Cross Out
Another cyclocross season has come and gone. Kansas City served up a healthy helping of classic cross weather and courses this weekend. My race was a frozen slippery test of skill. My skill was good enough for 9th place. I got a good start and was right where I needed to be to make a run at the podium but the guys in front of me simply out rode me. The fat TuFu tubulars (thanks DrX) were giving me a sweet ride and they are way faster than clinchers, my bikes were dialed to perfection (thanks Spin Cycle), I went fast and stayed upright but those dudes were just better than me, good job guys. 9th is not what I was hoping for but in the end it is just a number. After the season I have had I will take it and I had a ton of fun.
As I said the race was really fun. It was all about relaxing and letting the bike flow. My start was pretty good I missed the crash and was in 4th wheel until the guy in front of me got tangled in the tape. No worries i got going quickly and was in 9th by the time I passed the pit. It is funny I was in 9th pretty much the whole race. I would pass someone and then someone else would pass me. I was a constant in a sea of chaos. On the last lap I was taking this sweet line right up against the tape near the Expo tent and there was a course marshal standing almost in the track totally not looking my way. I caught a frozen rut that put me right into her blindside. She was about 100lbs I weigh 190 and am going pretty fast. Don’t need Stephen Hawking to do the math on that one. She went flying. I got tangle in the tape for a few seconds and she was still not moving, I said “sorry and was back in the race. I got passed by another rider (Brent Prenzlow) and was determined not to lose a place. On the stair section I made a big effort and used every inch of my long stride to put him away. I was afraid to even look back when we hit the pavement before the finish. When I did I was happy to see a good gap. Ya, saved my 9th place. Looks like I need to spend some time in the dirt this summer and polish the skills. They are ok but I didn’t have that little bit extra to be a factor. People were sayin that the winner of my race (James Coats) didn’t even look like he was going hard. Yup, the guy is smooth when you are smooth you make it look easy. There is a reason he has 2 other Stars and Bars in his closet.
Despite only doing 5 cross races ever. Rachel lined up with the Elite women ready to give it a go and see how the big girls do it. Since as of 2 weeks ago she had not even considered racing nationals she was number 93 of 99 and lined up at the very back. A huge crash gave the fron half of the race a 20 second head start 10 seconds into the race but she stayed calm and started moving up through the field. For being a tri geek and supposedly not having good handleing skiils she was looking pretty good in the ice and mud. I am super proud of her for the way she has ridden all season. On the hardest Nationals course I have ever ridden she picked good lines and showed a lot of veteran racers her heels. Being the hyper competitive driven person she is she was hoping to do better but this race was really just about going out and getting the experience, seeing how the best in the world do it, and building on that. Next year when she has her own bike (thanks, V and Momma T), has better skills and confidence she will be killin’ it. Fo shizzle.
The Elite mens race was without question the most exciting bike race I have ever seen. Johnson and Page were ripping lines like it was dry. Bartman and AliG started well off the front row and went through the field like a couple of Bush Hogs .
It was a good showing for all the 801 riders. Utah Cross is the real deal. If you rip here then you can rip it anywhere. Everyone did great but Lou Rollins brought home the title. I am sure he will look good wearing the jersey on Jan 5.
Rachel and I added a little drama to our trip this morning. For some reason I never noticed that our crappy rental car locks its doors when you start it. So I am out there at 4am to load up the car for our 6am flight. I start the car and shut it the door to scrap the windows and load the trunk. I go to open the door again and it’s locked! Good hell! So I go to the front desk to call a locksmith. I called 2 different places that guaranteed 20 minute service 24/7, both said it would take at least 40 minutes so I told them both to come. Meanwhile I got a coat hanger and went to work. I guess I might have a career as a felon if all my other plans fail ‘cuz I got the door open and saved $50. We made it to the airport in record time and made the flight by the skin of our teeth. Never a dull moment.
