Start of Green Mountain Sports Cross Cat 4 Race
This morning I woke up wondering why I did it. My body is experiencing a level of soreness not remembered since college hockey games. My back, shoulders, and legs are all blissfully sore and I have discovered an unsurprisingly large bruise on the inside of my right thigh. How did this all come about? Yesterday I competed in my first cycling race ever. I have been riding my road bike for near a decade and my mountain bike for almost as long; obviously taking my Jamis Supernova that I have owned for all of a week to a cyclocross race sounded like a good idea.
Sherbert, the UrbanBulldog
I rushed out the door with Katie, late from a mountain bike ride in Nederland, and Sherbert. Somehow we even remembered to bring Sherbert’s wagon. The bulldog in a wagon is always a hit wherever she goes; the Green Mountain Sports Cross race was no exception. Katie and Sherbert cheered me on to the finish.
The people were very friendly as I chatted before the start with a few racers in my group (Cat 4) and two cat three guys who wanted to take a lap to see the course. Everyone was very encouraging, though one guy seemed to question why I would want to suffer for 45 minutes. Reasonable question I suppose. A few also said this was rather a difficult course to do my first race at – of course I have nothing to compare it to so I cannot say yet. Shortly before the start, an official pointed out that I was an idiot and put my number on the wrong side of my jersey; thankfully one of the cat 3 guys made the quick starting line adjustment. This was a bit easier as I was in the back of the group. Not near the back. Quite literally I was the last person over the starting line. I was told I probably would not finish last as this would give me ample opportunity to catch and pass people. While a good suggestion I never really found a pack to cruise with – I just jumped from person to person without any sort of technique. The gaps just got larger as the race went on. Next weekend at the Boulder CX Series #1 I am definitely going have a better start.
Cross Barriers
The course was interesting, particularly as there was none of the mud I have expected via pictures of cross races on the internet and the 9 Ball Diaries. In fact it was so dry that there was a dusty section that limited visibility to about almost nothing on the first two laps. Continuing the dry theme, some of the corners were quite loose which turned into fun for me when hitting them at speed. I only had to dab once and then I remembered how much less traction the Jamis bike offered compared to my Trek Fuel EX 8. Somehow I managed to not crash the entire race but I certainly saw a number of falls in the corners. There was also one short, loose, and steep decent over uneven terrain that forced me to catch my balance a few time. Somewhere after was a steep up and down that I hit with too much speed on the second lap and caught a second of frighteningly unintentional air.
There were a number of straight-aways and run-ups; in the back of the pack these were great for helping me catch people. Running over the barriers was a new experience and it is easy to see how one could misjudge the height and take a huge header. I am certain that my form was questionable, though I did not seem to hit any. The barriers also made me very happy that my Supernova only weighs about 18.5lbs with pedals – carrying your bike are a new concept to me. Speaking of pedals, I was impressed at the ease of a speedy entry into my Time Atac Atium pedals; it is something you really don’t notice when mountain biking. Unfortunately for me, after the barriers you had to remount your bike on the fly. On my first attempt I landed too far back on the saddle and then had to suffer for the rest of the race with my saddle pointed up. Of course that was not the worst of my mounts, I just prefer not to speak, or even remember, the others.
Don't Get Hauled into Juvey
Seeing as I started dead last I spent the first three (it might have been four, I was not really counting) laps jumping past small groups and individuals as gaps got larger. Eventually I passed three guys in rapid succession and found myself with a gap so large I could not see anyone to catch. I pushed hard for half a lap and then started to tank after doing a number of poor mounts. The three guys I had passed apparently all had just stayed on my wheel and took the opportunity to pass and open up on me. Going into the final lap I was by myself, no one within 150 meters of me in either direction. I always was on the edge of delirium and really felt no motivation to push as it would be unlikely to catch or be caught. Of course then with about half a mile to go I saw the third guy from the group in front of me come off the back and suddenly I had something to chase. I was on his wheel going into the last 20 meters but just ran out of room. He gave me a dirty look after we finished. Alas. There were 59 starters and I finished 42nd overall; while a few people dropped out I am still assuming I beat them. I need all the help I can get…
Dan in No Mans Land
After the finish I took my bike to the pit, promptly dropped it, and managed to meander over to the beverage tent – there were a bunch of beer from Oscar Blues but I could not even fathom the thought. Instead I had (read slammed) some weird FRS energy drink and was jittery the entire care ride home. At the end of the day my bike was filthy, I was filthy, and I could barely stand – it was glorious.
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Additional posts about Green Mountain Sports Cross
CLIF BAR Development Cyclo-Cross Team
Official American Cycling Association Results
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