Poor rjones28 continues his yeoman effort of trying to mold something resembling a thread from this random babble. And what does he get for it? Nothing.

Is cyclo-cross the cycling version of steeplechase? If so, I tried my hand at it today.

I was headed up a hill on a MUP connector when I happened upon a great fallen oak. Dusk was drawing nigh and I didn't really have time to backtrack, so I said, "Screw it, I'm going over."

But said oak was not in an accommodative mood. There was a large branch jetting up over the pavement, so I had to detour a few yards off the path to find a low enough crossing.

After cautiously tiptoeing to the passage point, I engaged in a feat of upper body strength by hoisting my bicycle over the waist-high log and carefully setting it down on the opposite embankment, so it wouldn't fall.

Next I had to hurdle the timber myself. It turns out cycling shoes aren't very good for climbing over obstacles, so I had to halfway roll over the top of the log.

After reuniting with my bike on the upper side, I slowly negotiated the treacherous walk back to the MUP.

The challenge was not over. I made an executive decision that it wouldn't be prudent to attempt to ride up the hill from a dead start, due to all the leaves and twigs covering the path. So I made my assault by foot.

Thus in just a 100 yards I overcame the most rigorous technical demands cyclo-cross has to offer.

A star is born.