Today, the neighborhood. Tomorrow, the World!
Looks like racing season is not quite over. “Really?”, you say. Yep. I’m headed down to Louisville tomorrow morning to the UCI Cyclocross Masters World Championships. It’s a big name and sounds pretty impressive, doesn’t it?
I wish I could say I’d show up and post some impressive results but the reality is I probably won’t be top twenty. Not trying to run myself down. I know, I should be more positive with myself and abilities. Self-reinforcing behavior and all that. But I’m trying to be a realist here. I did pretty good in the regular season given how much (or little, really) I got to train. I have been getting after it more in the past two weeks. The motor is there, the skills are coming along, but I didn’t spend enough time with the wrench tuning the engine in the prior year.
So why am I doing it? Long answer: At first, good friend and racing nemesis Chris Freter was talking with me about it and said “It’s the first time it’s been on U.S. soil, it probably won’t happen again any time soon. Might as well.” Good point. Then we raced the USGP in Louisville and saw about where we stacked up in our age group. Because it cost a fair amount extra to get an International racing license (as opposed to a regular domestic license) and the cost of entry we both figured it wasn’t worth the cost to get shelled in the elimination round. And then… and then… I was talking with my father shortly after his surgery and his statement was “Why not?” It is a once-in-a-lifetime event for me (I doubt I’ll be flying to Europe even if I do get phenomenally faster) and his thought was there’s little reason to not actually race in Worlds. Consulted with several other friends as well and Dad wins out. So packing up our bags and moving to Beverly… er, Louisville. For a short time, that is.
What’s the plan? I already said I don’t think I’ll be top twenty. My smart-aleck answer is “not last”. I am hoping to make the top 40 going in to Championship round. That’s the main goal for now. If I don’t make it, I’ll probably be in the consolation round. But top 40 is the goal for now.
Then what? Take a few weeks off. Look at the mountain bike schedule. Probably the Muskingum Mayhem as I did last year. I’d like to hit the Mohican 100 this year. I’d like to do the Pan Ohio Hope Ride with my brother as well. And of course there’s the next cyclocross season that I need to start tuning the engine for.
To all the Crossniacs who are coming to Worlds, I look forward to seeing you there and heckling… er, I mean, cheering you on.
Thanks for reading.
And the beat goes on…
Headed to the bike barn to get this party started
What? Quoting Sonny & Cher? What has gotten in to my little mind?
It (my mind) is probably still a bit frozen over. Yes I ride my bike when it’s cold out or when it’s snowing. Typically not as long but I still ride.
Why?
Because Masters World Championships is coming up. Because I could stand to drop a few pounds. Because I need to get out and ride sometimes.
And because you don’t see this from your bedroom window:
Part of Blacklick creek, and a bit off the road.
Today’s weapon of choice:
Late '80's Bianchi Campione D'Italia, set up for single speeding
It still needs some tweaking but overall works great. Big thanks to cyclistconnection for building up the rear wheel for me, it’s perfect (Paul components flip/flop hub laced to a Velocity Deep V rim). Should stand up to my abuse.
And yes, water bottles don’t do so well on the outside of the bike when it’s 22 degrees F outside. Doh!
Thanks for reading.
GACX #9, The old stomping grounds
On November 13th, the Georgia Series returned to Jim Miller Park in Marietta. This is one of the original Georgia CX courses and the site of the infamous Red Clay Run-up. I really like this course except for that run-up. It is back in the woods, about 50 feet long, almost straight up, and hard to get any traction. I started the Master’s race and was actually feeling pretty good. After half the race, I was still in the middle. But then my bike stopped shifting. I ended up pulling out so I could try to get it fixed for the C race which starts immediately after the Masters. I got it going, but it still wasn’t quite right. Luckily, Trey from my LBS was there and he managed to beat it into submission so I could do the C race. I got to the line as quick as I could, but still ended up starting with about 40 guys in front of me and only 30 behind me. I got tangled up with a couple of guys early and lost a few spots, but then I steadily pulled a few guys back each lap. I was finally feeling good. I had trouble with the hill, but I made up for it through the field and the pavement. With a lap and a half to go, I was looking for a top 20. I came to the run-up and…I couldn’t unclip to get out. So, while I was fighting my pedal about 10 guys passed me. Not sure how it happened, but I completely lost one bolt, and my cleat was just spinning. So, I had to finish the last lap without being able to clip in. The cleat was still hanging and it made it tough to keep my foot on the pedal, but I finished and somehow even managed to beat a guy in the final sprint. But it dropped me down to middle of the pack again.
Talk to ya’ll later. DS
GACX #7 or spookiness
I know. I’m behind again. Its kinda like my races, I guess. I start off strong, with good intentions, but then slowly fall behind. Finally fininshed up with my daughter’s softball late on October 29th, so I decided to get up early on the 30th to give it go. The Georgia race was at the Conyers horse park, site of the equistrian events from the 1996 Olympics. I usually like the course with the exception of the one main hill climb in the woods. Has anyone noticed my distaste for climbing? That’s what a lack of training and 20 extra pounds will do for you.
I got there early though and felt pretty good, so I kitted up for the Masters’ race. There is an ongoing discussion here in Georgia about sandbagging and as part of that there is an offshoot into the fact that there are basically 2 teirs in most of the Master’s races. You have the first group of guys that are also capable of doing the “A” race, and then you have the back of the pack that is old and out of shape. I have advocated for spliting up the Masters race. But I digress. Needless to say I fall into the second group. I have had quite a few mechanicals this year. Not really sure why, but it seems like something always breaks in the first race of the day. But today, nothing broke. I started off good, but as usual, gradually fell towards the back. But I finished and beat a few guys.
Then I turned right around without any break and did the C race. But by the time I got to the start line, there where about 70 guys in front of me. So, I spent most of the day in no man’s land between other racers. I finished up in the middle of the pack again. But I still love being out there.
Talk to ya’ll later. DS
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!!
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