If you are interested in getting involved, please visit www.oregonchristmasforkids.org  or you can help by clicking the “like” button on Kendall’s Facebook Page.  For every “like” Kendall receives from now until Friday, December 16th, they will be donating $1.00 to the fund-raising cause.   In addition, they have already donated $35,000 towards sponsorship!  To participate, please go to http://www.facebook.com/kendallautogroup#!/kendallautogroup

Dannon Canterbury (racing in the C category) on his way to a 1st place finish in the Psycho Cross Series at Camp Harlow - Awesome accomplishment considering this is only D's second year of competitive cross racing!

Jeff Sakacsi had an outstanding season racing in the B 35+ category. Sakacsi finished 3rd at the Oregon State Championships and topped off his season by taking 1st at the Psycho Cross Series!

Alan Ott had another stellar season! ATO finished 9th overall in the Northwest's largest cross series. In addition, he finished 8th in the Molly Cameron Series, 2nd at the Psycho Cross Series and 2nd at the Oregon State Championships! Time for some rest?

Pete Moe at Cross Crusade. Pete's highlight was edging out a Life Cycle rider to hold on to a 3rd place finish in the B category at the popular Heiser CX.

It’s been a great 2011 season and Wolf Creek Racing would like to thank our sponsors for their support:  Kendall-Subaru, Oakshire Brewing, Pantheon Designs, Schwalbe, Rudy Projects and Defeet.

The Cross Crusade is, but don’t quote me on this, the largest or most well attended cyclocross series in the world.  The first race was held at Alpenrose Dairy and the attendance was just shy of 1,500 racers whose skill levels range from beginner to elite.  Wolf Creek Racing member’s skill fall somewhere in between.

Dannon waiting for his call up at Alpenrose. Unfortunately it was the back row, but he amazingly passed approximately 70 racers to finish 34th. Super impressive!

Alan being patient while waiting for the right opportunity presented itself to be able to pass other riders on a jam packed course - never easy to do during the excitement of a race.

Jeff at Heiser Farms.

Pete simply trying to keep his bike upright while riding an off camber section at alpenrose.

For more pictures of our racing and rides, click here.

A few pearls of wisdom gleaned from the hour upon hour of uphill trudgery.

First, why do I put myself through this, don’t I know that I am to (insert word) for this?

When the forecast for Boise is 50% chance of precipitation it does not mean that 50% of the day will be raining (Eugene), it actually means that there is as good a chance as any that it will not rain and you will probable, no make that definitely, not need the fenders. One hundred plus “Go Fast” people and only one with fenders on, I wonder who is from the Willamette Valley?

Who’s bright idea is it to throw in a 1km climb of 18%+ 13 climbs into the ride? Again, why do I put myself through this?

Anyway gentlemen I do hope you all have a productive ride and I look forward to putting in a few miles with you at the end of the month.

BB f’ing BW

Defeet arm warmers, socks, and gloves - all made in the U.S.A

Defeet Socks Made in North Carolina

Defeet Levitator Sock

Defeet also has some great products for your Spring time and early morning Summer rides when it’s still alittle chilly.  Check out their Slipstream shoe covers and armwarmers.  To me these two items are must have items that can be used all year round.

Well, in this scenario, “Piece of Cake” turned out to be a 17 mile course (x 3 laps) that showcased a 3 mile winding, rolling gravel section as the “cake” and for the frosting the race promoter mixed up some sun, heavy winds, rain, hail, and 40 degree weather to put on a Classic Spring Race.

The Cat 3 race started shortly after 10:00 a.m. so I got my things ready the night before to make it less stressful in the morning.

I carpooled with two other local Eugene racers that race on the Paul’s Cycling Team.  During the 90 minute drive up to Amity, Oregon, we made small talk, but my mind keep drifting and thinking about the race – mainly not getting dropped by the field.  The first race of the season (Cherry Pie), I got dropped after 25 miles and ended up riding the remainder of the race on my own, which is fine, but I didn’t what that to happen again.

We arrived at the staging area with plenty of time to get changed and warm up.  My warm up consisted of about 10-15 minutes of gentle spinning up a slight incline, into the wind.  For good measure, I did a couple short intervals to get my heart pumping so once the race began the first time the pace picked up, I wasn’t seeing double.

Once the official gave their pre-race instructions, we rolled out.

Our field had between 40-50 riders.  After we started, I peeked behind me to get my bearings and I discovered I was bringing up the rear – not where I wanted to be considering there was small climb to go over within a matter of minutes of the start and not to mention we had a heavy cross wind.  I stuck to the wheel in front of me and my nerves began to calm down and I settled into the race.

We crossed over a short bridge that marked we were about to begin the 3 mile gravel section, which I anticipated the group would take more conservatively on the first lap, but nope, I was way wrong!

BOOM, the front of the field decided to drop the hammer and drill it!  Water bottles began getting tossed from their cages – Riders started pulling off to the side for flats  - And the field really began to get strung out!  The pace went from conversational to 30 mph with a blink of eye (remember we are on a gravel road).  I began to get gapped, but I stuck with it and managed to hang on while we marched through the gravel.

With about 400 meters of gravel section left I felt myself blowing-up and couldn’t maintain the pace any longer –  off the back I went.  I gave myself 15 seconds to get my heart rate to come down and then I began chasing.  By this point, another dropped rider was with me and we worked together.  The group was within reach until a small incline popped me again.  It wasn’t meant to be.

The remainder of the lap was into a head/cross wind that was unforgiving.  Thankfully, I got hooked up with 3 other guys (Half Fast Velo, Ironclad, Portland Velo) to form an Echelon and we shared the work load back to the finish line to give us our first lap of 3.

Our small group of four made the turn together to start the second lap when dark clouds rolled over head and began to dump rain.  The Ironclad rider had enough and turned off.  The Portland Velo rider decided to head out on his own leaving me and the Half Fast Velo rider (I later found out that his name was Caan) to work together, which was fine.  At least I had someone to work with.

The second time through the gravel was wet and muddy.  At one point, I had to squirt water on my Rudy Project glasses to see where I was going – It was actually beginning to be fun.

I got through the gravel with a small gap on Caan and decided to wait so we could continue working together, which I’m glad I did because the rest of the lap was a mix of big winds, rain, and hail!  At one point, I said out loud “are you kidding me!”

We completed the 2nd lap.  Caan was done and my riding partner was heading to the parking lot.  Alone now, I made the turn to start the final lap.  About 800 meters into the final lap, I decided it wasn’t worth it and called it a day.  My hands were frozen, I was completely drenched, plus, I realized I had the key to Doug’s car and I didn’t want those guys waiting for me.

Despite getting dropped, battling the rain, the wind, and the cold – it was a Piece of Cake!

Pete Moe

Martin leading the group out Lorane Hwy

Brooke on loan from the Paul's Bicycle Way of Life Team

Darrin, check out that view behind you.

This was Dannon's longest group ride (70ish miles). Way to go bud!

Jeff climbing strong. I guess that Lemond isn't slowing you down too much!

Next weeks ride is up in the air because the OBRA road season kicks off on the 19th with the Cherry Pie Road Race put on by the Willamate Valley Cycling Team or also known as Pacific Power/Blue Sky.  At this point a couple of us will be racing, but if we decide to stick around Eugene, we’ll post a ride.