Your on the spot correspondent in Kansas City giving you the latest updates.
Flash! Cyclo cross nationals running in truly miserable weather. Friday's races were run in mid thirties drizzle. Overnight, the temperature drops, and Saturday the course is slick with ice. Crashes everywhere, including a decisive one in the men's B. At the hairpin turn just before the first running section, the second place rider goes down and takes three guys with him, and causes a bottleneck that allows the leader to sprint up the hill to a 15 second lead. After that no one can threaten him.
With winds running up to 30-40 mph and temps in the teens, mental toughness is key. Watched three races this morning before hypothermia drives me back to the car, as I am not tough at all.
A fair sprinkling of mountain bikes in the mix today, including the 3rd place rider in the Mens B race. No lugged steel bikes seen (sob!) but tons of aluminum and tig welded steel and a few Ti frames. Carbon fibre absent except for the mountain bikes. Probably not enough demand for cross bikes to justify the tooling cost of carbon molds.
(Required classic content:) I had hoped to see a classic Alan or Raleigh crosser, but modernity rules. Classic Canti brakes are the preferred stoppers, although a respectable percentage of V brakes seen. Saw at least one bike with regular toe clips, but SPD style or Time ATAC cleat systems rule.
Lots of fun, and if I can find my duck hunting suit, I may go back out tomorrow.
Tom Adams in Cyclo Cross HQ, Kansas City