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