Cross Season 2015

ABRA 2014 Series 4th Place



Sand Pit Franklin Cross

2014 was to me a comeback season, after missing 2013 I felt it was important to make some kind of statement as to who I was and what I am capable of. Never to be confused with a good racer with skills and strength; I am just an average guy plugging away trying to be relevant. Metaphor intended, what happens out there can be translated into lessons in life learned. In ways I was stronger, maybe not faster and certainly not winning but I was surviving and each race was closer to my comeback goal.

I can relate to racing Cross, ITT's are to individual, Crit's and Road racing I get blown out leaving me exposed. MTB is the most fun however I feel I should be stopping and reveling in the nature and not busting a lung. Either way I never get to see the finish line from my perspective. Cross allows me to be part of the team, see and play in the action, watch fellow racers while cheering them on, take in the festival atmosphere and I feel I belong. This does take me back to my youth making me feeling younger than I am playing outdoors in the sand and mud while hammering my toys.

Cross this year started early at Ohio's NEOCX series. Getting into form raced at Euclid and Brooklyn with Mark and Kirk basking in the glory of Indian Summer (another reason to love Cross). Next off to Kickoff Cross at Marion Point (JR your drive instructions blow) summer conditions we soaked up the sun with Steve, Mike and Mark while racing in blistering fast conditions. I met three new competitors in my class that would in later weeks become friends. North Park MOM race brought me back together racing with Kirk and Rich, we have been going to Colorado the past few years together and always managed to find a MTB race at Valmont Park. Over the next few weeks I would race with all my teammates in great weather that soon would cascade downward into typical cold and wet conditions.

2014 is going to end up being one of my best years. I have come back from adversity with a smile on my face sticking it into the wind meeting all the challenges one at a time. With the support of Diane and Sarah life is worth fighting for and they showed me the way. Of course Di bought me the new boat so I had to say something nice here. (she doesn't read my blog). Last year Steve picked me up and brought me out to White Park showing me they will keep on racing without me and I better get back in the game soon. Rich never let me forget who I was and pushed me through the pain. Hannah makes me smile, simply put. HD thank you for assembling this cast of misfits, that fit just great.

I must have been a good boy. Look what Diane bought me and look what I am doing with it.

Europe June 2014

Met up with fellow cruisers Debbie, Corinne, Dave and Stewart in Barcelona. Diane and I went on a two week swing through the following cities. Marseilles, Pisa, Naples, Rome, Istanbul, Venice and Athens. Other notable stops took us to Asia, I was able to swim in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic Seas. We consumed fresh seafood, local produce and plenty of beer and wine.