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I certainly was the most surprised of anyone that I actually won. It’s kind of funny b/c in the line-up there was someone from Group Health complaining to one of the officials about someone who was racing Cat 3 who shouldn’t be and that she was a major sandbagger. It was evident that she felt the same way about me when she asked if I was racing the whole season. “Oh no", I said, "only 1 or 2 more races for me, then I’m leaving the country.” I had made sure to tell everyone I saw that it was my first race of the year and the only riding I’ve been doing is for commuting for the past 3 months (except lately commuting has been mostly by car). So anyhow, as I was only expecting to finish mid-pack, I decided not to attempt to be the first off the line and subsequently blow up like I usually do. I was probably 5^th or 6^th on the first run-up, then gradually passed them within the first lap until I was sitting maybe 5 – 10 seconds behind Jodi at the beginning of the 2^nd lap. I sat on her wheel for that lap, passed her at the end, then she sat on my wheel from the flats at the finish til the run-up. I knew that my only hope was to get a gap on her on the run-up (that’s generally the only spot I’m able to gain any time on people). So this is the 3^rd time up, and I gunned it (which means just maintaining a good jogging pace instead of walking) and gained a lead of 5 – 10 seconds. The 4^th time up I gained even more time (thank god for those Cougar trail runs we’ve been doing lately!), and by that point she was a good 20 – 30 seconds behind me. I kept the pace going, but well under the puke level as I knew she wasn’t going to be pushing as hard now that I was out of sight distance. The 5^th time up my brain and body were fighting over the pace (“walk!”, “run!”, “walk!”, run!”) and at that point I vowed to never race cross again. It was all I could do to get back on the bike at the top, then make the 2 more little rollers just beyond. After that I just let the wheels run down to the finish, keeping everything as smooth as possible to prevent a mishap. By that point I had also passed a couple 1/2’s, so I was feeling good that my win was secured. I think I finally got over my hacking cough 2 days later. My poor lungs were in major shock from the whole ordeal. So that’s that! I suppose I'd need to upgrade now, but won't, since I'm soon off to France! It just goes to show though that cross doesn’t take nearly as much training.

The day started like so many others, with the packing of 7 wheels, 2 bike frames, cooler, gear bag, and other cross essentials into the not so big Jetta. My spirits were high after starting the season well at Steilacoom. Much better than last years double flat situation at North SeaTac.

Once I started to warm up I felt flat on the trainer but kept an open mind. The course was just to my liking and I knew no matter the out come I would at least have fun out there. I started on the inside of row #2 besides Benny S. of Rad Racing who at the start decided to run his bike at the sound of the gun. He took out his teammate and almost me in the process. I quickly settled into third wheel. The pace slowed on the road section and I dropped to 4th. At the first hill after the finish I tangled with the third place rider as he bobbled on the hill. Unknown to me I took out another Rubicon rider, Clark Rider. I was quickly back into third at the first run up as one rider endoed.

We caught the first of the juniors at the hill after the sand pit. Myself and Jason Williams from Zoka realized the opportunity before us and worked through the Juniors as fast as we could to get a jump on the rest of the field. Jason took the lead at the hill/run-up before the sand pit. I followed his wheel until the long road section and after that I took the lead. Jason would go by me one more time on lap 2, and then I passed him and asked him to work together on the road to maximize our advantage. As it turned out I gapped him and held a small lead throughout the remainder of the race.

It wasn't until I went into the last lap that I allowed myself to believe the win was possible. I had only won one race before as a Sport MTBer some eight years before. As I passed my co-worker on the hill/run-up I expressed excitement and he responded by jumping on my wheel and yelling "Go, Go, Go! Ride as fast as you talk Craig!" With no regard for my boys, I hopped back on my sweet ass steed and whipped the piss out of it to get it up to pace. At this point I started to feel it burning but i didn't care, I kept my eyes on the prize.

I approached the second sandy beach and flogged my bike through the right hander, then the left, then down the Saharan sand dune like hill. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a tiny baby squirrel trying so desperately to crack a nut. I locked up both wheels and dismounted my bike as if I was a blind man having a go with Rosie O'Donnell and suddenly regained the ability to see. I reached down, grabbed the nut and cracked it between my thumb and fore finger and fed the baby squirrel. I hopped back on the bike and proceeded to navigate the rest of the coarse with ease knowing that my good deeds would pay off for me in the end.

If you missed the first, and hopefully annual, Crosstober Fest at St Edwards Park, that is unfortunate for you! (Plan on it next year) The group from Ragnarok and Second Ascent, former hosts of Tour de Tunnel. put on a great race at a great venue, including a trail run prior to the cross races, and a costumed cross-relay after! Well done...

It seems the flu bug, or some weird extra-terrestrial occurance took place over the weekend, as evidenced by the lack or Rubicon racers out representin'. Luckily, we still had a fine showing from the racers who did make it. In her first season of cross, Victoria seems to be hooked. She had a strong race, finishing in the top 10 of the women 4s (results not yet posted 10/10). Aaron Erbeck, battled it out in the mens B field on a single speed and finished an impressive 2nd. Clark is getting stronger by the week and finished a respectable 8th. James, Jim and Rob finished the day of in the elite field. James and Rob both rode solid races, while Jim battled tire issues.

Kelley Creek Race Report by John Duquette, winner of the Cat 3 Men's race

I must be dumber than I think because this was my 3^rd cross race of the year and the third time I sat there like a deer in the headlights as I watched about 30 people blow by me at the gun. A big difference for me on this course though was the fact that there were no super tight corners or single track where the racers bottleneck and allow the lead pack to get away. With the wide lanes to ride in I was able to use the first lap to pick my way through the field one rider at a time. On the back side of the course just after the barriers I was sitting on Clark ’s wheel thinking this might be a good place to be for awhile. As Clark was getting ready to pass a junior rider, the kid hit something going around a corner and went over his handlebars. Half a second later Clark’s front wheel hit the Jr.’s prone body and Clark tumbled over the kid and his bike in spectacular fashion. I was able to take evasive action and looked back to make sure no bones were sticking out of Clark .

By the time we started the second lap I had caught the lead group of riders. After sitting in with them for a couple of minutes I decided to try to get to the front of the race to push the pace a little. I passed Craig at the bottom of all the switchbacks as the course flattened out and then threw it in my big ring and realized that I was in front. That early in the race I figured that victory was unlikely, and as I mashed the biggest gear I could I contemplated what I would do to screw this up. A mechanical seemed likely since it was my first race on a new bike and even if it stayed together I would probably crash off course at some point. But I as meandered through the mud flats finishing my second lap I came to two conclusions. First, that it was a lot easier and faster to ride in the front because I could take any route I wanted. Second, that I felt really good and I was confident I could maintain my gap for the rest of the race.

The next three laps I just made sure not to let up and enjoyed the experience. Each time around things got harder and harder; Small uphill sections and deep mud that I floated over early in the race turned into huge obstacles that I could hardy wrestle my bike through.

The last lap was a bit dicey. Not being used to that type of flogging, my legs started to cramp which made me have to back off a little on the uphills. I also was now consistently lapping other racers who were more often than not directly in the line I wanted. This came to a head at the bottom of the off canter hill just before the run up when I caught three girls who were moving at about half my speed but completely blocked off any possible way around them. I tried making some new tracks way up on the hill but my wheels slipped out and I fell. At this point I unleashed a string of swear words at them that I now regret and jumped off my bike and started running. I ran to the top of this typically rideable hill, down the other side, then up the run up. Unfortunately this burst of anger and intensity was more than my body could take at this time and 5ft. from the top everything shut down. My legs seized up and I momentarily went blind. Somehow I waddled to the top, mounted my bike with the gracefulness of a drunken pig and pointed the wheel down the hill. This two second period of downhill allowed me to regain my vision and I wobbled my bike through the deep gravel and across the field to the finish line; spending those last moments wondering how I could do this after not finishing in the top 15 in the first two races.

10-22-2006 Snohomish, SCC # 5


Left to right: Is that a derailer? James get the blue sky, muddy runner the order of the day, Hahn catching some rays...

Hahn (master elite racer), Mo (women's cat 4), and Craig (men's cat 3) summarize their experiences at a new course in Snohomish

Rob said to me warming up if there could only be a sun break at the start he was prepared for any conditions after that. He got his wish! We started with the hail gone and the sun beaming on our faces. The first lap was carnage, the benaroya boys piled it up in the first off camber after the track. The master group charger thru the a field 15 seconds later! It seemed like the conditions favored neither mountain biker or roadie, but instead the careful but picky connoisseurs of sketchy lines. -Hahn

Leaving sunny Tacoma yesterday I had no idea that we were in for such a slippery treat! Because of the mud and the unreliability of the steering of those in front of me, there were really very few places to pass people. I took full advantage of the runs through the mud and the speed of the track to pass my competitors.

This was definitely a course of handling techniques rather than leg-speed. I finished the race in 6th place for the day and moved up to 6th in the series. -Mo

Today started like it was going to be a nice day. The sky was clearing to the north. I fully expected it to clear up as the day went on and to find a slightly wet grassy course. The reality was something completely different. We had lots of greasy mud, slippery off-cambers, hail, rain and lots of cold. At one point I thought it was warming up but alas I was sorely mistaken. -Craig

11-05-2006 Viking Cross, Bellingham, WA

Race report by Drew Novikoff

Twas a long way to drive for a mere 40 minutes of suffering-so they made it an hour. ouch!

It was a great day as far as conditions go-sunny and 55 degrees. When we arrived I was thrilled at the layout and quickly registered so that I could put on the salad-suit and get warming up.

Oops, no bibs. What a monkey! I resigned myself to riding in Carharts but a fellow woodland-parker, Tom, (thanks Tom!) loaned me some baggies-aaghhhh. Anyhow once I got to warming up I soon forgot the travesty with the riding attire and looked forward to the start. The course was great! We got a tunnel and a rock-ring sculpture, off-camber around trees adjacent to a soccer field-game in session-, then shanky uphill grade into a short but nasty little run-up, on the bike and a couple barriers just down the way. all in the same race! oooooooooo!!

As rippin' as the course was, the start and finish was a bit of a cluster. I was three laps in when I saw the lap board-5 freakin laps to go!! I had no idea where I was and when I saw 5 to go I throttled back and just held what I had. I gave it a final push the last half a lap and wooshed by a mountain-bike having a mechanical. eeeyowww! Once across the line and back on earth, Mo told me I'd been out 1 hour an 30 secs. Gotta hand it to you guys that do the 2:30 race! The report gives me 3rd in the masters but I have some reservations. Great race and a great turn-out!

If it goes off again next year I highly recommend it!

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11-11-2006 Kitsap County Fairgrounds Classic

Race report by Mo Moffiet, winner of the Category 4 women

Weehoo! I had my first win on Saturday and at least one of the other women was from a category above me.

I followed them around for the first lap or two, but by the fifth lap I had widened the gap to one minute.

The course was short and fast with the added bonus of riding through a barn!

The turnout for the Kitsap County Fairgrounds was low, but the course, parking, and all other amenities (including HOT showers!) make this a venue worthy of a very large event.

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11-11-2006 Evergreen Highschool, SCC#6


Left to right: Drew looks poised to start his race Brah! While Hahn James and Clark show the after effects. Are you blown Clark?

Race Report by Clark Rider, Cat 3 Men

In 3 years of cross racing this was my first ever experience with Bonking. How do you bonk in a race that is less that an hour? I guess it didn’t help that straight out of the car I hopped on the bike, headed to pay my race fee, then straight to the start line with no warm up. That being said, I actually had a great first two laps, and was able to pick my way up to the top 10 to12 racers. Then, every semblance of power just deserted me, and I slowly dropped back through the pack, even getting passed on the flats. It was a very humbling experience. Luckily, I had my teammates to back me up. Up at the front, John D and Craig were battling it out in the top five, finishing 3^rd and 5^th respectively, with Gabe not far back in 13^th.

In other races: Mo had a tough day, and was unable to follow up her previous days victory, and finished 17^th, while Drew, James and Hahn battled the elements in their respective races.

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11-12-2006 USGP Rad Racing, Steilacoom, WA


Left to right: Junior Stars and Stripes battles the run up, under 18 racer hurtin, Mo Moffet makes the podium, Wick shows us how to race with intensity!

Race Report by Clark Rider, Cat 3 Men

Clear skies, top tier cross racers, lots of fans and sponsors, and thumping music on the thigh destroying run up! What more can a cross racer ask for? The USGP of cyclocross was billed as the premier race in the Northwest, and did not disappoint. Every category from the kiddos on up brought their version of entertainment to the table! We watched kids 9 years old heft their bikes over the barriers and later barely manage to clear the top of the legendary run up…that was juxtaposed with the 18 and under elite racers easily bunny hopping the very same barriers…we saw local legend Wick battling it out in a very strong master category…we witnessed 3 scintillating sprint battles in the Women’s Elite category for 1^st place, 3^rd place and 6^th...and we witnessed an epic duel between eventual winner Ryan Trebon and Tim Johnson. What an incredible event!!

Cutting across many categories, our handsomely clad Rubicon racers did their colors proud. Mo was the top finisher on the day making it onto the podium in 3^rd place of the Cat 4 women. Rodney and Drew joined Clark and Craig in the Cat 3 men, and rode solid races. Clark finally enjoyed good results finishing 7^th. New teammate, Kevin Black, put his imprint on the single speed race, with a strong 6^th, while Wick showed that he still has some sprint left in those legs and dueled it out all the way to the line.

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Ft Flagler Weekend, Dec 2-3^rd

Race Report by Clark Rider

Cheers to the Dahlstroms, Dan Norton and the rest of the crew who made the weekend at Fort Flagler the best of the year. They had it all! If it wasn’t the Lasagna cook accompanied by a keg of beer, it was the fabulous Taco Truck, or the gypsy coffee service. If it wasn’t the stunning 180 degree view from Rainier to Baker on Sunday, it was the crisp, sunny view of the cascades on Saturday. If it wasn’t the ever growing sand pit, it was the snow that followed. If it wasn’t the racing up and over the bunkers, it was racing through the bunkers. They had it all. If it wasn’t hanging out and shooting the shit with teammates, it was chatting up the officials at the dinner table. They had it all. Racing was the reason for being there, but the essence of Cross is the total experience. Congrats to Rodney who finished second on Saturday after narrowly missing a massive pile up with a junior racer. Props go to James, Craig and Mo who all had solid races both days to further solidify their overall standings.

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Kelley Creek SCC Grand Finale, Dec 9^th


Left to right: The Tiki gods are appeased with cardboard sacrifices, Nathan gets funky, Mikey shows his stripes, Wick hefts the spoils of victory.

More photos on our Multimedia page under "Cyclocross," Kelly Creek Finale

Race Report by Clark Rider

As you can tell from the photos, the seriousness of double points that were on the line for Sunday’s race was offset by the antics of Ragnarok racing and friends. They not only dressed up for their races in various costumes (and thongs) in hopes of raising a little cash, but also brought in the “Tiki lounge run-up” complete with torches, palm trees and some fruity beverages! The tiki flavor must have kept last years snow at bay but didn’t keep the rain away. Conditions were muddy, but unlike previous races at Kelley Creek , most of the course was centered around the run up area and not the “washboardesque” fields. Unfortunately for me, my bad luck season continued when I flatted on the second lap and had to run almost a full lap before reaching the pits. John D, who was sitting comfortably in 3^rd before flatting, was able to get a change out, then to work his way from 12^th back up to finish 3^rd. Had he not flatted, he probably would have won for the second time this year at Kelley Creek . Craig had another strong showing by finishing in the top ten, and finished the SCC series in 4^th place. John D was one spot down finishing 5^th on the season. Wick won Cat 4 Masters title, and Mo finished an impressive 6^th in her first year of Cross. Besides the mechanical set backs, it was an excellent course and a great way to end the 2006 racing season for most.

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National Cyclo-Cross Championships, Providence , Rhode Island . Dec 16-17


Left to right: Craig shows some tight form on the start, the run-up, barriers, and turns

Race Report by Craig Fowler(Rubicon’s lone representative at Nats.)

The season is at a end! I watched some great racing and had a good day myself. I finished up in 16th place. For the first two laps I was in the top 10 but the fast pace was too much and I slipped back some. I'm super happy with the result since there were over 200 guys in the race. 160 finished out of the 200, and five with a lap down getting lapped on the last lap. I was only :47 seconds off the lead time.

The course was 180 degrees opposite of last year. It was just tackie enough to give great traction and dry enough that it was fast fast fast. It was the same course of 2005 expect for they added about 12 turns.

I was excited to have my whole family there and three good friends as well to cheer me on. It was a great season that ended well. Thanks to all that made it what it was.

http://at-scatman.spaces.live.com/

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2006 Cyclocross Reports...

Craig Fowler took 4th and John Duquette took 5th in the Local SCC Cyclo-Cross series, Mens Cat 3 (John not pictured below). On Dec 17th, Craig closed the season for Alki|Rubicon by taking 16th at Nationals in providence. Nice work Craig!!!

For more race reports proceed to the bottom of this page

for more from craig visit http://at-scatman.spaces.live.com/