Chris Beaver's Blog (5)

Well, the WCA season is in full swing with 5 races left and I'm finally feeling good about my performance. This past weekend in Milwaukee marked the first time so far this season that I felt competitive AND had a good time. The course was tough without being overly hilly or lung-taxing. Sure, I was breathing heavily but it was no suffer overload like some of the earlier WCA races. I felt the Washington Park CX was a perfect opportunity to practice and utilize the basic CX skills and… Continue

Since both Wisconsin Cycling Association CX races were cancelled this weekend due to foul weather and the park managers' unwillingness to let 'crossers tear up the land, I headed over to neighboring Minnesota for the Jackson Meadows CX race sponsored by The Bikery. I have to say the course was fast and bumpy but in an excellent location. The weather was nice and the people were very welcoming, even though the couse wasn't very spectator-friendly. I got lots of encouragement on the… Continue

Yesterday's race was quite fast with a few rollers, two sets of barriers and a killer run-up. (I hear that some people were riding it...Grrr.) I felt good for the most part but I definitely suffered there on the last lap. However, I consider it a success to have finished the race and without being lapped by those skinny guys this time!



Let's hear it for the bottom 10 of the the field! It's not a very prestigeous place in terms of the ranking; but there's a definite bond of kindred… Continue

After Vervecken's 1st place finish in the the USGP race on Sunday, I got to chat with him and get a great picture. He's a very nice guy and such a diplomat for CX, bringing the spirit of Belgian cycling to Sun Prairie for a great weekend! It was pretty awesome to have semi-muddy courses each day for the Cat. 4 races at 8:30 a.m. I couldn't help but imagine myself racing in Hooglede-Gits back in 2007 (even though I was in the way back of the field each day).



Renée Callaway, J.P.… Continue

When I checked the confirmed riders list this morning for the USGP #1 in Sun Prairie, I saw there were already 90 registered riders for the Cat. 4 race! I've never seen such a huge field in CX before. Also, the forecast calls for some rain tomorrow afternoon, so the Elites should be pretty muddy by 3:00. Since it's already raining a little this afternoon, I would assume the course is going to be a bit greasy still at 8:30 a.m.



I'm going to go pick up my race number this evening and… Continue