In The Crosshairs

Races 1 and 2 of the North Carolina Cyclocross Winter Cup took place January 9 and 10 in Salisbury and Mooresville, North Carolina. The CXHairs.com helmet-cam was in attendance for the event. Thanks to Chris Carraway (NCVC) for strapping on the hardware for the races and giving us a good look at the NCCX series. 

We also caught up with Route1Velo’s Thori Wolfe who traveled from DC to NC for the weekend’s races. Before getting to the video, here is Thori’s race report of how things played out at the front of the Masters 45+ field: 

“Somewhere into the second or third week of undisciplined gluttony following Capitol Cross and the end of the ‘cross season, my R1V teammate Danny Koniowsky suggested the North Carolina Winter Cross Series. I was starting to feel like a slug, so I checked the calendar and Google map and decided to commit to at least the first weekend. I made the trek last weekend and wasn’t disappointed with the trip. Both races on Saturday and Sunday were low key, local races with relatively small fields and some very talented racers still willing to get out in the 20 degree temps when the only other ‘cross racers taking the discipline seriously live in Northern Europe and are named Nys, Albert, and Stybar. The accents were heavy Carolina. The juxtaposition of Ridley bikes, tubulars on carbon rims, and the southern accents you might otherwise expect at a NASCAR event was pretty awesome. It reminded me of surfing in Cape Cod with a bunch of dudes with heavy Massachusetts accents wave sliding on long boards. In both cases, seemingly incongruous, but it didn’t matter once they got down to what they were there to do.  Continue reading »

I admit it. Of all the great ‘cross racing that takes place each week in the Mid-Atlantic, I’m a bit biased toward the masters 3/4 field. This is my race and the one that is featured in most of the videos on this site.

The podium at this year’s Tacchino Ciclocross was made up of five super-strong riders. These guys went hard all day and had a great battle at the end. At least that is what I learned by doing these interviews. The last time I saw them, as illustrated in the above image, was about 200 yards into the race. 

Having the top five weigh in gives us a great look at the decisive moments of the race. We not only get a peek at the winner’s strategy but how the other four reacted, and in hindsight, what they would have done differently. 

Thanks for reading. 

Under ideal conditions (you arrive on time, it’s not pouring down rain), how much time do you spend on the course before racing? Do you walk the course? Do any hot laps? What are you looking for during this time?   

Jay Morali (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes, 1st Place): I ride the course once when I arrive. I warm up on the road and then try and ride the opening sections of the course once more before the race. I am looking for the best lines since the start is so important and chaotic. 

Neal Sapp (Ben’s Performance Bikes, 2nd Place): I ride 2 laps. The 1st lap is slow just looking the course over and trying too find good passing zones and too figure out where I will be fast and sections I will be slow and what tire pressure I will use for that course. The 2nd lap is with some speed too see how it will all come together and flow.

Jeff Anderson (HPC/List, 3rd Place): I get out on the course right away and do 2-3 laps but at Tacchino I ended up doing 4. First lap is slow to ’see’ the course and then the other laps I will go at a quick pace but not hot. I sometimes even go back and redo a section if I didn’t like the feel of it the first time through.  I pay attention to not only what looks like the primary line but any secondary lines that I might be forced to take to pass or due to traffic. I also watch others ahead of me. Sometimes I ride with another rider I know too. I am glad I did a 4th lap at Tacchino as they moved the course, so I knew what the change was. After that off to registration and the trainer. 

Scott Thompson (Squadra Coppi, 4th Place): With our race starting at 10am, I like getting to the venue at 8am and riding the course for a solid 30-45 minutes before the Cat 4 men start at 9am. I find this is a much more mentally pleasant way to warm up than spending the time on the trainer in the parking lot. It lets me get very comfortable with the course and warm up physically at the same time. I have been doing progressively faster laps to warm up, and I’ll usually test the key turns at speed. I’m looking for less bumpy lines, the fastest lines through turns, and also for places where back-ups may occur. 

Thori Wolfe (Route1Velo/Arrow Bicycle, 5th Place): I focus on the first turn or “bottleneck” after the start; the best or most challenging lines or turns throughout the course; and points along the course where wind, power, or passing (getting passed) will be a factor. Standard stuff. With respect to arrival time and time on course, I used to arrive about 20 to 30 minutes before the start, so I guess I’ve started putting a little thought into my arrival times … about an hour and a half seems enough to keep me busy the whole time and on a timeline to include bagging a couple laps and sitting on the trainer.   Continue reading »

DCCX took place October 18 at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington D.C. It may have taken a bit longer than planned to get these interviews posted, but they are by no means out of date. Lots of great stuff here by some of the fastest men and women in the Mid-Atlantic. 

Thanks for reading. 

How long have you been racing ‘cross? Did you come from a road or MTB background? 

Joe Dombrowski (Haymarket Bicycles/Home Visit, 2nd Place Men’s Elite):This is my second season racing cyclocross. I come from a mountain bike background, but will probably split most of my time between road and ‘cross in the future. 

Dave Fuentes (Battley Harley Davidson/Sonoma, 1st Place Masters Elite): I have about 17yrs of road racing under my belt. I started racing cross last year. I got my first taste at Kelly Acres in the Cat 4 race. They upgraded me to Category 1, which matched my road category, immediately after that race. This has been my first full season of cross. 

Jay Morali (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes, 1st Place Men’s Masters 3/4): This is my 2nd season. I have a minimal road background. 

Lenore Pipes (Unattached, 3rd Place Elite Women):I started racing road and cross last year. Road is my main focus but I love cyclocross. 

Keith Rohr (Adventures for the Cure, 3rd Place Masters Men 3/4): This is my third year of ‘cross and what will be my first full season of racing. The past two years I only jumped in 5 or 6 ‘cross races. I’ve dabbled in some road racing, but really enjoy mountain biking and totally love the camaraderie of ‘cross racing. 

Becky Frederick (Kelly Benefits Strategies/LSV, 2nd Place Women Cat 4): I picked up cross last year once I figured out what it is.  A buddy mentioned at a mountain bike race (I was new to that last year, too) that I’d like it.  He wasn’t wrong. 

Now that we are in the thick of the ‘cross season, what does a normal training week look like for you? Do you do any off-the-bike training during cross season?

Mike Birner (Ben’s Performance Bikes/BMC, 3rd Place Elite Masters): In the week leading up I only did a light ride on Wednesday, some hills and short motorpacing session behind public transit on Thursday and a short ride with some openers on Saturday.  All of about 4 hours not including race day. 

Joe Dombrowski: Less volume and more intensity than the mountain bike season; this is more true as the season progresses. Typically, I reserve Mondays and Fridays as easier spins, with intervals on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday is my longer, endurance pace ride for the week. I also incorporate core work, plyometrics, and cx skill sessions during the season.  

Lenore Pipes: On Tuesdays, I run up the Philly Art Museum steps like in that film Rocky … except shouldering a bike. On Thursday nights, I race at Fifth Street Cross (formerly the coolest cyclocross ever®) where I’ve won Schick Smooth Move Rider of the Night for gracefully crashing into the barriers and I was Lantern Rouge for the entire series last year which might be partly due to the fact that I still have yet to take a PBR Shortcut. 

Jay Morali: I try and get two good weekday workouts in. I try and focus on rest and recovery. 

Dave Fuentes: I am fortunate to have enough time mon-fri to do 5-6 hrs if I want. I usually peak out at about 25-30 hrs a week for road racing, but after a long road season, I can get by with about 12 hrs a week for cross races. Since the races are shorter, my training is much shorter, but very specific, depending on what I want to do for the day. 

Keith Rohr: Usually an easier Monday and Tuesday followed by a more aggressive Wednesday and Thursday then easier Friday and Saturday. My off the bike training usually includes some running with sprints as well as upper body weight training and core work.  Continue reading »

[ed. note.: Frequent masters category podium finisher Jay Morali was kind enough to pen the following column for 'In The Crosshairs.' Think you could do the same? Drop me a note at cxhairs@gmail.com.]

“Cyclocross is a drug! Cyclocross is addictive. It consumes you. It’s a good thing that the season is only a few months long otherwise I might not get anything accomplished around the house or at work.”

-Quote from a local cross racer

Am I crazy? Has racing cyclocross in all this mud messed up my brain? I am only in my second season of racing cross and I have already upgraded most of my equipment. I am riding the new all-carbon Blue Norcross frame with some sweet carbon Easton EC90 Aero tubular wheels. My cyclocross bike is more expensive and lighter than my road bike! Does that make any sense? Cross is a short season and we live in an area where you never really have to get off your road bike during the winter months. Yet, I still can’t get over the fact that I am only running Shimano Ultegra shifters on the cross bike. I wonder if I can convince the wife to let me upgrade to DA?

Am I crazy? My daily schedule is based on the date and time registration opens for local MABRA and MAC races. My desk calendar has the season laid out and my iPhone provides the morning reminder. For an upcoming race, I actually cancelled an important business meeting just so I could be in front of my computer, ready to pull the trigger, as soon as the registration window opened. And tell me I am not the only person who has screamed at their monitor because a slow computer is costing you valuable starting positions! Continue reading »

Hyattsville CX took place October 11, 2009, at Magruder Park in Hyattsville, Maryland. The course featured fast power stretches joined together by technical bits and off-camber turns. Big engines could gap the competition on the straights, those with exceptional skills could catch back up in the technical sections. We caught up with podium finishers to see how they tackled the day. Continue reading »

The Breast Cancer Awareness Cyclocross Challenge presented by Antietam Velo Club took place Saturday, October 3, 2009. The first race in a weekend doubleheader for the MABRA Cyclocross Series, the course featured several hairpin turns, good off-camber riding, a sand pit made unridable by strategically placed barriers, and a mean little hill. We caught up with the podium finishers in several categories to find out about their day. 

Photos courtesy of Lindsey Hillesheim of The Uff Da! Chronicles.  Continue reading »

The 2009 edition of the Ed Sander Memorial Cyclocross was a muddy affair that rewarded smart, powerful riders. Choosing the correct lines through the muck and being able to power through without dismounting was a proven recipe for success.

Before we get to the interviews, I want to thank Jay Morali for his suggestions and input. Some of the best questions you see below, such as those on weekly training and gearing, were Jay’s ideas. Have suggestions of your own for the site? Send them along to cxhairs@gmail.com. Or leave a comment.

I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to Ryan Dudek, who came to my rescue when I was certain I had broken the Internet. He will tell you it was no big deal, but his assistance in getting the site up and running, and frankly looking a whole lot better, was huge. This, of course, also gives me the opportunity to once again show this picture from February’s Cross My Heart CX. That’s Ryan.

And now on to the interviews. Thanks for reading. Continue reading »

We are wrapping up coverage of the 2009 Charm City Cyclocross with the traditional ‘In The Crosshairs’ podium finisher interviews. You’ve heard what the pros had to say, now let’s hear how your fellow competitors saw the day. Thanks for reading.

What was your favorite part of the course?

Michael Yozell (VisitPA.com, First place, Men Masters Elite):C3 built a great course. I’d have to say there isn’t one particular section that was a favorite but I did think the stairs in the outer field was a nice touch, very creative and much better than the old barrier placement. The course had good flow throughout.

Adam Driscoll (Adventures For the Cure, First place, Men’s 2/3/4): My favorite part of the course was definitely the natural barrier where you have to do a 180 turn around a big tree. This was a great place where we had lots of spectators.

Robert Sheffield (Squadra Coppi/IM SAAB, First place Men’s 4): The two sets of single track around the trees on the far side of the course separated by the stairs. It was fast and really smooth.

Jonathan Seibold (Family Bike Shop/DCMTB, Second Place Masters Men 3/4): The stairs and the new swoopy section right after them. I also like the planter box around the tree. 

Chris Mayhew (JBV Coaching, Third place, Men’s 2/3/4): The planter box. I’m a big fan of natural obstacles. It feels a bit old school since they’re really high. And it’s such a natural focus point of the course with the pit and BBQ right there. It’s always the loudest part of the course. 

Lindsey Hillesheim (Squadra Coppi, Third place Women’s 3/4): All of it. Charm City has great flow with turns that are wide enough that you don’t to brake much and enough obstacles to keep it interesting and technical.   

Jay Morali (C3, Third Place Masters Men 3/4): I really liked the stairs on the back side. A nice addition to the course this year.

Jesse Leifert (Route 1 Velo/Arrow Bicycle, Third Place Men’s 4): I actually really enjoyed the whole first lap. Having never done a cross race before, the experience of riding on wet grass and dirt around trees with 125 of my fellow cyclists was a pretty cool experience. Also, having staged towards the latter third of the pack you could really see everyone getting freaked out by the proximity of everyone. I ended up following Tim Brown from Bike Rack and we passed a bunch of people for the first two laps as we tried to make our way back to the front. It was a blast.  Continue reading »

The MAC cyclocross series held its finale December 7 at the Capital ‘Cross Classic in Reston, Virginia. Lake Fairfax Park hosted a great day of racing that can be summed up in one word: wind. The course featured a new run-up followed by a dodgy off-camber descent and wind, wind, wind. Racers were greeted with a 20 to 30 mph headwind on a grassy ascent immediately followed by vicious crosswinds as they bisected a lake on a fully exposed dam. 

For many at the top this was a final test before heading off to CX Nationals in Kansas City, Mo. We checked in with several podium finishers to get their take on the day. 

1. How did you prepare to tackle the conditions? Did the wind affect your race planning? 

JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): I just did what I always do…put on a ton of gear to warm up, strip at the line, freeze for a few minutes, and then go! 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): I dressed slightly different, using a windfront baselayer but otherwise pretty standard on the clothing with a long sleeve skinsuit and leg warmers.  On the bike side of things I opted out of deep section carbon rims due to what I judged to be heavy cross winds.  At my size a deep rim in a bad wind can be hard to control.  Switching to low profile rims gave me one less thing to think about. 

MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): I tried to stay warm before the start and did a pre-lap. I rode Zipp 404’s which were really fast when the wind was at your back but treacherous across the dam. 

HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): I had brought all the gear I own, but my most important preparation was slathering hot cream on my fingers, toes and legs when I woke up that morning. The wool baselayer and wool socks were a must, and baby powder in the socks helps to keep your feet dry (and therefore warm)! I’m also really fond of the Under Armor Fleece Glove for those conditions. Windproof gloves can be bulky, making it hard to shift and brake, but the fleece cuts the wind enough and keeps your hands warm and mobile. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I made sure I had plenty of layers on to stay warm. The wind definitely impacted how much I wore. After pre riding the course I had an idea of which sections would be a bit difficult because it was gusting so badly and played that into my race strategy. 

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): I didn’t do anything special to prepare. Since my race was the first of the day and they were going to line everyone up by order of registration I just tried to keep moving until the race was about to start. I was glad to see the strong winds because I think I race better in harsh conditions. 

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Lots of Sportsbalm. No, but when I was pre-riding I thought my headset was loose because my bike kept wanting to steer left. It was just the crosswind over the bridge. 

ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary for the race other than use hand warmers between the rubber gloves I had on and the regular gloves. I just wanted to try it because I’ve had a lot of trouble with my hands and it kept my hands warm the whole race. I also put bubble wrap on top of my feet in my shoes and in my jersey over my chest for insulation. 

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): I wore a wind-block base layer and a generous application of HOT Sportsbalm with legwarmers. These helped to keep the wind from getting to me. 

ANDREW “BAD ANDY” WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): Well, first I wore a lot of clothes so I wouldn’t get cold. Second, I made sure I ate and drank plenty. Finally, I pre-rode the course and choose the appropriate tire pressure. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): I brought lots of layers. Multiple everything.

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I haven’t had a chance to prepare for cold weather this season, as I broke my finger severely enough to require surgery 3 weeks ago, so I’ve been confined to the trainer. However, I would normally attempt to get as much outside riding in as my schedule allows, despite the temperature, to learn to adjust to really cold races. Wind happens, so you just have to deal with it, almost pretend like it isn’t there.  

2. What was the best part of the course? What was the hardest part of the course? Anything you would change? 

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I liked the back stretch right after the big run up. It was smooth and fast, and a good place to gain time on people because it’s a “lazy” part of the course. It followed a difficult section, so people are naturally inclined to relax and let their guard down momentarily. The hardest part was the section by the first pit entrance. It was into the wind, and pretty much a complete false flat, and very bumpy, which required a bigger effort than would be expected to get through it. I would probably change the decent/off camber section. It was an interesting element, but maybe a little too extreme. 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): The best part of the course for me had to be the run up to the downhill off-camber. I felt like I had the advantage on that section and plus the off-camber is just such a blast to ride. The hardest part of the course was the section prior to the dam crossing. It was uphill in the grass in to a blazing head wind.  No wind would be my one and only change.

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): I really enjoyed the course as a whole. I felt it flowed well and rewarded those who could find a smoother line. One of the parts I struggled with was the stretch after the pits up to the bathrooms. It was windy, it was slippery. I felt I was at a standstill. 

ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): The hardest part of the course was the technical downhill which lead into the off-camber section where I fell on the last lap. 

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Best part: the run-up followed by the off-camber downhill. Hardest part: the long uphill stretch by the pit. Wouldn’t change a thing. 

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): I really like the new climb up and around the tree. The way everyone gathered to watch from that spot really gave the course a big race feel. The longer run up was awesome too. The harderst part for me was the steep off-camber downhill by far. I had feared that feature since last season. The added snow and ice for the 9am race didn’t help things. I can’t think of anything on the course I would change. It had everything except a nice sand section. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): The best part of the course was that it was technical and still icy in parts. That played to my advantage from a mountain biking back round. The hardest part of the course was after the man made barriers by the parking lot. It was a long uphill to the road with the bridge. Once you crested the hill to the road the wind was gusting so hard from our right that it was literally blowing us off the road on 2 of the laps. Top that off with a dismount to log barriers and a steep uphill run up. It just hurt every lap at race speed. 

MIKE MIHALIK (Mens 2/3/4 3rd Place): The best part of the course was the steep downhill and the frozen off camber right after it. The hardest part was the paved section with the bridge, those crosswinds were nasty. I wouldn’t change anything, those guys lay out an awesome course.

MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): I really enjoyed the steep downhill section. The hardest part of the course was the uphill run up. I liked the course, I would only change the cold weather if I could. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Always a good course. The new run-up made a huge difference. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Best part for me-the longer run up. Running has become one of my strengths. Hardest part-the long descent and sketchy off camber onto the road, which was frozen solid early in the morning. Descending is decidedly not my strength. The course this year was less technical overall than prior years-I’d add back some of the more tricky turns around trees, etc. and the descent and long climb after the run up.

JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): I thought the run up was great and the downhill off-camber was obviously tough for newbies like me.  

3. Describe the decisive moment or moments in the race. Did it play out the way you hoped?

 JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): There were many…Greg Faber and I found ourselves off the front with a small gap when I crashed due to rolling my tubular off the rim. As I am forcing my tire back on the rim and wondering if I should continue, a few riders go by me. I decide to give it a go, take it easy on the down hills and tight corners but kill it on the flats. The chase begins! I was able to catch up to Steve Riskus first and then, unfortunately for him, Scott Stahl flats prior to the run-up on the last lap. I then caught up to Eric Lundgren on the back side and was barely able to get by him at the line for 2nd place. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Dave Weaver actually set the tone at the start and went very hard and opened a big gap. I waited then bridged across with Blair Saunders. Dave and I were able to gap Blair on the run and downhill sections but he clawed back every time. I missed the finale due to a softening rear tire but just meant I didn’t have to be shamed in the sprint. 

MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): The decisive moment was going underneath the Start/Finish Banner into the headwind, really hurt my legs. 

HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): I was really struggling to find the right place to ride away from Nikki, who was with me for most of the race. Each lap, I tried to gap her earlier and earlier to avoid getting caught on the run-up. I finally did it in the right place on the backside of the course coming into the last lap, she probably gained time on me on the run-up but didn’t catch me. That worked perfectly. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I was with 2 others at the front for all 4 laps of our race. It was myself, Shawn Downing, and Paul Wahner. I couldn’t get a gap on these guys and by mid way through lap 4 I knew I needed to make a move to shake them as they are both excellent sprinters. About mid course after the wood bridge there was a nasty off camber ‘S’ bend I had been making pretty cleanly and I knew I had to attack hard out of it. I got through it smoothly as planned and put an attack in as soon as I got straight at the bottom. I was able to get about a 3 or 4 second gap by the time I rode by the pit. When I hit the asphalt to the finish I looked back and those guys were locked in their own race, I just kept my pace hard to the line to take the win. It definitely played out how I planned it. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): I caught Tracy Lea at the run up on lap 3. As far as I knew, she was in the lead at that point. I stuck on her wheel, letting her pull me around the course and through the wind for a lap, and then attacked on the run up in the 4th [final] lap. I got a big gap which she was unable to close. Since Tracy was in fact the furthest forward in lap 3, and getting past her put me in the lead until the end, it worked out pretty well for me. Tracy and I have a long history of battles on this course, and she usually comes out on top, so the outcome was particularly sweet.

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): The decisive moment was getting to line up on the outside of the 4th row instead of the 9th as I feared I would with my pre-registration number. Besides the U19s being started in front of us the race played out better than I expected. 

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): In the first lap I was smoked by Lynne Bufka on the run-up. In the second lap I got a small gap on the bridge. When she didn’t pass me on the run-up I attacked on the downhill off-camber and was able to hold it. 

ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): When I fell on the off-camber section the guy who won caught me and eventually passed me for the win in a sprint. 

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): I lined up on the left side of the second row behind Shawn Downing. I knew if I could hang on to his wheel I would do OK. I didn’t really expect to find myself in 6th behind two other guys coming up the finishing straight. I gave it all I had on the uphill sprint into the wind to take 4th. 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): The most decisive moment in the race had to be the first half-lap. Wes took off at the start and had a good gap so I tried my best to slow my group down and then Bishop made a mistake on the run-up which allowed Wes to really take off. In addition the 3rd lap when Bishop crashed on the downhill after the off-camber allowed me to get away from the group and in to 2nd overall. 

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I almost got caught by the 4th place rider crossing the causeway. I knew I could pull away from her on the run-up, but I had to really kick it in. It worked out well because I think she put in a little too hard an effort right before a difficult section. 

 

4. Do you have any pre-race rituals? What kind of a warm-up did you get in? What did you eat before the race? 

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I have no pre-race rituals. I like to get about 35-45 minutes in on the trainer, then take a lap or two right before the race. I usually eat my homemade granola, toasted baguette with Nutella, and a banana for breakfast, then nothing until Jelly Belly Sport Beans during warm-up. 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I wouldn’t call in a ritual I just have a routine. I pre-ride after the masters race and start to warm-up about 60 minutes before my start. I warm up on a trainer and try to get a few good intervals in the legs. At 30 minutes before the start I hit a Gu and change my baselayer so not to get cold on the line. If there is time I might do another lap of the course or just get back on the trainer. 15 minutes before I am at the start line. 

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Breakfast is important to me. I had a large bowl of oatmeal (real Irish oatmeal, the stuff you have to cook for 30 min) before leaving for the race. At the race I had second breakfast – a gel and some water. Oh and coffee. Lots of coffee. 

ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): I just try to ride the course a few times get a feel for it and try to stay warm. 

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): No. 2 laps. Egg and cheese croissant, 1 glazed donut, coffee from Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and an Enervit gel 10 to 15 min before the race. 

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): I do not have any consistent rituals but I’ve started drinking Starbucks iced vanilla lattes 20 minutes before the race because I had a good result or two earlier in the season the first time I had one. I warmed up doing laps on the course. I had a croissant on the drive to the race and then one of those lattes and a hammer gel 20 minutes before the race. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I try not to get into a ritual so much so that I don’t get stressed about missing something. If anything I like to get to a race early and get a full pre ride in and warm up for 30 minutes on the trainer. I ate Kashi cereal and fruit for breakfast about 3 hours prior to racing. 

MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): Tried to eat well, stay warm, and not miss the callups. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Not as rituals per se, but I do the same things every time before races. I am a creature of habit. Warm up: 2 laps of the course, then riding around on the road or in the parking lot to keep warm. Breakfast: Oatmeal and orange juice. A bottle of Accelerade in warm up.

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): I rode one lap of the course for the most part but only to check out the ground conditions and refresh my memory. I did spin around and try to keep as warm as possible again this week. 

JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): Two weeks in a row I had French Toast…two weeks in a row I’m on the podium. I have a new ritual!

 

5. What tires (type, width and tubular or clincher) and pressure did you run? Do you think you made the right choice? 

ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): I only have Michelin Mud2 clincher tires that I was running at around 38PSI and they were fine for the race. 

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Challenge Grifo 32 tubulars. 30psi. It wasn’t such a choice as this is the only tire I have but felt they had good traction on the off camber portions. 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I ran my Challenge Grifo tubulars with about 28psi. in the front and 30psi. in the back. 

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Clincher, Hutchinson 35’s at about 38. Probably could have run a little lower pressure, in the 36 range. 

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Tufo Elite LPS tubulars. Not sure of the width. Pressure was probably about 30. Yes, they’ve treated me well for 2 seasons, Stan’s and all. 

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): 32mm Grifo tubulars 28f/30r. I should have gone lower in the front but the rear ended up perfect because it has a slow leak. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I ran Tufo Flexus 32, 32 mm width, tubulars at 35 psi. I’m no tire expert but they felt good. I didn’t get sideways so they held pretty well in the snow, mud, and obviously on the road were fine. 

HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): Challenge Grifo tubulars, 34’s, I think. I ran really low pressure, maybe around 20 PSI, basically because I accidentally let too much air out at the start line. I didn’t have time to do anything about it and didn’t want to change bikes, so I rode what I brung. Actually, I think it ended up being a good tire pressure for the course. 

MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): Grifo’s, 35 psi in the front, 40 psi in the back tire.

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Challenge Grifo again. 32mm but would have like 34 today. I ran 30 PSI front and rear wouldn’t change anything. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Michelin Mud 2s. I started at 40 psi, but took some air out. I had good grip, and didn’t flat, so it seems to have been the right choice.

JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): I ran Challenge Grifo’s at 35 psi on Easton EC90 aero wheels that obviously weren’t glued very well!

 

6. Anything out of the ordinary or remarkable stand out?  

JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): The wind. 

MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): The people cheering right before the long dam section were great, it was really motivating to hear them cheering for you. 

HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): My crash on the left-hand off-camber, while not out of the ordinary for me, was pretty remarkable. I knew someone was going to eat it there, I just didn’t know it would be me! I had just bridged up to Arley (who was in 3rd) on the last lap when it happened. Nikki ended up catching me and it changed the whole race for me. Suddenly I was trying to figure out a strategy to stay in fourth without having to expend too much energy. My initial strategy was to out-sprint Nikki on the pavement into the finish, but it’s a long sprint and it was windy. I geared up to go, but the wind was too much. She drew even with me, so I fell back and sat on her wheel, using her as a lead-out to the finish. It worked, but just barely. I think I won the sprint by an inch! That was pretty amazing. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): The wind over that road section with the wooden bridge still has me wondering how we got through it. I had the bike leaned into it at about a 30 degree angle at one point while pedaling like mad. 

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): Starting the U19s 30 seconds before us really threw me off. We started passing the younger kids right after the barriers and the whole race I would hear Joe commentating on the NCVCs being off the front so I thought I was much farther back then in reality. Jay rolling a tire and having to get off the bike twice to try and get it back on and still winning the race was pretty remarkable. 

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): I liked it when Joe Jefferson announced I had ridden myself into the top 20 of the guys. I knew it wasn’t true, but funny nonetheless. Also, Alicia Styer had an awesome race. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): There was a snow squall as we loaded up the car at the hotel. The front desk clerk clearly thought we were completely insane, going out to race bikes in that weather.

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): The wind was remarkable to me. After crossing the bridge, making the right on the gravel I was actually getting blown sideways so hard I was sliding in the gravel. 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): Well, I am very happy with my result. It is my best result since 2003 so this one goes out to Tom McDaniel….HAHA! 

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Nah, this was a pretty low-key race. Must have been the cold. 

 

7. Are you heading to Nats? Or, is your season over? Any first impressions on either scenario? 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I am excited [about Nats]. I came down with a cold this week but I am feeling better. I just hope to have fun and to have a hard, fast ride. 

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I’m psyched for Nats, anxious to see where everything shakes out. 

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Sadly my 2008 season is over. I can say I learned a lot, made new friends, had a blast and improved in my ability to race a cross bike. I am already looking forward to Charm City Cross 9/20/09 and starting it all again!! 

ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): My season is over. I’m sort of sad, sort of ready to be done for a bit. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): The off season started when I crossed the finish line. I loved Nationals in Providence, but Kansas City is too far away and too much of a hassle. The off-season is good. It’s time.

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): No. I registered [for Nats] but have decided not to go, so my season is over. I will take 2 weeks as transition, then begin base for the road season. 

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): My season is over. I’m hoping to make the last two weekends of the NC winter series but I won’t be training for them. My first race of the year was March 15th so I am glad to be done with the intense training for a while but I already feel depressed about there not being another huge get together, aka race, this weekend. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): My season this year is over. 

HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): Nope, my season is still going [at Nats].

MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): I will be going to Nats. Let’s hope the weather is good! 

JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): I can’t wait a whole year for Cross season!

 

8. Do you work with a coach? If so, how has it helped the most?

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I work with Kris Auer and Athlete Development Group. I owe Kris a great deal of my success this season and in my career. Kris is great at providing workouts that fit my schedule and are not too aggressive. Plus he is one of the few people who believed in me when nobody else would. I owe Kris a lot he is a great friend and coach. 

MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): I work with Kris Auer. He is a really good coach that has brought me a long way in this short cross season. I attribute much of this late season success to his solid coaching. 

HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): Yes, my coach is Kris Auer from the Athlete Development Group. Kris has been coaching me since way back in 2004 when I was on Team BBC. It really helps to have an expert outside opinion of how my training is coming and what my strengths are. He’ll tell me that I’m really strong this season or something and I’ll be very surprised! It’s too hard for me to see it, I ride with myself every day so I don’t notice the gains as much, but they are there. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): Yes. Kris Auer with Athlete Development Group. Kris has given me daily workouts which really got my fitness where it needed to be to get podium results. My main goal pre-season was to just be competitive in the Masters 35+ Field based on previous years’ results. Kris’s coaching put me on top of the field and upgrading to Cat 2 and the Elite Masters 35+ field for next year. 

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Kris Auer (ADG) is my Coach and Sensei. Training me in the way of the Fist: Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy. 

[Ed. Note: To state the obvious, Kris Auer knows what he is doing when it comes to coaching cyclocross. Can he help you? Ask him and find out: kristopherauer(at)Verizon(dot)net]  

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): With my mediocre performance I am a little embarrassed for myself and my coach, Mike Birner at Mid Maryland Coaching. Not having to think for myself when it comes to training has been the biggest help. I just do whatever I am told and let him worry about it, instead. I probably should have joined the army.

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Yes, Mike Birner. Mike has been wonderful. I had some decent results at the beginning of the season but didn’t feel good during my races. I started working with Mike in October and he has worked wonders. Not only have I since scored my first MAC wins, but I don’t get as tired and fade during my races anymore. He also worked on my starts which have improved immensely. 

ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): During the road season I worked with a coach and I really felt that I peaked at the times when I wanted to. This is my first cross season and didn’t really do anything specific for the season. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Yes. I love structure, so having training plans to follow suits me well. I have no idea what workouts I should be doing to train best, so I put myself in his hands. 

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Yes, Josef Brandauer. It has been a huge asset to my riding. I had very little guidance regarding cyclocross training before this season, so the new structure has played a huge role in my success.

 

9. Is CX your main focus? If not, what is? If it is, how long have you been riding cross?

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Road was my initial main focus, but with the success of this cross season, that may change. However, I will still be racing road with Hub Racing this upcoming season. This is my 2nd full cyclocross season. 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): CX is my main focus. This my 8th or 9th year….I think. 

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): In terms of racing bikes, yes Cross is Boss. This is my third year racing cross, my first full season in B Masters. 

ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): CX might be my main focus next year but road was last year I started riding cross the end of September. 

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Not really. I race a full road season as well. This was my third year of cross. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): All cross all the time. Except that I also race road and MTB in the spring and summer, but less intently than cross. This was the seventh year I’ve raced.

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): Yes. This is my second season racing cross and I attempt to race road to get ready for CX. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): CX is my main focus. This is my 3rd season. 

HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): I split my focus between road and cross, which makes for a long season. I’m more competitive at cross and I really enjoy it, but I really hate cold weather. I like riding in the summer and do really well in the heat. I also love the strategy of criterium racing, which doesn’t come into play in the smaller women’s fields of cyclocross. If I had to choose one sport though, I’d probably stick with cross – it’s my one true love! Besides, I have yet to lacerate my liver on a cyclocross course. Can’t say the same for road. 

MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): No, but it will be next year! This is my first year at cross. 

JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): This is my first year riding cross and it will be my main focus moving forward.

MIKE MIHALIK (Mens 2/3/4 3rd Place): Cyclocross was my main focus for this year. This was my second season racing cross. After my first season in 2007 I realized I really liked cross, and had a knack for it, so I tried to make it my main focus for this year.

 

10. Any words of wisdom for the aspiring cross racer?  

JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): Just do it!

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Always hit the line with a good attitude. You don’t need a smile on your face but be excited to race. Aim for the finish line. 

MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): Listen to your coach, it’s no coincidence that you do well when you listen. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): Other than fitness, work on keeping speed through corners, over barriers, and dismounts/remounts. Those few seconds saved through each add up as your race goes on, and if you’re off the front it’s really important to ride smooth and remount fast. 

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): Get to races more than an hour early and stay and watch how the more experienced racers ride the same course after your done.

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Above all, make sure you’re having fun. It takes practice and experience to feel like you know what you’re doing, but cross is about the most fun you can have on a bike, even when you don’t know what you’re doing. The race scene is great-I’ve met a ton of very cool and fun people through racing.

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Have fun. Give back to the sport. Don’t be one of the few dishrags who show up, race and go home, but still find time to complain about something that they think could have been done better. 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): Ask questions and learn as much as possible about the sport, gear, training, everything because cross is a sport of inches. The racers who makes the least mistakes wins.

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Its super fun, the people are really laid back and more than willing to help out a new rider, so don’t be afraid to ask! The more the merrier! 

 

11. Other than race, what do you do? 

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I am a law student. 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I am an elementary school Librarian in the city of Lancaster, PA. 

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): I like to take things apart and put them back together. I like to cook. I read a lot and enjoy crossword puzzles. I dabble in ornithology. 

ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): Not a whole lot other than ride and work. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Work, eat, sleep and train.

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Accountant. 

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): I am a network “engineer.” 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I’m an electrician by day. I plan on spending a lot more time with my daughter and wife now that weekends are free. I’m also looking forward to getting back on the mountain bike. 

HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): I work as a programmer at Johns Hopkins. I also knit a lot, cook and bake. I’m a regular Betty Crocker! 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Well after next week I’m hoping to get a bit of non bike related travel in.  Maybe kayak a bit and see what other people do on the weekends. 

JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): Sales manager and Family man. 

 

12. What are your goals for next year?

 JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): To be competitive in the 3/4 35+ category. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): I’m being transferred to Paris for work, so we’re hoping to race cross in France and Belgium!

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Build the cross race, Build the team and build the sport.  I’d like to be answering these questions after nailing a podium at nationals. 

HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): Win Women’s 30-34 Cyclocross Master’s Nationals. It’ll be my last year in that age group, so I have to do it. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I plan on racing the Elite Masters 35+ field and my goal is to make some top 10 finishes with those guys. 

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): Next year I hope to be competitive in the Bs with some top 10s and maybe even a win. 

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Haven’t really thought about it. Natz? Holding on for dear life in the elites? 

ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): Place well in B cross races as well as have a strong showing as a CAT 3 on the road. 

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): I am looking to upgrade my Cat 4 license to a 3 and race the Elite Masters. Improve my ability to hold a pit bike and a drink and still have a smooth exchange. Develop witty answers to post race podium-finisher questionnaires. 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I want to be more competitive at the national level and I want to give Wes a run for his money in the MAC. 

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Keep moving up the rankings from this season.

 

13. Anything else you would like to say? 

JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): Thanks to the promoters, officials, and sponsors who put on a great race. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Good luck to everybody from the Mid-Atlantic at nationals, see you there. 

HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): Beets. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): Thanks again to all of the promoters out there putting these events on, and everyone who raced in them. It’s been a great season and I look forward to seeing everyone next year. 

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): The season really flew by didn’t it. 

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Thanks Potomac Velo for putting on such a fine event. In fact, thanks to all the MAC and MABRA race promoters out there. 

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): I’m going to miss my fellow “Old Ladies” and B Women racers.

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Cross is a great community of people that consistently give of themselves for the good of the racers and the sport. I would like to say thanks to all the people who have helped make Cross in the Mid-Atlantic a huge success! 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I would like to thank everyone on C3-Sollay.com and the DDCoD for a great season and all the great support. I would not be successful without it…You all Rock… 

 

14. Give a shout out to somebody. 

ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I would like to say hey to my wonderful wife Kat, my guinea pig Andy Jr., Fat Marc, Wes, Mike, Tom McDaniel, Newt, and Kris Auer…You guys rock!! 

ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Hub Racing, Coach Josef, and therapist Ann who is working really hard to make my finger work again!

NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Kris Auer for being so dedicated to growing the cross scene. He consistently gives his own time and money to help other people learn and enjoy the sport. The free cross clinic he runs is where I got started and still go to drill the fundamentals. He takes time out of his day to do this and riders of all abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate. 

ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): Thanks to Chris Mayhew for putting on the Pittsburgh cross practices, driving me to races, and giving me tons of advice for cross. 

CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Sonja Evers first and foremost for being my pit crew and so much more. Team CycleLife for the moral support. Mike Birner for what he’s been able to achieve with a pretty stubborn client over the last 2 months. 

STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): My wife for always coming out and watching the dog. I’d like to thank Birner and all my teammates, especially Chris and Aaron. I’d like to thank Scott Stahl for keeping me stoked to race the final few weeks. Also anyone that cheers for me at races. I can’t believe how many people cheer for me at races sometimes. It really feels great when you hear friends and strangers shouting for you when you are really hurting. Finally I’d like to thank all the racers that haven’t kicked my ass for heckling them mercilessly during their race. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): Shout out once again to my wife and daughter putting up with me being gone for a day or more a weekend since September…much love. Another shout out to Kris Auer for some great coaching. 

HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): My team is the best! Their cheering motivated me to do better than I thought I could, drove me to keep going and not give up. Every inch of that course was covered by someone in the black & blue who was yelling at the top of their lungs when I rode by. They always cheer like that, regardless of whether you’re in first place or last. That’s awesome! 

MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): I want to thank my team, the sponsors, and all of my teammates for really being there for me this entire year. Thank you C3-Sollay! 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Same shout out.  C3-Sollay.Com and all its members and sponsors. Thanks for a great season. 

JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): C3/Sollay!

KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): My team, Guy’s Racing, and my strongest supporter, my husband Rolf.

The MABRA cyclocross series held its championship race in Taneytown, Maryland, November 30. Purists might say it was perfect cross weather. Sane observers would say it was 35 degrees and raining. Flanders and Swann would say “Mud, mud glorious mud.”

Racers were treated to a well-designed course that seemed to redefine itself throughout the day as the rain turned a predominantly grassy track into a mud bog. So how did it go? We checked in with a hearty crew of survivors to get their thoughts. 

Here are my takeaways: (1) If you think teammates only matter on the road, C3-Sollay.com begs to differ … and has the results to prove it. (2) Some may argue that techno is the soundtrack of cyclocross, but Pantera, Radiohead and Zeppelin seem to get you decent results. (3) I’m pretty sure my questions are starting to annoy Gunnar Shogren. 

Check out the photos tab at the top of the page for pictures from the race, or click here. 

Finally, let me know what you think about the site. If you see something you like, leave a comment. If you see something you think could be improved, even more reason to let me know. You can also e-mail me by using the contact link on the sidebar. 

1. How did you prepare to tackle the conditions? Do you think you got it right? 

JAY MORALI (Cat 4 1st Place): It is always important to pre-ride the course but it was absolutely necessary on Sunday…there were some really technical sections given the rain and mud. I only made a couple minor mistakes. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): I had enough layers on to keep my base body temperature ok. With the rain and riding through standing water, I lost feeling in my feet and fingers by the end of the race. Not much dress wise I think could have been done for that due to the rain and conditions. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): I’ve raced mud a few times and love it.  the frozen hands I could have done without.  I rolled with Long Sleeve skinsuit, Long sleeve base layer, leg warmers, lots of embrocation, and gloves that were way too thin. 

MARC VETTORI [fatmarc] (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): I consider myself a pretty good mudder. I like nasty conditions, rainy days. I admit I was giddy as we started to stage. cold, but giddy. I’m not the strongest guy in the pack, so anytime I can use guile and treachery or hide behind technique in bad conditions, I’m all about it. 

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): I wore slightly warmer clothes than normal, I got everything right except for gloves, after the race my hands were burning like crazy. 

LINDSEY HILLESHEIM (Women 3/4 2nd Place): I didn’t prepare nearly enough-I didn’t have enough clothes and I should not have pre-ridden so early. I got way too cold. 

MELANIE SWARTZ (Elite Women 2nd Place): I was physically prepared for the conditions and had enough layers and dry clothes, rain pants and jacket, boots, toasty toes warmers, extra of everything. My big mistake was that I was not mentally or emotionally ready to accept the conditions of cold rain and mud. So as a result I was kind of grumpy and miserable. 

MATT EVEN (Cat 4 2nd place): 5 cups of coffee, Pantera’s ‘Vulgar Display of Power,’ and a childhood full of mud clod fights and bmx drag races on gravel roads. Seems like perfect prep for cross! 

LINDSAY BAYER (Women Cat 3/4 3rd Place): I wore everything I owned to ward off the freezing cold and managed to stay pretty warm during the race. Had I known it was going to be so wet and muddy, however, I would have worn my mask and snorkel. 

WESTON SCHEMPF (Elite Men 3rd Place): By not pre-riding the course and just warming up on the trainer. Yes, I think I got it right. 

SAM O’KEEFE (Men 3/4 2nd Place): I just raced and tried not to freeze. 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): The conditions were cold (~35 Degrees) and raining so I tackled these conditions by trying to stay as warm as possible before the start. While warming up, I had several extra layers on because I feel you shouldn’t make your body work to stay warm before the start of a race, this could possibly waste energy. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): My hands were in bad shape. Bad. They just don’t handle the wet cold very well anymore. Too many years of abusing them doing this sort of nonsense I guess. 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): I tried not to be cold at the start. Sometimes a person is screwed before the race even starts by not staying warm and dry until the last possible moment.

 

2. What was the best part of the course? What was the worst part of the course? 

WESTON SCHEMPF (Elite Men 3rd Place): Best: slick, but rideable off camber corners and fast slimy turns. Worst: the large pond after the start finish. 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): I liked the mud, especially the “River Runs Through It.” I suppose the worst part was that run-up, as I had to walk like a duck to try to get up it. 

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): The best part of the course was everything that was muddy and twisty, the worst had to be the run-up I could never get it right there. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): The new course was great! Would have had a grand time, had it not rained and been 34 degrees.

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): The best part of the course was the long, gradual uphill gravel road. This section was much appreciated because there was no deep mud and was a great place to go faster without worrying about a crash. 

SAM O’KEEFE (Men 3/4 2nd Place): I really liked the swooping sections through the trees-the couple minutes after the start finish were probably the hardest. 

LINDSEY HILLESHEIM (Women Cat 3/4 2nd Place): All of it, and all of it. 

LINDSAY BAYER (Women Cat 3/4 3rd Place): My favorite part was the short downhill towards the end of each lap. It was slippery and fast, as well as close enough to the finish line that it felt like good news every time. The worst part was probably the lake right after the first hill after the start; there’s nothing quite like swimming on your bicycle. 

MATT EVEN (Cat 4 2nd Place): Loved the steep, muddy run-up after the pit. The chain link fences started freaking me out after awhile-I was visualizing some nasty eye injuries. 

MELANIE SWARTZ (Elite Women 2nd Place): The best part of the course, was the familiarity of it to me – I’ve raced this course at Taneytown for a few years now. The worst part, was the conditions effect on the course. I was not enthused about riding into the lake of a drainage ditch within 200m of starting. 

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): I thought the entire course was laid out very well. The course had good flow and was lots of fun. I guess if I had to pick a section my favorite section was the drop down, and run up near the end of the lap. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): the entire course was well done.  the weather made it extra fun but it had a nice blend of off camber, technical and power sections.  Last years course was good, this years was excellent.

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): The best part of the course was the second part of the course off of the asphalt that led you into 2 uphill off camber turns that were run ups. They were just slick as snot every lap. Fun stuff. The worst was the beginning of each lap after the asphalt. The grass to the short pop up hill seemed to be the hardest part of the course for me probably just because I was sprinting up the road every time to it and it was like riding through peanut butter. 

JAY MORALI (Cat 4 1st Place): Muddy hill! 

3. Describe your winning move. Or, when the race was lost. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): After a poor start I was fortunate to roll off the front with two teammates (Chris Nystrom, Fat Marc) and also West Virginia’s finest. With a small amount of seconds to the next group I was hoping for a wait and see situation but Gunnar started going hard in the off cambers, I responded and was lucky enough to nail a couple corners at top speed and open a gap.  After that it was just head down trying to stretch it out.  It wasn’t until the last half lap that I felt confident I would get it.

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): Worried too much about my cold stubs that used to be hands.

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): I got third so there really wasn’t a winning move. I got a strong start and about 1/2 way through the first lap was in a group with 2 teammates ([Kris] Auer and [Chris] Nystrom) and Gunnar [Shogren]. That was pretty good. My job wasn’t to try and win, but to ride well and support my leader. I clearly wasn’t the strongest guy today, more like in the right place at the right time…Things unfolded and worked out well for us.  

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): It helped to keep my wits about me in the mud. It was bad news to think too much about the mud and cold. 

MELANIE SWARTZ (Elite Women 2nd Place): I was putting everything into trying to win the first lap prime and then keep going. However the race losing move came on the first lap, heading off the final off-camber mud-slip-and-slide right before the final turn onto the finish-line pavement stretch, I slid out and the bike and I slid 10 yards in opposite directions, including a break-dance spin in the mud on my back. I laughed and cursed to myself and wondered if any one witnessed the calamity. I ran to the bike and saw Betsy [Shogren] coming up the trail. I had a 15 second lead until the wipe out. I debated jumping on the bike and just going for the first lap prime, but my saddle was too crooked and she passed while I was hitting my seat back into place. After she passed me, I tried to stay near but the culmination of all the little slips and mistakes here and there, I was never able to get her back. 

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): I lost the race when I bobbled on the last run-up and [Jeremiah] Bishop passed me. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): I was sitting in 3rd for half of the first lap. On the second half of the course with the 2 uphill off camber turns, rider #2 went down in turn one trying to ride it. I quickly dismounted and ran it taking second place. I caught rider #1 within 2 bike lengths as he tried riding through turn two uphill. He crashed and I dismounted again running up the hill and remounting taking the lead. I just started laying down hard tempo and concentrated on riding smooth through the course and not bobbling in the mud. It worked as I started making time on my chasers. Fortunately with no mechanicals I took the win. 

SAM O’KEEFE (Men 3/4 2nd Place): I was in fourth after the first lap, by the second to last lap I was is third for a little bit and I just picked up the pace as much as I could for the last lap and a half-my teammate who won had a big gap so I raced for second. 

JAY MORALI (Cat 4 1st Place): I was with the lead group sitting 4 back after 1 lap and the group all sprinted hard for the 1st lap prize while I sat back(I actually forgot about it) and they all slowed down to recover so I found myself on the front and decided to make a move. Before I knew it, I had a 15 second gap! I put my head down, rode hard, but smart, and held off the field for 3 laps. 

MATT EVEN (Cat 4 2nd place): My 2nd place move: not falling on the course, starting hard but not contesting the first lap prime-rocked steady for the remaining laps while others fell back. 

LINDSEY HILLESHEIM (Women Cat 3/4 2nd Place): I lost the wheel of the first place finisher on the gravel section on the second lap but was still somewhat close. But then I dismounted a little late on the hill behind the sheds and slid all the way down to the bottom, I was slow getting up and back on the bike. 

LINDSAY BAYER (Women Cat 3/4 3rd Place): Whenever it came time to get back on the bike after dismounting, I fumbled and had trouble getting started again. Part of it was me just moving slowly in the crap conditions and the other part was that my mud-covered mountain bike weighed roughly three hundred pounds. It was a painful struggle. 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): I’m not sure that I actually had a winning move or an attack that separated me from the field. After the barrier section on the first lap I was in the top 3, I went as hard as possible over the barriers and didn’t let up. I got a small gap before the run up and really never looked back. I think keeping my pace steady and crash-free is what won me the race. 

WESTON SCHEMPF (Elite Men 3rd Place): There were no moves to be made this day. I thought for sure that Jeff [Bahnson] was going to come back at some point, but he excels at riding these conditions and kept increasing his lead. 

4. What is your pre-race ritual, warm-up, food, etc.? 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): My pre-race ritual starts with a bacon, egg, and cheese on an English muffin, medium coffee, orange juice, and a donut. I then try to drink Gatorade before my start to stay hydrated. My warm-up depends on the conditions outside, I either try to ride a full lap of the race course or I try to stay warm in my car and do a quick 15 min warm-up before the start. I really don’t like wasting energy being cold. 

WESTON SCHEMPF (Elite Men 3rd Place): Register, pin up, dress up, ride the trainer, eat a gel 20 mins before race. 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): Aside from trying to take care of necessities (food, equipment), I tend to shy away from pre-race rituals. It is better to be able to go with the flow than to panic when your ritual gets messed up by things cropping up at the last moment (like late arrival time, flat tire, dog needs attention, forgotten essentials, etc.) However, I do try to eat a banana ~15-20 minutes before a race. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): I ate well, warmed up well, but was doomed from the start I’m afraid.

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): That day I was just trying to stay dry and warm before the race, started warming up on the trainer 45 minutes before and drank lots of water. 

LINDSEY HILLESHEIM (Women Cat 3/4 2nd Place): My usual routine is breakfast ~6am, slow laps after the mens 4 and masters 3/4 races, eat something ~10am, fast laps after the mens 3/4, then change into my racing kit and try to relax until my race. 

MATT EVEN (Cat 4 2nd place): Coffee, oatmeal, metal, and two laps. 

MELANIE SWARTZ (Elite Women 2nd Place): One of my pre-race rituals is to pre-ride the course two races and one race prior to the start. However for this race, I was not excited about getting the bikes dirty and then cleaning them off again so I skipped the pre-ride. As a result I didn’t know the best lines or the proper weighting and leaning of the bike for the corners. It was stupid to not go out there and in the end it cost me time during the race with every dab or slip, and definitely played into the race losing move. 

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): Coffee, bagel with cream cheese, pre-lap, two trips to the port-o-let, style my hair, ride trainer, crack jokes with wife and friends. Usually get wife ready to race, pit for her, then get myself ready to go. Listen to Radiohead in Rainbows. Weird fishes rules. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): today I arrived early and walked the course but chose not to pre-ride.  steel cut oats for breakfast, 2 Krispy Kremes and a large coffee fueled me up.  I did try to stay very warm and dry before the start.  30 minutes on the trainer kept me loose. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): Food 3 hours before race. Healthy cereal, fruit. Powerbar 45min -1 hr before race if I feel I need to top off. Warm up for 35 minutes before race start. I usually try to pre ride the course but didn’t for this one. Too muddy and wanted to save the bike for the race. No pit bike in my arsenal yet.

JAY MORALI (Cat 4 1st Place): I changed from a PB&J to French Toast this week…it may have to be a new ritual! 

5. What tires and pressure did you run? Do you think you made the right choice? 

LINDSAY BAYER (Women Cat 3/4 3rd Place): I ran Specialized FastTrack Controls at 40psi (mountain bike tires). With as much mud as there was, though, I could have strapped tractor tires on my bike and it would not have made a difference. 

SAM O’KEEFE (Men 3/4 2nd Place): I ran about 30-35 in both tires which seemed to work well with clinchers.

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): Based on my coach’s advice, I ride the Grifos which are a great all-around tire that can ride well in all conditions. My tire pressure was 35 psi. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): Ran a little less than 40, which for the Hutchinson Bulldogs (clinchers) is pretty good. That wasn’t my problem. Those tires have been great this year. 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): I heart Michelin Bulldog tires. 

WESTON SCHEMPF (Elite Men 3rd Place): Dugast Typhoons 32. no idea of the pressure. 

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): I think I made the right choice using the rhinos at about 30 psi. 

LINDSEY HILLESHEIM (Women Cat 3/4 2nd Place): I elected to use my Michelin mud clincher wheelset (usually in the pits) for this race rather than my Challenge Grifo tubulars. I thought that they would cut through the mud because they are a heavier wheelset and because the tires are more suited for mud. I was worried my normal wheelset would skate over the mud. 

6. What is something you saw a newbie do that made you think “I really need to have a friendly word with that guy”?

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): Helped a few people in the parking lot running either really high pressure or running too low. Something so easy as tire pressure can really make or break your race as far as handling. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): Nothing sticks out today, lots of suffering and misery though.  Good Stuff. 

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): I don’t think I saw anything like that. I was hiding under an easy-up most of the time. 

MELANIE SWARTZ (Elite Women 2nd Place): I felt like the newbie for not embracing the conditions and saying “Now this is ‘cross.” 

MATT EVEN (Cat 4 2nd place): That would be me. I’m sure I pulled some shady moves, but I’ve blocked them all out. 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): Umm, I guess my only advice in these conditions is to do whatever you can to stay warm and dry before the race. I looked like the Michelin man out there, but I didn’t care because I started the race with feeling in my extremities, unlike a lot of competitors. 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): I’m a newbie, this is my first full season doing cross!! I’m only getting through with the advice of my teammates, they are the best! Some of the advice I have been given is try to focus on riding the course smooth and focus on your start. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): “Why are you in shorts, are you freezing? You’re not, well I hate you.” 

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): Just warning everyone when races are muddy and you open the port-o-let to not be startled by what you see on the floor, just a warning it’s just mud. 

7. Racing next week? What will you do differently, what will you try to repeat? 

WESTON SCHEMPF (Elite Men 3rd Place): At Reston for the MAC finale. 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): We will be racing Capitol Cross next week, our first UCI race of the season! I think the only thing I will do differently is wear my new boots my mother-in-law bought me. 

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): Next week I’ll try to keep my hands much warmer, and I will try to start as fast as I did for this race. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): MAC finals and final prep for Nats in KC. I can only hope and pray that it’s not rotten out. 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): I am racing the final MAC race in Reston on Sunday. I hope to follow the same diet and warm-up that I have been doing all season, seems to be working! Then nationals! 

SAM O’KEEFE (Men 3/4 2nd Place): I got a good start and I think it makes a big difference. 

LINDSAY BAYER (Women Cat 3/4 3rd Place): I think I’m done for the season. I’ve been racing since April and at this point, I am exhausted. 

MATT EVEN (Cat 4 2nd place): Reston: go harder! I’d love to vomit on a cross course. 

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): Conditions dictate, I did a walking inspection last week. I prefer to ride a lap or two if possible. I plan to follow my normal routine which usually serves me pretty well. I’d like to race like I am not satisfied next week. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): yes, RESTON and hope to do it all the same, minus the frozen hands. 

LINDSEY HILLESHEIM (Women Cat 3/4 2nd Place): I’m racing Reston this weekend. It’s the last race of the season, so my mail goal is to race hard and leave it all on the course. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): Yes the Mac series final in Reston. I’ll be a row back in the call ups so I’ll have to work harder at the start to move up. I’ll try and repeat the effort and the result. 

JAY MORALI (Cat 4 1st Place): Still debating… 

8. Do you work with a coach? If so, how has it helped the most? 

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): Chris Mayhew from JBV Coaching and I have been working together for 2 years now. Chris had done an amazing job of helping me to plan my season and achieve my goals. Chris is very detail oriented, and provides me great guidance. He is very familiar with Mid-Atlantic races so he can always give me some inside insight. Chris also knows that I’m a chronic over trainer, and does a great job keeping me from riding myself into the ground. I could never figure that out on my own. Mayhew really knows when to push me, and when to keep me fresh. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): Kris Auer is my coach. I’ve been working with Kris since early summer just for Cx. He’s given me daily workouts to put me at the fitness level I needed to be at to podium in these events. I wanted to peak for finals for both the MABRA and Mac series. So far so good. (crosses fingers for next week). 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): I coach about 20 riders throughout the east coast. Many are crossers and I’d rate cross as my specialty.  I run the athlete development group with associate coach Johnny May. 

MELANIE SWARTZ (Elite Women 2nd Place): I am coached by Mike Birner with Mid-Maryland Coaching. It has taken a huge stress off of previously always planning and wondering what my next workout should be or if I am training the right way. 

SAM O’KEEFE (Men 3/4 2nd Place): Kris Auer (ADG) is my coach and he has been great. 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): I work with Kris Auer of ADG. Honestly, I couldn’t be where I am at right now without his coaching. I started working with Kris over the summer after a long period of over-training. I was pretty tired and ready to call it quits. But, after some sound coaching advice and a few weeks of rest I started feeling better. I have never felt this good this late into the season and I can attribute this to good coaching. While my work schedule is demanding Kris customized my workouts to fit in with my daily work-life so I am having time to recover. I am more motivated then ever racing my bike. 

LINDSEY HILLESHEIM (Women Cat 3/4 2nd Place): Yes (Alec Donahue at Cycle-Smart). It saves me time and energy from figuring out what I’m supposed to be doing and worrying about whether I’m doing it right. My background is in swimming which is a completely different sport and a lot of the training principles don’t translate very well. 

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): Yes, I think it has helped in a lot of places but mostly with my starts. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): I kick myself every morning. Keeps me motivated. 

9. Is CX your main focus? If not, what is? If it is, how long have you been riding cross? 

JAY MORALI (Cat 4 1st Place): This is my first year racing cross and I love it. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): Yes CX is my main focus. This is my third year cross racing.

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): Yeah pretty much, I’ve been getting into the multi sport scene to a degree, just the racing parts though.  Cross since 1996/97 plus a few races as far back as 1989. 

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): First cross races were in the snow valley series at the high school, back in 1997. I am a crosser. 

MATT EVEN (Cat 4 2nd place): From here on out, Cross is my main focus. Don’t tell my wife. 

SAM O’KEEFE (Men 3/4 2nd Place): Cross is the best but I have been mountain biking for about 3 years. 

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): CX and Mountain biking are tied at the moment, I think I have been riding cross for 5 years now. 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): Cyclocross was not my original focus, it was more a fun activity to stay fit over the winter. But, after getting some good results I became completely immersed in cross. While this is my first year racing cross, this is quickly becoming my favorite racing. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): Damn, I keep answering this question! Stop the insanity! Been racing Cross since Nats in ‘94, wanted to years before that but it wasn’t ever really feasible. Had a Cross bike since ‘89. 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): I just like to race bikes. Any bike!

10. Got a training/racing/life/stock tip you would like to share? 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): Go Veg! 

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): Always have fun. 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): My best tip for people is to remember to give your body time to recover. This advice was some of the best advice I was ever given. 

MATT EVEN (Cat 4 2nd place): Skyline Drive. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): Enjoy it all, the training, the racing, the lifestyle, the circus. 

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): you get out of life what you put into it. Instant Karma is a bitch. Pull through. Always pull through. No matter what, we do this for fun, it’s all beer league softball, win, lose, or break your chain. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): racing is racing the course is secondary.  Treat them all the same and have fun. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): Set goals, work hard, results will come. 

11. Other than race, what do you do? 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): I am a microbiologist at NIOSH. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): Wash dishes, do laundry, work on bikes. I train. I ride. I watch old TV series and interesting movies when I can. Sometime I write Haiku. 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): I work at T. Rowe Price. Racing and training are big parts of my life. 

LINDSEY HILLESHEIM (Women Cat 3/4 2nd Place): Besides work, I like to cook, take pictures and swim. 

SAM O’KEEFE (Men 3/4 2nd Place): school. 

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): I don’t have a job but I do go to school and hang out with my friends a lot. 

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): I am a simple man, I love my wife, I play with my dogs, and I ride my bike. I enjoying sipping a “high life” now and again, and rock climbing has been pretty relaxing for me as well. 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): Electrician by day. Cyclist by afternoons. Family man at night. 

12. Will we see you at MABRA CX races, next year? 

WESTON SCHEMPF (Elite Men 3rd Place): Sure will. The quality of the events is growing each year and providing another series for the riders of the southern Mid Atlantic. 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): You bet-I heart MABRA CX! 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): Yes, this is a great series. All the promoters have done an incredible job at their races, they have all been great and stress-free!! 

LINDSAY BAYER (Women Cat 3/4 3rd Place): Absolutely. Cross is great training and the prizes are awesome. In cross country racing, you win a race and they give you a pair of socks that say “North Dakota 2006″. In cross racing, you come in twelfth and they give you a new car. 

MELANIE SWARTZ (Elite Women 2nd Place): If there aren’t too many conflicts between MABRA and MAC and UCI races, I’ll be at the MABRA races. 

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): We’ll have to see how the schedule unfolds. The past few seasons I have hit a number of MABRA races early, and then focused my energies on other races, this year I ended up doing more MABRA races deeper into the season. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): Absolutely, got to wear that new shirt a few times.

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): Absolutely. I’ll be racing Masters 35+ Elite races. Looking forward to it. Good bunch of guys, no doubt I’ll be taking some lessons from them. They are really fast.

LINDSEY HILLESHEIM (Women Cat 3/4 2nd Place): Yes but maybe less often-I may do more MAC races next year and I’d like to race in some other regions to see how it’s different. I may jump in some Men’s 4 races as well. 

13. Anything else you would like to add? 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): Still trying to figure out how I got all the mud inside my shorts.

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): thanks to the MABRA and MAC series as well as all those that raced this season. This is a great community, let’s keep it growing and keep it cool. 

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): I have a wonderful wife, who I love very much. None of this bike racing silliness would happen without her. The fact that she races and we get to share these experiences is, well pretty awesome. I will admit when we have both have bad days, the drive home can be pretty quiet. 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): Thanks to all the MABRA promoters and folks that make this series happen. It is nice that this series is not too big and not too small.

LINDSAY BAYER (Women Cat 3/4 3rd Place): This weekend is the Capitol ‘Cross Classic put on by my club, the Potomac Velo Club. It promises to be a great event and…wait for it…there will be heated bathrooms. If that’s not a reason to come out and race, I don’t know what is. 

SAM O’KEEFE (Men 3/4 2nd Place): The mud was great. 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): I feel incredibly fortunate to ride for such an amazing team, C3-Sollay.com. This team is made up of great people that continually impress me for their dedication to cycling, their racing, and their teammates. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): How about something I would like to subtract or multiply? [ed. Note: See what I mean. I'm annoying him.] 

14. Give a shout out to somebody. 

BETSY SHOGREN (Elite Women 1st Place): Shout out to my mother-in-law! She’s a really great MIL (and I’m not saying that facetiously). 

MARK BROADWATER (Men 3/4 1st Place): Thanks Kris for all the great coaching!! 

LINDSAY BAYER (Women Cat 3/4 3rd Place): Thank you, Bobby, for driving me to my race, standing in the icy rain to cheer me on, hosing off my muddy clothes, and allowing me to get back in your car to go home. Your support means everything. 

MATT EVEN (Cat 4 2nd place): Bega for the bike, Megha for digging cross, Corey for the guidance, Plotz for the training, Jen for racing with the dudes, Mike for the beer, Jim for the loose pork sausage, and City Bikes for replacing my crank set the day before the race. 

MARC VETTORI (Elite Masters Men 3rd Place): Thanks to my great teammates on C3-Sollay.com, To my training partners in the DCCoD, to everyone working in the pits, to Slick Rik for teaching the ways of the white hand of Saron. To Mayhew for just being a great coach and really helping me to deliver my best, to my first grade teacher Ms. Floyd for telling me I was different because my name was spelled with a “c.” My mtb buddies who wait patiently for me, To the Eagles of Death Metal for saving rock and roll, to my parents for teaching me to be passionate and tenacious, to Bing’s bakery for great donuts, to Led Zeppelin for Kashmir, to everyone that cheers for me during a race, to my freakin’ amazing wife. 

KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters Men 1st Place): Jan, Marc and Chris thanks for the extra support and the rest of the C3-Sollay.Com cross team in the pits and on the course. 

LINDSEY HILLESHEIM (Women Cat 3/4 2nd Place): My teammate Jim, I got his car all muddy. Sorry!

JEFF BAHNSON (Elite Men 2nd Place): Go Henry’s Bikes and DCCOD!!!!!! 

JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 3/4 1st Place): Shout out to my wife Chris for yelling words of encouragement as she ran all around the course in the rain cheering me on. Thanks to my coach Kris Auer for getting me this far this year. Thanks to the C3 guys in the pit giving me gap times and encouragement. 

JAY MORALI (Cat 4 1st Place): Thanks for a great race to the promoters and sponsors of the MABRA Championship Race. 

GUNNAR SHOGREN (Elite Masters Men 2nd Place): Jackie, quit chewing on your foot.