Well the races were a success, everyone had fun despite the heat and there were lots of kids out racing free of charge. We had 94 people out racing at Mad Cross, the regional on Saturday which is about what I expected. Good turnout for a regional race and hopefully we’ll build on it.
Sunday was Dam Cross the O-Cup and we had 164 racers which was a little lower than I was hoping, but considering the crazy early race date and other events (Hurtin in Haliburton) happening on the same weekend it wasn’t bad. Hopefully we’ll get back to an October date next year and get the entries up to around 200.
A huge thank-you to all the racers, there were a ton of locals out, many raced both days.
As most know, Kevin Gibson and Rob Daniells have always done a lot of the work to make KWCX and now Mad and Dam Cross happen. I’m just the paperwork guy, they are always there to build the course, help the events run and tear down after. It takes a team to keep bike races going. I can’t thank each of you enough.
To all the volunteers, we couldn’t have done it without you, literally.
Saturday we had Dirk and Vikram bike from Waterloo to Woodstock (arriving around 8 am!) volunteer all day at registration, on the mic, at the start/finish and just wherever needed and then they biked home. Crazy awesome. Also on Saturday Andrew L made the drive with his wife and newborn, helped at reg, on the mic and wherever was needed for a few hours.
Rob, Lauren and Devin were around in the morning to help get everything on track and going for the day which was a massive help.
Thanks everyone above, you made Saturday run smoothly and stress free since we were running the day without Ontario Cycling staff or any commissaires.
Sunday we had the tag team of Kevin and Nicola Goertz running registration and helping at the finish line all day then they, and their sons, stayed hours after the race helping us take the course down. Thanks so much for all the help Sunday, it would have been hectic without you.
Angela Quick was there with Alex and she took on number calling duty at the finish line for the final races of the day. One of these years I’ll convince her to race cross, but I suppose she has a good excuse for once.
After two days of racing in the heat Adam Myers helped out until the end taking down the course. Thank-you for sticking around and putting in the work.
Of course both Rob and Kevin were around all day Sunday helping wherever it was needed and to tear down the course. I even recruited Lauren and Devin to help on the mic and with podium presentations.
Finally we had a surprise appearance from our president Kerry. She lent a hand around the venue and was given the all important duty of spraying riders (at least the ones that wanted to be sprayed) with the hose to help keep them cool.
Thanks to everyone above, these events don’t happen without you.
I’m sure I’m forgetting to mention some names, the days were kind of a blurr. In addition to our club members many people there racing offered to help wherever it was needed and I took them up on the offer. The cyclo-cross, and in general the Ontario racing scene is very friendly and supportive. I’m glad we could help keep the cross calendar healthy by keeping these races alive.
Now to relax and enjoy the coming races…right after I spend a bunch of time organizing all the race stuff before I get in too much trouble from my better half.
Mark
