Allegheny Jet

After seeing my son's new cross bike and hearing that I should be out there also, I decided to enter a cyclocross race yesterday. I used my other son's MTB and entered the "C" race, the lowest of the three levels. The race was held on a community college campus thru woods, over and along landscape mounds, ball fields, parking lots, paths in forest, under trees and anywhere else they could find to make riding fast difficult. Each level of race lasts a different time. The C race was scheduled for 30 minutes but changed to 4 laps while we were on the starting line. I rode around the course three times during the warmup, the last lap I rode fast to get my HR and CV system ramped up.

At the start all 25 or so racers were brought together and placed in three rows. The starter pointed to two cones about 10' apart and 50 yards down the course and told us we would make a 90 degree left hand turn and follow the course past the start/finish line. The horn went off and everyone started out trying to clip in and get to the cones first. It was crazy but I got a good start and was somewhere in mid-pack at the turn. After we passed the start line the course went down a grass hill and made a left hand turn up and over a landscape mound and under pine trees. The fallen pine needles took out two of the leaders and I made a pass close to the fallen riders. We were soon at the first barrier. The barrier requires the rider to get off the bike and run/jump with the bike over two 18" walls located about 20' apart then while still moving you have to clip back in and keep on trucking. There were two different barrier sets on the 1.5 mile course. There is never a place to take a breather on the course, you are always accelerating, cornering, braking, or pushing the long flats so no one can get past you. I am sure my HR was at zone 5 or over 155 bpm the entire 40 minute race and my breathing was like a locomotive. During the race I passed several riders and got passed by one. For most of the course it is difficult to see the riders in front or behind due to the trees, hills and buildings. On the last lap I got passed by a rider on my team while going over a barrier and had to follow him thru a single track wooded area. As we came out of the forest and went around a small lake I saw another rider was close behind me. I don't like to pass my teammates without reason but as soon as we got to a parking lot I passed him before we went onto a paved trail and then the turns and hills sides before the finish. I held him off and he did get passed by the rider so in the end it wasn't so bad that I passed him. I ended up getting 6th place in the race. I was the only rider not riding a cyclocross bike. I mentioned to my wife today how nice it would be to get a cyclocross bike, but that didn't go so well. In 50+ style, here is a picture to prove it did happen.

BluesDawg

Way to go, AJ.

Mojo Slim

You look like a pro in that picture. Nice going.

Red Rider

'Cross is crazy! Good job taking on a new insanity -- well done!

BluesDawg

Got to get yourself a CX bike. Good luck changing the ol' lady's mind.

Jet Travis

You do know you're out of your mind. Of course, I say that as a compliment. Well done.

Allegheny Jet

I'll keep working on it. At first she asked me if I wanted to work an extra year instead of retiring this spring. Then, last night while I was on the trainer and she was using the eliptical machine she offered for me to sale her three year old Raliegh road bike with 110 miles on it.

At the proper time I'll gently remind her that the earrings she got on Saturday for our 33rd wedding anniversery cost nearly as much as the bike I need. Some times timing is everything.

Allegheny Jet

The crashes seemed in slow motion as compared to a road race crash.

RonH

Awesome.

Well you know what they say in the South. "Got this new cyclocross bike for my wife. Good trade?"

JanMM

If you had asked to get a cross bike before actually doing the race, I could understand the negative reaction. Stress the safety aspect of having the right tool for the job.

Beverly

Well done

I'd still be out there finishing the course

I hope you get that new bike....everyone needs more bikes!

Hermes

wobblyoldgeezer

Many, many congratulations

I haven't done a cyclocross since I was 18 years old, and I remember trying not to cry like a little girl. Very impressive.

Oh, and since this is 50+ and no achievement goes without teasing - are those your own calf muscles, or have you been going to photoshop evening classes?

Whichever, it's impressive. B..... well done!

10 Wheels

Way to Roll, What Strong Legs.

Allegheny Jet

I attend the school of "Blacktop University", class meets most evenings and weekends.

Bud Bent

Great job!

Cone Wrench

Could someone please 'splain me why a cyclocross bike is better than a hard tail mtb for this type of racing. My intuition tells me a mtb would be better.

dcvelo

A cross bike will be lighter, making it easier to carry, and have a more open front triangle, which makes it easier to shoulder for run ups.