Even if road season is nearly over and cyclocross season hasn’t yet begun, this is the best time of year to ride a lot. And that’s exactly what we’ve been doing. We kicked the weekend off with an easy 88 Kermesse. It wasn’t just an 88 Kermesse, though. It was Little Nick’s first big ride on his new road bike. Check him out, already flying the BH colors with his dad, Jason:
Despite threatening skies and periodic rain, Nick made the whole loop and even threw in a few attacks after the coffee/cookie stop! It’s great watching young kids do this sort of stuff for the first time. We’re hoping Nick joins us on more rides this fall! More pics from the ride are below.
With that as a warmup, Jason lead a group ride on Sunday. Advertised as “1/3 hard” it went off as planned. There is never a shortage of people in this group looking to hammer. And, on Monday, we celebrated labor day by hammering again. A small group took advantage of the fantastic fall weather and rode a 60 mile loop that went up towards Hampshire. It does not get any better!
Next weekend is the last “free” weekend until mid-winter. By “free” we mean there is no sanctioned racing a reasonable drive from home. With the Fall Fling road race series taking up the end of September and cyclocross running well into January this season, you’d think the team would be enjoying the “down” weekend with some leisure riding? You’d think wrong.
The week already looks fairly busy. It’s expected that there will be one (possibly two) “banditcross” practices during the week. On the weekend, one or two fast-and-long group rides will likely be leaving from either the shop or 3rd Street in Geneva. Most important, though, many members of the team will be taking another run at the Sub-5 century. As I’m sure you recall, last year we set the fastest time ever at that event. While some of the riders from last year will not be able to return this year, it’s not going to stop the team from trying to set the fastest time again. Good luck to all who go!
Speaking of cyclocross practice, a group of men and women from the team headed to secret training grounds in Northern Wisconsin for mucho miles of off-pavement riding last weekend. We’re not really in a position to decide who did “best” (especially since the point was really to have fun, and get some miles in), but that won’t stop Mara and Jen. Here’s what they had to say after 3 hours of riding ATV trails, fire roads, and creek crossings: