The Big Picture: U.S. Open Of Cyclocross

[Editor’s Note: Neil Schirmer used to be a DC-area guy, and a fixture in the Mid-Atlantic cycling scene. He’s now a Colorado guy, and we are going to take full advantage of that. Check out his site cxetc. at cxetc.wordpress.com/ and follow him on Twitter at @nschirm.]

UCI C2 races are among the more enjoyable ones to watch, driven in part by the fact that many times there’s a really compelling mix of racers showing up to grab points. There could be a current national champion in the mix (as with Katie Compton next week at DCCX), or the occasional European pro here and there, and those are always fun.  Continue reading “The Big Picture: U.S. Open Of Cyclocross”

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The Big Picture: Charm City Cyclocross (Day 2)

Hurling my car down interstate 70, precisely pinning the needle of the speedometer just under the 80mph mark, hoping that theory of 10 miles an hour over the limit is actually the limit. Five pm, then six, the Breezewood interchange onto the Pennsylvania turnpike, back to pinning the speedometer at it’s needed location. With my stomach empty in synchronization with the cars gas tank, the need to stop was pressing, but there was no time to waste. In a mere two hours Dinosaur Jr, would be taking the stage at Mr. Smalls Theater in Pittsburgh and I was still an hour and forty minutes away. Continue reading “The Big Picture: Charm City Cyclocross (Day 2)”

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Crosshairs Radio Episode 47: TDDTIE (Charm City & Ronse)

Scott, David and Bill give you the low down on all that happened at this past weekend’s Charm City Cyclocross UCI C1/C2 races. We talk about the racing, the course, the hipsters and so much more. Theories are put forth, grievances are aired and conclusions (right or wrong) are made. We then move on to Ronse and talk about rainbow jerseys, mechanicals, Internet commenters. It’s an action packed hour that is not to be missed. Continue reading “Crosshairs Radio Episode 47: TDDTIE (Charm City & Ronse)”

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Crosshairs Radio Episode 45: Kerry Werner

For episode 45 we talk to Kerry Werner about, among other things, his transformation from top-level mountain-biker to pro cyclocross racer. Kerry has some great stories about his adventures in cycling. He is a person who comes across as pretty laid back but there’s definitely an intensity there that drives Kerry to constantly analyze his performance and strive to improve. He’s also got a bit of a prankster side and a good sense of humor, which makes for a fun conversation. Continue reading “Crosshairs Radio Episode 45: Kerry Werner”

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The Big Picture: Jingle Cross Sunday

Sunday at Jingle Cross offered up another spectacular day of racing. Two competitive elite races pitted a strong field of world class riders who stuck around following Saturday’s World Cup race. Despite the high level of competition, the crowd definitely was not the same as it was the day before. There was a bit of a cyclocross hangover in the air for Sunday’s race, which was a shame, but not a surprise. If this were just a C1 race weekend, the crowd would have been huge, like it was for Friday night’s C2 and Saturday’s World Cup. But the Sunday C1 just seemed like a bit to much to digest for most spectators who had already hit the road for home. Continue reading “The Big Picture: Jingle Cross Sunday”

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The Cole Chronicles: Nittany CX

Woah! Where did the summer go? Mountain bike season has come and gone and after taking to the start line at last weekends Nittany CX, my UCI Cyclocross season is now fully underway. My opening weekend was a bit of a mixed bag, I had a blast finally seeing all of my cyclocross family in one place again after the summer but my results left a little to be desired. While it was only my first major race of the year, it still feels like a bit of a letdown to not meet my expectations after a long buildup to the season.

Continue reading “The Cole Chronicles: Nittany CX”

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The Big Picture: Jingle Cross World Cup

The Iowa City Jingle Cross World Cup course is legit. Muddy conditions, big climbs, fast descents, technical off-camber sections … Johnson County could be plopped down in the middle of Belgium and not be out of place. The number of exciting features on the course meant the crowd was spread out over the entire venue, so if it looked like the crowds weren’t huge on television, it was only because there was too much good stuff to see. Along those same lines, Iowans know how to have a good time. That was some fun good-natured spectating. Continue reading “The Big Picture: Jingle Cross World Cup”

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