One racing year later...Boulevard Cup 2010
10-18-10, 08:57 AM
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One racing year later...Boulevard Cup 2010
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-Boulevard-Cup
My first CX race was the 2009 Boulevard Cup in KC, and now one year later, after the 2010 Boulevard Cup, I thought it would be kind of cool to recap what the last year entailed.
2009 - I was 215 pounds.
2010 - I weighed in at 187 this morning.
2009 - I finished 44 out of 51
2010 - I finished 20 out of 48
2009 - I had no lungs, legs, nor heart.
2010 - I'm starting to feel like I have lungs, legs, and heart.
I was surprised at my finish yesterday, as I felt pretty flat most of the week, and didn't have a whole lot of umph in my legs. I kept them churning, and figured that there were about 50 starters and I was probably somewhere between 30th and 35th. I passed a few people, and got passed by a few more (mostly singlespeeders), but I think the key was not lining up on the last row.
The course was very fun, although I let a bit too much air out of my rear wheel and didn't feel as confident railing the corners like I usually do. It was also very dusty during the initial lap, and my nose has been out of control ever since I finished yesterday.
Another great event put on by the KCOI/Boulevard team!
Things I've learned in the last year...
1) Carry lots of speed into dismount opportunities. Not only will you be going faster, you'll burn less gas getting back up to speed.
2) Line up as close to the front as you can if you got some good legs. It makes a huge difference in your final standings in a 30 minute cat4 race.
3) Ride tubulars! I indulged in some 303's with Grifos, and they are terrific. Not only does it smooth out the ride very nicely, they are super light and stiff. They (the Zipps) are tougher than you think too.
4) Skinsuits are awesome. For one they are super comfy, and two they make you feel a little more pro. That's worth something (positive thinking).
5) Join a team. Find one that fits your personality, and it is great to have people there at the race cheering you on. I don't expect my wife to drag the kids out every weekend, but I know the team will be there. Plus you can always borrow equipment if something goes awry.
6) No sleeveless jerseys. Heheh. Fix your brakes, no squealing on your friends. Be self-reliant and make a pre-race checklist and follow it! You will forget things if you don't follow a checklist.
7) Trust your tires. You will save energy and pass lots of roadies if you trust your tires and rail the corners.
8) Cat4s cannot ride in technical sections (i.e. everything but straightaways). In nearly every turn, there was a stack up and slow down, as the leaders got away. Good luck bridging that gap. Get on the front of a pack of riders before you hit the turns/barriers/sand pits. What matches you burn doing this will be paid back nearly instantly.
9) The top 10% of the field in early fall needs to cat up. Nearly every time there are guys carrying loads of road fitness and will rip everyone else's legs off. You shouldn't be lapping 2/3rds of the field. EVER. For the rest of us, don't despair. They'll be gone when the snow starts to fall (real CX season).
10) Learn something every race. Not every race is your "A" race, so it's an opportunity to try different approaches. There was a sand pit this weekend and I rode it differently every time.
11) Smile and never quit. It stops hurting a few minutes after you cross the line.
My first CX race was the 2009 Boulevard Cup in KC, and now one year later, after the 2010 Boulevard Cup, I thought it would be kind of cool to recap what the last year entailed.
2009 - I was 215 pounds.
2010 - I weighed in at 187 this morning.
2009 - I finished 44 out of 51
2010 - I finished 20 out of 48
2009 - I had no lungs, legs, nor heart.
2010 - I'm starting to feel like I have lungs, legs, and heart.
I was surprised at my finish yesterday, as I felt pretty flat most of the week, and didn't have a whole lot of umph in my legs. I kept them churning, and figured that there were about 50 starters and I was probably somewhere between 30th and 35th. I passed a few people, and got passed by a few more (mostly singlespeeders), but I think the key was not lining up on the last row.
The course was very fun, although I let a bit too much air out of my rear wheel and didn't feel as confident railing the corners like I usually do. It was also very dusty during the initial lap, and my nose has been out of control ever since I finished yesterday.
Another great event put on by the KCOI/Boulevard team!
Things I've learned in the last year...
1) Carry lots of speed into dismount opportunities. Not only will you be going faster, you'll burn less gas getting back up to speed.
2) Line up as close to the front as you can if you got some good legs. It makes a huge difference in your final standings in a 30 minute cat4 race.
3) Ride tubulars! I indulged in some 303's with Grifos, and they are terrific. Not only does it smooth out the ride very nicely, they are super light and stiff. They (the Zipps) are tougher than you think too.
4) Skinsuits are awesome. For one they are super comfy, and two they make you feel a little more pro. That's worth something (positive thinking).
5) Join a team. Find one that fits your personality, and it is great to have people there at the race cheering you on. I don't expect my wife to drag the kids out every weekend, but I know the team will be there. Plus you can always borrow equipment if something goes awry.
6) No sleeveless jerseys. Heheh. Fix your brakes, no squealing on your friends. Be self-reliant and make a pre-race checklist and follow it! You will forget things if you don't follow a checklist.
7) Trust your tires. You will save energy and pass lots of roadies if you trust your tires and rail the corners.
8) Cat4s cannot ride in technical sections (i.e. everything but straightaways). In nearly every turn, there was a stack up and slow down, as the leaders got away. Good luck bridging that gap. Get on the front of a pack of riders before you hit the turns/barriers/sand pits. What matches you burn doing this will be paid back nearly instantly.
9) The top 10% of the field in early fall needs to cat up. Nearly every time there are guys carrying loads of road fitness and will rip everyone else's legs off. You shouldn't be lapping 2/3rds of the field. EVER. For the rest of us, don't despair. They'll be gone when the snow starts to fall (real CX season).
10) Learn something every race. Not every race is your "A" race, so it's an opportunity to try different approaches. There was a sand pit this weekend and I rode it differently every time.
11) Smile and never quit. It stops hurting a few minutes after you cross the line.
Last edited by ridethatbike; 10-18-10 at 09:02 AM.
