A (mostly) electronic newsletter from Velo City Cycles

June 2008

Howdy!

“Summer time and the living is easy”……..at least in part ‘cuz the weather’s great and so is the riding around these parts! As we roll into summer there’s tons of cool stuff going on all around us cycling-wise and here’s the stuff that we thought you might want to know about:

WELCOME HAZEL BERNICE AND CONGRATS TO TED, SARAH AND SOPHIE! Yep, the local population explosion just keeps on keepin’ on as May 24th saw the long-awaited addition to our Service Manager’s family. Hazel and everyone else are doin’ fine and Ted hopes that you’ll understand if he’s just a little harder to run across around the shop these days. (Fear not – he’ll be here plenty and your bike(s) are in good hands!)

THE TUESDAY NIGHT RIDE ROLLS ON! We’ve been enjoying big turn-outs for the ‘TNR” and everyone seems to be diggin’ the slightly altered format. Remember – the “Mild” and “Medium” groups will always be lead by a Velo-Citizen to make sure that everyone has fun and no one gets lost or left behind. The Mild group will travel at whatever average speed is required to keep the group all together so if your agenda calls for a certain level of work-out that night….you might wanna opt for the Medium group – which usually averages 18-19 mph. There is quite often a “Hot” group as well that goes off the front of the “Medium” group for a few more miles @ a faster pace. There may or may not be a Velo-Citizen in that group but they tend to be pretty self-sufficient.

All 3 groups roll @ 6:00pm and the last Tuesday of each month is Pizza Night back @ the shop.

>>>>Note: Due to the lack of interest we do not plan to offer the Time Trial Option for June at this time. Let MC know if that bums you out and we’ll see, okay?

THE SPRINT RIDE rolls @ 8:00am every Saturday for a zippy 25 miles. The group sprints for stop-ahead signs as it heads down towards Saugatuck and back. Speeds are quite often fairly high but the peloton re-groups after each sprint (at least on the South-bound leg) and it’s a great way to test your fitness and see if you are ready for the Grattan Race Series or other events. This is the only V.C.C. ride in which the “gloves are off” so to speak and that’s due to the fact that this ride pre-dates the shop by at least 20 years! (You don’t mess w/ tradition, right?)

MORNING RIDES! MORNING RIDES! Join us for pre-work rides @ 8:30 on Thursdays and Fridays. Thursday is the “Recovery Ride”….designed to give tired legs an easy spin. We might go just a little harder on Friday but neither of them are hammerfests! Bagels @ The Good Earth afterwards? But of course!

MACATAWA CYCLING CLUB MEETING ON 6/3! Join the members of the MCC @ 8:00pm over @ New Holland for a presentation from Leigh Sears PhD. She’s a prof in Hope’s Department of Kinesiology and the coach of the Women’s Soccer Team. She’ll be discussing basic nutrition for cyclists and athletes w/ a focus on carb and protein needs before, during and after competition and/or training. You do not nee to be a member of the club to attend! They will also be discussing the upcoming Holland Hundred Tour and various other local bike-happenings. More info @ www.macatawacyclingclub.org

(Speaking of the MCC…their Monday Night Ride is rockin’ and rollin’. Read about it on the website.)

STILL OPENINGS TO JOIN VELO VENTURES FOR THE ONE DAY RIDE ACROSS MICHIGAN! “ODRAM” happens on 9/6 and we’ll be there! The ride is great – 156 miles from Montague to Bay City – and by goin’ along w/ us the hassle-factor goes way down. We’ll get you to the start, offer a regular sag and food service throughout the ride, feed you dinner @ the end and bring you back to Holland in a chartered bus…all for $125! As of this writing almost half of the 25 spots are taken…..don’t wait too long!

LOCAL GROUP PROMOTING BIKE-TRAVEL VIA THE FIRST-EVER “GREEN COMMUTE EDUCATIONAL FORUM”! MC has been involved in the planning of Holland’s own “Ride to Work Week” designed by the Macatawa Area Co-Ordinating Council and other interested parties to promote more area bike travel. How cool would that be, huh? The Forum will be on Wed 6/25 from 7-9pm. There will be presentations on the legal, safety and equipment aspects of bike travel as well as a chance to ask questions, see gear and talk to some of the area’s most dedicated cyclo-commuters. Don’t miss it! (More info available soon!)

SPEAKING OF GREEN TRAVEL…….and separate from the MACC’s efforts…St.Francis de Sales Church in Holland is planning a “Blessing of all Green Modes of Travel” event on 6/14! It takes place @ the church (195 W.13th) @ 3:00pm. Whether your preferred mode of travel is bike, skateboard, stroller or what they usta call the “Marrowbone Express” (your feet) go down and receive a blessing. They ask that you bring a nonperishable food item and you can call Carol @ 616-392-4434 for more info.

OTHER COOL RIDES/RACES/EVENTS FOR JUNE:

6/7 - Lake Mac Triathlon

6/7 – 100 Grand Tour

6/7 – Cannonsburg Trail Clean Up

6/8 – Tour of Cedar Creek Road Race

6/14 – Lumberjack 100 ATB Race

6/14/15 – 24 Hour Challenge

6/21 – Tour de Cure

6/21 – 8 Hours of Cannonsburg ATB race

6/23 – “Leadership Ride” to promote green travel

6/25 – Ed. Forum for Bike Commuting

Info on these and many other events available at the shop!

Man! It’s a great time to be a cyclist around here!

So…as usual there’s a lot going on in the shop, in the area and in your local cycling community. Be sure that you grab ahold and get your fill, okay? We’d love it if you stopped by to say hello and check out some of the cool bike stuff that we’re excited about and you could always join us for a ride, y’know?

“Consider a person riding a bicycle. Whoever they are, we can say 3 things about them. We know that they got on the bicycle and started to move. We know that at some point they will stop and get off. Most important of all, we know that if at any time they stop moving and does not get off the bicycle they will fall off it. That is a metaphor for the journey through life of any living thing.”

William Golding

See you out there. Thanks for reading and riding!

Ted, Da’ve, Greg, Kelly, Sandy, Matt, Berger, Aaron, Alex, Tom & MC

WEEKLY RIDES FROM THE SHOP!: At this point we have the full menu of shop rides going and you are invited to join us. The pace varies from ride to ride but the point is to have fun and get some miles in so if that sounds good to you…check it out -

The Tuesday Night Ride is the biggest of the week. We have 30-60 riders gather here for a fun road ride. We have three groups so there’s a pace for everyone. The “Mild” group is for folks that are cool w/ going at whatever pace is required to keep the group together…usually 15-16 mph average. The “Medium” group is an athletic ride for people comfy in a pace line but who aren’t looking for a max workout. The average pace is more like 18-19mph. The “Hot” group is for anyone that thinks the other 2 groups won’t be a good enough workout. Members of the VCC staff lead the “medium” and “Mild” groups and the distance varies from 20-25 miles as a rule. We assume the riders in the “Hot” group will be okay w/out a ride leader so they are on their own. All 3 groups are expected to follow all road rules and laws at all times. The last Tuesday of every month is Pizza Night back @ the shop.

The Thursday Morning Recovery Ride is a great way to spin those tired legs out. We roll @ 8:30 for 20-ish miles at a moderate pace ( 18 or so) and then usually hit the bagel shop. Speakin’ of bagels……

The Friday Morning Bagel Ride rolls @ 8:30 as well. Similar distance, maybe a bit faster, maybe not and then it’s bagel time! Find out why MC is compelled to state (every week!) that “this is a very civilized way to start the day!”

The Saturday Morning Sprint Ride is a local institution that actually pre-dates Velo City by decades. It’s the only ride of the week that we organize where the “gloves are off” so to speak. In other words……it’s a fast ride! We roll @ 8:00 sharp and do a 25 mile loop S.W. of town that features 7-8 stop ahead sign sprints. The pack re-groups after each one. A great way to check your fitness and pack riding skills.

THE MAY FUN-RAISER RIDE IS THE “DESSERT RIDE” ON 5/25! Join us for a 2:00pm roll out and enjoy a 40 mile jaunt through Allegan County’s best! Back at the shop we’ll have WAY more sweets and goodies than we oughta. (That’s okay, yes?) Feel free to bring your favorite munchies or just bring your bike and your appetite! (The Fun-Raiser Ride Series is our monthly slate of rides calculated to raise the local “Fun Level” by combining good rides, good eats and fun folks.) There wil be maps and a 30-ish mile alternate route.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE! www.velo-citycycles.com has undergone a complete face-lift! Check it out and let us know what’cha think (or what you’d like to see us add)!

NEW STUFF! NEW STUFF! There are some new examples of cycling coolness that we’re excited to have for you to check out. We just recieved our shipment of Giro Sunglasses and they are well worth checking out. Designed to fit perfectly under a helmet and w/ some of the models featuring Zeiss optics….they are the “new sheriff in town”! Our clothing department is full-on stocked w/ sweet lycra goodness from Craft, Pearl Izumi, Twin 6, Cannondale, Bellwether & Salsa! Our selection of women’s jerseys has to be one of the largest in the area and we have ton’s of stuff for you dudes as well. Add in our Sidi and Diadora shoes, Lazer and Giro helmets, cycling socks of all colors and styles and the complete selection of V.C.C. t-shirts, jerseys and bibs and….well…..we can get you set up, that’s all we’re sayin’!

BIKE TO WORK! Now……..thet’e no need to talk about gas prices, right? The fact is….even if gas was cheap there would still be lots of reasons to ride to work! May is Bike to Work Month and the week of 5/12-17 is Bike to Work Week. Check out our website for details on a local Bike to Work Contest where you’ll have a chance to track your mileage and maybe win something cool!

“Work to eat / eat to live / live to ride / ride to work”

NEXT MACATAWA CYCLING CLUB MEETING ON 5/6! The local club is working hard to make the area a better place to ride and you might wanna consider becomeing a part of it! The monthly meetings feature informative speakers and are a great way to meet other riders, “tap into the scene” and have some imput on the direction of the club. Meetings are held @ The new Holland Brewery and start @ 8:00pm. This month’s speaker is Mike Jones, a P/T @ Hanneken Full Potential Physical Therapy. Recent and future topics include nutrition, yoga for cyclists, core training and more. (See what you’ve been missing?) Check out their website - www.macatawacyclingclub.org

THE M.C.C. MONDAY NIGHT RIDES START 5/5! One of the biggest projects of the club is the traditional “MNR” and they start this month. Get the details on the site!

RIDE OF SILENCE ON 5/21 This will be the 2nd year that Holland has participated in the R.O.S. The Ride is to honor our fellow riders lost or injured in car/bike accidents. Yet another worthy project of the M.C.C….the details are on their website. (Are you getting the feeling that you need to bookmark their website? Good!)

CRUISE DIRECTOR CRUISIN’ ON……………Our CD Jeff Wert has decided to go back to the food biz from where we lured him away and we wish him well. As of 5/5 you’ll hafta stop by Boatwerks down by Kollen Park to chat him up. (Maybe he can help them w/ their spelling!?) It’s been great having him here and we’re looking forward to the hook-up down on their patio! (Right Jeff?)

NOT TO SOON TO THINK ABOUT JOINING US ON THE ONE DAY RIDE ACROSS MICHIGAN! O.D.R.A.M. was one the the best days of the season in ‘07 and the plan is to makew it bigger and better this year. A Velo Ventures Production, our O.D.R.A.M. package takes care of all the hassles of that fine ride and lets you just relax and ride. the $125 fee gets you transportation from the shop to the start in Montague, sag service across the state, dinner @ the park in Bay City and a ride back to the shop in a comfy chartered bus. We have 25 spots and already 8 of ‘em are taken! (You will need to register for the ride itself seperately)

BIKE SCHOOL CLASSES RESUME AFTER TULIP TIME! Our “Bike School” Seminars are designed for beginning riders to improve their grasp of the Cycling Basics. There is no charge and each “lesson” covers 45 minutes or so. Please share w/ us any topics that you think we should offer. They start @ 6:00pm and here’s the schedule:

5/15- Flat Tires, how to fix ‘em / How to avoid ‘em.

5/22 - Shifting for Success, how to use all those gears!

5/29- A Clean Chain is a Happy Chain.

BIG 2 DAY MS-150 PARTY COMING UP! The MS-150 starts and finishes in Holland this year and as per usual we’ll be stayin’ open late and throwin’ out the Welcome Mat! We’ve teamed up w/ New Holland to offer an Open House for the riders and we’ll have snacks and specials both Fri and Sat and massage therapists here on Saturday night to aid recovery!

LAST CALL BAND RIDES AGAIN! Come on down to the New Holland Brewery on 5/16 and make them feel smart for bookin’ MC’s band. He promises some new tunes and maybe even a surprise guest star!

A BELATED AND YET HEARTFELT WELCOME TO MILES CHAPIN! In our zeal to welcome Sabine Berger and Emma Davison to the world last month we totally overlooked the first entry in the current drive to ensure that there are a bunch of great riders in 15 years or so! Miles joined his folks Scott and Krisanne over the winter and already has a buncha trailer miles! And a more-timely-and-yet-no-less-sincere “Howdy” to Riley Nagelkirk, #2 son of Amanda and Dan!

Okay………that oughta about do it for this edition of the QR. We hope that this note finds you well and excited about a great season of fun on your bike(s)! Please consider joining on us the rides and it’d be great to see you around the shop now and then too!

“I mean, you either love spinning the pedals and watching scenery whiz by or you don’t. And if you love it, not much can sour you on the idea of riding your bike.” (Keith Mills)

What’s next for M.B.W.? Stay tuned!

Category 4 Fit: $50
This is the standard body measuring session to see what frame size(s) would be appropriate, as well as how to set it up to fit your needs. Your time investment is approx 30 minutes, you’ll need to be in riding clothes and you’ll leave with a fit “blueprint” to use for setting your bike up at home. This is also ideal if you are still shopping for a new or used bike.

Category 3 Fit: $75
This takes the Cat 4 fit and applies the results to your new or current bike here at the shop. We’ll generate the blueprint, set your bike up on a trainer, set your saddle height and fore/aft position and help you determine your handlebar angle. Aero bar position is addressed as well. Figure on 45-60 minutes and you’ll need riding clothes and your shoes/pedals. THIS FIT SESSION IS INCLUDED WITH ANY BIKE PURCHASE (or applied to the purchase of a bike within 12 months of the session).

Category 2 Fit” $125
Cat 3 Fit in addition to a Rotational Cleat Alignment. Using the Fit-Kit Rotational Adjustment Devices we can ensure that your knees, ankles and hips receive minimal rotational stress from mis-aligned cleats. (Look and SPD systems only). Time investment is 60-90 minutes and riding clothing, your bike, shoes and pedals are required.

Category 1 Fit: $175
The Big Enchilada! During a Cat 1 Fitting we’ll utilize the Size-Cycle to perfect the design of your custom frame design, perfect your aero position or chase away any other “fit demons” that may be bothering you. You’ll need riding gear, shoes, pedals and your current bike (if applicable) and at least 2 hours.

Note: Any component changes recommended during a Fit Session are additional, as are any installation costs.

]]> http://www.velo-citycycles.com/the-garage/classifieds/feed/ http://www.velo-citycycles.com/events/schedule/ http://www.velo-citycycles.com/events/schedule/#comments Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:26:33 +0000 Mike Clark http://www.dansocie.com/vcc/?p=72 Note - there are no Fun-Raiser Rides scheduled for June or July due to the crowded calendar. Watch this space for impromptu night rides and who know what else! The Fun Raiser Series resumes in August.

Weekly Rides -

The Tuesday Night Ride rolls @ 6:00pm every week. There are 3 groups; Hot, Medium and mild. The Medium & mild grouips are led by at least one member of the staff so no one get’s lost of left behind. (Read more about the T.N.R. in the June Newsletter on the front page.)

The Thursday Morning Recovery Ride happens @ 8:30. The pace is nice and mellow ‘cuz MC’s legs are dead from the previous night’s race and ‘cuz Jan did a killer workout on Wed.

The Friday Morning Bagel Ride rolls @ 8:30 as well. 20-25 miles @ a pace designed to suit all the participants. Then it’s time for bagels @ The Good Earth!

The Saturday Morning Sprint Ride is a tradition that dates back over 20 years! It departs @ 8:00am sharp for a fast 25 miles of sprinting for Stop Ahead signs.

There are lots of other regular rides in the area, the most popular of which are the Macatawa Cycling Club’s Monday Night Ride and Sweet Roll. Check their site for the scoop! (www.macatawacyclingclub.org)

This is a partial list of upcoming rides, races, and events:

6/3 MCC Meeting, Holland

6/7 100 Grand Tour, GR

6/7 Lake Mac Triathlon, Holland

6/7 Trail Day @ Cannonsburg State Game Area, GR

6/8 Tour of Cedar Creek Road Race, Muskegon

6/14 Lumberjack 100 ATB Race, Manistee

6/14 Keith Miller Memorial Tour, Holland/GH

6/14-15 24 Hour Challenge, Middleville

6/21 Tour de Cure, Middleville (Go Middleville!!)

6/21 8 Hours of Cannonsburg ATB Race, GR

6/21 Johann’s Trifest, Hopkins

6/23 “Leadership Ride” to promote commuting, Holland

6/25 Educational Forum on bike commuting, Holland

6/28 State Criterium Championships
For info or website addresses contact mike@velo-citycycles.com

You’ll find plenty of cycling culture here, along with lots of cool stuff. But you won’t find the “bike snobbery” that all too often accompanies fine equipment.

Whether your goal is to ride around the block, through the desert or across the finish line we stand ready able and eager to help you reach your goals. So shop here or stop by our real store when you have a chance.

Who knows…you might discover that our shop oughta be your shop. How cool would that be?!

– Michael Clark, Mayor

I got a new bike today. I think I’m in love. I just met her about a week ago. It’s safe to say that she’s seen better days, but who hasn’t? She has a bit of rust, the paint isn’t great and she needs new tires, but…still…it might be love.

Now, it’d be fair to ask, “Why do you need a 25-year-old road bike when you have that awesome Seven at your command, not to mention the track bike, the ‘cross bike, etc.?” It’s a good question, one my wife, for whom the phrase “long-suffering” was coined, came up with right away. Let’s see if I can do a better job answering it now than I did when she asked:

First, lemme tell you about her. (The bike, not my wife). Rose is a Bianchi Campione dating back to the early ’80’s, I think, with Campy Nuovo Record bits, Modolo brakes, tubys, and painted an unfortunate sort of magenta/rose/pink that has my Service Manager questioning my sexuality again. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!) She came into the shop, needing a new home and she found one with me. She’s just what I was lookin’ for. The fact is, I had a hankerin’ for an old bike. Steel. Lugs. Friction shifters. Sew-ups. A freewheel. Cloth tape. Leather saddle. In other words, the bike of my (cycling) youth. Mid life crisis? Perhaps. I figure I’m about half-way through the big ride, so that’d fit. I don’t think that’s all of it though. The truth is I just wanted something…older. My Seven is a thing of beauty and wonder, and it’s way more bike than I’ll ever deserve, even if I get really fast. (Which I won’t.) But, I’m coming off of a semi-serious injury that has me looking at a different season than those past, and I’m taking a fresh look. No racing for me ’til late summer and lots more sittin’ and spinnin’ than “training.” Who knows? Maybe a break from the grind is just what the doctor ordered.

Now, how does all that justify adding yet another bike to the fleet? Hell if I know. I was hoping maybe you could tell me. Let’s meet at the shop and talk about it while we ride around Hutchins Lake, okay?

I’ll be the guy on the old Bianchi.

(Reprinted with permission from The Ride magazine)

“Did you see that?” I asked. “Don’t people wave around here? Why are they so grouchy?” Most of my rides these days are social and intellectual excursions. A recent spin with my friend Tom Simpson (no, really, that’s his name and he’s not dead) proved most illuminating. We disagree on on everything but remain determined not to be disagreeable. Like most old men, we DO agree on one thing: kids today have no respect for their elders.

“Nobody waves anymore,” said Tom.”It’s all about them and their ride and their time.” This came to light as we approached a hapless cyclist stranded on an interstate overpass. Having punctured, he had fixed the wheel once only to roll 50 feet and flat again. So we took care of this man named Derek, donating our spare tube to the cause, showing him how to change a tube while checking for glass or staples. While we worked, he told us about his group, Team in Training, a wonderful organization that raises funds to find a cure for leukemia. They had a coach and were conducting a rather savage regimen to prep for an upcoming triathlon.

We told him about staying out of the roadside debris. We taught him how to rub such grit off the tire while riding. And we gave him pointers on maintenance and riding. When he offered to pay, we instructed him to pay it forward.

The 3 of us re-mounted and spun over a roadway closed to motor vehicles on Sundays. As soon as we reached that stretch, Derek dumped it into the 53×14, lowered himself onto the tri-bars and pounded away from us. Content to spin easy, Tom and I watched Derek, unable to ride slow, grind up to the horizon. Then came a parade of cyclists-not one of whom waved.

As Derek rolled out of sight, a fit couple in spiffy cycling clothes passed us on titanium bikes. And they didn’t wave or say hi or even notice us doddering old farts who had been riding bikes since the 70’s.

Tom spun contentedly, but I began to seethe as rider after rider ground their way by us. All of them had poor bike fit and even worse form. Knees out; feet flopping about like flippers; elbows locked. They rode on rigs of carbon and titanium. They wore freshly sewn clothing without a smudge or rip. Helmets, shoes, bar tape, power wattage measurement devices, everything new and nothing scuffed or smudged.

I searched for some Buddhist corner in my soul to sort out why my inner asshole had appeared. Why does it bug me when people ride, well…wrong?

As we crested a hill and started to roll down a meandering descent, the couple went into a full tuck. Still in my little chain ring, I pressed against the gear and questioned the wisdom of letting everybody have equal access to watching the Tour de France. ” I just have to stretch my legs.” I said. Tom smiled and nodded. I swept the chain up onto the big ring and stepped on the pedals. I wound up the gear and blurred past the couple in the full tuck. I still had plenty of gear beneath me. I clicked the shifter and dropped the chain 2 more cogs. All that leg speed from spinning a low gear started to emerge.

Five more riders passed as if they were fence posts.

I drew a bead on Derek, grinding through a mammoth gear in the tri-bar position. I surged by him with an advantage of 10 mph. And then I sat up to drift back to Tom. As Derek stomped by me, I winked and said, “Variable leg speed-its’ the key.”

Derek opened up a bashful smile and ground by me again: he wanted to talk but his body followed some tractor beam pulling him up the road. The situation seemed almost alien.

I coasted back to Tom, allowing all the automatons to pass me again. Smiling, Tom rolled up to me, “So, did that make you feel better?” “And how”, I said.

A mile down the road we came to the end of the closed roadway, where some kids were selling lemonade. We pulled up and recognized Derek, who had re-joined his flock to check in before running 2 hours and then returning to ride for 2 more hours. Like a boy enthusiastically introducing strangers he had met to protective parents, Derek showed us off to the apparent captain of the team. “These guys are great! They helped me out and they showed me how to change a tire and look for glass on the inside and they showed me how to ride, like, out of the road debris…”

I sipped lemonade and studied his team captain, a woman with skin pulled tight over a thin, sinewy body clad in athletic apparel. She did not smile during the introduction, which seemed unnatural. She seemed threatened. I saw the chest brace, a clear indication of a broken collarbone. “Wow, what happened?”

No answer.

Derek continued to show us off. “And, and they taught me to like rub my hand on the tire to get glass off, like this…” The “coach” kept one cautious eye on us, another on Dereks’ demonstration. “Ummm, yes, you may do that, being very careful and with a gloved hand.” said the coach, who would neither shake our hand nor give us her name.

So we rolled on to leave Derek and his coach. We finished our ride, chatting the entire time. All those years of racing fast had taught us the fine art of riding slow.

When we entered the sport there were only a handful of gurus from which to learn. We had no electronics. We had fewer gears. We had no heart rate monitors. And we had no cell phones to get our flats fixed. We rode in big groups; old and young, slow and fast, racer and tourist, but we knew how to wait up and get everybody home.

There are legions of new riders entering the culture. They are too often ensnared by coaching Rasputins who teach numbers, charts, watts and calories but have no idea about the basic fundamentals of a fluid spin.

Who leaves a guy stranded with a double flat and calls that coaching? Look at all the books about technique out there. None teach the basic Tao of cycling. Too many people are being led to believe they can simply buy speed. And too few people are simply riding with truly good cyclists, studying the subtleties of their position, thei pedaling and their form to acquire such knowledge.

This does not require money, but patience. Perhaps that’s why so few can pay that price.

My teeth are chattering. Possibly because I’m cold, possibly because there is a chance I will fall off my bike and get run over. Got the sweater on, the full finger gloves, the tights, a warm hat under the helmet. Got my game face on, and I’m standing with 25 other nut-cases at the start line.

What is that guy with the bull-horn saying near the start line? Something about laps…3 laps?

GOOOOOOOoooooo! All the bikes around me are moving…fast. Surprisingly fast.

First little bit okay, breathe, find my rhythm and get comfortable. I’m still near the front after 50 feet. I guess that is a moral victory of sorts. At least I didn’t crash before I crossed the starting line!

I did that practice lap. But I was trying so hard not to fall off my bike that I don’t remember much in the way of course strategy. Man, everyone is making a hard right turn ahead - I should probably slow down to get ready. Too late, crank it around. Back tire got squirrely for a second, but I’m still upright. Need to pick a better line on the next lap.

Right turn has me off the pavement now. On the grass, and a side hill. This is weird, the bike keeps wanting to drift left down the hill. Keep it straight, and keep pedaling damn it. Another right turn coming - no need to slow down this time, the grass is sucking up all the speed I had.

Around the corner and another straight-away on grass. This is easy.

Another right turn and then everyone is flipping a u-turn around a tree in front of me. Man, they are hopping off the bikes fast, must be barriers coming up. I’m trying to remember what I read online about how to do this barrier thing.

Oops, I damn near fell on my face clipping out of the pedals while getting around the corner. No big deal, only a few people right behind me. Just move my butt and get over the barriers. Pick up the bike - yes, UP - on my shoulder and run! These guys behind me are going to run me over if I don’t get moving. Who talked me in to this?

Over the first barrier, and try to jump over the second one. Damn, caught a toe, tripped, stumbled. Heroic effort kept me on my feet, but now I need to get back on the bike. A quick look back says that barrier just isn’t that tall. I should be able to jump that no problem, even with a bike on my shoulder. Don’t worry, I’ll make it look smooth on the next lap. Who talked me in to this?

Forward, grass, everyone is still going fast, but man it is bumpy on the grass. My heart rate must be about a million by now. Tt’s just a straight away, this shouldn’t be so hard.

Another right turn, easy one this time. Now a quick left and on to some pavement - wooo hooo - looks like I have about a 1⁄4 mile of straight road ahead. Heart rate is still way up there, but that’s ok because now I am hauling down this stretch of road. Except I just got passed like I was standing still. Holy crap those guys were going fast.

Quick left turn and on to some dirt. Big mud puddle ahead, I skip to the left of it and manage to stay upright. Little straight-away then another sharp left, and I am in the woods, single track trail.

This isn’t bad. The dirt is hard packed, it’s easy to steer, no one can pass me because there isn’t room, and I can get some speed going. So why are there four guys in front of me stopped?

Oh crap, coming out of the woods I slam into 10 foot long section of beach sand. There are already ruts in the sand 6” deep. Wheels get goofy and the bike starts getting sideways. Keep pedaling, the only way through is to pedal to the other side. Stay upright and pedal. Heart rate is still climbing. Who talked me in to this?

Across another section of grass and another 10 foot section of sand - this time I saw it coming and got ready for it - but the bike still got sideways and I still just barely kept the tires facing the earth. My heart is about to burst, and now my legs are starting to feel it.

Another little section of grass. But then a sudden turn right and up a short little hill. It’s not much, no need to shift, just stand up and power my way up. Except I stand up and all the weight comes off my back wheel, the tire is spinning as I climb. I’m feeling pretty powerful spinning my tire, but it isn’t helping me get to the top of this little hill.

Sharp turn left, back down the same little hill. Almost no room at the crest to turn - watch for toe overlap at the crest - remember that for lap two. If I can survive this one.

Long stretch of grass. Looks like I am heading for a hill, a good sized one. Ok, up one little hill and then 90 degrees left across the slope of the hill. This isn’t bad, but the bike wants to drift left again, down the hill. Right turn at the tree ahead.

Must be the hill goes up steep on the other side of the tree, going to have to carry the bike up the hill. Round the tree and there are three big logs blocking the way up the hill. Bike on shoulder again - man, my arms shouldn’t be this tired already - and I swear an old lady with a walker just passed me. Who talked me in to this?

Climbing up, run! Heart rate is definitely maxed out. Okay, near the top of the hill and it is leveling out. Throw the bike down and hop on, pedal up the hill. Now back down the other side - wait, WAIT, sharp turn left around this tree and then across the face of the steepest part of the hill. Crap, keep it upright. Huge ruts in the dirt. Sand is coming loose - even mountain goats wouldn’t walk on this slope and I’m trying to keep my bike upright as I ride across it? Who talked me in to this?

Okay, another quick left around a tree. Watch the ruts in the dirt. Turn back up the hill a bit, now a hard right and back down the hill. Pedal, pedal. A quick look at the speedo says I hit 26 on the downhill - NICE - keep that speed going to the finish line. Almost done.

Okay, a set of three barriers. I can see them coming. This should be easy: clip out, jump over, and clip back in. Except, my legs feel like lead. Jumping isn’t quite as easy as it should be. No matter, I’m over the three, now on to some pavement and the finish line. Whooo - there it is - I made it. I survived my first ever ‘cross. Except that was only lap 1. Who talked me in to this?

Now just 2 more laps like that one and I can actually celebrate surviving the C race. Or, at least breathe normally. I must be out of my mind. Man, this is a blast. I’m glad I let someone talk me in to this!!