First cross race of the year

Manions Cross was my first race of the year, and it was the most fun I've had on my bike in a while. The Manions course just gets better and better, this year it was hard, but not the I want to shoot myself in the face hard, but still fun enough to keep you wanting more. The venue is definitely one of the best, certainly the most picturesque, especially on a perfect fall day.

The race went pretty well. I raced 3/4 and finished right in the middle. The start was a little congested and I didn't get a great start, in fact I was pretty far back. However the pace back there wasn't crippling, so when things opened up I was able to move up pretty well. Early in my 2nd lap I ate it pretty hard over the handle bars as a rut in the middle of a turn that ate my front wheel. And then soon after that I rolled my tire on one of the off camber turns, apparently 30 psi is too low for tubulars. These weren't devastating issues, but put me too far back to get a great result. I still felt like I rode decent and overall was pretty pleased with the first race of year. I am looking forward to a great cross season.

Fleeting experence

Have you ever gone for a ride with friends on a beautiful fall day. Maybe ride to Lawrence with a stop at Free State for a stout and a burger. and on the way back you come around a turn and look up and notice the sky is an exceptional shade of blue, the sun isn't an overwhelming oppressor and the tree line beyond the yellowing field of soy seemed abnormally stunning. One of those ideal moments on the bike. Then you think I should take a photo and try to capture a slice of this moment. And after you have that pic just can't quite translate the emotion, even comes across as dull.

Well here are a few of those pics