I finally started my 07-08 cyclocross season this morning at Bay Area Super Prestige #2 at Candlestick Point in San Francisco. I was originally supposed to start at the Lion of Fairfax on 9/29, but a nasty cold knocked me down going into that weekend and I ended up sitting it out. I was bummed about throwing away $40 of entry fees, but stuff happens.

Today’s conditions, however, were about as good as you could get for getting back into racing mode. The course was mostly flat with a good mix of sweeping turns and tight corners, as well as a few short and steep inclines and a looooong stretch of asphalt that ran from the back of the course into the start/finish chute. There was of only one good line through the dirt sections, but thanks to the generous width through most of the course there was more than enough space to pass or bunch up without anyone being in too much danger of getting squeezed out or being forced to dab (once the field got strung out, of course).

My race, Men’s C, was the second race of the day and went off at 8:31 behind the 55+ Men. The weather was perfect – cool and dry with clear skies. I lined up in the second half of the group; my goal for today was to survive and practice the skills, not mix it up on the front where I had no business being, at least not right now. The first lap was a fiasco like always, but after the pack got strung out I was able to find a rhythm and creep my way through the field. My Kona isn’t built up yet so I was riding the singlespeed. The new 36×18 gearing was perfect over most of the course except for the long back stretch, and I ended up getting pipped on the line for umpteenth place by a guy who was able to power around me in his big ring while I was spinning out my tiny gear. If there had been 100 more yards of dirt on the backside I might have been able to hold him off, but that’s racing (and gears).

The course was super fun and I felt like I rode a good, smart race. I also finished on the lead lap (barely), which is always nice. Big THANK YOUs go out to the Pilarcitos crew for sourcing a great venue and putting on a great race and to my awesome girlfriend for letting me drag her out of bed at 6am on a Sunday to take pictures and hand me water bottles! You can check out some pics of the course and the later races here, here, here and here.

Nick in SF