ELEMENT: MUD
Mud, probably the conditions that are most associated with cyclocross. Heavy, wet, sticky, slick, tacky, all of these words can describe mud. The chaos that mud can cause at a race weekend is followed by in-depth knowledge and understanding of how to ride the different types of mud by the best riders. These conditions change the day for the spectator too as the boots come out and the jackets are put on, all toughing it out in the dark, muddy wet conditions. Deep browns, greens and blues wash over the course as the rain mixes it all together in a beautiful mess.
Acrylic on Canvas
Kenza Barton Schlee
“In cyclocross, mud tests our limits, revealing the resilience within us as we push through every slippery turn. ”
TREK CXC DAY 1
Our cyclocross journey led us to Waterloo, Wisconsin for the 4th round and closure of the TREK USCX Series. The past few years we have witnessed at least one day of the TREK CXC weekend to bring us those chaotic muddy conditions. This year we had sunshine and a hard pack ground. Remnants from a muddy 2023 weekend were felt on course as those old ruts made sure to remind us what the course could have been - as we now had to navigate around and through them.
Although that fall air graced the morning races - the heat came to play later in the day for the start of the Elite races. Ice socks and bottle cages would be in full-use.
The significance of this weekend was not only the races at hand, but the big picture of the USCX series with both Clouse and White with sights set on moving up to 4th place in the overall. Katie was tied with former French National Champion, Caroline Mani, for 4th place so she was taking on the weekend with a head to head battle.
In proper fashion - the women’s race would start off blazing fast (with riders from Europe and Canada pushing the pace) which is no dramas for Katie as she enjoys the quick starts and was tucked in perfectly. She’d battle out it out against Mani for the 4th place on the day, with the heat ultimately getting to Katie as she’d settle for a strong 5th place. Raylyn had a fumble on the first lap that set her back, but was able to fight through the field to round out the day in 7th.
Curtis had another strong start placing himself in good position until a crash in the early laps set him back. He’d rally through the field finding a group to end the day in 5th place and moving himself up to 4th place in the USCX overall.
TREK CXC DAY 2
After a family dinner at our airbnb in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, we’d wake to a peaceful morning along the lake. It’s great to start our days in such a relaxed and mellow state to save all the energy for the track.
After the crash Curtis had on Saturday, he’d make the decision to fly home sooner and concede his USCX overall position.
Katie and Raylyn would make their way to the course, excited to take on the final race of this first block of racing.
Katie would again put herself in great position to battle. Finding herself feeling good and in a strong fight for the 3rd step of the podium. She’d battle against two strong Canadian riders, Maghalie Rochette and Sydney McGill. Going into the final lap Katie found herself sniffing that podium until the last technical section of the course, “Factory Hill” where she’d slip and crash, giving Maghalie the opportunity to jump at the top of the hill. With a STRONG battle we are super proud of Katie for her 4th place on the day and getting herself 4th place in the overall of the USCX series behind three respectable riders.
Raylyn had been battling illness and after day one found herself totally empty and just missed out on a top 10.
We rounded out the weekend with some of the famous Tilly’s Pies - brought to us by the one and only, Trudi, (widow to Steve Tilford), and a bonfire and pizza party with the team along the lake. The perfect closure to a great first block of racing.
Enjoy some more images from our weekend in Waterloo!
Photos: Kenza Barton Schlee
