Ghosts CX

It was an exciting weekend for the Northampton Cycling Club, as we hosted the fourth edition of Ghosts CX at Orchard Hill on the UMass-Amherst campus, with our co-host UMass Cycling Club. Despite the rain and mud, about 300 riders showed up to take on the newly-modified course. NCC founders Adam Myerson (UMass Cycling Club alumnus), JD Bilodeau, and John Frey raced on this course in the 1990s, and in 1999 it hosted the first UCI cyclocross race in North America. The Ghosts of ‘cross history were swirling in the air as novice cross racers and experienced veterans took on the muddy course.

In the morning, a robust crew of six NCC riders competed in the Men’s 4/5 race: Carlos Garza (7^th), Enrique Negron (14^th), Andy Macdonald (43^rd), Doug Breismeister (47^th), Eduardo Nunez (49^th), and Jonathan O’Keeffe (60^th).

Next up were the Masters Men. In the 50+ race, Chris Evans placed 19^th, followed by Daryl Beck (21^st) and Doug, in his second race (28^th). In the 60+ category, Joe Lellman managed a top-10 finish (10^th). David Goodwin didn’t finish (but read on for more of his weekend cyclocross accomplishments). On the Women’s side, Phoebe Gelbard and Wendy King finished 9^th and 10^th in the category 4/5 race.

Next up were the kids and juniors races. In the youngest age group, Boys 7-8, Trailblaster brothers Finn Dumont and Tristan Dumont placed 2^nd and 3^rd! Anders Krause had an exciting race in the Boys 9-12 category. He made a decisive move past River Valley CX Series leader Vinh Tran of the CCAP Vibras Cycling Club and increased his gap throughout the race to earn the top step on the podium! His teammate, Miles Abrams, also persevered in the challenging conditions to take 6^th. On the Girls 9-12 side, Alta Breismeister placed 4^th, and Ruby Gillotti-White placed 5^th. In the Boys 13-14, JAM Fund/NCC rider Gunther Breismeister rode to 3^rd place to pick up a podium squash, while Trailblaster Mykola Voyevidka placed 11^th. Madison Johnson and Stella Beek rode great races in the Girls 13-14 category, placing 1^st and 2^nd. And Sophie Parrott (JAM Fund/NCC) won the Girls 15-18 category again! For the Boys 15-18 category, Roman Voyevidka finished 13^th with Magnus Harrison in 15^th. Sophie, Gunther, and Madison are the River Valley Cyclocross Series leaders in their respective categories with just one race to go! We loved seeing all of the Trailblasters out there giving their best effort in super challenging conditions: muddy, slippery, and hilly! The team also provided enthusiastic cheering for the grown-ups’ races.

Jeff Fowler was there to take photos of the racers. His full album is online. All of the photos of the Trailblasters and JAM Fund athletes, below, were taken by Jeff.

The Men’s 3/4 racers were on course with the Singlespeed athletes. Sam Veggeberg (former UMass Cycling Club member) took a break from making Ghosts happen to race his bike. He finished in 21^st in the 3/4s. Andy Scott rolled in 35^th. Daryl Beck came back from his morning race to tackle the even-more-ripped-up course, this time with one gear only. He finished 11^th among the Singlespeed Men.

Last up were the Women’s and Men’s 1/2/3 races. This reporter finished 2^nd on the women’s side, helped by the fact that in the afternoon Ghosts became a 50% running race. In her first 1/2/3 race, Tanya Boulanova (JAM Fund/NCC) finished 9^th. On the men’s side, JAM Fund/NCC rider Keith Mullaly rode a strong race, leading from the start all the way through his 1^st place finish. Teammate and UMass alumnus Mark Hewitt finished 5^th.

A big thank you to Ben Jankowski, Sam Veggeberg, Phoebe Gelbard, and Sean Condon for making this event happen, as well as to all of the NCC members and friends who volunteered at the race or came out in the rain to support the team.

Full Ghosts results are on crossresults.com.

Belltown CX

On Sunday, in Portland, Connecticut, five riders repeated the fun from the day before at Belltown Cyclocross.

• Enrique Negron, Men’s 3/4 (15^th)
• Andy Scott, Men’s 50+ (14^th)
• David Goodwin, Men’s 60+ (7^th)
• Daryl Beck, Men’s Singlespeed (11^th)
• Keith Mullaly, Men’s 1/2/3 (1^st!)