NC Series Champ
Going into the final race I was leading the series by a few points. But, because today was double points the few points didn’t matter. I didn’t need to win, but I needed to come in front of Jason to take the series. If he beat me, he took the series.
Yesterday on my ride I felt something that I have not felt in a long time….fast. The snap was there and the legs felt good. But, it’s been a long season and the cooked factor is high. And, my shoestring training plan is highly questionable. I’m not even going to count how many races I’ve done this year, but every weekend since the beginning of March with mostly double dip weekends and a lot of mid-week races thrown in as well.
The course suited me. It was full-on crossy. I find that the harder the course the better I do and the faster the selections happen. We had a long steep run-up, sand section, fast double barrier and a grinder/run-up hill.
The start proved critical. I got the 1st call-up and rocked out the hole-shot. I could feel people next to me and hear some banging going into the 1st tight corner. Apparently Jason got caught up in the mix and Jeff said “Jason went down”…We immediately went to the front and took turns opening up a gap and created a selection of about 5-6 guys. I was blowing my self to pieces to make the selection stick and to open the gap on Jason, but every time I looked back I could see him closing. My fear was that I was going to blow and then he would catch back on and I’d have nothing to respond with. But, it had to be done and Jeff and I knew it. 4 laps or so to go and I looked back and Jason was gone. Apparently he went down in a corner. He’s a fighter so we kept the pace high. 3 laps to go I felt a sigh of relief as I knew the series was mine and the pressure of a result was gone. I didn’t care if I finished 5th in this group that I was in. 2 laps to go I went to the front and got to the steep run-up and ran hard and at the top hopped back on and dug and opened a gap on the 4 guys. I had no intention of attacking, but apparently the acceleration at the top was enough to open a gap. Damn… now I have to race again. I went as deep as I could go and kept the gap…1 to go and I kept the pace hot and rolled through with the hands up. I couldn’t have asked for a better race.
This NC season has been awesome. It is up there with the most fun I’ve ever had racing cross. The series wasn’t won because of perfect attendance. Every race the top 5 guys were there battling it out and it was a tactical show-down to see who would make a mistake….apparently I made the least.
I need to give a shout-out to Tim and the crew for an awesome series. I’ve race all over and the series is top-notch. If you want to race a great race and meet a great group of people, come to NC. A big thanks to the NC cross scene for letting me into the scene and making this move to NC fun. The first race I was bummed because I didn’t know anyone and by the last race I had met a ton of great people. Thanks guys.
Now it’s time for a break and for Chick Wah to come into this world. It’s been a long season and a break from the bike and racing is in order. Every year I plan on taking a month off, but it never happens. The pull of the bike is too strong. And, with temps in the 70s this week it will be hard not to get out. But, I’ll try.
As we all know, the season never ends for some of us… NC winter cross series starts in January..
Wah
Boone, NC 2nd place…leading the series with 1 to go
Boone CX today. Going into the race I was tied for the series lead with Jason. We have been sprinting it out all season. I got him yesterday and today he was on fire. The course was technical and suited a true crosser. Run-up, sand sections, high-speed barrier section and fast technical downhill. You needed skills today. The gun went off and I took the hole-shot and the selection happened early. There were 4 of us at one point, but one guy popped off and the race was on. Jason, Jeff and I made the race and the selection. Jason would go to the front and put the hurt on us and at one point he opened a gap and I was worried that I was racing for 2nd. He messed up a little going into the barriers and Jeff and I caught him. Jason would keep attacking and then with less then 3 to go Jason went into the barriers super hot and caught his foot or something and went down hard. His bike hit my leg and I almost went down and stumbled a little, but got through and immediately attacked with Jeff. We both drove the pace to get some room on Jason. At this point all I cared about was finishing in front of Jason to break the tie in points. Jeff was riding super strong and smart today and I made a tactical error going into the finish and he got me… so I rolled in 2nd and Jason got it together and finished 3rd.
So now I lead the series with one race to go and it’s double points, so basically whoever comes in front next week between Jason and I takes the series.
At this point I’m just happy with the results and the season that I have been able to put together with the move and work and baby coming. The legs don’t have the snap like they did at the 1st of the season and I’m sucking a lot of wheels so….such is life.
Wah
NC State Championships
As I was warming up on the trainer I felt like I was done..the stress at work and the lack of riding plus racing every weekend since the beginning of March has me beyond toasted. But CX is the love and when the gun goes off all the cares and worries in the world go away. I rocked the hole-shot and the race was on. The first couple laps separated the group into around 6 guys. Jason and a guy from VA were the ones to beat today. Everyone else was hanging onto our wheels as the 3 of us took turns pulling at the front and testing one another. 3 laps to go it was down to 4 of us. Randy, a 45+ guy who I was battling last week bridged up to us and let the 3 of us 35+ers battle it out. 2 to go and we are all still together. There was a grinder climb that I tested the group on mid-way through the race and opened a little gap. This was the crux of the course. My plan was to get to the hill in 1st position on the last lap and give it everything I had at the top and keep the momentum to the finish line. ½ way through the last lap Jason and I were bumping elbows and bars going into the corners fighting for 1st position. I edged around him before the barriers….rolled them super smooth and hit the final climb and completely put myself in the pain cave (thanks Dave T, wish you were announcing today) I got to the top in 1st and turned myself inside out. It is amazing what the body can do and how much pain it can endure. I never looked back and could feel a little breathing room, but I knew Jason was back there and he can out sprint me… I could see the line and kept it going and won the NC state championships.
It was a great feeling after the stress of work and life right now.
Wah