ELEMENTS: Dry & Dusty
A lot of the imagery we see from cyclocross are from the thick wet muddy races in Europe. We also sometimes don’t celebrate the uniquely challenging conditions that we get in the cyclocross season in North America. Quite often the first few race weekends can be in very dry and dusty conditions. As the riders swirl around the course creating a billowing dust bowl the riders are almost completely hidden within a cloud. These fast dry and often hot conditions create an environment that catches out some CX riders used to the wetter heavier conditions. Its always exciting to see those bright yellows, browns, reds and deep dark shadows that softly blend into each other as the dust consumes the course.
Acrylic on canvas.
Artist: Kenza Barton Schlee
“Dust filling up lungs, tires barely holding traction and fast, bumpy racing for the start of the US cyclocross season.” - Katie Clouse
Hello Everyone,
It’s been a minute since we’ve spoken to you all last. It seems like a lot has happened since then, but it has been a peaceful spring and summer for the team. So we’ll give you a quick update of what everyone has been up to.
Curtis, Katie, and Raylyn had a bit of a quiet summer. After Curtis and Raylyn took on long and grueling gravel seasons in 2023, it was time for a reset. Curtis raced mostly near and around his home of Beverly, MA as Raylyn toured North America with Pas Normal Studios through Destination Everywhere; connecting with local communities, making new friends, and connecting on a deeper level with old ones. Katie had a massive spring as she graduated from Colorado Mesa University (CMU) with a degree in exercise science and biology. Katie has worked most of the summer as scribe for a local hospital, as well as strapping up to race Redlands and Collegiate Road Nationals for CMU.
The team came together in Beverly, MA as the mechanics worked to finish the prep for the season’s new equipment on the new SRAM Red AXS components and Fizik saddles. We made our way down to Roanoke, Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains for the first round of the USCX Series to kick off the team’s North American cyclocross campaign. Year after year, we travel to the same locations to take on similar courses. These cities become familiar and quite comforting as we wander back; excited for the moments and memories we’ll make in the new year.
Go Cross Race was just what all three riders needed - a good kick in the teeth to awaken the body back to race mode. Different from last year, there would be no rain on the forecast. Both days would be dry and dusty - balmy, with a high of low 80s both days. Day 1 results: Curtis would finish 4th, Katie 5th, and Raylyn 6th. Day 2 would be a similar day for the ladies as Katie would battle in the front group as the group would slip away in the final few laps; finished the day in 5th. Raylyn would finish again in 6th as she battled a stomach bug throughout the weekend, but managed to push through. Both Katie and Raylyn would be top Americans both days as the women’s field became deeper this year with a few ladies coming over from Europe. On Day 2, Curtis would also battle in the front group until the final few laps - he would finish the day in 6th.
We’re excited to get the season rolling and sharpen the swords, as we look to progress through the USCX Series for this first block of racing. See you this weekend in upstate New York!
Enjoy the images from our first weekend on the road - by Kenza Barton Schlee:
