Howdy 'cross fans,

Wow, I had a flashback there. After something like two years without any mud to speak of, Surf City finally made up for lost time in a big way. Perhaps you noticed that it's been raining a bit lately. Perhaps you also noticed that last week's Districts race was sort of damp. That was all just a lead-in for yesterday, the Big Muddy.

The course went something like this: A bit of pavement. Then mud. Then some more mud. Then some really deep mud. Then some really deep straight up mud that you had to run through, or rather walk, or stagger and slither through, taking care not to leave your shoe behind in some waist-deep mud hole.

Did I say mud hole? There were quite a few bottomless mud bogs scattered about, the worst of which claimed a number of riders in each race (see pic below) until they figured out how to avoid it. Tip: When you see a great deal of spectators gathered around a particular spot with eager expressions on their faces, beware! Many riders wisely chose to run this section. As for me, despite a spectacular endo during practice, I succesfully rode it every lap, risks be damned. Sometimes one needs to set aside selfish thoughts of personal race results and give something back to the spectators. 

Anyway, in conditions such as these the race is pretty much just a struggle to finish. Which I did, managing to scrape out a decent result in the process. Man, those were long laps though. Despite the course crew going out between races to take out sections, the laps were still ten or eleven minutes even in the A's. "Fine with me," said ref Casey Kerrigan: longer laps means easier scoring. 

It was by far the most epic 'cross race in NorCal in a long long time. Some suffered through it, some gave up and quit, and then some just had a ball notwithstanding the muck and wind and rain. I actually enjoyed the rain: it helped wash the mud off a little. Did you notice the grin on my face? Or did it look like agony? 

The capper to the messy, crazy day was when the storm reared back and let out a tremendous thunderclap on the last lap. I think that coincided with Justin Robinson crossing the line for the race win and the series win. For those of us still ten minutes out on the course, the thunder was cause for a whoop of celebration and one last kick to the finish.

(Photo: Doug Ott comes to grief in the A race -- AbbiOrca.com)

• It was a race that delighted all the senses. Touch: the feeling of muddy water slowly crawling its way under every inch of clothing. Sight: Trying to see the course ahead through the multiple clods of mud in your eyes (which you vainly attempt to wipe away with a muddy finger). Sound: the constant "squip-squip-squip" of tires slithering thru mud. Taste: At least mud tastes better than energy gel!

• Ranking on the Dave Carr Mud Index: Grade 7.

• Perhaps you may have noticed that SCCX had a bloodless coup this year, or shall we say a graceful exchange of power. Whatever you call it, Jeff Clark was glad to take a more relaxed role; and Jenny Robinson and Nicole Amaral did an admirable job as new race directors along with their cast of minions. Check 'em out on the Contacts page and send 'em a thank-you. Also check out the SCCX sponsors who donated all that schwag for your benefit--buzz a few thanks their way while you're at it.

• (Shameless plug here) Though SCCX 01 is done, the 'cross season isn't over yet, not by a long shot. There's another Sacramento race, a couple CCCX, and there's also the small matter of Baltimore Natz. Plus, the best race of them all: The Vineyard CX, next Saturday (12/8) among the vines at Domaine Chandon in Yountville. You're all welcome to come sip some grape and have a great late season race.

Thanks for reading,
Dave Carr
Napa Valley Velo