Northhampton: CycleSmart International...

Blake ripping though the barriers

 

Blake and Monkey warm up

Fatme

Monkey

Monkey

Odin is pretty cute, wait until he's 170lbs

Junior Identification Program

Potter likes cute

me looking at wheels all day...

Taylor= Junior Identification Part 2

The North Hampton- Cycle Smart International, might be my favorite weekend of cross. For one, other than racing, and supporting my friends and teammates, I have no other responsibilities. The level of competition is wicked high, the courses are generally super balanced and very fun, and the weather always seems to be amazing. Add in the fact that my brother and his wife are kind enough to host a motley crew of racers from the mid atlantic, and it ends up being just a great time. Every year.

This year, it was a much needed get away…

I was pleased with my races both days. Amazingly, despite the bulk of the course being under 18inches of snow a week before the event, the course was bone dry and wicked fast. The top section remained technical with tight turns and off camber sections, while the lower course was full on pedal to the medal racing. I swear the lower level was faster than I remembered it ever being. The course encouraged pack riding and I did a lot of that this weekend. I was happy with both of my races, although Sunday’s result was 10 spots better. What was the difference?

Saturday about 50 feet into what I thought was a good start, the dude in front of me locked up the brakes, and I slammed my junk on my stem, and had to put my foot down while the field sped away from me. I tried to stay cool, but really I’m not good enough that I can spot anyone any space, and especially at the CSI. The lower sections of the course were so fast all I can remember was starring a wheels, and jumping out of every corner. Again, while I wasn’t super stoked about my result Saturday, I was really happy with my effort, and how I moved up into my final group, and raced those guys to the line.

Sunday was the best cross I think I have ridden this year. I hung on wheels in the fast sections, worked to move up in the top technical section. On the final lap up top I got a little ambitious and laid it down trying to make one more pass; I bounced up quickly, and held my spot at the finish… It was a really good day…

Saturday after my race, I had forgotten my recovery drink. Blake offered me a bottle of chocolate milk. I was still cooling down a bit, and had just won a sprint at the line, so my body felt a little worked over, I take the milk and I chug down the whole bottle. My stomach was really not happy, as I finished off the last drop. I hand the bottle back to Blake saying, “you know, I’m not sure that’s gonna stay down, I better spin some more.”

Blake, with eyes as big a saucers looks at me and says, “ I never meant for you to slam the bottle like it was a shot… “ She smiled fully expecting me to hurl chocolate milk everywhere. I spun down, and luckily kept it down…

One of my favorite things about racing with Skinny Craig this year, has been going out and pre-riding the course together. We take a couple of laps, talk about lines, carve corners, talk shit. It was this weekend, as I was struggling to follow Craig through a couple of corners, that I had a realization. The Dude is a better bike handler than I am. It was rad, he showed me a couple of lines I couldn’t figure out, and I raced them all day. Craig did his first Cat 3 races this weekend, and he did well. I really proud of him…

Lots of other great stuff going on this weekend. Thanks again to Craig and Beth for hosting our crew, and thanks to everyone who came, it was an amazing weekend…

Thanks to Benny da Jewlar, Dish, Blake, Travis, Bad Kat, Bad Andy, LVG, Tom, L-Web, Jeffy, and Gunnar for joining us on this fantastic voyage...

Thanks for reading
Respect
fatmarc