Oh, the best laid plans as they say... Not that I have the ability to target any races but I had hoped for "good sensations" as the Euro's and hipsters like to say. I really enjoyed the John Bryan race last year and I was coming off back to back top 10s.
I arrive at the park about 8:00 for my 10:00 race. We had the women racing before us so warm up laps would be less than the usual. And it was about 27 degrees upon arrival so "warming up" was all relative, but it was a nice looking day.
Registration went fine, number pinned fine, tires inflated fine, grabbed Kirk for recon lap. All seemed fine but my bike was shifting funny... oh well, new drivetrain, its just breaking in. Well, the massive amounts watts I was producing on our recon lap were too much for my brand new, very fragile Ultegra chain. SNAP! I proceed to run around frantically looking for anyone to help me fix this as I have no links or pins. A huge thanks go out to Scot Hermann and his horrible Movember mustache. Luckily he had a spare pin and we got the chain fixed in time for staging but no warm up to speak of. I got the hole shot and then it was pretty much all down hill (or uphill in cycling terms) from there. 
No legs and I was questioning why I get up early and ride my bike in the cold. But the heckles kept me going. I could hear Jeff, Butch, and Darrin early in the race actually cheering and urging me on. A few laps in and they were pretty much just encouraging me to finish. Lots of "you can do it, keep cranking, you're still not last!" I suffered to a 12th place finish. I blame my chain but I think turkey and pie and no time on the bike in the last 2 weeks had more to do with it.
Congrats to James for the win and the OH champs jersey, Chip was second and said he got caught behind a Tan-Dumb team on the singletrack, that had to be fun, B. Horton from Reser rounded out the podium and Kirk rode well for a 4th place finish.
Here's me leading a bunch of people early in the race who will finish in front of me. But hey, no leg warmers!
There was a sandpit, which early in the day was frozen. It caused much carnage in the open 4's. It posed no threat when ridden at my speed.
I got no pics of Jeni or Sherri in the ladies early race (see chain issue above) and none of Darrin in the open 4's but all 3 rode well and have had strong showings here late in the year.In the 3's Matt continued riding his way into an upgrade to the big leagues next year with another top 10,
Jeff rode really well, seen here on the high side on the log,
including a crash into Mark Farmer seen here,
and I am pretty sure Butch got drunk from handups.
Onto the good stuff:
Best heckle(s):
- Jeff telling me my mountain bike license was revoked for not riding the logs
- Corey telling me he was getting me a tissue for the next lap
- Me telling the leaders of the cat 3 race who had a sizable gap "Congrats, you guys are riding right into cat 2 licenses!" and all the spectators laughing
- Gatch on the PA saying Corey had been "dispatched quite handily" by Mike Schulze in the SS race
A Rad Dog Italian "Sausage" (vegan, tube-shaped mush like substance), while quite good, produces noxious gas about 2 hours later.
Cyclocross is still awesome even with a bad race thanks to my friends and teammates. Like Dave below, in his first race. Oh we cracked a beer afterward to celebrate that! Pretty sure he is hooked now too.
A huge thanks to TJ, Phil, Team Dayton, the sponsors, Karen and Doug, and all the folks that make this race happen. Every event involving these folks is always top-notch and well run. The six hour MTB race at JB is a must do event for any one who has not done it either. Just a blast with good racing, good food and good people.
See everyone in Indy for the finale next weekend. Rumor has it there may be some extra shenanigans in store.
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1 comments:
beer handup might be nice @ 9:45 on a brisk morning. Alas I can barely keep the bike moving with two hands though. :)
JB is where I first raced CX ever and will always hold a special place for me.
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