A Day at the Bear Creek Cross Race

Sunday, I had the privilege to go down to the cyclocross race at Bear Creek. So far this year, here on the Front Range we have had exceptional weather for cross racing as we didn't get our first snowfall of the season until after the middle of November. So far the races have been dry and warm. That all changed on Sunday. I suppose things got started Saturday. I personally had big plans for Saturday as my memory of the weather forecast included a "warming weekend." Waking up to a fresh blanket of snow Saturday morning suddenly produced a change in plans; guess I'm not finishing the leaves today. The change in plans however brought some surprises, like the first time to ever build a snowman with my daughter, and get a Christmas tree for the first time in our new home. Changes in plans I'm more than happy to accept.

The snow continued most of the day Saturday and I expected some cold and snow on the ground for Sunday, but when the powers that be decided to wake me at 3am on Sunday morning, I noticed the snow falling once again. Looks like we're in for cross race. Showed up at the race at Bear Creek about 8:15 and set up my tent next to the registration table. Brad of The Well Massage Therapy came along to help and hang out. Bike racing, snow, coffee, donuts: that's a good morning. When we arrived it was about 31 degrees according to my car, just cold enough to snow, but not too freezing. The snow then was light, but things were changing. As the morning progressed and the racers headed out group by group the temperature began dropping and snow grew thicker and the wind got stronger. Every bike that came by was not so much dirty as fully packed with snow and ice. My scrub brushes got more action than my hex wrenches this time. The later it got in the morning the less I was able to feel my finger tips. That's my sign that things are about over for me. About 11 we wrapped things up and headed home for warm food and the pilot episode of Macgyver waiting in the queue.

All in all it was a lot of fun. Snow and cold; the way cross racing should be. Though I'm not looking forward to cleaning up my tent and tools. I wanted to offer a special thank you to Keith and Stephanie Novello of Red Rocks Velo for offering Jinji Cycles to come down, set up, and fix some bikes. It was a good race and a good time. Thanks guys.

Now we'll spend the next two weeks prepping bikes for states and nats.