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US Cyclocross National Championships
10 December 2004
Report by: J Juelis
This isn’t quite a good story yet, but I thought I would expand on Barry's blurb on the
web page a bit. Let me say this, i have seen the next level and i am not ready. The course
was brutal and I so wanted to do well. Normally I enjoy a good mudder of a race- heck
throw in a few run-ups and I’m as happy as can be. There are few things better than
suffering with friends and strangers. If only I could have rode a whole lap...
I talked with Galen Erickson’s fiancé, Marcia Jenson before registering. She mentioned
that if you wanted to compete you need a pit crew of three and a second bike. I shrugged
this silly notion off telling her I just wanted to finish. Oh how I jinxed myself. Leo
and I walked the course and watched the action in the pits. The course was cool but the
pits….Crazy. I have never seen anything like it. Bikes coming in, getting hosed off,
lubed, and set up for the next lap. I was in way over my head. Of course I think while
I was spazzing out prior to the race in the parking lot Gina Hall almost rode me down—mercy
killing?
I warmed up next to a man and woman who might be sponsored by Kelly bikes. They drove up
from lower California. Nice folks, he was using the 35-39 race as a warm up for the elite
race. I think there was an article about her in Mountain Bike magazine a few years ago.
Leo was laughing about the fellows sponsored by the makers of EPO. Seeing them warm up on
sweet bikes next their old pick-up should have raised more flags. Always watch the guys
who drive cars that cost less than their bikes--they are serious racers who always work
the pace. Coincidently, Team Amgen scored a bunch of top 5 placings in various races.
And so it begins….the staging area was 10 rows deep 45 minutes before the race started
with people on their trainers. Of the 97 people in the race, I was probably not the only
one who didn't belong there. The pace after an initial pause jumped fast, and soon we
went from pavement to gravel to mud. I was so caught up in the chaos, that I didn’t notice
that my sidewall blew (never read articles about tire pressure the morning of a race).
That’s when things went screwy for me. My wheels seemed to revolt, unwilling to turn.
The mud was ankle deep throughout and in places looked like a sea of baby poop. I was
amazed. So much easier to run but I tried to pedal on my rim. I took to running through
the poop. Being in last place after the one other master c rider cut me off sucked, but
he apologized. Nothing you can do when the mud wills it. I passed a guy from Second
Ascent (master a) on a run-up but by then I knew my tire was blown so it didn’t last long.
To have pros mingling about ringing their cowbells—you end up listening to the voice that
tells you to keep going not the one that reminds of warm clothes and beer in the truck.
Ann Knapp was on the course, rooting people on. Granted she was there for her friends,
but how cool is it have one of the best riders in the world cheering us randoms on as well.
By the time I finally made it to the pits, Leo dug through all the mud and worked my spare
wheel on, and I tried to decide if i was going to puke or hack up a lung. Leo and I had a
great time despite my poor showing . Although, giving him the flask before 10am might not
have been the best idea...it did keep him warm and helped him deal with me all day (so
it wasn’t the worst idea either). In the end we got some time to talk, plan for next year,
and got some good sammiches in Portland.
That was the hardest 4 minutes of pedaling I’ve ever done. It was a cool experience watching
the pit-crews work, having a place to wash your bike, or hose yourself off after the race is
beyond comprehension! It was really cool that the pros and posers are all out there pedaling
about together. I have to say that the cross community is a good group to spend time with
if you get a chance. I can't wait to see what a world cup race looks like. Heck, I can’t
wait for next season and my bike is not even cleaned up from this season yet.
Thanks for everyone's support all season. Leo, thanks for hanging out with me, helping me
get ready, and dealing with my tantrums. A big thanks to the team and our sponsors who coughed
up the cash so this could happen. I’ll do better next year. To everyone who got up at the
ass-crack of dawn in foul weather to come to races and yell things at me—thanks.
Next season starts in 9 months. Be ready.
Pictures coming soon.
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