Barriers

As revised July 1, 2010, UCI Rule 5.1.024 states that: "The course may include a single section of planks. This obstacle must consist of two planks placed minimum 4 metres and maximum 6 metres apart. The planks must be solid for their entire height and not made of metal. They must have a maximum height of 40 cm and extend the entire width of the course." (This was adopted by USAC, but hasn't made the current online version of the rule book yet - 5A10. That's because this "season" of cyclocross is the 2011 season and the on-line rule book is the 2010 version.)

For all of you who need the converison 4 meters is 13 feet, 1 1/2 inches, and 6 meters is 19 feet, 8 1/4 inches (40 cm is 1 foot, 3 3/4 inches, but that's not important right now.) In other words, the barriers are a good distance apart - about as far apart as two mattresses laid end to end. 4 meters is a distance that gives most people two good running strides between barriers, without having to half step or stutter before gracefully leaping the second barrier.

Why am I pointing this out? Beacuse last night, I attended a cyclocross clinic, and of course it included a set of barriers, but they were set way too close together, maybe only 8 feet apart - less than two mattresses. So, just a friendly reminder to all of the cyclocross clinic and race organizers out there, please bring a tape measure with you and set the barriers at the right distance apart. I'll thank you, the other experienced riders will thank you, and the beginners will thank you, although they'll probably be wondering why in the heck they'll have to get off a perfectly good bicycle and carry it over wooden planks set up across the course.

One other reminder, since this is the 2011 Cyclocross season, your racing age is your age as of December 31, 2011. So, who is now eligible to race with the Masters?

SW Missouri Short Track #4 and #5

Last week we started getting a reprieve from the brutal heat and humidity which made for fun cool weather for racing. Almost has a 'crossy feel to the air (almost).

The race promoters switched up the course last week and went with a super short loop focused primarily on tight single track with the only open pedal mashing section coming at the end of each for about 300meters. I knew right away I was in trouble as 'mad skills - Crusty style' is not my strength (heck, it's so bad it's below weakness). Never the less I was racing with pretty good fitness and wasn't bouncing off too many trees in the woods and managed to come away with 3rd place (the front two were no where in sight) taking advantage hammering the open section to make time on others behind.

Last night (event #5) the promoters kept the same loop (oh crap) as apparently others really like it. The turnout was pretty low, but the quality was primo with the addition of local stud and Jelly Belly sprinter Brad Huff to the mix (he is no joke on knobbies). I took my Blue down and took a warm up lap on her to see if it was an option and sure enough I made it thru pretty smooth and quick, but decided to hold off as some lite rain was making some rocks and area slick and it wasn't worth dumping my girl for this. Back to the 30lbs Fuel...

Race was fast and furious and at the end of the night I held on for 4th while Huff took the win and nearly lapped me. So far a 4th, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, and a 4th and I think that has me in either 2nd or 3rd overall (some of the leaders missed a couple races). Three more to go for this fun series.

I am definitely not a mtb'er, but am having a blast at this series and can drastically tell my bike driving abilities are increasing. Last night I followed my training partner Ira (who is silky smooth in single track) on lap two following his lines which helped understand flow and the rest of the race I increased pace thru the tight stuff - made it a lot more fun than work.

Week and a half before my 'cross kickoff in Hermann, MO and I can't wait.

mwi Merchandise You Must Have

mwi Must Have Items

Hello my wife inc fans who love us,

It's that time again! We will be ordering t-shirts and hoodies! Mike(Herman) has done another amazing job with a design! This year, to simplify things, we are only going to have one color shirt as well as one color hoodie. There is a tshirt design for the men and one for the ladies. The hoodies are unisex and will all have the same design. Clear as mud?

Please let me know what size of each item you would like. I know this is crazy talk but the sooner we get the order in, the sooner we can get the shirts! We would love to have them in time for the start of the season.

The tshirts will be $20 and the hoodies will be $40.

thsirt design- hopefully you can guess which one is for the men and which one is for the ladies......if not, just ask the ladies, they will know!http://www.americanapparel.com/2001.html?cid=198- the color is grass and we will be getting both men's and women's sizes. The logo will be white

Hoodie design. http://www.americanapparel.com/5452w.html?cid=211- color is black with pink thermal lining. the logo will be mwi green.

Thanks and happy shopping!!!!

Also, as a side note, last year, we had a lot of requests from non-team folk for tshirts to purchase. Due to the small size of our team and no budget, we could never really order extra shirts to sell. So if you would like one please make sure to get your order in soon.

Please leave contact info in the comment box.

Jessica Heenan

Merch Supervisor and Title Sponsor