Danny stay on your bike!!

Big Bad Wolf video from Big Mac

Photos by Adam Baudoux

All photos from the Big Bad Wolf by Adam Baudoux:

Matty B keeps it relaxed at the start

First lap in the volleyball pit

My counterparts for most of the race

Big Bad Wolf

Helmet cam and Pete, photo by Tom

First off thanks to everyone that came out to support Steve and Paul and the Stomach of Anger series races this year.  This is the second year now a race has been hosted at Midland's Stratford Woods and it is a pretty neat venue.  An odd combination of Stoney Creek and the OLD Lower Huron course, mixed with a bit of Hudson Mills Metropark in a few spots.  (If you remember Hudson Mills you're aging yourself...)

We set the poles and flags yesterday in cold, windy weather.  A few of the TCC loyal were out and were a huge help in pounding stakes into the frozen tundra.  Because it was so windy we decided to bag trying to tape the course until Sunday morning, which turned out to be a very good thing.  When we got there at eight it was very cold and windy - any tape we would have put up the previous night wouldn't have stood a chance.  Even after going through and taping the entire pit area in the morning (which if you remember had a pretty complicated layout...) it wasn't 20 minutes before tape started shredding and flapping in the wind.

So decision time - continue to tape and hope the rest survives the west wind off the lake, or drop all the tape to the ground and hope everyone can see the course...

I decided just to send out all the TCC helpers to drop the course tape to the ground unless there was a blind turn, where we did our best to keep the tape from tearing.   I'm sure the first time riders took to the course it was a bit odd, but it wasn't a terribly complex course for the most part.  Even the volley ball pit was frozen solid when we tried to put poles in the sand, and we even had to resort to drilling holes to get flags to stay down.

Anyway, it was a good day for racing - cold temps but bright and sunny.  I was surprised to see how much a few sections were torn up because on Saturday everything was frozen solid.  The sand seemed to get harder to ride every lap - probably due to the whole "I'm tired" aspect but a lot to do with the deep ruts that were forming everywhere.

As for the race, I took the holeshot and was in the lead until the long beach, where DC and the lil' pony rolled by me.  We hopped the barriers up the hill but I could read the writing on the wall that trying to stay with those guys wasn't going to last long.  I dropped back the pace and waited for Pete to bridge.  We rode for most of the race together and soon Mark Wolowick bridged as well.  The three of us had a nice train going, which was pretty helpful in the windy sections.

Soon enough Andy Weir made the bridge to us and the pace wasn't quite so comfortable anymore...Pete and Andy and Mark all took turns on the front pushing the pace up and up out of every corner.  With three to go we bottle necked in the first tricky sand section, causing the line to string out.  Mark and I chased back on during the long sand straightaway but I was pushing the limit.  Sure enough the same thing happened with two to go but this time I lost too much ground to regain.  To add insult to injury, in trying to navigate the deep sand ruts exiting the beach I had to dab and then practically fell on top of my bike trying to remount.  The gap went from 25 m to 50+ m instantly, and I was cooked.  I ended up rolling in for fourth, which I was pretty happy with considering the company I was riding with today.

So that's all for 2012 for me.  No plans to race at nationals but good luck to those that go.

And don't forget...PUT THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012!

Sale

If you're interested in anything e-mail me racepromoter atatatatatat gmail dotdotdot com...

Saris Bones 2-bike rack
Used a dozen times...

Bontrager Jones XCR cyclocross tires
These maybe have 150 dirt road miles on them from back when Kristie had a 'cross bike.

Time ATAC pedals that need new spindals.  Old body style, dark grey faceplates.

Sram Rival 175 130 bcd crankset (no bb or rings)

Race Face Cadence 175 130 bcd crankset (no bb or rings)

Sram 53t chainrings (2)

CycleOps Fluid trainer (this one) - needs a new "L" bolt (here).

New style Selle Italia Flite

These are just taking up room so basically any reasonable offer will fly...I'll bring these to Midland on Sunday!

Big Bad Wolf Cyclocross on Sunday, 12/11!

First, a history lesson from last year, so you can get a flavor of the park:

Second, after the race there is the officially unofficial after party at the Midland Brewing Company, one of the sponsors of the Tri City Cyclocross races.

Directions from the race course to MBC (zoom out...):

For more information and to register check out the RACE WEBSITE!  Pre-registration closes at noon on Saturday.

Springfield Oaks - Davisblurb Photos

That kit wasn't white anymore after the first lap. 

Watch out for this guy.  He's coming to get you B's. 

Not exactly sure what Mike was doing on the course to pick up so much trash in his wheels.

Drivetrain = crying

Sven, getting crossed up during his dominating ride.

Lil' Pony, the Lil' Mudd'r, rolling for 2nd.

Wiz, third.  Bike changes weren't quite as frequent as the 2008 New Jersey USGP.

After good intentions at the start I decided to bag doubling up with both SS and Elites yesterday.  Let's face it, I'm not nor have ever been a runner, and that showed badly after the third lap.  I was haunted and hunted by the orange gloves all day long.  Two good laps weren't enough to slay the SS race.  I have to say I was not excited after finishing my second lap (clock reading 20 minutes and something seconds) to see THREE TO GO.  Dang.  I'm not the greatest at mental math, but two laps in twenty minutes...umm...five laps in...uh...fifty-plus minutes?  I thought I signed up for the SS race?  Anyway, five was one lap too many because Killer Rich rolled by me on the fourth like it was his job.  Congrats to him for sticking it out, and congrats to Jim (TSB) on a hard fought third too.

Doubting the Stratford beach will look this good...

For those of you that didn't absolutely destroy your drivetrains yesterday, there is still ONE MORE race in Michigan for 2011...  Steve and Paul will be once again promoting the Big Bad Wolf cyclocross race in Midland.  I'll be designing the course so don't complain if it's too hard or too easy.  Weather right now is looking dry-ish and cold, but Midland got blasted over the past week with rain and snow so I'm not sure what that'll mean for ground conditions.

In addition to the beach, there is also a volley ball sand court that should be a nice playground for 'cross bikes.  If you have file treads you may bring those along...

Mini barriers will be BACK at Midland!

Here's a nice read on how to ride sand, just in case you need a refresher.  The Stomach of Anger points series is on the line, and there are a few close races.  They're also giving away a KHS cyclocross bike.

As seen at SVSU in their debut, Steve and Paul will once again pack the mini barriers for Midland.  When used properly, these provide an interesting element to the race...do I ride or run?  Almost anyone can bunnyhop them, but is it faster to just get off and hoof it?  We'll see where they end up on the course in Midland!

Vintage JB

On that note, what happened to the good old days of the six-pack of barriers?  

Vintage Pony

BRX

Registration opens at NOON today...

This or That?

Is your fitness doing this:

Or this?

Will the fields be like this:

Or like this...?

Will we be racing on this:

Or on this?

Don't forget to ring this...

 Will you make it up this?

Will your drivetrain freeze up because of this:

Or because of that?

How far will you go?