Hillbilly Hustle Observed

“I wish real sports were this fun,” said a rather tipsy Charlie Z. as he handed hot dog feeds to oncoming racers.  The Hillbilly Hustle ‘cross race was fun indeed, the most fun I’ve ever had at a race (possibly because I was working the food tent rather than racing).  As for whether cyclocross is a sport, I disagree with my wiener-wielding friend.  "Sport" is one of those terms that people can't agree on, like “beauty,” “art,” and “undertraining.”   Most dictionaries associate sport with athleticism, skill, or jest though, and I observed all three at the Hustle.

Athleticism: The women’s and men’s A races were both won by going fast.  Really fast.  Kristin Gavin had a commanding solo finish, while the men provided an epic display of athleticism too.  The top three finishers worked together for most of the race, with Cameron Dodge edging out Cole Oberman and John Minturn for the win.
 

Leaders of the men's A race

Skill: A roadie like me can’t even comprehend the handling skills required for dismounts and awkward situations like clawing your way up “Mt. Doom” with 90 dudes breathing down your neck.  Some people had no problem clearing the barriers and hopping right back on the bike.  This guy took a different approach, bunny hopping the barriers without dismounting.  It didn’t help him get ahead, but it did bring him popularity with the crowd, even as his competitors passed him.

 Jest: Anyone who’s willing to get this messy probably has a sense of humor.  Here’s David Lowe of Human Zoom, being quite the good "sport" after crashing on his face.  And this lady is just plain disgusting.  Sarah Iepson, winner of the women’s B race, had an interesting take on the sounds emanating from her muddy brakes.

So if those are the criteria defining "sport," I'd venture to say that 'cross might be even more of a sport than road racing is.  As for me and Charlie, we'd better get some 'cross bikes right away.  We've definitely got the jest part down, (ok absolutely no skills), and maybe some lingering athleticism from road season.  It won't last much longer if we keep watching cross races from the food tent though...

All my Hillbilly Hustle photos are here.