More Ice Weasles Fun!

Whether you raced or watched, Nothing topped  The Weasel.

DahWeasels

This is such a fantastic race, BenderBoy has done an amazing job creating an Event. This isn't just another race in the calendar, it has become an EVENT. I showed up in time to photograph the cat 4. I was racing the SS at noon. By 10am, the crowds were thick, the beer was flowing and the racing was awesome.

I snapped a few shots, (click here for Album) but just then, I started hanging out and only a few laps into the first race, the camera was put away for good. As much as I love photographing races, Often I miss out on the fun of the race because I am busy taking shots.

I spent the whole day at the Weasels, eating, drinking, chilling with NECX peeps, oh yeah and racing my bike too. I took a hand up or 2 in every lap of my race, except the first one, nobody gave me shit on that first lap! I had so much fun racing my bike I was a little sad when it ended, ONE TO GO, came to quickly for the first time ever.

there are so many stories out there, once again we will be talking about the Ice Weasels for a long time.

Here is a shot from guy that has to be the luckiest dude, he drives to races and hangs out with his Grandson. yes you read it right, his Grandson. if you see them at races stop by and say hi to them, they are the coolest people out there.

20 Pound Skull Reminiscing on HIS 2010 Cyclocross Season

Cyclocross season is officially over for me.  All the effort that goes into it and then it’s gone.  I’m empty.  I’ll miss it.  I need to miss it.   It’s hard calling it quits when there’s a couple more races.  I was hoping to last through at least the Ice Weasels, and then the New England Cyclocross Championships, but it wasn’t meant to be.  

BTW, if you’re around, you should definitely hit up the New England Cyclocross Championships, register here.  I hear there’s going to be a flyover, and the chances of actually racing in real cyclocross weather are quite high.

Missing the Ice Weasels hurts a lot, too.  It’s one giant celebration of the end of cyclocross season.  And everyone who knows me, knows how I appreciate a party.  Missing the season closer is a lot like I’m 8 years old, missing the pizza party at the end of soccer season.  Bummer.

I mean, did you see the awesome beer that Steen has prepared?  That is one tight label.

I usually post photos here, of you.  But this post is going to be all about me of photos that YOU took.  Let’s go down memory lane, as seen from my Facebook photo stream.

Here’s me and one of my nemesis PJ.  He’s a tough wheel to follow as he likes to crash a lot in front of me before sprinting off to wait for me at the finish line.  I look like I’ve seen better days, but who doesn’t after 40 minutes at LTHR+?Cycle-Smart Invitational 2010 Day 1, photo by Abel

For the first time ever, I was able to power through the sand at NOHO, thanks to Cort @ Cramer Performance.  I also learned such nuanced workouts as: microburts, threshold ladders, cubed, running, and of course, active recovery.  Also at NOHO, day #2, I lost 3/4 of my shorts. Photo courtesy of Elaine DeBitetto

At Canton, I doubled up for fitness just to torture myself.  I took the beer feed from Ryan White – a shaken, foamy MGD in a can that tasted aweful and gave me a splitting headache by the time I reached the finish line. I’d probably do it a again.

We had a lot of MRC guys racing this year.  And we had a lot of MRC guys getting faster and faster, pushing each other to get faster and faster.  Faster.  Photo courtesy of Rob.

My bike club MRC built the first flyover (that I know of) in New England cyclocross.  I had a breakthrough race there finishing 15th.  Remember what a beautiful New England fall day that was?

I spend a lot of time taking photos.  Here I’m competing with Caroline Cardiasmenos for “The Shot”. Photo by Russ

Getting nipped at the line of Providence, Day #1, by John Plump a teammate who was really fast really sucked.  Especially since he was about 50 meters behind me when we hit the pavement.  I didn’t think anyone would bother trying to close that kind of gap.  Lesson learned: The race isn’t over until you cross the finish line. Photo by Russ

Who can forget the Ice Weasel Cometh that took place at sundown.  This was the only muddy race of the 2010 New England cyclocross season.  We’ve gotten soft here by staying so dry.  My bike loved never taking a bath, nor replacing cables.  I crashed twice on the first lap and had a terrible finish.  It took me only until November before this race dropped off my crossresults.com ranking.  There were so many races.

The Grand Prix of Gloucester.  Thanks Scott Sweeny for lending me wheels to race on for Day #2.  I had two consecutive races of rolling tubulars.  On day one, I had my best race happening when I rolled a tubbie right after the pits.  Despite nursing my bike half a lap to the pits, I still managed to hang on to 28th.  That’s Paul (another nemesis) fixing his dropped chain as I blow by him.  Heh…heh…

Suckerbrook.  More sand power.  First rolled Tubular.  And Rob beat me as I was running to the pit carrying my bike. Photo by Elaine DeBitetto

And these are just the memories I see when I look through the photos I was tagged in on Facebook.  I could probably spend several more hours writing and reminiscing, but I do have to get back to work.

Here’s to 2011, which starts at Green Mountain Cyclocross on September 17th, 2011.  See you in 283 days.

NBX RI - Verge Series Finale!!

I had a day pass to stay at the race all day. So my plan was to race, chill out, watch some masters racing, then photograph the Elite races. I didn't want to shoot more Snapshots, I brought all my photo gear hoping to create some nice Images. I had decided that I would use Sir Drinkalot as my subject... but then I saw him and he tells me that he is not racing, I guess the benders have finally caught up to him.

Damn, on to plan B... err, I didn't have a plan B.
By the time the Cat 3 started I setup all my shit by the sand run-up... took lots of test shots, they were all CRAP! Women race started, took more shots.... More CRAP!

Cat 3 Men Gallery
Elite Women Gallery 

By the time the Men Elite race started, I had packed up and called it a wasted day.

As I was walking to my car, i decided to pull the camera out and take some "snapshots" of the Elite Men. then the race got really exciting, then my flashes came out of my bag again. before I knew it, the race was over and I ended up with a few Images, Click here to see all of them 

Here's on of my favorite moments of the race, Manny Goguen was trying to help his team mate. Manny was battling it out with Myerson, He was trying to get in front and slow it down so Lendine could get a gap! it was awesome racing! BTW I am  a HUGE Manny Goguen FAN.

This next shot was taken with 2 to go, things were really heating up

This Shot was right before the finish, ALL out attacking!

Sterling Cyclocross - day two

This guy rode over the barriers every lap, except for the first lap. he crashed while trying in traffic.
Fun to watch, but  I have to admit. I was secretly hoping he crashed again so I could catch it on camera.
Dude, sorry about the bad thoughts, you rocked it!

Master 35+ images
Cat 3 images - lap one

Sterling Cyclocross - Day One

Cat 3 images
Master 35+

and a trip back to Sterling 2008

2010 Shedd Park Cyclocross Photos

I don’t know what favor the Master’s riders did for me, but I shot the hell out of them

Masters 35+

Masters 45+

Cat 3s

Here’s a few of the more worthy photos, or just the photos of friends that I like.  And if you haven’t seen my article The Art of the Waffle Handup, I suggest starting there.

Kurt Schmid proving it’s not about the bike, by showing up and riding his 29r with 2.1 tires to a 12th place finish in the Master’s A race:

Fellow teammate Chris Pare rides the barriers:

There’s never enough cowbell:

The front of the Master’s 45+ race:

More 45+:

I don’t get many shots of Steen, master of the John Harvard’s beer supply.  And a little Mark Bernard:

Hell, let’s show a lot of Mark Bernard in his Belgium blue:

LiveJournal Tags: necx,cx,cyclocross,shedd park,cycling

2010 Shedd Park Cyclocross Seat Cam

The Cat 4 race at Shedd park.  Most of the first lap and then various clips of importance rounding out the rest of the race.

I’m trying BlipSnips to enable the highlights for your viewing pleasure.  Nevermind, YouTube couldn’t handle my video upload, so I resorted back to Vimeo.  Hey, I’m now a plus user, so supposedly I can upload higher-def videos.

• My solid start.  Finally a good clip in and go.
• Riding on PJ’s wheel, he gets off his bike for the steep ride up, forcing me off as well @4:50ish
• Passing one of my crossresults.com nemesis, Paul , in slow motion @13:56
• Epic battle at the end of the race with Mark
• Dragging Matt on track @7:50
• Passing Rob’s son Bungie @12:06
• Epic battle with Mark at the end @14:14 where he passed me.

Further more, I’m learning some editing tricks:

• Like the sped up motion at: @5:40ish
• And my busting that power move on my teammate, and nemesis Paul @13:56

The Art of the Waffle Handup

We’ll let Chip Baker of Hearts demonstrate perfect technique on taking a waffle hand-up during the 2010 Shedd Park cyclocross race.

First, at the bottom of the climb you’ve gotta loosen the jaw for maximum flexibility for grabbing the waffle.  A couple of deep breaths helps, along with shouting “on your left” as you pass a rider.

Just like proper cyclocross cornering technique, you’re looking ahead.  Don’t look at the waffle. Notice how Chip’s eyes are focused on the rest of the climb.  Trust the waffle-handler to gently place the waffle in your mouth like a Catholic priest with the Body of Christ.

It helps to receive the waffle if you stick out your tongue.  The dried cotton-mouth from doing two prior laps at LTHR acts like velcro and increases your chances of the waffle staying to your mouth.

Once that waffle makes tongue contact, let your momentum deliver the waffle.  The giver should never force the transfer, and the rider should never take the waffle out of the fingers that giveth.

Next, clamp down and briefly close your eyes, cherishing initial waffle contact like your fist kiss in junior high-school with that girl on the flag team while watching Pretty in Pink in your parents rec-room.

With waffle safely secured, power to the pedal.  It helps to have a coach running along next to you acting as a spotter to confirm that the waffle has indeed landed successfully.

The proper waffle handup is a team effort.  One rigid hand by the giver, or an overzealous receiver, and the waffle ends up in the dirt.  Upon a successful hand-up, the giver shall celebrate, as it’s as much his success as the riders.

With waffle secure, ride away like Fido with that tennis ball he won’t return.

I’ve got nothing for this slide, maybe you the reader can fill in this step _________________.

Eat waffle slowly, careful not to choke on it.

Thank you, Chip, for perfect execution.

LiveJournal Tags: necx,shedd,cyclocross,waffles

The Joy Of Winning!

Women cat4 and Women 35+
Cat 3 Men
Cub Juniors

Here is Joy showing the Joy of Winning! looks like a nice feeling!

Does Anyone remember when this kid was racing in the Cub Juniors? always a good kid, smiling and having fun riding his bike?
He is still a kid, but he is now a Super Fast. Still a good kid, smiling and having fun racing his bike.

2010 Northampton Cat 4 Seatcam

After what was a pretty decent start, things fell apart for me.  Starting with an inital tear of my shorts on a stake, followed by my torn shorts getting caught when dismounting for a runup causing further damage.  At least I got good footage of half the racers.

Some highlights:

3:40ish a guy chasing me slaloms a tree, then eventually takes himself out by hitting my back wheel at 4:00.

At 10:00 I put some commentary with some highlights.  Clean sand rides, etc…

Lots of battling with some Geekhouse guys as we swamped positions often.

LiveJournal Tags: seatcam,noho,csi,necx,cyclocross,cx

More North Hampton CX - Day 1

Overall NoHo is one of the best races in the New England CX calendar.
here are few shots from day 1, check back later for links to our Face Book page.
I have images of the master races, the cat 3s and the Elite Women

Elite Women Gallery 
Masters 45 and 55+ Gallery 
Masters 35+ Gallery
Category 3 Gallery

2010 Northampton Cyclocross – Day 1

Here’s my brief coverage of day 1.

Master’s 45/55+

Master’s 35+ 1/2/3

Cat 3

Women’s Elite

Day 2 Women’s Cat 3/4 and Junior’s Race

Here’s some of my favorites.  If you wanna make my favorites, it totally helps to hook me up with beer.  Just saying.

Chip Baker of Hearts attacks the descent with Crazy Eyes.  Go read his write up on the race.

Doug Kennedy had a breakthrough weekend getting his first Top 20 in the Master A race on Sunday.  (Photo from him during Saturday’s race, though).

The run up during the first lap of the Master’s A race.  It’s like the Roman Army running to battle.

The Beach

The front of the 3’s had it going on early

Chandler Delinks biggest contribution to CyclocrossWorld.Com’s results this season is the recruitment of Austin Pferd, who absolutely crushed the Cat 3 field on Sunday. (Sorry, Chandler.)

Ryan White had a great podium finish on Sunday.

Chandler Delinks puts his power to good use on the rideup on Day 1:

Jeffrey Bramhall works on his suntan

Scott Rosenthal itched his way into the top ten on Saturday, congrats

The women’s elite race at the S-Curves

Pedro’s team rider during the women’s elite race: I’ll have some video tomorrow.

LiveJournal Tags: necx,noho,cyclocross,racing