Road trip, again. 

We loaded up the van with bikes, beer, bar bags and hit the road. We were off to Los Angeles for the esteemed Cyclocross Los Angeles (CXLA) race. Tagging along would be the brand new Ritchey x Stinner x Ornot cross racer, on loan for up-and-coming Ornot cyclocross racer Peter Koch.

 

Plum didily umptious. 

Plum socks, plum cap, plum bike, plum everything. Everyone suited up in the Plum Skinsuit (available in January) and Plum socks - both pieces guaranteed to increase the ratio of awesomeness in every race. 

 

Endless summer. 

Despite it being November it was a hot in LA, but we can play that game. The course was a flat, grassy and fast. There were a few obstacles (including a pretty hefty sandpit and a flyover) and a bunch of room for passing throughout the entire course. 

 

Let the race begin.  

All of the USAC Elite A and B races were bunched together that morning - but not to worry, the UCI course was as wide as a drag strip and there was more than enough opportunities for all of the racers to pass each other. The four categories running together made for any interesting spectacle - there was always a rider on the patch of course in front of you. Problem was, nobody could tell who was racing who, or who was in the lead. 

 

Turn after turn. 

Cyclocross races often take place in parks and when your lucky, on grass! For us in California it's always special when we get to race on a grassy course (except when its soaking wet - which happened when the skies opened up on Sunday). The organizers did a good job using miles of course tape to twist and turn the course through the park to keep things interesting. 

 

Headed for the finish, who won? 

We'll, none of us won, but we had a few top 10s and a podium of fun- success. With the races wrapped up, we loaded the bus again and started on our long journey up the 5. Until next time LA.