my first race. ever. of any kind.

1 october 2006. i had a blast at BADGER-CROSS cyclo-cross race in Verona, WI, the first race of the 2006 WCA cyclo-cross series. thank-you Margo & Marlone for cheering for me. I love you.
i'm in the red jersey at top of frame:

photo courtesy: Renee Callaway

also, cheapau (as well as photo courtesies) to clinic & race organizer Renee Callaway & all of her volunteers for such a cool event.

photo courtesy: Renee Callaway

thanks to the guy who helped me pin my bib number on the back of my jersey properly... WHILE WE WERE ON THE START LINE!

Mike Meccia (#155) and i duked it out for the balance of the 30 minutes:

photo courtesy: Margo Barcheski

sorry to the guy i ran into during the start (i think it was a stoton rider... well, at least i didn't knock him over, just took him off of his line a little).

note the bad form over the barrier... the seat shouldn't be under the arm, but away from the body. but, at this point, i couldn't have cared less:

photo courtesy: Margo Barcheski

as rider #101, i ran in USAC Category 4. 53rd out of 63 and surprisingly didn't get lapped.

http://www.madcross.org/badgercross06results.htm

unfortunately, i can't seem to find a photo of me crashing into the first set of barriers. (i'd actually pay good money for that).

for those of you who aren't familiar with cyclo-cross, here's a couple more of Renee's pictures that will give a feel for what goes on.

Lewis Clark, a parent of one of Margo's students (small world), portages the sand trap on his way to a 27th place finish:

get off and run some more, this time up hill over some logs...

and be careful on the exit of the chicane:

Category 3 men's race over the barriers:

bike reflectors, a little crome, the right sun angle and a dirty lens maks a pretty cool shot: for more wisconsin 'cross action:

www.madcross.org

www.wicycling.org/

www.cyclocrossworld.com