I've realized in my short 'cross career this fall, that nothing should be a surprise, and there is nothing out of the ordinary during a 'cross race. In fact, it is rare that anything is ordinary! That is the very nature of 'cross - unpredictable. This Saturday's race did not disappoint in that aspect!
We traveled back to Xilinx in Longmont, the same venue as the rainy, muddy affair, one week ago. Today was met with blue skies, and unseasonably warm weather, with temps topping 80F. The course was changed up from last week, and included some longer sections, and the infamous sand volleyball court throw in for good measure.
It felt good warming up in warm weather, without all the struggling and shivering that plagued me last weekend. Apparently I am one of the leaders in the BCR (best cross racer) for the series, and I got sweet spot starting in the front row, in a big 66-person field. That's great news to me!! I got out fast and strong, but within 2 minutes of the race, I blew out my rear tire! It was going to be a loooooong way to the pits for a bike swap, and the only option was to hoof it for the next mile. As I was getting passed by hoards of people, my teammate Catherine came along and gave me her bike! I was astounded! There was still a chance and I was so grateful! So we pulled a little switcheroo, and I took off to catch up, while Cat made it to the pits for a bike change.
Little did I realize, her bike's set-up was Campy, and having never ridden those components before, I struggled for about a half lap frantically trying to shift the damn thing! Once I calmed down and stopped freaking out, the shifting came just fine. I settled in, and employed my only tactic available - start moving up. I gradually started picking people off again, and felt strong all the way through the race. I made up a ton of the time I had initially lost, and put in a demolishing surge just before the line, gapping one last girl!
It was great to finish so well for how crappy the race started out. I owe it all to the selflessness of Catherine! In a huge field of 66, I finished 14th overall, and 2nd in Cat 3. I was so close to a first win in Cat 3! Oh well... I am happy with my effort, especially with coming back from the brink of disaster.
After the race, I cooled-down and then headed over to the Valmont bike park tent. I talked to Zach about the latest plans, and offered my $15 support by purchasing a t-shirt. Chris and I are planning to purchase a brick, which will be etched with our names and placed somewhere in the park when it is finished. It is an awesome project just getting underway, and we are in full support of positive directions like this for bikers! Check out
Valmont Bike Park for more info, and to make your own donation.
We traveled back to Xilinx in Longmont, the same venue as the rainy, muddy affair, one week ago. Today was met with blue skies, and unseasonably warm weather, with temps topping 80F. The course was changed up from last week, and included some longer sections, and the infamous sand volleyball court throw in for good measure.
It felt good warming up in warm weather, without all the struggling and shivering that plagued me last weekend. Apparently I am one of the leaders in the BCR (best cross racer) for the series, and I got sweet spot starting in the front row, in a big 66-person field. That's great news to me!! I got out fast and strong, but within 2 minutes of the race, I blew out my rear tire! It was going to be a loooooong way to the pits for a bike swap, and the only option was to hoof it for the next mile. As I was getting passed by hoards of people, my teammate Catherine came along and gave me her bike! I was astounded! There was still a chance and I was so grateful! So we pulled a little switcheroo, and I took off to catch up, while Cat made it to the pits for a bike change.
Little did I realize, her bike's set-up was Campy, and having never ridden those components before, I struggled for about a half lap frantically trying to shift the damn thing! Once I calmed down and stopped freaking out, the shifting came just fine. I settled in, and employed my only tactic available - start moving up. I gradually started picking people off again, and felt strong all the way through the race. I made up a ton of the time I had initially lost, and put in a demolishing surge just before the line, gapping one last girl!
It was great to finish so well for how crappy the race started out. I owe it all to the selflessness of Catherine! In a huge field of 66, I finished 14th overall, and 2nd in Cat 3. I was so close to a first win in Cat 3! Oh well... I am happy with my effort, especially with coming back from the brink of disaster.
After the race, I cooled-down and then headed over to the Valmont bike park tent. I talked to Zach about the latest plans, and offered my $15 support by purchasing a t-shirt. Chris and I are planning to purchase a brick, which will be etched with our names and placed somewhere in the park when it is finished. It is an awesome project just getting underway, and we are in full support of positive directions like this for bikers! Check out Valmont Bike Park for more info, and to make your own donation.
2 comments:
Go girl. Seams like the more obsticles you are thrown,the more you like it. See you at the Boulder res.
Hat's off to Cath for her support and Congratulations on stompin' the Cat3s'
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