Trek Raleigh Cyclocross Kick off: Oct 17,2010

Well, 2nd race of the weekend. Another timid day in a way? Woke up to 41 deg weather. Had to do Cat 4 today b/c of only 4 different categories in this race. Bike ready to go. Gathered last meal, gear and K and off to the races. this one was the Trek Raleigh cyclocross kick off to the season. We got there with plenty of time to spare. I changed wheels once I saw the course. took the IRD knobbies off and put on my Kenda Kommando(fr)/Vredstein Prematio(r) on. grass wet but not that bad.

Course started on wide gravel/stone road and goes straight to sharp left turn and down ontp more smaller gravel roads winding through the woods. Then sharp left into the woods to a doubletrack section with lots of small rough ground to go over, but fun indeed.   Then the course came out after few turns and back onto the loose gravel road. followed that alittle longer which then led us to a slight incline of loose gravel/sand/grass combo. No easy trail at this section. It turns flat next and then back onto grassy fields. We zigzag through the field with 120-150 deg turns and then come out and loose roundabout onto to straight away on to the only 2 barriers on the course. then back to start/finish line. A sweet and fast course. 

Well started out fast as I predicted, and I started out close to the front. I love these type of roads with loose gravel no brakes, just gun it as much as you can. first lap steady pace, got slowed down through the tree/trail section of woods but did pass 2 folks there. Out on gravel road , felt good. slight uphill on loose trail didnt fair well so slowed down /lost some gas there. flat and grassy section, hard to keep up good pace but keep pushing. came upon barriers and wanted to jump them but not this time wanted to keep my placing high. I continued this next 3 laps. lost soem time on grassy flats but made time and places up in woods and on loose gravel roads. felt great overall and pushed hard. got passed last lap by one rider in grassy section and just missed catching up to him  before barriers so came in right behing him in 10th place out of 30 overall in the cat 4 race. Thats more like it.

also a little note of styling some new knee highs this race. got some usual funny comments and looks, buts its all good!!!

 

Wake Forest Cx Race: Oct 16, 2010

This was a first race in many aspects. My first race in NC, first race in over 35 age group, and first race with riders I have no idea of their strengths and weaknesses. Got there a little too early. Ended up doing to warm up laps. It was mid 50's-60s at time of race. warm in the sun, but cool in the shade. Course looked easy on paper but proved a little technical and difficult with long slow climbs. It was a field that had been cut to low rolling grass to yield some decent rolling terrain. start line and to the first turn not bad, then slight down and up slight again to straight which led then to 90 deg. left turn and than straight for 20 meters. Then a sharp right 90 deg. turn and than a long fast slight downhill which did a 180 deg switchback and then ride 30 meters to the barriers. dismount and then remount and start on slight incline. this incline went on till slight drop and than right turn into the woods(which was not on pre race map but a sweet welcome). A nice singletrack section of some roots, slick dirt, and many small divots. some nice switchbacks led to short sections and then roll out onto the grass again and 90 deg left turn and down hill toward another 90 deg. turn to left and then flowing right turn into a real fast section to a 180 switchback and then into another unmarked section. this section was on loose dirt/mud to slight downhill to a short 1-2 meter crevasse , which could jump but uphill in mud/dirt right away. A small transverse section to a bidirectional area. there was a short downhill to the left(which was sketchy) or one less direct route to the right which had a 150 deg. switchback at the bottom and then led to a short wood bridge traversing mud/water and then another step climb/run up. This led to a crest of the small climb with a 20 meter straight and a 180 switchback again and then to the right leading to a crueling gradual incline back to the start line.

Well struggled in some sections but flew on the downhills and also loved the singletrack sections. My kind of race. The slight inclines/uphills took the wind out of my sails though. Well finished decent enough with 5 out 8th in age group and 11 out of 22 in combined 35-55 age group. Drive was nice but 2.5 hours long drive for race. still fun day and K was with me as well. Wish the dogs were along but no such luck. Here are some pics of the race. May not have done well, but stylin with the knee highs and rocking the team kit to a tee!!!