Oliver Vrambout, his Waffle Van and some delicious chocolate-, carmelized fruit- and whipped cream-topped waffles!
The Waffle Van is like the cowbell: You can never have too much Waffle Van. “I got a fever, and the only cure is more [Waffle Van]!”
I’m really infatuated with this Waffle Van for very good reasons. It’s flippin’ delicious, has marvelous coffee and it’s owned by a super rad bike dude from Belgium! It’s the best thing at CX since dollar bill and beer hand-ups! Oh, and cowbells. There’s no better sound when you’re ripping through a corner or bounding up a hill with your bike on your back than a chorus of cowbells. However, I say if you’re going to ring a cowbell, ring an actual cowbell. Of all the cowbell clanging I’ve ever heard, this one below has been the best, far and away. An authentic, handmade Austrian cowbell is a thing of beauty:
This baby doesn’t just clang. It’s a gong, and it belongs in an Austrian cyclocross inspired orchestral movement. It’s distinctive note is unmistakable apart from every other sound on the course. Yet, it is the perfect backing to every other sound on the course, or rather, every other sound on the course is the perfect backing to its siren gong!
“Cowbells and Waffles” – That’s just been copyrighted. Just so you know.
I love this weekend of cyclocross. Great courses for my powerful legs and less than technically savvy bike handling skills. I’m getting way better though. And you can too, if you ride mountain or cx. Roadies need to ride more off road. No, I’m not getting a mountain bike yet. In time my friends. I rather like not having to worry about running into trees though.
On Saturday we raced at Jackson Meadow. Have you heard of it? It is remarkable architecture and landscaping melded with 250 acres of conservation land as they say HERE. But it’s also quite trippy. It’s beautiful. The homes are pristine. The people are wonderful. All seem to bind with nature seamlessly, which is commendable for the neighborhood and its developers. Yet, the homes’ similar designs and all white exteriors make one feel as if he/she is in the middle of a religious cult. Very surreal to hold a cx race here. Maybe that’s how I’ve managed to get a boost to my season here both this year and last. Mind over matter. Connect with the great vibration.
See what I mean? Every house. Ninety percent similar to this one, and all white. Some kind of Scandinavian influence.
My friend Mark is trying to remain inconspicuous in Jackson Meadow while waiting for his waffle. I bet you didn't even notice him there. He almost made it. His taste for waffles got him in the end. He's from Canada, so you can understand.
Race pics this week are from Sunday. Green Acres Rec Area in Lake Elmo. Up and down the tubing hill and power, power, power all day long with one of the most challenging (rideable) run-ups of the season. I tried riding it once and fell on my ass, so that was the end of that. On the day, I think maybe two or three guys of the nearly 200 racers on the day were able to ride it on a couple attempts. During the race that’s something else!
Got some pics of me this week, and I finally feel some form coming back. Eighth place and a sixth place on the weekend. Hopefully that form sticks around.
Race tactics and course condition pow-wow pre-race at Green Acres with Michel Dalal. (Photo credit: Mark Roemer)
Running barriers. Actually I was getting more of a hop in at times during the race. Gotta just run straight over those for speed! (Photo credit: Mark Roemer)
There's that run-up I mentioned. Let's see if we can find a pic from the front side of this nastiness. (Photo credit: Mark Roemer)
You kind of get the feel for it there. Ride that first pitch hot, then you have to dismount and bound up that baby, and then quickly remount for the fast downhill on the other side. (Photo credit: Mark Roemer)
Check out the dollar bill in the beer can and the little kids giving dollar handups. Hilarious group of kids there ecstatic about the dollar handups. Hey, it's not their money. (Photo credit: Tim Gut)
Mike Brotman on the tubing hill climb. That was a beast. Earn that waffle Mike! (Photo credit: Tim Gut)
I can’t promise video next week, but I’m going to make an attempt at it. You gotta see the energy at these local cx races if you haven’t been to one before. And, we have Cross Night next Sunday at the Dakota Tech College truck track. Say your prayers!
Hey… I recognize some of those faces (/bikes/kits/legs)!! Looks like a good time. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever been in attendance at a cross race that was NOT a good time. Tear it up!!