Wurstcross '07--double 5

The weekend before last I lined up for my first 'cross race of the season. I opted for a double header and figured I would do the Masters race as a "warm up" followed by the 3/4 race later in the day. Initially, I figured I would sit in on the Masters race and just get a feel for the course. But that was not to happen. I got lucky and lined up first row. I got luckier at the start and grabbed the holeshot before the first turn. It didn't last of course, but I stayed in the mix to get 5th overall.

After an hour of rest, I lined up for the 3/4 race. I got second in the holeshot and ended up riding with a group of about 5 guys. A couple of guys slipped away, and I ended up with 5th again.

I was completely shot after the second race but happy with the performance. It reminded me of just how much I love the discipline which is psyclocross.

Pics:

The holeshot

The rock wall dismount

'Crossing the Fort

Yes indeed. The team has received the green light to host a 'cross race on that beautiful swath of grass located between Williams Road and Nursery Road on Ft. Sam Houston. The date is January 13, the day after the State Championship race at University of Incarnate Word. iDiot and I rode the course the other day, and it is awesome. The course is situated smack dab in the middle of a broad, gentle hill, so lots of climbing and descending will be the order of the day. The military was even kind enough to install concrete obstacles that will work nicely as a flyover. Expect a good, long run-up as well.

The best part is that the race will benefit the Fisher House at BAMC (the same place to which Denzel Washington donated a lot of money after visiting last year). The Fisher House is a housing complex for family members of wounded soldiers undergoing treatment at BAMC. This allows wounded soldiers to have their family living nearby without having to incur additional living expenses.

Here is a map of the course for now:

Ft. Sam Cross Race v.1

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Playin' Hookie

Last Wednesday, the forecast called for highs in the 70s, low humidity, and not a cloud in the sky. Not riding on a day like this would be criminal. To hell with the fact that this day was a work day and that I had lots to do. The soul needed a little cleansing, by god. So I tended to some business out of town for the morning and, on the way back in, made a pit stop north of town to begin a 3-hour ride.

It's amazing what 3 hours in places like this can do for the soul:


And, of course, pit stops at stores like this, in Waring, Texas:


I was looking forward to a little jaunt down some of the beautiful dirt roads in the area. Much to my chagrin, however, I discovered this at the gate accessing the dirt section:



Gone were the simple clasp chain and the friendly "please close gate behind you" sign that had adorned the gate for god only knows how long. Exhibit A of what happens when yuppie, hummer driving city assholes move out to the country.

When I made it around to the point where the dirt road exited to pavement, it all came clear. If there was any question as to the ethnicity of the asshole who chained the gate, this sign cleared it up:



If Silva owned this piece of land, would he have called the road Hispanic Creek Road?