Grand Prix of Gloucester
Sunday I went to the Grand Prix of Gloucester cyclocross race. I took the train to West Gloucester and rode to the race, at Stage Fort Park, which was only about three or four miles. Very windy early on, but it died down midday.
My photosThe report from cyclingnews.com
The race was good. I saw the elite women’s and elite men’s race. Lyne Bessette won the women’s race. Ryan Trebon, a 6′9″ Oregonian, won the men’s. Not being familiar with the layout, I missed some of the route, but it didn’t seem to be of much consequence, and I saw most of it. It was well laid out and easy to move around to get close to the action. Richard Fries didn’t annoy the hell out of me either, so that was another plus. Actually, he was pretty good. Tempering him with another announcer is a good move.
This was a two-day race and this was, by far, the better day, weather-wise. Yesterday it snowed a couple of inches which, from what I hear, made the route a real mess. But this is a winter sport, so I supposed it’s part of the territory. It’s awfully early for snow, though.
It was a long wait for the train on the way back, and it was incredibly slow, arriving at North Station 45 minutes late. It was so late, I decided to take the subway back home instead of riding, but that was the wrong choice too as it was another 20 minute wait for a train. I also miscalculated the daylight savings time and thought I had an extra hour instead of losing an hour, so my poor dog was waiting at home with crossed legs. I should have been home around 6:30 but didn’t get there until almost 8:00. Poor puppy.
West Gloucester was certainly convenient. I’ll have to go there for a ride, as it’s some nice riding country. Routes 133 and 127 both go by there, so it’s easy access to most of Essex County and southern New Hampshire.
The National Championships are in Providence, RI in December, so I’m thinking of going to that.
