This weekend's scheduled race at Lake Afton, near Wichita has been cancelled, but flyers are arriving for a nice full schedule leading up to Nationals. Wednesday nights riders are still gathering at Herman Laird Park in Shawnee for a little "under the lights" 'cross practice.
Current rumor is the upcoming Boulevard Cup will use the same course as the National Championship. Stay tuned. Click on the 'read more' for Tim Bergman's take on the local 'cross scene and Mark Studnicki's Iowa report:
From Tim:
Having somewhat recovered, but in a still somewhat hallucinogenic state (I rode right off a well marked portion of the course on lap 3,a result of an addled brain, and was called back by the attentive Mr. Thomas), I gained some insight Sunday in regards to the purveyors & hosts of our local Pyscho-Cross masterminds, and feel these may warrant publication as a public service disclaimer and warning to all who might consider riding these courses this year.
I worked with Master Rupp a bit setting up cones pre-race, and could not help note the animation, glee. and sparkle/glint in his eyes, not unlike that of a shiny saber, as he surveyed the landscape
inspecting it obsessively for the precise place to drop each marker.
His entire compulsion is to design such that maximal pain & difficulty is placed on those about suffer his work. Satisfied, he stands back admiring his workmanship, quietly laughing a horrendous laugh to himself. I'm reminded of a dark story, where such calculating character and personality mark the manic evildoer lying in wait for his victims. Hence the name he shall be, he must be, called, is that of Dr. Evil. What other warped personality could attempt to challenge his own work on a mere single speed?
Then there's Mr. Berning. His calm, cool personality is such that he acts as an solemn executioner who knows that he himself must be executed by the very means he employs; the Lionkeeper to be fed to the lions. Still, his unexcelled precison, wisdom, and focused dedication to a thorough performance to satisfy the greater powers is such that tolerates no shortcuts or weakness. He is driven to work to perfection, lest his reputation, and subsequent early demise, be his downfall. He does not carry the glint of eye of the evil Dr. Evil, but instead, has resigned himself to his fate with steely resolve, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in his trade. He maintains the razor sharp balance of keeping the horribleness of his work in check with a just amount mercy towards the doomed.
Third, we have the veritable Pied Piper, Mr. Thomas, who, using his highly developed charisma and ability as a great communicator, along with his modern day fife, the website, calling one and all, to "Come, drink the Kool-aid; for it is delicious, and wholly satisfying". His tempting call is heard 'round the country as people from all over heed his summons and journey here in December, only to suffer unsuspectingly at the hands of the aforementioned perpetrators, as if in a biblical prophecy. They shall be not unlike insects drawn to the web.
Last, Roger H, the town crier, who makes public the foibles & failures of the engaged; heckling yet encouraging both strong and weak, and making known the grim outcomes of all involved.
And yet, we return for more. And we hold in great gratitude the very ones who torment us. Who is to be labeled the more insane in this Alice in Wonderland nightmare?*
From Mark:
Saturday’s race, being the first one of the year, was just an exercise in getting-the-cobwebs-out. Got the PERFECT start which is a miracle considering it was a LeMans start with us running up the run-up and over the barriers. Led for a little bit in the early laps, but didn’t have the next higher gear to go with the attack of Josh Johnson (Big Shark) and John Olney (ICCC). Unfortunate mechanicals by Brian Eppen and JJ Bailey kept my 4th place finish from the 6th place it would have been. Sean Walker (Atlas Core) pulled away from me in the closing laps to take the final podium spot . Sunday’s race was a LOT DIFFERENT. Day 2 effects some racers different than others. This time I had the next higher gear where as some of the fast guys from Saturday seemed to go backwards. Sunday’s race had a traditional start and the bonus of a lap 1 pair of Oakleys prime. They did this crap last year and it makes for an “interesting” first lap. You’d be surprised how many people try to hole-shot off the start and then clog the race up 2 turns later. I got a bad start but at least I have the technical ability to elbow my way back into it. I wasn’t intending on going for the prime but thought is prudent to stay at the front anyways just in case I got itchy feet. Josh Johnson and Brian Eppen both seemed like they wanted the shades so I was more than happy just staying on their wheel. We all came through after lap 1 together with Brian taking the shades without much of a sprint from Josh or myself. We stayed together for a few laps before Brian started to check out. Josh got a small gap on me before a spectacular explosion. I quickly caught and dropped him, only to find him back on my wheel and than attack me the following lap. Than it happened again. I was just keeping it steady and he was yo-yo’ing like no tomorrow. He recovered with a couple laps to grab 2nd place while I had 3rd wrapped up. Meanwhile, the race behind us was falling apart. Saturday’s 2nd place John Olney crumbled at some point and DNF’d, Saturday’s 3rd place Sean Walker faded to finish 1-lap down as many did. Results – Cross Out Crohns #1 Newton Iowa
Saturday, September 29, 2007
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Pro/1/2/3
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01. 1:02:05 – Josh Johnson, Big Shark Racing (1)
02. 1:02:33 – John Olney, ICCC (1)
03. 1:03:30 – Sean Walker, Atlas Core Cycling (3)
04. 1:04:08 – Mark Studnick, Local Cycling.com (2)
05. 1:04:57 – Troy Krause, Lincoln Industries (3)
06. 1:06:24 – Cody McCollough, Powerade/IF (2)
07. 1:06:49 – Dennis Grelk, Team 14 (3)
08. 1:06:52 – Lee Venteicher, All9Yards.com (1)
09. – 1 lap – Kelly Irwin, Northern Rockies Ortho (3)
10. – 1 lap – Kyle Sedore, ICCC (3)
11. – 1 lap – Chris Maharry, Team 14 (3)
12. – 1 lap – Bryan Moritz, DICE (3)
13. – 1 lap – Thad Neil, Team 14 (3)
14. – 1 lap – Rob Versteegh, All9Yards.com (3)
15. – 1 lap – Pete Basso, All9Yards.com (3)
16. – 2 lap – Matt Gumm, All9Yards.com (3)
17. – 2 lap – Josh Madsen, Team 14 (3)
18. – 2 lap – Marc Hollander, All9Yards.com (3)
DNF – Brian Eppen, ICCC (1)
DNF – JJ Bailey, MSM Results – Cross out Crohnss #2 Newton Iowa
Sunday, September 30, 2007
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Men Pro/1/2/3
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01. 55:52 – Brian Eppen, ICCC
02. 57:29 – Josh Johnson, Big Shark Racing
03. 57:55 – Mark Studnicki, Local Cycling.com
04. 58:38 – JJ Bailey, Zoom/MSM
05. 58:53 – Tony Nichols, Zoom/MSM
06. -1lap – Troy Krause, Lincoln Plating
07. -1lap – Andy Lueck, Rasmussen's
08. -1lap – Sean Walker, Atlas Core Cycling
09. -1lap – Kyle Sedore, ICCC
10. -2lap – Kelly Irwin, Northern Rockies Ortho
11. -2lap – Cody McCollough, Powerade/IF
12. -2lap – Marc Hollander, All9Yards.com
13. -2lap – Lee Venteicher, All9Yards.com
14. -2lap – Dennis Grelk, MBWC/Team 14
15. -2lap – Thad Neil, MBWC/Team 14
16. -3lap – Matt Gumm, All9Yards.com
17. -5lap – Taylor Webb, ICCC
DNF – John Olney, ICCC
DNF – Rob Versteegh, All9Yards.com