FYI for Cross Lovers

Heading to Nationals in January?
Heading to Louisville in February?
Need some motivation or just want to watch the worlds best go at it?

Here's a link for most of the Euro races from across the pond.
< I also added a link on the side bar.
They're full coverage with women's highlights and in order from most recent on back.

http://www.youtube.com/user/realcrossjunkie?feature=watch

If you've been watching then you know how great the racing has been. Nys, Albert, Pauwels and even Stybar has been looking strong over the last few races.

Enjoy.

American's are Pussies.

Louisville looks easy compared to these. Enjoy and I hope America's ready!

Druivnencross Overijse December 9th

Leuven December 16th

Sometimes Monkey's are Useful.

CX State Championships 2013......Best One Yet!

Having done a pre ride on Saturday and knowing a couple guys were dropping down, my expectations for 'wood' at Sunday's race were becoming unlikely.  The course was great and the venue very spectator friendly.  The sweeping turns, power zapping sand and long grass sections made for some fun racing and suited others better than me.  I typically do better on a more technical course. But this Sunday I was feeling great. I was both mentally and physically ready and wasn't going down without a fight.

Sitting on the line I felt anxious but comfortable. There were only 9 of use and all but 1 was on the front row so no great advantage off the start. Whistle blows and it takes an extra second to get clipped in and that puts be in the back of the group. We're all moving well and no gaps are forming. Lap 1, then 2 go by and still we are mostly together.  I'm not worried because there are plenty of places to pass, but I am worried about bobbles in the sand or a crash. At that's what happens toward the end of lap 3 or 4? while leading the group, Alex's front wheel slides out on a sweeping right hander and everyone knows this is the time to GO!

Steve gets around first and is charging.  Pete Thompson and I are next followed by Andy Weir, Osgood and Ron (I think). With still half the race to go and sitting in 3rd I was shitting my pants!  I've never raced with Pete and wasn't sure how he raced. Andy and Osgood were not far behind and 9.5 out of 10 days they are faster.  Early plan is to hang on to Pete and see how things go.

Lap 5 comes and goes and I'm still holding my own. I actually feel good and am thinking when I can put in an attack. I can still see Andy and Osgood around the turns and am judging if I'm loosing or gaining ground. The gaps seem steady or growing slightly so attention goes back to Pete. Then on lap 6 (I think) Pete goes down, in front of me, in the back pines and I try and gap. I didn't get great traction but thought it might work.  It didn't. He was quickly back on and I was leading the way. Laps 7 and 8 were spent going back and forth. I would attack and Pete would not let me go. He would come around and I would ride his wheel and wait. I would go again and he would react and stay close. Midway through lap 8 he pulls beside me and asks, 'Is this the bell lap?'I reply that I don't know. he takes the lead and around we go into the final bell.

Final lap and I'm staying pinned to his wheel, hoping for a mistake. I'm still feeling strong but I'm not sure about him.  Heading up the slick climb on the back side he puts in a small surge, then around the pavilion he stands and goes hard again. I'm able to react and still have a chance. Heading up the final climb towards the barriers he has a 6-8 bike length lead that I was able to close in half. He's over the barriers first and sprinting.  We hit the final turn and he as 4-5 bikes on me. He is on the gas first and before I can complete the turn he has another 20ft.  I stand and sprint but am not gaining ground. 10-15 strokes in I sit up and coast in.

Looking back I made a tactical error. Still took 3rd and made it on the wood, so I'm very happy about that.
Not sure if my season is over. Might take a trip over to Chicago in early January.
Thanks to everyone who cheered me on. It was very motivating and helped a lot.

Great racing by Pete Thompson. Thanks Alex, Andy and Osgood for making these last several races a blast.

Congratulations to-
 B's 39u guys: Big Mac, Lako and Jim Goerlich. Great racing and season guys.
Mstrs 45+: DC and Scott Fab for staying strong all season.
Elite's: Weinert, Sven, Mark P sorry I couldn't have seen more racing by you guys put it down. Good luck at Nationals and Worlds.
Ladies: Queen Anne and Kelly P - Way to go!

Thanks to Tailwinds for giving us some great races this year. Change is good and some lessons learned I think.

Michigan Scene: I appreciate what you do for the sport of cycling and the perspectives you bring. Keep it going and speak your mind. Haters will hate but the true will always love.

Love and Respect to All.
Cycling is what I do. Not who I am.
JMAK

CX States Championship - Michigan's Last Dance

In a little over 24 hours from now I will pull up to the line for my final race of 2012. TheMichigan Cyclocross State Championships at Addison Oaks. I've had  a great time racing with everyone in the Masters 35+ and wish you all 'Good Luck' tomorrow. (Alex Monte-Sano, John Osgood, Andy Weir, Shawn Schaffert, Mark Caffyn, Ron Stack, Andy Fedewo, Dan Bannink and Brian Wachlarz)

Many have written me off, others have given support and a few praise.  I have no regrets and I know what I'm capable. I will not stop coming tomorrow. I will not lay down. For those who were there, last Sunday will seem easy. I will NOT go gentle into that good night.......... 

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, 

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I Respect you ALL but someone has to Win and claim the top step. Not saying it's me, but I believe I have a good a shot as any. So let's put on those dancing shoes and step out one more time for the Last Dance.

I'm not bringing a knife to this weekends fight......

Put on psy-war-op. Make it loud. This is a Romeo Foxtrot. Shall we dance?

GET READY BOYS!