The Run Up
Colder now. Darker earlier.
Your doubts seem bigger at night–in the wee hours when you get up to take a leak. You’re not sure if you can do it. When you get up early for school, for work, for training…the stars are still out. Orion marching across the dawn sky. Chasing that target.
It would seem so easy to be thinking about base for next season, like a lot of your riding buddies. You know, go for an easy mtb or road ride. It would be so easy to just chill over the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas; just hang with the family, eat too much, watch some football.
Your mind wanders. Stressing over the money, the hotels, the air travel, staying healthy.
But then you come back. To the center. To the core jubilation you get when you ride a cyclocross bike well. In big races. In December and January.
And you remember your focus. Your plan. Your drive. This is your time.
Camp News: Euro Cross Camp VI selections are gradually coming together. I’m awaiting some final confirmations and then I’ll name the roster. I’m still weeks ahead of when I’ve named the camp roster in the past, but I had hoped to get it out this week. I should have it pegged by Thanksgiving Day.
The euro news is the sense that euro ‘cross is getting higher and higher level-wise. A top 10 is way tougher than it was 5 years ago. While not at the competitive level of ‘euro road racing, some experts are saying that the level is higher-deeper than comparative measures on the track or mtb. And they’re saying this is true at the U-23 and junior levels as well.
Which makes every aspect of cx preparation that much more important. Overall plan, race frequency, equipment, training, resting, the ability to fight for position, travel. Everything.
The international cyclocross sandbox has gotten more crowded. It’s not as easy to fill your bucket anymore.
One guarantee though: we’ll be fighting every shovel full of the way starting Dec 21.
See you there. GP