Never thought I'd see the day when the weather in Portland was actually better than Bend's but when Don Leet skated the Audi through 5 inches of fresh down Newport Ave., we were all happy to be heading to the 65 deg forecast on the "west side".It was great to see the team there this weekend joining the other 1396 people for a day of cross raising at the love-to-hate / hate-to-love Alpenrose Dairy venue. A field was stacked as usual with Wicks, Trebon, Tonkin and the gang leading out the field of 70+.
Team DeSalvo stood out nicely in the blue bikes / kits and definitely got some "nice bike" comments at the start line. These custom steel DeSalvo cyclocross bikes ride so nicely its hard to imagine ever putting up with the back-attack of my previous aluminum frame. Unfortunately the front-row call up was the last time I saw the front battling not only tons of fast guys but a nagging head cold and a carbon rim that cracked and died after 3 laps. Neutral pit wheels / support from Shimano is sweet but good thing the new, SWEET Chris King hubs just came in to build up.
Course was in perfect shape with a screaming descent, quick jaunt through the woods and a bumpy long uphill before winding back around the daily velodrome and work buildings. Did what I could to hang on to a top 20 finish.
Unfortunately this seems to be the cold that just won't take a hike but my fingers are CX'd for a better finish in Rainier. That course is really fun with some good climbing (Reny). Look forward to seeing the blue / gray out in force again!
