OK. Now this just enters the realm of crazy. But it also demonstrates why the Euros absolutely historically slay us on the bike. In about every discipline. I mean we even had to invent the Mountain and BMX bike for us to be good at least one of the discipines...and they pound us there to this day. But we'll be back. Just as soon as we can do stuff like this.

And boys (in particular), don't try this at home. Crazy...

It’s that time of year again, folks! Time to get that mid week eye-bleed done and in the legs. As mentioned, there has been a huge response to having a ‘working man’s edition’ of the Wednesday Worlds ride. These will commence next Wednesday.

This said, note a couple of things. These rides are entirely unsanctioned fun rides with no specific organization running them other than some passionate folks who enjoy cyclocross. Some of these folks have worked directly with the Parks and Rec department over the last 2 years to get permission/permits to utilize land (e.g. specific parks) in order to allow for the required space to have the group ride. Over the years these rides have become huge and by breaking up the ride into smaller groups as we’re doing this year, we are reducing impact, park use frequency and doing so at off peak hours to minimize any sort of conflict with other park users.  Further, there are rules of park use which we will repeat to the group and pass on to newbies to ensure we minimize any environmental impact. Lastly, at the core of it all is our respect for other park users. We will reach out to those enjoying the park while we are and ensure all is copacetic.

Get yer hup hup on!

My dearest Buttercups. The season is nearly here and Lordie knows you should be stylin' some 'cross specific clothing! I've got a small limited run of T's and FlexFit hats and as I am busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest these days, I really can't ship this stuff all over the sphere. So if'n you're from the Boulder area and you want to hook up, I can pass on the goods! email me or use the Contact Me on my About page if interested. First come first serve until I get these puppies out! Note, these are not available on the Cafe Press store as they were done by Anthem Branding. See below...

FlexFit "infield" style hats all the kids are wearing this fall. Flat brim style in Black and Blue (seen here). Stitched in 'cross guy' in the same color as the hat (e.g. blue above), Hup Hup Buttercup and mudandcowbells.com stitched in white. I have S/M and L/XL. $20

These are soft cotton, fitted-style T's in Chocolate Brown, Slate Blue and Black. Chest has what you see above with a small mudandcowbells.com vertically on the lower left side of the shirt. So don't wear it tucked in! I have various sizes from S to XL in each. E-mail me in advance to ask me what size and I'll put it away for you. $20

The on-line version of the MB Interview Chris DiStefano did with me on the 'state of cross' in the September Issue of Mountain Bike Magazine is up! I'm so indebted to Chris and Jasen Thorpe at Mountain Bike Magazine for the opportunity! Subscribe here or grab the September issue of Mountain Bike at your newsstand today!

It's time. The depth of pain we put ourselves through in the wee hours of the morning is...well it's just funny. My old friend Jared once tweeted "what are Type A's running from?". I guess we're always running from something but I like to think I'm running towards something. Even if it's jus a crappy box of Gu's for getting on a podium made out of a bucket in Podunck CO. It's why we do it.

The early AM training is spectacular. Fall is already here at 6:00AM folks. Crisp and cool. The body is just at the door of being able to hum as the blocks are put in and assembled into something stronger. Foundations supporting a season. No gloves on while training. Freezing fingers to get them used to it. The way I look at it, you have to dedicate yourself to feeling like this...

(c) Woldhek.nl

To be like this:

(c) Woldhek.nl

Almost there. Stay on target. Can you hear it comin'?

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

I can.

My main main Rob O’Dea wanted me to share with you some of his stunning pictures of this past weekend’s Leadville 100. All I can say is epic. He captures the images on digital media with such precision….somehow nailing in a single still shot the things I see and feel when I am racing my bike. It’s even too painful to look at in some images…yet makes my mouth water for the suffering in others.

Follow Rob on Twitter else visit his site to browse more of his stunning photography.

Wiens. Head down. Drilling it.

Lance as he bombs past Travis Brown. It pains me to see this…

I love how Lance’s eyes get all puffy when he suffers.

  Wiens getting his hup on, likely as he claws his way back form 5th to 2nd.

Absolute poetry.

Open mouthed. This is mountain biking.

More of the eye swell.

2nd place. Whatever. Wiens is a stud.

Come join World's Team member and Cycle-Smart coach Ben Turner, 2x National Champion Brandon Dwight and a gaggle of passionate cyclocross experts including the CLIF Bar Cyclocross Team and member’s of Boulder Cyclesport’s cyclocross squad on Sunday August 30th, 8-11AM. Learn all of what you need to get fast and smooth and ensure that each weekend you pin a number on your back you are smiling wider as you see yourself improve. Get started off right this season!

Meet at Boulder Cyclesport in North Boulder at 7:30AM for check in. All the info you need is right below you! register today at BikeReg by clicking on the BikeReg icon!

What were you doing in the 80's? I was listening to Ratt, popping zits all the while trying to look cool riding around on my Shogun touring bike (yes it had cantilevers). These guys look like they were high on trucker's speed riding cross bikes on a death course. They needed that Skol at the end to come down I guess.

I love the 80's.