"I think you need to go...."

Dear Readers,

25 years ago, long before I knew what cyclocross was, or even considered shaving my legs, I used to spend a lot time riding my skateboard over at Fox Run Shopping Center in Bear. One time, I was there with my lovely girlfriend Diane. I was trying to ollie (jump ) down this weird little gap that had two steps, a little landing and then another 2 steps. Trying to show off for my girlfriend I proceeded to face plant and landed flat on the ground at the bottom of the stairs.  As I got up, ate humble pie and brushed myself off, I remember Monk saying to me, " I think you just need to go a little faster"...

I smiled at her fighting of the urge to say something not nice, and said, "yeah, I get that..."

I tried again, this time with a little more speed. I crashed hard at the bottom of the stairs again...

Last Saturday, I met my young nephews at Glasgow Skatepark, which ironically is right across from the old Fox Run Shopping center. I enjoyed showing the boys how to carve, and work their way around the park. Monk  pulled me aside and encouraged me to try rolling up the bank, and ollie (jump) over the two stairs at the top.  I tried a number of times, but I will admit, I was pretty scared and not really coming close to making it at all.

Finally, Monk waved me down and pulled me aside. She says to me smiling, "I think you just need to go a little faster." The irony was not lost on me. I smiled at Diane, pointing to Fox Run Shopping Center and said, do you remember what happened last time we were skating and you told me that? We both laughed...

while not all that impressive looking it turns out she was right:




Sunday, we loaded up the car and headed out for our first bike race of the year. We headed up to Lancaster for the Race Ave Crit, because you know #CROSSISCOMING!

You're Team's Mid Pack Master's racer in the Cheap Seats!

Photo Courtesy of Annette Weaver Photography

I lined up for the 45+ race. It was really fast. I never made it up higher in the pack then around 20th. No breaks got clear and the pace stayed really high. The last three laps felt totally bonkers. Saying that I was on the rivet would be an understatement as I sat on the edge of my seat, hands in the drops.

more cheap seats: photo courtesy Annette Weaver Photography

Around the final corner, I sat up. I was satisfied  with my ride, and figured the smartest move was to let the sprinters did their thing, and while I had nothing for them, I smiled as  I got everything out of the race that I could have hoped for... It was so much fun...

Monkey!!!  

Photo courtesy Jeff Miesemer/AnnetteWeaver Photography

Diane raced the open women's race next. She came off the front group pretty early on, but continued to battle in really well. She would end up connecting with a few other women, and ultimately much like myself, was really happy with her ride, and effort. She suffered, but had a blast!



My dear readers, in full disclosure, as I was taking this video, I had the best heckle ever come to mind.

BUT THANK GOD DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOR!

three things probably saved me:

1. An ironic heckle is a dangerous heckle. Irony doesn't always land well on a racer in oxygen debt!

2.  I love sleeping in my bed with my awesome wife, and frankly, this risk of #1 going wrong and me landing on the couch for a week was too great. Remember folks: Is the juice worth the squeeze? Not in this case.

3. As cross season quickly approaches, (#crossiscoming) I remember the teachings of Kelly Cline: always heckle nice! #HECKLENICE

Monk sitting on...

The Race Ave Crit was a lot of fun. thanks to Michele Bote and her team for putting on a really fun event.  Racing bikes is so much fun, this was a great place to get things rolling again. I think we'll have another crit appearance in a few weeks...

thank for reading.

respect
fatmarcVDB