Mpls Guy heading into the Beer tent, Andy, CJ & Guy, + Eric

Wet slippery sections made for an wonderfully challenging course, especially for a sketchy-off-roader such as myself. My race, stacked with 60-70-odd racers, started at noon. Wearing the Crossniacs duds felt good. Eric grabbed the holeshot and I was not far behind. I felt really good and cheerful for the entire first lap which, in my opinion, was a little slower than normal. Sitting in about 7th place, I started yelling at “Hole-shot-Eric”, “Go Eric! Crossniacs Rule!” Anything that popped in my head, I shouted out. The “Pyramid of Pain” was a perfect place to give a shout out to the dude up in front of you.

Anyways,

Second lap, I dug in and got to work. My heart rate kicked up, but the legs felt good, so good that I took it a little too fast around the 180 to the run-up. I ended up flat on my back, laughing. There’s that brief moment when you are on the ground when you think, “I should just stay here, this is nice.” Well, then you get up and get going again.

I really struggled in the “Pyramid of Pain”. The back-n-forth was often the place I lost any gap I had on competitors. Maybe my center of gravity is too high, but I could not get around those turns easily-until the very last lap when I seem to “get it”.

Anyways, taking last week off hurt any high intensity I may have had at the 20 minute mark. I hit that wall of pain pretty hard and my lower back screamed with displeasure. I gave up a fight or two and therefore lost a few positions. No great story there.

I finished top something, something… good enough for me.

It was fun to see friends, Jim and Mike (who needs a new frame), and Ladric, BK, the Crossniacs crew.

Headed off to Gunnison, CO for a weekend of ‘cross racing and collecting BCR points.  The course was set on the campus of Western State College with pristine grass and tight corners.  The race on Saturday brought a dry course with a single runup with a nice swooping downhill section.  I once again got the call up to secure my start amongst the handfull of riders that made the trip.  I got a great start off the line slotting into third for much of the first lap sliding back into sixth to finish off the day.  Sunday was a different story as I woke to sleet and freezing temperatures.  Instead of resetting a new course the promoter made some minor changes and ran the course backwards.  The grass was slick!  The field thinned slightly but the top riders chasing those BCR points were on the line.  Another solid start brought me into third with four guys tacked to my wheel.  One powered by and was able to hold the gap in between the leaders and us.  We were infighting the whole time each trying to attack each other in the areas we felt the strongest.  I kept getting a small gap in the more technical areas only to be pulled back in the flatter sections.  With two laps to go, I made a surge thru the S/F area with hopes of catching them off guard into the small technical section but I went down hard tweating my back.  I got up quickly giving it my all for the next sections up the hill trying hard to secure a fourth place but they stuck to my wheel attacking in tandem in the flat section.  I dug deep to remain in contact and made a last lap surge but in the final stretch they pulled away ending up in sixth for the second day in a row.  All in all a great weekend of racing.

From the front range, Mike

Rough way to start the day.

GA

Boom
Island was my fourth CX of the season, but my first time on the course so not entirely sure what to expect.  I ran into CJ and Andy during warm ups and I told them that I was feeling drained, so I was surprised with how well I felt once we got rolling.  I think the cool weather and great crowds really helped to motivate me.  Pete gets the award for best supporter.  I could hear him yelling for the Crossniacs even when I was on the backside of the course.  Thanks a ton.  It is always nice to have someone routing for you.  

My day began with a start that was worse than usual…even for me.  The start was in an open section of the park probably 100 meters or a little more before the first corner.  I think in the end the entire group was lined up in a single line across the field at the start.  Needless to say there was a quick narrowing as the whistle blew.  CJ and I were lined up right next to one another and the plan was to follow each other through the craziness of the first lap.  Well plans are good and all, but putting things into practice is sometimes a lot more difficult.  Within the first pedal stroke I was almost knocked off my bike.  CJ was getting squeezed from his right which forced him in front of me.  I was able to stay up right, but I came out of both pedals and had to ride the top tube for a split second.  By the time I got up and going the leaders were through the first corner and there was a massive pile up behind them.  The only good thing about being behind was by the time I hit the first corner I was able to stay to the outside and pass a good chunk of tangled riders.  I think I was setting something like 30^th after the first corner.  I figured my day was over before it started so I thought what the heck I will go until I totally blow apart.  I took a lot of risks the first two laps and I was fortunate to not have a flat or mechanical.  After the first couple of loops I settled into a groove of slowly picking groups of 2 and 3 off.  I think it was on the 3^rd or 4^th lap when I hear CJ yelling at me from the side lines?  Little did I know that when Andy went down CJ collided with his bike and punctured.  I thought I was having all the bad luck with my start, but both Andy and CJ got it a lot worse.  Any way, CJ was yelling at me to get moving because I was in the top five and that the guys in front of me were dying.  It was perfect timing.  I really needed some motivation.  I kept the pressure on and was able to run down Paul for second place going into the last lap.  Kind of a weird ride, but it worked out ok in the end.  I hope the Crossniacs have better luck next weekend. 

The Other Guy (GA)      

My third race was the Sprit Mountain Cross Race in Duluth, MN. The course was about a third single-track, with the rest on gravel roads or wide paths, with the occasional muddy section and bulldozer thrown in for effect. The weather was perfect for cross–sunny and cool.

I went off of the line with about thirty riders. The first part of the course was a long section of gravel, first going down, then up. Everyone was charging for the 180 at the end of the gravel road, and then everyone slowed to make the turn. I can’t remember who made the turn in what order, but I bet it was close to the final results.

We rode around a machine shed, jumped a barrier, and hopped back on fast to avoid crashing on the singletrack that followed. Just to the right of the singletrack was a four foot drop. The trail snaked through the woods, going over some ruts and rocks here and there, and back to another gravel road.

I passed on these roads whenever I could, ending up riding some laps with a Flanders rider and Peter from Grumpy’s.

The rest of the course was pretty open, with a fast barrier on level ground, a run-up, and a sort of muddy barrier. These and the singletrack made the course great.

Eventually the Flanders guy lost some steam, and it was just me and Peter. I got a gap on him once, after he tripped on a barrier, but he made up the distance after about half a lap.

I stuck on his wheel for the rest of the race. The finish line sat about 100 meters from some singletrack. The tricky part was the sharp right from the singletrack to the finishing stretch, which was in some loose dirt.

I followed Peter out of the trail, took the turn a little sharper, and gave it all I had. I thought I had it, but then noticed that I didn’t know where the line really was, and that Peter was right next to me. He ended up taking the sprint for 12th, but it was a fun end to a hard race.

N8 from Minneapolis.

Always one of the best races of the year, Boom Island is a personal fave as it was my first ‘cross race three years ago, the one that got me hooked on this insanely fun sport. This year was a bit different, though–the normally mild sunny weather was replaced by dreary overcast skies, and a chill 48 degrees with threats of rain.

I had seen a preview of parts of the course at the weekly clinic Wednesday night and knew it would be technical. The first turn was an off-camber that was getting slippery, followed by a few sweepers into a “rocky road” to single track to the cut-bank run-up, to twisty rooty trail to the “pyramid of pain”– a series of seven or eight 180 turns that got progressively tighter and closer. After that, the course was back to wide open spaces through a few hard turns to a bumpy downhill to a barrier on a slight riser, to another woop-de-doo, to the final beer tent barrier, and a sharp s-curve to the finish stretch, which was slightly into the wind.

Lined up front row, had an okay start that was helped by a pileup on the outside on that first turn while I dove inside. I was trying to pass going into the rocky road, something I knew I shouldn’t even try because it’s just too treacherous. Sure enough, my front wheel hit a hole, I went flying to a very hard landing on my right quad, elbow, and ankle. Got back up to discover my rear brake had jammed into the spokes; pulled it out and started racing again. By this point, I had been passed by well more than half the field of 70 or so and all the women. Anger and adrenaline got me through the initial screaming pain of the leg and I started fighting my way back up. The crowd was counting positions and by half-way I was back up to 18th. Pulled back at least four more people (maybe more?) by the bell lap, which I spent on my own concentrating on not messing up again. Rolled across the line and instantly started feeling how bad the leg is bruised up. Let’s just say stairs aren’t fun right now and I don’t know now well I’ll be walking, let alone moving tomorrow.

Should have been able to stay top-ten on this course and closer to an upgrade. What truly annoyed me, though, was seeing one rider I know I beat every week (typically by a wide margin) lining up in the A race–what gives with him getting an upgrade with results lower than mine? Isn’t this supposed to be a points system that requires you to earn your upgrade? Guess I need to start making friends in high places….

andy

gentlemen,
Looking like a high-noon meet-up time for a lunch time spin. HOWEVER, was a little late to work and have to leave early. So a) I might cancel my own involvement at last minute to be a better employee or b) ride a little on the “short” side to be back within a decent time.

but for now-where shall we meet up?

other questions? Email me at panderson@rileyhayes.com or respond here.

Dave is out… Eric>hows about you? Another day?

Myself and the family headed up to Breckenridge so as I could partake in a weekend of racing in Frisco.

Day 1

I awoke to a glorious day in the mountains.  At a balmy 37 degrees on the thermometer, I decided to ride down to Frisco as my warm-up.  I bundled up and headed out the door for the easy spin to the race.  I quickly warmed up and was border line overheated as I rolled into the Nordic Center.  I met Eric from Breck on the ride down and had a nice chat.  Picked up the awesome sweatshirt, which I sported most of the weekend when not on my bike.  The legs felt okay, not real snappy.  I got the call up for my 14^th overall in the BCR competition which gave me a front row starting position.  Dean yelled ‘go’ and off we went.  I have been getting great starts this year (thanks to Jared’s training tips) and went into the first barrier in around 5^th position.  I slide back a bit after the first lap but still feeling good. On the second lap I ran smack into a tree after one of the 180 degree turns, this thru my off for a bit and allowed a couple guys to get up to me.  The legs slowly faded and ended up 18^th.  I was a little disappointed because the legs felt flat.  The beer flowed as Dave Towle kept things lively, which is the best way to spend an afternoon watching bike racing with the family.Day 2

After an evening hanging with Bil, we woke to chilly morning.  A cool 23 degrees on the thermometer but no snow and sunny skies, I bundled up once again for the ride down to Frisco.  I rolled into the Nordic Center with plenty of time to check out the new course layout.  I got worried as Dean said that only the top ten were going to get call ups, he ended up calling up the top twenty and I secured another front row start.  The start went well as I tried to hold my ground up the first climb.  I was around 10^th until I took a digger into the dirt when the front wheel washed out on one of the many loose corners.  I tried to keep the tempo high but made a tactical error following two riders and letting two riders attack going into the hill.  They dangled in front of me until the end.  Wound up 14^th.

I had a great weekend of racing with new and old friends.  Next stop Gunnison.

From the Front Range, Mike

Today at Alpenrose the Cross Crusade`s opening day race, 1087 racer`s lined up a 40% increase from last year, and 161 of them were ladies! I got to see the local pro`s Erik Tonkin, Molly Cameron, Shannon Skerritt, Carl Decker,and then Aaron Olson T-mobile lines up, and an impressive little guy by the name of Adam McGrath!

Once again I failed to get the proper start line position, last row in a very large field, plus 100 in the C`s, and starting right behind us plus 100 in the master C`s. I rolled as hard as I could but there were jam`s at every corner, I hammered on the straight`s passing as many as I could, the course was perfect, and my FMB`s at 38 psi were perfect! Everything was right I felt great my mounts and dismounts were dialed, the bike was on, just had a poor start, and could not bridge up to the leader`s.

Had a great day just went as hard as I could and worked on my form, had a ton of love on the new kit, and people were mentioning the website! Note to self get up early prereg and hug the front line 20 minutes prior to start!

West coast Guy