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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

damn your broken bones, boy!

all pics stol'd from that kickass photograbber, RickRass

CCCX Opener

It's news of local flair and heart warming shenanigans. As ya'll might have read before, i'm a huge fan of the CCCX series. It's the kind of gig that brings out the best in Cross ... fun-loving, relaxed vibe with fierce competition, and loads of us regular joes & josey's out there kickin' it for nothing more than the pure pleasures of pedaling.

though it does burn me a bit to see boys looking this fabulous ~ i mean, come'on Grey ... don't rub my face in it.


The junior turnout was exceptional on Sunday ~ with what? almost 30 kids racing it up? That's boss. I especially like the young hucker crowd that finds their way to the shows. I mean, you know them bikes weigh in at a couple twelve-packs ... but, they zing and zoom their way around the course and light it up any chance they get come descent or dirt jumper-time.
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The Women's race saw the return of world famous Barbarella to our local scene. We all know that the starlet has fought illness and fatigue these past couple years and many, many rejoice in seeing her fire rekindled for the bike.

The start for the Elite femmes race was in-control and gauged, as the smaller field made a blitzkrieg first minute of racing and fighting for position unnecessary, and likely detrimental. The paved climb that shoots up the start/finish section of Manzanita is a soul-crushing brute - it's low-grade early slopes taunt you into putting power down, but as you continue climbing ... the steeper gradients hook anchors to shoulders and soon you find your body hunching more and more over your bars, teeth bared and eyes crossed with the effort to just make it up that fukkall hill.

it's glorious.

Lap 2 saw Barb unleash a bit of gas and only fellow Bella, Ann Fitsimmons, risked the hootxpah to go with her acceleration. Ann has decided this year to just ride at the front of the race until her gasket blows ... nothing else as a tactic. Respect.

CrossLobster Stella Carey, on the other hand, was returning from throwing out her back last Saturday and hadn't even touched her bike in a week ... so, she waved a stoic bye-bye to the two as they pulled away on the climb. As the race progressed, Carey's experience and long road season of fitness building would kick in and she would pass the RomanCandle Fitsimmons and eventually close to within a minute of winner Howe.

In other Women's results, Nicole Bumbaca (the coolest last name of any racer, btw) won the B's in a tightly contested battle with Megan Cordes. Beth Welliver took the C's in a strong showing and her first ever cross race, I believe. But, the best battle of the series might be shaping up in the women's 35+ ... ever-ready Kathleen Barolussi was able to distance herself from Janel Lodge and Julie Bates on the grueling up/down course. Hello ~ is that Janel riding uber-fast again? Awesome.

With Bev Chaney and a number of other 35+ riders yet to make their presence known ... i think this could be one helluva series in the 35+ category. Bartolussi is probably the best pure athlete of the group, but Janel is tough, tough, tough. And, the two Roaring Mouse riders go very well with each other and could work some magic on the field later in the year.

In the Elite Men's race ... how you gonna compete against that big bad Berry, Justin Robo-son.

i mean, he's the man.

But, a ridiculously sexy looking Lobster crew showed up and gave him the fight. DJ Snead and the Wolf did their best to knock Robinson down, but he's the giant, the mountain, the steady rain that wears you down ... eventually.

To beat Justin, you've got to unleash a torrent of speed so intense and chaotic that you are able to blow out his storm, destroy that unyielding rhythm of his by forcing him to follow the most random and barbaric of efforts. And then you just hope.
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More later, but i gotta skoot from the boot.

13 comments:

Ron Castia said...

The course ROCKED, it was so much fun I had to race twice...and get my ass kicked twice.

It wasn't the pavement hill that killed, it was the section just after. Seemed like many went ballistic to the S/F line and then lacked speed for the false flat after.

Grey said...

that's right kids, you can suck in your race, but still get your pic on olaf's blog as long as you rep someone as cool as Sheila Moon.

that course did rock. i had forgotten how much i suck at those friggin' chicanes.

hopefully i'll get the blue fleur soon and then you can really love me for my clothes.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Nome

the false flat was really a suffer fest.

And once you made it to the water tower, you knew it was mostly downhill from there.

Nome, you kicked my ass, so that makes you an ass kicking dude 2 times more then me.

Anonymous said...

Don't feel too bad MH, that skinsuit that Grey was wearing is soooo last season! (But still fabulous of course).

I'm so glad CX has finally started, I can't wait for next weekend... see ya out there!

Stellar

dr-nitro said...

Sea foam green is sexy? You must be color blind.

Anonymous said...

stop writing about cross. i am trying to kick the habit!

Unknown said...

That was an excellent race. Olaf, are we going to see you in some seafoam soon? C'mon you know you wana.

Anonymous said...

cross-lobster?

I like cock-gobbler better!

norcalcyclingnews.com said...

ain't you cute.

think about suckin' on that much, do you?


don't worry, i won't tell. it's not as bad as you think, anyway.

funkdaddy said...

did i see Don Myrah's name in the Elite race results?

Anonymous said...

YEAH FUNKE

I saw it, Don Myrah out there suffering with the others! It was very cool, and you could still see the guy had some skills for not racing any for a few years. The best was his son, who I think was 4 years old, taking part in the kids race.

It was a very good time and a special day for cyclocross in northern calif.

PEANUT said...

It's great to see barb back racing strong!!! GO GO GO!!!

Anonymous said...

mtn, road, or cross, Wyandt looks like shit on a bike :)