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12-03-06, 03:40 PM
For lack of getting a chance to race cyclocross this season, I made it a point to at least go watch a race. In this case, it was the Capitol Cross in Reston, VA, just outside of Washington DC. I went to kill curiosities, and to witness live what up to now, and for way too long, has existed for me only in pictures and thoughts. Here are some of the interesting things that I saw, and maybe they can answer some questions posed in some of the other threads.
For the record, I went mainly to see the C and B riders, and left before the pros went. The weather was partly cloudy, in the low 50s, and the course was mixed with grass, paved, gravel, three dismounts and two runups. The offroad sections were firm, but not dry or dusty.
Racers:
To my suprise, a portion of the C and a few masters B riders looked a lot like me, i.e., human with real weekly jobs, lives, and limited riding time. There was everything from thin and fit riders to riders who were slightly portly. There were moms and dads, wives and husbands, grandparents, and college students. There were weekend warriors and those who fit cycling into any nook or cranny thier schedules could provide.
Bikes:
This variety of bikes was also a big suprise. There was everything from carbon bling to steel relics. Most of the riders had stock CX bikes including Cannondale Cyclocross' (same and stock, just like mine), Kona Jakes, Bianchi Axis', and Fuji Cross'. There was also the assortment of sexy Jovelins, Alans, BMCs, and Ridleys. A glance at the riders lining up at the start revealed everything from Dura-Ace to Tiagra, from Zipp carbon wheels to the stock wheels found on $1200 bikes. The guy who toasted the c men's field rode a $1100 Schwinn Fastback. Also mingling with the pack were a couple of Surlys, including some singlespeeders. All in all, the range of machinery was as diverse as the engines riding them.
People:
Everybody was cool and friendly, ready to talk about cyclocross and cycling in general. Plenty of spectators with plenty of dogs and plenty of cowbells being rung. The riders rode hard, and then put on smiles and friendly faces afterwards.
The races:
Prety much what I expected. Everybody went out fast, spread out, and muscled through it. The gaps grew, but the determination remained strong amongst all of the riders, and everybody from the little 16 year old who smoked the junior field and then the advanced B group to the portly guy who was near the end of the C men and masters were all equally inspiring and commendable. It was obvious some where there to win, and some just to ride, but all were there because they wanted to be, and that was beautiful.
Long story short, it was fun to be spectator, and next year, G-d willing, I will be a participant.
For the record, I went mainly to see the C and B riders, and left before the pros went. The weather was partly cloudy, in the low 50s, and the course was mixed with grass, paved, gravel, three dismounts and two runups. The offroad sections were firm, but not dry or dusty.
Racers:
To my suprise, a portion of the C and a few masters B riders looked a lot like me, i.e., human with real weekly jobs, lives, and limited riding time. There was everything from thin and fit riders to riders who were slightly portly. There were moms and dads, wives and husbands, grandparents, and college students. There were weekend warriors and those who fit cycling into any nook or cranny thier schedules could provide.
Bikes:
This variety of bikes was also a big suprise. There was everything from carbon bling to steel relics. Most of the riders had stock CX bikes including Cannondale Cyclocross' (same and stock, just like mine), Kona Jakes, Bianchi Axis', and Fuji Cross'. There was also the assortment of sexy Jovelins, Alans, BMCs, and Ridleys. A glance at the riders lining up at the start revealed everything from Dura-Ace to Tiagra, from Zipp carbon wheels to the stock wheels found on $1200 bikes. The guy who toasted the c men's field rode a $1100 Schwinn Fastback. Also mingling with the pack were a couple of Surlys, including some singlespeeders. All in all, the range of machinery was as diverse as the engines riding them.
People:
Everybody was cool and friendly, ready to talk about cyclocross and cycling in general. Plenty of spectators with plenty of dogs and plenty of cowbells being rung. The riders rode hard, and then put on smiles and friendly faces afterwards.
The races:
Prety much what I expected. Everybody went out fast, spread out, and muscled through it. The gaps grew, but the determination remained strong amongst all of the riders, and everybody from the little 16 year old who smoked the junior field and then the advanced B group to the portly guy who was near the end of the C men and masters were all equally inspiring and commendable. It was obvious some where there to win, and some just to ride, but all were there because they wanted to be, and that was beautiful.
Long story short, it was fun to be spectator, and next year, G-d willing, I will be a participant.