Trash Picking in Providence

Travelling to foreign regions for a cross race proved to be great fun. Even though we knew nary a soul, we managed to feel right at home. Ah, cross! The boy and I headed up Friday evening, and other than a bit of grumpiness on I95, had a totally fun time.

Jimmy and I stayed in a palace (compared to last week's camping extravaganza)courtesy of Kerry Combs. Thanks, Van den Combsie! I hope I can return the favor sometime. Highland Park? Beacon? Granogue or Wissy? As the Dutch would say, "Mijn huis is uw huis."

The course, a super fun roller coaster with twists, turns and barriers, had a little something something for all. Jimmy's favorite part of the race was pitting, where he acquitted himself with panache.

As I cheered for the Elite Men with MegA briefly on Saturday, I received a text from Kim Perna which made my day. I missed the pre-race conference too, KP. And I could have used it! Right before I received this message, Meg introduced me to Mike Z. whom I'd met earlier when he was still in his kit and not dressed in civilian duds. I told him I didn't recognize him "with his clothes on." Yeah, I'm staying out of New England until next year. Although Northampton sounds like fun....road trip anyone?The Keough family was in attendance. Luke, pictured here with his mom, lapped me at Gloucester last year. His 4 siblings race as well, and as I did the math in my head, I was grateful that I only have to outfit one growing child. On the other hand, the hand-me-down situation must help defray costs.

The Keough patriarch was helping out a buddy who sponsors the CL Noonan Jr Development Program (of course the shop name eludes me), and they had Redline 24s for demo purposes. I rented one for Jimmy, so he finally got to race on a legit cx bike rather than my modified mountain bike.

At the end Saturday, I was snooping around the trailer that housed all the Redlines, looking for a pedal wrench to swap out the boy's pedals and retrieve the Salsa. Suddenly, a concerned voice behind me asks, "Can I help you?" It's Mrs. Keough wondering who the criminal is lurking around the tool box. C'est moi. I explained my predicament. She laughed. Her son helped me swap out the pedals.

The next day I was inspecting a big green plastic bag hoping that it was trash not treasure as I needed to dispose of a coffee cup. A voice behind me asks, "So now you've resorted to trash picking?" It's Mrs. Keogh again. I feel like the miscreant that I am.The only time I felt guiltier was when I thought a guy had walked off with Isaac Yozell who had been foolishly left in my care. I'm watching the elite women navigate the hideous little climb on the back side of the course near the pavement transition when out the corner of my eye I see a shady looking character walk off with a stroller. For a split second, I think it's Isaac and I'm ready to send out an Amber Alert. Witnesses found my horrified look humorous.

Cyclocross has clearly gone to the dogs. I should have brought Kaos, and if I return to Providence he's coming with me. But I'm not making him wear a Sturdy Girl jersey. How cute is this puppy?
Who's a good boy?
Jimmy didn't want to race the second day, opting instead to pit for me. We raised the seat on the Salsa and sent him off to the pit. I've only needed a pit once, and that was at Nittany last year when my derailleur hanger snapped off. What are the odds I'd need a pit today? Well, 100 yards into the race at the first turn into the course, I flatted. It didn't occur to me until the long off camber section that something was wrong. Suddenly, I am wobbling all over the place. Anyway, I rode the first half lap with a flat, and come into the pit yelling, "I need the Salsa!" The boy was ready--caught the Felt, handed me the Salsa with the pedals at 3 and 9, an easy to pedal gear...then he told me to step on it. I love this kid.

These guys were at Mt. Snow this summer.If you see them at a race, I highly recommend the peanut butter, chocolate, and banana smoothie. Two fellas run it. One is Boston sports fan, the other a Philly fan. The inside of the truck is littered with Red Sox and Patriots crap. The once concession to Philly is a flag from the '04 Super Bowl where the Eagles managed to lose to the Patriots.

Oh, and in case you were wondering when fall would arrive: