The Art of CXADMIN: Tuck 'N Run

I wish I could report that Mike had the ride of his life because he threw down the gaunlet and let it all hang out for the win in the Masters Cyclocross Worlds final yesterday. Well, Mike did have the ride of his life and he did let it all hang out, but he finished 17th on the day.

You know, nothing surprises me anymore. Despite the ups and downs of the season, I thought Mike had a great chance to finish top 5. He woke up in a great mood. I got in a run in with some friends. Cate cooked breakfast. Ian walked the dogs without arguing. This was the day the long season was going to end. I mean the day that Mike was racing in the finals for a World Championship. He was on task and got a warm-up on the trainer in the morning. We got packed up and to the venue on time. Brian got his bikes and wheels ready. Mike pre-rode the course and was liking the conditions. Joe talked strategy while Mike jumped back on the trainer. We headed to the line.

Warming up in the Team CF tent with Joe and Brian.

Racing in the WORLD Championships! Now THAT is cool!

Everything is done. It's just time to do it. Mike was coming from third row so his work was cut out for him from the start. The start was okay. With 5 laps in the race, sitting around 8th for the first lap was good. Mike looked comfortable although I wanted him to move up a bit. But he felt okay with the technical riding of the conditions while others in his little group were freaking a bit.

Fred had an incredible season. He is ready to rumble.

The start.

Mike on the 3rd row on the left of the photo. Already an obstacle to overcome.


Madman Tim Butler takes the holeshot, but crashes hard right after.

The problem with being in a little group with people freaking is that they will make mistakes that will cost you a good finish and that is what happened to Mike on the second lap. He was moving up well, still sitting around 7th and a guy crashed on a downhill right in front of Mike. Because it was muddy and slippery, Mike didn't have any choice but to try to ride through him. He did and went superman down the hill. It whacked his bike out and he went from 7th to 25th in 30 seconds.

Mike fighting for position in the first lap.

Mike supermans down the hill.

I was so afraid he would just give it up, but ever the warrior, Mike got a pit and started working his way back up through the field. His third lap was amazing and he got back up to 18th by the run-up. He was riding things others were running. The hometown crowd was incredible and were showing him major love.

Fighting back.

Then it happened. At the top of the run-up, Mike was riding to the inside of a guy who was running the section and the dude came over on Mike, putting him into the wood stakes stopping him dead. Mike's handlebars grabbed the stitching of his chamois and ripped them off his body. Of course I didn't know this at the time. He kept riding and I noticed that he had a hole in his shorts, but no one said anything. He had a much slower next lap, slipped back a few spots and I was worried.

Peek-a-boo, I see you!

Through the hometown crowd packed run-up section the next lap I noticed there was extra yelling, pointing, laughing and Mike laughing and yelling back at the crowd. I couldn't figure out what was up so I ran over to the start/finish straight to yell at him. "Stop talking to the crowd. You have a group of 4 right in front of you, there's 1 to go. GO!" He looked me dead in the eye and yelled "My junk (sic) is hanging out!"

Boz, Mo and Eric giving Mike some love.

The heckles came fast and furious!

Well, that stopped me dead in my tracks. It all made sense. I looked over behind me at the crowd. Some were looking at me and when I went over to them, many confirmed his statement. But of course we're all bike racers and instead of being disgusted, they all thought it was the greatest thing ever. I just had to smile and laugh, too.

At that moment I knew the real race was over and I just witnessed the love that everyone had for Mike. Everyone had respect for him staying out there and finishing. He told me later that he had contemplated quitting the race when the "wardrobe malfunction" happened. He said all he kept thinking about were all the Red Zone juniors out on the course cheering him on. It didn't to seem as bad when he was on the bike, but he said that when he got off to run, including all of those sections where the crowd was the largest, he just had to "tuck and run, tuck and run".

Tim and Marty encouraging Mike to keep riding.

Someone shooting video. I'm sure we'll see that on YouTube.

I think once he realized he was going to continue, he dug in a little the last lap. He caught and passed a few guys and ended up crossing the line in 17th. Luckily Brad Swope had picked up Mike's warmups from the start grid and had pants ready right past the finish line. Good thing because the media was thick there.

Mike shows the finish line what he's been hiding for 3 laps.

Getting post-race love from our boys.


This is why you should pit.

Local friend Keith Lucas ended up 4th - Great race!


Mike and Brian. Brian is top-notch!

Marty and the City of Louisville really stepped up - Thanks so much - we had a blast!

The season is OVER!

Since then all I keep thinking of are all the photos and videos we are going to see posted over the next week. I don't want Mike to be the next "Joey"! We're going to hear a million of 'em, including Ian's favorite so far about Mike's race down at the "junkyard". But oh well, such is life. Many people contemplated afterwards what they would have done in a similar situation. I heard answers on both sides. But no question about it, I am proud that Mike just kept going and finished the season with a bang. Not exactly the kind of bang we were looking for, but a bang nonetheless.

Well that's it for the season folks. I'll be putting on my RDADMIN hat soon enough. It has been an incredible season. I stated in my first post on our way to Sun Prairie, WI back in September that the blog would be a running record when we got to this point and couldn't remember how we got here. I would never have believed half of the things that have happened to us over the last six months unless I read them written in this blog over the months.

I can't sign off without thanking all the people that have made this season possible, endurable and memorable. So many names of sponsors, supporters and friends. Bob's Red Mill, Challenge Tires, Stevens Bikes, Mad Alchemy, Panache Clothing, Sinclair all on the sponsorship front. And of course, Joe Collins Coaching, Brian Blackwell and Clarksville Schwinn, Mike Purvis and Work It Out, Drew Hartman and On Your Left Cycles, Wayne Simon and Enzo's, Joan Hanscom, Bruce Fina and the best CX series - USGP. Then of course our own families, as well as our Bob's Red Mill, Red Zone Cycling and Texas Roadhouse cycling families. To all of our friends that we have made along the way, thank you for making this sport fun for all of us. And last, but not least, a special shout out to all of our close friends that have supported us all along the way. There are just too many of you to mention, but my heartfelt thanks for all the love.

Till next season ya'll, I'm tuck'n and run'n.

L

PS - This is what I love about working with juniors. Professional ice runner, Luke Haley, testing the ice. See the following series of photos.