the return (mutual of enumclaw stage race)

Enumclaw I’ve come to believe means rain and cold in the native language of the first bike racers, but for 15 years folks continue to come back to this well ran race. After crashing a couple of years ago here during the criterium on a wet course where half the field crashed out, I’m finally back. The threat of rain loomed all day the first day, but only forced it’s presence on the field starting with the men’s cat 3 crit.

This was my last planned bike race of the year. It was probably the most fun I had in a race. Although, waking up on the second day of the race, the sky unleashed its anger -- cold and wet. The goal was to complete the hilly race. With a group of guys who came off the back we worked together to make that goal possible. It felt good, even with frozen fingers and extreme shakes afterwards.

MoE was one of SCCA/Starbucks team race and we were 20 strong with some great results. Below is a video montage of the first day and the start of the cat 3 criterium.

stays the same (wenatchee omnium)

Wenatchee is an epic hill race and every year I look forward to the road race. It has a twelve mile climb and a descent that reminds me of the ones in the Pyrenees during the Tour. If you are one of the lucky (or unlucky) few you get to do it multiple times. This year the course was changed and the hill climb was shortened by half, leaving the hardest part of the climb to be done multiple times. The more things change, the more it stays the same. Some fun suffering. It was awesome.

As promised, some cat 3 crit action, where Wes timed it perfect for a top ten finish.