It is time to take off the training wheels

With the first race only 21 days away, it is time to get rid of the "hop", learn how to run again and not land on your nuts on those awkward remounts.  Here is a quick rundown of what is happening in the metro area.

First out of the gate is the Tuesday night cross practice with yours truly.  We will once again be hanging out over at GP Betz starting on 8/23 around 545p or so.  Look for us at the picnic pavilion down from the parking lot.  This is a great place to train at.  Lot's of grass, stairs, a bit of singletack, some hills and did I mention stairs?

Second is our shop sponsored cross practice with Alpha Bicycle Company.  Their practice will be Wednesday nights, starting on 8/24, at 6pm at the BMX Track off of Colorado Blvd and County Line Rd.  This is also their junior cross team practice.  Riding with these guys will make you fast.

Wednesday night is the Gates Park cross extravaganza.  Meeting between 530p and 600p behind the Children's Museum/Aquarium..  Lot's of grass, a volleyball court of sand and a couple hills that will get your heart rate up. They will be meeting there and either riding there or off to another park close by.  Last year the park was used by different groups so just be cautious about others.  It is right next to the Platte bike path so it gets alot of use.  Contact Jess for more info.

Also on Wednesday nights is the Kiddie Prison beatdown.  Hosted by GM Velo and Lee Waldman, this is the course out in Golden that is used a couple of times a year.  Lee really needs to have people out to work the course in at this point. Practices right now are free but they will be doing races out there starting Sept 14th.  I also know that Todd Hockenberry from Team Evergreen and some other special guests are hosting an impromptu clinic for some newbies on 8/25 starting around 6p.  There is also talk of beers and dinner afterwards at one of Golden's finest establishments.

Thursday see's the return of the FMVC crew to either GP Betz or possibly the ultra cool cross course at Cherry Creek Res.  Either way, starting up at 545p and going for about 90 minutes or so.  The CC course has sand, stairs, goatheads, parking lots and more goatheads.  Bring your clinchers, some Stans and spare tubes for this ride.

Early Sunday morning is the old Red Rocks Velo cross practice.  Lead by Chandler from City Velo, they leave at 9am from the Conoco at Morrison Rd and C470.  A little cross, a little dirt roads and little bike path riding to get you going.  Hit up Chandler via email

Last but not least is the second practice with Alpha Bicycle at 3pm at Timberline Park on Sundays. I dont have a full rundown on this one, but give Adam a call over at the shop.  Digits are 303-220-9799.

We also all know about Wednesday Worlds in the bubble.  These are the morning throw down but who the hell has time to go up there?  Support your local cross teams, venues and businesses right here in town.

Also hit up Adam for all things cross.  They have Dugast tubies, all makes and models of clinchers, Gore cable and housing and all the small parts needed to put your bike back together before the season starts.

Got questions, leave them in the comments section about the rides and will let you know.