This weekend our fair city will host the UCI Lance Armstrong Memorial Cyclocross World Championships, and I'm beginning to get amped for it.

Rumor has it that Loovul gained the rights to the first outside of Europe CX Worlds evar because Papa John, who is an avid cyclist, wanted it here and coughed up the $$$.

His corporate HQ are about 4 miles from here on one of my common bike routes. It is right across the street from a monster warehouse owned by Amgen.

Coincidence?

Anyway, I volunteered to do something this weekend, given the historic nature of the event. I went downtown to pick up my credentials.

In the lobby were huge signs saying, Welcome Team USA! Welcome Team Italy! UCI HQ third floor! We can be bought!

I made up that last one.

There was some stuff you don't typically see in the lobby of the Galt House:



That is the coolest CX bike I've ever seen.

This was a closes second:



I get to wear a cool pass:




The URL code takes me to a live feed on YouTube so I can watch the races from wherever they put me.

My dream is to call security on Eben Weiss (the BikeSnobNYC) and have him undergo a cavity search.

BTW, the forecast for Saturday? High of 30F, 40% chance of snow.

Is life good or what?

Update: it's pouring down rain here. The course will be in fine shape

If not for the name tag, I would have had absolutely no idea where you were.

Very cool!! Enjoy it, hope it is fun and not too much work.

I also learned something today. Now I know loovul is actually Louisville, KY

Should be lots of fun and only a little bit of work!

I attended the U.S. Cycling Road Championships in Loovul in '76. Won by Wayne Stetina, who has worked at Shimano USA pretty much ever since. I think it was held at Cherokee Park if I'm remembering correctly.

Jim Ochowitz was in that race, as was John Howard and George Mount. Fun times in Loovul!

Rick / OCRR

If not for the name tag, I would have absolutely no idea who I am. Dang Alzheimer's. That's why I will always treasure it.

Very cool! I have a good friend form Augusta who is out there to watch the races. He is a local CX racer and one of the main organizers of Augusta's CX events and is, I'm sure, in hog heaven.

Volunteering at big races like this is a great way to see and be a part of the scene. I will always cherish the two weeks I spent as course marshal for the 2004 and 2005 Tours de Georgia.

Not in Louie, Louie-ville, but in Hotlanta about 1985-86 (?) at the Wheat Thins Crit was the first time I had seen SIS gear, in a Shimano tent being demonstrated by a Stetina (Wayne, I suppose). The Stetina family was legendary in Indiana cycling circles.

That's because he refers to it phonetically, like the local hillbillies pronounce it. I lived for 12 years right across the river from Kentucky and I'm here to tell you there were times I did not understand what those people were saying.

Have fun dudelsack, it sounds like it will be fun for you.

I am anticipating a fantastic photo spread next week! Don't let me down Dudel!

FIFY

There are many times when I don't understand what Dudelsack is saying. And he does not have a regional accent on here either.

Hope you have fun Dudel, it sounds like the CX gods have blessed loovul with great European CX weather for the World's, try not to get thrown out of the parc ferme for anything too embarrassing at least not with a 50+ jersey on.

Bill

Like trying to line up at a start with his recumbent.

I'm am wondering where the Admin's three blue stars are on the pass.

I'm thinking about heading down there for the fun on Sunday, when the top men and women are riding. Kind of depends on the weather. What makes for a great CX race often makes for miserable spectating.

I took Southern pnunsiation classes every Thursday for about 5 years when I got here. In order to graduate you had to use "wire", "where", and "were" in the same sentence and the word had to sound identical each time. Instead of "the rain in Spain" I had to repeat "Where's muh wire?" over and over again. I still really don't get it right.

As far as the bent is concerned, I took it over to the park and tried to ride the course, something I called bentocross. I won't do it again.

The venue is about 12 miles from my house, and it's not a bad trip by bike. I don't have to go downtown, just suburban type stuff. I've considered riding down there. I know the organizers would appreciate it, given that parking will be an issue. Some of it depends on the road conditions. I won't ride on ice or snow.

It was snowing this morning. The course should be ready.

Be sure to bring your cow bell and a fishing pole with bacon suspended for rider hand ups during the races. Cross fans are crazy! So are Lu'ville people. A few years ago I raced the Masters National Champ Road Race there and one fan was offering Malted Milk Balls handups at the bottom of the big hill.

So you're saying I should dangle Malted Milk Balls from a fishing pole to tempt the riders? I like that idea. I bet the Malted Milk Balls wouldn't melt up and look like a sack of....well, you get the idea. That's a good thing about bike races in February.

If you tape $1 bills to the box that would be even better. Instead of the melted Malted Milk Balls in the 106 degree heat, you might offer popsickles in Feb.

Dude. You're a genius.

This is part of the course from a picture last year:



What would be better for a bunch of weary CXers to see in February than a SnoCone machine?



Right at the top of the stairs. It's genius, I tell you.

Top those sno-cones with some Belgin beer and you are a legend.

What will you be doing?
And I have to admit, I just don't get the whole cx thing at all, never did.

Where is the french fry and mayonnaise tent located. If the Belgian contingent shows up that and the Belgian beer will all gone after the first few races. And yes the, full report with your pics is mandatory you realise, don't you? Have fun this weekend, it should be a once in a life time experience for you, much better than watching the super bowl on the brain rot box.

Bill

Dudlesack better get over there today and Sat. Sundays World Champ races are moved to Sat due to expected flooding of the Ohio River.

I had not heard that. The server for the races is also down. Guess I'll give the volunteer coordinator a call.

I don't see why a little flooding should deter them. Sissies. They could consider it training for the Ironman here later in the year.

Snow moving in tonight. Freezing weather tomorrow. Possible flooding. The venue should be like an ice skating rink. It favors the Americans, because under those conditions the winner may be chosen be random Darwinian forces.

Anyway, I'm having a going away party for my butt tonight, because by this time tomorrow it'll be frozen off.