Orchard Cross at Applecrest Farm

I have been blowing this blog off for a while.  Busy with moving to a new home/state, cross racing work, etc.  It was a good outlet and I should try to keep it up.  Anyway...

So I did another cyclocross bike race this weekend, as I have been every weekend or two since September.  This one was really fun, and prompted me to post something to share.

Drove down to South Hampton NH, about an hour and a half away.  Pleasant drive though my old Ipod crashed and would not play music, as happens when I leave it in the car on a cold night.

Got to the event plenty early.  Was there at 8:00 even though my race was not until 10:30.  That gave me time for a lap on the course before the first race, another afterward, and half a lap just before the third.  A good solid warm up!  We did not get the promised deluge (that is coming tonight) so the course was was a bit wet due to this week's rain, but not really muddy or exceptionally mucky.  Mostly just wet or damp grass, with a few short sections of medium density mud. 

Course was a dirt (grass) track date My kind of riding!  No run up, no sand pit, not many technical sections.  Just let em rip!

There was one section of pump track, which was fun.  This is where most of the spectators hung out, to see the excitement.  A bunch of single jumps and a double...

A couple of mini-berms

Another set of single/doubles...

And then a full on BMX style berm

This was followed by an slight uphill track back, then a downhill on a smaller set of whoop-de-doos.  You could ride down this section no brakes if you were daring, but it was like hanging on to the back of a bucking bronco as your bike rode up and back down.

More riding through grass around the apple orchard and through the raspberry bushes back to the start.  We did 5 laps, and even though I was behind the middle of the field, I didn't get passed by the leaders, which is pretty good!

Had an awesome race, placed 23/41, which is the best results I have had so far this year.  And I had a ton of fun, which was the important part.

There were a few races I could have done today.  I decided last minute that rather than do two serious races, I would do the "Costume Race" as my second :)  I didn't have a costume ready, but at the last minute, I did some internet searching and came up with a brainstorm!  Spent 5 minutes cutting up a box, 5 minutes gluing, and 10 minutes painting, and lo and behold, I was LEGO MAN!!!

There must have been 40-50 folks lined up in costume.  Gumby/pokey, prom queens, monsters, maine lobsters and lobster fisherman/women, lots of great costumes!

This guy probably took the cake for going all in, though he struggled to keep the bike moving later in the race.

The costume race was a mellow affair, not scored and not really a race.  I moved at a decent pace to get a workout in, and passed a few riders, making sure that it was OK if I went by them first.

2017 cyclocross nationals

I made the trip down to lovely Hartford, CT for Cyclocross nationals this year.

Due to a knee injury, I did not get much CX racing in this year.  The goal was to upgrade to Cat 3, a stretch goal in any case.  More like a stretch-armstrong goal, really...

So I registered for the 40-49 non-championship race.  I would not be racing for a medal, but that was just fine.

My race didn't start until 2:30 pm, which was a huge change.  Normally I need to leave the house around 6am for an 8am start.  A later start sounded great!  Arrived and had a full hour to warm up, which was really nice.  I briefly considered tire pressure, but quickly realized that traction today was going to be a fairy tale,  or a pipe dream and just went with 40 PSI.  The mud was super deep, wheel sucking muck, and really slow, with quite a bit of walking terrain that if it were dry, would be a simple ride.

Two laps of warm up on a 2 mile course took me around 50 minutes.  Holy slow going, batman!  After the pre-ride, I went in and got my race numbers.  Another rider noticed my 20/20 cycling kit, and we chatted about Seattle for a bit.  She was out to race the non-championship on the same day, and was planning on racing the U23 race on sunday!  Turns out she knows Keith, and is a client of his.  It was nice to have someone to talk to for a bit.  

I had 2 hours to kill before the race, so I went out in search of a power washer.  After a bit, I found an auto car wash, and hosed down the bike.  It was destined to get filthy within the first minute, but I thought it would be nice to start clean.  I didn't realize they had a spray wash at the race course for us to use...

Before

After

I'll say those Mud Shovel Fenders didn't look pro.  But I sure stayed warm and dry through 2 hours of warm up and racing.  So, IMO I was smarter than everyone else who "looked cool" :)

Drove around Hartford for a bit finding my way back.  Not really too impressed, no disrespect to Hartfordians...

Changed some clothes, grabbed some warm gloves, and rode back up 5 stories of ramps, across the bridge, and back down to the race course.  They were calling up numbers one at a time, and with 130 registered starters, this took quite a while.  I jumped around to keep warm.  I missed my call up, and was slotted in the last 4 riders, but that was fine as that is exactly where I expected to finish ;)

We went off, and a group of 6 or so of us hung out in the back.  As we had gotten about another half inch of rain since the morning, things got even more muck and slippery.  As expected, I estimate I was only riding about 60% of the course.

Early in the course, there was a long traverse.  You could either climb up first, or last.  It seemed like the lower track was better, though still unrideable.  I did see a few try, but everyone was relegated to pushing.  

After this, there was a decent, also known as the "Hartford Slip-and-Slide: ;)  Many a chamois was ruined here...

This was followed by a climb back up the grade...

I was really thinking crampons would have been a better footware choice than MTB shoes with toe spikes up that.  Loose grass covered with dirt left us making 4 steps for every 2 of upward progress.

I was able to avoid wiping out by gingerly picking my way down the right side barrier tape.  It helped that I was in no rush to get down, I guess.

Although it was tough going, I was enjoying myself for the first lap.  I entertained myself by heckling my fellow riders and the few spectators.  Some of my better lines:

"I'm not sure why we have these pedals on these bikes.  We're sure not using them today!"

"Brakes, who needs em?"  After hitting my brakes on a decent to no avail, I just let it rip.  Once I hit the mud puddle at the bottom, I came to a quick stop.

"OMG, I just hit 12 MPH"  At the bottom of that slope.

"I think I saw a lost bike in the bottom of that puddle.  No sign of the rider"

"You know, someone told me there would be a bike race here today, not a bike-pushing contest."

There were a few short paved sections, where I got a bit of acceleration.

I may have actually gotten into the 21 cog for 10 pedal strokes here.  Whoa!

Just as I approached the finish, I got lapped by Adam Myerson, an ex-pro, and one of the best Elite riders in New England, who just retired.  I thought that might happen, but hoped to hold him off.  I lost my bet by about 300 meters though.  Thankfully?? the officials did not pull me out, and let me finish my race.

To put it into perspective, it took me 24 minutes to do a lap that took a PRO 12 minutes to do.  Not saying that he is twice as good as me or anything ;)  Just that he is much faster...

The second lap was a real struggle.  It was truly miserable.  Pushing a 34/25 though this was worse than kicking up Mont Ventoux in a 34/27.  It was right up there with climbing the col du Glandon in terms of awful things I have done on a bike.  But I kept on, with no site of the riders before me, and the one behind me back by a bit.

With about 1/4 mile to go, my bike was so bogged down.  I pulled off a brick of mud the size of my fist off of the rear brake bridge.  The front brakes were so clogged, the bike was doing an endo as I pushed it, unless I kept my other hand pushing down on the seat.  After what seemed like forever, I got to the "fast" part of the course nearing the finish line.  The rider behind me pushed just ahead, and there was no way I was going to close any gap.  He crossed the line about 10 bike lengths up, good for him.

After the race, I rode over to the slip and slide to see some carnage.  Got a few shots, but none as good as that video.  Saw a few who were actually able to ride it!  But that was less than one in ten.

A few pithy quotes from the peanut gallery:

"Congratulations, you're now riding a single speed!"  After a rider dragged his bike and rear shift lever though the mud from the top to the very bottom

"I should come back with PVC sheets to save these poor guys' $140 bib shorts"

"The Russian judge gives a 8.4"

I ran into a guy who was riding a Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie, which is the bike I am building up, and will finish one of these days.  It turns out he has a child who works for Van Dessel, so we chatted about bikes, and how much we like the company for a bit.  

After a bit, I was cold and had had enough.  I rode back, and found the bike wash station.  I ran into the fellow who had passed me at the end, and we congratulated each other.  He said "we actually beat someone"  Turns out he finished 88 and myself 89, out of 96 starters.  We all beat the 25 riders who signed up, but didn't bother to show

DFL>DNF>DNS.  Words to live by!

Got home, grabbed a meatball sub and salad on the way.  Ate a delicious dinner, accompanied by a Pirate Ale which had been ageing for a year.

I'm not certain the ageing improved this beer; it's not something I drink with any frequency, so I don't have any comparison.

All in all it was a great race.  Type two fun at times, but I did enjoy myself, and I am super glad that I had the opportunity to do this race.  I am really excited to return on Sunday to see the U23, and pro and women's races.

My day at the races; a story in pictures

I've been off the bike 5 or 6 weeks now, due to a sprained knee ( after getting taken out at a CX race :P).  Just started riding this week, and said, "what the heck, might as well do the CycleSmart CX this weekend"

It looked to be a cold one.  Better get prepared...

(I didn't end up needing half that gear...)
A downright balmy day for a bike race...

It warmed up to the mid-40s by the race start, thankfully.

On the drive down, I realized that my music was missing from my ipod.  Looks like a quiet hour drive down to the race...

 Fortunately, I discovered it had synced at least through the 'af's.  Enough music to get me through the drive.

Lining up in the last row, behind 150 of my closest friends.

The course was similar to years past.  Some minor re-routes, but no huge changes.

Results were nothing to write home about, but I'm OK with this given that I've not been riding at all for a month and a half...

The male cyclists version of 'thigh gap'  So embarrassing when this happens in public.

Montague Criterium 6/5/2013

First night at the montague MA criterium.  It's a short-lived series, only 4-5 weeks of racing.  Missed it last year due to some unknown reason, probably a mix of travel and weather.

Missed the first two weeks this year due to travel again, but made it to the 3rd of 5 races this year.

Arrived in plenty of time to warm up.  Had a hard time getting in any intensity during warmup, I just did not have it in my legs.  Had had a couple of longer weeks going into this, so there was some accumulated fatigue.

Pretty low key race.  No race numbers, I guess they just keep track of finish and primes by jerseys.  25 racers in the "B" group start.  24 laps around a .6 mile flat 4 corner course.

Started toward the front of the pack, quickly oozed back into the last 1/3, and after 4-5 laps found myself last man standing.  Pretty soon a gap formed, I was not able to chase it down, and sat out a lap to fall back in.  A couple more laps, same story.  I was really struggling to keep up the pace.  There was a crash at one point in the back of the pack, 4 riders went down, but everyone seemed to be OK.  I was about 50 feet off the back at this point, so in no danger.  Being off the back is not really the most fun place to be, but it IS safe :)

Last 12 laps I started feeling much better.  I was wondering if the race had slowed down, as I was keeping up, just sitting in the back, but not really feeling like I was working all that hard.  Looking at lap times now, it does not look like it slowed down, just that I got my act together and was able to be a part of the pack.

This looks like the kind of a race that I could be competitive in if I had good legs.  Missed the 4th race, but planing on being there for the last one this week.

2000

Hit 2000 miles yesterday.  Got over 600 miles in last month.  Been riding every day the past week since coming to Seattle for work.  Going to get another 70 miles in tomorrow.  And maybe going to do the VT 6 gaps ride next weekend, which would be 135 miles.  I'm tired just thinking about it.

Claremont track series 5/7/2013

First race of the year up at Claremont.

Arrived early, signed up and warmed up on the track with a handful of others.  Track is a 1/3 mile oval, with slight banking.  10 of us signed up for the B race, including a Jr on a cross bike, and another fellow on a cross bike w/ a rack!  Neutral first lap, then it was on.  40 laps with a sprint for points every 5th lap, and a sprint for primes in between.  You'd have 16 opportunities to go for it if you wanted to come home with some glory.

Sat in on the first sprint for points, just went for third place.  Points 5 deep, so I was on the board.  Jr on the cross bike had a SUPER creaky bottom bracket.  I tried to avoid riding his wheel, in case bearings started shooting out and he went down in flames. 

After the first sprint, 3 of us had about a 1/4 lap lead.  I thought that this was not going to be a 3 man show, and soon enough the rest of the group caught on. Started going for primes after that.  It is kind of hard to hear what is up for grabs, sometimes it is $2/$1 for first and second, other primes are gift certificates for local merchants.  Got a prime, settled in. 

About 15 laps in, I got a bit gassed and let off a bit, which was a big tactical mistake.  6 riders went off, and I was relying on the others to help me chase back on.  After a few laps, I realized that they were not working, and were just going to keep on at a more moderate pace.  Spent about 10 laps chasing back to the group, which had almost a 1/2 lap lead.  I'd get closer, then they'd have a sprint lap, and pull away.  About 25 laps in, I caught on, and had enough in the tank to take the next sprint.  Unfortunately, I had missed the double points on the mid-race lap. 

Alternated sprinting and sitting in for every sprint after that.  Picked up another prime and a few more points. Last sprint, again double points.  I was tired and got caught a bit too far back, 6th wheel.  No way I was going to get to the front in the last 50 meters, so I just rode in and watched from the back.

Came in 6th place, walked off with $1 in cash and $3 in gift certificates.  Not bad.  Letting the group gap me was a mistake, but first race of the year, it's allowed.  Felt much more comfortable and in control sprinting out of the corner, which in the past was a bit nervous.  Not sure what changed, but that was a great improvement.

Unfortunately I'll be missing the next two weeks, so not much chance of placing high for the monthly overall payout, but I'll be in seattle, so may try to catch seward park race, and I'll get a ton of riding in while I am there.

Shoot the Loop TT

Guess this was the second race of the year.  First since Battenkill, three weeks ago ( though it seems like much longer).

Low key 14 mile Time Trial sponsored by Eastern Mountain Sports.  Showed up, signed up, took a 15 minute spin, then road back to the shop to check in.  Only about a dozen racers.  One guy looked very fast, disc wheels and all.  His name was Dan.  We chatted a bit about my Neuvation wheels on the TT bike, wished each other luck, then sat in on the rider meeting.  30 seconds between starts.  Warm day, sunny, around 75 degrees.  Pretty nice.

I pulled the low number, which meant that I went first.  No problem.  Took off, hit the gas, got into a groove.  3 miles of flat riding.  Got passed by my minute man at this point ( the fast looking guy, Dan).  No problem, he took off and got out of sight pretty quickly.  A small rise, then a turn and a bit bigger of a hill.  Nothing major, but when you're all out, a 2-3% grade feels murderous.  Climbed about 150 feet, then hit a plateau.  Still cruising.

Around 9 miles in, I started to see stars.  Hit another turn, looked off to the side, and saw another rider about 30 seconds back.  Wasn't sure I could hold him off, and was just planning on keeping up speed and let the chips fall.  Within a mile, he passed with an "on your left".  This ended  up being Chris.  Really starting to start to feel the burn at this point.  Maybe went out just slightly too hot, but not knowing the course or profile, and not having done a TT in a few years, pacing has gone out the window.  Not much pacing in the points races I've been doing more of.  Or cross for that matter...

Focusing on just keeping a hard pace, keeping the HR close to the red.  1 mile to go, got passed again.  Tried to try to stay on this rider.  Passing was not going to matter in the results, as he already had at least 30 seconds on me, but wanted to keep him close.  Ended finishing about 40 feet off his wheel.

Met the other racers, went for a cruise with Dan.  Ended up working a bit hard, but what should I expect trying to keep up with the guy who beat me by 5 minutes in a 14 mile TT?  Had a nice conversation.  He mentioned they had this TT again in the fall.  I said I'd see him there as long as it did not conflict with a cross race.  Gotta have your priorities straight!

Great support.  Big jug of Nuun, free water bottles and cytomax chews.  Every racer got a pair of wool socks.  Dan won a helmet and a plaque.  I think I came in 4th out of 12?  21.3 mph average, which was pretty good.  3rd overall on the Strava segment, for whatever that is worth.  Happy with the performance.

Caught up to my daughter at the park.  She had gone fishing with her grandfather, and had caught 2 fish in the first two minutes!  Solid dinner at home with the in-laws, couple of glasses of wine.  Nice end to the day.

Tomorrow should be intervals, followed by a 20+ mile ride with a friend I have not seen since last fall.  Looking forward to it.  Seeing the friend.  The intervals, not so much.