Breeze Holicky reflects on a gorgeous weekend of cross racing

EVOL Race Report from Breeze Holicky

It was a beautiful weekend for some cx racing, although what weekend isn’t good for racing cx?!

The Feedback Cup on Saturday presented with some good off camber mountain bike style features as well as a nice endurance hill on the back side.  I got off to a decent start but faded a bit on some of the more technical sections.  I want to give a shout out to Terri Smith who went down in the Womens 40+ race ( at the same time as our race). She broke some bones, tore some ligaments and yet is optimistic and already talking about getting back out there!

Sunday's Lucky Pie Race was a totally different style of racing. It was a grassy course with lots of sandpits (that changed each lap), some epic berms and really fun twisty turney sections! The quicker you were out of the corners and onto the pedals the stronger your advantage! Christa Baddick, Jess Case and I all raced the women's open race while Grant Holicky and Chris Case were representing the men in the 40+ category. Christa brought home the win in the women's open race while Chris took the top step of the podium in the mens 40+ and Grant finished a solid fifth.

It’s a blast getting to come out and race each weekend with the EVOL team and really fun to have Jess Case back in the game. While River and Anika mostly played in the sandpit this weekend, they are not far from representing the next generation on the cx course!

The Sheriff locks up a podium

Michael Burleigh, aka The Sheriff, reflects back on last Sunday's grass dragathon that is Interlocken CX, where he sparred with the cream of Colorado's crop of CX racers, finishing 2nd. 

Judging from my grizzled face and leathery skin, I might not seem like I belong on a development 'cross team.  However, despite being 34 years old, I'm in "only" my fourth year of cx racing, and I'm absolutely a cx project.  Specifically, my cx bike handling skills tend to be middling at best and my starts are anemic.  Combine that with the overall talent level here in the Colorado CX scene, and I had come to accept that I would never see the front of a men's Open race.  I would never really factor into the action at the sharp end. 

photo credit: Dejan Smaic Photography

Sunday at Interlocken, however, I had a breakthrough.  After getting off to a decent start, I was able to gradually claw my way past several riders.  I came across a gap to the next group and I was astounded to realize I had made it onto the wheel of Tim Allen. 

I took stock of what was happening in the race.  I was on the back of the chase group, which included Allen, Jason Donald and Ken Benesh.  Chris Baddick was alone off the front with a 15 second gap. To me, all four of these riders exist on a higher plane of CX enlightenment than I've ever been able to achieve. Nevertheless, when the course wrapped back on itself, I could actually see the front of the race! I thought to myself, oh this would be a terrific result - my best ever - if I can hold on to this group. 

I tried to stay smooth and avoid a big mistake - don't panic.  I was riding with the chase group!! But then former EVOL teammate Benesh attacked and it broke the group apart.  I was barely able to drag myself back up to him.  I'm third wheel in a CX race!  There's only 3 laps left.  Oh what a result this would be if I can stay with Benesh, I thought, top three!  I focused on holding his wheel. 

We exited a corner and a long, grassy straight lay before us.  Benesh flicked his elbow, directing me to pull through.  Hmmmm... should I pull through?  Can I pull through? I like Ken a lot and want his respect, but that's not a reason to pull through.  Can we catch Baddick?  Seemed unlikely.  Will we be caught by the riders behind? possibly.  If I don't pull through, will Benesh attack me?  Probably.  After a few seconds of thought, I came around him and took my pull.  

I led for most of a lap and then flicked my elbow for Benesh to come around me.  We were slowly reeling Baddick back in but there was only 2 laps left. As I rode on his wheel, I bobbled a turn just slightly and a small gap opened up between us.  Benesh seemed to ramp the pressure up just slightly in response.  I tried not to panic.   

photo credit: Dejan Smaic Photography

As he rounded yet another grassy corner covered in fallen leaves, he lost the front wheel and went down. I was just able to avoid him as he lay on the ground.  I looked behind me and he was already back on his bike.  Should I wait?  No, we weren't going to catch Baddick and the crash was not my fault.  One and half laps stood between me and 2nd place.  I tried not to panic.

As I neared the final straight, I looked back to see the gap behind was comfortable.  I couldn't help but pump my fist as I rode across the line.  I hadn't won, but I felt truly victorious.  I had finally overcome myself and put together an entire race of very solid CX riding.  I was actually relevant in a CX race!  I was there to see Chris Baddick alone off the front.  I was there to see Ken Benesh crash in the last two laps. I saw the chase group break apart.

I have no idea if I'll ever be able to replicate my performance from last Sunday.  Even if I can never get back there, I still existed, if only for one hour, on the same plane as the best Colorado cross racers.  And it was pure joy. 

Coach Grant Holicky scores a win at Schoolyard Cross

Before the season even started, Coach Grant Holicky suffered multiple broken bones in a crash. 

But...he's back!

Too say this season didn't start as planned would be a bit of an understatement. Back in late August, I was out on a ride after returning from our yearly hiatus to Montana. Colorado was perfect and life was good. So why not crank one more sprint before ending the ride? Well, one broken chain later I was on the pavement a mile from my house wondering how bad the damage was. The answer was four broken ribs, a fractured scapula and a partially collapsed lung. Not how I drew up the start of the cross season. 

Life goes on and healing went well. I was back on the bike for KASK at the Wheelers and Dealers race in Vegas and back at the Colorado scene a week later at the Amy D race. However, as any coach or racer will tell you, racing and building fitness at the same time can be a struggle. So after a tough week of training with the EVOL athletes I toed the line at Schoolyard Cross knowing it was a one race weekend. Nothing to save it for and nothing to lose. 

I like the course at Dawson. It's as if they had me in mind when they made it. In fact, as I was rolling to the start I heard Pale Power tip me for a good race from the announcers booth. Thanks to the fine child care services of Nick Boni I was able to even warmup for this one! Watch out world. 

The best part of racing the 40+ open race in Colorado is it's all my friends and the people I most respect in Colorado CX. Dubba, Robson, Keller, Boups, et al were there on the line cracking jokes and having fun. The whistle blew and we were off. A good start had me settle in behind Davies, Dubba and Keller. Fine by me as the wind was howling and through the first lap I sat on the Boulder Cycle Sport Dreamsicle train. Little by little we separated from the field. Davies and Dubba were doing the lion's share of the work as Robson and I sat on. With three to go Dubba hit the gas hard and we got away from Michael. I played my own voice in my head "race smart, race smart".  In other words, let the BCS boys do the work. 

As we entered the last lap I decided to give it a go and hit the gas into the off camber and then over the log and found I had a gap. I went all-in up the backside hill and was able to hold on for a rare win. The great thing about racing with your friends is that they are genuinely happy to see you do well and sharing the podium with class like Brandon Dwight and Matt Davies is a joy in and of itself. Not to mention the congratulations from fellow big men Greg Keller and Robson. The season doesn't always go how you drew it up, but that doesn't mean it's going to go poorly. 

Now it's off to Cincy for Pan Ams and KingsCX in support of my athletes and the EVOL U23 squad. 

Melissa's test against the best - US Open of CX recap

Melissa Barker reflects back on the double UCI race weekend on our home court, Valmont Bike Park. 

It is always fun when the UCI races come to town. I love the opportunity to test myself against the strongest women in the sport. With fewer pros in the women’s open field this year, there was more opportunity to snag the coveted UCI points. Saturday’s race started off fast and my legs weren’t initially cooperating. I was in a group of 3-5 women for much of the race, often struggling to keep the pace on the straight aways, but feeling solid through the more technical sections. With two laps to go, I suddenly felt my legs come around. Taking advantage I attacked towards the top of the start hill and across the flat to gain a small gap on the two riders I was with. Not far in front, I was able to chase down another rider as we headed into the final lap. I was pleased with my 8th place result.

Sunday was just as hot and just a dry. Not being able to take water was pretty difficult for me on Saturday, so I shoved a small bottle in my bra and was pleased to get a little relief during the race with small sips of water. I started stronger on day two and was able to pick off a few riders in front of me in the first few laps. I then found myself in a battle with two super strong ladies for the last few laps. The hardest section of the course took riders up and down the face of Valmont bike park three times before dumping us out at the finish line. I quickly realized that this was the most critical part of the course. By the final laps, most of us were running the first climb sandpit combo. Focusing on my foot speed, I was able to gain precious seconds up the hill and build that lead by grinding hard across the top of the bike park. I rode steady up the tricky off-camber before plummeting down again and then running the 5280 staircase. On the final lap, I able to create a small gap again on the big run-up and hold off the other two riders to take 5th. Two big days of hard racing left me pretty exhausted, but also pleased about my performance. Hoping that cross weather will show up soon.

Not Cutting It

For EVOL Devo rider Ian McPherson, neither his racing or his hair were cutting it at Valmont

The weekend of racing in Boulder was not the weekend of racing that I would have liked it to have been. I have put a lot of training and conditioning into my preseason, but was unable to respond to attacks or make attacks. I was tenth on the first day gaining one UCI point, and then fifth in the U23 race the next day gaining a few more points. Both of those results are not where I think I should be. I think the basics are all there, I just need to fine tune some of my skills and work on my high end power. I was not cornering or accelerating at the pace I felt I should.  

I did have a very enjoyable weekend though. I always enjoy racing, especially in my home town. Everyone comes out to support and heckle. I was told many times that my hair is too long and I need to shave my mustache. It reminds me how much I love the sport of cyclocross. All and all, at Boulder my results were not cutting it. And my hair, I’m not cutting it either.

3 Days de... Cross of the North

Josh Whitney checks in on his return to Colorado cross racing and an update on his season so far: 

And all of a sudden its October! The last four weeks have been a blur as the 'cross season got off to a fantastic start in Utah, with local races starting just before Labor Day. After just missing the podium at CrossVegas last year, I wanted to get a jump on the season this year and make that event my first target for a strong result. Following a handful of good results racing locally in the P-town Cyclocross series, chasing the likes of Jonathan Page and Jamie Driscoll around the grass parks along the Wasatch front, the pump was primed for Vegas.  

While the main event wasn't until after dark, the USAC 123 race kicked off the day's events at 4pm under part cloudy skies and graciously moderate temps. As advertised, Brooke Watts and team made some serious changes to the course this year, doubling down on technical features, including an uphill sandpit that only a few of the World Cup racers could even ride. After the chaos on the start line weaving through the 90+ rider field, I found the front and traded leads for the first few laps with fellow Utahn and friend Kevin Day. Along the way, I got taken out twice by other riders loosing their grip on the grassy off-cambers, and once by my own volition, and had to burn matches to catch back on to the lead group. With two to go, three or four of us starting throwing and landing some serious punches along the course which quickly decimated the group of 10 that we were riding with and it was every man for himself on the last lap. Kevin got a gap at some point, honestly it was a painful grass sucking leg searing blur of a race, and I was able to attack, bridge and gap across a few guys to put myself into 3rd, but ran out of 'road' in the shortened ~40 minute race and finished 15 seconds behind for third. Happy with a podium and iconic CrossVegas cowbell to take home but not quite fully satisfied. Luckily, Terra from Clif Bar and friends overfilled my cup later in the evening with food and beer as we cheered on the World Cup race under the lights.

After a rare, dream-like mudder of a race at the Weber County Fairgrounds in Ogden, UT, I've now made the trip back to Colorado to hit up three days of racing at Cross of the North, take in a week of work in Boulder, and double up with some UCI racing at Valmont Bike Park for the US Open of CX. 

The Fort Collins crew from the First City Cycling team have put some serious blood, sweat and tears into these events for a few years now, absorbing the big hole in the local calendar following the demise of the USGP/ New Belgium Cup UCI race weekend. A mega challenging course design, a Friday night under the lights race, good vibes, live music, flowing beer, and ProCX calendar points on Saturday and big payouts for the Elite's made the event a no brainer to attend. We had a nearly the full team attend at least one race which made for a fun weekend of camaraderie and revelry!

Friday night saw a slightly shortened course and race time (~45 minutes) which only made for a more intense and focused effort under the glow of lights and a quarter moon. With no BRAC points, I was relegated to the back of the start line this, and each day, which made it nearly impossible to ever get to the front of the race and really battle for a podium. Side note, Chris Baddick has been able to use some kind of British devil magic to navigate through an entire field of guys within one lap. Clearly all that World Cup mountain biking he's been doing has translated amazingly well. I have no such magic and was in awe, chapeau sir. Nonetheless, my legs came around surprisingly well after being in the car for six hours and I finished eighth.

Saturday drew a sizable field and crowd under perfect Colorado fall weather, if you like it high and dry. Unfortunately perfect Colorado weather makes not for perfect 'cross course conditions, classically Colorado field grass as it may be, and things quickly got hot, dry, bumpy and dusty, to the point where running the Clement PDX (a mud tire) was the best option for surfing through the powdery talcum dirt that was in some places nearly a foot deep. I lacked a noticeable kick during the race but diesel-engined my way through most of the field for 10th.

Sunday's course saw a few modifications from the day before, but once again featured a stellar mix of full on power drag sections intermingled with twisty flow recover zones, a point-and-shoot it triple off camber and two or three viciously steep, incredibly loose, run ups. These are seriously only tolerable due to their positioning next to the beer garden and announcer paddock, such that the heckles, dollar bills and beer hand ups made each ascent worth the back crunching pain. Following another exciting start which saw multiple crashes and slide outs on the first lap, I made my way through the field, jumping group to group and eventually finished sixth, but more importantly by being consistent, ended up taking second in the three-day points overall omnium. While the cash is always nice, the award, a branded railroad tie from the nearby Union Pacific RR was super cool. I'm now writing this in a train-wreck-like state following three days of hard racing - thanks Cross of the North!