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'CROSS @ DAVID DOUGLAS PARK 11/4/01

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Brian D. Witty

2001-10-31

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All week, in anticipation, you imagine yourself at David Douglas Park for

the 5th race of the 2001 River City Cyclo-Cross Crusade

Series.................

Right foot clipped in your pedal with your left leg nervously twitching

awaiting the start. The official gives instructions which you hardly hear

because you are eyeing those around you, wondering who you will trade blows

with this day. Russ announces the all-important beer and wine primes and

then you hear the start whistle.

You clip in and jam on your pedals along the flat open 200m stretch of

tarmac trying to solidify your chosen position in the bunch. The mass of

riders ease left onto a wide swath of gravel, grass and mud. The pace is

hot as the course is wide open, flat and fast. You think you're going

anaerobic. Another couple hundred meters, you and many of your closest

friends and rivals hit the first obstacle, a 180-degree turn and head back

toward the start area. The terrain is still a mix of mud, gravel and grass

and you can see a set of triple barriers up ahead. You ready yourself for a

high speed dismount, a few hard-charging strides over the barriers and a

smooth remount. Like a gazelle.

Another nearly 180-degree turn takes you onto pavement- then quick chicane

onto a concrete bike path- then a few pedal strokes later, another 90 degree

right hand turn.........the numerous corners reminiscent of your favorite

summertime criterium. You start to settle in.

Just as you start feeling your groove, a right hand turn throws you and your

cohorts into slippery little avenue of viscous mud. Some rowdy spectators

are encouraging you on by ringing a cowbell and hollering at you to go

faster. This sticky mud section is short-lived as you soon find yourself on

a concrete bike path for several hundred meters. You try to use this paved

section of the course for a little rest but the need for speed soon takes

over and you shift into your big ring............that felt good. You see a

couple more barriers ahead strategically placed to slow you down. What

could be next?

The course turns right and drops into the woods, down a semi-tricky little

descent to a left hand turn onto a flat section of singletrack. It's a bit

soft and slick under tire but the tree canopy overhead protected the trail

from the heavy rains during the previous week. A right hand turn takes you

up a little rise. You think this climb may be rideable but it gets a little

steep about half way up and you choose to portage your bike on a short

little run to an open grass area. At the top, you swing your leg back over

your trusty steed and ride the short, wide, off-camber section to the next

section of single track. You rocket down the fast little descent. You

quickly glance over and notice a large group of fans cheering you on before

you take a lefty and speed away on the next section of trail. You're in a

heated battle with those around you and looking for your next opportunity to

pass. Cones up ahead seem to be blocking the only trail you see except the

one leading up the hill on the right. You slow a bit for dismount, throw

your bike up your shoulder and start your run up out of the hole. A

photographer snaps your picture and you try to smile but can only provide

heavy panting.

Near the top, dozens of spectators are urging you up the final meters of the

run-up. At the top, you are able to summon up a quick and smooth remount

which wows the crowd. You are so happy to see a flat grass section leading

you back toward the finishing straight. One more quick section of trees, a

couple of barriers and a sand pit is all that is between you and the finish.

The music and Splinter's voice draw you toward the finishing stretch- it

feels and sounds as much a party as a bike race. As you approach the line,

you feel satisfied in what you have just accomplished.

Then you read the lap board........5 to go........and saddle up to do it all

again............

See all of you 'cross crusaders on Sunday, November 4th for another day of

mud, sweat and gears! We need another record-breaking attendance to make

our series the most well attended in the entire country!

For additional information please go to www.crosscrusade.com

<http://www.crosscrusade.com/> (Site updated 10/30/01).

Remaining 2001 River City Bicycles Cyclo-Cross Crusade Series Races:

Sunday, Nov. 4, 2001 David Douglas Park (Vancouver, Wa)

Sunday, Nov. 11, 2001 Estacada Timber Park

Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001 Alpenrose Dairy

Sunday, Dec 2, 2001 King Estate Winery (Eugene, Or) **District

Championship/ Worth double points**

Thanks,

Club Vivo

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<o:p> </o:p>

All week, in anticipation, you imagine yourself at David

Douglas Park for the 5th race of the 2001 River City Cyclo-Cross

Crusade Series.................<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Right foot clipped in your pedal with your left leg

nervously twitching awaiting the start.

The official gives instructions which you hardly hear because you are

eyeing those around you, wondering who you will trade blows with this day. Russ announces the all-important beer

and wine primes and then you hear the start whistle.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

You clip in and jam on your pedals along the flat open 200m

stretch of tarmac trying to solidify your chosen position in the bunch. The mass of riders ease left onto a wide

swath of gravel, grass and mud. The

pace is hot as the course is wide open, flat and fast. You think you're going anaerobic. Another couple hundred meters, you and

many of your closest friends and rivals hit the first obstacle, a 180-degree

turn and head back toward the start area.

The terrain is still a mix of mud, gravel and grass and you can see a

set of triple barriers up ahead.

You ready yourself for a high speed dismount, a few hard-charging

strides over the barriers and a smooth remount. Like a gazelle. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Another nearly 180-degree turn takes you onto pavement- then

quick chicane onto a concrete bike path- then a few pedal strokes later,

another 90 degree right hand turn.........the numerous corners

reminiscent of your favorite summertime criterium. You start to settle in. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Just as you start feeling your groove, a right hand turn

throws you and your cohorts into slippery little avenue of viscous mud. Some rowdy spectators are encouraging

you on by ringing a cowbell and hollering at you to go faster. This sticky mud section is short-lived

as you soon find yourself on a concrete bike path for several hundred

meters. You try to use this paved

section of the course for a little rest but the need for speed soon takes over

and you shift into your big ring............that felt good. You see a couple more barriers

ahead strategically placed to slow you down. What could be next? <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

The course turns right and drops into the woods, down a

semi-tricky little descent to a left hand turn onto a flat section of

singletrack. It's a bit soft

and slick under tire but the tree canopy overhead protected the trail from the

heavy rains during the previous week.

A right hand turn takes you up a little rise. You think this climb may be rideable but

it gets a little steep about half way up and you choose to portage your bike on

a short little run to an open grass area.

At the top, you swing your leg back over your trusty steed and ride the

short, wide, off-camber section to the next section of single track. You rocket down the fast little

descent. You quickly glance over

and notice a large group of fans cheering you on before you take a lefty and

speed away on the next section of trail.

You're in a heated battle with those around you and looking for

your next opportunity to pass.

Cones up ahead seem to be blocking the only trail you see except the one

leading up the hill on the right.

You slow a bit for dismount, throw your bike up your shoulder and start

your run up out of the hole. A

photographer snaps your picture and you try to smile but can only provide heavy

panting. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Near the top, dozens of spectators are urging you up the

final meters of the run-up. At the

top, you are able to summon up a quick and smooth remount which wows the

crowd. You are so happy to see a

flat grass section leading you back toward the finishing straight. One more quick section of trees, a

couple of barriers and a sand pit is all that is between you and the

finish. The music and

Splinter's voice draw you toward the finishing stretch- it feels and

sounds as much a party as a bike race.

As you approach the line, you feel satisfied in what you have just

accomplished. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Then you read the lap board........5 to

go........and saddle up to do it all again............<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

See all of you 'cross crusaders on Sunday, November 4th

for another day of mud, sweat and gears!

We need another record-breaking attendance to make our series the most

well attended in the entire country! <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

For additional information please go to <a

href="http://www.crosscrusade.com/">www.crosscrusade.com</a> (Site updated <st1:date

Month="10" Day="30" Year="2001">10/30/01</st1:date>).<o:p></o:p>

 

Remaining 2001 <st1:place><st1:PlaceType>River</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType>City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Bicycles

Cyclo-Cross Crusade Series Races: 

Sunday, Nov. 4, 2001

David Douglas Park (<st1:place><st1:City>Vancouver</st1:City>, <st1:State>Wa</st1:State></st1:place>) 

<st1:date Month="11" Day="11" Year="2001">Sunday, Nov. 11, 2001</st1:date> <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Estacada</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName>Timber</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> 

<st1:date Month="11" Day="18" Year="2001">Sunday,

 Nov. 18, 2001</st1:date> Alpenrose Dairy<o:p></o:p>

<pre><st1:date Month="12" Day="2" Year="2001">Sunday, Dec 2, 2001</st1:date> King Estate Winery (<st1:City><st1:place>Eugene</st1:place></st1:City>, Or) **District Championship/ Worth double points** 

<![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]> 

<![endif]><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre>

<o:p> </o:p>

Thanks,<o:p></o:p>

Club Vivo<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

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