Behind The Scenes At KCCX

In the most recent game of "Where's Sean?"
there I am, watching Jonathan Page go by.
I felt compelled to share one more story from my trip to watch the final day of racing at the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships.

Bridget, Jon and I had just sat down to lunch when I realized something warm to drink might be more appropriate than the free (and very cold) energy drinks. So Bridget offered to stand in line while Jon and I wolfed down our Famous Dave's BBQ sandwiches.

Looking around, I noticed two young girls looking absolutely bored out out of their minds at the table next to ours. I immediately thought they were girlfriends of some racers who had no interest whatsoever in being at a cyclocross race - much less one where the wind chill was in the single digits.

Eventually, Bridget returned with hot chocolate in hand and a story of a conversation with a mom of one of the competitors. Apparently she was from Florida and her son would be competing in the elite race. This woman went on to tell Bridget that her son was going to win. Sure, right, whatever. Don't all moms say that? Unfortunately, Bridget couldn't recall the name of the woman, but did remember that it was kind of funny sounding with multiple syllables.

Only later did I mention Ryan Trebon - who crashed out of last year's race - which triggered Bridget's memory. That was whose mom she met in line. And when I pulled up a photo of the happy Trebon family posing after Ryan's victory - there were the two "bored-out-of-their-gourd" girls. Ha. No boyfriends for these ladies. Just one proud brother.

Thanks, Larry Rosa, for letting me share your fine photography.

Cyclocross Nationals: What A Day

We were all smiles on the drive down to Kansas City -
before the cold front swept in and made it a bone-chilling day.
Kansas City, Mo. - It's not very often that a world-class cycling event goes off in your backyard. So I just had to go down to Kansas City and watch the elite men's and women's National Cyclocross Championships Sunday in Tiffany Springs, Mo.

Along for the ride was my brother-in-law, Jon, and my twin (six years apart) sister, Bridget. I was pleasantly surprised they opted to take me up on the invitation to go, considering we had to leave around 7 a.m.

When we left Omaha, the temperature was in the 40s. On the way down to Kansas City, we stopped at a rest stop south of St. Joseph and the temperature was 52 - but we knew a cold front was not far behind. It was 58 degrees when we arrived at the venue but we pulled on our winter coats and hats, to the disbelief of a few people who had no idea what was coming. Sure enough, fewer than five minutes later the wind came up and the temperature plummeted - probably about 25 degrees in 10 minutes. You had to feel sorry for the collegiate women, who were moments from starting their race (many of them wearing short sleeves and shorts).

I'll let the pictures tell much of the rest of the story. It was great to catch up with so many familiar faces - and I certainly appreciated the "shout outs" from race announcers John Lefler Jr. and Dave Towle. I felt pretty important, as you might imagine. After all, who am I? I haven't raced a bike in years.

The starting grid is a crazy area minutes before the start.

The start of a cyclocross race is always an all-out sprint.

Steve Tilford and his girlfriend (and soigneur) Trudi.

Posing with Team Type 1's Chris Jones before the start.

Diane Fortini was the chief referee.

I still can't figure out who was riding this Rock Racing bike.

Pabst Blue Ribbon as a sponsor? And "Mafia Racing?" Weird.

Bridget and Jon pose by the Team Clif Bar (school) bus.

It was great to catch up with my Utah friend Rachel Cieslewicz.

Sydney Brown was back at it after finishing third on Friday.

Jesse Anthony of Team Type 1 finished fourth. Wow.

Jon and Bridget pose near the Chamois Butt'r barriers.

My good friend Gina Poertner, who is a fixture at races in Kansas.

This sign was very, very strange. Not funny. Just strange.

By the way, my intent to get in a finish line picture succeeded. Look for me in my Team Type 1 gear and black hat here.

Random thought: Did you catch the Nebraska volleyball team's victory that advanced it on to the volleyball Final Four, which will be held at Qwest Center Omaha? I didn't, but saw the highlights. Pretty amazing stuff, coming back from a 9-3 deficit (when you only play to 15) in the final game.

And one final thought: the New York Giants seem to be in a bit of trouble after losing to the Dallas Cowboys tonight. I know a lot of people who are rooting for the Giants and they seemed confident earlier this year that the team would be back in the Super Bowl. Now it's not such a given.

Remembering Cyclocross In Kansas City

There I am (on the far right in white gloves) last December,
trying to catch up with national cyclocross champion Katie Compton.
No fewer than two full-length documentaries are coming out this fall showing an event I worked in Kansas City last year.

I was the on-site media director for the National Cyclocross Championships, which took place in Wyandotte County Park, near the Kansas City Speedway. I plan to purchase both the "Zero Traction" and "Nine Ball Diaries" films, if only to preserve the memory of the four days of racing in ice, mud and snow.

If you have never seen a cyclocross race, watch one of the two trailers I have linked to above. You might be surprised to see what these guys (and gals) endure.

Now Starring: Me

Recognize the guy on the far right with the white gloves?
Last December, I helped manage media and communications for the National Cyclocross Championships in Kansas City. It was four long days in cold, bone-chilling conditions (and snow). It probably would have been a better experience had the heater for the press tent not blown a fuse after the first day.

So it was with mixed feelings that I watched the trailer for a new movie about the races in Wyandotte County Park. That is, until I caught a glimpse of myself (in high definition, no less) about halfway through the video. It reminded me of how nice it is to do your job without having to wear two stocking caps, snow pants, boots and gloves.

Click here to watch the trailer.