I just happened upon the USAC Cyclocross Nationals Technical Guide yesterday.  Here is a link to it.  I can say that I am not that thrilled.  I like the fact that the race is being held on the Biltmore Estates.  I’ve had good experiences there over my lifetime.  But, the way the technical guide makes it appear, it might turn into a mess.  Here’s my favorite section –

I know that everyone involved in the sport understands how equipment heavy the sport of cyclocross is.  The underlined sentence is very worrisome.  Limited parking and shuttling bikes and equipment to the venue is really just about the worst possible scenario for cyclocross.  A high priority at cross races needs to be easy access to the venue by all riders and support. There is nothing like a bunch of adrenaline jacked bike racers getting directed away from the course when they are trying to get to their race.

The guide can’t say how much the wristbands are, even though it is just 2 weeks from the event when it was revised.  I called the number and couldn’t get ahold of a person to ask.  Whatever the number, it is too much.  This sport isn’t about milking the competitors out of every penny they can.  This is a National Championship and that is all.Entrance fees to competitors or for your family/support to enter is total BS.

And finally, the prize list.  I don’t remember there ever being a prize list, but I could be wrong. So, is this a good thing?   Not really.  Giving this amount of money out is an insult to the Elite riders.  So, if you get 5th, you get your entry back?  So, there are really only 4 places, because 5th is a push.  I won more than this for winning a Master’s cross race in Oklahoma this year.  I’m thinking I won $1000 for the first MTB Nationals back in 1983.  I’ll leave it at that.

I’m hoping the best for the race.  I’m sure the promoters know their responsibilities and a up to speed with most of the issues.  But when there are these disclaimers in the technical guide, it worries me. I think that the USAC should have maybe checked out the venue more if the limited parking and shuttling warnings turn out to be true.   This could turn the event into a cluster.

Just received the following email tonight  —

Okay, I decided after riding yesterday that I should probably just load up and go to Asheville to race Cyclocross Nationals.  And then, pack up right after the race and head up to the Northwoods to nordic ski, snowshoe, ect.

I had a ton of reasons not to go.  But I had one reason that I was having a hard time overcoming.  I’ve been training the last month for what?  So, if I was training to race, I guess I should probably just go race.  I’ve went the last two years just to watch.  And now, the year I go to race, I’m not even gonna stay around to watch.  Kind of strange, don’t you think.

Anyway, we’re heading to Louisville today.  It is less than 9 hours from here, then Asheville is another 5, which we’ll drive on Monday.  I stayed up packing until nearly 1 am, so I’m hoping to get some sleep on the drive.

We’ve had pretty good weather the last few days in Kansas.  I got in 170 miles the last 3 days, which is a bonus the first of January.

I have a ton of stuff to stick into the van.  We’re taking the AWD small van since we’re heading up to snow.  I left the back bench seat home and put in just one bucket seat in case Bill or someone needs a ride back to Kansas from Cable.  Okay, that’s about it for now.

Keith and Catherine flew back from Seattle yesterday and are official moved back now. Now sure what Catherine is doing here?

I glued on a couple 34 mm Dugast tires I had left over. They aren’t UCI legal, but the Master’s race isn’t a UCI race, so the max tire width is 35. I have FMB mud tires on my best wheels, but put these on just in case.

It is nice when you can get a bike race and ski in the same week.

Lots of equipment to take. This isn’t even the bags.

These are the gloves I’m bringing alone for the next couple weeks. Crazy.