Cyclocross Season, Fall 2011, Part 2: The Joy of Competition and Community



We're all wired differently; we all have different strengths and weaknesses; and we all seek fun and fulfillment in different ways.

Some of us are irresistably attracted to sport and competition, no matter our age.

For a particular sport, like cyclocross, there are those who want (even need) to be at the front, battling it out with others of the same ilk. These are the elites, whose dedication and talent the rest of us draw inspiration from.


Cat 1-3 (Elite) Men, Wednesday Night #4.



Lindsy Campbell rippen it at the front of the ladies race on day 1, Rolling Thunder.

Still others are content to be participants, a part of the scene, and could care less about how they finish.



Guido has been coming out Wednesday nights and competed at Rolling Thunder.

The rest of us fill out the space between these two extremes, trying to balance the myriad demands, pressures, and responsibilities of life with a desire to feel the rush of competition and a hard effort on the bike amongst like minded compatriots.

That's me racing Rolling Thunder on Sunday.

Jen from Helena, ?? from Bozeman, Jen Bardsley and Kellie Carim from Missoula.

A healthy community is diverse, a continuum from beginner to elite, because you need all types. Fortunately, cyclocross has that kind of diversity, and the best part is, off the race course you often can't tell whose a beginner and whose not.

This couple came over from Ennis.

Here are a couple of the fast ones.

Rolling Thunder was this past weekend in Missoula -- one of the best races anywhere. Most of the above pictures are from that race. Thanks to Shaun Radley, Ben Horan, and all of the other folks who put on a great race.

And the Missoula Wednesday Night CX Series, put on by Tim Bechtold and many other volunteers, is truly a positive force in our community. It brings joy to many, Jen and I included, in this in-between season of fall.

The Missoula CX community would not exist to the degree that it does without the efforts and vision of these people. So thanks!