Seattle Cyclocross Race # 7 - Last of the Series
Last race of the Seattle Cyclocross series splashed down last Sunday. Splashed? Yeah, it was a rainy Mud Fest, with all the associated fun and frolicking of racing 'cross in the rain. This event being the final of the seven race series, with son Racer Boy Ian competing in four of 'em. We skipped a few, but combined with the MFG series, we experienced plenty of racing action this fall.
This race held at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington. First time as a race venue for us, though I've been to this site a few times over the years, since it holds the fair and car racing events. I noticed a small supercross style motocross track while driving in for this visit. It sat muddy and quiet, unlike the 'cross action nearby.
Without further ado, some pics and notes from the festivities...
Ian caught mid remount, barriers looming. As you can see, a beautiful fall day for everyone to enjoy. The course was a mixture of mud, wet sand, and wet pavement. Afterwards; a bag of wet, muddy, sandy race kit to lug home.
One of Ian's junior teammates goes for the barriers, in full view of team tent. I didn't get many pics of the junior race, since it was pouring and didn't wanna risk drenching the camera. Call me a wussy.
Ian bares his teeth and sprints for the finish. Handlebar to the right belongs to teammate Emma, racing in the Junior Girls 13-14 class. They've battled it out for two races now. Fun to watch. Girls racers rock. Go Emma!
They blur the camera with their sprint, while another junior racer is consoled on the sideline.
Finish line straight ahead, both of 'em on the gas. I don't know who hit the line first, Ian doesn't either - it was that close. Emma scored a third place for her class for the day - great job. Ian scored way down in the standings, after getting caught behind a start crash, then crashing and getting tangled with a teammate later in the race. Add in the muddy conditions and I'm still proud of him. I get a huge kick out of watching him race, no matter what the results.
Ian displays post race semi clean bike, courtesy of charity bike wash. Proceeds to benefit a local high school mountain bike team. Awesome. Money well donated.
Scott, one of the Old Guy Ride regulars, enjoying a post race beer; after doing battle in the CAT4 Master Mens 55+ division.
This slightly muddy, slightly steep run up, included at no extra charge. Yes, the junior racers enjoyed this as well. It's this kinda stuff that makes cyclocross oh, so much fun.
View from the top. If this was a mountain bike race, direction would be reversed.
Sound not included with this pic. If it was, you'd hear young lad screaming "Go Mom go!", and how cool is that? Pro photographer woman smiles with approval. Since I've spent so many races running around taking pictures, the pro shooters recognize me with a smile and hello. One pro dude has given me some advice. Nice folks. I really dig cycling related photography and working to get better at it.
Faces of 'cross. I take so many pics, hard to decide which to post. Some better then others. A few zillion others not posted.
Next to the 'cross race, some indoor flat track racing taking place. I snuck in for a few shots. Sue me. A whole different crowd and culture, but appeals to my old school roots.
Ian caught mid remount, barriers looming. As you can see, a beautiful fall day for everyone to enjoy. The course was a mixture of mud, wet sand, and wet pavement. Afterwards; a bag of wet, muddy, sandy race kit to lug home.
Yeah. It was a little muddy.
One of Ian's junior teammates goes for the barriers, in full view of team tent. I didn't get many pics of the junior race, since it was pouring and didn't wanna risk drenching the camera. Call me a wussy.
Houston, we have a problem. Teammate Matt looks for a place to land.
Splat. We have touch down. Was up in second and back in the chase.
Ian bares his teeth and sprints for the finish. Handlebar to the right belongs to teammate Emma, racing in the Junior Girls 13-14 class. They've battled it out for two races now. Fun to watch. Girls racers rock. Go Emma!
They blur the camera with their sprint, while another junior racer is consoled on the sideline. 
Finish line straight ahead, both of 'em on the gas. I don't know who hit the line first, Ian doesn't either - it was that close. Emma scored a third place for her class for the day - great job. Ian scored way down in the standings, after getting caught behind a start crash, then crashing and getting tangled with a teammate later in the race. Add in the muddy conditions and I'm still proud of him. I get a huge kick out of watching him race, no matter what the results.
Ian displays post race semi clean bike, courtesy of charity bike wash. Proceeds to benefit a local high school mountain bike team. Awesome. Money well donated.
Post race, muddy face, Ian - filling me on the details.
Team tent glove warmer.
Scott, one of the Old Guy Ride regulars, enjoying a post race beer; after doing battle in the CAT4 Master Mens 55+ division.
Rain, mud, campfire and barriers. Must be a 'cross race.
Official blurry leg shot # 1.
JL Velo teammate Cole stands in for official blurry leg shot # 2.
Rain has stopped and another class gets ready to roll.
Are we not women? We are DEVO. Fast girls ready to rock.
Round 'N' Round we go.
Crashes only count if caught on film.
This slightly muddy, slightly steep run up, included at no extra charge. Yes, the junior racers enjoyed this as well. It's this kinda stuff that makes cyclocross oh, so much fun.
Unidentified single speed dude clears the top.
Are we having fun yet?
The joy continues.
View from the top. If this was a mountain bike race, direction would be reversed.
Sound not included with this pic. If it was, you'd hear young lad screaming "Go Mom go!", and how cool is that? Pro photographer woman smiles with approval. Since I've spent so many races running around taking pictures, the pro shooters recognize me with a smile and hello. One pro dude has given me some advice. Nice folks. I really dig cycling related photography and working to get better at it.
Faces of 'cross. I take so many pics, hard to decide which to post. Some better then others. A few zillion others not posted.
Go ahead, take my picture.
Overcast, rain, mud, speed 'n' suffering. I guess that be 'cross.
Did I mention it was muddy?
Reeve, dad to two of Ian's teammates, plows his own mud slot.
I dig doing these blur shots. What can I say?
Next to the 'cross race, some indoor flat track racing taking place. I snuck in for a few shots. Sue me. A whole different crowd and culture, but appeals to my old school roots.
Don't worry. That'll buff right out...
Decent barrier shot, thanks to number 222. Your check is in the mail.
Another Sunday, another race day, another Pile-O-Pics. Despite the weather and tough race, Ian mentioned it was fun and glad he entered. That's what it's all about. The series was well run, with fun courses, fast scoring and results. Great job. This event even sported free hot dogs, bratwurst, and sodas for all. I indulged with a few of each (burp). On top of that, taco pot luck with Ian's team under that shared tent. Nice way to the end the series. We'll be back next year.
Thanks for reading and checking out the pics. Adios for now..
Leftovers...
Well, sort of. We usually have a lot of leftovers and this year, not wanting to look like the greedy girl that I secretly am, I barely took any home :) We would typically have fried stuffing with eggs for breakfast, potato pancakes and green bean casserole for lunch and turkey tacos for dinner. The next day we would have potato pancakes and eggs, turkey sandwiches for lunch and a turkey salad for dinner. We were still able to do a little of the same traditions. And here's one of them!
Fried Stuffing with an Egg Over Easy
1.) Place balls of stuffing in a pan that has a tablespoon of oil over medium high heat
2.) Flip over after about 4 minutes and slightly press them and cook for another 4 minutes
3.) Meanwhile cook some eggs to your liking (poached eggs would be yummy and a bit healthier ;)
4.) Place the egg on top and enjoy and then head straight to the gym--we literally did :)
Fried Stuffing with an Egg Over Easy
2.) Flip over after about 4 minutes and slightly press them and cook for another 4 minutes
3.) Meanwhile cook some eggs to your liking (poached eggs would be yummy and a bit healthier ;)
4.) Place the egg on top and enjoy and then head straight to the gym--we literally did :)
Arab Museum of Modern Art/ Cai Guo-Qiang Jumping!
Wang jumps for Cai Guo-Qiang's Saraab at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, Qatar! Photograph by Lin Yi, courtesy of Cai Studio. SO AWESOME. Thanks for submitting, Fatima!
Thanksgiving 2011
This was the first year that I haven't cooked a Thanksgiving meal and surprisingly didn't miss it at all! Gina and Mike so kindly had our family over to their home and she prepared an amazing spread and I only brought one side. Can you believe I barely took any photos??? We were so hungry and running late (of course) and we all literally sat down to eat as soon as we got there! After eating and then blobbing about from a food coma, we headed back to our house so that we could put the boys down and watch the Texas v. Texas A&M game and then slept like babies, whatever that means. Did I mention that I contemplated wearing maternity jeans that day?
We started the morning off by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade like we do every year. As per usual, the boys got antsy and over it once they saw SpiderMan and Sonic the Hedgehog and wanted to...play football :)
Grandma bought the boys these cute vests which the boys DID NOT LIKE as you can see in the photo below ;)
They have not one, but two English Mastiff's. Coltrane kept saying, No, nope, no, nope. :)
Gina and Mike got the boys these fun bounce balls!
Getting a workout in after eating.
Crazy Trane too.
First and LAST time on a Harley or any sort of motorcycle... Check out the sky!
Sweet Potato Casserole with a Twist
INGREDIENTS
4 average size sweet potatos
2 jalapenos
2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
1/2 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup melted butter
salt and peppar
DIRECTIONS
We started the morning off by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade like we do every year. As per usual, the boys got antsy and over it once they saw SpiderMan and Sonic the Hedgehog and wanted to...play football :)
Grandma bought the boys these cute vests which the boys DID NOT LIKE as you can see in the photo below ;)
They have not one, but two English Mastiff's. Coltrane kept saying, No, nope, no, nope. :)
Getting a workout in after eating.
Crazy Trane too.
Sweet Potato Casserole with a Twist
INGREDIENTS
4 average size sweet potatos
2 jalapenos
2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
1/2 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup melted butter
salt and peppar
DIRECTIONS
- bake the potatoes for an hour in a 375 degree oven
- about half way through, put the jalapenos in the oven and let them roast
- once potatoes are done, scoop out the insides into a bowl
- chop up the peppers and add to the same bowl
- add almost all of the butter (save some for drizzling over the top at the end), OJ, cilantro and salt and peppar to taste
- mix with a beater and put in a baking dish
- add the chopped nuts and drizzle with the remaining butter and put in the oven for about 20 minutes
_____________________________________________
With so much going on this year for us and the future in the hands of God and the Universe, I stumbled upon this quote by the great Henry Miller.
"The aim of life is to live
and to live means to be aware,
joyously, drunkenly serenely, divinely aware."
And I am very aware of all the blessings in my life and am the most thankful I have been in years.
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