Yesterday (9/5/2011), Andie, Chunman, MegGs, Cowbell Boy, and I journeyed to Milton for the season’s first Cyclocross race. I competed in the Masters Cat 4 55+ group. Our race was commingled with the rest of the Cat 4 Masters, each group going starting in 30 sec intervals, for the 4 lap, ~30 minute race over a grassy, twisty, undulating circuit. The course was rutted in lots of places, especially in and out of the turns, which made for lots of bike handling fun. The course also cut back on itself, with sharp twists and turns, kinda like a corkscrew or a death spiral, before it headed downhill to the start finish area. There were 12 in my category, although with the three Cat 4 Masters races (35+, 45+, and 55+) on the course at the same time once, there were ~ 100 riders in motion going round and round. The weather was gorgeous; my cheering section was vocal; and my bike (Mr Ridley) performed well. I finished 5th, with a pretty reasonable time, running about 30 seconds a lap slower than the person who won my category and ~ a minute slower per lap than the person who won the 35+ group. Good start to the season! Andie and MegGs have posted pictures on FaceBook (I have them also posted on my wall, too), so take a peek if you are so inclined. Next race will be on Sept 18 (I am missing the race on 9/11 for a very special occasion – MegGs wedding weekend!!!), and from then on I will be racing just about every weekend until the season ends in early December. The dry, dusty, firm, and sunny conditions were wonderful. H’ever, this is cross and I know that rain, wet, sloppy, muddy and epic conditions lie ahead… maybe just not for a couple more weeks….

Paul Gissing, Edmonds, WA