Post Nationals Syndrome.
The energy, vibe, experience, and reward of going to cyclocross National Championships in Bend, Oregon, was one that we'll remember for a long time.
Our meager photographic and writing skills will do little to convey what went on in Bend, but all I can say is
that's how bike racing is supposed to be.
The course and racers put on a fantastic show, and like shows are supposed to be, the crowds were out in all reaches of the course, yelling, cheering, almost pushing the riders along with their support and through their volume, both acoustically as well as in the sheer numbers in attendance.
From a personal perspective, Edge was supporting two of the most talked about and anticipated contenders for the pro men's title: Kona's Ryan Trebon, the defending national champion who was aboard our Edge cyclocross fork:
and former multiple time title holder Jonathan Page, aboard Edge wheels, stem, bar, and seat post.
Which brings me to an interesting situation...
Let's say you're a multiple time national cyclocross champion.
You've stood on the 2nd highest podium step at the world championships.
When you're that guy, people listen.
On Wednesday, 4 days before the national championships, this guy, Mr. Page says (in his soft spoken understated New England murmur..."You know, I think what would be perfect for the Bend course is a special layup set of your
1.25 wheels, only these would be built specifically for cyclocross."
Ask and you shall receive. By that evening, Jonathan Page had four pair of custom 1.25CX 28h wheelsets on a FedEx plane that was pointed towards Bend, Oregon.
The science was there, the know-how existed...but how are they going to hold up, a pair of 1100g 'cross wheels on DT 240s going to hold up to the rigors of a World Champion silver medalist??
We normally wouldn't question this, because, you know, Page is one of those guys who's gentle on their wheels. A gentle rider in a gentle sport.
But this was a rider who'd traveled 5000 miles to a one day event and was putting his entire race on a pair of wheels he'd never ridden, and frankly, we'd never built before.
Congrats, Timmy J.
You rode your heart out and we were cheering for you all...
but watch out, next year we'll be looking for our forks and wheels to take a step higher on the podium.