Wisconsin Cross Championships - Andy

Hales Corners, WI
Sunday November 22, 2009
by: Andrew Schirpke

Last Wisco cross race of the year. Grandpa came along today(the reason I have my name). Packed up early this morning and 30 minute drive. Pulled into the park and went right to registration. Unloaded the bike and used the “cross dresser” to change. Greg your mom rocks. Put a price tag on the KDR(still for sale) and started to warm up. A few sport beans and a lap with Heidi(Unofficial State Champion).

Got to the line where, as usual, all the big kids were waiting. Official says go and I missed my pedal. Lost a few spots right away and started to spin to get them back. I didn’t have enough gear and by the time we cornered I was at the back. The sand pit slowed me down but I made up a little towards the first barriers. That’s were Team Pegasus set up and tons of people were cheering. Up the hill back down to the staightaway and over the first bridge. Some twists and a long slick climb. Downhill into more wet corners and barriers at the bottom of the next hill. More sketchy off cambers and finally a downhill to catch my breathe. Another bridge and a long stretch before repeating over and over again. Weather was great nearly 55. It was so nice you forget about the corners and a lot of riders went down. I got a beer bath by my “friends”. You can see it here:

http://mtberz.blogspot.com/2009/11/fully-kraeusened.html

Russell pointed out this would be child abuse in any other circumstance. Here they say “you missed a spot” Finished 7th and the coarse whooped me pretty good. Cooled down drank some recovery and chilled with my peeps. Maciej, Marcin, Rob, Candy, Heidi, Coop, Russell, Joe, Mike, Ronsta, Elizabeth, Noah, Grandpa, Lynne, Jon, Ben, Brian oh yeah and a guy named Travis Brown. Lots of friends at the race even though the turnout seemed light. Sorry if I forgot anyone I’m still tipsy from the bath.

More pics here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtberz/sets/72157622857668210/

Picked up a used BMX bike for the winter, scored a pegasus shirt for mom and a water bottle for sis. Then I started some cowbell ringing. My dad was the first to go. He made all his beer-ups but wiped out hard on a straightaway when he tangled with the Planet Bike tape. I think he was just happy to finish after that. Mike got 3rd(cat3) and so did Ronsta. Tristan won by a mile.

Heidi won too and was denied state championship because she didn’t have an annual license. Last week they said not to worry about it, bummer.

Toni needed water at one point. Hand-ups are illegal so I ran my green T6 bottle over to the pits and told her it was there. No cages on a cross bike means it’s going to be dropped somewhere. Looked and looked and found it in a guys pocket. I asked him if he saw a Lime green bottle with a skull on it, he said no. Must not be a racer.

So the season is pretty much over. My dad has been talking about Jingle cross or maybe Illinois champs. We’ll see, it’s been a long season already and we’re ready for a break.

If this is the end of my season I’ll talk to you all next year. I’ve enjoyed writing these reports with my dad and I hope they were fun to read. Sorry if I don’t talk enough about my tire pressure but we do this for fun. Hanging with my friends is the best part of racing and I hopes it’s yours too. Maciej thanks for the pic. Have a great Thanksgiving and be safe out there. USE YOUR LIGHTS!

Pedal On

-Andy