Lyne Bessette, not mucking around. Photo by Natalya B.Linnea ploughing through furrowed mud. Photo by Kris Dobie.

Kate clambering over the barriers, wondering why she left her crampons at home. Photo by Natalya B.Linnea's recovery drink. Now that's pro. Photo by Kate.

 
When the going gets tough, the tough get going - fast. At least when "the tough" refers to October Factory Racer Lyne Bessette, who landed on the podium after swimming through the swampy muck that was the Gloucester Gran Prix Day 1 cyclocross course. What makes Lyne's 3rd place finish in her first 'cross race this season even more impressive is the fact that she hasn't been training for 'cross. She has been training for a marathon. Like, a running marathon. Like, in a week. Since Lyne is a personal cycling hero of mine, I decided to try a similar 'cross-training approach by trekking afoot in the mountains all of August. Alas, for some reason, this slow steady endurance work hasn't translated into pedaling power for me (disclaimer: impromptu trekking training plan not endorsed by coach SBZ). Meanwhile Linnea "New Zealand: It's Not Australia" Koons flutter kicked to a mid-pack finish, and I sank somewhat less gracefully toward the back, solely (I swear!) for the sake of executing our pre-planned "October Sandwich" team race strategy. TASTY! The second day saw us racing in near-sunshine on near-solidified terrain, a total transformation from the previous days' epic slog. With Andrew cheering from the October tent on the sidelines, we had a blast scooting around a dizzyingly fast and fun maze of a course. More of that, please! Big props to the Gloucester race organizers for salvaging a wicked rideable course on Sunday out of the muddy mess we made of the grounds on Saturday.

Then post-race, Colt of Cycling Dirt filmed Linnea, SBZ and I in a totally hot, sweaty, and scandalous three-way........interview.

Now the October fam (East Coast contingent, at least) is heading to Interbike Outdoor Demo East. Visit us at the October tent, where you can test ride our sweet handbuilt titanium and ti-carbon cyclocross, mountain, and road bikes, and buy some stylin' softgoods. Then cheer on Kate and Linnea on Saturday and Sunday in the UCI Elite Women's races at the Providence Cyclocross Fest at Interbike. Rain or shine, we'll be riding October. More of that, please!