Ricky Bobby Cameron Cross Race

Saturday we got up, packed the truck full of cyclocross gear, and drove out to the Western Speedway in Langford for the Ricky Bobby Cameron Cross Race.

The Rider's tent was up, and the boys changed out of their warm clothes into base layers and spandex.

The bikes were ready to go too, sexy decals and all...

This is the mud-clogged section of the course... the mud was frozen during the beginner race, but by the time 12:00 rolled around it was the consistency of baby poop.

Pre-race tactics were discussed... what to do with all that mud?

The fans were ready to cheer!

The first race the Rider's boys took part in was the Shop Challenge, where all the shops in town compete neck and neck for one gruelling lap. 

Not too dirty yet...

The shop challenge was won by Oak Bay Bikes. But our Rider's boys put in a good effort.

Next up was the Intermediate Men's race, and Cam was ready for a battle.

The killer hill -- most people walked this sucker!

There's Cam struggling amidst the chaos...

Justin charging through the grassy section of the course!

Our buddy Halldor gritting through the dirt.

It was about now that I realized Cam wasn't coming through the grassy section... where was he?

Back at the tent, shaking his head over his misfortune...

And dirty as ever...

Why was his race cut short? His rear derailleur ripped clean off! All that mud got caked in his rear hub. We saw many dangling derailleurs that day.

Muddy bums!

 

"Ha ha Daddy you're so dirty!"

The sweet smell of cooking waffles from the Wanna Wafle stand filled the finish area.

They even had a wanna wafel bike!

Long line ups for the bike cleaning station...

These guys need a hose down too!

Next it was the Master's race, and our guy Shane was ready to rip it up!

A happy post-race beer.

Finally the pros took to the course. They were wicked fast and stuck together in a pack for most of the race.

The lead fella who eventually won the race... he rides for Trek Red Truck.

Some people enjoyed the mud more than others!

All Roads Lead to ROMA!

Buon giorno!

(yes, I had to look that up. I need to work on my Italian.)

This is where we'll be in less than two weeks (eeep!)... the crowded, noisy, ancient beauty of Rome!

We booked our Rome hotel for WAY less than I thought we'd end up spending. Woo hoo! Budgeting! Saving the dough for a couple nice dinners or extra gas money.

This is the Hotel Capitolium. Not your typical hotel entrance, but the rooms look clean and the reviews were excellent.

And what's that right next door, you ask?

That's right....

Woo hoo! A disco sexy! A no limits disco sexy at that.

Oh but it's not all that bad. Let's see what's right across the street.

A cinema?

No, it's a Sexi Movie! Everything is sexy in Rome, baby.

Ah but enough about Rome. This is a rough, rough map of where we're heading...

We spend three nights in Rome before taking the fast train up to Florence (or maybe we'll just go straight to Milan?). Anyway we need to be in Milan for Oct. 15 for the start of the Giro di Lombardia, which leaves from downtown Milan, circles around Lake Como and finishes in the lakeside town of Lecco. This is the last big race on the internatinoal circuit, and Philippe Gilbert won it last year. (Those of you who follow the Tour de France may remember him from this year as the first rider to wear yellow.)

After that, maybe we'll go to Cinque Terre... eventually we'll hop across to Luzern, Switzerland to meet my friend Lisa.

Then it's the speedy train to Paris where we meet up with my sister, Kylie, before booting Cam onto a plane (he's doing two weeks -- I'm staying for three! My sister, on the other hand, is doing six months).

Whew. Can't wait.

Work has been crazy for both of us. We're ready to get on outta here!

And him?

He gets a nice two week vacation at Grandmere's & Grandad's.

Maybe he'll finally learn to hunt?