Waterford Day 1: Find What You Love and Let it Kill You

"Find what you love and let it kill you."

The above is a great Charles Bukowski quote, which I think I have actually heard Osgood, aka Chunky Dunker, use as a race heckle. Or maybe not. More like ... "find what you love and let it drive insane Chunky..." like cross. By the way, if you weren't there today you should know that Osgood is taking over the roll of Bob Wydra, racing in something like 13-races a day.

First race of the year to fly the Bastard flag. It was a tough day, but nice to be back in the saddle again. Oh yeah, I sucked.

In terms of weather Waterford Day 1 offered everything rain to shine ... but it was all pretty warm ... but not too warm. Great day for cylocross, with a sweet course that was just right ... plus the rain softened up what is sometimes bumpy ground. Very nice. Plus they didn't put in those stupid, goddamn yellow 2x4 pieces of shit. Thanks you Mr. Course Designer. Job well done.

New for 2013 are these Official Tailwind Leopard Pants™. Yeah, that Ms. Tailwind herself rocking those "bad boys."

Lot of spectators, junk, tents and kids running all over the place. It's starting to look like a Chicago Cross Cup race. Who does that leg belong too?

This was at the end of the day - racing over. Another nice big course that was filled with racers all day long.

Great racing, with lots of action everywhere you turned.

In the Elite Race Das German aka Sven Bauman, followed closely by the Bunny aka Adam York, showed why these guys are the best cyclocross racers you'll see anywhere - and in Michigan - no question about it.

Big Mac grinding up the hill with the Librarian in tow. "Hey you, come back! Those Sven Nys videos checked out are well overdue! And heroic effort by the way. Well done"

 Westside heroes Big Mac aka Adam McIntyre and Shawn Davison made the Day one  Waterford Elite Race. Nice job by both. Adam worked hard and pushed into the top ten. Both of them will be back tomorrow (Sunday) for another throw down.

Adam looking tough - and not just from wicked facial hair sculpting.

There were a lot of kids and kid racing at Waterford, which was great to see.

 Above, John Osgood is offering tactical advice to his daughter Makeena Osgood on her very first cross race. I wonder if he gave her the same advice he gives everybody else: "Now honey if you're NOT tasting blood in the back of your throat, you're not going hard enough. Now go out there and have fun sweetie."

This young ten year old chewed up a lot of grown men. Future 'cross star here. Nice job young man!

Matt Baroli takes the kids for a warm-up lap.

Hats off to Matt Baroli and his Wolverines for all the work they are doing with the next generation of young racers. It's good to see that somebody is thinking ahead in Michigan. Great bunch of young racers, Matt. 

Makeena Osgood crosses the line, finishing her first cross race in style. 

The Osgoods, Dad and daughter at the end of a beautiful day of cyclocross racing. "Now tell the old geezer with the camera to get lost,  honey. He's smelly."

Before the beginning of the last race of the day the ladies, were, uh, like ladies. Well Maybe.

Yeah they were ladies until  the whistle for the start of the women's Cat-3/4. Sarah McIntyre listens while Anne Grovert tells  Pam Bufo how she's going to hurt her, and hurt her bad. And she did, Anne wasn't wasn't lying. Those girls are just so funny, aren't they?

Sarah McIntyre hammers up the hill, in true McIntyre style.

When it was all over they were friends again. Really you thinks so? Sarah and Pam put their best smiley-I-don't-hate-your-guts faces on for their adoring public.

A pretty podium to finish the day

Women's Cat 3/4 podium: Anne Grovert with the win, Sarah McIntyre second, Pam Bufo, third. Now it's on to Sunday's races ...

 

And one last gulp to refuel for tomorrow. 

SUMMER GRAVEL RIDES INTO THE SUNSET

The sunsets on summer riding.

CBX gravel riding literally rode its ass into the summer sunset last night. This was the last night for "no-lights" riding. And within the last mile from the parking lot, fall set in.

Shortcut group.

Last night's ride split into two groups halfway through the ride. One that wanted to go longer, and one that wanted to get back for a beer - although the excuse was they were racing this weekend. Pace was great, and actually fairly moderate considering that  we were loaded with strong guys. The group include Mike K, Dave Stebbens, Tony H, Andy from Fusion, Scott Chapin, Doez, Chris D, Cupcake, Craig Rawlings, Don G ... geez, who did I forget? I'll find out later no doubt ...

The call of the Gravel came earlier than ever this year.

As noted, the CBX rides started earlier than ever this year. Almost all of August ... here's a typical group bullshitting and lying in the shade before an early ride.

We see all sorts Crazy Bastards in the early season. Aaron Huntington shows off his new way of buying even more speed: Orange Sherbet Insane Tire Technology™. I'm sure the UCI will ban those tires next year.

Yeah, it's been a who's who of cycling weirdness this year. We've had our regulars, and guest appearances. Let's flip through the CBX Summer Album and see who had the nerve to show their face.

USAC Official and East-Side 'Crosser Bruce LeBlanc showed up for a week of riding this summer.

Regulars and guest - posing in front of the new  Big Mac Van. Craig R looking so "hot" and Bruce ready to leave town. Can't blame him.

Between epic cycling events Jeff Festian (Werdy) was on the road this summer.

Like Jeff, Kim Lee hovered between guest star appearances and being a weekly regular. He's not spitting at you by the way, he's showing his gravel collection in his teeth.

Slayer, aka Jeff Haney made some rides, returning to Slayer form after a horrific mountain bike accident involving Slayer's lung and a tree.

Kirk G was there for a lot of ride (left). Scott Walburn was a regular. He pulled the entire group around for weeks straight. Nice work for him, great motor-pacing for the rest of us. Thanks Scott!

Bob Hughes, left, made some ride, Craig a lot, and Dave Staublin, quite a few. This night was so hot and muggy that even the camera got sweaty.

 

Speaking of weather, we even got some mud, which Scott displays. I don't believe we ever rode in any rain. Did we?

 

Nice group last week at the end of the Dog Mile, which as always is a hotly contested stretch of dirt. The good thing about the Dog Mile there is no more Killer Chihuahua to get tangled in your wheels at 30 mph. The only bad thing there no more Killer Chihuahua.

 

On Tuesday the "ladies" came out and showed the boys how it was done. Cupcake, Sarah McIntyre and Amy Stauffer.

 

 If you see a fork in the road, take it.

So that's it for summer. The has officially set on the longest preseason in Crazy Bastard history. Now it's on to fall, more rides, warmer clothes, boots, snow ... yikes is that all going to happen again. First though, it's on to racing. See you at Ithaca and/or Highland this weekend.