Cyclocross Racing - Going down to Boughton's farm gonna join in a

Just anticipating the next BA cx race down in Copley. Reports welcome.:D

Deer hunting did me in yesterday. Feel like death going back to bed.

Possibly the worst mud I have ever had the displeasure of riding in. I had to stop once per lap to unpack the mud and grass bricks that formed between my tires and frame, because the wheels would not physically turn with any amount of force. I guess I get what I deserve for running 38mm tires!

Now I'm off to pick all the bits of grass out of my drivetrain... See you all next week:p

The day's weather wasn't as bad as we expected. The course had a thin layer of ice that was quickly squished into mud.:D The southern breeze didn't have a bite to it so it was a typical good cx day. I made a tactical error:( at the start by lining up in the second row. The young juniors in their enthusiasm blasted:eek: out at the start and one was all over the place entering the first turn, an off-camber muddy right. Racers starting checking up and looking for a way around. Needless to say the smart people in the front row had already gapped the main field. I was pretty far back already out of the first turn and needed to dig deep, but not too deep so that I could move up but not burn out early. I was able to move past a few racers in the last half of the first lap, some were Cs but I think maybe there were a few Bs mixed in there too. I wasn't sure if we would do 2 or 3 laps and I missed the lap counter after lap one. The second lap was fairly uneventful. I was trying to keep a manageable gap between the few Bs (?) in front of me as we went into the single track. I hate getting bulked with nowhere to go but down onto the forest floor. Well, it almost happened twice but those riders were kind enough to make room and avoid more trouble for both of us. I had lost sight of the leaders and wasn't sure what position I was in during the last half of the second lap, which would turn out to be the final lap. The backs of the Bs and the Cs all looked the same, muddy! As I crossed the line to start lap 3, I heard "You're finished!" which surprised me since I didn't feel too bad. Who knows where on that 3rd lap it would have hit me though? I think this was the first race in the series that I didn't hit the deck. I'm pretty much ok with another top 5 result. Next week and the series is over.:( Well, maybe someone will get itchy and put on a few over the winter.

If you've done this race in the past, maybe this will make sense to you. It's just something a little hokey:o I've messing about with for the past year and I think it's done now. It's supposed to go to the tune of Woodstock.


Well I came upon a child of earth
He was riding beside the road
And I asked him where are you going
And this he told me
I'm going on down to Boughton’s farm
I'm going to join in a cyclocross race
I'm going to get mud on my face
And set my soul free

We are frozen
We’re in the mire
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the bonfire

Then can I ride beside you
I have come to love the bog
And I feel to be a cog
In something turning

Well maybe it is just the time of year
Or maybe it's the rain soaked fields
I don't know how strong I am
But you know my quads are burning

We are frozen
We’re in the mire
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the bonfire

By the time we got to Copley
We were near a hundred strong
And everywhere was the smell of embrocation
And I dreamed I saw the barriers
And doing bunny hops in the sky
Going over like butterflies
Above the cross-nation

We are frozen
Got to get more carbon
We’re in the mire
Caught in the weather's bargain
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the bonfire

A nice collection of pics and videos here:
http://cyclonecross.blogspot.com/2007/12/pics-from-boughton-farm-race-have-been.html

My race was good. Drove up from Pittsburgh with friend Chris, got there at 9:30. Oops, my bad on the planning. Sat around freezing in the car, then got dressed about 10:45 and wanted to go out for a preride. Couldn't yet, because duck hunters were still on the course. Only in Ohio?

Got a good starting position, 3-2-1 go, the slop is a mess and it's tough to accelerate. Went into the first turn about 8th...got nervous and gassed it 110% until the end of the first lap. Was leading the race with Dave Thorton right on my butt...2nd lap, I hit a tree in the singletrack and he used that to his full advantage. Tried to bridge but couldn't quite catch him. He probably had a 15 second lead the whole race--good for him!

On the last lap, I clipped the barriers with either my bike or foot and went down hard in between them. Looked down, and dérailleur and chain were dropped/bent. Ran the 500 feet or so to the finish line, cleaned up the blood, and chilled for part of the A race.

Nice race everyone--really looking forward to next week.

I've been in contact with CX Magazine (http://www.cxmagazine.com), and they've agreed to offer some primes and prizes for the winners. Look for some awesome stuff from them next week!

Over and out.

Man, I wish I could've been there, but my beautiful wife and I spent the day together, and that was probably the right thing for me to do. She konws how much I love cross, so the sacrifice was duly noted and appreciated. Sounds like a good time was had by all. Hope to be there for the last event Sunday. Good job Drumbum and Crossthreaded. Now I got that song stuck in my head, aaarrrggghh!
Later, 4130.

Hey 4130, we were looking for you. I thought maybe we missed you and you thought we weren't making the effort.:o Yes, the bliss of a great marriage mate.:D
The lyrics were meant more for the csn&y version, it has more spirit to it.
Hope to meet you this Sunday. It should be another mud fest, probably muddier that last race. There goes that song again...:rolleyes:
Check out Cycling News off of the starkvelo site. Go to the Portland CX full results and photos. Scroll down to the thumsnail pics. There is one of this muddy downhill w/ a pro on it that's incredible! (you can't lift the pics off that site.)

I am def. planning on racing at the farm Sunday! See you good people there! Woo hoo!
4130 out.

4130- will definately look you up.
Drumbum save a few CX Magazines for your Forum buddys OK? (I'm starting a thread for just that to make sure he sees it)