First time really putting the metal to the test after hip replacement two months ago. Got some work to do but riding my single speed with Hayes to the race in GGP and back in tank tops as the sun went down was damn special.
Photos by @gurufoto & @monicasemergiu
A full cross season means racing 1-2 times every weekend for 3 months straight. It’s nearly impossible to feel on your game physically or mentally for all of them, and “feeling it out” really isn’t an option when it’s all out from the gun. As I look back on this past season I’m happy with the balancing act of pushing through and knowing when to reload. My only dnf was 15 years ago and I’m unable to completely give up the chase even if it’s futile. The difference now is I can let it go and still have fun out there or just be happy I came out and it’s over.
I didn’t plan to race the whole season on a single speed, but my other bike broke before the first race and I found some real talent in the field again that pushed me. It’s also way more fun! Nearly every race we started we’d catch the geared field in a matter of seconds and work our way through to finish top 3 or 5 overall. Pretty rad and a great ego boost. I won a series and came second in another on what my doctor said was the hip of a 90 year old. Now I’m rehabbing with my eyes on next season.
January 2 is always a sad day for me and I usually cry. The holidays are over, our visitors go home, normal schedules take hold again, and it seems like things kind of start over. This year is extra loaded as I sit a week out from major hip surgery and won’t be able to cope with my seasonal blues with physical exertion.
But thanks to a little bit of therapy and awareness I welcomed the feelings and without stressing or planning too much I had a banger day. Raced a stranger on my bike then took Hayes out for his longest ride ever. He crashed hard twice and thought we might have our first broken bone, but still rode the 7 miles back home in the rain. God I am so proud of him. Then some light performative charcuterie and reading (my first proper book in years), a movie, and then stayed up late to write finally. The perfect balance of self and family and that’s my goal for the year and forever.
11 years ago to the day we got secret married at this spot with a lunch reception for 6 at Pelican Inn. We’re back every year on NYE. Bonus content at Travis Marina Bar where we got fake married but had the real party. Set to our wedding jam.
After 4 muddy races in two weekends I needed a little breather to clean kit and let the bikes dry out. The last two were my 50th and 51st cross wins that locked up the BASP single speed series after coming up one step short last year. Riding that high I’m ready for the last two of the season.
Photos by @seabrightphotography
Candy corn, cyclocross, Oktoberfest, hockey, sweater weather, and my birthday; just a few reasons October is my favorite month. Did I use the semicolon correctly or should it have been a full one 🤷♀️
Some shots from the @surfcitycx@teamrocklobstercx Halloween massacre over the past 5 years. My favorite weekend of racing and bad decision making. Tomorrow we go again.
Tomorrow I line up for my 15th season of racing cyclocross, and the last on what’s left of my god-given hips. It was 2009 when I first showed up with my single speed to the Chicago Cross Cup. I’d never ridden dirt and my only bike racing experience was alley cats on my fixed gear in Chicago. I was hooked.
The internet tells me that’s around 250 races, 46 W’s, 7 nationals, 5 state championships, and 1 DNF. I rode through 2 hip surgeries and a completely separated shoulder for last year’s finale, but I think this one is going to be the toughest yet.
Buut I love this stuff and the goal this season is to race em all with Erin and the boys + the team. Thanks for reading. Let’s party.
The last sliver of summer.
Patience is a virtue I’ve yet to master and I’m a bit selfish but I’m working on it for these guys. The world can be scary and gross, but at the same time I’ve never been happier.
Last time I did an OBF race in GGP I needed shoulder surgery and couldn’t use my right arm for a few months so I’d say this round went significantly better.
I love riding and racing in the park so much. It’s been my favorite since I moved here 15 years ago and somehow feels like it’s my own backyard (especially since I don’t have one). Shoutout to Jimmy, Uri, and everyone for making this so much fun every year. Always a great teaser for cross season.
ps I want to give credit for the photos so if you took one please message me.
