OCTOBER 08 CROSS REPORT

I returned home from Interbike to ‘cross season going full swing here in the Northwest. Wow, every year it gets wilder (and harder)! Proving that 72 hours of traveling, trade-showing, and not sleeping or eating well is no way to get ready to race, I only managed fourth place the next day. Oh, well, it was sunny and warm and other than plowing into a tree, pretty good times. I was also glad that I did some maintenance on my ‘cross bike after KC nationals last year… it was all ready to go and performed flawlessly.

I haven’t won a ‘cross race since my first one way back in 1996, so it came as a bit of a surprise to win the next two weekends in a row! Granted they were little local races, but winning is still fun and I proved my mettle by placing 11th the following day at the second race of the prestigous Cross Crusade Series. Last weekend I was in position for a third victory in as many weeks, but didn’t factor a lapped rider into the equation. Anyway, I was second wheel to my hotshot young teammate, Brett Luelling, and he made the pass while I didn’t quickly enough. Oh well, that is racing bikes–sometimes you win, but most of the time you don’t!

Next stop was Astoria for the infamous Cross Crusade Halloween bash. We were treated to more beautiful fall weather for both days of racing and my results we nothing short of awesome. Even with fields stacked with Northwest talent, I was able to manage top 10 in each race. A ninth place on Saturday and a sixth place Sunday. Not bad for a guy who went longer than ever this season–an hour ‘cross race doesn’t even qualify as a warm-up!

I have been doing some serious training this last month and look forward to a good showing at the inaugural Baja Epic MTB stage race down south of the border. Hopefully all the banditos and rattlesnakes leave us alone in the desert and we have a fun race. After that, I will play around some more on the ‘cross bike and then relax for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

In any case, I will keep you all posted and thanks for reading!

EP