Buckshot N' Cheese...

While some teams insist on "togetherness", Bob's Red Mill p/b FOCUS Bikes spreads out like twelve-gauge buckshot to race on the weekends. Team unity can be found in race updates received via text messages, Facebook updates, Twitter posts, and good ol' fashioned phone calls (whoa!). A carload of men headed north for the USGP Wisconsin Friday afternoon suited up with our Bob's Red Mill sweatshirts and tee's. That's right...they headed north to the cheese state with coordinated fashion. As our sweatshirt states..."That's how we roll!" Wisconsin was very good to us as our very own Mike Kennedy saw the podium twice as he swept the single speed division. Is there anything cheesy about winning? NO! Is there anything cheesy about winning in style? NO!



Mike Kennedy, FTW!! (Photo Credit: Lindsey McShane)



Mike Kennedy, Podium (Photo Credit: Lindsey McShane)



Mitchell Kersting running (Photo Credit: Lindsey McShane)

Back home the race fires were being stoked by those of us either too old, too poor, or too old and poor to travel. Thankfully, a hometown race right in our own backyard allowed us to keep our race legs warmed. Thanks to Luke Neubauer, Andrew Beckman, Rob Kendall, Chris Nevitt, and Melinda Townsend...Bob's Red Mill saw podium action in nearly all classes again through a rather bumpy windy course. It also proved the FIRST race that required a wee bit of embrocation for some of us. Early morning temps hovered in the lower fifties with overcast...juuuust to be safe, a fresh container of Mad Alchemy "warm" was broken in and it could not have felt any better with the fierce cross and headwinds whipping at our dip dish wheels. It signaled the official "FEEL" of the cyclocross season.


Melinda Townsend (L) with FRESH embro'd legs (Photo Credit: M. Townsend)

Overall we enjoyed an injury free weekend, which is always welcome. Damage to riders, bikes, and kits were minimal (minor mechanicals reportedly cost some time in Wisconsin). Distant race reports have concluded a botched remount may have snared a testicle or two causing a rider to pull out under the tape (ouch), while the usual abrasions, scrapes, and bumps are showing up in offices throughout the city today. If you think you may work with a cyclocross racer...look at our calves for scrapes, our hobbling legs for worn hips and callouses on our hands. We try to blend but sometimes we can't help but stand out. Once you have identified us, feel sorry for us.  


Joe, pre-remount injury (Photo Credit: Lindsey McShane)

Recovery time is very limited this week as the month ahead is a full-blown, race until you drop month with a competition EVERY weekend in October. Rent, mortgage, and hush money is being pooled together for all the entry fees and beer coffers. Racing is not cheap and none of us have won the lottery yet. Our sponsors really make this season possible and we are reminded of this with every race. While the season officially began in September, October is the month to place yourself in the ranks, earn points, and really push yourself beyond your usual means. Someone will hurl and somoene will have a camera. We will tell you all about it because that's how we roll...