Ron Strasser

Everyone has feelings about the cyclocross community. I won’t put us on a pedestal (unless you podium), but my experience is being around and racing with some of the most caring and will do people I have encountered. Everyone puts differing amounts into their cyclocross experience because of the distraction of the rest of their life (if they actually have life outside of training and cyclocross) and that is what makes cross the wonderful melting pot for all sorts. In my opinion, the cross pollination cyclocross provides is the key to the future of the sport of cycling. It is the easiest gateway sport to this healthy lifelong activity of being on bikes. At entry level, equipment is so unimportant.....fun is the key. Our promoters, sponsors, OBRA ( plus all the volunteers) and supportive fans and fellow racers make this a fun experience for newbies and us regulars.
Over the years I have raced on the course with many different cat. groups. It has been only on rare occasion where negativity has come into play out on the course. Like other endeavors of my lengthening life, I have learned a great deal from these racers with such a huge cross section of racing and social skill. Mostly inspiring I might say.
I have to do a special shout out to three groups of riders right now who have played huge roles in my cross experience.
First. The 50+ group. I do not race with you anymore, but back when I did, it was the most challenging physical experience in sport that I had gone through. I worked so hard because you all did the same. You did and still impress me with your strength and skills and courtesy.
Second. The two groups of what used to be called Master B (raced with 50+) and now the Master 4s or C. Huge numbers in your field. You were not just crazy fast (and some slower), but such positive competitors. I have you guys in mind when I speak to non racers about how amazingly well racers respect each other out on the course and if some entanglement occurs, it is never intentional. I love racing with you guys.
Third. The two groups 60+ / 70+. It is an honor racing with you. Not just because we have survived. At our age we know a good portion of the fact we are here literally is out of our hands. We just have made it this far. But. I am amazed at how the super strong racers have optimized their lives to keep those bodies and brains working like fine tuned clocks. You impress me with your discipline. I do believe that the most impressive thing about this group is our support for each other. Yeah we want to beat the other guys, but we have had enough life experiences (they just keep coming!) to REALLY know that you cannot win them all. There are times when I feel better finishing behind rider X who beat me than I would had I finished ahead of him. Not sure what you call that (maybe some would say giving up), but our group really does seem to want each of us to have a great day! If someone has a better result than you, why get pissed? It happens.
For me...this is as good as life gets. It is all the nice things nature provides us bundled up in a package called people caring about each other...and even giving of or up for each other.
Thanks so much Cyclocross Community!
ron strasser