Nationally Ali Goulet dominated the USGP Master Series and finished out the year with a 3rd at the National Championships. Dr. Kris Walker came through in a big way at Nationals and defended her National title in a photo finish. She then followed that up with 26th in the Elite race, bad ass. Other rides of note at Nats, Bo Pitkin charged from a 108th starting position to finish 17th in the stacked Masters 35-39 race. Dayna Deuter and Jennie Wade both had rides that were hindered by bad luck and their final placing was by no means an indication of how well they rode. Same with Bob Walker and Mike Kracht, they went big.

The Champ!

In the end wins are nice and all but the true measure of the season is the friendships forged both with team mates and rivals. Across the board I could not think of a finer group of people to hang with then my fellow Big Ringers. I am proud to wear the colors with them. For me personally, on paper it looks like I had an easy time of it, I won a lot of races. Let me just say this, I turned myself inside out every week and I can’t remember a season where I was pushed so hard by my competitors. Every week was a toe to toe slug fest. Every time I train this winter I will remember how hard those guy pushed me.

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Forgive Us!

Happy Friday The 13th Brothers and Sisters.  If you recall the fine folks at Real Cyclist.com offered a sweet deal on a sweet bike if we could podium at the Boulder Cup.  Well the forces of the small ring won that weekend and we did not deliver.  Being the forgiving souls that they are, our pals at RealCyclist.com are giving you the faithful reader another shot at the same deal 50% off a Rocky Mountain Solo CXD Cyclocross Bike, and they have sweetened the deal by adding 30% off on all Castelli gear as well!

Our very own super hero Ali “GoGo” Goulet is on his way to defend his lead in the USGP series in scenic New Jersey this weekend.  If he lands on the podium then you get the deal.  The only catch is you must join the RealCyclist Facebook Fan page. It is really that easy.

In addition to training like mad for the upcomimg ‘cross season we have also been working equally hard on building an actual team.  The kits are absolutely killer and will soon be available to all.  Stay tuned for the official launch and details of how YOU can be a part of the Big Ring family.  It is gonna be sweet.

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- There will be an official TCOTBR cross team, 5 core riders and unlimited number of “at large” team members
- We will be at Boulder Cup and Nationals in Bend, other non 801 races TBD
- The jerseys are sick
- We will have some great partnerships and some great deals for “at large” members

Euro Cyclocrossers

Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to help support Heather Holmes and her trip to Marathon Worlds. As it stands you all have raised a good chunk of change that will insure Heather does not have to skimp on things while she is across the pond representing our great country. There is still time to help, she leaves on the 16th and we still have lots of stuff to sell. A lot of you may be thinking why should I help, she is a pro and gets paid to race. Yes she is a pro (trust me there mega paychecks or private jets) and yes her sponsors do help as much as possible but the reality is it is the end of the season, budgets have already been set. This is pro womens cycling not pro tennis.

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Real Cyclist also has ‘cross gear, check it!

is Better to live one single day as a lion than a hundred years as a sheep

- motto of the Battle of the River Piave

Katie Compton and Niels Albert both tried bold moves early with different results.  In the women’s race Katie took it to the other girls early with a wicked start that opened up a big gap Hanka Kupfernagel, Marianne Vos and France’s Christel Ferrier-Bruneau chasing.  Ferrier-Bruneau popped and it was up to Hanka to close down the Comoton train.  Vos had her teammate Daphne Van Brand chasing so she was not obligated to work.  Around the 4th lap Katie did get caught and Hanka was really putting th pressure on.  Katie showed what she was made of and got back on every time.  In the final sprint Mariane was just too quick and added to her already full closet of rainbows, Hanka 2nd and Katie 3rd. All these girls are Big Ring but it is really great to see Katie over there and going toe to toe with the best in the world and doing it with class.  She left it all on the track today, she was racing to win and had the guts to go for it in a big way. Much respect Ms Compton, much respect.

Rachel Lloyd had a super ride for 11th.  She was in a big chase group of 8-9 riders and looked really strong all day.  I read on Velonews that she lost track of the laps and kind of botched her sprint. Doh! Anyway great ride and a great season for her.  Georgia Gould (13th) and Sue Butler (17th) for a really strong showing for the USA.  Congratulations ladies.

I though Lars could use the home crowd to get another world title but he was a total non factor today.  The Belgians were the party guests from hell.  The barged in, drank the bar dry, and stuffed as much of the buffet as they could into their gaping pie holes.  In the opening laps it was pretty clear that the Belgians were riding as a team and it was only a matter of which attack stuck. Niels Albert went on the first lap and only Zdenek Stybar was able to chase.  At that point it was pretty much a boat race.  Any attempts to close the gap were met with wedgies and purple nurples by the Belgian bullies.

Jeremy Powers was the top American in 35th, Matt Shriver  44th, Brian Matter 49th.  Trebon got taken out by a camera bom!? Anway that shows just how deep the talent is in Europe.  If any of these guys showed up at your local race you would probably get lapped, you would definetly get beat.  Cross is getting bigger every year in the US and someday there will be an American on the top of the podium.  Everyone who races a World Championships is Big Ring.

The silver lining for ramming my road bike into a low parking garage is the fat insurance check I am receiving will be going towards a sick, sick cross bike.  I am pouring over race schedules and planning the use of my sick days.  BTW if you are going to be at Cross Vegas look for us.  We will be there spreading the gospel.

I can’t seem to get the video to embed properly (my web master is MIA)  so if you want to see a sweet ‘cross movie click the link below and donate to the maker who BTW is 14.  If this kid has a budget I can only imagine what he would be capable of.  Plus it just plain warms my heart to see someone so young taking such a good life path.

Little Belgium