Think you're tough? Oh, you probably are.Not me. Not like these people. They're practicing for a kind of bicycle racing called Cycle-Cross.
This part doesn't look that hard. You jump off your bike, lift it over the logs and jump on again. What the camera doesn't capture is that you're going at break-neck speed.
Our local group, SoCalCross, practices on Wednesday evenings in the same place where Boz and I like to walk. Thankfully these guys are nice about dogs and Boz sorta knows to stay out of their way. Still, it's a good idea to watch out if you're walking at Hahamongna Watershed Park on a Wednesday evening. These bikers are fast!
I understand from an insider that new riders are welcome to train with them. Are you man or woman enough? Not me. I'm sticking with wide tires and baskets.
25 comments:
I'm with you Petrea!
I'm with placid low speed, low impact cycling myself. As for these guys, I find it really hard to take seriously anyone over 18 wearing spandex.
Right on. I saw your comment on Meead's post of the bike with pink flowers, and I totally agree that's me. I like your photo---this would be fun to watch...at a distance.
Great picture, really captures the sense of speed and danger. (Try running across these guys when you're on horseback -- talk about speed and danger and some very bad horsemanship.)
See, if these guys were on horses instead of bikes they wouldn't have to stop for logs. Plus horse riding attires are far more stylish than spandex.
Not me, I'm sticking with really wide tires and a steering wheel! These guys are haulin. Like that nice diagonal line with all that dust!!
When we're all out there at Hahamongna--the bikers, horseback riders and dog walkers--we have to respect each other. Most people do. It's friendly. There's enough space for everybody. Except, of course, when Virginia's mode of transportation comes along (in the form of a truck!). Then everyone must yield.
Some people look good in Spandex. That's all I'm sayin'.
I'd be cross too if I had to ride over all those logs and things. sheesh. great action shot.
Petrea, thank you once again for enlightening me to something in Pasadena that I've never heard of and yet is something I'd love to go experience! I don't own a cross bike, but I'm going to have to go watch these guys at some point! It's such a fascinating sport. No mountain bikes, just knobby tires on road geometry frames. Incredible.
And Benjamin Madison, you gotta respect the spandex. A day in the saddle with regular athletic shorts will leave you with so much discomfort compared to the joys of our stretchy fabric friend.
Guess I'm outnumbered on Spandex. I didn't realize comfort was involved.
I was immediately captivated by the intensity and energy in this photo, but I'm a wimp. I don't think my bamboo bicycle could withstand the terrain or the speeds.
Wow, this is an amazing photograph! I'm fascinated by this sport, too -- mainly because of what Ben mentioned about the bikes they use -- not mountain bikes but road frames with big tires. I've never watched these guys in person but it looks really scary.
Oh, and my cyclist husband looks so great in his spandex... :-)
Cross indeed, KG! When my "Fifi" bike arrives, I'll have to see if I need the "stretchy fabric friend". I just won't tell Benjamin, if I do.
wow awesome shot, love it!
Tag! I tagged you!
Spandex-shmandex. Well ok, some people do look good in them, especially the ones who do such vigorous exercises as these guys. But I noticed it a while ago that mounted police tend to look quite well in their non-spandex too.
I Was over at the equestrian center over by Disney the other day, and still fixated on horses, I guess. It's hard to pet a mountain bike.
Benjamin Madison said "Guess I'm outnumbered on Spandex."
These folks are also out: numbered, in Spandex.
Hi everyone! Oooh! Long Saturday for me. I hope you're all having a good weekend.
Ben, I thought this might interest you. I hope you checked their website because I think they're having an event tomorrow.
Miss H., I didn't see you in the trailer so I guess I'll have to rent the film. Perhaps we should set aside an evening to enjoy some high-brow blogger cinema.
Benjamin, I didn't know that about Spandex either (who would have thought it was comfortable?). But then again I've never heard of a bamboo bicycle, so I may not be your best resource.
I imagine Laurie's husband will be attending the event with Ben tomorrow, decked out in his spandex?
Elaine, are you naming your bike Fifi? Is that anything like me naming my car?
Hmm. Has Ming spray-painted my PC or should I just go look at New York and see what's up?
Yeah, Vanda, and mountain bikes don't have that soft, fuzzy muzzle and warm breath. But you know, maybe the riders...
Bernie, I'm gonna say that one's reaching.
Any crack about Spandex is a stretch.
All I can say is "sore bottoms" at the end of the day.
That's what happened the last time I rented a bike and rode it around Central Park.
Ming, I'm one of the rare Americans who has reached adulthood without ever having been in Manhattan. But I understand Central Park is huuuuuuge. So I believe you have an excuse.
It amazes me what new ways people think up to hurt themselves. Great post Petrea.
You know, if they just moved a little bit to the left or right they could save themselves a lot of work!
I agree. I can just imagine you caught up in this lot ringing your bell while watching the contents of your basket!
Jill, Freefalling and Marley: each one of you gave me a belly laugh.
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