for my non facebook friends

Cyclocross racing preperation

Ok, so May seems a little early for Cross Season... well maybe.. but I have a bit of work on my hands to start setting up some cross courses that will light the pants off the local cycling crowd and keep them interested in racing here in Bend rather than hoofing the hill and racing in Portland.

2 of our races have solid location capabilities.. probably to produce one of the most "Euro" feeling cross courses.
The final location is a bit of a stretch... The snow has just melted up in those hills, so I am waiting a few weeks to start observing the brake bumps and dust build up... as well find the best spot for runups etc in either rain, snow, or mud. The higher altitude locations seem like a pretty solid snow area, but one never knows from year to year.

Just for fun, I have been cruising around forums reading about complaints on courses etc and then trying to find matching videos in youtube (harder than it sounds). Then I watch what might of gone wrong. Crazy stuff going on out there... some races I would like to attend just to see the craziness!

Dusting off the cobwebs of life

This winter was a tough one to find time to ride. I did ride, just not much.
With a new baby who needed lots of daddy time ride time had to be sacrificed.. and for real sakes it is sort of part of the job.

Now that the sun has melted the snow, interest in riding my bike has peaked again. The rides into work have been "refreshing" to say the least with the spring cold headwinds and sandy shoulders.
But this morning the street sweepers were making headway and cleared the snow eating cinder from the shoulder of about half of my ride. Sadly they move too slow for me to tuck in behind and stay out of the wind. The wind beat me up this morning and I am sure it will do it again on my way home.

The good news it that I took my baby girl (now 10 months!) out for a spin in her Burley Trailer... Sweetness.
Then we bought her a helmet.. not so sweet. She doesn't like it too much.. but with a little daily coaxing of daddy wearing the helmet around the house and then putting it on her head for a few moments she will come to love the micro brain bucket. And Ride WE WILL.

Bend, the new cyclocrss mecca?

2009... and at least 3 cross events in Bend?

• Freshair will have its 3 series (still in planning)
  
• Webcyclery has their weeknight events
• Central OR racing has their Sat race too...

And Beer at them all?  After all this is a Micro Brew beer town.

And what about NATZ?   Bend is in the Running! It is a long shot, but Bend has some great potential for a Huge race and fun times.  

09 is going to be a season of sponsorship challenges

For racers and race promoters alike, 2009 is going to have some serious challenges.
Loose pocket books are not likely, unless you find someone who is making good money in the economic down turn or find unique methods of return on investment (legally speaking).

Bend will have its own unique challenges that are new to me.

I will be working with Fresh Air Sports for 2009 cyclocross season to help develop a sustainable series that will add that cyclocross suppliment to the already popular Webcyclery series and not interfere with racers schedules who make the trip over the pass to Cross Crusade or Eugene. Hopefully we can develop a package of good fun and challenge for those who want to race and make it one that is here from year to year.

What is also interesting is that USAC is in town this week reviewing Bend for the USAC Cyclocross National Championship location for 09/10. (I have no inside info on that one)  We might have another uprising of cyclocross racers in the area if this comes to fruition, so we will have to have more events locally.

The area is primed with lots of newer riders too, beyond elites and I think a smaller less metro location like Bend is a good place for people to dip their toes in and try cyclocross out.

Should be fun.

Hunter has new caps.

Hunter has some new cycling caps. I want one.
But what I really want for xmas is a Hunter Bacon Cycling Cap!

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Tesla electric car.. drool

Teslas new electric car.. 4 door. 60K.  Pretty nice looking.



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