This is not hogweed by the way. Just partridgeberry bushes or squaw vine. Either way it is a pretty site in Fall when everything around is dying.
The sunsets in Fall are often the best. The low light angles seem to enrich the sky colors.
As fall is winding down, so goes my riding. I was able to find one shiny cold day in November to ride the gravel once more. It is the last time I have seen it in over a month now.
It was a beautiful day to be out in nature, riding the single speed along beautiful quiet roads.
I am hoping to get out there again soon, but for now it is buried under snow and brutal cold.
The second to last cyclocross race of the season was at Manhattan Park. The day featured sunshine but no mud (yet) in sight. The course was fast and fun and featured some good climbs. I finished mid-pack as usual, slower than I would have liked.
The sandbox section slowed me down though I did pass this guy! That is actual a friend of mine who is a pretty good triathlete and a recent convert to cross.
Next up was the 'A's and the field was fast. This in Danielle Musto's significant other Scott finishing up an early lap.
The Bissell Boys stayed neck and neck with each other even in the sand, but they were no match for the front runners this day.
Next up was the 'A's and the field was fast. This in Danielle Musto's significant other Scott finishing up an early lap.
The Bissell Boys stayed neck and neck with each other even in the sand, but they were no match for the front runners this day.
This shot was taken on the last lap of the 'A' race and features the eventual winner, Tom Burke, giving his best impression of the Lance Armstrong "look" as he rides away to victory. Notice the hanger-ons on his right shoulder! I picked up a couple of those during my race too. Tom won over Brad White (the 2nd rider back in the photo) who is a pro riding for the Ouch Cycling Team. Pretty impressive win!
Next up, the Holland Mud-Fest! Last year it snowed during this race; this year it rained. The mud was exceptionally sticky and deep but the course was much improved over last years.
I started the race in the rain, chasing my buddy Eric (red and white kit) and stayed with him for a change (he usually finishes in the top ten). I actually got passed him on the bell lap and held him off to the finish. Of course, his bike had an additional 10 pounds of mud to drag around too! Paid to be riding a cross bike this day.
I started the race in the rain, chasing my buddy Eric (red and white kit) and stayed with him for a change (he usually finishes in the top ten). I actually got passed him on the bell lap and held him off to the finish. Of course, his bike had an additional 10 pounds of mud to drag around too! Paid to be riding a cross bike this day.
Me nearing the end of the spiral section on the final lap. Notice I am trying to stay high and dry using the outside line!
This is what all the fans came to see that day. The Death Spiral! It really was a fun addition to the course, but a major pain in the ass to ride. By the end, it was pretty darn soupy.
This is what all the fans came to see that day. The Death Spiral! It really was a fun addition to the course, but a major pain in the ass to ride. By the end, it was pretty darn soupy.
Some old familiar faces showed up for the final race including Nate here who had been absent for 2 or three races. He rode a mountain bike with cross tires to a respectable 5th place despite the absence of brakes (notice the levers have no cables!)
In the end, it was Tom Burke finishing 1st ahead of the field by a good margin. He made his break mid-way through the first lap and stayed out front the rest of the way. It was a great final day in the saddle and tough to see the season come to an end.
The following weekend, winter arrived and that dashed any hope of extending the riding season any longer. The first snowfall was significant and we finished with well over 8 inches that weekend.
Along with the snow came quite the cold snap and temps have been in the single figures already. Pretty unusual for this time of year and as a result, ice is already forming on the river.
Along with the snow came quite the cold snap and temps have been in the single figures already. Pretty unusual for this time of year and as a result, ice is already forming on the river.
My biggest objection to winter is driving and those first few days were hairy to say the least. For some reason, a number of folks forgot how to operate a car on slippery roads since last winter. That seems to be settling down now as we have had a number of sketchy days to practice.
I have resigned myself to pull out the rollers and become a subterranean bike rider once again. But you do have to do something to avoid going stir crazy this time of year.
The Holidays will be a nice reprieve from a busy work schedule of late. We once again are being given the honor of a week off between Christmas and New Years without pay. That is like a bonus, right?
Spring seems like a long way off right now.
