Racing In Ranier

Crossing racing is hard, but this was more like it! 

I think I'm back to give it another go. 

It started out pretty darn cold and then magical burn off happened and the sun even came out to warm things up a bit. No chance to pre ride this course so I just listened to everyones tips and went for it.

I loved the long and fast descent around the back through the woods. The big run up hill was steep and when you reached the top, there was even more up to go, but now on the pavement. It just kept going and going.

I was pleasantly surprised I handled all the grass and corners pretty solid, except when that bug flew into my face. 

Worked out pretty good for me again, the leaders past me coming up to the finish line. My goals this year are to finish and not get hurt in the process. I'm not fast by any means but I think I'm getting the hang of this, a little bit at a time!

Villebois at Wilsonville

Thanks to Kayo and her Argentina trip we have wheels to drive around for the next couple weeks. 

Freedom after months of walking everywhere.

Saturday we drove out to the next race site in Wilsonville. This time I made the mistake of pre-riding this course. Instead of helping me it inhibited me. Huge gravel pits, a straight up run up, a straight downhill hill and a skinny off camber bit was just the beginning of the fun. 

I had a bad feeling about this one when I couldn't make it up the hills properly or dive off the edge, so I decided to sit this one out and take photos instead. Just a bit too technical for me and my current bike setup. Besides there's always next week right?

This was Martin's first cross race so we got there early so he time to register and warm up. After riders had rode the course awhile it looked a lot smoother then the day before. There were 149 riders in his group. He finished with them and did a great ride!

Because of the late night, I didn't have time to prepare the snacks like I was going to. So instead I drank lots of coffee! Next time... watch out!

Rapha Roller Races

After checking out the next cross venue we off to the Rapha Roller Races! 

It was held across from the Oregon Manifest Bike Show. There was already a pretty rowdy crowd and a lot of beer drinking taking place when arrived.

Some curiosity and $10 (plus a free first beer) was enough to get us there. Each team was announced and had their own theme. 

Martin had his betting system down and was guessing all the winners before each race. 

Competitors had to do a 500 meter sprint, dismount and grab a mini Zoobomb bike and run a lap around and ring the bell on stage. 

And for the final and sweet custom fram prize they added another 500 meter sprint to boot.

The ladies winner was from Team River City and won a Sweetpea frame. 

The mens winner was from Seattle's Team Sabotage (who's group was dressed up like the Beastie Boys) and won a Signal frame.

Oregon Manifest Party

We walked down to the Oregon Manifest Afterparty held at Wieden+Kennedy.

We got there just in time for a free beer and got to look at some neat handmade bikes!

I liked Ira Ryan and Martin liked Sweetpea best.

It was great to see Stephanie and Aaron. His Courage bike was really nice. They also had great individual cards at each stop with a picture of that builder's hand. 

And... I saw a bear! 

Some security back there, they will let anyone in here.

Awe... Alpenrose!

My first Cross Crusade race was a success.

I road Martin's Kona bike with my clown shoes and endured an epic journey to get there. I didn't fall, crash, hurt myself, anyone else or come in last. Absolutely amazing!

This year were 1,267 racers participating. A record I believe. There should have been one more, but our arrival was postponed because of an in transit down pour, and we got there too late for Martin to race. He worked really hard running around taking some photos of me and the Sorellas racing. Some great shots!

Before the race at the Bob's Red Mill tent we both got some hot oatmeal, a t-shirt and a bag of steel cut to take home. I know what's on the menu for breakfast! 

The day before we rode out to pick up my passes and out to the course to ride it around a bit. I think this helped me quite a bit. It was great because I was a little familiar with the course and terrain.

It was a blast seeing how many women were lined up waiting to begin. There were 75 beginners in my group. We were so lucky the rain let up and it was dry our entire race. Then for the Men A's is was pouring again.

When the race started we were riding similar paces and stretched out fairly fast. Later the A's and B's were doing all the passing. They were coming through fast and I tried to stay out of their way. I think everyone did. I really liked the downhill straight behind the velodrome. You could fly down that part!

There were people all along the course cheering too. Some I knew a some I didn't. The best part was seeing Kenji saying "baby steps, baby steps!" Very encouraging.

The two leaders passed me on the run up hill right before the velodrome. It was great because I got to see them finish the race and knew exactly what was happening. I came in behind them so I didn't have to do any more laps. That was fine by me. A great end to my first race.

You Say Tomatoes And I Say Tomatoez

Thinking we were gonna have new crankset installed on the Poprad, 

we found out that more importantly we need a new headset first, amongst other things.

It's pretty much toast until I get some things sorted.

So with the fact of riding to Alpenrose tomorrow... it might not be a good idea for me to use it for transportation and or racing. 

Anyway, we were out there today riding the course and traded bikes to see if I could do it on Martin's Kona. We were missing a wrench to swap the pedals. We had to trade shoes to ride. My clown shoes (too big for me) shoes are too small for him and his even bigger shoes was a complete joke on me! 

It sure is gonna be interesting tomorrow!