Today was the first cx race in the neighborhood. The day started with picking up Rachel and Adam at Rachel's house. I was actually looking forward to the ride, I usually don't have anyone to ride with to the 100 mile races - go figure. The coffee was brewed and we were off. I don't think we were a mile into the ride when Rachel was already asleep in the back - might as well go by myself. Fortunately Adam was awake the whole ride and we had a nice chat.
Ithaca is actually not far from where I spent my formative years, so I had limited expectations for what it was going to be like. Turns out, the park was very near the middle of town and was a nice little city park wih an awesome playscape, a sledding hill and what I am pretty sure is a pad to put a skating rink in the winter.
We got the registration out of the way and proceeded to do an easy pre-ride before the c race. The course did not seem all that interesting at first blush. There were some odd transitions in some sections, and a particularly odd barrier section through some pine trees. We then saw a bit of the c race and got suited up. Then we jumped into a harder pre-ride/warmup. I managed to bite it at the step section - in warmup. Didn't manage to get out of the cleat - a bit embarassing to say the least. Slight loss of blood, but otherwise okay.
B's, Masters 35 and 45, and elite women were going at 11am. I had not idea how I was going to do. I was planning on racing the elite race later as well. The race started and they nearly forgot to get a rope out of our way as we entered the first turn. I had lined up behind Adam with the intention of letting him take the hole shot, it worked like a charm. I was in 3rd spot going into the first turn into the grass. Somehow Adam and the other guy in front of me were led astray by the other guy and I took the inside line and never looked back. I just kept pushing through the first couple of sections to the first barriers. We were still fairly together at that point. I cleared the barriers made the turn downhill and remounted. There was a left hand turn at the bottom - thank goodness I was in front at that point. I could hear the crash behind me. I pushed harder knowing they were in a jam at that point. I just kept pushing and was never in any real trouble from that point on. Technically it was a good race. I got better at my lines each time around and did not falter on any mounts/re-mounts. I managed to beat all the 35 and 45's and most of the B's who had a one minute head start on me.
After the race, my right calf became a complete knot and still is. I am pretty sure it is from my stupid crash in warmups. It kept me from toeing the line with the elites - a bit pissed about that, but I will recover with time and therapy.
The elite race was fun to watch. Wissink, Weinert and Saari took it to the rest of the field and stayed away. With about two laps to go, the W's put Saari too far into a hole and he never recovered. The W's got into a sprint finish from the stair runup to the finish that was won by Mike. A great finish!
Thanks to JB for putting on a great race and bring on the next race!!
I have to remember my camera next time!
