Nearly the end of cross season. All summer waiting, planing races and then it passes in a blur. There is always the elusive "one last race" before the knobbies are put up to wait for another season. Today we finally had a proper modder when the course is clearly defined by a brown ribbon of tracks with a promise of traction and forward motion hidden at the edges. Riding on the edge this late in the year is the way to survive. The day can be fast gliding on top or fatigue can be extra bit pulling on the back wheel.

There might be one more race.

One of the best features of 'cross is how a great course makes the day. The club course in Woerden is one of those. There isn't anything which stands out-a standard loop through a city park-but the the creative way of winding around a small mound is clever and challenging. I've never raced here in the dry, a different flavor I'm sure, even without rain the course was greasy as always. Thought for the day--slow down to go faster. All the little turns added together create lost seconds for charging in too deep. A smooth line is needed except for the muddy climb. That's just in the saddle pushing hard. As most weeks no worry where I finished, just good to pin a number and go fast.

Going to a 'cross race is really about what you see that isn't racing. The course is often 3 to 5 deep all the way around and more at the prime spots; to find a good view is the race before the race. The best are taken during the U23 race, maybe before the pro women's race you might land one. But once there no moving before the elite men. I've stood in snow and rain and wind to hold down a prime viewpoint-move and it's quickly filled.

Even before that is the trip to the race. Jonathan Page rode to the race with family in tow. Amy D needing a bike held for a moment. Christine riding the trainer but always smiling. An American accent in a land of Flemish, I'm sure some wonder about the fan from across the pond. Why stand in the muddy field all day? There's a pack of pint sized Sven's during the pre race warm ups!

After the race a stop for dinner. Walking back to the car we saw something in a shop window. The fan dressed as Eddy needed to do some quick shopping on the way home.

You can watch the race from anywhere in the world. Seeing it requires a field to find the dreams.

The veld driving season is going by in a blur. Is it really November already? Of course that means real cross weather is just around the corner. No racing this past weekend, all the local districts had their championship races and those of us without a Dutch license have a training weekend. Of the course the weekend before had plenty of training-first race at the 'berg in Utrecht. A double weekend on the only hill in town; Saturday and Sunday on the same course. And it wouldn't be any fun without a different inschrijven program. My American license got me an "upgrade" of sorts-a euro off the non club fee but I had to race with the amateurs rather than masters. Not only a little more speed but a full hour. But it's all good training. After a weekend of just riding looking forward to another double race weekend. But off to the Koppenberg tomorrow. Worth taking the day off for.