Photo Blog: Elk Neck

Dear Readers,

Elk Neck is my favorite place to ride mountain bikes. Tight, Twisty, quick up and downs. A bike driver's paradise. (that one was for you Rotten). As Kelly said, "toughest 12 miles..." Great group yesterday and perfect conditions. It was a wonderful end to a wonderful weekend.

I snapped a couple of quick shots that I really like from the look out:

l-r Benny the Jewler, Jacob, Joe B, Eddie, TedLogic, Buddy the leg breaker, CONsorto, 

Nick, Kelly, Jeffy.

that dude to the right is definitely cuter than James Franco. 

CONsorto, Kelly and Jeffy  are all smiles enjoying the view...

Eddie and Joe take in the awesomeness of the day...

thanks for reading.

respect
Mr. Vanderbacon if you're nasty.

Cocker Rides

Dear Readers,

This time of the year, I'm happy to lead some pretty amazing road rides out of my place. I'll say that I have a pretty consistent format and I think it helps maximize winter miles. Generally I plan out a route with a few challenging sections that folks can open it up on a bit, but at the end of the sections we always regroup, and then we ride steady to the next section. I like to think of these rides as Joe Cocker rides, meaning that "we all get by with a little help from our friends". The rides are generally pretty well attended. They are hard, but fun.

Today we had one of these rides. I got dropped a lot. Luckily, I'm surrounded by a great group of riding partners, and I was able to get home with a little help from my friends. The group today was Nick, Phil, Brandon, Dave, Shane, Buddy, Jay Jay, Consorto, Me, Eddie, Kurtee and TedLogic.

Here's a quick video of me getting dropped one of the "peppy" sectors:

and again:

The final "peppy" sector clears, we work together and drag my enormous carcass home. (thank you).

After the ride, my kind training partners were happy to help me with another of my projects, which was reducing the number of awesome winter/Christmas beers in my fridge!

what can I say, I get by with a little help from my friends...

thanks for reading....

respect
Vanderbacon

Festivus: Feats of Strengths

Dear Readers,

Happy Hanukkah. Happy Christmas. Have a great 2015.
Happy Festivus.

Mother Nature decided to be a bit of  Grinch this week, as light rain fell all day yesterday. The weekly Fairhill ride would be a fire road expedition. (Note I did NOT say gravel grinder). Unlike last week's first ride where we had 2 rides of 15, this week only 7 hearty souls showed up.  Six of us where certified ride leaders for Fairhill. The group was Jim B, Justin, Jimmy V, Dave S, Brian K, Sharon the Hammer, and I. It was misty, but really warm. A light fog settled in over the park. The lights brightened our way, but the fog had us riding in our own amazing bubble of light. The fire-road network at Fairhill easy provides 20+ miles of riding. It was warm, and kinda of beautiful night.

Near the end of the ride, as is often the case when you have a group of solid riders, it got a little chippy as we climbed up one of the park's main gravel sections. Brian, Dave and I moved towards the front of the group. Brian, who doesn't realize yet how amazing of a rider he is yet set a nice tempo. Dave is like me, an old dog who has been around bikes for years. Dave graduated to the Cat 1 class in 2014 and made a pretty big splash. Dave is a cagey and smart rider. The force is strong with this one.

Despite my affection for my two companions at the front, we sped up the twisting climb, and the boys had me hanging on for dear life. I was hoping to pull a rope-a-dope and make it to the top with these two. I heard Dave shift into a harder gear. The lunacy of shifting into a harder gear while climbing never ceases to amazing me. And yet, here we were the three of us bounding towards the top of the climb. I stood and spun out the gear on my single speed monster bike (note I didn't call this bike a gravel grinder). I could see the crest of the hill, and in our own little bubble I was smiling. We all felt the effort. I'm not sure who got to the top first. It was meaningless, but fun. It was an awesome night.

Perhaps Mother Nature wasn't a Grinch at all...

thanks for reading.

respect
Vanderbacon

Please note: Night Riding at Fairhill is not permitted outside of the once a week sanctioned Fairhill ride. If you have questions about the note shoot me a note or hit up the trail spinners facebook group.

Winter Blogging...

Dear Readers,

Yeah I know. It's the slow time of the year for your team's mid pack masters rider blog. I'm getting to put in some really good, fun rides. Doing some of the work that I haven't been able to the last couple of years, because of school. The rides have been great but they don't always translate to wonderful blogging. Monk got me a sweet go-pro for my birthday in October, that I have had some fun with, but again I'm not sure that POV (point of view) video of your team's mid pack master rider trying like hell to stay on Buddy, Jay, Chris or Steve's wheel on our local trail system is great blogging either.

The subtleties of my bike driving skills don't translate to the blogosphere very well. (HA!)

Sunday's ride was a sweet one, as we ripped through White Clay and Middle Run. I'll admit it was a bit harder than I had expected. Buddy drove the pace, and is really going good right now. Probably the first time in years that he's been 100% healthy on the bike. I'm happy for him, even if I want to kick him in the nuts as crushes my soul with a smile on his face.  He thought he was laying down a nice even pace. (warning adult language below):


BUddy from marc vettori on Vimeo.

One of the challenges of having a camera just run on the ride is that you record every bit of shit you talk on a ride. Sometimes that's funny.  Good thing I didn't have the camera when I told Consorto I'd pay him $100 to go get his car and come pick me up as I died coming home from Turkey point on Friday.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing family, getting some more miles and a great Christmas

thanks for reading.

respect
Vanderbacon

something about monkey

Dear Readers,

After a week of being sick with the Flu and a sinus infection, I finally got myself back out on the bike with Monkey Sunday morning over at White Clay. Monkey had been taken it easy herself in an effort to not catch what I had, and well- December.

We bombed around the trail system, and both of us were clearing out sinuses via snot-rocket-palooza. This could have been the cool weather, or the effort finally allowing us to clear out the last of a sinus infection. Monkey has always shot a lot of snot during her rides, today was an all time level of snot rockets. It was truly impressive.

Up the border trail, one of the longer escalating climbs in the park, Monk fired a snot rocket which I thought came by my head a little close. "easy there monkey, let's no have any friendly fire accidents here..."

We laughed and enjoyed the rest of our our ride.

Flash-forward to Monday. I head out on the road bike a lunch, My glasses are sitting on my helmet as they were Sunday during my mtb ride. I pull them off and actually use them. When I place them on it is immediately clear that I cannot see out of the right lens. My near miss, was actually a hit. I had visions of Something about Mary, only with Snot not... well hair gel.

Smiling, I placed my glass back on my helmet and spun on...

thanks for reading.

respect
fm

Bob Joos: Mid Atlantic Cyclocross Man of the Year

Dear Readers,

Just prior to the start of the season, Kelly Cline, who no doubt would belong on the Mount Rushmore of Mid Atlantic Cross, or the Mid Atlantic Cross Hall of Fame if such a thing existed posted this to his Facebook page:

"Before heckling. Jeers of now use to be cheers. We used to have something called the Brotherhood and Sisterhood.  We fed each other. We pitted for each other. We trained together. We unconditionally supported one another regardless of what kit we were wearing. We rode hard and had fun. Let's get back to those days."

Bob up the stairs at Sly Fox

Bob at Crossasaurus Awesome

It is with this quote that I approached my cross season, and while I had only intended to do 1-2 races, my season and love of cross blossomed into a wonderful time, 13 races strong. And while it may have finished a little pre-maturely -getting to cheer for, be cheered on by, supported by and in general watching Bob support and foster our community will be one of the memories of this season that I will keep fondly.

Bob ready to take on his race..

Bob is a 56 year old cat 5 in his third year of cross racing. He has done 16 races this year. Bob has produced strong results on the race course. But far more important that what Bob had done between the tape, is what Bob has brought to the community. 

Bob pitting for one of many riders this year...

When I read Kelly's pre-season quote, Bob Joos is the guy who quickly comes to my mind first. Our friends at crossresults.com confirm that Bob raced 16 races this year. I know that doesn't seem like enough, because from his race reports, and cheering voice, 16 doesn't seem to capture all the places and races Bob has been. Bob would race his guts out, and regardless of placing, start the hard work of his day. From the moment he was done racing, you could count on him to be in the pit working for everyone regardless of team. Shouting encouragement and sharing his energy with all the community.

On your worst days, Bob was the voice that keep you digging deep, and on your best days Bob was the voice that made you feel like Sven Nys. Bob embodies community. After each race, Bob would write up a brief report of his race, honest and fun to read, but his race was never the focus of the reports, it was his friends, teammates, and community that he continued to cheer on, encourage and take pride in.

We all have the power to lift people up or knock them down, I'm proud to have watched Bob lift far more than his share this season. Bob is awesome, and his efforts this year truly unmatched. I hope we can all bring what Bob brings to the race next year!

Please join me in congratulating Bob Joos as the Fatmarc.com Mid Atlantic Cyclocross Man of the year.

Thanks for all you do Bob. Thanks for being one of the guys that makes this community special.

thanks for reading.

Photos by: Jen Sears, Bill White and Nicole Sheets

respect
fatmarc

Buddy the Leg Breaker...

Dear Readers:

Here's a video of Buddy the Leg Breaker throwing down watts on Saturday:

See I told you.

Here's a little of Buddy, Consorto and I doing a little dip, duck, dodge and dive...
More watts from Buddy on the climb... And my first experiment with snarky commentary..

thanks for reading and you know watching some strange  POV videos...
The second video is not playing as I would like... Still figuring this out to some extent...
All for the benefit of the Fatmarc Vanderbacon blog readers...

best to you

respect
fatmarc

Movin' for Mallory

Benny, Josh, Paul and Blake spinning it out.

Dear Readers,

Movin' for Mallory is a Cystic Fibrosis Research fundraiser held at Henry's Bike in Pike Creek Delaware. Matt, Katrina and Mallory- the owners of Henry's, have trainers set up in the parking lot for 24hrs. Lots of riders hop on and see how long they can spin. Mallory, who has CF, cheers on the riders and of course spins for a bit herself.... It's pretty amazing... I am honored to be apart of this event.

Props to Ricardo and Laura who both put in 8+ hours. Most folks, like myself spin for just an hour. A number of local team each signed up for an hour with their team.

I am really proud that our hour (5pm-6pm) (Rides of the Week-Vanderbacon Family Picnic-DCCoD) raised $1300 dollars! Thanks to all of the members of the team. (Diane, Jay, Buddy, Paul, Shane, Benny, Blake,  Travis, Joe B, Blake, Travis, Kita, Josh, Consorto, Craig, and Beth). Thanks to all our friends and family, and readers that contributed not to just our hour but to the entire event.

it was awesome.

Photo/Video Blog Start now:

Craig and Beth and family spinning in Shelburne Fall, MA.

Diane and Buddy's recovering knees get wonky on the trainer so they rode laps around the venue.

Matt oversees the events...

Mallory cheers on the Spinners...

That's Laura right behind me, she rodE a trainer for 8 hours. That's awesome.

Ricardo rode 10 hours himself... crazy stuff

Spinning into the night...

Afterwards we all retreated to Two Stones to Celebrate!

A great time was had by all

Thanks to Matt, Katrina and Mallory, and everyone involved for making this such an awesome event and experience. Looking forward to 2015!

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

You sure as hell aren't going to find your legs at the bottom of that glass of beer...

Dear Readers,

No race report this week. I didn't race.

I was excited to race early in the week, and then I just hit a flat spot.

I have felt wonky all week. Not sick, but not right either. Tired, not sleeping great. Life stuff. Totally normal. I kinda promised myself that I wouldn't chase points this year, but I also noticed that with the 1.5x points and a descent ride at West Chester, I could maybe steal 10th place for that series. That realization was the kiss of death. My mantra of not chasing points was now kinda out the window, and I found myself looking at the race differently. I didn't have a positive attitude. I felt more and more like "have to" versus "want to"...

Saturday night I was at a sausage and beer tasting with some good friends. We were having a wonderful time. The menu was wonderful.  I had a beer, which isn't totally unusual the night before a race.Conversation was great. Lots of laughs, and  we ate amazing food. It was a great time.  As I realized I was tilting back my fourth glass of beer, I thought to myself, "I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna find my legs at the bottom of this glass, but it's gonna be fun trying..."

Leaving the dinner my friend asked, "you racing tomorrow?"

I responded, "If I wake up on time."

I didn't.

I actually woke up a little hung over.

Diane was meeting Anne Rock, Jill, Grim, Lisa, Nancy  for a nice ride around the Fairhill System. I kitted up, put a couple of cold one's in the jersey pocket (hair of the dog that bit you)  and headed over to meet some friends for a wonderful day on the trails.

my latest frankenstein bike project is going well. It's be fun playing on this thing for a little bit.

It's been a wonderful season. Mine is now over. For not planning a cross season, I'm really stoked. I also plan on having a season next year.

best to you all.

thanks for reading.

respect
Vanderbacon

Four Random Things

Dear Reader,

a few random things for today.

Haircut
I finally got a haircut. It was greatly needed.
I suspect that the woman down at the super-cuts-hair-stylery-fashion-gap is from a wrestling family. She definitely had heavy hands as she pushed my head left, pulled it right, and pulled my ears to cut around them. I was pretty sure at one point she was ready to give me a full on cross-face. While not the most relaxing hair cut I have ever had, she did a nice job. Man, I needed a hair cut.

Where my heart lies
I was talking to my buddy last weekend after our respective races. He is a pretty accomplished mountain bike racer, and just scratching the surface of what he can do in cross. This was his first full cross season, and man he jumped in like a cannonball.He was at the hardest race he could find every weekend. I have much respect for him and that approach. It would have been easy to downgrade to a cat 4 and steal some results.

Sunday he had a really good race, and I wished him well. He said, "I have had fun racing cross this year, learned a lot, but I also know from this season that I am a mountainbiker at heart. Cross is really hard." I kinda chuckled, and replied, "it has been a very good season, and looking at myself I have to admit, I learned this fall that in my heart I am a cyclocrosser... I'm doomed."  We both laughed.

Andy Van der Haar
Sunday, Mike D (the awesome cross official not the Beastie Boy), gave us the one minute warning at the start. We all threw our jackets off. My buddy Andy and I were kind joking around as we staged, and he suddenly got good and crouched ready to start. I had missed Mike D (the awesome cross official not the Beastie Boy) give the 30 second warning as I was goofing around a bit. So I look over at Andy and say, "man, check you out Andy van der Haar! " and sure enough the whistle went off.. I was kinda unprepared but luckily had at least one foot clipped in..." Damn, karma bit me in the ass there... That's what I get for being a smart ass...

Unremarkable Movie
Sunday night, Monk and I watched a pretty unremarkable movie. It was entertaining. But nothing I would really recommend to anyone. This is perhaps the part I remember most:  the protagonist was pouring a gallon of gas on her car as she prepared to torch it. She looks at the camera and says, "$4 a gallon of gas- Thanks Obamacare!" Diane and laughed out loud, because you know Obamacare has nothing to do with the cost of gas, and well Obama- everything...  Regardless of your political slant, I hope you can see the humor there.. Anyway that was the best part of the movie, which is why I wouldn't recommend it...

I'm feeling pretty good about this haircut.

respect
vanderbacon

Skyline Grill Ugly.

Dear Readers,

I still need a haircut. Maybe this week.

Movin' for Mallory Happy Hour
Friday Night Movin' for Mallory had a happy hour at a local watering hole (the Skyline Grill). The owners of Henry's Bike Shop daughter has CF. They have been doing great stuff getting the cycling community rally around fundraising for CF research. I like community movements.

A few weeks back Matt asked if I could guest bar tend for a half hour or so. I agreed. He promised I would only need to pour beers. Flash forward to Friday night. I got held up at work, and was late. Shit, I totally missed my shift. I tried to call Matt, or message him. I couldn't get him. I felt awful.

So Diane and I showed up at the Skyline Grill an hour late. I found Matt and apologized for missing my shift. He smiles at me and says, "dude, get back there now!"

a four count of whiskey what!!??

And I did. I was terrified. What I had expected would be just pouring beer. It also ended up with me making a few missed drinks, which was totally crazy. I think I sweat through my shirt in 20 seconds, not because it was hot, but because I was scared to death. Too much vodka, not enough Captain Morgan. Doesn't anyone drink beer anymore? What do you mean what kind of beer do we have?

Thankfully the real bar tender was a saint and incredibly helpful. Thankfully, my half hour make up shift went by very quickly! I have new found respect for the bar keeps!

Best of all! The evening raised over $3000 for CF research! Yeah!

What's that you say? You'd love to help support our communities CF research efforts? Well, good news my friend. Henry's Bikes is sponsoring a 24hr Spinnathon on Black Friday. The Vanderbacon Family Picnic has signed up for an hour (5pm-6pm!)  and we are looking to raise $1000 for our hour! We are a little more than half way there! If you'd like to help out with a donation it would be greatly appreciated!  YOU CAN GIVE HERE!

Kutztown Cross Day 2 a PACX Event

Kutztown was a fun race. Small field, absolutely worst start of the year for me. Missed my pedal and I had to be DFL off the line. I punched it a bit and got up to the wheels I wanted to race with. I proceeded blow two corners that forced me to put a foot down to save the ship. I chased, but couldn't get back on. By the end of the second lap, I was gaped off and had a dude from SRAM covering me pretty tightly... I tried to up the pace on the back section and I got a little space....The final two laps Joe P (55+ leader) was closing... He kept me honest the rest of the race as I finished up...

This corner was the scourge of my existence today.

And yeah, I'm probably getting a uniform fine... It was cold...

Looking at lap times I was very consistent. Consistent is good. I'll take it.

I like the Kutztown course. Bob and his team do a nice job. The new dirt rollers were a cool feature, and I always like the tight and hard corners that Bob lays out. A set of barriers today would have been nice. Very fun day. Thanks to the Bob and the Vortex crew for their work.

man, I need a haircut.

thanks to Jenn Sears for the racing pictures...

Thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

a blog about our broken washing machine

Dear Readers,

I still need a haircut.

Last night Diane and I  were doing laundry.

Diane went up to switch the load from the washer to the dryer. The washing machine door would not open and was stuck locked.  We bumped it. Gave it the Fonzie. Even my best " that New England Bullshit" Hip but it still wouldn't open.

I sent Diane to the google for ideas.

The google suggested running a short spin cycle.- No luck.
The google then suggested unplugging the washer and let it sit for 10 minutes- fail.

Diane was getting frustrated.  "My clothes are stuck in there! All my underwear!"

I responded, "all your underwear! lost forever! We'll have to go underwear shopping immediately, I'll get my coat! "

She was not excited as I was at this potential shopping trip.

Back to the google. I saw a cool trick were a dude used a little wire and popped the door right open. It is clear that I do not have such skills.  Fail again.

One last shot with the google. I found a video where a dude tipped up the washer and reached through the bottom to unlatch the release. This had promise.

Our laundry room is actually a closet. It's tight. But we twisted, turned and finally got the washer up on it's edge. I reached under the washer and into the inside.

Danger Monkey flew into full action. "You're going to break your arm, you can't hold it and reach up in there!"

"calm down McFly, everything is cool." I smiled and replied. "I'm rescuing your underwear!"

I continued,  "I can't reach it. I need you to lean this up a bit more and hold it against the wall."

Hesitantly, Monkey held it, "I'm not sure I can hold this for that long..."

I ducked my head under the washer and got some extra reach.

Danger Monkey exclaimed, " don't put your head under there, what if I drop the washer?"

I quipped "you're going to jail if you drop the washer, it's not that heavy and clearly you would be trying to kill me."

With my extra reach, I felt the latch, un-clicked it from the inside and Diane's underwear was saved!

"I can do anything with the google at my side!" I exclaimed and Diane shook her head at me, smiling in relief.

"Can we still go underwear shopping?" I asked coyly.

No response from Monk on that one.

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

First State Velo Cross: Best Cross Race You Haven't Done Yet

Dear Readers,

 Saturday Night, our guests from Pittsburgh,  Mayhew and Eric, joined Diane and I at one of our favorite resturants for dinner. We were talking about race weight and how and what we ate to try to squeeze into skinsuits. Eric shared that he makes sure to eat a lot of vegatables and that everyday when he goes to work he brings lots of cut up apples, carrots and tomatoes. No sooner had he finished that sentence, then our favorite waiter came to the table, and Eric orders, "I'd like two entrees.. Can I have the Gyro and the Falafel?" Laughed ensued from around the table.

Clearly something was working as Eric nailed down 4th in the elite race Saturday...

Kelly and Dan rocked the Vanderbacon Kit in the race. Which was super cool. 

I was a humbled by that gesture.  I warmed up in it... 

A few stories from the weekend.

I love my team.
I love my team. I love my team director. I am lucky to be on this team. I gotta say it, I love my teammates. There was a time not that long ago that C3 Twenty 20 Cycling Co. was actually a small team.  But in the Mid Atlantic the truth is that cross has grown out really into a Baltimore/DC region and a Philly/PA region to some extent. I have always counted myself lucky to be right in the middle and really get a chance to hit the best of both worlds. In recent years, I'll admit I haven't made as many Maryland races as I used to.. The benefit of being on now a larger team is that my teammates have this covered. Yesterday, at the First State Velo Cross at Fairhill, or as I like to call it the best race in the Mid Atlantic that you haven't done yet, lots of my teammates who I have met at Charm City or around the shop, or on our awesomely active email list, were up for Fairhill. It was awesome cheering for each other, supporting each other, and frankly as a grouchy old man on the team, feeding off of their enthusiasm. I had a rough day at Fairhill, but it was awesome to see and hang with so many of my awesome teammates. Viva la C3 Twenty 20 Cycling!

Okay- everyone pictured here is old guard... But EVERYONE IS AWESOME! 

The Race is just part of the day.
 Diane and I were stoked to have our friends Eric and Mayhew crash with us for the weekend. While of course the race was fun, and that experience is awesome in of itself, but getting to hang out, enjoy a few tasty beverages and sharing stories. Certainly a highlight of the day for me. Diane and I love sharing Newark (the center of the universe) with friends. It was really a ton of laughs and lots of fun.Thanks for the memories guys... Viva La Host Housing!

Sharing is caring..
Perhaps you have noticed that Diane is somewhat diminutive in stature. Over the years, we've had the pleasure of passing on some of Diane's old cross bikes to up and coming juniors who would eventually grow out of the frame, and well we've been able to pass that on to the next family. Diane takes a special pride in watching this frame live on...

Yesterday, our good buddy Hailey Sears became the next in a long line to take on this particular frame. Viva La Sharing- Viva La Green Jamis..

All the owners of the awesome green jamis- and the newest Hailey Sears! 

Traditional Race Report:
Dennis Smith and Mike CZ nailed the course this year. I have been saying for a couple of years that the First StateVelo Cross race is the most underrated course in the Mid Atlantic. Last year I thought the course was really fun,but needed an additional feature or two. They nailed it this year. The course was spot on, and frankly probably the best race you haven't done yet. Make it out next year, I promise you won't be disappointed.

As for my race, I lined up at the back. Got a good start, rode up as high as 13th on the second lap, and then proceeded to fade. The course had amazing driving sections, and I felt like I was on it, but in the end I just didn't feel great. My legs were heavy. The course was heavy, while not muddy or wet, there were soft spots, and I just wasn't great this day. I'll also admit on lap three my mental attitude was pretty bad. I was looking up and seeing the guys I wanted to be racing with a couple corners in front of me, but for the love of god, I couldn't get there...  I was loving the course, but I just couldn't go. Final laps I did my best to hold of a charging group of 55+ riders, which I failed to do, and then a hard charging bunny barrier bunny hoping Nik from breakaway, which I barely did.  Looking at the numbers, they were all in line with what I would expect, it just wasn't a great day.... I've had a pretty awesome season, so I'll take it. But we'll also look to do better next time...

thanks to Dennis Bike, Linda Lennon, Diane and Jen Sears for the awesome pictures in this blog.

thanks to Bob Joos for pitting for me, and pretty much being everything that is right about Cyclocross.

thanks for reading.

respect
Fatmarc

Cycle Smart International Weekend

Dear Readers,

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Cycle Smart International in Northhampton, MA. My first New England cross experience was years ago back when the CSI was at U Mass. It's become a traditional pilgrimage for us. This is one of my favorite weekends every year. This year was a notch even better. My brother Craig lives close to Northhampton. His amazing wife and kids are all so generous to let us crash at their place, as we all bound to the races and around town. This year we worked in Halloween.

I have had the extreme pleasure of racing with Craig 6 times this year. Competing in the same race, working together, pushing each other is something that I know is pretty damn special. It brings back memories of when we were all kids wrestling and my 3 brothers and I would travel to tournaments stuffed in my folks mini-van or even with Bob Watson and the Walnut YMCA team.  These days there's more food and beer involved, but really - a season of a life time.

here are some random thoughts and memories from the weekend:

I need a haircut. Badly.

Halloween in Shelburne Falls is a magic. It's the great pumpkin Charlie Brown, Maleficent, dude dressed as Jerry Garcia passing out hot-dogs off his grill magic. Maybe the best Halloween ever.

At one point I was holding Maleficent's staff, and an older (high school) trick or treater walked by and said to me, "nice staff Gandalf "... Another high school kid came by the first and said, "hey man, you got any weed?" (not directed to me) which somehow turned into "Hey Gandalf, you got any weed?" Which we laughed about for quite a while...

So the kids went to this one door to trick or treat, and they appeared to be having a pretty rad grown up party going on. The woman gave the kids some candy and asked, "are you guys the parents?" To which I answered, "well, I'm dressed as a parent!" She smiled and said, "that sounds a little creepy, do I need to call someone?" More laughter.

Berkshire Coffee Porter is really good. It was flowing like a river this weekend.

Putting a Go Pro on a my 8 year old newphew's bike and going  pre-riding with him. It's pretty rad.

Diane rode her cross bike for the first time in a year. Yeah, it was a sexy jean lap. Yeah, she can't do run ups yet, but it was pretty rad.

Saturday's race was fun. I over started,  ended up dangling off the group from the 3rd lap on.
it was fun in a painful way.

My only disappointment Saturday is that I was hesitant a bit in the corners, not aggressive enough. I know when I write this next line some of you will think I'm crazy, but many of you will know exactly what I'm talking about. I raced in gloves that I hadn't raced in before, and they weren't good. I didn't have good touch, and I blame the gloves for sub-par bike driving Saturday. Yup, the gloves- seriously.

Craig got McCormacked by a Junior McCormack in the final corner as he was sprinting to win his group Saturday. Seriously young mccormack jammed him into a stake on the final corner...

Craig was railing corners all weekend! 

Hanging with Mega is always a win. There was a lot of laughter going on at our tent spot.


Saturday Night Craig and Beth made an incredible meal and Matt, Janet, Heather, all the kids, joined Bill, LVG,Diane and I for a fun night and probably too many porters as we joked and the kids bombed around. It was awesome.

Sunday was cold. And the wind was brutal. The wind was really brutal. Our EZ-Ups started to get blown away taking Beth and Diane with them Mary Poppins style. It was that windy.

Sunday I had the worst start of my life. Like miss my pedal can't get clipped in for the first 500 yards bad. I just tried to stay cool, and move when I could. Man, that was bad.

In my mind Sunday's course was less technical, but it also had a ton more flow. There were a couple really fun fast, loose corners... I had better gloves on today, and felt like I drove much more effectively.

Lots of time in the drops Sunday.

Spent the last two laps kinda out on my own with a HUGE group breathing down my neck.

Thanks to the Joe and the fine folks at Joe's Garage and Team who took Monk and I in this weekend. Thanks Johnny M, and Matt.

Amazingly, I finished in the exact spot both days. this is like the fourth time this has happened to me when doing a New England weekend.Weird huh?

Diane had a super fun ride Sunday around North Hampton. The bike infrastructure here is amazing.

Beth made the best pumpkin muffins ever. SO GOOD.

Okay, I'm pretty shattered.

Thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

That was awkward...

Dear Reader,

Last week I was standing in line at the local Walgreen's. The line was long and I stood behind a young lady, I'm guessing from the local college. I noticed she was trying to hide what she had and I looked closer and noticed it was an early pregnancy test. I didn't really think anything of it.

There was only one cashier who recognized how long the line was, and called for help over the intercom. Just as the young woman in front of me hit the front of the line, another cashier came to the front and said," can I help the next person please?" The young lady in front of me looked up and saw the cashier, and the cashier immediately recognized her and said, "Jenny, how are you?" 

Jenny, looked up and stuttered a bit., "errr okay..." She set the test on the counter recognizing the cashier and the cashier, not yet recognizing the EPT box, started in, "so how are you doing? how are your class-" she stops recognizing the test and immediately the awkwardness of the situation comes to full fruition.  "things are good" the young customer said. "excellent" said the cashier.

"That was awkward." I thought to myself. "I can help the next customer!" the next cashier said, and I walked to the next available cashier...

thanks for reading,

respect

m

the JAMBOREE and CROSSASAURUS AWESOME!

Dear Readers,

Trail Spinners JAMBOREE

Saturday we had a nice crew meet at the house and rode over to the Trail Spinners Jamboree. It was Monk's longest mtb ride since her injury, and we had a blast bombing around the trails in perfect weather. Diane set a great pace and Buddy kept her honest. It was great to see some old friends in addition to the folks I have the privilege of riding with all the time. PEACHES even came out to ride! The loop laid out for the ride was awesome. Perhaps it could be the race course next summer, because it is awesome! 

Eddie's Buddy Rich, Nick, Lisa V, Chris Jackson, Eddie W, Travis H, PEACHES!!!, Stu,
John Thompson, Buddy the leg breaker, Monkey, Dennisbike.com, Craig VDB,
Jay Cimini (ordering pizza for the end of the ride,
and a MTBNJ guy I didn't get to meet!

Craig, Monkey , Buddy and I heading home after the Jamboree...

Craig, Nick and I spent most of the day riding back a bit and we had fun chopping and passing each other and having fun dicing it up a bit.  I know watching point of view  pro video can be tough. I cut these short to share a little of  the fun...

At about 1:30 into the ride, I had planned to pull off and ride home, knowing that we were racing on Sunday. Diane and Buddy were setting such a righteous pace. Craig looked at me and said, "come on man, I'm not done, this is awesome. When else are you going to get to ride trails with your little brother?" Nick smiled at me and said, "yeah man, when else?" I was hooked. While I'll admit I drank a couple more beers than normal, and rode a few miles more- I wouldn't change a thing... Totally spectacular time...

Crossasaurus Awesome
While not the scale of Charm City or Providence, Crossasaurus Awesome put on by Craig LeBair, Mike Festa and the Philly Cicllismo boys is an outstanding event, and one I would highly recommend. The race, a part of the PACX series, it is an outstanding grass root event. Where it wins is that Craig, Mike and Company never forgets what makes cyclocross great. Yes, beer gardens, and vendor areas are all fun, but these guys take what is essentially a flat field and turn it into a cross racer's dream. There are FIVE features a lap. While there is only one set of barriers, a steep short run/ride up, a log, a two step, and a sandpit means that racers are challenged to not just throw down watts, but to drive the bike. On top of the FIVE features the course features a couple of open fast sections, and tons of corners including lots of 180's. As a bike driver, I'll admit this course plays to my strengths- as a cross racer- it's fun to do a race that isn't just about throwing watts down in the grass.

Fatmarc and Svelt-Craig waiting for instructions...

I was really pleased with my ride today. This was the third time I got to line up next to Craig this year. There is always a calmness for me knowing he will be in the group. I was also successful in convincing the team director (Kris Auer) to make the trip. Benny was racing down in age today, and I'm always happy to race with him. I'm always stoked to warm up and race with Nick. Scotty was staged behind me, and as he bumped my wheel, I smiled at him, and he promised me a hug after the race.

I got a good start, and about a third of the way into the race a group started to form. Angleo went to the front, and unlike last week, I went with him. I probably owe him some rent money because for a couple of laps I lived on his wheel. Over the log at about the midpoint, he caught his rear-wheel and suffered a mechanical. I moved around and chased Josh and Jeff the rest of the race, never quite making contact. Meanwhile, Craig and Benny dangled just off of me.  At the start of 2 to go, Benny came by me, and would get some space holding me off. That's how we would all finish up.  I beat crossresults, and finished with Craig nipping at my heels. I put in a solid ride and rode cleanly. I'm pretty stoked.  

Team's Halloween kit came in this week, which I was happy to bust out for today's race. The "love" and "hate" on the sleeves pretty much define my torrid love affair with my super hot super cool ex-girlfriend- who I am clearly having another love affair with this year. (long time readers recognize that my super hot ex-girlfriend is a metaphor for 'cross).

Thanks to Bob Joos for again working the pit for me, and to Jen Sears for taking some awesome shots of me again. Thanks to Monkey for coming up and cheering and hanging out. Race day is always better when she's here. Thanks to Ryan Effin' Dudek for the "go fatmarc, go svelt-craig cheers!"

Finally, thanks to Mark Featherman and his awesome son Juhda who has no idea who I am, but nonetheless was there on multiple parts of the lap cheering us on. That's a good kid, and being taught the ways of the force. Perhaps Featherman and Anne Rock will get together and write a book called : The Cyclocross Method of Parenting and Vampire Hunting.

thanks for reading.

respect
vanderbacon