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RR part 2 days at the races
miscellaneous observations...
Most if not all the DH riders are using some sort of clip system with their pedals Most if not all XC riders shave their legs. I'll let you guys figure out what age group and type of rider gave me the most lip when I was marshalling the crosswalk at the XC track where it went through the village. Saturday the people really started pouring in. The XC pro races started at 7 am but alas, I had to go back to Spokane to pick up a kid and then come back so I missed it all. Craig and I got comfortable in the shade for the mountain cross finals. Word has it that the riders thought the course was pretty lame but what do I know? He was pretty tired after having to back board two riders off the Dh course, a broken pelvis and something else. He had to carry (with help of course ) down through 2 marshall stations, through the willows and boulders, to a vehicle pickup point. You want to talk about dirty and tired... this is the kind of dust that you are picking out of every conceivable facial opening, the kind that mud just runs off of you in the shower... Sunday, last day, more races. Craig heads up the hill early for the various pro and expert DH qualifiers and finals. The volunteer coordinator has figured out that I'm a control nut in disguise, so she assigns me and another gal to the crosswalk in the quad. The XC course loops through the quad, so there is an opening in the gates with two lanes of race traffic going in opposite directions, one is the end of steep corner. So we had our hands full watching the guy up on the corner for his signal for when riders are coming down the hill, plus watching for racers coming into the village from the other direction. The morning's group of riders was beg/sport/clydes/tandems/SS and jr Olympic kids. The kids were awesome, there were racers down to 20 years old on the 10 mile course, some of them may have been doing 2 laps (??). I stand by my statement that a lot of clydesdales are not fat, just big men. It's really inspirational to watch these little riders stick it out. A couple of them had parents riding with them, but as one dad of an 10 year old girl said, "she doesn't need me anymore!!". Then the switchover to short track. The track was set completely in the village for maximum spectator benefit. The only real problem is that the course essentially cut the village in half, with no way across to buy tickets for the quad. I fault the ski area for not having a sign: the ticket office was just across from my post on the course, with **no one** allowed to cross for three hours while they ran the short track. Naturally the folks that bitched the most about having to walk around the course are the ones that should be walking the most. I started to get a little grumpy having been at the post since 7 am, standing in the heat and sun and needing lunch. They did bring me food when asked, nothing like a good bag of grapes on a day like this!! For those of you that have never heard of this event, it's just like a criterium, but on mountain bikes and dirt. It was really exciting, a very big deal was made out of the pro women and men. There were lots of action moment... a rider clipped the fencing and took about a100' of it; pros with large leads and battles for the finish and so on. I really wish I'd been able to figure out what numbers went with what riders before the races. It was hard to hear the announcer, and when I was out on a course there was no way to hear who is who. I did get to see Allison Sydor (sp?) battle for the finish of the short track, she had huge lead, was caught and then won it back. Then, finally all done. After that I took the quad up and hiked the DH course just in time to watch the DH pro men finals, last race of the day. Those guys were amazing, every single one of them nailed each move; it was just a matter of speed. Word is that the course rocked. The people watching is always fun, from the race families and riders, locals up to see what it's all about, and all the other craziness. I saw enough boxer clad rear ends hanging out of saggy shorts, both on the DH course and off it to last me a lifetime ( guys, it is NOT flattering at all, don't know how you can ride like that....) Today it's wash the dirt out of everything and regroup. photos later. Penny |
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#2
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RR part 2 days at the races
miscellaneous observations...
Most if not all the DH riders are using some sort of clip system with their pedals The more technical the trail, the more you need them IMO. Can't imagine riding without them. Most if not all XC riders shave their legs. That's because they're really roadies in a bad disguise! I'll let you guys figure out what age group and type of rider gave me the most lip when I was marshalling the crosswalk at the XC track where it went through the village. I'm gonna say the hardcore, serious, shaved legged, mid-late 20's XC'er. Penny |
#3
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RR part 2 days at the races
Penny S. wrote:
I'll let you guys figure out what age group and type of rider gave me the most lip when I was marshalling the crosswalk at the XC track where it went through the village. My guess: the experts. Been around the block long enough to "know" when it's safe to cross, which doesn't necessarily correspond with what you were told. For those of you that have never heard of this event, it's just like a criterium, but on mountain bikes and dirt. It was really exciting, a very big deal was made out of the pro women and men. I caught one at Deer Valley a couple years ago. They are very spectator-friendly, just like road criteriums. -- -- Lynn Wallace http://www.xmission.com/~lawall "I'm not proud. We really haven't done everything we could to protect our customers. Our products just aren't engineered for security." --Microsoft VP in charge of Windows OS Development, Brian Valentine. |
#4
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RR part 2 days at the races
Most if not all the DH riders are using some sort of clip system with their pedals Most if not all XC riders shave their legs. Why would XC riders shave their legs?!? Tell me there is some rational reason why one would do this... TJ |
#5
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RR part 2 days at the races
"Tybalt Q," wrote in message ... Most if not all the DH riders are using some sort of clip system with their pedals Most if not all XC riders shave their legs. Why would XC riders shave their legs?!? Tell me there is some rational reason why one would do this... TJ Probably roadies too... Chris |
#6
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RR part 2 days at the races
Tybalt Q, scribbled :
Most if not all the DH riders are using some sort of clip system with their pedals Most if not all XC riders shave their legs. Why would XC riders shave their legs?!? Tell me there is some rational reason why one would do this... TJ I would assume it's the same reason as roadies do... much easier to clean up "road" ( trail?) rash.... scrapes that have ground in dust, dirt, gravel and blood mixed together. Either that or they know how good it makes thier legs look. Penny |
#7
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RR part 2 days at the races
Penny S. wrote:
Why would XC riders shave their legs?!? Tell me there is some rational reason why one would do this... I would assume it's the same reason as roadies do... much easier to clean up "road" ( trail?) rash.... scrapes that have ground in dust, dirt, gravel and blood mixed together. Either that or they know how good it makes thier legs look. I asked a friend (who used to ride for the Giant XC team) about this, and he said, 'Well, there have to be some advantages to riding cross country!' Basically, I think they just enjoy it -- a.m-b FAQ: http://www.t-online.de/~jharris/ambfaq.htm a.bmx FAQ: http://www.t-online.de/~jharris/bmx_faq.htm |
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