Sorry I never got back to responding to this back in the fall. It was a nice morning for a race - good weather, challenging course. I finished the proverbial 31st of 45 in Cat 4 (seriously, I think I finished between 30-32 of 45 in every race i entered.) Got schooled by a junior, all of about 12 years old, who passed me riding a long slope I had to run up. Then again, he was the only one I saw ride up that hill, so I can't feel too bad about it.
Must be that White kid. His sister is like a junior national champion. Don't be depressed. I picked up a Nashbar cross bike a few months ago. Might have to take it up next year.
Aluminum or steel? Mine's aluminum, but when I looked at the Nashbar site over the fall all I could find was the steel version. I did one last race in November over in CT, not far from where my parents live, and got my ass kicked decisively. By the end my lower back was on fire, which I'm thinking is down to the bike being just a bit big for me. It didn't help that I somehow jarred my seat loose at the start (MENTAL NOTE: MUST REMEMBER TO TIGHTEN THOSE THINGS BEFOREHAND) and had to ride with it all wobbly and askew for 45 minutes So I may race on that bike next year, or if I come into a few bucks I may keep it as just a commuter and go around the corner (literally) to my friendly local Kona/Jamis dealer and get a Jake or something.
I got the steel one. With the proper sale and 20% off it came to under $600 with Shimano 105's. I have nice components than my road bike
I haven't yet. I've been working like a dog, having car issues, just watched the storm pass (luckily without any serious damage) and just plain lazy. I'd like to get at least a couple races in between now and the end of December though. How about you?
I imagine the crowds will be pretty good. Maybe not Belgium-good, but generally speaking there is a decent amount of support for cycling in the U.S.
little write up in CN http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/uci-cyclo-cross-world-championships-2013/preview
All races on Saturday http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/floods-risk-forces-changes-to-world-cyclo-cross-race-programme
Okay, Nys is mostly pissed because this ********ed up his entire preparation. He went out for a long and hard practice ride on Friday, assuming he would have all of Saturday to recuperate. So it puts him as a disadvantage compared to those riders who took it more easily on Friday. I guess we will see how much this will impact him. He should make the podium under normal circumstances, as this course is almost tailor-made for him.
Going great for the Dutch so far. Mathieu van der Poel won his second world title with the juniors today, Marianne Vos now on the verge of winning her 10th (!) world title (fifth in cyclo-cross I think). She's looking for a new challenge now and might start competing in the BMX.
Aaaand took it quite easily. Pretty crappy to lose a podium spot when your chain breaks 100 yards from the finish - or at least that's what it looked like happened to Nash.
If you t00k the "Holland to sweep Cyclocross Worlds" prop bet, you might be feeling cautiously optimistic right about now.
I never expected our elite men to get anywhere near the podium. Still, winning three out of four isn't too bad hehehe. Here's the UCI trying to globalise the sport and prizes are split between Belgium and the NL....
I fully expect the Belgian press to be butt-hurt about only winning at the senior level. This after they complain all year long that the Belgian dominance of the Cyclocross calender is bad for the sport.
Don't agree with the guy on a lot of things, but he makes a lot of sense here: http://vannieuwkerke.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/louisville/