Brecktobercross - A new begining

A couple of years ago a friend talked me into buying a rode bike. I stared riding and quickly became addicted. Then he talks me into trying cyclocross. I dusted off my 10-year old mountain bike and gave it a try. The first race was at the Louisville Rec Center. It snowed the night before and the course was wet and muddy. I was instantly hooked and did a couple of more races that season. Fast forward and after spending a year in the 4's and a year in the 35+/4's, at 42 years old I began my new life as a cyclocross racer in the 35+ open group at yesterdays Brecktobercross. Dan and I drove up Saturday night and stayed in Frisco. You know, get accustomed to the altitude...

Dan getting on the game face at breakfast

Blue Sky Velo had a great turnout for the race. Fourteen of our finest cross freaks showed up for ventures into the pain cave of cross.

BSV brothers Dan and Bryan doing some warm up laps.

So I line up with about 4o of the men they call 35+ open and the pre-race chit chatter turns to things like, "how'd you get those national championship stripes?" and "I think I can podium at cross nationals in the single speed cat", and I'm just wondering why I'm here. I'm just some old guy pretending to be a bike racer. These guys ARE bike racers.

The race starts and all the mind chatter is gone. I focus on racing within myself and riding mistake free. Coming around the course there are folks around every corner cheering for me. I feel like a rock star and the BSV family keeps me motivated. No, I'm not off the front with the class of the nation, but I'm holding my own and feeling good about my effort. I finish the race in 18th and come away from the race with many things learned and much respect with whom I compete.

After my race, I got out the cowbell and cheered our cat 4 guys and girls on the back side run-up.

Dan, I'm not going to get the hole shot, I got the hole shot, Farrell

Why does this geek keep yelling at me?

Keeping the boys motivated via cowbell!