Vegas Cross 2008

I really didn't know if I wanted to stay up late last night and go watch the bike race at Desert Breeze Park. I was tired, i drove nearly 5 hours yesterday (round trip to Caliente), got stuck in traffic going to pick my kids up from swim practice, etc., blah, blah, blah.

I'm gald I sucked it up and went.

Cyclocross bike racing is European by nature, but it is catching up here on the left side of the pond. You ride up short steep hills, sometimes with your bike over your shoulder, you ride through mud bogs, run up hills with bike on shoulder jumping over logs, all sorts of crazy stuff. The Vegas Cross event was just nasty. The Pro men raced 9 laps I think, just over 1 hour of racing. The best of the best cross racers in the country showed up, oh and did I mention Lance Armstrong was racing as well. Lance finished just off the pace of the lead group, but to my knowledge, this is the first time he has ever raced a cross event. Chapeau Mr Livestrong.

This event was nuts because you can see the riders pass by numerous times and different points on the race course. Lots of screaming drunk folks cheering their favs. Don' miss this event next year, I will give all plenty of notice. If your not doing anythink tonight, the US Criterium Finals are out at Mandalay Bay in the parking lot on Russell and LV Blvd. Lots of speed and cyclists crammed into groups like sardines. Sweet! Starts at 9:30 pm for the Pros.