got jammed up a couple of times early on the first lap. I rode into a very good group with Lilibridge, Cutler, Culbertson, and McGill. With 3 two go I got a little cheeky when I saw Birner on the horizon. Should have been patient. I ended up getting myself popped off the group, and with one to go, was joined by my teammate Sweet Johnny. We rode together with Mealy breathing down our necks. Solid effort solid ride. I was satisfied.

Monkey has been getting stronger as the season progresses and her injury is healing. She was super stoked to line up on the last row of a group of 50 women. (no mabra points, not great crossresults score right now); She worked really hard, and worked her way through much of the field finishing up in 13th place. It was a really good ride, and a great effort. I was proud of her...

Today was a good day. I struggled to find some normalcy, and being surrounded by great teammates, friends and doing one of the things I love most sure as hell helped. You know, as normal as being a 40 year old man, dressed in lycra riding a bike around in circles in a field can be.

Jim McNeely offically has my vote for heckler/flasher of the year...

A very good day indeed.

thanks DCMTB

respect
fatmarc