Saturday November 21st was a cool, dry and windy Montana afternoon.  Just the kind of weather we have come to expect for cyclocross races here in our fair state.  Matt Seeley and his crew from Polson put on one of the finest races races I have attended all year long. And we have had lots of terrific races this year.  I will get back to the Polson Rumpus shortly.

Racing began in late September with seemingly all of the Missoula two wheeled racers firing on all cyclinders at the annual Wednesday night races.  But Missoula is only one town in the state where the 'crossers were honing their skills and fitness.  At 'Cross Vegas John Curry, Alex Lussier and Brad Morgan (for the men) and Lisa Curry provided a strong Montana showing.  Each was a competitive factor racing against the country's top professional cyclocross racers.

Here in Missoula it was clear early on who the strong 'cross racers would be.  Sam Schultz, Toby Mierbechtol and Bob Presta were the tireless trio that continually dominated the Wednesday series.

There were several notable races and competitors this season that I have opportunity to reflect upon and I would like to share those memories and impressions with you. 

The first real race of the year was actually in Idaho.  A large crew of us from Montana descended upon Victor, ID for the second running of Moose Cross.  John Curry showed that he is one of the best in the region when he dominated his race.  Amy Frykman and Lisa Curry crushed all comers in the women's race while trading victories in the two days of racing.  My first win in any race in probably over a decade came in the master's race where I managed to somehow hold off the relentless pursuit of Frank Gonzalez, Alex Lussier and Brad Morgan.

The first big test here in Montana was Rolling Thunder.  Shuan Radley has done an amazing job of growing this race year after year.  2009 was his best effort yet.  The race was almost a side note to the party and festivities that were taking place at the race venue.  The racers were just part of the attraction.  But to my mind that is part of what makes a great event. The racing was fast and competitive for the full 60 min of the mens race where Sam Schultz took a sprint victory from a hard charging Kevin Bradford Parrish.  The Women's race was won in dominating fashion by Lisa Curry who out distanced her competition by a more than convincing margin.

By the time we got to the Montana State Championships we had some newer faces rising to the top of the standings.  Kevin Van der Wood suddenly became a dominant presence at any race he showed up to.  At Herron Park in Kalispell Kevin put on an amazing display of speed and power.  Bob Presta didn't falter and kept Kevin in sight but the flying Dutchman was simply fastest on the day and was not going to be beat.  In my opinion the course at Herron Park is one of the best courses I have raced on.  Lots of fast sections, tight singletrack and a few off camber sections to send me to the ground more than once.  The post race chili and brats was just what the belly ordered.  There is nothing better to warm a racers constitution on a very cold day than a bowl of warm chili and grilled bratwurst.

Geoff Proctor set up another great course at Helena High School.  The snow on the ground only added to the cyclocross atmosphere.  Admittedly I thought the course favored me over anyone else seeing as it had so much fast tarmac.  I had my best start of the year and planned to hold my lead till the finish until Curry, Van der Wood and Presta reminded what fast really is and put me in my place and left me in the back working to keep them in sight.  Curry was fast in Helena. FAST!  I am looking forward to watching him at Nationals.  He will be more than just a participant.  Guaranteed.

For many who are not going to Nationals in Bend, OR this year the Polson Cyclocross Rumpus was the final 'cross race of the season.  The course was one of the coolest courses I have raced.  No question.  The features were everywhere.  Smooth, fast sections, off camber chicanes with some loose soil to keep you focused, a steep run-up that many tried to ride, fast lay-the-bike-over-and-hold-on turns and a really fun fast twisty section through a series of picnic benches.  The race, at least from my perspective was one of the funnest, if not one of the most painful of the year.  I managed to pull out a win ahead of a never say die Bob Presta who was closing down about 15 seconds per lap over the last two laps.  He finished less than 5 seconds down on me at the end.   As fun as the race was it was the after race events that really made this a true Matt Seeley style event.  We had a great "'Cross and Tie" race following the regular cross races.  I am not going to get into what a 'cross and tie is but suffice to say that it was painful but loads of fun.  Kind of a weird shock to the system after feeling like I was going to puke just 20min earlier.  After the all the aerobic (anaerobic) fun was finished we retreated to the cafeteria of the Polson Fairgounds for (with all due respect to the folks at Herron Park) the best chili feed of the year.  Great chili, awesome corn bread, cookies, cakes and of course beer, which is a cyclocross staple.  The Polson Cyclocross Rumpus is a must do race for folks looking for a great cyclocross challenge and esxperience.  Put this one down on your calendar as one of the not to miss races next year regardless of how late in the season the race is held.

I hope you all enjoyed your cycling season this year.  It is perhaps time to shift gears and think about snow sports around here.  I will add my have a short synopsis of a few key racers from this season in a future piece.  Stay tuned.