Are you looking for the latest results from the Ottawa Bicycle Club cyclo-cross series? Look no further – click here and click 2008 Results.

Do you have a race report to post but don’t have a web site – no problem – send it to me and I’ll post it on the Race Reports page. Check it out – Sheri Jay sent me her race report from the race this weekend. As well, I’ve posted my race reports from racing at Catamount, VT.

My pal Sheri Jay is a huge cyclo-cross fanatic. She has embraced the sport of ‘cross with her whole being and is really getting into the training and racing. Last year was her first season racing ‘cross. I remember seeing her before the race – she was pretty nervous but excited to give it a go. That first season wasn’t easy – racing ‘cross on a mountain bike and trying to figure things out. But Sheri stuck with it.

This year she has an even stronger drive – soaking up all she can about ‘cross. She has taken every ‘cross clinic she can, asks lots of questions and really is having fun doing it. I love seeing this kind of drive and passion. Reminds me what I love so much about cyclo-cross – it really does bring out the best in people.

Sheri participated in the Ride with Rendall cyclo-cross immersion clinic over the Sept. 19 – 22 weekend and raced her first race of the season yesterday at Britannia Beach. Here is a clinic report followed by a race report from Sheri:

Glen Rendall held a Cross “Immersion” Clinic on Sept 19-22nd to help people prepare for the fall Cross Season. I have to say this was an incredibly comprehensive clinic as it ran for 4 days and covered 3 different OBC racing venues. Friday night there was a skills evaluation and then Glen went right into teaching at Britania. The Saturday class was also at Britania folowed by Sunday in Almonte for a more technical skills session and Monday at Mooney’s Bay where we had the pleasure of working in the sand. There was a great turnout of all different skill levels. We worked on every skill imaginable and I left on Monday feeling confident in my technical skills. Glen really put a lot of time and effort into this clinic and at every session had set up barriers and flags to mimic real race situations.

Yesterday was the first OBC Cross Race at Britania and I felt calm and confident after so much practice with Glen at this exact venue. When the race started all the skills and learning kicked in and my racing was much improved from last year. Actually I realized I really didn’t have a clue what I was doing last year. Yesterday’s conditions were very wet and slippery due to all the rain we have had and there were a lot of slide outs in both races. As usual there was a huge turnout of every age, skill and bike imaginable. I most enjoy watching the children giving it a go. A reporter friend of mine came out to one of Glen’s classes and her take on Cyclocross is that it is like being a kid again so maybe that is what we all love so much about this sport.

Thanks so much Sheri for the clinic review and race report. Much appreciated. If you see Sheri out at a ‘cross race – don’t be shy to stop her and say hello – you won’t find a more friendly person out there racing her bike. Wow – gotta love this Ottawa ‘cross scene – so solid.

Check out race reports for the stories of the day.

Another excellent day at the Catamount park. Good organization. Challenging course. Lots of spectators. Top notch announcers. Smiling faces. Fun times were had by all.

We made it home this evening at around 10:00 – not to bad considering my race ended at 3:15. We had an easy drive home – fueled by Moe’s and Sbucks.

An excellent weekend and a great way to kick off the cyclo-cross season. I’m pretty happy with how I’m riding right now and I’m stoked to see how I improve as we settle into the season.

The bikes worked out great. Clothing was good. Nutrition was spot on. Recovery was good (I actually did a cool-down both days and remembered to drink my recovery drink). Discovered a new favorite Clif bar flavor: Banana Nut Bread (try it – you won’t be disappointed).

So now it is time for bed. Hope you had a good weekend as well. Looking forward to hearing about the OBC race.

See you on Wednesday at Brittania Beach for some skills and drills.

Seize the day.

Got the first race of the season done. Check out the race reports page for details on my race.

It was a great day at the races. Got to see lots of people. Got to cheer on Marc, Steve, Rob, and Craig. Chilled out with Josee – sipping tea and reading Oprah mag. Got to race. Flashed the new skinsuit all over the course. Crashed into a big rock – thanks Keirnan for the tegaderm!

Chilling out in the hotel after a great meal cooked by Steve and Josee. I’ve got a new favorite – turkey burgers from the Eat Clean Diet Cookbook.

The bikes worked flawlessly. Thanks to Steve at The Cyclery for the fine mechanics and support. Shout out to Vince for setting me up with a spare bike for the season.

Super awesome to have the new Kingsbridge jackets and jerseys to wear warming up and after the race. Thanks Skip and the gang at Kingsbridge.

An excellent day! Great weather. Good friends. Great fans. Good organization. Solid announcers. So looking forward to tomorrow. Man, I love cyclo-cross.

Oh, can’t forget Coach Steve! Without his hard work I wouldn’t have had the ride today that I did. Thanks Steve.

We made it safe and sound to Catamount Park in Williston, VT. Location of the first two New England Verge Series races.

The four of us checked out the course. Lots of grass. Lots of climbing. Some flowy descents. A stair run-up. One set of double barriers. Some twists and turns. A fun little bumpy section. All in all a fun and challenging course. It is not uber-technical but still very challenging.

There were a couple of people out warming up but we basically had the place to ourselves. Talked to the guys setting up the course – they were super friendly and helpful.

Bit of rain while we were riding. It is pouring now. So it is sure to be fast and muddy. Perfect!

Massive shout-out to The Cyclery for the spare Stevens Super-Prestige. Makes a big difference to race this year with two bikes that are just for me. Thanks Vince and Steve!

Had fun yesterday hanging out with the Kingsbridge guys. Thanks for the jerseys and jackets! The jackets are especially slick. By the looks of the weather I’ll get to wear one tomorrow.

We are just chilling out here now in the Mainstay in the Burlington, VT. I made a super tasty stew in the slow cooker and we made a stop at Shaw’s for some extra food. Gotta say that the best way to travel and stay at these races is in a hotel with a kitchenette. So nice to control the food and not have to sit in a restaurant. (This being said, we plan to stop at Moe’s for a burrito after the racing action Sunday.)

Okay, I’m out. If you’re racing this weekend – have fun, pedal hard, and keep smiling. If you’re at Catamount this weekend, stop me and say hello.