WEEK 6

As advertised, no racer points, just a fun, festive ride. The aftermath of Sandy put the Trail Buddies into overdrive as the Tavern required a re-route and the birdsnest now lay flat on the ground. A mostly uphill soft course sent many riders packing, but the spectators were the real stars of the show, next to the Barenby's pushing the limits of the Sanibels on the cyanover in true Rosie O'Donnell and Philly Phanatic form. The Warden asserted herself into the SCCX camp with pushing the danger limit, requesting fire, and leaving mid race for a beer run, making it back just before the closing laps. Points also to The Apprentice for being right by her side. Both ladies hung out in the freezing cold well after course breakdown. True fans. Snakehawk, a now staple in the SCCX camp, held her own, counting laps as a hybrid Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson Joker in the ring of fire start/finish area. In race news one red pixel and McPeak III battled it out. Marinara mixes it up with a tree, after some opening laps that lit it up and demonstrated his state of emergency Sandy trainer sessions. Monkey Fist logs an impressive third place. Sandy has passed, but now Athena is on our heels. Next week is for the true grit, knucklehead crossers.

WEEK 5

Always keeping it spunky at SCCX. This week we tried our luck with a little game of Frogger. A Demolition Derby X-up that had riders hopping the barriers one way, but threading between the two on the return. As if this wasn't enough, holeshot points also on the line. First into the Tavern scoops 'em up. Annnnnnnd, if that's not enough, super fast course to keep the nerves and risk-taking on a higher level. Here we go. It would be Jersey State Champ taking the holeshot points into the Tavern, but not before completely shutting the door on the inside line that cRaPsTaCHe had charted. A double lock up of the brakes prevented the field from a complete pile-up. The pace was pretty high for the next 6 laps, until cRaPsTaCHe responded to the holeshot sprint with an unsavory move of his very own, deploying an attack in the beer hand-up zone. Meanwhile out on course, mayhem ensued. Close calls in the x-up with Monkey Fist, Deathblow, NJ State Champ, and SCCX mascot Teagan. Huff Tuffy lost in a game of man vs. barrier, prompting the removal of the lead obstacle mid-way through the race. This planted the "bunnyhop it to win it" thought to hang in the minds on the lead group. It could possibly be the only way cRaPsTaCHe could shake Deathblow off his wheel, because he was stuck like glue as usual. The mix of elements just didn't add up for such maneuvers. Beer, cross-traffic, and high velocity yielded a conventional dismount and hop and an even more conventional finish to the race. Deathblow, cRaPsTaCHe, and Electric Marinara rounding it out, showing that he is here for points and cyan glory. Jump of the week AGAIN goes to Monkey Fist, putting in solid rides, showing up every week, and has now hit the double digits. 10pts and 5th place. Keep on clawin' at that leaderboard. Kid Florida scoots around Deeters, who just hasn't been puttin' up the track time he did last year. Quick, we're 'gonna lose one, get an iv of cyan type B to this guy quick. Next week we dodge around the impending Frankenstorm of doom and host a celebratory ride for the season. Keep 'cross weird.

WEEK 4

New players to the game, new defensive tactics, and points scattering around like cockroaches when the light flips on. This is WEEK 4 of SCCX. Ivey Meister and Huffy Tuffy made their first appearance for Season 2 of SCCX, but it was Sippy Cup getting out there for his first CX race ever, showing true cross barrier form late in the game. Keep the bike high and always be pedalin'. The charge for the front was led by Electric Marinara and Deathblow. Marinara rewrote the PUCX governing body rulebook by using his bike as a weapon over the barriers for the advantage. Deathblow responded with a revenge pass which led to a glorious crash. It was a tight race out there, but Deathblow would find that extra ounce of rage to drive home the win. Biggest jump of the week goes to Monkey Fist who has clawed up to 4th in the cyan quest. Many contenders also double-dipping into race and fan standings. Mr. Gentleman and Legal Tender both making their mark as SCCX's best fan, but Snakehawk is here for the win, bringing home another 6 pts for lap counting. Just as you though things were getting comfortable in the SCCX arena, we're bringing out the heavy artillery. Demolition derby figure 8 cross up. Keep you heads up and work on your verbal warning system. Me, I'm going for the Raven, "caaaaa caaaaww!!!"

WEEK 3

Elusive holeshot points, two way traffic, and darkness setting in way too early. Highlights from week 3 of SCCX. Deathblow continues his streak of wins. NJ State Champ, despite going off course and breaking the tape trying to snatch up some holeshot points, still pulls out a podium spot with third. CrApsTaChE nestles himself in the middle bringing home second. Shake up in the standings. Electric Marinara squeaks around Monkey Fist, but Monkey Fist returns moving a notch above Deeters.

WEEK 2

The cyan sauce is at a low simmer. Like a sourdough starter, you got to give it time, let it rise. Week 2 saw a shakeup in the front pack with the edition of the NJ state champ. What tactics would he employ? It turns out he is a classic "surge then idle" crosser. A move that was used against cRaPsTaChE and Deathblow in the mid laps, but 15 is a long way to go. After lap 12 the plug was pulled leaving cRaPsTaChE and Deathblow to engage in the battle as old as the ages. While Deathblow stayed true to his name, jumping with 2 to go, the gap to 2nd was not as large. Deathblow keeps his tight grip on Cyan, with cRaPsTaChE in 2nd, and NJ State Champ in 3rd. Sooooooooo close to giving out hole shot points, but you gotta keep the power up for at least a lap before gloriously exploding. Legal Tender, I'm posting in your direction, but I do give you credit for most combative when riders inch up on your wheel. Snakehawk scoopin' up all the fan points, she might just run away with this title. Next week should be interesting, with Iron Cross still lurking in the legs of the leaders, anything can happen on the slippery cyan slopes!

WEEK 1

The powder keg has been lit, BOOM, Season 2 of SCCX is underway!! With cowbells, a photographer on hand, and the lovely Snakehawk counting laps and keeping racers "hydrated" the race took on more of a celebratory atmosphere for its first running of 2012. Glad to see some new faces out there as well a new additions to the course. Despite the risk of severe Poison Ivy infection and West Nile, the Trail Buddies finished up the new piece of singletrack, The Tavern, just hours before gun time. Named appropriately for the widespread shards of glass and broken beer bottles. Party time. In addition to the sharps just off the edge of the trail, this section also packs in roots, overall darkness, headhunter tree limb, and a shopping cart. The new course formation in Smuggler's Run also proved to be a test of bike handling and navigation, escorting Mr. Gentleman and Kid Florida off course in the first few laps. As the clock drew closer to six, the transformation of blood color to cyan was approaching full completion. The Cyan Jawn was Deathblow's title to defend with his march to victory in Season 1 and with the absence of Surfnbee, the holeshot title was also up for grabs. To add to the mix, the course was softened up just a tad by a brief rain shower passing through during setup. Enough pre-game, down to the biz. "GO!" was belted out across the SCCX grass arena, and it would be Kid Florida putting his stake in the ground for the random point generator holeshot award, only to be stripped of the prize seconds later by going off course. CrApStAcHe suddenly found himself leading the train with Deathblow, Deeters, and Sugarpuff closely in tow. 1/4 of the way through the race Deeters jumped after the barriers, sparking a reaction with Deathblow. It from this point where the race was decided. Deathblow, flaunted his newly acquired "Dad strength" and broke his Season 1 tactic. Two to go is so last year, 7 is the new shit. This tactic opened up a 20 sec lead on 2nd place midway through the race. CrApStAcHe had him in range after the beer hand-up on lap 12, but the second depth charge was deployed on the turtle back before the Comly Curve. Deathblow picked up right were he left off last year and rode to victory along the all to familiar cyan path. CrApStAcHe closed the gap slightly and brought home second. Deeters third, rounded out the SCCX podium. Solid rides put in by the rest of the SCCX crew. Mr. Gentleman coming back after a mid race nap. Monkey Fist shreddin' it. Sid Vicious lookin' smooth. Surlyrider wearing the many hats of racer, time split keeper, and course photo journalist. Sugarpuff slick like buttercream. Defensor el Lobo Pase piledriving his authority on the mid pack. Big up to our new member, Snakehawk, who filled out the much needed position of lap counter, cowbell swinger, and beer-hander-upper. You kept us motivated and happy. Glad to have you on-board. Rock over London, rock on, Chicago. Polaroid. See what develops.

West Nile, Poison Ivy, and SCCX Opener

Interbike is here, which means Cross Vegas, which means SCCX season opener is just around the corner, which means we will undergo a transformation that turns the color of our blood to Cyan. The trophy has been cranked up to 11, leaderboard reset, new points system, and new players. The Trail Buddies are also hard at work getting this years course in tip top shape. We have a few treats in store as well as the return of some SCCX standards; Birdsnest, Cyanover, and Smuggler's Run just to name a few. At the risk of West Nile and systemic Poison Ivy infection, the Green Tunnel is getting a bit of a facelift this year. Watch out for the smoking man drinking Four Loko midway through, and the shopping cart at the end. 9 days left until 15 laps of pain commences in the grass arena, and we drape a series leader in Cyan. Before the madness begins, lets gets roll call of the players. Email me your code name, and get listed on the sidebar jammy. We are also in need of supplies for this season, barrier tape, stakes, etc. Donations are much appreciated. Rest up, there's work to be done.

ONLINE COUNTDOWNS

The Silenced Bell - SCCX season wrap up

The scorched earth has recovered, the grass blades plucked from our drivetrains, and the first season of SCCX comes to a close. As far as the actual standings go, Deathblow grabbed the series lead early on and never let go. Congrats! I raise my virtual Dales Pale Ale to you. Next season it will be a hard title to defend as many of us still hunger for the sweet, sweet taste of cyan.

Overlord is wrapping up on a bit of a sappy note. Huge thanks to everyone that made it a point to show up to our underground cross series, lay it on the line, and still be friends at the end of the day. I never thought we would make it to 16??? weeks and the level of excitement went beyond my expectations. Sickness, head lice, torrential downpours, fatigue, didn't matter, everybody brought their energy to the culture and the race itself, which I would categorize as a success. The Overlord is already conjuring up the antics for next season, as well as a mid-post season teaser for the second year of our series. The SCCX ENDURO, the longest after work, underground cross race held on the longest day of the year, June 20. 15 laps that combines the Trail Buddies loop, ASI parking lot, Dutton Road, and our normal season grass course. Stay tuned and keep the cyan in your veins.

WEEK 12

Some course tweaks to be made, but other than that the Trail Buddies provided a good home for SCCX. Some pedal clips here and there, blown turns followed by the sound of snapping sticks, and a lax setup of the cyanover. At the end of the day, good times on the bike. Let's get down to race deets.

Good turnout after our time off. Deathblow, Biscuit, Celery Stalks, Ivy Meister, Legal Tender, and our newest member El Sucio Lobo. Welcome to the world of renegade cross. Legal Tender went hard off the start, tapping into some aggression from not racing for two weeks. Let it loose cause it pays off. SCCX now hands out hole shot points to keep it interesting. 100pts, put 'em on the board. The territory was new to everyone, but Legal Tender kept the train on the tracks and led us though our virgin lap. Deathblow was all to verbal about his low tire pressure on the leadout lap. Biscuit heard the cry from cat town and capitalized on the advantage. He took charge on lap 2 and never looked back. The course was well suited to his skillset and managed to wrangle out his first SCCX win. Deathblow and El Sucio Lobo round out the SCCX podium. On other parts of the course the carnage was playing out. Ivy Meister literally planting his face in the dirt after the roll in and Celery Stalks abandoning the race due to a mechanical. Don't worry, Trail Buddies are one the job, tweaking the weird stuff. We'll get 'er flowin' like the Green Mile.

Good shake-up in the standings. Legal Tender making a huge jump up to 5th, but now tied with Ivy Meister. The best of the B's are starting to rise. El Sucio Loco putting his stamp on the board with 250 for his first showing. Will he keep this momentum and crawl his way to the final SCCX podium? Will Legal Tender be the first to knock Batwing off of his first week 1,000 pt, 4th place stronghold? Does JFlats have a response to any of this? The final podium is anyone's call, cat town mayor is on the edge of his litterbox!

WEEK 12 Preview

SCCX crew back in action. Rising out of the ashes of two weeks of confusion over participation, the remaining die-hards made a bold move to merge with the Trail Buddies for a new course location. It remains to be seen how the new location will be received, but it was a necessary move that mother nature and turncoat SCCX leaders help shape. The Trail Buddies have been hard at work and don't want to disappoint. "While we may not have ritualistic animal sacrifices or half of the strappers that SCCX had toe up to the line," says TB spokesperson, "we do have a mayor in office and pack as much punch as possible into our dumping grounds back lot." Sounds like SCCX will be right at home. Four loko, cyanover, and the barriers have been brought over as small housewarming gifts. With more singletrack than grass, it really is a whole different race. SCCX Overlord has no prediction or teasers. It's a new SCCX world. A Trail Buddies SCCX world. Deal with it dog, I mean cat.