Long live the king.

At the beginning of this cross season there was message between two friends that was leaked on facebook.What was meant to be a private inside joke became public, and began the in depth debate of just who is the "King of Cross". I'm not talking global because most of us would agree Sven Nys is overlord of the sport right now. On a national level the debate could go on for months, Powers, TJ, Trebon, and the list grows and grows. I'm talking local here. Every region has there man, or woman that is the got to source for cross. New England has a few but right now that guy is Adam Myerson. Myerson is like theYoda of cross, he been at it since his teen years and he's like 38 now. So next time you start thinking your OG cross master because raced around some college campus in the fall of 2002 think again. Philly has Fergie and Yozell and to be honest a bunch of folks that really no there stuff and give allot to there local cross community. Of course there's the ultimate giver Fatmarc Vanderbacon of the DCCoD. Anybody who has met Marc knows what I'm talking about, the dude straight up rules. He puts everything into his team, his races, and to make sure everyone has what they need to have a good race and more importantly a good time. If you have never gone to Granouge for the Queen of the MAC then put it in your bucket list, it is a first class cyclocross jamboree.

So what about the 'Burgh, who is the "King of Cross" in the steel city? Lets start with the Steevo. Steevo is by far the most decorated of the local racers and definitely one of the most dedicated to the sport. Steevo has been making a steady rise up the elite racing ladder over the last few years and when he's not tearing my legs off in local races he's giving me advice and encouragement during our travels together which is always awesome. There are few others that could hold the crown, Gerry Pflug is a menace on course. Gunnar Shogren is cross, I mean the guy was living in New England at one point racing the McCormicks every weekend in the mud and snow. Unfortunately for him he's spends most of his time in West Virginia now so he can't be our king. Our guy is Chris Mayhew. Chris has been traveling from one muddy field to the next all over the east coast and mid west for years now. Chris is not as much  a king as he is a guru, or scholar of the sport. He has learned from some of the best and spreads the good word of cross to all who will listen. When I was still trying learn varial flips in an empty parking lot somewhere Chris was hopping barriers and railing corners long before many of us had given it a thought. Chris runs our local cross practice and helps run a few preseason clinics throughout summer and early fall, simply put the dude loves cyclocross. He is always willing to answer questions and give little tips to make your day at the races a little better. Chris is also a dedicated coach for JBV coaching. So as far as I am concerned Chris is still king and a great coach and cross nemesis.