Rouge Roubaix Redux (again)

Cycling bloggers say it again and again every year, but it's true: I can't believe the road season is back again. It seems like just yesterday that I was running all over Staten Island so that people could jump over barriers and run along the beach with their bikes on their backs. Since then there's been a whole off-season full of behavior that would make my coach cringe (Sorry, Roger) A few pigs worth of pork had been consumed, and I've lined the pockets of far too many Trappist monks this season.

When I speak to my fellow cyclists it seems that many of them have had a bit of a hard time kicking off training this year. Should we blame the weather? Sure- let's do that. The 12+inch dumps (I'm talking snow here) kill weekend rides, which are the bread and butter of base training. A winter full of wine, food, and regrettable decisions is hard to give up, but as the scale tips farther and farther away from your ideal and delusional race weight, reality must rear its ugly head. Before you know it, its time to give up your Friday nights in hopes of 6 am central park cycling glory. So how does one prepare for a return to the life of a spandex-clad monk?

For me, two words: Rouge Roubaix. For the past three years, I've made the hilariously stupid decision of having the hardest race of the season be the first race of the season. My teammate Tim and I can't stay away from this hidden gem of a Spring Classic: 101 miles, 30 of which feature offensive, minefield-like unpaved sections that make Battenkill's "un-pave" feel like a track velodrome. Oh, and by the way, even though this race is in Louisiana, it's quite hilly. Myriad short, punchy, unpaved climbs result in almost 4,000 feet of climbing. And what's not to love about an obscenely unpaved 18% grade at mile 85?

We got in two days before the race and stayed with a mutual friend in Baton Rouge. The most eventful part of the flight was realizing that I paid more to get to the airport and get my bike on the plane than i did for my ticket. Even though JetBlue's $50 bike box fee is relatively reasonable, I'm still infuriated by the fact that I'm charged for a sub-50 lb piece of luggage just because it's a bicycle. However, on the way back I discovered a fantastic way to bypass paying to get your bike on the plane: Simply say that your bike box is a massage table. There you go. Maybe I’ll have business cards made: “CJ’s love-you-long-time massage service. Where every ending is happy.”

We got suited up in our brand-spankin-new kits and went for a spin by the Mississippi Levee. It had been so long since i had ridden in warm weather- I couldn't have been happier. As we sprinted for telephone poles, a pressing questions was mulling around in the back of my head; Am I actually going to survive this race again?

Last year's Rouge Roubaix completely tore me up. Every part of my body was shredded, and I (like many) had been bonking by the end of the ride. I managed 18th place last year, but that was also with a week of Roger's Tucson cycling camp under my belt.

This time around I didn't have much confidence in my training up until 2 weeks before the race. Sure, I did a few reluctant 2+hr sessions on the trainer and got out for longer rides when I could, but I wasn't hungry for it like I was hungry for any number of delicacies I had been consuming all winter. I'd say my biggest obstacle as a bike racer is my torrid love affair with pork and foie gras products.

The night of the race we had two dinners. Sushi at 4PM and Pasta before bed. A small ocean's worth of water was consumed, and we slammed some endurolytes in preparation for the upcoming pain fest. A laid out the buffet spread for the race. I decided to bring an extra bottle of water, 'cuz bonking at a Roubaix is about as fun as carnal relations with This.

We woke up early and zoomed over to St. Francisville in our rock racing-esque SUV. We got to the hotel and registered. right by the registration tables was a course map with a lovely elevation profile that resembled tiger woods taking a lie detector test about his business trips.

The air was a bit cold and clammy and we spent about an hour debating wardrobe selection. I decided to be a little cold at the start and go short sleeves. it would later warm up to the mid-60's range, so it was a good call. After pinning on the number and slathering on a metric ton of Sportique, we were ready to go.

the first twenty miles of the race are relatively tame. our pack of about 60 cat 4's rode in a rather un-excited fashion. My biggest priority of the first 25 miles of the race was to initiate a tinkle-stop before the first dirt section. It's long been speculated that i have the bladder of a newborn infant, and I didn't want that to be an issue later on in the race. Tim and I informed the field we should take a pee break, and a few along with us pulled off to whizz. the rest of the field, though, kept going. after about 5 minutes of riding at threshold, I finally caught back on. Hilariously enough, that's when THE REST OF THE @#$!% FIELD DECIDED TO STOP FOR A BREAK. not being one to waste energy (lazy) I was a bit riled up. Tim calmed me down and we kept going.

photo by Allen Richard

The first unpaved section was around mile 25 and is an 8 mile-long, sandy, pebbly mess. it's also where a violent acceleration happens, and the entire field gets strung out and eventually disintegrates. I would say about 10-15 people rode away from where I was in that dirt section.

I was able to organize a chase group with about 5 or so other riders and we quickly started chasing upon exiting the dirt section. We had 20 mi or so till the next dirt section, and everyone worked together quite nicely. short, sweet pulls were the name of the game.

Mile 65 would mark the start of the really nasty stuff- a short, 15% unpaved climb known as “Big Bertha” awaited us- some members of the group got dropped in the 2nd dirt section, and most were forced to dismount due to a lovely sand pit right in the middle of one of the climbs.

Between the 2nd and 3rd dirt section is a stretch of rolling asphalt- probably about 20 miles long. Last year this was the stretch where i started to hurt. I don’t think i was drinking enough or being disciplined enough about eating. I know- of all people, how could forget when you eat? This year i refilled all my bottles at every feed zone, stuffing water bottles down my jersey like a cuckolded domestique. I also brought along Nuun tablets and made sure to eat something every half hour. up until the last 5 miles of the race i felt great and had no problems staying smooth.

the 3rd and final dirt section comes around mile 80-something and goes on for about 5 miles or so. within that final hilariously bad stretch of road, you’re greeted with short punchy climbs between 10-18% and descents that should be reserved for MTB’ers and CX’ers. Many a dude wiped out or had their tires go pop. This definitely wasn't a good race for tubulars or carbon wheels. I stuck with my Campy Eurus wheels and the never disappointing Vittoria Pave Clincher. Those tires are bulletproof and are without a doubt the best tires for any unpaved road race.

the worst part of the race is most certainly the last road section up to the finish. You’ve just gone through the last unpaved stretch and you and your taint are hoping for a little solace. No way, Jose- while the last 10 miles are technically “paved,” the road is mostly chip seal and littered with potholes that make you wonder if you’re riding through a minefield. At this point all but 3 people in the chase group were actually taking pulls. Myself, a kid from Arkansas, and a dude from Natchez who looked like a bumblebee. I couldn’t tell if the rest of the group was pulling the douche move of waiting to attack at the last bit or if they were truly shattered.

The final stretch to the finish line is quite ugly: about a 500 meter uphill with a dip in the middle. as we turned into the final stretch, Arkansas gave me a nice little leadout and I sprinted my fat ass uphill for half a kilometer. I got a nice gap between me and the other guys who decided to sprint, and churned to the finish line as my legs filled to the brim with lactic acid. Note to self- never sprint for 500 meters uphill ever again. I was about to vomit when I crossed the finish line, but had a good 5 bike lengths from the rest of the guys.

The minute I crossed the line I rolled over to the curb and collapsed on a patch of grass. I started hallucinating and could have sworn I saw an ethereal Phil Collins telling me to head towards the light.

I had no idea what place I came in, and frankly I didn't care. I had finished in about 5 hrs and 13 minutes, and Tim had come in about 3 minutes ahead of me. We drove back to the start and shoved food and beer down our gullets. Everyone had a glazed look in their eyes and they all moved with a drawl that would make a normal Southerner seem like a coked-out NYC I-banker.

once we got the results, I was pretty happy: Tim came in 12th and I nabbed 15th. the first year I raced Rouge I came in 20th. Last year I got 18th. As long as I beat myself year over year I’m happy.

The next day we drove over to New Orleans to reward myself and undo all the good I did by riding 100 miles. Giant gulf oysters and Po’ Boys. Hoo-rah.

Call me a masochist, but there’s no better way to kick off the road season. Once the hardest race is behind you, everything else is a relative cakewalk. This race has also brought back my desire to train. Hell, maybe I’ll try and upgrade to 3 sometime this season. Sometimes, though, It’s just fun being an excitable cat 4.

See you guys in the park.

CJ

2010 Tour of Flanders course review

Well folks, it’s that time of year again. You know; the one where neurotic bike racers, pro and amateur alike, are training maniacally in hopes of spandex-glad glory in the coming months. Hours upon hours are being logged on sweat-stained trainers and freezing, wet roads. Quite a few top pros have their sights set on the incomparable Tour of Flanders on Sunday, April 4^th. This monster of a classic has been going on for 94 years and is one of the most brutal and entertaining races of the season. It’s SUCH a great race to watch that I’m already planning this year’s Tour of Flanders viewing party (details TBA).

To get you all hot and bothered for the upcoming race, my friend Peter Easton of Velo Classic Tours has written up a review of this year’s new course. Details of the course were released this evening in Ghent, so this is hot off the presses.

For those of you who are dying to see the race up close, check out Velo Classic Tours. Their Spring Classic cycling vacations follow the races up close and allow you to experience the cobbles and ‘burgs for yourself. Those going on the Flanders trip can experience the cobbles first hand when they ride in the cyclo-sportif the day before the race. And on race day you’re in for a special treat: VIP access at the start as well as on the infamous Muur climb (see below).

This year’s race promises to have all of the drama and excitement of prior years, which makes me excited as ever for April 4^th to come around. You can be sure that BXL will be packed full of rowdy, 10.5% beer-fueled cycling fans that Sunday!

A Winter Cold Leads to Spring Classics Fever

By Peter Easton

As a dedicated follower of the Spring Classics, each December every effort is made to wade through the constant deluge of meaningless newsflashes to find something, however minute it may be, to catch my attention. Pure speculation does not make for worthwhile reading. Fortunately, amidst the mind-numbing reality of facing a cold New York winter, I didn’t have to search far for something to grasp onto.

While the heavy rain slashed against my window for a second consecutive day, I received an email from my friend at the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad with details on the 2010 Tour of Flanders and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (formerly and still known to me as Het Volk). The course map looked like a first graders art project-complete with numbered and colored triangles. I spent a few minutes staring at the scribble, before the intricacies of the courses rose from the page. For me, the Tour of Flandersis the most beautiful of the Classics. It is the most celebrated of all the Flemish festivals, and no other event creates such an atmosphere, such a popular fervor. Flemish riders say to win, you need heart. If you feel Flanders in your blood, you feel the pain less in your legs.

Every year, while I expect the inclusion of the Koppenberg and the Muur van Geraardsbergen, my excitement is actually muted by this expectation. It is the secrets that lay in the fields, draped across the hillsides, and hidden in village corners that I am connected to, and the decidedly unexpected that makes for excitement. The 94^th Tour of Flanders is 255 kilometers and includes 15 climbs, 9 of which are cobbled and an additional 13.6 kilometers of kasseien- Flemish for cobbles. In 2009, the race was 260.7 kilometers and included 16 climbs (9 cobbled) and covered 21.6 kilometers of cobbles. Sure, less pave is disappointing, but unlike Roubaix, Flanders is not won on the pave, victory comes on the hills, and the ability to conquer them in rapid succession.

This year the race action begins after the Dorp van De Ronde in Desselgem, the ceremonial village of the race that is awarded to a different village each year. First comes the 1800 meter cobbles of Huisepontweg, and the climb of the Den Ast, before heading to Zingem, and then towards Oudenaarde. But this is where the race takes a different twist. Instead of its usual route to the Molenberg, which is sometimes preceded by the Lippenhoevenstraat, Paddestraat and Kerkgate cobbles and then the Wolvenberg, this year’s route skips this processional and heads far to the southwest across the 2000 meter Varentstraat cobbles to the edge of Flanders and Wallonia and the Kluisberg and Knokteberg climbs. It then reconnects to the familiar route from the Oude Kwaremont to the Eikenberg. This includes the Paterberg, Koppenberg, Mariaborrestraat, Steenbeekdries and Taaienberg, and is as beautiful a stretch of road as exists in bike racing. Traditionally, the race will next climb the Boigneberg or Varentberg, before the Haeghoek cobbles, which leads to the Leberg. Sometimes the Steenberg and Foreest climbs are included here, but not since 2005. Instead, following the Eikenberg, the race will head onto the Holleweg cobbles (which is typically ridden at the end of the Kerkgate cobbles, which typically comes after the Molenberg and before the Wolvenberg- got all that?)

From here, the race will follow the narrow undulating roads that criss cross the Flemish Ardennes on the way to the village of Mater, where the riders will cover the first half of the Kerkgate cobbles in the reverse, and slightly downhill direction, enroute to the Molenberg.

The Molenberg traditionally causes a panic in the peloton. The sharp turn to enter the narrow cobble track benefits those who get there first, and penalizes those who don’t. At this point in the race-208 kilometers- it will be even more important to stay at the front, and any correction that is made over the Molenberg may cause a permanent split. At the top of the Molenberg, the race goes right instead of left, twists and climbs past Peter Van Petegem’s house, and enters the Haeghoek cobbles. This is the same approach as the Middelkerke-Zottegem stage of the 3 Days of De Panne.

The village of Brakel is the fourth in a series of important centers that links the race, following Bruges, Desselgem and Oudenaarde, and preceding Geraardsbergen. The Valkenberg was reintroduced in 2005 after an eight year hiatus, sandwiched between the Berendries/Tenbosse duo, which has been paired since 1997. This year, the course will bypass the Valkenberg and the Eikenmolen, which has played into the strengths of Stijn Devolder each of the past two years. This has been replaced with the traditional route through Parike on the way to Geraardsbergen and the Muur, the Bosberg and the final 10 kilometers to Meerbeke.

So what does all this mean? The inclusion of the Kluisberg and Knokteberg before the Oude Kwaremont will loosen the legs before the succession of cobbled climbs. The twist after the Eikenberg is interesting, as it places more significance on the Molenberg, and a faster execution across the Holleweg/Kerkgate cobbles. A flat or mechanical on either of these two sections and it could be too difficult to reconnect. The other major change is the exclusion of the Valkenberg and the Eikenmolen. The combination of climbs provides just the right amount of tricky terrain to keep the pace high and the race interesting. Too many climbs and the middle ones are neutralized. Too few, and the race isn’t hard enough for the top riders to show their strength and force a selection. The finale now places more weight on the Tenbosse, the scene of Johan Museeuw’s blistering attack in 1998. By eliminating the Eikenmolen it places more attention on the race’s centerpiece, the Muur. My guess is we will see a dozen riders enter Geraardsbergen together, and half that will regroup by the Bosberg. Perhaps an attack on the run in to Meerbeke, ala Tafi in 2002 or Boonen in 2005, or we may be treated to a 3-up sprint, like 1999 with Museeuw, Van Petegem and Vandenbroucke.

Thinking about the noise that builds in the village of Geraardsbergen, the crazed excitement of the fans as the first riders appear and the ensuing cheers for any Belgian rider, all helps to motivate me through the following months. As for the promoter’s intention, and the possibilities that it presents, for me, this is speculation well worth thinking about. Next up, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

The Climbs of the 2010 Tour of Flanders

Climb Length Avg. Max Surface

1. Den Ast 450 meters 5% 11% paved

2. Kluisberg 925 meters 7% 14% paved

3. Knokteberg 1260 meters 7% 13% paved

4. Oude Kwaremont 2500 meters 3% 11% cobbles

5. Paterberg 361 meters 12% 20% cobbles

6. Koppenberg 682 meters 9% 22% cobbles

7. Steenbeekdries 700 meters 5% 9% cobbles

8. Taaienberg 530 meters 6% 15% cobbles

9. Eikenberg 1252 meters 5% 9% cobbles

10. Molenberg 462 meters 7% 14% cobbles

11. Leberg 1130 meters 3% 13% paved

12. Berendries 936 meters 7% 12% paved

13. Tenbosse 453 meters 6% 8% paved

14. Muur van Geraardsbergen 1075 meters 9% 20% cobbles

15. Bosberg 986 meters 5% 10% cobbles

Peter Easton has attended the Spring Classics every year since 2003. Catch up with him on the road with Velo Classic Tours and one of his ten itineraries to the Classics www.veloclassic.com

Sachs frameset and CXaraoke this weekend at Southampton

I'm helping my buddy Myles in promoting his race at Southampton this weekend- if this doesnt give you enough reason to go, then you're braindamaged and dont enjoy fun:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 18, 2009

Excitement is building for this weekend's upcoming Double-header in Southampton on November 21-22. The Whitmore's Landscaping Super 'Cross Cup weekend promises to combine awesome amateur and pro-level racing with a great venue. Who will come and win the final race in the chase for the NACT Trophy? Which amateurs will walk away with the MAC trophy and braggin' rights?

Organizers have also put together a few suprises for the racers this weekend. Among those suprises include a raffle with a highly sought-after grand prize. Artisan frame builder and CX padre Richard Sachs is offering a custom CX team frameset to the winner of the raffle this weekend. Sachs frames are THE drool-inducing, sought-after objects of lust and desire on the east coast. Rightfully so, what with the 8 year long wait list and no new orders being taken. But worry not! buy some raffle tickets and get a chance to mount and dismount in style as your slovenly brethren muck around on department store bikes. and don't worry, you wont have to wait 8 years to get the bike if you win (but no whining about how long its taking- if you know anything about these frames you know they're worth the wait).

In other news, the race will be the first race ever to feature CX-araoke! That's right, Karaoke while the race is going on. It's a pretty rad idea, and they know it. You'll get to hear your friends do horrible renditions of whatever ironic Journey/Bon Bovi/Britney Spears/Phil Collins songs that strikes their fancy. To spice things up- anyone that participates in CX-araoke gets an extra raffle ticket in the Sachs drawing!

If you're worried about what to eat while at the race, then relax! Famed Waffle Master Thomas Degeest (owner of the Wafels & Dinges waffle truck) will be there supplying plenty of delicious waffles and Belgian street 'cred. These things are like legalized crack- especially the bacon waffles.

We also figured you might thirsty while you're doing all of that racin' and spectatin', so we invited both Red Bull and Honest Tea to take care of you with free samples everywhere. Oh, and all racers who are pre-reg'd get a free beer. There, we said the magic word- Free beer! that's what's happening here- everyone who signs up for the Super cross cup gets a free beer courtesy of the Southampton Publick house. Featuring fantastic beer brewed on-site, this Pub is going to be home of the after parties. the restaurant will also have a delicious $25 prix fixe menu for all racers.

pre-reg closes today at 6pm: http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=9385

For more information on the race, email promoter Myles Romanow at ilovetoracecross@gmail.com.

For more information on the above sponsors and vendors, check out their websites below:

http://www.richardsachs.com/
http://www.redbull.com
http://www.honestea
http://www.publick.com/
http://www.wafelsanddinges.com

Time to glue the tubulars...

Ah, the hump of the cross season- with a little over a month to go, this season has already been full of epic races and 45 minute stints in the pain cave. After races like Granogue and Gloucester, I can tell you that racing tubulars this season has been a huge plus. And from my observations, its also been full of opportunities for people to roll their tubular tires due to shoddy gluing technique!

Gluing a Tubular CX tire is a bit more involved than gluing a road tire. The tire itself is put under higher tortional stress, and sharp turns with pressures as low as 25 psi practically beg the tubie to let go of its wheel.

I figured this would be a great opportunity to educate people who are interested in gluing CX Tubies the right way. However, since the only experience i have with glue is the huffing i did in high school, I reached out to Gabe Lloyd, co-founder of Echappe Equipment. and look at that, Echappe also happens to be one of our proud sponsors for Staten CX! Consider it a pre-emptive gift (now go pre-reg, already!)

Stretch the tires for at least a day. To do this: Get the cotton tape on the tire wet. Then install the tire on the wheel. Inflate to max pressure and let set overnight. and check out those SWEET wheels from our sponsor Revolution Wheelworks!

Prep the rim for the first time: Clean the rim with Goof-Off or another grease/goo cutter. Some rims also require a light sand (440 or 880 grit). Then apply one coat of Mastik One. Let dry for at least one day.

Once the glue on the rim has dried, install the “Belgian tape”. Start at the valve hole and cover the entire rim, back to the valve hole. Use your thumb to squeegee the tape to the rim bed to make sure it has fully adhered. Let sit for at least an hour to make sure it holds.

Apply at least two coats of Vittoria Mastik One

Inflate the tire to 40psi. Hold it like so, or in a figure 8 to apply glue.

You’ve already applied the tape to the rim at this point. Now remove it.

After you have removed the wax paper from the tape, apply a thin coat of glue to the tape.

Immediately after applying glue to the rim tape, install the tubular. ram that sucker in there Peter North Style!

Insert the valve (huh huh…) and push very hard.

Keeping about 10spi in the tire, use both hands to push the tire evenly around the rim.

Using the clean floor as a block, push until you get to this 6 inch point.

Now lift the wheel into your hips. This allows you to push the tire onto the rim with full force while not using the ground as a block. (Note: Flip-flops are not required for this step)

If you have properly stretched the tire and have pushed hard enough before getting to the 6 inch point, you should be able to grab the tire and pop it

Once installed, inflate to about 30-40psi.

Check to make sure the tire is seated evenly on both sides of the rim.

Spin the wheel in your hands to double check the evenness. The tire may never be 100% even, but you should get it pretty close.

Once the tire has sat for 24-36 hrs, check to make sure the tire is adhered edge to edge all the way around the rim. If it is, you’re ready to ride! Hooray!

Eventually you’ll want to get the tire off. You’ll probably need to use a knife to gently cut the edge of the glue portion. After that, have fun pulling at the damn thing for 20 minutes. ah, the joys of bicycle maintenance…

The Perfect CXtorm

I'm hangin' out in the motel room with Marco right now- after a long, muddy, awesome Day 1 at the Gloucester Gran Prix. We loaded up the Toga! Van yesterday afternoon and headed up to MA. So far the race has been the complete opposite of last year. 2208 was a sunny, gorgeous day with nice, dry conditions. Today was a muddy slopfest that would bring a tear to any Belgian's eye. Being the smartypants that i am, I had forgotten my rain jacket at home. We all ended up going to a fisherman's store where i bought a rainsuit that made me look like the Gordon's Fisherman...

Racing as a cat 3 at Gloucester is an interesting experience; 120+ people were registered, and callups to the front line are by order of registration. Needless to say, pre-reg is a furiously fast endeavor for those who take the race seriously. most of the field fills up in the first 20 minutes. I was a bit lackadaisical in signing up (by 2 hours) and ended up in the 94th spot...




That automatically removes the pressure of the race. You're out to beat your friends and humiliate them by passing then in the mud and on the straight sections. I'm very happy for all of my friends who managed to do that to me. PS-guys, go f*ck yourselves!

Photos by Marco Quezada

The weather for the day was in the 50's and raining. i made sure to bring all of my embrocations, and ended up going with mad alchemy, and tons of it. That stuff is orange, and putting it on makes you look like you just got out of the fake'n'bake booth. that being said, its delightfully greasy and warm, and water beads right off of it. hoooray for spicy grease!

Photos by Marco Quezada

We got to watch the Masters 35+ Men's race right before ours. Watching Roger, Johnny Bold, and the Gotham Guys duke it out on the muddy battlefield is a fun sight. Here's a most excellent shot of a midair collision between Chris Long and some farthead who doesn't know how to handle his bike:

Photos by Marco Quezada

As i lined up in the 20th row back, i knew what to expect; all 125 of us were going to hit the first half of the lap together, including the horrifically steep and muddy run-up. those who had shoes without toespikes were going to hate themselves. This has been my first season running tubulars and i couldn't have been happier with that. i rocked some challenge grifo's with about 35 psi for this race and they were pretty dialed-in. I think i'm going to switch to a Challenge Fango in the back though, as the rear tubular is a bit old and i could always use more traction on the backside...

It's days like today that i love my team's white kits: nothing says "euro," "i'm and idiot," or "i have a great cleaning lady" like wearing a bright white kit o the muddiest of days.

Photos by Marco Quezada

So it goes without saying- the slop was thick, but mostly rideable. I went back and forth trading blows with my friends and crossresults.net nemesises. for ONCE i didn't wipe out! I would also love to take this moment to state that putting those barriers on an uphill incline is a total pain in the ass for those of us who have short hobbit legs.

These muddy races completely sap your energy around the half-way mark; especially when you don't have a clean pit bike to hop on. the mud accumulates and bogs you down (as if i needed to be any heavier)- your back tire frequently slips out when pedaling up inclines, and you're forced to trudge up muddy rises that would otherwise be a piece of cake. Every muscle in your body hurts. you start to lose your finesse as your arms and lower back get fatigued from all the pounding (save your jokes). Somehow, though, it's still some of the most fun you'll have on a bike...

I got pulled a lap early but wasn't lapped- I spent the next few minutes wandering around like an out-of-breath hobo before heading off to get hosed off like the muddy swine the i resemble.



after getting cleaned up and donning the rain gear, i made a b-line to the beer tent. My purpose was two-fold: drink awesome beer and contribute to CX Magazine's live coverage of the Elite Men's race. I was twitterin' so hard i think Lance may have noticed. If you didn't follow the coverage, all you have to know is that Jonathan Page tore everyone a new poopyhole (Lolz). The Kona Mafia (Trebon, Wicks) weren't Present, so Jamie Driscoll, Tim Johnson, and Chris Jones were the only guys even remotely close to him. By remotely close, i mean 1:30 back...

It was also great too see our very own Andrew Crooks hold his own in the elite race. I really think this race benefitted his MTB background- awesome job Andrew! And it goes without saying, but Thanks to Marco for all the awesome shots!



Time for sleep. Day 2 tomorrow! and before you go, here's a photo of Jason Parkin mounting his bike as if it were some crazy-assed sex toy (DAYUM!)