In the Now

Headed up onto the trails of Belmont on the Cx bike.


after two weeks off the bike, lots of days of work, a bit of travel, I'm back out on the bike.
yesterday a mountain bike ride at Wissahickon, today, cx at Belmont.

Va Beach, VA  work.

             cool swamps in Va Beach,VA. working.

It is a bit tuff-er to write about stuff, when it's not about racing, standing on the podium, being crushed, wobbled legged, poor performance day.


Most of the year for me is not about a race. Not racing. 
All of the year I think a lot about racing, and what I want out of cyclocross racing.

I want a complete victory, to stand on the podium, finishing in 1st, but also, to be a good sport, a motivator, to fertilize the sport.   To ride with the best, even if it means I never win.

It's Thursday December 21st. two days back out on the bike, and I am checking in on the course previews of Nationals Louisville.   Planing out how to tweak my training.   Looking at bikes, new bikes for next year.

To stay in the now, to enjoy and relish all of this as it happens. 
I need to constantly reminded myself, to do. 
To have a goal, and to realize that all these easy days, riding with friends days,
cold training days are the ones that bring as much joy as one race day.
and,
I've worked hard, and it's really paid off, I don't think I could have more friends #crossfamily,  great foes, with many beautiful place to ride.

It is a long way off, my goal, of a simple top ten finish at Nationals.
There are cold days, afterwork trainer time, grumpyness, belly laughs, sunburns, gravel, pavement, sprints, and hill repeats.
I'll  hang my head out the open car window, and hot air bashes across my face, and a joy, wild eyed dog look of happieness comes over me.  I'll let the drool spittal, leak out, and trail off in that 70mph wind.
Thats what  I'll carry into the starting grid next December.

Heave Hoe!  dlowe

Rivertown & Capital

SAP.

There is a dot, period at the end of sap.   today was this years last race for me.

I'm not coy in saying or bashful at all, at saying "I love cyclocross"

I loved Bob Ruether, racing his age, and sneaking up on us, with a pass during the first lap, tween two corners before the straight, where if you passed there, you'd probably not bumble and bump around to get thur the tiny hole in the corner.


and I loved this year for as much as I miss my foes, and friends I don't see, and that are not at races.


The sun and the moon seem more beautiful.  During cyclocross time of year.  The days might be shorter in brightness, but, the low hanging sun, it can't help but make it all more majestic, golden.

I think its something I got from my Grandmother Snider, she'd hug me hard, deep into her,
her lips kissing my hair, and her strong arms, she'd keep me till she wanted to let me go.
and this family, #cyclocrossfamily  it's my family.


I have plenty of heros, and gods, mentors,  family, losers, kids who know no better, who make me love cross.

if you've never race Capital, or Rivertown, this weekend,  or raced at all,
your welcome to be with us,
love to have you.
I'll hug you hard,
and try to kick your ass harder.
Cheers to fucking f'n cx,
thanks to everything, everyone, friends, standoffish, bumpers, the rude heckler,
Cheers, to broken tape, and missing clipping in and still crushing off the line.
Cheers to grasstrack, lucky socks, numb toes,
too much air pressure, and too much freaking out over how I'm suppposed to do.
I'm glad to be a sap, and I don't mind at all.
cause
I love cyclocross.

dlowe.