Let us speak plainly.
The race did not go as planned.
Buried on the start line despite my early arrival. 4o-something headed into the single track.
Are you kidding me?
It’s my own fault. I battled and battled to pull back positions. Faster on every lap. I lost this effort from the gun. Line up early. Line up bitchy. Line up in front. You hear me?
17th out of 50 in the B field. Hardly respectable, but the best I could do for today. I’ll be back, suckers. I’ll. Be. Back.
Upside?
Sierra C. came out and represented hard core, despite 5 chain drops. Lindsay delivered with a 6th place and Abby Jenkins? Let’s just say that Abby won the B field on a single speed.
My new hero? Maybe.
I passed beginner after beginner, encouraging as I went. Our own Britt hollered back as I remounted after barriers. Shes a warrior and a queen. Traci D eluded my chase and held her own in a a huge field.
We rallied, represented, and raged.
I hate Alpenrose. I hate it. Vehemently.
But ErikV came through the field and I unleashed the man-yell, embarrassing him thoroughly. Here is my family in the rain. Here is my family in the mud. I hollered enough to drown out my cowbell. I screamed, “Portland Velo loves Kevin Hulick!” and Mr. Huklick waved. I screamed, “Happiness is Overflowing!!” and the A super relaxer waved.
It rained and rained and rained and rained and we smiled and sang and screamed.
I love you. I love this.
This is cross.
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October 5th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Now that was a party! And it was even better than I expected. Now that’s saying something!
17th - not bad! And now you have something to aim for next week.
October 6th, 2008 at 3:03 am
Thanks, Erik
I was actually sort of surprised and a little pleased with the result. When I came through Lap 2 Sal was screaming that I was in 25th so I did some good chasin’. But Alpenrose is still my nemesis. Stupid course.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Oh stop complaining. It was perfect– rain and mud.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Brian - better than if it had been dry, true. But still stupid Alpenrose.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Thanks for the yells.
The Portland Velo Tent was the best cheering section I had on the whole course.
You guys rock!
October 6th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Kevin,
Please apologize to your teamate (I think it was Solomon?) for me. I saw a blond blur go by in a Vanilla kit on a white bike and screamed “GO MOLLY” like twice before someone said that there wasn’t any leg tatoo’s under the mud. my bad
October 6th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I’m not a big fan of Alpenrose myself, other than it being close… Don’t get me wrong, I had a blast yesterday, but Alpenrose is my course nemesis… It’s always one thing or another… Yesterday it was a poor start (I was all.the.way.in.the.back) and a loose stem that resulted in wheel going left and handlebars going right… last year it was a dented rim, etc…
Yesterday was fun though, and I will keep coming back for more at Alpenrose each year.
October 6th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Dude, you know the plan for next weekend. Bungee cord your ass to my wheel at the start and keep those elbows out…
October 6th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Lindsay. Yes! But really I just need to HTFU, right?
October 6th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
HTFU! It`s on my right arm! You raced a great race, looked strong over the barriers! I missed out…
October 7th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Lovely post
Really makes me want to build up a cross bike and give the cross races in Barcelona a whirl !
October 7th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
You guys are complaining about ALPENROSE? Oh man, that is one of the best courses, ever. Do I sense a little “i’m just outa shape blame it on the course” ?
October 7th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Nice try, C. Alpenrose is kind of a love it or hate it type of course. I hate it.
I love Barlow. Barlow comes before Alpenrose - it’s not about shape. I felt great on both courses, just had way more fun at Barlow.
But if it makes you feel better then sure, whatever floats your boat.