USGP Finals

The final round of the USGP in Bend, OR was a few weeks ago and the blog has been on the back burner because of the holidays. 

It was a fun weekend of racing and hanging out in our giant house that Trek rented.  I raced pretty well both days and ended up just off the podium in 4th, both days.  My teammate, Mark, won both days and I had another teammate, Shannon, who was on the podium both days so it was good results for the Trek CXC.  Chris Fisher was 3rd and 2nd and had a great weekend of racing.  I ended up 5th overall in the series for 35+, Fisher was 2nd,CJ was 4th and if Roeser didn't have to miss the finals, MN would have had 4 of the top 5 in the overall.

Now is when it gets tough because there was/is 7 weeks to train for the last 2 races of the year.  Nationals in Jan. and Master's Worlds in Feb.  It will be great to be done in Feb. and then party and drink beer while watching the world's best compete for the rainbow stripes in Louisville. Trek has a big party planned for that Sunday night also so hopefully I will still be able to make my flight that Monday morning.

front row start

trying to stay warm

Mark S., teammate and overall series winner 

the backside of the flyover

Fisher and I w/ 2 to go on Sunday

Thanks to Jason Perry for the photos and to my wife for being so supportive as I travel around acting like some kinda pro bike racer.

Cross and Puzzles

I made it to Bend with only one hitch.  The first time in 2 years I have checked a bag and it did not make it.  It was delivered on Friday but luckily I packed my shoes, helmet and 1 kit in my cary-on so I could ride the course.  Here is a video.  It is a super fun course and I have call up #5.

The Trek CXC house is pretty sweet.  We are living large up the hill about a mile from the course.

After setting up the Trek team tents we rode the course for an hour or so before heading back to the house to wash bikes and shower up.  When the rest of the crew arrived we headed down for the number presentation party and had a beer and picked up #'s.  We cooked up dinner and rested up for the night.

World Cup CX and puzzles last weekend

The gang watched the Euro CX races this morning before heading off to the course and I am hanging out for the morning waiting for bikes that didn't make it on time.

Racing at 1.  Lets do it!

MN CX State Championships

Waiting for my flight to Bend for USGP final so it is a quick recap.

Saturday I had the #2 call up from my 2nd place last year and had an ok start.  I thought with my hard ride the day before I would be opened up but that wasn't the case.  I rode with the lead group of 8 all race but lost it with 2 to go.  Not the finish I hoped for but I am usually better on the 2nd day.  The crowds were awesome and I even picked up 4 $2 bills so I had that going for me which was nice.

Sunday was the 35+ race and even though my motivation in the morning was low, (I almost stayed home) I felt great once the race started.  I ended up with CJ and Fisher the whole race as I chased down all of their attacks.  They played the perfect teammates and had I let one of them go that would have been the end.  I was gapping them through the sand as I was riding it pretty fast so I figured I would attack before the sand and try and hold it. Well, my rut was destroyed by lapped riders and then this happened.  I chased and got within 5 sec. and held on for 3rd.

Now I am waiting for my flight to Redmond.  Sitting at the airport in Seattle on a 3 hour layover.