Halloween Cross - Andy

Washington Park - Milwaukee, WI
Saturday October 31, 2009
by: Andrew Schirpke

We start out COLD! Wake up and it’s WINDY…did I mention cold. Load the modified 8000 on the rack for her maiden voyage. Got a late start and my dad was flying down the freeway. Mom came along this time so she kept him in check.

Arrive to a super long registration line. Oh yea and it’s cold! Just get signed in and my dad needs to get his bike, costume and get to the line. Costume? Halloween remember. There are 100 in his wave. He starts in the back and successfully completes all Pabst hand-ups. Hang with everybody. Jon, Lynne and Ben are there(Thanks for the PIX!)A few regulars: Kid Rock, Darrin, Brian, Doug, Ron, Joe, Mike and the whole EXPO team.

Thanks to EXPO for having music, chili and beer. I won a set of rims in their costume contest. I was the never before seen HATER FAIRY. Lynne snapped the shot. More at www.MTBerz.blogspot.com

So It’s my turn. Cross sucks. Course was long with some good uphills, two triples and the coffin of death. I had stiff competition off the line and a few pulled away never to be seen again. I hung in there but the laps wore me down. I have to lift my bike over my head to clear the barriers so they slow me down a little. I had a front brake rub the whole race and it drove me crazy! Tires were ok but I have lots to fix. Average finish but after I work out the bike issues I hope it goes better.

The party really started to take off before the pro start. Cheered everyone on from the couch and had a great time. Next stop ICEMAN. If you going look us up we’ll be in the resort Thursday.

- ANDY