(I had planned to write and post this earlier in the week but I ran short of time. Truthfully, I was sucked into a Netflix addiction – watching one too many episodes of Drop Dead Diva… But better late than never – right?)

So, you’ve likely got a few cyclo-cross races under your belt now. You’ve got your pre-race routine sorted out and have your new bikes set-up just the way you like them. Really, the details of racing cyclo-cross are coming together nicely for you: you’ve got your new skinsuits, the bikes are dialed in, your tires are glued on, you’ve got your cleats set up the way you like them, and your dismount/mount technique is smooth and fast.

In fact, now you’re kind of getting “into” racing and feeling like you want to do more than “get out there and have fun” – instead you’re looking at crossresults.com and checking pre-registration lists. You’re thinking about past races and where you could have attacked, started better, taken that downhill corner with more speed, or maybe ridden the outside line instead of the inside line. This is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s a good thing – you’re getting more out of racing than you had anticipated and a little fire has been lit inside of you – driving you to want to better each race. This is great.

But there is a catch with this… Don’t ruminate about your past races too much. Don’t over-analyze your races too much. Don’t get too “focused”. Yes, it is good to think about your races and analyze what you could have done differently or better. But remember the race last Saturday is “the race last Saturday”. In other words – it happened – you can’t have a do-over. You raced – you learned a lot, you had fun, you’re motivated to improve – but don’t let it take over.

Yes, you want to improve and get better results – but remember you’re still doing this for fun. There is a fine line between fun and not fun. Do you ever wonder how some people have raced for so many years – they keep coming out, having fun, maybe improving a little bit every season – these are the folks who have discovered the secret to racing – perspective and balance. They want to get better and they want to first to the line just like you – but they remember what got them out to that first cyclo-cross race years ago.

Don’t forget what got out you there that first time… This will take you farther than you realize.

In a nutshell: a fantastic weekend.

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel being at one of my favourite race venues/courses and not being able to race. But you know what? It was okay. I had a good time. In fact it was a really good time. I was able to stay super-relaxed and just let the day happen. This was perfect for Marc – we only had to focus on his race and there wasn’t the usual chaos after his race and getting ready for my race. Marc was able to totally focused on his needs (as was I). This allowed Marc to get in some good recovery rides both day with Steve and to just be super chilled out in the evenings and before his races. (Not to mention it was easier to pack and transport two bikes than four!)

We arrived early enough both days that I was able to watch the Womens 3/4/Masters race. This was so much fun. This is where I started racing and I truly enjoy watching these women race. The category is always full of women of all abilities who are out racing their hardest. I see more smiles and pain faces in this race than I do in any other. And it seems like these athletes really appreciate the cheering and words of encouragement more than any other category. Both days I zipped around taking photos of the women and just generally having a good time. It was very nice to see Cathy (she also had a good ride on Sunday) have a great ride on Saturday and nice to see some women who were further back on Saturday race at the front of the race on Sunday. It just goes to show you that every day is different and you simply can’t assume that because the first day of double-header weekend didn’t go “your way” that the second day will be more of the same.

I posted a bunch of photos up on Facebook. But I thought I’d post a couple of my favourites here:

Apart from watching the racing – the highlight was to catch up with all my friends. I’ve made some amazing friends over the years thanks to cyclo-cross and it is primarily at these races that I get to chat and hang out with them. It was so refreshing to see such friendly faces and to hear some awesome words of encouragement regarding my health. Race day is a crazy day and it was so super special for you guys to take the time to ask how I was doing and how I was feeling – thank you!

As well, I have to say that I just really like Vermont – particularly the Burlington area. It kind of felt like a mini-vacation to get away from Ottawa for the weekend and just be out in nature for two days at the Catamount Outdoor Center.

Yes, all in all – a great weekend. I must admit I was exhausted by the end of both days and I didn’t even pedal a bike! Amazing what a day of being outside will do for you (all good in my opinion).

Up next is a local race for Marc in Calabogie and then we’re off to Gloucester, Mass. for a big weekend of racing. Gloucester will always have a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to get out there and cheer Marc and everyone else on.

Ah, it is the Wednesday before a double-header cyclo-cross weekend. Travel plans are likely made – carpooling is sorted out. A hotel or host housing has been arranged. Heck, maybe even the GPS is programmed. You’ve checked the weekend weather forecast and have loaded your iPod with a warm-up music mix. Your bikes are ready. You’ve got tire and wheel combinations sorted out and you’ve even written out your packing list.

So, all the little details are sorted. Now what about the big stuff?

Yes, the big stuff. I’m talking about the stuff that is going on between your ears. This is the stuff that ultimately determines how the weekend turns out. We’re all really good at planning the trip, the packing, the gear, and the stuff we need to take with us for a race but we often forget about the racing itself. This is where a plan helps. I’m not talking a “at the first corner I’ll attack and then if this happens I’ll do this and then when this happens I’ll do this” kind of plan – because frankly you can’t plan a bike race. If it was possible to create a definite race plan and follow it as it is written, bike racing would be downright boring.

I’m talking about a plan for the day. A plan that allows you to relax and enjoy it all. This is a plan that outlines things such as:

• When you want to arrive at the race venue.
• When you plan to get on the course to pre-ride.
• Approximately how many pre-race laps you want to do.
• What you will do with those pre-race laps.
• Knowing when you want to eat and what you’re going to eat.
• When you’re going to get your warm-up done.
• Knowing what you’ll do after the race for your cool down and recovery.

This list might seem like a lot of picky little details, but simply knowing these simple things really does help keep you calm and collected. It is so easy on race day to get “sucked in” to doing what your friends or team mates are doing – but it is important to remember that you have to prepare for the race in a way that works for me.

Some people thrive on a frantic pace and are not concerned about arriving at the race with barely enough time to pre-ride or to even get in a warm-up. Others (like me) like to arrive at the race venue early (yes, 3 hours early) so I can get in multiple pre-race laps, relax, take my time pinning on my numbers, eat at the correct time, talk to my friends and get in a good warm-up. Everyone is different but ultimately having some kind of loose plan or outline for the day really will help with your 40 or 60 minutes of cyclo-cross racing.

You can arrive at the start line feeling confident and ready and just get out there and have fun. The training is done and it is simply time to race. Because you had a plan for the day, you didn’t forget to pack the extra pair of shoes, your pre-race meal is not sitting somewhere between your throat and your gut like a brick, you got in a good warm-up, and you’re comfortable with the course. All this lends to positive stuff happening between your ears.

Yes, there will be moments during the race when thoughts like “wow – this is hard, maybe I can just dial it back for a bit” or “man, I’m so far off pace – I suck” – ignore this voice and know that the guy or girl who took the hole shot and currently has a half lap lead is thinking the same thing. This is just your brain telling you that you’re riding super hard and it might be a good idea to stop hurting. Well, this is what cyclo-cross racing is all about. Getting out there and riding hard and seeing how many people you can catch and pass.

Have fun this weekend and remember to think about some of details that might not seem like such a big deal but really can make a difference on the day. And the best part of it all – you get to do it again on Sunday so maybe you can take some lessons from Saturday and use them on Sunday.

This is a great time of the year – the start of a new cyclo-cross season. Remember, everyone is nervous and has some self-doubt. A little bit of extra preparation can go a long way in helping calm those nerves.

(Marc and I will be down in Williston, Vermont this weekend for the Green Mountain Cyclocross Weekend – if you see me standing in the pits for Marc’s race or hanging out trying to figure out what to do with myself during the elite women’s race – come by and say hi.)

Grit. Determination. Perseverance. Focus. Passion. Desire. Bulldogedness.

These words come to mind when I think about Behind The Stare: The Pulse & Character Of Professional European Cyclocross. These attributes sum up both the riders profiled in the book and the author, Geoff Proctor. This book was a long-time in the making and the research and attention to detail that went into it are obvious.

As someone who has spent a great deal of time racing in Europe, I’m impressed with how well Proctor immersed himself in the lives of the top European and North American racers who are racing and training in Belgium. This is not an easy thing to do. The cyclocross community in Belgium is welcoming but it is also guarded – Proctor’s ability to break down barriers is a testament to his passion for the sport and the recognition that he really does know and understand European cyclocross. The insights provided by the likes of Sven Nys, Bart Wellens, Erwin Vervecken, Jonathan Page and Ryan Trebon provide the full picture and spectrum of what it is like to live, breathe, eat and sleep cyclocross in Europe.

There are reasons why it is hard for North Americans to make the big step that Page did. There are reasons why some racers want to commit but really can’t take that extra step. There are reasons why some racers always seem to come out on top and others are always just one pedal stroke behind.

There’s the training. The family support. The sponsor pressure. The self-doubt. The fear.

All of this is what Proctor brings to the page. With the use of literary and musical references, you’re taken on a journey with the author. He lets you into his soul we learn what keeps him driving around Europe, leaving his family for extended periods and pursuing his passion. Proctor’s writing style combined with the candid honesty of the riders, managers, coaches, spouses, trainers, and fans really takes you onto the race course.

Chances are high you’ve never been to a cyclocross race in Belgium or anywhere else in Europe – but with Behind The Stare, you have that chance to experience it all. No other book about cyclocross takes you into the Nys family home, has candid honesty from Vervecken and his wife about his “off season” or gives you the roller-coaster that is being a Belgian cyclocross racer who is one day on the top of his game and the next day questioning his training and desire.

This is a book that works for athletes and non-athletes – really – we get to understand what allows some folks to come out on top and what holds others back. Cyclocross racers, road racers, mountain bikers, bike fanatics, sports fans, people who want to know what it is that motivates and drives people to pursue a life of sport – this is the book for you. In fact if someone asks you to explain cyclocross – simply hand them Behind The Stare.

I should note that I read and provided feedback to Proctor on his very early edition of Behind The Stare and I was hooked then. I’ve been urging Proctor to get his book published – and I’m very happy to see it available. It is a good read. An honest account of cyclocross racing in Europe. There is no sugar coating. It tells like it is and brings you very close to getting to know the top riders of the sport and in the process, helping you to understand what makes European cyclocross so darn contagious.

(To order your copy and start reading, visit Behind The Stare.)

I’m selling my Stevens Carbon Team DA cyclo-cross frame. It is a size 52 cm. In excellent condition. Frame, fork, bars and stem for $700.

I’m selling this frame because I’m not racing this season – otherwise I’d be riding it. Super light. Responsive. This is the frame you want!

Email me at vickith@yahoo.com to arrange a time to swing by and take a look at this frame. I’ll be in Catamount, Vermont the weekend of Sept. 14-16 as well.

Don’t miss out on this frame – your components and legs will thank you!