From the “Girl with the Cowbell Tattoo” to the philosophical Master’s racer extraordinaire, we bring you a new meeting of the minds. When Lee Waldman approached me (Molly) about doing a “conversation” column together, I immediately thought it was a great idea. After all, he lives across the country from me, we have a large [...]
Although the cyclocross season is happily getting incrementally longer every year, it’s still more compact than the road season. For those of us whose passion is cross that’s a good thing. For our partners, who have to suffer through mud filled showers, mud stained towels, abrasions, bruises and the occasional broken collar bone, the season is probably about 8 weeks too long already. Bottom line, if it wasn’t for their patience with our obsessive behavior, their moral support as we spend the majority of our time thinking about, talking about, and racing cross, and their physical presence at the races, racing cross would be much more difficult. So, this column is dedicated to them. [More...]
It’s almost Autumn. Hard to believe when the temperature in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, yesterday was in the mid-90s. Our first ’cross race, the target of all my work this past summer, is in less than three weeks. As soon as I got back from Nationals I began thinking about, planning for, and training towards this season. How many times in my life am I going to have the chance to even consider going to Masters Worlds? With their presence in the US for the next two years, it actually is a reality for me. All of the goals I’ve set, every mile on the mountain bike this summer, each circuit on the ’cross course; they’re now money in the bank. This week I’ll finalize my racing schedule for the season and then, with Louisville firmly planted in my mind, I’ll start racing. One more endurance race over Labor Day weekend, and then, cyclocross. Scraped shins, mud of all varieties, ruts, sand, max heart rate, blood, sweat and drool. What could be more fun?
The bikes; different than our ’cross bikes; have weird frames; fat, overstuffed tires and flat bars (where do my hands go?) but in reality, I’ve learned a ton from riding and racing my mountain bike this summer. Lessons that, I’m certain, will come in handy as I make the transition from rock gardens and stream crossings to 40 cm. barriers.
The sheer diversity of our cross community is one of the many things that I love about it. Across the country it’s populated by people who have found their way into cyclocross from so many different backgrounds and for such a variety of reasons. Talking with them, learning their stories, is one of my favorite things to do. I come away from every new encounter with a deeper understanding of the fact that we are truly a unique community.
Over the past two seasons almost everything about my preparation for cyclocross has gone through a dramatic change. And so far every step I’ve taken has yielded positive results. Now, at 61 I know I’m faster and technically better than ever. That knowledge gives me a lot of confidence going into this season with my goal of a good showing in Louisville at Masters Worlds in January 2013.
When I began working with Rob Brandt, the brand manager for Stevens Bikes, I had lots of questions. Rob graciously took time away from a busy work life to provide me with answers. Some of the things he said surprised me, some confirmed my long-held opinions. I found Rob to be bright, insightful, and open. He told me about himself; how he came to cycling; about ’cross bikes; about ’cross in general – it’s present state and it’s future; even a bit about Stevens, the company he represents.
Well, it’s finally happened! It was inevitable although it took quite a while! I’ve been completely transformed from a died in the wool roadie to an irrevocably addicted off road rider. I no longer crave hours of asphalt, instead I wake up in the morning thinking about single track climbs and rhythmic swooping descents.
It’s sometimes hard for me to get my head around this fact but, I’ve been racing cyclocross for over 30 years! That statement has me sitting at my keyboard shaking my head and laughing at myself. What is the world keeps me coming back? My last column explored the question of motivation. Here’s the next one: After doing cross for so long, what have I learned about how to get ready for the season? There are a few things that I’ve recently added to my list, and then there’s the processes that I’ve followed for years just to make sure I’m ready the first time I step off the bike and shoulder it over that first set of barriers.
First week of June and what we laughingly call Spring here on the Colorado Front Range has instantly transformed into summer. A week ago we were thrilled to see temperatures in the high 60s, now we’re into the 90s. Two weeks ago I was planning my training rides so that they would fall in between the inevitable 2:30 rainstorm that showed itself just as I was ending my teaching day. That’s a distant memory already. Now I’m frantically searching for sleeveless jerseys and sunscreen. 14 days ago I had to dig deep to find the motivation to roll out the door, today I’m chomping at the bit. Yeah, I hate to admit it since it seems so inconsistent with cyclocross racing, but I’m not a foul weather trainer. Racing in the mud, snow, rain … no problem. Looking out my window on flooded streets and thinking about spending the next two hours in the elements … not my fave.
IN THE COWBELL FORUMS:
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