With the cyclocross season over, my restlessness is a little intense.  There is not an effort for my brain to focus on for this weekend.  I walk around the house aimlessly, almost searching for the task I have occupied myself with for the last eight months.  It feels great, on the other hand, to be scheduling stuff other than cycling for this weekend.  Hopefully we'll take Molly to the huge dog park, ride a little trail, have Christmas with both families.  It will be good.

 

After having days to reflect, I have really decided nationals was nothing short of amazing.  The weather made for some conditions that will be talked about for years.  Everyone stuck around until the final day to watch the Elite race and the atmosphere that was created was amazing.  Things like chickens, sharks, couches and cowbells that are the end all to all other cowbells.  The amazingly awesome support I had from the Klugs and Tim as well as the million people who were cheering for me.  On top of all that, I felt I raced pretty well.  It allowed me to finish the season feeling like I belong racing with these guys, lusting for more and doing better.  I must smile alot while I am racing, or at least having a good time, because multiple times I have had people yell "there is no smiling in cross!"  Well, when that was yelled at me during one of my laps at nationals in a particularly difficult part of the course I made my best metal face.  It was such a fun time.

 

With this season over and next season only months away I am trying to decide how I want approach next year.  The NORBA national and AMBC calendars published, along with the WORS, DINO and WEMS series, I have many options.  I really wanted to go to Sea Otter this year and the inset in VeloNews today seems like it is calling for me.  I would like to get my upgrade to semi-pro and compete at nationals in Vermont, but all the same, my focus is going to be the cyclocross season.  So I need to not burn out and also not break the bank on traveling to race my mountain bike, since I will be all over the place in the fall.  We will see, there are two national races within driving distance from DC and I love going to DC.  It is going to be all about balance.

 

Josh sent Julie, Molly and I an awesome Christmas Card.

 

It does not get much better than that, unless you are holding your bikes above your head on my roof making Incredible Hulk faces.  Year end wrap ups to come soon.