I had the day off on Friday, which meant I rode my bike. It was a sunny cool day, and I just acquired a fancy new road bike that still has that rocketship feel, so I rode it way too far - up to Point Reyes - which is a much longer ride than I've been accustomed to lately, as most of my rides have been short intense efforts after work.
After that, going into this race on Sunday, I was a little nervous that my legs wouldn't have much juice left. Manzanita Park was also a long haul for me from SF for a 45-minute race, but I decided to spend the weekend in Santa Cruz, did some hiking around on Saturday and then camped out Saturday night, and that made it worth the drive. I felt sluggish during my warm-up, and when the race began, I prepared for the pain. Surprisingly, it didn't come...in fact, the first lap felt slow, and although I wasn't leading, i was close to the front, and wondering what the heck was going on. The pain did eventually come, as it always does, but this time not until about lap 3 of 5. This was when leaders slowly pulled away, but I felt pretty solid riding in the top 10.
Meanwhile, things got ugly for a few unlucky folks - someone washed out in a turn and reportedly broke an ankle, while another rider lost control and went head-first into a wooden fence post. Crashes are pretty common in cross races, but usually involve nothing more than scrapes and bruised bodies/egos - but sadly today two guys carted off in ambulances. I wish them both speedy recoveries. The course was re-routed temporarily around one of the downed riders, and it caught be by surprise and I ended up with a facefull of dirt, but luckily nothing more serious.
I finished in 8th, and was happy that both bike and body were in one piece.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
BASP CX #3 - November 15, 2008
If the first BASP race (McLaren) was about climbing and handling, and the second (Candlestick) was all about generating power to get through the sticky stuff, then this race (Sierra Point) was about pure speed. The course layout was flat and dry, and despite the many twisting switchbacks, there were plenty of straightaways to put the hammer down and go fast.
Big kudos to the Pilarcitos crew for trying something new with the night race! The atmosphere was festive, and racing under the lights was really fun, and surprisingly not-to-scary. My race started at 5pm, just as the sun was setting, and the changing light conditions were a nice extra challenge.
Having taken a break from racing last weekend, I felt pretty fresh for this race, and the promoter's decision to call-up 20 riders instead of 10 at the start was a big bonus for me (I was 18th overall after the 1st two races). The huge field size (80+ riders) made the start even more critical. The starting official reminded us to be careful sprinting into the 1st turn, but that didn't stop a big pileup from occuring about 100 yards after the gun went off. I narrowly missed the carnage, and tried not to let the image of skin skidding across the pavement stick in my mind as we hit the dirt and began the 1st lap.
The 1st 2 laps were blazing, and I was glad to be up near the front and away from traffic jams. Our large pack was kicking up tons of dust, and the lungs were soon burning. I jumped on a wheel on each straightaway to save energy, but by lap #3 I was well into oxygen debt and feeling the pain. As my gut screamed at me to slow down, my legs obliged and I eased up just a bit, and tried to prevent anybody from passing me, but a few guys snuck by. I had done several warmup laps before the race, which helped me find some good lines where I could make a few passes of my own. The crowd at the top of the one and only "run-up" was awesome - screaming and heckling us every lap, and I tried to return the favor by catching some air off the kicker nearby.
The pace eased just a bit during the middle of the race, and I more or less maintained my position...then things heated up again on the last 2 laps (I think we did 9 total on this super short course), and my legs were burning as I fought my way through lapped riders. Crossed the line in 18th, and was greeted by friends with miller high life, which reminded me to stop taking things so seriously and enjoy the night. We stuck around for some great racing action that went all the way until 9pm.
Big kudos to the Pilarcitos crew for trying something new with the night race! The atmosphere was festive, and racing under the lights was really fun, and surprisingly not-to-scary. My race started at 5pm, just as the sun was setting, and the changing light conditions were a nice extra challenge.
Having taken a break from racing last weekend, I felt pretty fresh for this race, and the promoter's decision to call-up 20 riders instead of 10 at the start was a big bonus for me (I was 18th overall after the 1st two races). The huge field size (80+ riders) made the start even more critical. The starting official reminded us to be careful sprinting into the 1st turn, but that didn't stop a big pileup from occuring about 100 yards after the gun went off. I narrowly missed the carnage, and tried not to let the image of skin skidding across the pavement stick in my mind as we hit the dirt and began the 1st lap.
The 1st 2 laps were blazing, and I was glad to be up near the front and away from traffic jams. Our large pack was kicking up tons of dust, and the lungs were soon burning. I jumped on a wheel on each straightaway to save energy, but by lap #3 I was well into oxygen debt and feeling the pain. As my gut screamed at me to slow down, my legs obliged and I eased up just a bit, and tried to prevent anybody from passing me, but a few guys snuck by. I had done several warmup laps before the race, which helped me find some good lines where I could make a few passes of my own. The crowd at the top of the one and only "run-up" was awesome - screaming and heckling us every lap, and I tried to return the favor by catching some air off the kicker nearby.
The pace eased just a bit during the middle of the race, and I more or less maintained my position...then things heated up again on the last 2 laps (I think we did 9 total on this super short course), and my legs were burning as I fought my way through lapped riders. Crossed the line in 18th, and was greeted by friends with miller high life, which reminded me to stop taking things so seriously and enjoy the night. We stuck around for some great racing action that went all the way until 9pm.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Surf City CX - October 26, 2008
Category: B Men
Finally made it to one of the famed surf city events, and it lived up to its reputation as a great event. Lots of awesome costumes, beer and cash preems on the runup, warm sunshine, and loud cowbells - what more could you want? Oh yeah, raced my bike somwhere in there too...
I guess I haven't learned my lesson yet about starts, as I showed up late to the staging area and got a BAD starting position. Oh well, nothing much to do except stomp the pedals hard for the 1st lap, which got me past several guys, but still nowhere close to the leaders. The swirly grass portions of the course were my weak point, and each lap I'd get passed there, but would pick up some spots in the more technical areas and on the long flat dirt sections. The wide course made for fun racing - lots of passing back and forth and good battles for position. I rode pretty smooth, except for getting my seat caught up on the course tape about half-way through while carrying my bike across a deep gully.
All-in-all a solid race for me, finishing 20th (same as last week) of 65 riders.
Finally made it to one of the famed surf city events, and it lived up to its reputation as a great event. Lots of awesome costumes, beer and cash preems on the runup, warm sunshine, and loud cowbells - what more could you want? Oh yeah, raced my bike somwhere in there too...
I guess I haven't learned my lesson yet about starts, as I showed up late to the staging area and got a BAD starting position. Oh well, nothing much to do except stomp the pedals hard for the 1st lap, which got me past several guys, but still nowhere close to the leaders. The swirly grass portions of the course were my weak point, and each lap I'd get passed there, but would pick up some spots in the more technical areas and on the long flat dirt sections. The wide course made for fun racing - lots of passing back and forth and good battles for position. I rode pretty smooth, except for getting my seat caught up on the course tape about half-way through while carrying my bike across a deep gully.
All-in-all a solid race for me, finishing 20th (same as last week) of 65 riders.
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