While the international cyclocross season winds to a close in Belgium, planning for the largest ‘cross race in North America is at full speed. CrossVegas 2010, the highlight of the early season cross scene, is scheduled for Wednesday evening, September 22nd, in Las Vegas.

Heading into its fourth year, CrossVegas has become a fixture on the U.S. cyclocross calendar, attracting almost 10,000 spectators to the stadium-like setting of Desert Breeze Soccer Complex in Las Vegas. The race takes place after the first day of the Interbike Show and attracts bicycling industry members from around the world as well as cycling and ‘cross enthusiasts from throughout the U.S.

CrossVegas promoter Brook Watts calls the field of competitors “the strongest field gathered in a single race in the U.S.  The international interest in CrossVegas grows each year with even more competitors who are attracted by the international ranking (Category 1 on the international schedule) and the desire to represent their sponsors during the all-important Interbike show. We’re also seeing more international fans who combine CrossVegas spectating with a trip to the entertainment capitol of the world.”

Highlights from the 2009 race included participation by three-time world champion Erwin Vervecken of Belgium.  Vervecken finished with a strong fifth place in a race he termed “extremely fast and difficult.” The 2009 men’s race was won by American Jamey Driscoll of the Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com team. The women’s race was captured by American Katie Compton of the Planet Bike team. Compton was a repeat winner, having dominated CrossVegas in 2008 as well.

For the bicycle industry the battle for bragging rights takes place annually at CrossVegas in the “Wheelers & Dealers Race.” Starting off the evening’s schedule, bicycle industry professionals compete against each other in four different categories. Registration for the “Wheelers & Dealers” opens August 1st along with the Elite categories.

Watts concluded by saying, “Watch for lots of great developments and surprises between now and race day, it’s going to be a great year for CrossVegas.”

CrossVegas is co-sponsored by Clark County Parks and Recreation Department. Complete information at:  www.crossvegas.com.

1. SSCXWC09 Day 1 – Rain and Riding Underway, Drinking on Hold?
2. ZIPP OVCX’s “Second Season” Underway – Points Battles Come Into Focus
3. Course Construction Underway for 2010 Cyclocross World Championships in Tabor

Unless you’re going uphill, 25.8 kilometers is not a very long distance in the world of cycling, especially when it makes up a small portion of a 262 kilometer race. While each of the monuments of cycling can be defined by its age, the true spirit of a classic for me is that one section of the race course that forces a selection, elicits a response from the contenders, speaks to us in that recognizable language with all the familiar vocabulary that says this is why I watch; this is what I wait all winter for; these are the visions I have when I close my eyes on those long, lonely rides in the cold, the wet, the days that hurt, that I am unaware of the reasons why I am a cyclist. And it is these very same roads, these locations that welcome me when I arrive, when there is that memory recall of those months before.

For cycling’s monuments, there is a soundtrack in my mind that animates the visual. For Milan-Sanremo, the critical section of the race is the climb of the Poggio and the Cipressa that leads to the sprint, that brief moment when nearly 300 kilometers is condensed into 200 meters of speed and fury. It is during this section the chorus of one’s heart pounds so loudly it drowns out the tifosi. Desperation comes in two forms here, one from the bravest who attempts to steal the race as he launches himself off the front, the other from the favorite wrinkling under the intensity, giving one last desperate attempt to stay in contact, to keep pace. Sean Kelly and Moreno Argentin have each written their own music to this, and one has the lyrics of a triumphant fight song, the other a single word to accompany Taps.

Anyone can tell you Paris-Roubaix begins in earnest at the entry to the Arenberg Forest. The hell that is unleashed in 2,400 meters is a cacophony of noise unheard anywhere else. The rest mimics the fiercest sounds of battle that ravaged the landscape so many decades ago. Liège-Bastogne-Liège- a race that no man has ever won on luck- elicits the sound of a man’s will slowly crumbling under the constant pressure, until it has dissolved into dust. The winner has succeeded in turning this dust into gold. And while the Giro di Lombardia closes the fall classics season, its sound is as definitive and haunting as the fallen leaves that cover the roads. The church bells at the Madonna del Ghisallo chapel ring as the first rider crests the climb, announcing the commencement of service that will last 70 kilometers. I’ve heard the bells of Saint Peter’s announce the Pope and I’ve attended Easter mass at the Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. I’ve been woken many mornings from the sound of small town church bells. The ring from the Ghisallo is as beautiful a sound as I’ve ever heard from a church steeple.

As March ushers in the beginning of the Classics season, there is a beautiful parallel that I embrace that can be drawn between the sounds that accompany the races and the sounds that emanate from nature. Nature’s sheet music is perfectly written with the operatic songs of birds, their stage decorated with the perfume aromas of budding flowers. Opening the curtains on spring, there is an awakening from an insulated slumber whose last remnant is the dwindling smell of a smoldering fire. The sounds and senses of winter turning into spring is triggered by nature’s alarm clock, and brings forth the races that have come to define the term Spring Classics. Each great race has its own title track. For some it is masterfully crafted music, for others it’s the spine shattering sound of scratching fingernails on a blackboard. There is an emotional orchestration that is scripted to match the physical composition. Each piece is played to its own rhythm, and played with a vision of the overall.

For me, the beauty of the Tour of Flanders lies in a 25.8 kilometer stretch that has as much in its orchestration as there is in the improvisation provided by the riders. I have no idea if Karel Van Wijnendaele, the creator of the Tour of Flanders, was a listener of great music, but he has his box seat for a one man audience of his composition, played in front of him on the same stage, with different animators each year. The gently arched monument bearing his bust sits on a perch on the Ronde van Vlaanderenstraat, close to the Flanders/Wallonia border, with open arms embracing his riders and his countryside, and its solid, unscripted stone back defiantly defining the boundary of what is purely Flemish and what is clearly not.

If the first 160 kilometers of this race is the opening set, then the second set begins with six climbs that are introduced with the Oude Kwaremont, and followed in rapid succession by the Paterberg, Koppenberg, Steenbeekdries, Taaienberg and Eikenberg. This six song set, a bridge, a transition that takes the show, the music, the players, from the orchestrated to the improvised, the best of the musicians confidently taking turns at the front, firmly embedding the viewers, the listeners onto the edge of their seats. It is during these six climbs that the race transitions from a show to a concert, from a celebration to a ritual, from an event that will be to a race that is. There are the highs and lows, the rhythmic pieces, the powerful pieces, the transitional moments that take this from one stage in the composition to the next.

The Oude Kwaremont is first, as it reaches to touch the monument of Van Wijnendaele. 2,516 meters of asphalt and cobbles, and its pace is never hurried, but always with a strong start as the approval of Van Wijnendaele is sought. It’s as if the race and its riders are performing in his shadow, paying homage to its creator with their first effort before moving forward to script their own version. The sound of speed defines the next two kilometers to the Paterberg. A short burst of power, condensed to 360 meters rising sharply over bone rattling cobbles. The next six kilometers sees moderation, a chance for the players to put their instruments down for a few minutes while the background tempo resonates. The surge of intensity returns as the 2,100 meter Mariaborrestraat introduces to the crowd the Steenbeekdries, a 761 meter cobbled ensemble whose lively chorus is the clattering descent of the Stationsberg. The 533 meters of the Taaienberg is stretched for maximum effect, its slowly dissolving grade keeps the intensity of the pace flowing. The Eikenberg, at 1,252 meters, reminds me of that song that is minutes longer when performed live than on the studio version. No it is not the finale, only the final piece that has set the stage for the performers to shine. From here, some will step aside, others will fall away, and one will step up, for the finale. He will perform the encore, and embrace the reception of a standing ovation.

It is the sound that goes with the relentless fury that animates the emotions I feel as these races finally arrive and when I experience them live. And this is what animates my emotions each time I straddle my bike, sink onto my saddle and enter the timeless realm that is this wonderful sensation I know to be cycling.

The Oregon posse Crosniacs, aka the PacNW Allstarz have been looking in to getting a tent for the upcoming cross season. I have been working with a few different vendors and this is what we have come up with so far. Let me know what you guys think. Also, if any of you fellow Crossniacs know anyone on the inside that could possibly get us a price break let me know.

HTFU,

Frosty

PacNW AllStarz

Timothy Johnson. © Tom Olesnevich

Tim Johnson (Cannondale – Cyclocrossworld.com) had a dream 2009/2010 ‘cross season, culminating with a National title and a 14th place at the World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic. The transition between his ‘cross and the beginning of road season, where he’s the captain of the UnitedHealthcare Pro cycling team presented by Maxxis, was a crazy-short five days, from ‘cross Worlds to road team training camp. But Johnson, a veteran of both sports, may have found the perfect method to juggle it all and still have plenty of fun doing it. Undoubtedly his long cyclocross season has left him with more fitness – and certainly more top-end training – than most of the others in the peloton – something he’ll have the chance to prove this weekend in the team’s first race, the MERCO Cycling Classic in Merced, CA. His unorthodox winter approach may have him with good freshness as well. We checked in with Tim for more insights on his eighth time at Worlds and his upcoming road season.

by Josh Liberles

You’re already wrapping up your road team’s training camp in Tucson, and you’re barely done with the ‘cross season!  Tell us about that transition.
I had five days between Worlds and our team training camp in Tucson, Arizona. In between, we had the season-ending party for the Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com team in Beverly, Massachusetts, did a photo shoot for a magazine in New York City, then off to the training camp for UnitedHealthcare presented by Maxxis.

It actually worked out really well, I had great legs for the camp.

Johnson shakes out the cobwebs and unveils his new kit at Surf City Cyclocross Series Finale, Aptos High School, 1/10/10. © Cyclocross Magazine

So you had an unorthodox approach to the time between Nationals and Worlds. What did you do and why do you think that suited you?
After Nats, I took a break, had my wisdom teeth out the following morning, and pretty much laid around for the next six days. Then I cross-country skied a bit, then started riding after 10 days.

By January 1^st, I was riding outside again in Santa Barbara. I did the Surf City cyclocross race on the 8^th or 9^th, a 70+ mile, all-day mountain bike ride in Malibu with some friends, and some fun dirt road rides in Santa Barbara. I did my specific cyclocross training on my Computrainer. I just had less stress, and I used that freshness to train harder than I normally would’ve.

Where did you get the idea to train this way instead of heading off to Europe in between and following a more traditional calendar?
I did something similar last year, although I didn’t go to Worlds. After Nats in Kansas City, I went to Canada and New Hampshire for cross-country skiing, did some Computrainer workouts to restart pedaling, then three weeks in Santa Barbara leading into my road camp. Day five of road camp was the same day as Worlds and I had great legs, I was flying. I was in the chat with Andrew Yee, providing commentary for Cyclocross Magazine’s online coverage of Worlds. I had great form while the race was going on, and I was wishing that I was there racing. That’s actually what planted the idea.

It may not be for everybody, it’s difficult to get the motivation to train during that break, but I definitely plan to do it again. I’ll change some things I do so I’ll be faster for Worlds in St Wendel than I was this year.

Cyclocross is a sport I love, and with the change in the road season calendar, it’s possible to get into it even more and do it again next year even better. Now that the Tour of California has moved from February to early May, there’s no conflict between ‘cross Worlds and the start of my road training camps and the beginning of my road season.

Tell us briefly how you’ve progressed on the World stage
I’ve done eight Cyclocross World Championship events: ‘96 – 2000, 2002, 2008 and 2010. I was 56^th and 52^nd in my first two, then tenth and third in the U23s. A lot of people don’t know about those first couple of not-so-great results. That’s something I mention to the kids doing it now – just get out there and do your best, and you’ll develop over time.

Tim Johnson grits it out to become the highest US finisher at the 2010 Cyclocross World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic. © Joe Sales

OK – tell us about the race in Tabor!

I had a pretty good race, not amazing. I would’ve been pumped with a top ten, and jumping up and down for top five. I was so close to a top ten, I’ve been asking myself what went into those missing 15 seconds, which would have had me there. I had a third or fourth row start, had some small problems at the start and for a split second missed clipping in, so I lost a couple of seconds out of the gate. I was sitting in 30-something coming through early, that could easily have been twenty-something with a better start.

The race was really aggressive, with banging and slamming. I had a couple of good battles with Marco Fontana, the Italian Cannondale rider who ended up in 11^th. Of course, it was really fast, you have to keep on the gas, make up ground wherever you can and constantly hold people off. I was passing a whole bunch of people throughout the race, including Niels Albert, which was a little surprising. I thought he’d have a bad race, he looked terrible when I saw him riding a couple of days before, and he rolled up to the start line on 30mm Dugast Typhoons, for some reason (in contrast Johnson raced on 34mm Dugast Rhinos). Late in the race, I was with Erwin Vervecken and Kevin Pauwels for a while, just trying to go as fast as I could. I made it as far up as 12^th, but bobbled going into a corner. Marco’s the only guy who passed me and stayed in front of me.

What was it like having the entire Cannondale – Cyclocrossworld.com team at Worlds?
We’re so lucky to have our crew and support, Zipp, SRAM, Stu (Thorne) and Cyclocrossworld.com. Our team accounted for three out of the five guys representing our country, and that’s not lost on us. All that pressure on us makes it easier to try harder and have the best race possible.

The good US riders tend to max out on Cat 2 UCI points and then get into Cat 1 points. If you hit one World Cup and do well, that would make all the difference (for start position at the World Championships). There’s a limit to what you can do for points outside of Europe. Next season the Cannondale – Cyclocrossworld.com team will make a trip to Europe and target one or two World Cups in the fall to try and get those points. The other important thing for me is just to try to refine my race day action and do what I can to have a better World Championship ride.

How much did Team USA work together? Were there any tactics involved?
My two teammates and I talked quite a bit about tire selection and pressure, but Jonathan (Page) and Ryan (Trebon) were staying off site. During the race, there’s not a lot you can do for one another when it’s balls to the wall for the entire hour. We did share as much info as possible with the Juniors, U23s and Women riders – that definitely makes us feel like we’re all in it together.

What are your personal and your team’s goals for the season?
I had five days between Worlds and our team training camp in Tucson, Arizona. In between, we had the season-ending party for the Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com team in Beverly, Massachusetts, and I did a photo shoot for a magazine in New York City, then off to the team training camp. It worked out really well, I had great legs for the camp.

As the team captain, it’s my job to make sure that we accomplish the goals that we set out before the races. Tactics change during the events, and we need someone out there to keep a clear head when we’re under pressure. I’m looking forward to racing with no radios. (Editor: this year the UCI has banned race radios for most road events). You gotta be motivated, willing and able to take risks. It’s lots more dynamic. Races that are scripted get old.

Overall, we at UnitedHealthcare p/b Maxxis are just looking to get back to our winning ways. We have guys who can sprint, climb and go for GC. So, we want to make sure we’re winning, have a good Tour of California – I like racing at that level, it’s really intense and hard and lifts our game.

Personally, I also want to win at least one race this year. I had a sprint finish loss to Teddy King in Marblehead (Massachusetts) this year. For my own head, and so my teammates will stop giving me crap, I need to take a win!

Thanks Tim. We’ll be watching your road results and counting down the days with you until the beginning of the 2010 US ‘cross season.

1. One to Go: Vicki Thomas Readies for Worlds
2. Jesse Anthony Reflects on His Season
3. Vervecken Reflects on His Last Major Race Before Retirement

Conshohocken, PA: Controversy struck the opening day of registration for next summer’s New Jersey State Fair SpectaCross.  As always, SpectaCross is organized differently to take advantage of the Fair’s schedule and to give racers more track time with races such as the Cyclocross Magazine Friday Night Sprints and the Garden State Open presented by SpectaSport Digital Chip Timing.  One of the races on the program, the BikeClicks.com Classy “Class(sic)” consists of classes not normally found in bike races, and which are primarily suggested by racers themselves.  Classes such as “Diabetics”, “Military Vets”, and “Red Sox Nation” are part of the race that’s a small part of the overall New Jersey State Fair SpectaCross program taking place on August 6-7.

On Monday evening, organizers of the event were shocked to find Mike Hebe, the Director of the MAC Series, entered in the “Mothers” class.  “At first we thought it was a mistake,” said Ken Getchell of SpectaSport, the event’s promoter.  “But when we contacted some of the people that know Mike best, they pretty much all agreed that he is, in fact, a mother.”

Of course, allowing Hebe (a road, mountain and triathlon racer who is also one of the faster Elite Masters riders in Mid Atlantic cyclocross racing) to compete as a mother could upset the competitive balance of a class designed for women, forcing SpectaSport to scramble to adjust.

“Registration is already open, so we can’t change the class,” says Getchell.  “So we’ve decided to utilize the capabilities of our chip scoring and award all of the classes in the BikeClicks.com Classy “Class(sic)” based on gender.  For example, we’ll have have both a Men’s and a Women’s winner in the Red Sox Nation class.  There are a lot more mothers in bike racing than many people realize, this will let all of them compete on an equal footing.”

1. ‘Cross Nats Stage 2: Registration for Non-Masters Categories Opens Tonight
2. Changes Coming to Verge NECCS Categories and Start Times
3. Erik Kramer and David van der Poel Dutch National Champions in the Youth Categories

It is Friday. Normally this isn’t a rest day for me. Normally I ride seven days a week. But this is not the normal time of my training cycle. This is my first week back training after a four week break. I really really want to ride today. Especially since I didn’t get to ride yesterday. Thursday was a core/strength day – but no riding. Yikes – two days in a row with no riding.

You cyclists can appreciate how not riding for two days in a row can cause your brow to wrinkle a bit and your palms to sweat…. But I’m sticking to the plan. After all, the plan has worked so far. In fact the plan has worked really well. So today I rest. Besides Saturday and Sunday are looking darn good – 2 hours on Saturday and 2.5 hours on Sunday. No complaints here. Also some yoga on the schedule as well.

This rest day does give me time to get other stuff done. You might be scratching your head about this – since most of you know that I’m not “working” right now. Well, I may not be working in an office, but I am spending my days hunched over my laptop working on various writing projects. Some pay, some don’t, some might. Progress is all I can hope for. I’m pretty excited to be working with Canadian Cycling Magazine – I’m writing for this new magazine on a freelance basis and on a part-time basis I’m working with the editor to keep the web site up-to-date with the latest news of our fine Canadian cyclists. The web site should be live today (I’ll post the link when it is live). So if you’re a Canadian cyclist, don’t be shy – drop me an email and tell me what you’re up to.

Hopefully next week, I can post about the my team plans for the 2010 – 2011 season. I’m just waiting for the club registration to be finalized. Not really any big changes – if you check out my sponsor page, you’ll see I’m still supported by the same fine companies. Really just a change in my racing kit. Actually, if you poke around the site you’ll see I’ve made a few changes: new banner, updated the About page, updated the links on the right – general housecleaning work.

Alright, I best be off. I’ve got a few writing projects I want to get done this morning. Looking forward to riding outside this weekend. Tempted by a four hour ride on Saturday…. But this isn’t on the plan… Not sure. I best stick to the plan. The plan is the way to go. Right?

Lee Waldman wants us to avoid this type of thinking during a 'cross race. © fuzzcat on Flickr

by Lee Waldman

I believe that you should always finish the race, no matter what. Quitting unless there’s a broken bone involved simply opens up a Pandora’s box that should be left closed. It makes very little difference where or how you finish, nor should it. But…you need to finish.

I’ve defined myself as an athlete since I was in 8^th grade. If my math is correct that was 47 years ago. A long time to spend viewing myself through a specific lens. Truth be told, I’m better, fitter, more accomplished and certainly more dedicated now than I was as a teenager. And not simply as an athlete, but as a person. I persisted. I never quit. Sport has been one of the singular most consistent themes in my life. Not due to stellar success. Mostly because of what it’s given back to me.

There’s a really good chance that most of you are not going to be contacted within the next few months by a team director with a contract to ride as a pro cyclocrosser next season. More likely, most of you are well into planning for next season; laying out your training program, searching for new equipment, looking at the race schedule in your district. I’ve been doing the same. It’s the reasons that we do it that are important. Are we already making space for the swag and trophies that we’ll win? Or, are we completely and totally immersing ourselves in the process because we understand that the process is more important than the product?

The lessons that I’ve learned since I began competing, as a swimmer, then as a skier and now as a cyclist have gotten me through more challenges than I care to even begin to catalog. Quitting might have looked attractive more often than I’d like to admit, but I didn’t.

As a swimmer, I never got out of the pool in the middle of a workout saying that it was too hard and I was too tired. As a matter of fact, my introduction into the harsh reality of what it meant to be an athlete came at the hands of my first real swimming coach. We regularly swam “underwaters” at the end of our practices. An underwater is exactly what it sounds like: one lap underwater, in our 25 meter pool. I was lazy and never made it from the full lap. One night, he wouldn’t let me leave! After five tries I was close to tears, and angry at the same time. Sixth time into the pool, fueled by anger and adrenaline, I made it! And I learned that my capacity to push myself beyond what I believed was possible was far greater that I had imagined. Looking back on it, it seemed like a little thing, but to me, at that time, it was one of those life-altering events. I don’t think I’ve ever faced a challenge since that I didn’t truly believe I could get through given enough time and effort.

And so I don’t quit bike races, or life, for that matter. Because I believe it’s a truly slippery slope and an easy one to start down, from climbing off of the bike because it’s too cold, too muddy, I’m too tired, it’s too hard, to giving up on the truly important things in life: child rearing, job stresses, marriage, you name it.

So here’s what I do believe. Put one step in front of the other and eventually you’ll get to where you’re going. There’s always a way to get to the top of the hill. It might not be fast, but you will get there, if and only if you don’t turn the bike around and head back down. Most of us will continue to toil in virtual anonymity as athletes but does it really matter in the long run? Isn’t sport, and life, about something more than winning? What about integrity, honesty, and persistence in the face of adversity?

That’s what I believe in, and I learned it by never allowing myself to climb off the bike and quit.

Agree or want to set me straight?  Drop a comment below.

This is column #11 from Lee Waldman, a Colorado-based Masters racer on a mission to win a National Championship. See Lee’s previous column reflecting on Nats and next season’s plans here.

1. So Close in Bend! – a Column by Lee Waldman
2. Dancing on (and off) the Pedals – a Column by Lee Waldman
3. Post-Season Ruminations – A Column by Lee Waldman

Last weekend there was a special ride for Erwin Vervecken and his fans. This was to be Erwin’s last ride as he officially retired from the sport of cyclo-cross. My friend Luc Van Der Meiren, participated in this race. Luc was generous to write a race report for us. Many thanks Luc for taking the time to tell us all what it was like.

Erwin Vervecken’s Retirement

On Saturday 27/02/2010 Erwin Vervecken said goodbye to cyclocross and topsport! For all his fans and cycling colleagues he planned a big mass-event in his hometown of Herentals (Belgium). Everyone who wanted to take part in this event was welcome. If you had a mountainbike or a ‘cross bike you could ride along with the greatest riders off cyclocross. (Participants: men elite: Zdenek Stybar (World Champion), Sven Nys, Niels Albert , Kevin Pauwels (my local hero), Bart Aernouts and Erwin Vervecken himself of course; elite women: elite Daphny Van Den Brand, Helen Wyman, Nikki Harris, Christine Vardaros, Joyce Vanderbeken and Nicole De Bie-Luyten. Even ex- collegues took part in this race! I saw Roland Liboton (7 times world champion), Danny De Bie and many others on the starting line!

But before we started our race there was a special race for kids, they really enjoyed their own race! After their race they got a package with all kinds of stuff in it, from lots of sponsors such as sports drinks and food.

At 2.30pm it was our race. The whole night and morning it rained a lot, so the track in the field and woods from Herentals was very, very muddy! We had to choose between two distances: 20k or 40k. (2 or 4 laps of 10k). There where 3 starting boxes: first box was for the elite men and woman, next box was for all riders with another license and the third box was for the whole bunch of freeriders. With almost 750 people it was not easy to have a fast start. The start was on a football field, but after 200m the road was only 3m wide so it was important to have a good start. My brother and I started at the rear of the pack, because he said he would do it on a slow tempo! But after 200 m we stood still, then we rode a few meters and back of the bike, walked a few meters and back on the bike again! First half lap was very muddy and all singletrack, if you wanted to pass then you must go trough deep mud and water. The Elite men and woman had a clear track so they started really fast!

Just before I ended my first lap I was passed already by the head of the bunch, they rode two times faster than me!!! I think I made a wise decision to do only 20k (2laps)! The pro’s did 4 laps and they had already taken a shower before I ended my two laps! They are really fast, when they passed me, I almost caught a cold!!! In my last lap I made a mistake on a little downhill and fell of my bike and bruised my ribs! Ouch!!!

At the end of the race it was Erwin Vervecken himself who won, behind him the other pro’s made a show of honor and applauded the man who stopped his beautiful career! Afterwards there was a big party for everyone! All the pro’s and fans enjoyed themselves with food , drinks and dance! Then Erwin hung his bike on a hook and that was the really end of his career! Now his new career as sport marketing manager can begin by Golazo Sports, focusing on cyclocross and mountainbiking!

I’m still recovering from my bruised ribs but I was glad that I was there!

(Thanks again Luc for taking the time to write a race report! Greatly appreciated.)

With over ten years since he built his first frame, a cross frame naturally, Mike Zanconato has already established himself among the top builders at the NAHBS. Focused on building with steel, Zanc has developed a reputation for style and quality and works to ensure that a rider has substantial input into each frame that his shop turns out. After recently reestablishing his shop in a renovated mill building, Zanc was at the NAHBS to show off the latest and greatest that his shop is producing.  Bill Schieken of In the CXHairs took some time out from his booth-hopping to discuss frames, canti’s instead of mini V’s and building the best ‘cross bikes.

Mike Zanconato at NAHBS 2010 from In The Crosshairs on Vimeo.

1. 2010 Shimano North American Handmade Bicycle Show – In the CXHairs Checks in From Richmond
2. Rocky Mountain Bicycle Show Expands Beyond Framebuilders
3. San Diego Custom Bicycle Show 2009 – Cyclocross Highlights

In a word – awesome. That was how the much anticipated Tuesday ride was. It was great to be out pedaling and moving forward rather than pedaling in place.

I hit the road shortly after 10 a.m. The sun was shining and the sky was a brilliant blue. I bundled up with all my top winter riding gear and got busy. It was just so soothing to be out and feeling my body power me through the air. My legs ticked over nicely finding a relaxed and smooth rhythm.

No SRM for me today. Focus right now is on high cadence and getting back into the training groove. Perfect – just what I need right now. I pedaled along through Barrhaven to Richmond onto Stittsville and then finally ending up at Marc’s office in Kanata. All on my trusty Stevens Super Prestige.

It took a bit to get used to being around cars again. Didn’t realize how spoiled we are in Belgium to have the amazing bicycle path system and very quiet country roads to explore. I think most motorists were shocked to see a cyclist out on the road! Extra bonus of the ride is that the roads were completely dry.

There was a bit of a headwind but, with the ‘cross gearing, it wasn’t an issue. Besides, I think I was smiling too much to notice the headwind. The ride flew by and before I knew it I was putting the bike in my car. Sigh. Ah well, I get to do it all over again tomorrow.

Not sure where I’ll go on Wednesday. Most likely I’ll hit up some of my favorite training loops. Barrhaven – Richmond – Pierce’s Corners? Guess I’ll just have to see where the spirit takes me.

Richard Sachs' personal rides featured classic lines and the detritus from the last race of the season. © Bill Schieken/www.cxhairs.com

by Bill Schieken

The 2010 Shimano North American Handmade Bicycle Show took place February 26-28 in Richmond, Virginia. The event shared the Greater Richmond Convention Center with the Virginia Wine Expo. At first glance, you may think it would be easy for volunteers greeting attendees to suss out the framebuilding groupies from the vintner groupies, but the array of NAHBS attendees, from beard-rocker to straight-laced professional, is a testament to the growing popularity of the show. Starting in 2005, the NAHBS has gone from 23 exhibitors and 700 attendees to 150 exhibitors and over 7000 attendees.

If you like the cyclocross, and you wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t, the show had plenty to offer. Venerable names such as Richard Sachs showed up with race-tested rigs still sporting a caked-on layer of Belgian toothpaste. Sacha White set up shop in pastoral environs that showcased his Vanilla and Speedvagen lines amongst barn stables and wooden slat crates, highlighted by a Speedvagen equipped with Shimano’s Di2 group. The crew from Bilenky literally brought their Philadelphia workshop, clutter and all. They also walked away with the jury award for best road bike, and it was a tandem. Cysco brought a unique ride to the show, featuring a twisted downtube based on a theory that the twist provides added lateral stiffness.

Along with the many shiny frames on display, NAHBS also featured a slew of new components and accessories for your cyclocross needs. Paul Components showed off an update to their popular chain keeper that replaced chain-guard setups on many CX rigs. The new offering attaches to the bottom-bracket rather than the seat-tube. FSA is reportedly adding a cross crank to their top line and Mad Alchemy has expanded their flavor palette, although I’m still not sure what you were supposed to do with the open sample bottles the Embrocation Journal boys had available at the show. A little behind the ears maybe?

Next year’s show will take place in Austin, Texas. Until then here are some images from the past weekend.

Photo Gallery

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Schieken writes for the ‘cross blog In The Crosshairs when not contributing to Cyclocross Magazine

1. 2010 North American Handmade Bicycle Show – A Conversation With Zanc
2. Rocky Mountain Bicycle Show Expands Beyond Framebuilders
3. San Diego Custom Bicycle Show 2009 – Cyclocross Highlights

As we move into the 2010 season, here is the CO Posse:

Michael Beck

Name & Nickname:  Michael Beck

Category:  Cat 3 CX but race 45 Open, Cat 4 Road but race 35/4 or 45/4, and Cat 1 Mtn but race single and rigid.

Years Racing:  17 years seriously, my first race was in 1992 at the Cold Springs Road Race in Texas but I considered myself a racer after competing in the 1993 Cactus Cup in Arizona.

Hometown:  Carol Stream, IL (Live in the Suburban Hell of Denver)

Occupation: Slacker, Stay at Home Dad

Favorite Local Race: A tie between Buena Vista and Frisco.  My all time favorite race is the Chihuahaun Desert Challenge, an old Mountain Bike Stage Race in Lajitas, Texas.

Post Race Beverage:  Anything malty and cold.

Tubular or Clincher:  Tubular, rode my first pair in 1989 then strayed away for a few years.

Bicycle of Choice: Dean for Cross, Waltworks for Mtn, De Rosa for Road

Can or Bottle: Can for my beer, bottle for my wine

2010 Goals: Finish Dirty Kanza, ride time trials with my kids, a weekend of self-supported touring with the family, ride lots of CO gravel, and a solid Cyclocross season.

Gerry Reynolds

Name & Nickname: Gerry Reynolds aka The Destroyer or G

Category: CX 35+4/Mountain Cat 3

Years Racing: 5

Hometown: Centennial,CO aka The Burbs

Occupation: Distribution Center Manager

Favorite Local Race: Battle The Bear, Cult Cross and any cross race at BCLP

Post Race Beverage: PBR

Tubular or Clincher: Clincher

Bicycle of Choice: S-Works Tricross and the Ferrous Twins (yes, I have two of them now)

Can or Bottle: Can

2010 Goals: Get healthy, Do Laramie again,have fun, and keep my ass of the ground!

Chad Meinert

Chad Meinert 

Name & Nickname: Meiney

Category: DFL

Years Racing: 10

Hometown: Currently reside in Lakewood, CO

Occupation: Recreation Manager                                            

Favorite Local Race: Frisco Cross’ Weekend!

Post Race Beverage: I do not discriminate.

Tubular or Clincher: I do not discriminate.

Bicycle of Choice: My old school Sacha White, Spot SS, Surly Pacer,

Can or Bottle: I do not discriminate.

2010 Goals: DK & Cross’ will get my focus, the beautiful roads and trails of Colorado will get my fancy.

 Scott Bristol

Name & Nickname:  Scott Bristol, aka “Woody.”  Nickname from college that all my old buds still call me.  Should have kept it had I known I would be an insurance agent.

Category:  35+ Cat 4 or 45+ open if I ever get back in shape.

Years Racing:  25 (first race was the Santa Fe Hill Climb which pretty much set the tone for my entire racing career.  OTB and suffering right from the gun.

Hometown:  Golden, CO (I grew up in El Paso, TX)

Occupation:  www.scottbristol.com  State Farm Agent

Favorite Local Race:  Tough call, but hard to beat Xilinx.  Our own race in Golden is a close 2^nd, especially after Chad went so deep in the hurt locker he almost knocked the back out of it.

Post Race Beverage:  PBR cans or Coors Light cans

Tubular or Clincher: Tubular.  Period.

Bicycle of Choice:  Redline Conquest Pro for CX, Spot Brand Rigid SS for MTB, DeRosa for road

Can or Bottle:  Cans after (and during) races, bottles all other times, preferably Coors Light in large quantities.  This may be cause of answer #2 above and #11 below.

2010 Goals:  Represent at Dirty Kanza, Big Buckle at Leadville if I get in, and actually be a factor in a 45+ cross race this year.

Travis Stone

Name & Nickname: Travis Stone, just Trav

Category:35+4 CX & Road, Cat 2 Mtn

Years Racing: 3

Hometown:Princeton NJ

Occupation: Real Estate Asset Manager

Favorite Race: Mt. Washington Hill Climb

Post Race Beverage: 2004 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, or most any quality Napa Cab. Yeah, I know I’m a pussy.  

Tubular or Clincher: Clincher Tubeless

Bicycle of Choice: Santa Cruz Stigmata CX, Look 585 Road, Yeti 575 Mtn (fun), Niner EMD Mtn (race)

Can or Bottle: Bottle

2010 Goals: Top tens, maybe a couple of top 5’s in cross, win Bayou Salado!

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