Cross rocks "part deux"

We have a new rider in town Mother Theresa from Mass-a-choo-setts. I think she shared some really impressive insights to why different people do cross and why its cool. So check out her blog at http://www.newbieontheblock.blogspot.com or in the Nest its located under Mass Appeal.

I think MT brings some good stuff to the table so lets eat! This is how the Hornet sees cross from an outsiders viewpoint.

The young juniors- these guys are fun. Bottom line they get separated, go hard and generally like the cool attention they get over the speakers. Every lap each one will look over, some will send a one handed point and others provide the "look-no-hands-ma" classic pose. It get's better after the race with the raffle, that's where the bike skills really come in handy. But, the best part is to interview the pups on mic regarding the tough spots on the course, it's worth it to make a few minutes early to the venue, just to hear this crack analysis.

The Men's C's and Women's B's- you have every kind of rider here. Fast ones in great shape, brand new to the technicalities of cross, and the vice versa crowd, as well as every kind of rider inbetween. This makes these races pretty interesting because placings are up in the air for a lot of postions, especially being that there are lots of groups. Sometimes you will see racers good too hard at first and pop, or more often than not, bridge groups each lap from almost nowhere. If you are in the Mens C's Please make sure you check in early, and if you are a new registrant, please, please come over to the announcing booth so we can match your name with your number. Last week the powerful Men's C's Not Listed Squad dominated, kicked tail, and garnered one-half of the top spots! We really want to yell your name loudly over the airways, so help us out.

Junior's 15-18- wow this is like watching whippets chase tennis balls in Central Park. No fear, fast and are willing to go down in corners at anytime, but usually don't. The trend this year seems to be Mitch Peterson look and ride alikes.

Masters 35+ B's- once again a different type of race. This race will sometimes have a cluster of 3-5 riders in the very front for the majority of the race only to break off at the end, or one by ones at the front end with small groups chasing. Often times with mechanicals, crashes and lead or postition changes, because a good number of racers have a chance... and are burying it. We really try to give insight to lead changes here.

Singlespeed- what the what? Like cyclocross isn't hard enough, lets give them one, uno freekin' gear. Hunh? Whatever. Problem is most of these guys are like thoroughbreds running the Preakness. Warp speeders who generally go pretty solo. So really its a TT in the cold and mud... with one gear! What next boys and girls singlespeed unicycles...backwards...in the dark!

Masters 35+A's- ditto on the 35+ B's, but a bit faster with a few more team tactics. These are savvy experienced cross riders who are going to play a chess game out on the course... the only problem is, most of the time they are redlining while they are trying to think. These guys don't go down much, but when they do... its hard.

Mens and womens A's- Simply three groups- fast, seriously fast and sick fast with superhuman bike skills. Generally, one gets the hole shot and blows up the field the rest chase sometimes in small groups. This results in a few changes from the start, especially near the end... but other times the top 5 can be separated by 5 to 30 seconds or more from lap one throughout.

More fun! Yeah, be Stevechops Lewis, the e-Flynn, Mike Pratini or the rest who decide to do more than one race, usually back to back. It's hard to pull off two top tens, but it is done.

The bottom line is cross is a riot, a real cool thing to bring the fam and friends to. Some racers will kill themselves to win, others will do so just to see what they can do, yet some work hard and smile more, 'cause they're just having a ball. While everyone is cheering, slamming cow bells or just delerious post-race, but most of the time with a grin (just watch Miss Julie, Hardwood or Team Rico) race and you'll know what I mean. Stevechops will even give you high fives mid race.

Lastly, again...please read Mother T's Oct 21st and 22nd blog entries, for the reasons why she digs the local cross-ings... I could have written my thoughts, but why when she articulates it so well.

Peace out,

B-Horn