The 6 race MFG series concluded with the Woodland Park GP and, as reported by Joey in CX Mag, “cold hands, colder winds and harsh heckles made the final race that much better”. Situated within the woods to the east of Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington, the course had features upon features: lengthy gravel sections, sticky off camber turns, single and double track course routing through trees, a set of barriers by the tennis courts, and a run-up consisting of a set of wooden stairs followed by a large log placed across the run-up, this course had something to challenge everyone. The entire day was action-packed with pain, jeers, broken bikes and memorable crashes, but the place to be was the stair / log run-up. It was a party for both spectators and the racers. The Cat 4 Masters 35, 45, 55+ and Cat 4 Women took to the course at 9:30; all 200+ of us, seperated by one minute. It wasn’t long before the faster riders began nipping on the heels of the riders in the race ahead… Navigating the already tricky course through traffic made the race even more interesting. 13 toed the line for the Mens Cat 4 55+ race, and almost immeditely a seperation occurred. I rode a steady, incident free race, finishing on the “podium” in third for the first time this season! The result also propelled me into third place in the final Cat 4 55+ standings, a very pleasant end to the series. I have two more races left this year, before my ski patrol duties force me to trade two wheels for two freeheel planks: this Sunday the SCX series race in Tacoma and the State Championships in Arlington on December 4th. Hopefully the Crossniacs colors will shine brightly in both of those races…

- Paul, Edmonds Wa.

Wah

Wah

Exiting team tent row in the gravel. Tricker than it looked!

Barton Park is generally high on most Portland-area racers’ short-list of best venues. A fast course with two make-you-cry run-ups that evolve for the worse (devolve?) with each successive race of the day.

I’m in the Master B’s and there’s three races ahead of me. By the time I get to the course, there’s already been three races and it looks like horses have been galloping up the inclines.

But what really makes Barton Park a red-letter day on the race calendar is it’s tendency to turn into a mud-bog at the slightest hint of precipitation. The week prior to Sunday’s race saw lots of rain and the forecast called for it to continue through Sunday. Yipee. There couldn’t have been more anticipation if Christmas had been approaching.

However, the rain stopped Saturday afternoon and we had the sun shining down on us by 8AM Sunday. It was still cold, barely 40, and there were a few decent mud puddles here and there and the course was nice and tacky. So all was not lost.

I had just installed GORE Ride-On sealed brake cables on my bike and they performed as advertised. Previously there had been significant drag in the rear brake cable, but the GORE cables were ultra-slippery. So much so that I had to turn down the spring tension on my Paul cantilever brakes.

I had a good warm-up on the trainer and by the time my start rolled around I felt ready to go. However, once I got out on the course… all the strength seemed to have evaporated from my body and my quads felt like they might cramp at any moment. Little did I know that this was just the opening shot in an ongoing battle with that particularly shitty little virus, influenza.

Here it is over a week later. I’ve missed the last Cross Crusade race. So that put me for a grand total of three out of eight total Crusade races this season. There’s another couple of smaller races coming up — including the Kruger’s Crossing this weekend — and my ability to do anything in those races besides merely turn the pedals is looking pretty iffy. But hey, that’s the flu, right?

Super stoked to try the Limus in the mud of Portland

Challenge has been an amazing sponsor to the Crossniacs

Cross is a heart breaker.. I’ve been coming into form and could feel it yesterday doing can-openers to get ready for today’s Cross Crusade. I just felt fast yesterday. Today was the Portland International Raceway race. This is the same course as the USGP the past 2 years. It doesn’t really suit me since it is super muddy and not open or hard enough for true fitness to shine. But..I was feeling fast

The start was crucial as we went from road to dirt rapidly. I got a great start and was 4th wheel and the race was on. We hit the mud and I lost a few spots but held on and continued to feel “fast”.. but then I went down in a slick corner and my brake started to rub. Shit! I was way to far from the pit to grab a quick change and I couldn’t get it to start..1,2,3…10+ riders kept coming by. Finally made it to the pits but my race was over at that point and I just made it a good workout.

Oh well..there is always another race. Cross Crusades have been my Achilles heel this year. I can’t seem to put one together.. and unforutanely today was the last one of the season.

Wah