Calling all TURKEYS :)

Marilla CX

Story by Mark Briercheck!
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Marilla Park Cyclocross - Carrera De Los Muertos (Morgantown, WV)
 
The Chill of Cross is in the air! ...Or West Virginia just had a cold snap. Every year the CX race at Marilla is guaranteed to be cold, wet, or both.
 
This year the dirt gods decided to show some reprieve and provide Logan and I with not only cold...
 
...wait for it...
 
but SUN!
 
It was 32F degrees in the morning but the sun came out before the first race went on!
 
Logan dug deep in the early morning cat 4/5 race. He had the power to ride the run up where others clearly let fear take over and had to dismount.

As I saw him attacking on every lap he looked to be truly settled into a solid groove and lined up for a fantastic finish but the quirks of cross reared their ugly face and Logan snapped his chain.

Twice.
 
I was fortunate enough to race in the 40+ masters that didn't launch until after noon. And along with the sun the temps came up to the high 40's and made for perfect weather. But nice weather also brings out the frisky riders that always liven up a great course.
 
A bit of mud, a ridiculous run up,

...and a lot of rock and roll (or rather Vuvuzelas) and this race was super fun from the start.

From costumed riders..

...to trombone playin' spectators,

...a tough but ride-able run-up, lots of barriers, tricky gravel, and free post race food courtesy of Black Bear Burritos!

Black Bear Burritos

It was a momentous event!

Logan Krause - Cat 4/5 - DNF due to major mechanicals

Mark Briercheck - 40+ Masters - 12th Place

Photos Courtesy of Fred Jordan

MoM North Park CX

Usually racing involves a "road trip" to get to each venue.  This time, however, the racing was right in our own back yard... at the corner of Ingomar Road & Babcock Blvd in North Park, for the Month of Mud's North Park Cyclocross Race.

With two days of leading rain heading into the event, the skys cleared just in time for race day.

All our usual Caricatures were in attendance.

...no, I did NOT mean "Characters"!

ALL PHOTOS were captured by Mike Briggs :)

Single Speed
12th Place - Kirk Morrison

Masters 45+
3rd Place - Steve Marlette

8th Place - Mike Maher

21st Place - Rich Allen

Sport
7th Place - Mark Briercheck

22nd Place - Logan Krause

Expert Women
2nd Place - Hannah Brewer

Beginners
19th Place - Nathan Black

Quote of the Day:
"Marlette and I did give a half-hearted attempt at heckling some riders, but we just lack Steve Brewer's ability to truly demoralize a rider's mental state." - Mark Briercheck

RESULTS

ProBikes Military Cross

The crew headed to Oakdale, Pa. for the ABRA ProBikes "Military" CycloCross race.

It was supposed to be sunny, but the day started off with COLD RAIN, making the course super treacherous for the first race or two.

Photo by SonicImaging

When the sun finally came out, everything dried up...and the day ended up beautiful.

Men's 4/5
Logan Krause
38th Place - 14th Cat 4
"No Rear Brakes"

Phots Series by SonicImaging

Nathan Black
42nd Place

Phots by SonicImaging

Women's 1/2/3
Hannah Brewer
3rd Place - 1st Cat 3

Photo by Mike Briggs

Photo by Fred Jordan

Photo by Mike Briggs

Men's 40+
Mark Briercheck
12th Place - 3rd Cat 4

Photo by Mike Briggs

 

Photo by Fred Jordan

 

Photo by Fred Jordan

Men's 50+
Steve Marlette
2nd Place - 1st Cat 3

Photos by Mike Briggs

Henry Dimmick
DNF
"Broken Chain"

Photo by Mike Briggs

Rich Allen
DNF
"Broken Chain"


Photo by SonicImaging

Men's 1/2/3
Henry Dimmick
19th Place - 7th Cat 3

Photos by Fred Jordan

Super Fans
"X-Ray" Sielski

Photos by SonicImaging

"Chopper" Brewer

Photo by SonicImaging

Photo by Fred Jordan

Now, after enjoying all these great STILL images, check out this SWEET VIDEO Steve shot and edited of the race:

Brewer Media - 2013 ProBikes CX

Thanks CHOPPER :)

Kick-Off Cross

The Team returned to Point Marion, Pa. for the opening round "Kick Off Cross" of the Appalachian Bicycle Racing Association Cyclocross Series.

While we HAVE done this race before...and done this location before...we have NOT done so with out our Photographer in tow!

Allow me to introduce Nathan Black...a professional photographer and one of our new morning training partners!

http://www.nathanielblackphotography.com/blog/

Photo by Mike Briggs

Photo by Mike Briggs

Photo by SonicImaging

...who provided us with HUNDREDS of photos of JUST Ag3r racers! 

All the photos from here on in this post were taken by Nathan.  THANKS :)

Our results today were:

Logan Krause - 9th Place Men's 4/5

Hannah Brewer - 5th Place Women's 1/2/3

Kirk Morrison - 12th Place Open Single Speed

Mark Briercheck - 5th Place Open 40+

Hannah Brewer - 12th Place Open 40+

Mike Maher - 13th Place Open 40+

Steve Marlette - 2nd Place Open 50+

Henry Dimmick - 4th Place Open 50+

Rich Allen - 6th Place Open 50+

Kirk Morrison - 7th Place Open 50+