Pilgrimage?

  Hey mwi crossers: While we have a lot of fun in the midwest, I keep hearing about this Gloucester race like it's some kind of Holy Grail of U.S. cyclocross.
   Maybe those east coasters think too highly of themselves and don't know the jewels of the middle part of the country in Wisconsin, Chicago, Cincy, Louisville, KC and Mizzou.
   But maybe they have a point.
   And there is mud there this weekend. It's even snowed for some editions.
  Maybe it's time for a team pilgrimage to cross Mecca.
   Who's in?

Finally. On An Off Day Too

   For as much as I love the Planet Bike USGP in Sun Prairie, I've never done well there.
   It's early season, it's usually warm and dusty and kicks up the asthma, it's the first race "away from home" weekend. I don't have much race fitness since I don't do much road racing in the summer.
   This year on Saturday was no exception. I came in hurting from a crash and working through a cold.
   The course was pure JP Ericsson: twisty, turny, lots of off-cambers. Huge Fun.
   "You've outdone yourself," I told him.
   "Paul, you say that every year," he said.
   "It's true every year."
   It truly was his best edition. And Sunday's course was even better. I only wish his calls to the weather gods had been heeded and we had some rain to soften the course.
   So Saturday's finish was in the usual 30s, feeling badly.
   But Sunday was funny. I felt even worse. I seriously was hoping for a quick flat tire or seriously considering not even starting. But once the race started, I felt fairly strong and finished in my first top 30 at 27th. Not sure what happened, but the irony was delicious.
   I wish this stop of the USGP was in November when I was feeling strong. Maybe I need to fly out to Bend for the USGP there....

... And We're Back! '12/'13 in the South has Begun

 

'12/'13 Cross season opened up in the southern parts of the MWI kingdom with a points series at Dogfish 'Cross in Hermann, MO.  Two great days spent with friends, teammates, and doing what we all love - Racing Cross.

 

Was fortunate to grab two wins in the Masters 45+ and take the overall points.  Crusty, Ira and Dale rode well in their respective races (except for Ira's crash on day 2 taking him out of the race) and no doubt will be forces to recon with each weekend. 

 

 

The Castelli kits... what can you say?!?!?!  Perfect fit, incredible feel, and Mike's design once again hits a home run - AWESOME! 

Dale and I are meeting up with Crusty in Madison this weekend and look forward to hanging out and racing with them 'Yankees' (Wisco MWI crew).  Gonna be fun!

Rivalry?

   Glad we have John Jones on the team.
   If not for his two wins this weekend in the Dogfish Cross in Herman, Mo, the guys on this team would be seriously over-shadowed by the women.
   So far, Alyssa, Claire, Amber, and Patti have all podiumed this season. Most more than once!
   John has the guys' only two cyclocross podium appearances. Stud junior Ian did finish third in Chequamegon Short and Fat.
   Maybe the men need to rely on percentages. We finished in a certain percentage of the total riders?
   Really, though, that totally doesn't count. Kind of like getting a good game pat for trying.
   Step up, boys.