Gone to Mexico...

See you all next year.
Today Brooke and I each got 3rd place in our cyclocross races.

Tony Cruz (Discovery Channel) won the Pro men's race followed by Brandon Gritters (Rock 'n road) and Lyle Warner (Team Bearclaw).
I led out the first couple laps (more or less anyway, it was all kind of a blur) before pedal planting in a turn and falling to mid-pack.
Clawed my way back to the lead group but by then Tony Cruz and Brandon Gritters had opened up a gap.
I thought we could close down the gap but by that time it was only me, Chris DeMarchi and another racer, we'll call him Mr. X.
DeMarchi wasn't willing to work because Gritters was his team-mate so I ended up doing all the chasing! I felt good today though and was able to stay on the front and keep attacking, trying to drop DeMarchi and Mr. X and trying to close the gap to Gritters and Cruz. Unfortunately I couldn't do it alone, but I kept the gap at the same time for the whole damn race so I really wish I hadn't pedal-planted!!!!!!!!
With the way I felt today, if I could've sat on Cruz' wheel like a little Biatch instead of getting out in the wind and chasing I might have been able to improve on my 3rd place finish.
Still, I was happy with my form and even though I wasn't able to shake DeMarchi (he rode a super solid, smart race) and Mr. X off my tail I was fast over the barriers on the last lap and held a tiny gap to the line! Exciting stuff!
All in all it was a fun time and even though most of my team-mates are in Kansas (look on cyclingnews.com for pics of Chet!!!!!) I made sure that the crowd heard a lot about Team Bearclaw during the race and even had a media guy come over and ask about who we were and what the team was about.
Here's some pics and vids fo' yo' ass:


First lap.


Through the barriers.


Me, DeMarchi and Mr. X.


Tony Cruz and Brandon Gritters


Riding the runup.


Cruz leads the runup and Gritters muscles it over the top!


DeMarchi and me, you can even see some post-pedal-plant blood on my knee.


Sprint for 3rd.


Podium.

Some Storm the Beach sweetness:

Chet flew the whole team to Hawaii for a fun cyclocross race in the sun.





It was hard racing in the sand. There was a lot of running!

Things were a little hairy at the start and I hung back to avoid any accident.
After a long straight into a headwind it turned sharp to the right and downhill. I was able to move up in the field along the left side.
I was in the lead group and everyone was smooth along the back twisty muddy section until we hit some deep sand at speed!
A few people went down in front of me but I ran around and made my way to the beach where the waves made the sand firm enough to ride on.

Brent Prenzlow had come clear of the tangle in the sand along with Jason Lowetz.
Me and a few others tried to close the gap but only Fritz Bottger got across.
After that it was slow and steady for me and Tony Cruz, moving our way up through the field.

We passed Jason and John Bailey and Mike McMan (one of the best technically! Hammered through the sand) until it was just us behind (30 secs) Fritz, John Beherens and Brent Prenzlow.
Eventually I got a gap through the sand on the 2nd to last lap and held it to the line.
It was a really tough field and definitely my best result yet!


The Elite men.


I was able to make good time on Tony Cruz (Discovery Channel) in the sand and it allowed me to beat him even though he is a stronger rider.


Balls out into the sand at Storm the Beach.


Jason "whoo's!" through the sand.




McKeen smooth over the barriers.


Me and John Bailey over the barrers. It's windy at the beach!


Podium. I finally got to spray beer on all my friends. 4th place and I'll take it! It was a tough field.

Storm the Beach!

The setting of my latest 'cross race was 2nd to none. It was nice to race in such a pretty place, and the fact that I had good legs and the course was technical and suited me didn't hurt either.

More to come...

A Note on the California State 'Cross Champs

Unfortunately the best part of this trip will forever remain undocumented... let's just say that Team Bearclaw got their "crunk juice" on at the local cowboy bar, the Crystal Palace.
We will surmise that the band AND the patrons of this fine establishment will never forget the dancing and carousing they witnessed that night.
It will be talked about for many years to come.
Also, this conversation could be overheard amidst the line dancing:
"Where y'all from?"
"L.A."
"L.A.?!?... Ya'll 're such DORKS we though you were from Sweden 'er sumthin'"
"We're bike racers"

California State 'Cross Champs

The racing was tough, I got 5th both days and I made some $ chedda' $
Here's sort of a photo review, if you were at the races and don't see a photo here just click on one and it'll take you to my Flickr page.

The runup: there was a really steep runup that was ridden by a select few. The mantastic athletes of Team Bearclaw were among them.


Here's video of the runup. Tony Cruz (Discovery Channel) is hot on my heels... I was barely able to beat him despite the fact that A: cyclocross is not his specialty, and B: I'm guessing he rode about 30 hours in the week leading up to this race. Strong.
I believe he'll ride for BMC next year.


Jason rides the runup... The most impressive thing about this video is that AS he's riding over the crest he leans down and picks up a dollar so smoothly that I missed it the first few times I saw the video!


Fruits of my labor...


Back by popular demand: Alex was so endearing at the races that people requested he wear his "cheer gear" to the awards banquet (?).


Podium. Lotsa Bearclaw... check the glasses and the facial hair. Jason's boots were a special treat.


Podium. Brooke won some sweet prizes and took 3rd in her race. I look forward to reading about it on her blog.


Jeff Herring had a good race and came in 2nd.


Alex stepped his game up to race Elite.


Dolla' bill ya'll.


Daniel raced Elite too!


John and I chased each other around the course.


Alex the heckler


Fritz over the barriers while Dorothy Wong films it. Fritz was leading the race for a while and gets huge man points for taking 2nd in a very impressive field.


And the beer flowed like wine.

How many f**kin' teams is Chet sponsoring?

Battle of the Bearclaws!
When I saw this video, I have to admit: my first thought was "what the f**k is this s**t?!?!?!"
But I guess a little competition can be healthy.
You decide.

RAWR!

Urban 'Cross.

Ned Overend showed up for one of socal's Urban 'Cross races.
Jason is off the front in this video, and I am the 2nd rider to come by. Ned is right behind me.
Fritz won the race and Jason got 2nd, so Bearclaw topped the podium pretty convincingly. Ned rounded out the top 3.

There should be pictures of the race popping up on SoCalCycling.com and the Back On Track site.
I'll post them if I see 'em!

Eco Cross!

I normally try to fill this blog with pictures of myself because I'm really, REALLY good looking. Unfortunately I was moving at such incredibly high speed that I was almost impossible to catch on film.
Subsequently, I am substituting a photo of someone equally good looking and almost as fast, who had the incredible good fortune to marry an extremely talented photographer...

My wife Brooke:



A few more shots:

Ben B.
This is one of the better pics I've taken



And the barriers...



And the obligatory "railing a corner" pic:



The "corner pic" came out really good too!

I tried to write a post but I just can't think...

Cuz She's a Balla'...

...I had to ride.



Yesterday's was the first workout in a LONG time that I have a file for!
Thanks to Hunter getting on my case and making me get my Power-Tap hub fixed, and thanks to Hector at Velo for doing the work!
Hector is hands down the best mechanic I know.
I didn't ride the day before because the air was so bad, after my jog/walk I was sick of breathing it... yesterday wasn't much better but I decided to brave it. Especially since I couldn't talk Brooke out of riding and I figured I'd look like a sissy bitch if she went and I didn't!
The workout didn't seem like much, but there are massive fires all over our area and if you stand in one spot for a few minutes you will get a light dusting of ash!
It wasn't worth driving because I would have to go several hours away befor the air would improve.
I decided to ride outdoors and play it by ear... my lungs felt okay, probably because I kept the intensity LOW and never had to take deep breaths. I definitely think that the ride did a lot more GOOD than harm.
It was less time and intensity than Hunter had planned, but I think it was about as good as could be expected.
They reported that the fires raised temperatures locally by 10 degrees... that seems like a lot but maybe not impossible.

Words to live by...

Here's a few quotes to get you pumped up and keep you motivated to train, race and win:

"Pain fades and chicks dig scars. But glory, glory lasts forever."

"Your best? Losers whine about doing their best, winners go home and f**k the prom queen"

"I'm the best there is, plain and simple. I mean, I wake up in the morning and I piss excellence. You know, nobody can hang with my stuff. I'm just a--just a big, hairy, American winning machine."



I don't personally care about the first two, but I strive to live by the 3rd.

The UCI license paid off: I won 80 bucks over the weekend racing 'cross, which is good 'cause I'm broke.

Funniest Ever??

I laughed out loud:



...then I went riding.

Got UCI license today so I can race Dam 'Cross. It's a gamble, but I'm hoping to win back the money it cost for the license (that expires at the end of the year) and come out ahead.

Podium Sweep, Fight for Kisses.

Chet this out:



At last weekends P.V. 'Cross race Fritz, Jason and I swept the podium for Team Bearclaw.
Jason hit the gas right of the line and pulled away from the whole group immediately. Fritz and I hung back for about two laps and then Fritz attacked and I stayed. After Fritz had gone clear I hung with the 3 other riders that had stayed together until I felt like I could break away and then attacked. Fritz had caught Jason and they were working together ahead of me. With about 5 or 6 laps to go I did my best to catch them, (they were safely clear and had sat up a bit) but couldn't get to them before the finish.
Thanks to J.L.'s cheering I was super pumped and I knew we could go 1,2,3 on the podium so I kicked out the jams to stay away from the hard chasing John Bailey.
Our 4th teammate John McKeen was steadily moving up from a tough start and after having a pedal/foot coordination issue (every 'crosser's been there) he was JUST edged out on the money spots.
The podium sweep was Mantastic and we all went out for a meal on Chet.
Until next weekend I'll be training harder than the baby in Fight for Kisses. Be inspired:

Nat Ross crucified...

...for the best moment of 'Cross Vegas:



This is my response regarding the promoters attacks on Nat for his "transgression":

Nat, you are my hero... I've never seen such a smooth beer feed in my life.
The organizers of that event need to recognize that the sheer PROness of that hand off eleveted their race to an HNL ('hole 'nutha level).
At the time of this writing, the race promoters who "scolded" you are dead to me.
There is a slim chance that I will acknowledge their existence in the future.
For instance, if they were to realize the error of their ways, and (after apologizing) create the "Nat Ross Award", given to the rider who creates the singularly "most PRO" moment in the race.
As you did.

-Lyle

Here are some links if you'd like to find out more:

mbword

How to Avoid the Bummer Life #1

How to Avoid the Bummer Life #2

It makes me so proud...

to be a cyclist. Hahahaha!

the PROest thing I've ever seen...

I honestly can't believe my eyes. I have new respect for Contador...
This is not a new video but I recently came across it on Youtube.
I think I first saw it on Belgiumkneewarmers (great site!) a while back.

Fritz on the box!

Team Bearclaw's Fritz B. placed 3rd in yesterday's so-cal cyclocross series Veteran's Park race.
We are all stunned, but proud of Fritz. Especially his mom.
There are rumors circulating that say Fritz was rewarded for his efforts with a high-five from Chet Bearclaw himself, and that hot babes everywhere are taking notice.



There are also rumors that his win was directly related to the awesome power of his "stunna'" shades.

Ah, to be young again...

And to be the National Individual Pursuit champion and junior World TT Champ.
At 17.

Visit Velonews.com for more.

Adam eats pizza, Decker bunny-hops.

The title of this post pretty much says it all. It's funny to see the leaders killing themselves, while the rest of the field drinks beer, grabs money and just generally fucks around!
Cody Peterson gets some good camera time too.



Tomorrow is 'cross again. Last week I won a few bucks. This week I've been sick but I'll try to win money again because, well... I need it.

A few great things about 'cross...

And about 'Cross Vegas.



The fans...



'Cross hooligans... none better.



Coverage! More media attention means more money. More money means more job opportunities. More job opportunities means... oh, you get the picture.

BIG BALLA' AWARD GOES TO...

It was a close race...
When you are rollin' on a Vanilla Cycles custom 'cross frame, in full skinsuit glory and you've got dollar bills tucked up in your helmet, you're pretty fuckin' tough to beat...



...Unfortunately...



...When you're the MTB National champion and you've got a small fortune spilling out of BOTH legs of your skinsuit you are pretty B.A.

Throw in a truly epic tan line and you are downright untouchable.

Definition of 'Cross:

"...you time trial until you feel really sick and hope the finish comes before you die." --Allen Lin



Jason at 'Cross Vegas feeling the full effect of the spongy grass!

gettin' paid

Decker.



Cody Peterson grabbing bills.



Adam Craig has so much cash in his pants he looks like a man-whore.



Fritz is rockin' it with the big boys. Note the impressive wad of cash already in the leg of his shorts.

My living room.

It's a lifestyle.



Note the TRP carbon canti's. The beer is on top of my "ti parts" horde.



You know you're jealous.