hi

Did my first race this weekend. CX bike still isn't done, so I said 'eff it and used my mtb. Had fun, but I there was a long flat grassy section that was definitely a bit of a slog on the mtb. Not to mention the extra weight to lift on the stairs and 2x2 barriers. It's fairly light, but not as light as a proper cx bike!

Hopefully I'll have my proper ride for the race this coming weekend. whee!

A few pics: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wes/set...7602322848970/

I also raced in my 1st cx today! What a great time! Rode in the C class 30 min., grassy, dry course along the beach, so also had 2 sections of DEEP sand about 75-100 meters each. Gnarly off camber turns and corkscrews in tne grass... Woo hoo!! Anywho, after 5 or 6 laps I ride through the start/finish and the official says "you're done"
Now, my brain hasn't seen much O2 for the last 1/2 hour, so I reply "Done?"...
"Yeah, you're the first C"...
"Are you sure I don't need to do another lap or something?"
"Not really, you're done"
I guess I'll be riding the B race for my 2nd time out!!

Nice race man! I was the kid in the red Trek of Pittsburgh kit--you know, the one that mumbled something about going ahead, and how I'll catch you later

Results were just posted-good luck in the B's!

I really like the last photo of the remount. It reminds me I need to work on those, I've just been having too much fun riding the local mountan bike trails to get any "serious" practice in.

Thanks, Drumbum... Just saw the results on Lake Effect's site...only 4 laps!!! Yep, definite brain fade going on.... See you at the next one, eh?

Did my 2nd race this past weekend. Race #1 on the new bike. Good times. Can't wait for Sunday!

I just wish the weather would hurry up and start sucking.. bring on the mud!

stayed in the top five for the first lap until we hit the barriers at the end, where I got a little too cocky and dismounted at a faster speed to try and gain an edge

left foot failed to disengage, slammed into the barrier and rolled over it, tried to pedal away only to find that a rear spoke had broken and wrapped itself around the chain

now I'll have to go to san antonio or fort worth if I wanna keep racing! or maybe I should take this as a sign from the heavens that a clumsy oaf like me has no business in a sport requiring a modicum of coordination

May I suggest new cleats? For SPD style cleats it is a sure sign of wear when it becomes difficult to clip in or out, so invest in a new set of cleats, it's cheaper than having your spoke replaced/ wheel trued!
Also remember we'll get faster & smoother with practice and experience. Don't throw in the towel, dude, have fun out there!

the cleats are less than two weeks old, and while I did practice dismounts at the high school track, I think it was overexcitement that got me. the barriers were positioned right by the yelling audience. I'll probably do one more, just to say I've finished one.