The Course wasn't very technical, but it was wet and very muddy. The race's unyielding toughness was only exceeded by it's easiness. Perfect conditions for a cyclocross race. All the MTB XC Pros were there. The Course went up two flights of stairs, over 2 UCI barriers, through a steaming mulch pile, a big puddle with lots of mud at the bottom of the horse shoe turn, and more mud every where. In the 5 hours of rain between The Begginer Men (my race) and The Elite Men, the course got worse with each race. Compare for yourself in these 2 videos .

Here are 2 laps of my 40 minute race, in The USGP Begginer Men Class. My Derailleur got stuck with mud on the 2nd lap and I had a single speed for the rest of the race. I placed 8th out of 70. Riding a Santa Cruz Blur LT Mt. Bike.

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Watch the Elite Men and the Begginer Men Video Clips Cyclocross Is Colorful. Mud-Colored, That Is. -N.Y. Times 10/25/2007

I was a "Cyclocross Victim!"at the USGP with rear wheel that rode like a Fixie and a broken a spoke on the front wheel. So, I brought my XL wheelset and a 6 pack of Heineken to the Race Support Trailer and tent Mavic had set up. From a book of every Mavic spoke. They lovingly replaced the broken spoke on the front wheel. (these spokes are $6 ea. retail) Replaced my freehub body & pawls.They even replaced the springs on my quick release. All free of charge. Viva la Mavic! I love those wheels.