Here it is, my last race report for the year. Under the glorious sunny skies of Missoula, Montana the wonderful cyclocross racers gathered at Fort Missoula to conclude out state cyclocross season. Yeah, yeah, say what you will about nationals not being for another month, and that true cross can only happen in cold and shitty weather, but we’re capping of two straight months of racing up here in the Big Sky. For this race I decided to try something a little different, and limit my boozing the night before, opting instead for a decent night’s sleep. I woke up feeling refreshed, got dressed, and headed over to KG’s and Soph’s for some coffee. Once they are ready to go, we head to the venue just on the other side of town, where plenty of folks have started to gather and warm up for their races. I get in a quick warmup lap, and then take my place as a spectator with camera and official TCOTBR cowbell getting ready to cheer on my friends.

The big controversy of the day was when a telephone pole which had been set up as part of the course, was removed for safety/rule reasons. Someone said that rules allow for only two sets of man made barriers which force riders to dismount off their bikes. Personally, I think that’s lame, and the pole should have stayed there, but I don’t get to make the rules, and the pole was removed. Anyway, the Mens B’s and the ladies went out and rocked the course, rocking their skills throughout the course. Once they are done, the A’s have about 15 minutes to get our last warmup laps in before we head off. I take a spot in the second row, and when the gun goes off I manage to get a good start, kicking it in the top ten. As we continue of the first lap, I feel oddly strong, and am still riding in a decent position.

As the laps tick by I still manage to ride strong enough to enjoy my normal position at the back of the pack. Then during my remount after the second set of barriers, I crack the inside of my ankle on my pedal, OUCH!!!! The pain is by far the worst pain I had felt all cross season, but I’ve managed to finish every cross race I’ve started this season, and there isn’t a snowballs chance in hell that I’m gonna quit at the last race. After fifteen minutes and two horrible laps, where everyone in the field laps me, my ankle has gone numb, and I start to be able to turn over a normal gear. With two laps to go, I can start to see Curry, Frank the Tank, and Proctor getting close enough to me that the possibility of getting lapped twice is rather high. Not wanting to let this happen I make a final dig to avoid this, and in the process a rider in a Redline kit passed me.

I go out for my final lap, and am rewarded with a shot from Muleterro Cory, which puts a fire in my belly and a smile on my face. I cross the finish line, head over to my bag and grab my 40 of Olde English (thanks to Big Jonny down at Drunkcyclist), and bask in the sun. I get congratulations from KG and the rest of the Muleterro gang, and am told that the guy in the Redline kit was some pro who has won the race. So I guess that final lap wasn’t necessary, but damn was it worth it. So that’s how my cross season ends, with a throbbing ankle, and an unnecessary final lap. Anyway, the season is done, so now its time to take some time off the bike and pack on some standard Montana winter fat. I’ll head back to the Dirty Jersey for Turkey day where I will stuff my face with Mom’s grub and east coast beers I don’t get to drink in the Big Sky. All I got for now, if you’re still riding, then good for you, if your season just finished up then in the words of the Mad Dog “good job by you.”

Brother Andrew