WCA Cyclocross Season So Far

So we kicked off the 2008 cyclocross season on Saturday September 27th at the Angell Park Jonathan Page UCI 'Cross. It was sunny most of the day, and a bit warm for cross weather. The fields were a good size, with riders from all over the country, even in the lower categories. I didn't get to see much of the racing (I was stuck inside playing race secretary with the computer), but I heard it all went quite well. I did get to see part of the Elite Men's race. By then, the outcome was pretty much decided, but there were a few smaller battles still going on and the racing I saw was quite good. Our local riders present at the race made a good showing.
September 28th, the second day of the Angell Park Cross, had weather much better suited to 'cross. Partly cloudy and chilly all day, I still didn't get to see much of the racing. The fields were about the same size as Saturday. I'm sure the racing was just as good. Again, I only got to see a bit of the Elite Men's race. The two days were pretty much identical from my perspective, but I didn't get to see much at all. Hopefully next time I can see more of the racing.
October 4th was the classic Cam-Rock race. Promoted and organized by the Brazen Dropouts team, it's a classic, and has been going on for as long as I can remember. The day was pretty chilly, except for a little while in the sun. Even though there was a heavy frost in the morning, the grass dried well and wasn't the least bit slippery. Regardless of the state of the turf, several riders still managed to have incidents rare to cyclocross. As far as I'm aware, we definitely broke on collarbone, bruised some ribs a bit, and got someone good on the back or shoulder. I later heard someone also hit their head, but I don't know anything about it. However unnatural these were to 'cross, they weren't too severe. The racing was good regardless.
October 5th was the Lapham Peak race, another classic. The day started nicely, a bit overcast and chilly, but not too bad overall. Later, though, it rained and got a bit windy. It stopped raining about halfway through the last race. I was working so I really only saw the bit around the finish line, but it's not the most boring bit of the course. The races were very competitive, even though the fields were a bit small (likely due to the weather forecast).

So I sort of forgot about this for a while, but...

I'll try to make it up to you (who ever out there is bored enough to read this).

So a fair bit has happened since I last posted here. Last year at Muscatine over Memorial Day weekend, Greg Harper had asked me to sing the anthem for the pro's, and I declined. Over the winter I sang the anthem at several of my school's basketball games and people seemed to like it. And I learned a little bit of anxiety management.... Haha. Then this year, at Superweek, which I was already attending as an official, the lead announcer, Eddy Van Guise, asked me to sing the anthem at some of the races. I deliberated, but quickly decided that the practice in performing would be worth it, and I knew I wouldn't have a major case of nerves and screw it up, even though I knew a lot of the people who would hear me sing it, which wasn't the case when I sang it at school. So I sang for Richton Park (a new race this year), one of the Benseville stages, Waukesha's Carl Zach Classic, Cedarburg, Downers Avenue, and Whitefish Bay.

We all survived Superweek this year, even though there were some organizational issues to be sorted out. Hopefully everything will be okay next year.

Local racing this year has been quite good. Cyclocross season starts at the end of the month, and I'll try to keep this updated throughout the season.

I survived moving into college and have a great roommate. She even likes good music. And she plays piano a bit and sings a bit. It's pretty damn cool. All my classes (except the required ones, which there are only two of) are pretty fun. I especially like the fact that I have around seven music classes. Definitely rocking out. And there's a music group (student run) up here that I've joined. It's called Howlin' at the Moon, and we do all sorts of music (whatever we can, and want to, play) and I think we'll be amazing because all of the people involved are really cool. Everyone here is pretty nice, and we do fun crazy stuff. yay!