Before I started composing this week’s journal I sat lazily on my room bed, in what has to be the world’s most dilapidated Days Inn, looking at my road rash from Saturday’s crash wondering what I should write about.

I pondered over a long list of reasons why I had such a poor showing at the races, but I didn’t want to bore you with the same excuses you’ve heard from every bike racer in the world as to why he or she didn’t do well. Let me just say this, before, during and after every race you should know your equipment, know your ability and stay focused. So, instead of giving you a whine session, I thought I would tell you what a great week I had heading into the weekend.

The days leading up to the first Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross (USGP) were memorable. On Saturday, Boulderracing.com put on a spectacular race at what has to be one of my favorite courses in Colorado. I think a lot of locals like this course, too, because there were more racers than I have ever seen around here. I think the Men’s B category had more than 150 competitors!

On Sunday, I opted out of the local race and made my way to the high country for a snowy singletrack ride on my single-speed mountain bike. Every year a good friend hosts an unsanctioned race; actually it’s just a ride, known as the Intergalactic Single Speed Championships (IGSSC) in Nederland, Colorado.

The ride has a fabled history and has been attended by some very famous cyclists, and although rider participation has dwindled over the years, the spirit of the event lives on. It’s not about whose fastest to the top of every climb, it’s about having fun on - and off - the bike. Plain and simple. I won’t go into details, but let’s just say when you mix a light dusting of snow, sweet singletrack, cinnamon rolls, Colorado-made whiskey and a coconut you’re bound to have a good time.

Later that week, after having thawed out from the single-speed ride, I still hadn’t booked a flight, reserved a hotel room or rented a car for the pending USGP races in Kentucky. But, as luck would have it an e-mail touting discounted airfare made it to my inbox and the flight was booked. Now I just needed a place to stay, a car, and a way to get my bike to Louisville.

As it turned out, Ben Turner of the Clif Bar Cyclocross Development Team was taking Clif Bar’s Big Green Bus to the race. “Hey Ben, got any room in the bus for my bike?” “You bet. Bring it over.” I logged in to Orbitz.com. Car rented. Now where should I stay? As luck would have it, fellow cyclocross-junkie and friend, GregKeller walked into my bike shop.

“Greg,” I said, “I just booked my flight to Louisville.”

He replied, “Hey, my co-worker lives in Louisville, maybe you can stay with him.”

Sure enough, Greg’s colleague was heading out of town for the weekend, but nonetheless offered up his house. That is one of the things I love about the cyclocross community. There is always someone willing to lend a hand, or someone who knows someone who is willing to lend a hand. Take Eric Wallace from Thule for example. After Sunday’s race in Louisville, I was desperately searching for a bike box to transport my bike back to Boulder, which had been brought out on the Clif Bar Team’s big green bus. I asked Eric if he had any idea where I might find a cardboard bike box to get my bike back to Colorado. He looked to his left and pointed at a brand new Thule Round-Trip Bike Case on display at his trailer and said, “Take that one.” Thanks Eric!

My week was stilling going great as the USGP weekend approached. The Red Sox were two games up on the Rockies and I got see one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time, Public Enemy at the Boulder Theater. There they were, Chuck D, Flava Flav and Professor Griff, right in front of me. I even got to give Chuck D some “knuckles” and shook hands with Flav himself.

Not many of you know this and I don’t know why you would, but I am an old school hip hop junkie and this was the third time I have seen Public Enemy and even as Chuck D and Flava Flav approach fifty years old they were as good as ever. Jumping around the stage, playing al the old classics and some new tunes, too. Flava Flav was even stage diving!

My great week came to a screeching, or should I say sliding halt, when I found myself sliding on the pavement during the first lap of Saturday’s USGP race in Kentucky. Thanks to running too low a tire pressure and not inspecting the course well enough, I completely lost it on a slick mud-to-pavement transition. I was still able to finish both races, but let’s just say it wasn’t the weekend I was hoping for. At least the week leading up to it was great!

Before I sign off, I just want to give a big shout out to the Crank Bothers USGP and Lousiville-based race crew for putting on a fabulous weekend of ‘cross.

The level of organization and quality of the courses, as well as the exciting race atmosphere seems to get better and better every year. Keep up the stellar work. Up next, local UCI races in Boulder! Chris Grealish and his Denver/Boulder Courier army of cross monkeys are pulling out all the stops on what should be a fantastic weekend of racing! Bring the noise! Yeah, boyeeeeeee!

Thanks for reading.

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Brandon Dwight lives in Boulder, Colorado and is part ownerof Boulder CycleSport. He is also the founder of Doperssuck.com.Sponsors include: Time Bicycles, Scott Bicycles, SRAM, Zipp, Crank Brothers,TRP Brakes, Clif Bar, Challenge, Squadra, Sock Guy, JBV Coaching, and ifhis Time needed an external headset, Chris King.