Minnesota State CX
We didn’t sleep much the night before the state championship cyclocross race. I could blame it on my kids, but the nerves were striking my stomach harder than the knees and toes of my six year old. Cyclocross may be considered niche to some. Still others like myself find it a spiritual experience. We push ourselves to near cardiac failure while at the same time writing poetry with every off camber turn into the wet surface below.
In the week leading up to the race I got an email from Joel S. (San Francisco Crossniacs Syndicate) writing that he had a plan. Joel’s idea was to rent a 17 foot truck keeping us shielded from the snow. The truck worked to perfection for warm-ups and we became a central social point during the races as well. I loved having buddies from birchwood stop by and use the truck as a drinking hole for the day. The propane heater made us all comfy in the 27 degree, 12 mile per hour windy, snowy day.
The whistle blew and nine months of preparation were off and spinning. I did pre-ride the course but I forgot to pre-ride the start! So even having effortlessly won the hole shot I had no idea where I was going and was forced to sit back and follow in fourth place during the first half lap. Mitch Nordal and Charles Simacek of Freewheel were off the front as usual and tough to keep pace with.
Each lap coming through the stairs was intense. The spectators were loud and furious as always. My heart rate was shooting through the roof every time I jogged those stairs. Love the drum core too. That was a nice touch.
My goal for the day was top ten in a field of 68 CAT 3 riders. Heading into the last half of the last lap I was sitting 15th and knocking ever so slightly on the doors of that goal when suddenly I went down hard on the asphault iced over section before the mini LGR barriers. Five guys flew by and now I was 19th with about twenty seconds left.
Ped had a great vision in the creation of this course. One key feature that I always look forward to at Bassett Creek is the flow of the off camber turns. A lot of our local courses have twisty stuff, but often they are not at speed and don’t come with differing amounts of elevation. It seemed to me that Ped dialed these corners to perfection and forced the racers to navigate the turns at speed. Fun times and we will see you there 12 months from now.
Luck (glue) ran out just at the end.
As it has been all year, I need to work on my starts. Lined up one row back at the start line for the MN State Championship. By the first turn I was in about 6th place. By the 3rd lap I was in 3rd place.
With 3 laps to go (or maybe 4) my front tire rolled off as we traversed along the hill climb. I managed to mash it back onto the rim but as I didn’t want to crash on the fast descents, took it very easy until I got to my pit bike. By this time I was in a solid 7th place. Those Challenge tires had been on for almost two seasons and about 14 races, couldn’t ask for much more. Maybe by September the rest of the glue will have given up and I can get them re-glued on for some pre-season practice!
That’s it for my Cross season – it’s been blast and I am lucky to ride with such a great bunch of racers.
Next: I spent time over the last few nights fussing with my 29er MTB’s for my next season and while the temps are above 28 degrees I can always ride to work and back trying to fend off those extra pounds.
Good luck to all. Cheers.
And so the end is near…
The 2011 MN Cyclocross Rider of the Year has ended and the results look right given all the unpredicatablity of Cross racing and our busy lives. I’m in the 45+ group along with the usually crew that shows up year after year, joined occocially by some young punk who just turned 44 that year (welcome). It’s a great goup to race with and I have really enjoyed challenging my abilities eveyweekend with these lads.
Most years I am ready to hang up my wheels until spring finally hits Minnesota. This year we have been cursed with dry almost summer like weather for the season. Not once did I race in mud and it only rained for about 10 minutes during a single race. Last year we had snow / ice on the ground and the temps were harsh. So what about next weekend? Here in MN we have what is called ‘State Championship Weekend’ a disingenuous title as unlike most state or championship events, this one you do not qualify for and are not recognized for your athletic abilities. It may be the one ‘state / championship’ event that your call-up to the start line has nothing to do with your skill level or previous performance but rather the order of people who pre-registered for the event. With Cross, a good start can make the difference between being on the podium or not and I don’t think anyone appreciates having riders try to make their way past other riders on each lap. Most organizers plan a gap between different abilities…weird. It is a great cross party, Whisky and Beer hand-ups are expected.
Rattail in Rochester
That was a windy race.
Lot’s of yellow tape blown everywhere, hard to keep track of where the course was on the first and second lap.
This was the first race of the season that came down to a sprint finish, with Greg taking 1st by a wheel and me in second. Truth be told he had the race from the start but had to pit on the last lap and didn’t know I had caught up to him on the hill. As he snatched his pit bike I took the lead but with less than half a lap to go Greg powered past me and then it was neck and neck to the bitter end.
Great race.
Wow - my arms are longer!!
The Fridley CX
The Fridley CX recap
Bike racing in the Twin Cities would be nothing if not for community. The caring and sharing of valuable resources to all is an amazing benefit to this region.
The Fridley CX, hosted by the singular and most-amazing team, the Crossniacs National Syndicate, was again a fantastic event.
God must be on the Crossnaics’ side as dry, sun-shiny conditions again blessed the day (despite prayers for rain).
Several hundred racers came to race the elements, the hill, the wind and each other for new-found glory as the course design seemed to find it’s niche.
As for results, the Crossniacs found glory in the 35+ race with Guy Alverez’s 3rd place finish, Dylan MacKenzie also made it to the podium with a 3rd, in his first race on a SS no less in the 10-14 race. Tristen Manderfeld rode away from the 15-18 year olds for 1st in his for race of the season.
Thanks to all present and almost-present for their support and help with the race. It is a lot easier being on this side of the event. It’s a lot of work to make something special happen.
Thanks to Pete W and Aaron for finding new sponsors, awards and helping to get the race up and running.
Thanks to Ladric, Eric and Guy who found the secret to the hill. People LOVED the new route.
Thanks to Taylor and all the others, who set-up the smooth sexy section near the school. With all those soft curves, ups and downs, I couldn’t help but feel like I’m listening to Barry White and making love.
Thanks to Nate S. who sat inside all day and typed in names during reg. and printed results. You are in unsung hero. That job sucks, but you did good.
Thanks to our current sponsors: Mercury wheels and KHS for the goods. People L-O- V-Ed the goods and tattoos and shirts. I’ll post pica asap.
Thanks to new help from Brave Solider and Stuffits. Your unique and cool products set our team above the rest.
To Bryan Butts; thanks for keeping the dream alive.
Extra-extra special thanks to Kevin Lennon for all the course goods. From bell and lap-counters to tape to posts. You are a champion of the cities cycling community.
To Twin 6 for the extra help. URule.
To the Modern Café; thanks for the awards. Hugs.
To Mark D and Mike P, thanks for the help. Sorry about the wheels.
I’m sure I missed someone. Thanks to all who helped pull off a very successful race.
To everyone, thanks.
No one died. All had fun.
Sponsors
