Gloucester

I can't say that Gloucester is my favorite race. I can say, that I love everything about it. I can say that if you love cross and live on the east coast, you owe it to yourself to make this pilgrimage at least once. The venue is amazing, the level of competition is unparallelled, and for me it just feels like you are walking on hallowed ground the entire weekend. It was so much fun.

Seriously Officer, this baggy of white powder is a recovery drink, really. (ugh)

Tom Stevens, the course designer, has long been considered the bar for which all other course designers are held. This weekend's courses were distinctly different, but challenging at the highest technical level, but allowed for great racing. 4-5 dismounts a lap! (take note promoters!) That's cross racing. The use of off camber, run ups, a beach, stairs, a fly over... Maybe some of my favorite courses ever. Seriously, if you love this stuff, take a vacation day, and make the trip...

Tom rocking out with his disco vest!

Diane, Potter and I (Layla doesn't dig the car), crammed all our stuff into the Fit, and headed for New England. A cross racer's Pilgrimage to the motherland. We were really excited. Potter, may have been a little crammed in the back.

heading up the road.

Potter enjoyed the ride.

best navigator ever

Potter nestled in for the long drive

Saturday Racing:
Monkey lined up with over 100 other 3/4 women. It was a first for her racing at the New England Worlds, and her first time in a 100+ field. She was stoked. She battled tough, and rode in and out of a group the entire day... I was really proud of her ride...

Craig got a good start, battled with a couple of guys, and ended up on the podium. Very impressive for a guy who hadn't raced a bike in 15 years, and last year finished 37 at Granogue. I'm really proud to have another Vanderbacon in the mix.

Me, Saturday wasn't so good. I mentally blew it: thought I had a flat when I didn't. I pulled the plug instead of taking bike. It was a little disappointing. So we'll leave it at that...

Had some fun in the pit Saturday. Hung out with Canadians, got a little argy bargy, some guy wanted to punch me... People Laughed... you know typical stuff... at least my fine for dnfing will be offset by my fighter's pay from the director.

Sunday:
Monkey didn't race. Back is still healing it appears she's good for one race a weekend. So she suffers and fights through. That's rad.

final lap push

Craig's race maybe the real story. So maybe we had a few too many beers Saturday night, maybe Craig was little green at the line.  The race was off, and for the entire race he dangled off the lead group of 4-5. On the last 1/2 lap Craig finally makes contact with the lead group. One dude attacks, and ends up soloing for the win... Craig attacks through the pit and gets away from the group taking a final sprint for second, and barfing all over himself... Craig has worked really hard. He's going to be a solid cat 3 in a couple of weeks.

loved this run up

Tire pressure was the story of  my weekend. I was too low again today. I had to take a bike on the second lap, at an in opportune time. You lose those spots early, and really it's hard to ever make up ground. So after a second pit I was kind out on my own a bit, but I could see a nice group just in front of me. I finally made contact on the last lap and then the fun started. I had a couple of good runs, and picked up a few spots, and sprinted up the final stretch taking another spot on the line. Rule #23 of cross, and day you can pick 6 spots on the last lap, is a good day.

Another weekend in the bag. I love cross.

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc