Cyclocross Racing - Charm City I and II reports

Got lapped on the last lap at the stairs and then blew out a tire coming but the hill to big barriers. Was tempted to run the course to the finish, but then sanity prevailed – looking forward to tomorrow. I thought I was in pretty good shape - ha. The first 3 minutes of a cross race is a pretty brutal reality check.

Course was pretty good, especially if you’re a threshold rider and not a fan of big climbs/run ups. Even the twisty stuff was twisty stuff you could ride through if you weren’t too boxed in by the crowd.

Tomorrow’s goal – ride the sand pits, mostly because I hate sand in my shoes. Then drink some beer.

Two of our heroes from the Master B race (I’m going to keep calling the the Ol’ Dirty Bastard / ODB race until that catches on), both of whom studded their way through the pits:

Gfactor

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/SpongeDad/gfactor.jpg

Bitterken

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/SpongeDad/bitterken.jpg

I got 2nd place in my race, juniors. It was the hardest race I've ever done. I bet my hr was maxed the whole time. Road is a joke compared to cross.

I also destroyed my handlebars hitting a dirt pot hole one minute before the start of the race. This explains why I needed to tighten the stem bolts before I could go - the diameter of the bar is actually less than 31.8 now.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs682.snc4/62261_1622077274167_1303513434_31697377_2800452_n.jpg

Another good day of racing. The changes seemed pretty minor to be hones, but I liked the course. If anything, today seemed a little easier.

Here’s RacerMike:

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/SpongeDad/RacerMike1.jpg

It got a little dusty in parts.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/SpongeDad/Dust.jpg

Competed in the C's today. It was my first ever race. After an unsure start (jesus that was one large group of people) and an early dropped chain I settled into a fairly strong rhythm. I passed 10 or 12 riders, mostly on the uphills. Love the sport, super kind people, beautiful weather, lots of fun.

Oh, anyone able to share the results of the C race? I wasn't able to stick around afterwards to find out.

This race was brutal for me. Got passed by at least 50 people at the start and there was a big pileup in the first turn (B Masters) which I think I only avoided because of my crappy start. First two laps felt like I was going to puke; once that passed I settled into a rhythm but basically rode alone to 90th place or something. Course was not really fitting to my abilities as it had a fair amount of steady climbing. Oh well, forward to Ed Sanders.

I made it once through the 1st sand pit and fell off right at the end of the second.

High point of the day was watching a 10yr old girl with a heavy front suspension mtb muscle her way over the railroad tie barriers. It wasn't elegant (the barrier was practically to her hips), but she attacked it with calm determination.

I'm praying that Ed Sander isn't wet.

Thanks for the pic! Even better race today than yesterday for me. At some point in the prologue i was near the top 20, having avoided the crash and some other bunch up spots on the start. That didn't last. Good to see y'all. No ed sander for me. I'm back the week after.

I had a fun time and raced both days. I could have lived without that kink they put in on Sunday that was a major bottleneck right after the prologue, but overall it was a great course. I raced the b's and kinda decided to do the race at the last minute, so I was forced to line up at the back of both days. I felt like I raced well and got by 75+ people each day but in fields of 125 that only gets you in the 40's.

I'm praying that Ed Sander is wet.

Fixed for accuracy.

I had a fun time and raced both days. I could have lived without that kink they put in on Sunday that was a major bottleneck right after the prologue, but overall it was a great course. I raced the b's and kinda decided to do the race at the last minute, so I was forced to line up at the back of both days. I felt like I raced well and got by 75+ people each day but in fields of 125 that only gets you in the 40's.

Ze results, she is up at bikereg

Yay, I suck. Anyone know what the DQ was for in the Sunday B-Masters race?

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/2010-Cycling/Cyclocross/C3x-Day-1-1100/2010-CharmCity0825/1014803814_jiZ3x-L.jpg

I look to be sliding out on Saturday.

I raced in Sunday's C. Second row start, got off great. And promptly exploded. Not my best effort. Fun course.

I hope Ed Sander is a wet, gooey, unrideable mess. I run much better than I pedal. :(

Good day Saturday.
Crashy day Sunday.
All depicted in moving pictures here: www.cxhairs.com (http://www.cxhairs.com).