The First Loser...

The first cyclocross race of the season was last weekend at Merritt College up in the Oakland Hills. I converted my Steamroller into a cross bike after scoring a White Industries freewheel off of a customer that was going back to gears. With touring tires and caliper brakes dialed in and ready to shred I set off for the BART station for a trip under the bay.

A tour of East Oakland was to follow. I haven't felt the anxiety of being the only idiot white kid to ride his bike through the hood' in a while. It was my first time through East Oakland and it lived up to all of 2$hort and Luniz's descriptions.

I raced Singlespeed B's that day and, not expecting much, lined up in the third row on the inside. I got an ok start and tried to maintain a decent pace throughout the race. Everyone was spread out and I had no idea where I was in the race. I was being passed by some of the faster guys with gears but not many singlespeeds.

Satisfied with finishing in the gold medal spot for the "jean shorts" category, I helped pack up the Freewheel tent, stoked to get a free ride back to the city.

It was 5 days before I found out that I had gotten the first losers spot. Awesome...





next race is Nov 7th...

have a killer week Dead Deer

and... racks on the way (still)