The Season is Upon Us!

Posted At : September 28, 2009 4:49 PM | Posted By : Erik Voldengen
Related Categories: Bike

The 'cross counter is in single digits!  For some, the season has already started.  For me, I'm starting this Sunday at Alpenrose.

Nice job Cyclocross.  You snuck up on me yet again.  I knew you were coming, yet here I am nowhere near prepared for your demands.

This year has been weird.  I'm coaching two soccer teams and that's been quite distracting.  In the grand scheme of things, I think it's great.  Having something other than 'cross this Fall will keep things in check.  I just hope I have enough time to keep up with the bike maintenance.  Things break and/or fall apart, as I was so unpleasantly reminded today while riding up Springville road.

IMG00389Yeah, my crank fell off.  Something started feeling funny down there and then plunk...I look down to see my shoe still clipped in to the pedal, and crank dangling in mid-air.  Oops.

My cyclocross bike has been together for about a week now.  I have a few rides in so far, so that's good.  I kind of remember how to dismount and remount, so that's good, too.  Sunday is going to hurt.  And since I'm so ill-prepared, Monday is really going to hurt when I experience my first cyclocross hangover of the year.  Sore everything, here I come!

My not-so-lofty goals this year will be to try and improve as the season goes on.  Hopefully, we get crappy weather this Fall (we had such nice weather last year, everyone kept training and getting faster)  I will race most of the Cross Crusade series, perhaps partaking in the SSCXWC event.  Then I'll do USGP#5, sit out and enjoy the show for #6, and race at Nationals in Bend one week later. 

To all the cyclocrossers out there, good luck with your season!  Have fun and enjoy it!

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I'm getting the cyclocross hangover over with today. Ouch.
# Posted By Steven | 9/28/09 7:09 PM
I'd fire your mechanic. ;-)
# Posted By DavidS | 9/28/09 7:47 PM
I think he redeemed himself by using threadlock as soon as he got home.
# Posted By erikv | 9/28/09 9:25 PM
your mechanic almost is as bad as mine... good thing you didn't slice anything open...

one guy at suckerbrook had the spindle completely sheer flush with the external BB cup coming into the barrier...
# Posted By gewilli | 9/29/09 9:59 AM
Yeah but my mechanic doesn't have the sweet orange suit.

Haha! Sheered off at the cup! That's ridiculous. Awesome.
# Posted By erikv | 9/29/09 10:09 AM
Erik, isn't this *second* time a crank arm has fallen off one of your bikes this year? I seem to recall something about Fairmount loop?
# Posted By Brooke Hoyer | 10/2/09 6:54 PM
Hmmm, I don't remember. If it wasn't mine, it could have been someone else's bike I'd worked on. I've had bad luck with SRAM and FSA unless I thread lock that securing bolt.
# Posted By erikv | 10/2/09 8:05 PM
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