First photos from Pirate 'Cross

It was hot, sunny and fast in Tampa for Pirate 'Cross. The long course featured an Amphitheater of Pain and a HUGE sand pit. This was the longest course of the year so far and totally brutal. Big thanks to the organizer. Whoever he was!



And thanks to Candice for snapping these pics! Yes, they're mostly of me and Hank, so send in yours, I'll post 'em here!

Pirate 'Cross is Sunday, NOT Saturday

Yeah, I'm dumb. It's Sunday at noon folks. Hope to see you there.

Post-holiday Pirate 'Cross

Shiver me timbers and happy holidays! Work off some of those eggnog calories Sunday (12/30) at Riverfront Park overlooking downtown Tampa. Word is, a bunch of people with 'cross bikes might show up and ride around real fast. The park features an Amphitheater of Pain, several ups and downs and a huge sand pit. Parking is available at the South end of the park. The "Beginning point" is near the North end by the Baseball diamond.

This "event" starts at high noon, with festive cheer and libations to follow.



Rules:

1. This "ride" is not a race! No one is in charge.
2. No Pit thus no spare equipment, carry what you need.
3. Mandatory 1 lap pre-ride. Study the map, it isn't too difficult. Download it to your GPS!
4. Pedestrians come first! Bells recommended.
5. Don't cut corners when there is some sort of marking, otherwise choose your line.
6. This "ride" is not a race! No one is in charge.
7. $5 donations towards course marking materials.
8. Bring spectators, the Amphitheater of Pain has views of 70% of the course.

Details:

• Dec, 30th, Noon.
• 8-10 laps
• Beer and the Bucs at Four Green Fields or some other worthy establishment after.
• First round is on first place, because that is where any extra money is going instead of a purse!
• Pass this on to your friends.

'Cross racing in the St. Pete Times

Local cycling journalist Jessica Mundie's feature in the St. Petersburg Times this week featured the Florida cyclocros series. Check, check, check it out.

More Sarasota pics

Check out this beautiful photo gallery courtesy of Carrie Pratt at Studio Blu Images. Thanks Carrie!

http://www.studiobluimages.com/maverick/

If you'd like a copy of any of the photos you see here, email Carrie at info@studiobluimages.com. Remember though, these are professional quality photos and a small fee may be involved. But it's worth it, 'cause you look good!

First photos from Sarasota

Thanks to Juan Manuel for the first photos from Race #4.



Got any more? Send 'em in!

Ride along for a lap at 'Cross Nationals

Taken from the Men's 40+ B race. 10 minute laps!!

Part 1


Part 2

Florida represents at 'Cross Nationals!

Several Florida crossers braved the icy, snowy, frozen fields of Kansas City this weekend for the Cyclocross National Championships. The conditions were truly epic, with a fierce snowstorm ripping across the country over the past few days. But it didn't keep the riders away: this year's event featured a record number of participants.

Because starting positions were determined by registration time, Gary Yates, above, had to start at the back of a field of more than 100 riders. On the first paved section he blasted past half the field and rode his way to an 11th place finish in the Men's 35-39 category. He even got his photo on CyclingNews. Congrats, Gary! Then he flew home the same day to race the Sarasota 'cross race Sunday.

Other Floridians included Jimbo Smart who finished 64th in the same race and Kristen Bowers who finished 59th in the Elite Women's race. Paul Kavan also raced, but his result is currently unavailable.

Check out the mayhem from the start of the Masters race below.



Are we missing anyone else? Let us know!

[photo via CyclingNews]

Florida 'Cross 4: Sarasota

Well, we didn't get the mud we were hoping for, but the wind made Sunday's race another brutal race. The long pavement section offered no recovery, as it was directly into a headwind. The dry course did make the big hill ridable if you could keep your momentum up or gear down low enough.

In the Men's A race Phil Gaimon took the early lead and never looked back. Gary Yates chased hard for second place with Hank Campbell rounding out the top three. Keep an eye on Florida Cycling for complete results.

Big thanks to TNT racing for putting on another fine event. We'll get some photos up here soon. Got pictures or stories you'd like to share? Send 'em in!!

'Cross Nationals: EPIC!

Check out the forcast for Kansas City this weekend. Wish I could be there!

The Forcast Says Rain!

It looks like there should be some rain either on Saturday or Sunday for the Sarasota race this weekend! In Kansas City, for the CX National Championships this weekend, there is a 100% chance of snow on Saturday. So it looks like we'll have our own little "Florida" version of the suffering that our CX brethren will be undergoing in KC. "The forecast says rain, the doctor says pain so I'm gonna give er'"! Free beer to the first person to tell me who said that quote (it's CX related).

sarasota CX flyer

ch...ch....ch....ch....changes

I made some changes to the blog as you can see. check out the Argyle under the top banner! Pretty sweet, right? Now comment dammit!

Florida 'Cross #3: Orlando

Just got home from the third stop on the Florida Cross Series: Orlando. The course was flat, fast and fun! Three barriers made good transitions essential and the wide open course was all about horsepower. Paul Kavan took top spot in the Men's A race.

The weather was anything buy 'cross-like, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 80's. Just as I got home it started to sprinkle. Figures!

Using the timing chips was a great way to keep the scoring accurate and easy, although some riders had problems because they attached the chips to their helmets or put them in the pockets. They were too far away from the sensors to score accurately. Problem is, if you have a spare bike and need to make a switch, you can't have it on your fork. I tucked mine in the leg of my shorts and had no problems.

Big thanks to TopView Sports, The Cycling Hub and Florida Cycling for putting together another great race! If you have any photos or stories you'd like to share just let us know.

See you all in Sarasota!

- Adam

क्रॉस Slideshow

Check i!
www.studiobluimages.com/cyclocross/

Race #2: Tallahassee

This past weekends race was in Tallahassee. Put on by the Atomic Race team, it was a great venue that was super challenging. The course had so many great elements including: an uphill paved start/ finish, three fast descents, run-up steps, a sand pit, an off-camber turn, great barriers, and more! The only thing lacking was cold, mud and/or snow (not likely). By far one of the best courses ever seen in Florida.

The '07-'08 season

Here's the Florida Cross Series calendar

* Sat, Nov 10 - N. Miami - Goneriding.com
* Sat. Dec. 1 - Tallahassee - Atomic Race Team
* Sat, Dec. 8 - Orlando - Atlantic Shores Velo
* Sun, Dec. 16 - Sarasota - Maverick Cross
* Sun, Jan. 6 - Jupiter - S. Florida Cross Challenge
* Sun, Jan. 13 - Sarasota - Maverick Cross
* Sat, Jan. 19 - Largo - Team Chainwheel Drive
* Sat, Jan 26 (State Championship Race) - Largo - Team Chainwheel Drive

Countdown to Cross

The 2007 fall cross season begins next month. While we here in florida will not be starting our season until the winter, it's still exciting for the other parts of the country. The Georgia series has posted their races for the fall and it looks like more of the same. The races there are top notch and usually the weather is nice..... for cross! Which means cold, wet and awesome.

I'm going to try to organize a Florida contingent, to go up to some of the GA races. I had a blast in Augusta last year and want to go back for sure. That course has it all too! There will be more to come about that. Now go get in shape and do some running for crap's sake!