revised cross sched

removing the 11/23 Blue Sky Xilinx race (bummed) and the 11/28 Grn Mtn race...


9/19 Green Mtn Sports cx
9/25 Boulder CX #1
10/2-3 Frisco Cross
10/10 Cross at the River *
10/17 Aspen Lodge cx *
10/24 Boulder CX #3 *
10/30 NACT CO Cross Classic *
10/31 Boulder Cup *
11/6 School Yard Cross
11/13 USGP Ft Collins - day 1
11/14 USGP Ft Collins - day 2
11/20 Rosalia Race to Educate *
11/27 Boulder CX #4
12/4-5 State Champs *

tentative 2010 cross schedule

That time of year! here's a look at the tentative schedule. Events (or frequency of events) subject to change in latter half of season, based on weather, motivation, etc.! However, I really want to race States this year, haven't done that in about 3 years.

* denotes Colorado Cross Cup points series race

9/19 Green Mtn Sports cx
9/25 Boulder CX #1
10/2-3 Frisco Cross
10/10 Cross at the River *
10/17 Aspen Lodge cx *
10/23 Blue Sky Cup at Xilinx *
10/24 Boulder CX #3 *
10/30 NACT CO Cross Classic *
10/31 Boulder Cup *
11/6 School Yard Cross
11/13 USGP Ft Collins - day 1
11/14 USGP Ft Collins - day 2
11/20 Rosalia Race to Educate *
11/27 Boulder CX #4
11/28 Green Mtn Sports cx
12/4-5 State Champs *

cyclocross, and The Cyclocross meeting

Fellow 35+ Open racer and good guy Greg Keller in his blog, MudAndCowbells, interviews Brian Vernor. Brian put together the Pure Sweet Hell documentary about the 2003 cyclocross season, and damn it was good. Brian has a new movie out, debuting in Bend at cross nats this December, called "The Cyclocross Meeting". This documentary follows Kona honch Barry Wicks as he travels over to Japan to race cross. Interesting how the culture is obviously so different, yet the Japanese still seem so similar in their passion for cyclocross. I'll of course need to check this out. Prob help with the winter trainer sessions too.

Frisco Cross recap

This past wknd was the 2 days of cross racing known as Frisco Cross. Was a lot of fun. we had some crisp autumn weather, some overnight snow dusting on the high peaks, but the courses were dry both days. First day saw me with another strong start in 3rd or 4th wheel. Was riding smart and stayed in spots 6-10 most of the race as I saw Tim Faia ride away, not surprisingly. The one moment I should have put in a little dig (attack?) to move up a few spots, I hesitated, grabbed some brakes, and sat back in the slipstream of Robson as we rode up the pavement climb to the top of the course. I need to remember that I can recover quickly, and also ride strong even while anaerobic. That mid-race hesitation combined with a super techy pass by Ward Baker on the last loose corner combined to have me finish in 8th place. Before the beginning of the season, I'd be very happy with 8th place, as last cx season I was routinely in 10-15th positions. Well this year I am riding better, and now I know I belong in the top 10. And if the day is right (and maybe the field?!), I think a podium is not out of the question. Sunday's race seemed to have a more difficult course, though the absence of the long paved climb and the addition of more singletrack was certainly in my favor. Again I found myself with a nice start (call-ups certainly help!), this time though I did not want to light matches I couldn't sustain so early in the race. So I settled into 3rd wheel, right behind Robson and Faia. I wasn't going too hard, just happy to be riding where I was. Then as we exited the sweeping, downhill, wood-chip turn on the upper part of the course, I saw Keller standing next to his bike, off course. Not sure how he missed the turn that he pre-rode, but this quickly saw the front 8 or so guys with a nice gap on the rest of the field. Soon as we hit the big run-up, Tim turned it up a notch and was gone. I walked/stuttered up the hill like a fish out of water, re-mounted quickly only to see Phenicie get in front of me as he started his chase of Tim. I wasn't going there, so did some damage control and quickly re-established my own pace. Hartman and Farrell rode by me and I could not hold their wheels, but I did put in a nice effort on the last lap to pass Robson and hold on for 6th place. My best result ever in 35+ Open, at least in a stacked field. I will take it! More importantly, my confidence is building. Looking fwd to building on that for the next few weeks, and hopefully a good ride for the Boulder Cup weekend.

CX#1, VeloCross

Yesterday was my first 'cross race of the 2009 season. They put on a race right adjacent to (and right through) the new Velodrome, part of Boulder Indoor Cycling. Course venue at first had me laughing, but after a couple re-con laps I quickly warmed up to it, as it had lots of switchbacks and tight corners, so some handling skills would help. The barrier was okay, short run-up, and a little jog up and over a set of stairs and into the Velodrome warehouse, then a tight 180 around a pole, over a little boardwalk, and out the loading dock down a wooden ramp onto the grass! The start sure enough had dragged out about 40+ riders, not at all surprising for the Boulder races. Absent were some fast dudes like Faia, the Moots guys, Pete Webber, Jeff Wardell, Clark Coyle (he was promoting the race), JJ Clark, Overstreet. But a few guns were there including Phenicie, Keller, Shuttleworth and others.

Course started with us lining up behind the Velodrome warehouse. I somehow managed a call-up though I didn't race on Sat in the Springs, and wasn't even in the top 20 BCR the year prior. Nonetheless, I was in the 2nd row of about 6-7 rows of guys about 6 people across. Having raced with Keller, of MudAndCowbells fame, I knew he'd get a great start. Sure enough, he easily nabbed the hole shot and had an instant 50yd gap on the rest of the field. I clipped in instantly and was in the perfect gear, shooting me up to a comfy top 5 position. After only about 100yds (though BCR rules state the need for a 200m starting straightaway), the course hairpinned right around some tape, and went into a bump 200yd section of grass. Then curved right again around the edge of the warehouse and onto the asphalt parking lot. Here we were going pretty fast and went into a sweeping left turn around some cones. Here I felt great but didn't want to lean the bike over too much, not having tested the tubular tires before. Soon we spit back out onto some dirt sections, a couple chicane turns through some trees and a couple short hops over some drainage pipes (though not nearly as fun as the hoppable ditch at Xilinx). We then went up a small rise and were riding some off camber grass that dipped around some trees, then saw us going nice and hot towards the only true barrier on the course. Here was a good high-speed dismount, followed by a sharp left turn over some railroad tracks. Then about 50yds and another dismount and run up over a small ditch and up about 15 feet on a hillside. Then geting back on the bike we hit the pavement again, rolled up to the warehouse, went along the outside of the Velodrome, then went down a steep little wooden ramp out the loading dock, then back on the grass.

Great start, small fade, a couple bobbles, but rode pretty well. The new SRAM stuff worked super well. After the first 5min the shifting was totally intuitive. I ran about 32psi in the Flexus tubulars, they felt so much smoother than my clinchers (which I would've had to run at 40+ to minimize flats). Happy with the new parts on the bike, happy with the first race effort. Looking forward to the rest of the 'cross season. The big question is whether or not I can stay motivated past mid-November. it is often difficult once the trails and bike paths up here get snowed in. We'll see though. Going to SF with Helen in early December. If the energy is there, it would be pretty fun to race the Bay Area Super Prestige series finale.

season over

After checking the long range finances, which include a trip to SF, tires for my Xterra, Holiday shopping, and now Alina's eye doctor visits and glasses, I have officially ended my cross season. Priorities need to be established. While I had a great time with cross, all good things must end. No regrets, had a few good races, no great ones, no top 5s, but there's always next year!

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.

Xilinx, and what never was

talk about a crummy day for racing. i was really looking forward to this pro-style venue all week. As a result, along with the continued Indian Summer up here, I managed about 6hrs of riding this week. And even a bit of intensity mid-week. Nonetheless, we pull up to Xilinx and get a good parking spot. I hop on my bike to go register, and get about 20 feet before I hear the awful-but-familiar sound of my rear rerailleur seizing. I stop immediately, but the damage is already done. My hanger is bent and torqued. My derailleur cage plates are bent to hell and partially wrapped around my spokes. Beat beat. I pull back to the car, and then went over to the Mavic neutral service guys. Talk about a sweet hook...pro-level mechanics working on thrashed cross bikes for free! The tech saw my rear drivetrain and didn't look too optimistic. As it turns out, the Kona rear derailleur hangers are very soft metal. So he bent it as good as he could, but it still was too torqued and wasn't going to hold the chain line. So Mark Thompson is nice enough to offer me his pit bike. I swap out pedals, and get about ten yards before I HEAR THE SAME AWFUL NOISE. it can't be. it is. I manage somehow, without even shifting, to tear Thompson's rear hanger completely off the bike!! Un-freakin-believable. unfathomable. At this point, the thought of probably not racing wasn't as difficult as telling Mark, who was right there, what happened. He is a cool cat and was fine with it. Knowing I owed him a new der hanger (and maybe a new r. derailleur as well), I apologized about 3 times and then went back to my car. On the way back to see Helen and Alina and tell them my latest luck, I ran into Brett. He said I could ride Nat Ross's Spot singlespeed, complete with what seemed like a hybrid bullhorn/TT bar setup, AND a belt drive. Wow, not a good course for a single, but beggars can't be choosers, so I raised the seat a hair, spun it around the parking lot some, thanked him profusely, and rolled back to the start. Somehow I managed a weak 13th place call-up or so, which meant second row, out of about 10 rows of starters. Big field, but not surprising given it was in Boulder, at Xilinx, and a BCR (Best Cyclocross Rider) series race. I knew my good position would not last long with the long uphill start and whatever one gear I had to spin. Sure enough, the official started us, and a swarm of riders took off. I went from about 7th to 27th in the blink of an eye. I stood up (I did a lot of that in the race) and tried to respond, only to hear a noise from the drivetrain. Not a bad noise, but enough to make me slow down, and not want to break a third bike. The parking lot sweeper quickly spit us back onto the dirt, with the help of a cool HUP-HUP ramp. Then some BEAUTIFUL sweeping downhill turns on the grass, shoot over the gravel and then down into the grass. We made some more sweepers in the bumpy grass, across an abrupt, but small, muddy ditch, then back uphill for a very difficult 1/4mi drag up a singeltrack of grass and gravel. That was super tough on the singlespeed, forcing me to stand up and just rock my body back and forth, doing anything possible to eek out more momentum and power. On top of all this, my pedals were too tight, so dismounts were pre-mature and awful. Ironically, I really enjoyed the pavement sections, and the sand volleyball court, through which I rode 100% clean and fast 4 out of the 6 laps. The other 2 were slow, ugly, inefficient dismounts. Nice spectrum of form out there for me on the borrowed bike, but let me say I was just happy and grateful to be out there racing, on a fantastic course, after 2hrs of driving down from the high country. I don't know my result yet, but surely it wasn't in the top 25, maybe even top 40...who knows. But I did finish, I didn't break the borrowed bike, and I had a damn good workout. Probably a bit overboard for my lower back, but I'll deal. Best of all, my swollen and discolored ankle felt okay. I gingered a few places, but the brace and the tight shoe provided a nice amount of support. I think I am going to be in very good shape for the Boulder Cup this year.

Interlocken

didn't go so well on Saturday. for some stupid reason I seem to always stay up til midnight the night before a race, then get maybe 6.5hrs sleep. Not enough. Legs felt like wood and never really improved. Decent start saw me in the top 15, but a couple of laps in I kinda popped and started to fade like I was dragging a boat anchor. 2-3 guys would pass me on every lap, and I was looking forward to seeing the "5 laps to go" sign at the finish line. The thick grass that makes many racers view Interlocken as a classic course...well it is not good for me, esp. with bad legs. Energy-sapping grass made me push an easier gear than I knew I needed to, but the course was difficult and didn't leave much room for recovery. The 75 yards of running - barrier, ride or run for 15yds, then volleyball court, then ride or run for 15yds to double barrier - was difficult after riding through the thick grass by Hwy 36. Perhaps next year I will skip this one and race the Red Rocks course. Hopefully I am getting the bad race over with, as next week my parents will be down to watch out at Boulder Rez, another course where I typically don't fare super well, with the beach ride/run-up, dock section, more sand, and crit-style pavement.

The day much improved as I left the venue soon after finishing, dropped off Alina with Mary at Chataqua Park, and Helen went for a run. I drove over the Flatirons to Walker Ranch for a mountain bike ride, knowing Sunday was going to be snowy. Great descents and steep climbs may not have been the ideal recovery ride, but my legs felt okay after about 1/2hr.

toe spikes

Thanks Greg for the cool video showing the slick and steep run-up at this cross race. Hopefully we'll get at least one good sloppy race for me to try mine out. Right now I gotta wacth where I walk until I get some shorter screws to protect the threads. Luckily, I have my old white Sidis that I am using for all mtb and cross rides except for race day.



Cyclocross Bike Racing Traffic Jam On Muddy Run-Up - video powered by Metacafe

ice cream with my cake

i was hoping to get out on the bike path for a quick ride during work, but it rained off and on all day. after work though the weather broke and I got out on the cross bike. up the gulch, then up Sallie Barber to the mine. descending down from there wasn't that fun since I had to ride my brakes, and the front brake stutters unbearably. compared to my Intense with over 5" of travel, the cross bike felt like I was riding a road bike with 20mm TT tires. pretty sketchy. soon I was on the flat road just pedaling like a madman, swerving around and bunny hopping some of the puddles. it was pretty fun actually. then I dropped into Barney for about 100yds, flirted with more singletrack for a few seconds, but after riding over some rocks I soon realized how lucky I'd have to be to ride that trail again without flatting. 50lbs in a 30cc tire on a rigid bike isn't much suspension. So I kept it straight and rode down Baldy to Boreas. I was treated to some fresh asphalt on lower Boreas. It was almost as fun as skateboarding on a newly paved street. the light cross bike reminds me how sweet a 23lb mtb would be for race day. climbing up Sallie Barber was very easy compared to the mtb. I need to get some new tires ordered from Schwalbe.