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!