Woodland Park and Sprinker Rec Center CX Races

The last two weekends involved two more CX races- one at Woodland Park and one down in Tacoma at Sprinker rec center.

The Woodland Park race had an immense field (pics by Chad):

Maris Farms CX- racing through the pumpkin patch

Sunday's race was took place at a pumpkin patch.  Although I've spent a lot of time in the country, I found it surreal to be out at a farm, cruising around in and out of the rows of horse stalls, while warming up for my race.  Reminiscent of 4-H shows of my youth, only this time riding an aluminium steed rather than a living, whinney-ing one. The race course itself was lined in pumpkins.  Here are some beautiful images of the day from flickr photographer Ryan Richardson:

Silver Lake CX Race

This last Sunday I raced in the Silver Lake CX race up in Everett.  Although it was a beautiful, sparkling sunny day, the course was quite brutal- it included a long, long LONG run across the beach.

Her'es a little montage of some sand shots (all shots by Chad):

That's me on the bottom right, my speedy friend Kate L above me, TBD to the left, and
 SCCA/ Sbux team president Paul above him giving cx a try.  Hint: click on the montages to view larger images.

Beverly Park Cross Race.. Mud, Mud Mud

Last Sunday's race was possibly the muddiest experience of my life.  The skies opened up right before my race started, and the cat 4 women, stripped down to race jerseys in anticipation of the start, were soaked in a torrential deluge of rain.   Every square inch of the course, minus the short section around a clay track, was mud. The run ups were complete mud, a slip and slide fest, right out of the gate.  The upper section of the course, which wove back and forth across a section of turf, was no respite, as the turf was waterlogged and quickly turned to mud.  From the turf, we rode down a muddy decline, back across the track, and to the back stretch, which was not rideable due to mud.  Back and forth we slogged, bikes on shoulders, mud to mid calves.
Definitely one of the most intensely wet and dirty experiences of my life- but there is something fun about being that dirty.  A momentary relapse into a mud-covered childhood, perhaps.

Here's a roundup of my favorite images from around the web of that day: