Monday, October 18, 2010

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!!!





 

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