Sucker Brook Cross - Auburn, New Hampshire

(Happy Birthday to Sydney!)

Sunday, September 17, 2006 - Auburn, New Hampshire

Is it really "Cross in New England"? It was 80 degrees for the official big opener, and a tune-up for next weekend's UCI race in Vermont. All the usual fun-seekers from Nerac, Fiordi Fruitti, Alan and more were there ready to suffer - and the field was noticably larger this week than it was last week. I was hoping for some New Hampshire colors of Fall, but it was mostly green. Fine with me---I'll take the warmth any day!

We arrived in time for Mike to do a couple of warm up laps on the course before the women's race. Located near a cemetery, the course was a bumpy, rocky rolling course with barrier's set up where there were a million mosquito's and so I didn't go there! The sand sections were pretty tough as there were barriers in the sand and then it went up hill. Lots of chicane's and twisty turns. A tight course.

On the ride there I asked Mike if he thought he'd need a feed. He said "No way! It's like a crutch anyway. I'll just suck it up. I won't need a feed---geeez, it's only an hour". After we got there, and he had warmed up, I asked again. "It's kinda warm. Are you sure you don't need a feed?" He said "Nope!"

The Scrapper and I (after greeting all the competition...the Scrapper likes everyone!) decided to watch the course from the start finish since there was some shade and no bugs. I grabbed a cold water bottle and dropped it in my bag.

Mike didn't get the greatest of starts, but he took the inside turn where the pavement met the gravel, sand, bumps and dirt. The first lap, Hodgeson-Meyers, and another Nerac rider, Matt White, a Joe's garage rider and two Alan rider's were off the front...and shortly thereafter Mike came through with two other riders---and a minute later the rest of the pack passed by.

Third time through and just for fun I waved a cold bottle at Taylor---and he gladly took a drink. So much for "not needing a feed"! (Smile) He moved his way up and while the front group maintained their pace, Taylor had passed all the other guys and maintained his position riding with one other guy. He'd pass riders on the course, ride with them for a while and then pass em'.

Soon it was just 4 riders off the front and Mike was riding with one other guy. After the bell lap we waited for the arrival of the leaders--Surely someone had broken away. Surely not! Hodges-Meyerson, White (Fiordi Fruitti), the Joe's Garage rider and one of the Alan rider's sprinted to the finish with Hodges-Meyerson taking the honors.

Suddenly I hear on the loud speaker something about Taylor and "elder-statesman"! Ha! He rolled in for 6th on the day! we celebrated with sushi and beer---toasting our sponsor Seven, cross-racing, bikes in general and Sydney's Birthday! Oh--And Happy Birthday Daniel Mehler too!