Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Boulevard Cup
I went down to KC last weekend and raced in the Boulevard Cup. If you're thinking about trying cross and go out of town, that's an excellent race, as it's well organized, and has free beer--Boulevard is a sponsor, after all--and food. We had great weather. I competed in the master 45+ race which was combined with 35+ and 55+. A group of five got a great start and opened up a gap in the first lap. I got trapped behind some slower people, so had to work hard to get up to a faster group (not the top five, however). I opened a small gap between me and some chasers, but they worked together to catch me. Five of us stayed within 5 seconds of each other until the last lap. I made a move to escape from the others, really pushing it in corners and any uphill sections. I dropped three of them, but the fourth stayed on my wheel, and outsprinted me for 3rd in the 45+, so I ended up 4th. Would have been nice to make the podium in this race, but the result is still pretty satisfying.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
The Other Side
To actually work a race is to know how a race is run. It is conducted to ensure a positive and successful event. I am excited to say I was a part of the Swanson Cross Race on Saturday, Oct. 4th.
Upon arrival at 8:15am I observed Blaine the X-treme Wheels person (the man with the knarly one-eyed pirate dog - "AYYY Matey!"), and Randy (who I still haven't recognized by now, so I stayed in my car) who were setting up cones and crime tape; I was already feeling left out.
Fred arrived and Randy gave us instructions what to do. Fred was super apologetic; for it had been a year since he's last helped put on a race, but what did I know? Not much, except that the car that Fred stuck Randy's keys into was not Randy's car. It wasn't Fred's fault, Randy said all the stuff was in his car, the green one.
Right then and there I knew I, Speed Queen, the Design and Color Connoisseur, was going to be of help, because there wasn't a dang green car in the whole parking lot (and that is one small lot).
We got to set up the amps and speakers, er, Fred got hook it up, but I did set one tripod up and popped a speaker on the top. I felt like partying now, nice! No, not yet, we needed gas for the generator. The generator?
Umm, yeah I can go get gas Randy( and believe me I don't know if I'll be back on time for the race). I almost had to get gas in order to get the gas: I already used alot trying to find Swanson and went passed Capehart Road, at 7:45 am.
Okay, here come some people, it looks like they want to race,but wait- no one arrives in their team kits, they all have to change somewhere. I'm pretty sure I was glad to be under a tent and behind a table. And a BIG THANKS to Pete's wife, C.K., for wanting a mate for me and screened the potential regestries for me. C.K., you rock!!
The most frequently asked question: "Does anyone 'got' a hammer?" That's it. I'm not going to speculate on this one ("...why sure I do, right next to that handy wrench I also keep back there, and it's sooo handy..").
Categories: Okay, if you're and old guy, you COULD be a Master. If you're 35+, you MAY be a Cat 4. If you're a 1-2-3, you can do anything you want, because you're actually a +35, +40,+45. If your license says you're a 2, you'll probably race as a 4, because you really wouldn't want to challenge yourself that much now would you?
Oh, and if you're a woman, there just isn't going to BE so many categories to even GET to qualify at podium level, so just pick your prize and go read your results, the last ones to be posted. Umm, yeah.
But I love biking. The race was hard for me: I had to sit still. I had to be talkative. I had to stay put at that table pretty much. But I did good (not to mention the fact my pants split under the right glute cheek and wrapped my jacket around the waist for the rest of the time). I wanted to try out the course. I was going nuts. And this volunteering stuff was starting to feel beneficial.
I put my energy to good use to help others launch an awesome race, and it was worth every smiling, fatigued race face I saw, I loved them ALL! God Bless you and your awesome human engines you have nurtured so wisely...
bike trivia - (the answer is backward)
Q: What was Robby McCuen's nickname?
A: tekcoR tekcoP ehT
o-o~ Speed Queen
Upon arrival at 8:15am I observed Blaine the X-treme Wheels person (the man with the knarly one-eyed pirate dog - "AYYY Matey!"), and Randy (who I still haven't recognized by now, so I stayed in my car) who were setting up cones and crime tape; I was already feeling left out.
Fred arrived and Randy gave us instructions what to do. Fred was super apologetic; for it had been a year since he's last helped put on a race, but what did I know? Not much, except that the car that Fred stuck Randy's keys into was not Randy's car. It wasn't Fred's fault, Randy said all the stuff was in his car, the green one.
Right then and there I knew I, Speed Queen, the Design and Color Connoisseur, was going to be of help, because there wasn't a dang green car in the whole parking lot (and that is one small lot).
We got to set up the amps and speakers, er, Fred got hook it up, but I did set one tripod up and popped a speaker on the top. I felt like partying now, nice! No, not yet, we needed gas for the generator. The generator?
Umm, yeah I can go get gas Randy( and believe me I don't know if I'll be back on time for the race). I almost had to get gas in order to get the gas: I already used alot trying to find Swanson and went passed Capehart Road, at 7:45 am.
Okay, here come some people, it looks like they want to race,but wait- no one arrives in their team kits, they all have to change somewhere. I'm pretty sure I was glad to be under a tent and behind a table. And a BIG THANKS to Pete's wife, C.K., for wanting a mate for me and screened the potential regestries for me. C.K., you rock!!
The most frequently asked question: "Does anyone 'got' a hammer?" That's it. I'm not going to speculate on this one ("...why sure I do, right next to that handy wrench I also keep back there, and it's sooo handy..").
Categories: Okay, if you're and old guy, you COULD be a Master. If you're 35+, you MAY be a Cat 4. If you're a 1-2-3, you can do anything you want, because you're actually a +35, +40,+45. If your license says you're a 2, you'll probably race as a 4, because you really wouldn't want to challenge yourself that much now would you?
Oh, and if you're a woman, there just isn't going to BE so many categories to even GET to qualify at podium level, so just pick your prize and go read your results, the last ones to be posted. Umm, yeah.
But I love biking. The race was hard for me: I had to sit still. I had to be talkative. I had to stay put at that table pretty much. But I did good (not to mention the fact my pants split under the right glute cheek and wrapped my jacket around the waist for the rest of the time). I wanted to try out the course. I was going nuts. And this volunteering stuff was starting to feel beneficial.
I put my energy to good use to help others launch an awesome race, and it was worth every smiling, fatigued race face I saw, I loved them ALL! God Bless you and your awesome human engines you have nurtured so wisely...
bike trivia - (the answer is backward)
Q: What was Robby McCuen's nickname?
A: tekcoR tekcoP ehT
o-o~ Speed Queen
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