A Couple Old Time Photos

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Here are a couple old time photos that I received yesterday. Nearly every rider in these photos shaped my ability to race bicycles. I was so fortunate to have guys like Wayne, Tom, Steve and John around to observe, to teach me how to race bicycles, not only physically, but efficiently and intellectually. I learned so much from each and everyone one of them. I still know them all, which says something about how a close knit community our sport is.

This is a picture of the winning break from the '76 Road Nationals. I sent the photo to Wayne Stetina, Tom Schuler and Steve Jennings and got a tid bit of a story from each of them. It is amazing how vivid memories are when they are of something from the past, but early experiences.

This is a picture of the winning break from the ’76 Road Nationals. I sent the photo to Wayne Stetina, Tom Schuler and Steve Jennings and got a tid bit of a story from each of them. It is amazing how vivid memories are when they are of something from the past, but early experience.

And this is John Tomac, riding his dropped bar MTB bike, all shaggy and stylish.

And this is John Tomac, riding his dropped bar MTB bike, all shaggy and stylish.

Cyclocross Worlds Wrap up

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I’ve been thinking about why I enjoyed watching the races on Saturday so much in Louisville. I’ve posted it here many times, I’m that usually that big on spectating bike races. Especially races that I’d like to be racing. Maybe I’m just changing and have changed my mindset on this or maybe the races were just so darn exciting that I forgot about any personal issues and just enjoyed.

No matter what the complaints were on Saturday, waiting in a long line to enter the venue, to not having any nourishment, I didn’t meet anyone that wasn’t crazy excited about what was going on.

I think the main reason for this was that there were just enough people there to allow accessibility to being really close up to the action. There was hardly a place that you couldn’t eventually get up to the barriers and watch super close up. This accessibility made the race seem very special.

I think that is a big attraction that the sport of cyclo-x has going. Watching the riders as the mud sprayed off their wheels into their faces, and ours, made it that much more real. It allowed us to experience the event from as close as we can, almost from within.

I thought the crowds were awesome in Louisville. The Belgians thought there weren’t that many people there. But, from what they are used to, I can understand. But they also said they were so surprised that the fans cheered for each and every one of them. The reason for this is that many of the spectators are also participates of the sport. That is pretty special. That is the reason that our fans were so appreciative of the riders and cheered all. They have personally experienced the effort and realized how special these guys are. It was great.

I haven’t spoken to anyone that was disappointed after the event. It was very cool. Sure, it could have been better. More beer, more food, etc., but those are just ancillary things that would make it better for the casual observer. True cyclocross racers couldn’t have asked for a better day. The course, the races, and the riders guaranteed that.

I took all these pictures with just my iPhone. Pretty accessible.

This picture, of Tim Johnson, was taken through the stair run-up.

This picture, of Tim Johnson, was taken through the stair run-up.

Sven after the barriers.

Sven after the barriers.

A little ways back on the first lap.

A little ways back on the first lap.

Sven approaching the stairs.

Sven approaching the stairs.

Katie coming off the pavement the last lap.

Katie coming off the pavement the last lap.

How about accessibility to the winners. Catherine loved speaking a little French to the 3rd place finisher.

How about accessibility to the winners. Catherine loved speaking a little French to the 3rd place finisher.

Here's an incognito Brad Huff, who had made his way over from Springfield Missouri. I hardly spotted him, being so camo and blending in so well with the crowds.

Here’s an incognito Brad Huff, who had made his way over from Springfield Missouri. I hardly spotted him, being so camo and blending in so well with the crowds.