This Charming Man...

Dear Reader,

My name is Fatmarc Vanderbacon. I raced cyclocross at Charm City Cross this past weekend. It was glorious. I am happy to report that for the first time in 2013, I have done as many bike races as 5k runs. I am a bike racer. I am a cyclocrosser.

Highlight of the weekend for me by far is when I was pinch tested. That's right the old european cycling practice of pinching a rider to assess their weight and fitness. Further, I was pinch tested by a local rider who is Italian, and 65 years old, and your current National Cyclocross Champion. I have been lucky to be in a community with Leo, and when he came up to me the weekend he said in his awesome Italian accent, "goddamn Fatmarc, you look skinny." He looked at Monkey and said, "you need to feed this man something!" And then he gave me the pinch test. First time ever in my racing career. That was awesome.

Now, I will comment, I am a stress eater, and I have struggled most of this year to stay south of 180lbs. (82 kilos for the euros) School, work, life... I just have had a tough time. The past 2 months, I have really tried to be more disciplined. I am proud to report I am finally, at long last south of 175lbs. (79 kilos for the euro readers). Now don't worry, I'm still plenty beefy.

courtesy of Erik Annis

No one will accuse me of being svelte  anytime soon. But I'm not gonna lie.. Getting the pinch test today, one of highlights of my riding career.

Races went well. I was pleased. Saturday I worked my way up to my group, but burned too many matches to make is stick. I drifted off a bit, with Eric Morgan. I sat on him for most of the last lap, fully planning to jump him in a sprint. We caught two more guys, and the dynamic of the group changed. I lost position in the sandpit, which I struggled with all day, balled it all up. My position was awful  and I blew the sprint on the road. It was really fun racing with Eric all day.

Sunday, I felt a bit better. Made my group much earlier in the race, and was able to make it stick. Another large group of say 10 or so caught us, and we blobbed around the course as a giant super group. I was on the back, and really unable to move up. I was pushing it hard, got tangled up in the tape a couple of times, never had that happen so much. Final stretch, I got pinched around a lapped rider heading on to the asphalt. (a very good move by the riders in front of me), and I sprinted in at the back of the group. Got series points both days, and will hope for better starting position at Whirly Bird in a few weeks. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN.

Just after finishing my race, someone congratulated me. I was clearly still on the vomit comet. I raised a fist salute as I was stoked with the effort and the race. photo by Dennisbike.com

So good to race cross again. I suffered my eyes out but had some great battles both days. Really stoked right now...

thanks for reading.

best to you.

respect
fatmarc vanderbacon