Mud and Men?

Not sure what it is about mud that brings out a playful and curious aspect of our personalities? Generally speaking when its below freezing, 20 mile an hour winds, some snow and wet sloppy ground we tend to stay indoors and mind our beer and TV. However, cyclocross is not your normal sport or crappy weather activity. There is nothing normal about riding bikes around a mud filled course in weather like this.


The course was set up to challenge the riders even in dry conditions with lots of climbs, off camber turns and run ups. When the weather turned bad and got worse it turned the course into a mud fest filled with slippery run ups, slick corners and wheel stopping MUD! I believe every rider was having problems, shifting, braking and clipping into pedals plus the cold wind and mud was enough to challenge the mind let alone the body.

Chris lead the way around a corner on his single speed "Ouch"!

After a spotty start on asphalt the course dropped on to a slight incline that I was able to ride about an hour before the race, but 40 plus riders doing 3 laps took its toll and left all but a few running their bikes up the hill.

At the top it turned back down, over the road, through a off camber dip, around a sweeping off camber turn, through double barriers (i did not fall this time) and back up the hill. This section was manageable on the bike for most riders and lead to a longer downhill that swept around and into a series of "Up & Downs" that would have been difficult on a dry day. On Sunday, not so much! The tricky dismount followed buy a slick run up, followed by a slick decent and yet another run up sent me into anaerobic meltdown.


Having gained the "Summit" and in position to mount the bike again we get our first taste of "clogged cleat melt down". Time Atac being a popular pedal for its quick entry and exit proved to be the proverbial scapegoat on this day. Trying to pedal and clip in with cleats pack full of mud and ice while fighting for breath was almost a game changer for me. Thankfully I realized that most people were having the same problems and managed to fight their way through it.

Once clipped in we were challenged by another sweeping off camber turn that whipped us back around towards the worst run up of the day. A planned dismount that had steps cut into it reeked havoc on the racers. It went up and to the left and sent the very best riders sliding back down on their buts. Not only was getting up a challenge, going down was a bumpy, muddy mess. Trying to mount the bike at the top and riding down was a bad idea, running down did not bode so well either, walking with your bike using it as a cane turned out to be the most productive way to navigate the challenge.

The rest of the course was more off camber corners that frustrated and bewildered the riders. Five laps later I crossed the finish line after 45 minutes of pain. Fortunately, I was lapped and my race ended a little early. Finishing 20th out of 23 was not quite what I expected, but then again what else could I have done. My weight is my issue, period. Racing 15-20 pounds lighter would not guarantee a win, but maybe I could be more competitive.





Even with some of the best wheel sets and bikes taking the course head on, our technology proved to be no match for mother nature . This was a nice little wake up call for the US National Championship December 11-14th and should give us time to modify or prepare for what mother nature will throw at us. Cyclocross proving once again that its one of the toughest racing events around!

2008 Kansas Cyclocross Championships

Weaving through the "Spin Zone"

Last Sunday was the Kansas Cyclocross Championship at St. Marys University in Leavenworth KS. The course was laid out great, with a nice mix of cobblestone, dirt run ups, sweeping down hills, a "Twister Turn" that spiraled in then out and of course barriers.

The start (Click on start for the youtube video I am in black left side of screen) lead us up a slight incline over ancient cobblestones laid in a weave pattern that shook the bike and impeded rolling. After the whistle blew I quickly accelerated and moved into second going into the grass. The first turn I cut inside the leader, got out of the saddle and powered to the front. After a sharp, off camber corner, the course lead up slightly then down hill. Midway through the descent I met my demise; the first set of barriers.

Rounding the corner heading into the barriers I was supposed to slow down and prepare for the dismount. Unfortunately, I did not feather the brakes enough and tried to dismount while going faster then I could run.

Looks worse then what it was
Forward the video to 1:35 and watch for 25 seconds

My left foot clipped the barrier sending my bike into the air and me into a superman flight pattern. The lead was "gone with my wind"; staggering I mounted the bike and lost a few spots.

Joe in the "Twister Turn"

Once on the Cobblestone road coming back up the hill I blew up. Everyone was passing me, Larry Smith streaked by me, Todd and a few other people I wanted to beat. The next few laps were miserable, don't even remember parts of them. After the third lap I started to real in a few riders including my neighbor Todd. With two laps to go I was seven seconds behind and needed to make a move.

My traditional strengths of rolling downhill was not working for me. The turns were not technical enough to challenge riders; giving everyone a free pass down the hill. I had to attack on the cobblestone coming back up the hill. Each time I got out of the saddle and powered up the hill, closing the gap slightly on each lap. I caught Todd and a few others near the end of the fifth lap. When I heard the bell lap I drew some more energy and tried to put distance between me and the other riders.

Joe in the "Twister Turn"

On the last lap I caught a few more people, rounded the last corner and sprinted to the finish taking a disappointing 17th place. Not the most exciting finish or best race I have had, but I am making improvements. The key to this year and beyond is learning my limits, how to prepare and how to recover.

More pictures from the Race:

Josh Taylor makes a turn


Mark "Stud"nicki


Kyle hanging with Mark


Kyle "my kit matches my bike" Bush


Ted on the dirt run up


My teammate Larry shows how its done
Lifting his feet over the barriers


Cameron cruises to fourth place

Swope Park Trails are Here!

The ceremonial ribbon cutting or the new Swope Park Trail system was today. A surprising turnout of 30ish people in 30 degree weather for a much anticipated 1.3 miles of starter trail.

I had a great deal of skepticism when they announced the planned trails at Swope Park. Years ago I played soccer there and the problems that occurred with fights and people breaking in to cars left me with a pretty sour taste for Swope Park.

Fortunately I was wrong again, the trails are located further South and East of the recreational fields and offer parking along a busy road. The area seems to be far enough from the "Riff Raff" that it will provide a fun and safe place for riding and hiking.

The trails and terrain will offer some of the most diverse riding in the area, rivaling our flag ship trail system at Landol Park. With long sections of elevation gain, rocks, cliffs and sweeping turns Swope Park has the potential to be the Midwest's leading cycling area.

Future projects include a trail system that would link the Minor Park System and potentially have 60 miles of trail within the city limits! Imagine the first intercity 60 bike race? An out and back loop that would take the riders down Blue river, through the second largest intercity park in the US and out to Minor Park.

The cycling future is bright in KC!

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Cross Race

Saturday brought us another stellar day for Cyclocross racing! Weather was foggy in the morning, but it burnt off by noon and left us with temps higher then what would be expected for November 1st. This weeks course was a preview of the US National Cyclocross Championships and brought us higher turn outs.


My fist impression of the course was pretty negative, seemed like it favored the climbers and left us heavy weights longing for a steady diet of tofu. The course appeared to offer little challenges to the riders and minimized the importance of bike handling skills. Fortunately I was wrong!


While standing at the start line I swore that going for the hole shot was a bad idea; conserving my energy for the upcoming hill would give me the best chance to stay with the pack. The whistle blew and so did my strategy; I red lined my heart rate and flew down the pavement easily getting to the grass, through the chicane and around the first tight corner. The field was a few seconds behind me as I passed the wheel pit, but gaining quickly.


Not surprisingly I was passed by quite a few riders, including second time racer and teammate Larry Smith. He easily attacked me on the longer steady climb while I was recovering from my ill advised hole shot. Once I crested the top of the hill all things turned for the best. The first tight turn on the down hill I took an inside line and was easily passing my neighbor Todd when a fellow rider crashed. Instead of sliding down the hill his bike twisted up hill and into my rear wheel flipping it up on my back stopping me instantly. The rider and I quickly dislodged it from my rear wheel and resumed racing. The down hill flowed smoothly; with tight turns and quick bust of power I passed a few riders on each lap.

Todd and I traded places one more time on the up hill and down hill. On the third lap I was able to maintain my lead and pass a few more riders on the decent. The fourth lap I worked hard to keep another rider behind me. My heart rate approached 180 beats per minute well above my point of puking. Fortunately I was able to maintain the higher heart rate and started gaining on one last rider. By the time we had made our way to the final turns I was within reach. The last hairpin turn I used the last of my strength to pass him on the outside. Once on the pavement we sprinted to the line, holding him off by a half a bike length.

I finished 11th out of 45 and Larry finished 6th. Steve Kirsch made it out for his 4th race of the season and brought his own cheering squad along with Taylor, Reece and the Babe.

Another fine day of racing and hanging with the family!

Pictures were taken by Heather Taylor

Halloween 2008

Weather was perfect for some neighborhood pictures, Trick or treating and a little party at Chez Houston.

The 3rd annual neighborhood picture took place at the fountain across the street. Gray team, team Fisher, McCurry, Stouse House, Houstons, Kotars and many others made just in time for our version of Paparazzi practice.


After the pictures, Reece, Taylor, River and Evy Kate went trick or treating down at Prairie Village shops. This year Reece was fully aware of what to do and quickly learned how to get the candy. The place was packed with all sorts of scary kids including was as President Obama. That scared the hell out of me!

Once safely back at Chez Houston we started a fire in front of the house, roasted home made marshmallows (yep and they are yummie!!) passed out candy, adult beverages, good food and friends.

Reece walks down the street now and wants to trick or treat. Smart kid!