race recap On the 'Cross

Today was a good race for me. I was kind of wavering on the race, but I then committed. Later in the eve I went out to Eric's with some neighbors (aka henpeck husband night according to McCormack) to drink some beers. I held myself to 2 pints, and proceeded to wake up not feeling 100%. But my legs felt pretty good when I was walking around the house. About 1hr20min drive down to Chatfield State Park for the venue, an "On the 'Cross" event (other race later in Nov). It was partly sunny and in the upper 50s for our race. Perfect. After a warm-up lap and talking to Ward, I knew I was in for a treat. The course started out on a flat gravel road for about 200m and then made a very sharp right-hander (significant for the start) on to some bumpy singletrack. Then a sharp right onto a paved bikepath/sidewalk that swerved nicely throughout the forest. You could push a huge gear here if you knew the turns, as some were a bit sharp. But not hitting the brakes and keeping the pedal on made for some good riding here. Then we veered right again, this time onto some super fun and swervy singletrack. It had flow, it had roots, it had some slight berms, it had some off camber...it had everything. The course then threw us along the edge of the river, then down a sandy and rocky area onto the beach of the river (S. Platte?), then back up onto the singletrack. Some more flowy turns, then over a big fallen tree, then back onto the gravel road for a blistering return to the lake and beach with triple barriers, some good turns, and then a ride onto the edge of the beach, a high speed barrier, then run on the beach to another barrier, then back through....that was one lap. Laps were taking us almost 9min, pretty long for cross.

Now to the action. I get a 2nd row call-up (how I still get these surprises me) which ensures a good starting position. For some dumb reason they had cones across the starting line. That dind't work to my advantage, as I had to ride around one a bit as the official called us off. I wasn't able to clip in quickly, and soon about 12 guys were 10m in front of me and I knew I had already lost the chance for a holeshot (well okay, top 5 maybe). I settle into what's about 15 position, turn into the singletrack, and hold on for dear life. It was really bumpy and congested, and I was riding pretty close to the guy in front, meaning I didn't have a good look at the trail surface coming immediately at me. Luckily I rode well and we were soon onto the bikepath. There I saw the race for the win unfolding as the lead group of about 3-4 were gone. I took stock and knew I had to try and follow whatever other wheels were left in front. I stood up and surged nicely to hop on, then rode the next 2-3 laps in front of the 2nd group (10th and beyond), but well behind the front group (1-4). I clawed my way around the course, making no mistakes, and caught a few guys. Finally bridged up to Jared's group (RRV) with a couple Grn Mtn Guys (Mitch and Rod I think). I took a clean line onto the gravel road, followed Jared's wheel, then soon saw a small opportunity to try to put in an effort on this drag strip of a road before the slower parts of the course unfolded. I had a small gap of maybe 50 yards, but it proved to be enough and I held on for 8th place. Definitely a good result considering how I had such poor luck in October with idiots crashing me out of a race, broken bikes at another, and a flat tire at another. Good to know I still have some good fitness left in me. That was 'cross race #8, overall race #25 of the year. I am hoping to sneak in maybe 2 more races in later November, then take inventory of my fitness and finances, and decide if I want to race out in San Fran at the Pilarcitos series at Coyote Point in San Mateo.