The View from the sidelines

Saturday our team promoted the Black Hills Circuit Race. First race of the year for a lot of folks. I bagged any attempt to race since I really wanted to focus on helping our lead Promoter, Robb Hampton, pull this baby off without a hitch. Robb & Brian Rist (& wife Jenn) worked a lot of the behind scenes magic. All I had to do was show up at 6:30 a.m., sweep the course and spend the day trying to keep the course safe...well, it was sorta fun to watch the suffering as well. We were also really happy to hear all the positive feedback from all of the racers! We definitely have some ideas on how to improve a few things.

In a strange way, it's kinda nice to just work the race all the day. You get to catch up with lots of folks you haven't seen in awhile and actually have a conversation. I also had a front row seat to watch ALL of the races. I really enjoyed it.

Off the top of my head:

Here's my top 10 award list:

1. Umm, Josh Frick simply riding away from the 35+ field. (Kevin Cross you get a nod here for being the only one to ride with him for 2 laps)
2. Ahem, the Kenda pro dude riding like a rocket.
3. Evan Fader sticking it out with Kenda dude for lots of laps before fading, but I have to give the guy credit, you could see the pain in his face, but he still kept pumping the pedals and managed to hang onto the third chase group. Man, that was a show of determination and guts.
4. The two NCVC riders in Chase 1 finished really strong...great riding.
5. My training partner, Pete Custer, had a great ride for being sick most of the week...so much for sitting in, eh! And glad we didn't have to call the EMTs at the finish line!
6. NO CRASHES THE ENTIRE DAY! AWESOME!
7. In the 3/4 race, it was great to see 3 guys lay it on the line for a successful breakaway. Way to work together and make it happen Tony, Paul & Evan. Exciting to watch.
8. The Women's race was exciting...lots of action at the front, attacks/counters. The gal that won put a huge gap on the field on the last lap..impressive.
9. TRASH- I hardly had to pick up any!!! Thank you to all for keeping the park clean.
10. My wife for saving us working registration with her friend Tatyana! We would have been in deep doodoo without their help.

Here's my top 10 list of naughtiness (there's always a few bad apples, but the vast majority of us racers were crazy polite and very patient with this being our first event, so thanks for that):

1. Just because you are at race doesn't mean cyclist don't have to obey the laws of the road...cough, don't ride against traffic.
2. Please don't ever ride ON the course during a race.
3. While you are warming up, DON'T swarm cars driving through the park. Your warmup won't be interrupted if you have to slow down.
4. When a road guard instructs you on the traffic flow, please don't think you deserve "special" treatment and it doesn't apply to you.
5. When someone at registration asks for your license, don't behave like a child and toss your card at them. Hand it over politely..it's a thankless job and you may as well be slapping them in the face by doing this.
6. Show up with your license. It REALLY makes things much easier. Don't expect everyone to know who you are and you are above having to show your license.
7. Remember, results are managed by the officials, not the promoter. Don't get feisty with the folks at registration b/c your results aren't posted. They have no control over this NOR the results (if they are wrong)
8. Don't make snide comments around the promoters as to why they are doing things the way they are. You have your chance to do it your way when you put on YOUR race.
9. Whoever swiped the 1/2/3 results off the score table at the end of the day, shame on you. You earned the douchebag award.
10. there is no ten.


Looking forward to Jeff Cup now. Thanks to all for showing up to race!