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The Oregon Syndicate (lovingly known as the Pac NW AllStarz) will be posting group rides, discussion notes, team issues, etc on it’s new Facebook Page. The page will hopefully free up space in everyone’s e-mail inbox.

Don’t forget to blog your cyclocross adventures here at www.Crossniacs.com since it’s linked to from numerous CX sources!

Just search “Crossniacs: Pac NW AllStarz” in FB and add your name to the list or post something HTFU-worthy.

-will aka buddhabelly

Well, I made it to the end of the season.  I really had not been training due to the illnesses that I had during the season, but I had to go up to Knoxville for the final race of the series and the season.  We had some dry days finally and I was hoping for some dry course conditions.  BUT we had snow again in Georgia and in Tennesse.  Plus, the temps had dropped again and the ground was frozen.  

I got up at 5:00 am on Saturday to head up I-75.  Actually made it in good time and felt pretty good when I got there.  So, I got ready, registered and hit the course to pre-ride.  The ground was starting to thaw and I figured it would get slippery.  The course was pretty cool with a death spiral in a “bowl” on one end of the course.  But there was also a long (small) uphill climb that was just tough enough to benefit the roadies and put me in pain.  But I still had hopes for a strong finish.  The start went down about 100 yards across a flat field and then had 180 degree turn.   I got a great start and was in third.   The first turn wasn’t too bad during warm ups, but by the time we got started the outer edges were slick as snot.  I was fighting to stay in the top 3 and came in a little hot.  I went a little wide and the slick mud took over and down I went.  So, most of the field passed me.   I fought my way back and actually felt pretty good.  But there was no way to pass all of them back.  I probably passed about 10-12 guys during the rest of the race and finally ended up in 14th.  Then I did the Masters race.  The day brought a first for me.  I rolled a tubie…. I had borrowed an old set of tubulars from my LBS to give them a try.  They are a little heavy, but at least it gave me chance to see what they felt like.  However, since they were old and seldom used, it appears that the glue had dried out.  On the top end of the course there was a long off camber section with a downhill 180 degree turn and then back across the off camber section on the lower half of the hill.  I was almost through the 180 when I rolled it and went flying down the hill.  I ended up calling it quits for the day.  I hung out for awhile to watch the races, then hit a local bike shop and then checked into my hotel to get some rest.

Got up Sunday morning and I was sore.  My legs were sore from a lack of training and my back and neck were sore from the rolled tubie.  I got to the park and tried to get warmed up and get loose.  The course went the opposite direction from Saturday and that made it tougher.  On Saturday the climb was on pavement and then back down through the death spiral.  Sunday, the climb was up the soft ground through the the sprial and then back down the pavement.  It made the spiral slower and tougher and made the pavement section very sketchy.  Quite a few crashes at the bottom of the pavement section.  They had a prime for the first full lap so I went out hot.  I actually had a decent start.  I was about 3rd out of the first 5 guys.  I stayed with them for the first half lap and back into the spiral the second time heading for the first full lap.  But 2 of the guys pulled away.  So, I was stuck in a group of about 5 with the two leaders up in front.  I thought I could still pull a decent finish, but a little over halfway I had not moved up and I was starting to feel the pain from Saturday.  So, I had to just hang on as long as I could, but I started dropping back.  I ended up a couple of spots better than Saturday.  I didn’t do a second race since the legs were already toast.  But it was still a fun weekend. 

I enjoy doing the cx races in Knoxville.  I have to give a shout out to the TVB/Tomato Head team.  They were rocking all weekend:  guy in our race thought it was the bikini class (and both the top and bottom were at least 1 size too small); they were doing chicken wing and beer handups in the death spiral.  They were also cooking eggs and just generally having a good time.  I also appreciate the fact that I had some guys cheering me on.  They recognized the Crossniacs Kit and remembered me from some of the other races so they cheered me on.  All in all the season was disappointing but still fun.  I also feel like my skills showed some improvement this year.  I know I started the season about 30 pounds over weight and out of shape, and I stayed that way.  But I still had some good races and some good parts to some races.  There were several races this year where I stayed with the leaders for a good portion of the race before my lack of fitness showed up.  So, I think it bodes well for my improvement.  Now, I just need to make sure that I get some decent fitness during the summer and then up the intensity to match with the start of THE REAL SEASON.  I’m already looking forward to next season.  I’m also stoked to be a part of the Crossniacs for the full season starting in the fal of 2010.  I’m hoping I can finally lose this weight and start the season strong.  Long live CX!

Talk to ya’ll later.

DS

The Oregon posse Crosniacs, aka the PacNW Allstarz have been looking in to getting a tent for the upcoming cross season. I have been working with a few different vendors and this is what we have come up with so far. Let me know what you guys think. Also, if any of you fellow Crossniacs know anyone on the inside that could possibly get us a price break let me know.

HTFU,

Frosty

PacNW AllStarz

Today was the big NW Trails Alliance swap meet in Portland. It’s the biggest and best one Portland puts on. The space was donated by Sandbox Studio which made it possible for over 70 vendors to sell their wares/product in the converted warehouse space.

Jordan Frasier, Brian Johnson, Guy Smith & new recruit Jason Moon came out to man the booth. Jordan was there 2 hrs prior to opening & manned the table 100% of time for 5 hours! Guy’s daughter had a fantastic sign made for us and we proudly displayed it.

Frosty & Smitty in the booth

Everyone had the option of selling stuff for their own profit but the bulk of the selling was fund-raising for the Oregon Syndicate. Frosty’s accounting classes are paying off as he kept an accurate count of what was sold & for how much. Altogether, the Pac NW AllStarz made $415. The money will be used towards Oregon team dues, a tent, t-shirts, etc. It’s a great accomplishment seeing as how we didn’t sell a full bike & nothing for over $50.

working at Performance pays off!

If you’re wondering what I was doing, I ended up managing the event so I was busy running around making vendors happy, taking out the trash, unplugging toilets, delegating tasks, etc.

Upcoming Events:

• Oregon Syndicate team meeting on Saturday, 3/20 or Sunday, 3/21

-will aka buddhabelly