Holy crap. It's November already.
Wasn't it like, August just yesterday?
Well, anyway- Cyclocross has been a little depressing this year. I made the jump to A class, but I'm just getting the royal, double footed, no handed ass kicking treatment. Which is exactly what I hoped for, but it's spread all us former B class guys out all over the field and the actual racing hasn't been as much fun. I tried going back to B for one race but after getting dangerously close to landing on the podium, it felt a little too much like sandbagging. In theory, it's probably where I belong as I had a great fight with 4-5 guys and didn't give an inch. But then again, my current predicament in A is exactly where I was in B a few years ago. No reason to sit still in B when I can try and get a little better in A. But damn, I do miss those epic battles...
The gravel road racing season also ended on a somewhat mediocre note. I felt we had a good showing at the Gentlemen's Ride and the event went great despite the epic flooding in the area that weekend. However, the next weekend at Heck of the North just didn't go so well for me. I just had one of those bad days on the bike. The speed wasn't there most of the time and when it did come, I was often out by myself or making a wrong turn or whatever. Thankfully, it proved to be an good weekend in Duluth in all other regards. The course is great, the fall colors were awesome, and my fellow competitors proved to be the usual excellent crop of folks that enter these things.
Somewhere in there were a few mountain bike races, a couple epic tours, and the usual commuting, training, and trail rides. Some good stories, but unfortunately- a lot of the same. I'm really looking forward to next year. As usual, I've got all kinds of crazy ideas on what I want to do.
But in the meantime, SNOW DAMMIT.
Last winter kind of sucked and ended early. I have never been more ready for winter to kick in. This year, I may just say to hell with racing and ski for fun. The Noquemanon is cool event but I have just terrible luck surrounding it. Cold weather, flat tires, getting sick. Not to mention it's got a huge (and non-refundable or transferable!) entry fee. I may come around in March for the Bear Chase, but I'll be savoring all my weekends out in the backcountry for the foreseeable future.
Wasn't it like, August just yesterday?
Well, anyway- Cyclocross has been a little depressing this year. I made the jump to A class, but I'm just getting the royal, double footed, no handed ass kicking treatment. Which is exactly what I hoped for, but it's spread all us former B class guys out all over the field and the actual racing hasn't been as much fun. I tried going back to B for one race but after getting dangerously close to landing on the podium, it felt a little too much like sandbagging. In theory, it's probably where I belong as I had a great fight with 4-5 guys and didn't give an inch. But then again, my current predicament in A is exactly where I was in B a few years ago. No reason to sit still in B when I can try and get a little better in A. But damn, I do miss those epic battles...
The gravel road racing season also ended on a somewhat mediocre note. I felt we had a good showing at the Gentlemen's Ride and the event went great despite the epic flooding in the area that weekend. However, the next weekend at Heck of the North just didn't go so well for me. I just had one of those bad days on the bike. The speed wasn't there most of the time and when it did come, I was often out by myself or making a wrong turn or whatever. Thankfully, it proved to be an good weekend in Duluth in all other regards. The course is great, the fall colors were awesome, and my fellow competitors proved to be the usual excellent crop of folks that enter these things.
Somewhere in there were a few mountain bike races, a couple epic tours, and the usual commuting, training, and trail rides. Some good stories, but unfortunately- a lot of the same. I'm really looking forward to next year. As usual, I've got all kinds of crazy ideas on what I want to do.
But in the meantime, SNOW DAMMIT.
Last winter kind of sucked and ended early. I have never been more ready for winter to kick in. This year, I may just say to hell with racing and ski for fun. The Noquemanon is cool event but I have just terrible luck surrounding it. Cold weather, flat tires, getting sick. Not to mention it's got a huge (and non-refundable or transferable!) entry fee. I may come around in March for the Bear Chase, but I'll be savoring all my weekends out in the backcountry for the foreseeable future.
Leave a comment