WOW

Is it possible I could already be fired up for next year's cross season? After watching this...YES! Amazing to watch these guys hammer that hard in those conditions for that long.

SD State CX Championship

The Inaugural Miss Chippie Cross at The Legendary Buffalo Chip in Sturgis, SD was well attended dispite the cold and snow as well as seemingly waining desires to come out and race from the normal faces that show up at the races. Could have been due to Cross Nats in Bend, OR this weekend or maybe skiing or just flat out apathy!! Great course, well thought out. Barriers were appropriate. Lots of interesting run ups and ride ups. The flat course did nothing to aid recovery that's for sure. On a warmer day this course would be so fast. There was a little shortage of tape and markings in some key spots at first, but after 2 or 3 warm up laps it was pretty easy to follow. Great Course!

In Men's A action the group started out on the long icy straightaway followed by a sweeping left up over the high barriers, up the stairs and onto the stage. Billy Colsen, Ted Jacobsen, Chad Carpenter, John Nelson and Casey Skyburg were out in front. Shortly after the group formed, Colsen went down and was forced to abondon (knee). They got strung out pretty quickly with Carpenter out in front (:30) followed by Jacobsen (:10) and Nelson rounding out the mens podium for the 2010 Men's Elite South Dakota State Championship Cyclocross.

As a side note we had several junior racers from the Sky Ranch for boys joining us today. They were riding bicycles donated by Schwinn Bicycles. They did great and it was their first cyclocross race! Nice job fellas!

Shoutouts:
Jake and Rochelle for promoting the race. This was by far the most "legit" race we've had at least in terms of promotion and organization.
The Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground for hosting.
Acme, Cranky Jeff, RMS and all other shops that threw down mechandise for winners.
Whoever made that cider and chili it was quite nice.

Super Prestige

Lincoln CX

I just discovered this video from last year in Lincoln Nebraska Day #2 of a 2 day series I did. The footage was captured on Hooligan Hill where there are dollar bills taped, socks and schwag dangling from fishing poles, alcohol being consumed and general shennanigans. Most of the spectators on "Holligan Hill" ride to the race (yes the drummer rode his drums there on his Bob trailer). I was in the lead chase group (in way over my head) of 5 chasers trying to chase two pros down when I blew in the 6th lap but it was a fun race.

Lincoln Cyclocross 2009 from Cornbread on Vimeo.

ACME CX #4

The final race in the ACME Cyclocross series was held today at Ralph Cole Arboretum. The turnout wasn't quite as good as yesterday with just over 20 people coming out today compared with about 35 yesterday. The course was the same as the previous race except it was run in reverse.

The race got off to fast start as would be expected with John Eppen, Billy Colsen, Casey Skyburg and Chad Carpenter getting an early lead on the rest of the field. James Stone and Jon Nelson were together just behind the lead group. When the leading 4 hit the very steep run up/ride up/stairs section Eppen and Carpenter got a large advantage. Eppen was driving the pace with Carpenter yo yo-ing on and off of his wheel. Just behind Skyburg was driving the pace trying to close the gap. Eventually Skyburg and Colsen were caught by Stone and Nelson.

Back at the front Carpenter lost contact with Eppen through the run up (3rd lap) and was dropped like a brick in the ocean. By that time, Stone and Nelson were chasing together with Colsen chasing solo 20 seconds back from them, followed by Skyburg 35 seconds back.

John Eppen never looked back and was strong through the finish taking the victory in what will be his final cyclocross race of the season in the Black Hills. Carpenter managed to hold the chasers off and took 2nd. Stone and Nelson finished together with Stone taking 3rd in the uncontested sprint.

Jim Meyer of Quarq was extremely generous and awared Tim Rangitsh of ACME a Quarq power meter for all the hard work and effort he put in promoting the 4 free races this season. A nice gesture. If you need a power meter, consider a Quarq they are BOSS.

Podium
1) John Eppen (Quarq)
2) Chad Carpenter (Carpenter Dental)
3) James Stone (Scheels)

Final Race is Dec. 4th. SD State Championship

See previous blog post for details.

BHCX #3

The cyclocross action was heating up at Ralph Cole Arboretum today even as the temps were dipping into the mid teens. After the straightaway at the gun, a surge of about 8 riders hit the deep sand pits together including Jon Eppen, Casey Skyburg, John Nelson, Chad Carpenter, James Stone, Corey Whalen, Todd Schoenburner and Jim Meyer. As the group passed though the barriers Eppen and Carpenter were able to establish a gap on the rest of the group. A 3 man chase group containing James Stone, Jon Nelson and Casey Skyburg formed. At one point Carpenter and Eppen had 1:30 on the chase but the chasers were able to cut it back slightly as the race progressed.

During the 3rd lap Carpenter bobbled after the barriers, unable to clip back into his pedal. Eppen put 40 yards on him but was eventually reeled back in. Eppen launched a series of short punchy attacks but Carpenter was able to stick onto his wheel. Eppen was content to set the pace as the pair came into the last straightway. Carpenter took the sprint by less than a wheel.

Back in the chase Stone shot off the front of his group at least twice but was unable to maintain his 100 ft gaps and was brought back. It was gruppo compacto as the trio started their sprint and Skyburg took it for the final podium spot.

Tomorrow's course is the same but run in reverse and starts at 10 am.

Mary Hall Cross Results

With temps in the upper 30's and no precipitation, conditions were ideal for last Sunday's cyclocross action at Mary Hall park. The field was even bigger than last week with several more local as well as out of state and northern hills riders making their cyclocross campaign. Thanks to Luke and Billy the course was marked awesomely.

The start was a long paved straightaway into a headwind. After a slight hesitation by the group, Jim Meyer got the holeshot and laid down huge watts. Chad Carpenter and John Eppen were able to grab onto his wheel and found themselves all alone with a 20 second gap within the first quarter of the lap. A large chase group containing Ted Jacobsen, James "The Doctor" Stone, Casey Skyberg, Jon Nelson, Billy "Fo Really" Colson and possibly a few others formed and struggled to close down the gap.

Eppen and Carpenter traded pulls for the duration of the contest and took essentially no risks with the gap being as large as it was. Eppen attacked in the gravel during the final lap but Carpenter was able to reel him back in. Carpenter was first to enter the final grassy technical section and was able to hold Eppen off to secure the victory.

Back in the chase Jon Nelson employed a similar strategy and was first into the grass, holding on as he rounded out the final podium spot.

Podium
1 Chad Carpenter (Carpenter Dental)
2 John Eppen (Quarq)
3 Jon Nelson (Unattached)

Next Race Next Saturday Nov. 20th at 3:00 pm at Ralph Cole Park (across from Story Book Island)

!Actung CX!

New CX Race Just Announced!!

Miss Chippie Cross
At the Legendary Buffalo Chip, Sturgis SD
Saturday, December 4th
B/C Juniors 10 am
A's 11 am
Entry Fee: $10 and 2 cans of food
Free Chili feed afterwards

Chiggy Check it:

/www.bentrimproductions.com/Miss_Chippie_Cross.html

Robbinsdale CX Results

The warmer temps and ideal conditions made for some fast laps for last Sunday's Robbinsdale CX race. John Nelson and Billy fo Rilly Colsen got a 60 second gap early on. A chase group containing teammates Corey Whalen and Todd Schoenberger as well as Casey Skyburg formed with Tony Tays in between the two groups. Nelson got away from Billy and was able to stay away, extending his advantage with each lap. Billy hung on to take 2nd, while Skyburg rounded out the podium taking 3rd capitalizing on a Tayes mechanical.

ACME CX

ACME BIKES CYCLOCROSS SERIES ANNOUNCED!

HEAR YE, HEAR YE

Sunday Nov 7th Robbinsdale Park10 am.
Sunday Nov 14th Mary Hall Park 10 am.
Saturday Nov 20th Ralph Cole Park 3 pm
Sunday Nov 21st Ralph Cole Park 10 am.

All Races are Free.
All abilities are welcome.
All you need is a cyclocross or mountain bike and a helmet.

For more information call Tim at Acme Bikes in Rapid City.

What we need is...MORE COWBELL...