Back in the saddle

Ended up taking the single speed out this morning for a slow ride on the back roads. We had about an inch or two of fresh snow that morning. The layer of snow helped with traction since I didn't have the studded tires on yet. Still had a few slips on the roads, but nothing out of control. The only sign of other bike riders this morning were a track or two in the snowy roads. Ended up with a few hours of fun in the saddle today.

Killer B's.. Ouch!

Well, it has been one crazy year this year. Much has taken my focus and time off of my mountain biking season. ...Things have calmed down lately, so I have dusted off the CX bike to cut loose and have some fun. Looks like I still have something in the tank. Time for this dog to step off the porch. After getting my feet wet in the C-class last year, I have moved up a class this year to endure more pain. These guys are way fasterrrrrr. It's still crazy fun!(In a painful way) I definitely have my work cut out for me.

I happened to make it out to both days of the Waterford Double Cross weekend. The course was challenging, and the "Orange Crush" was over the top. I have seen obstacles like this in magazines and misc pictures, but never experienced one until now. That was way cool! I still have a lot to learn and badly need to work on my form when going through the barriers. I'm sure I look like a rag doll at times. With all that said, I ended up with better than expected results out at Waterford this weekend. If I ever get my form together, and keep my wheels planted in the corners, ...look out guys. lol...

Check it out:
http://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/video/orange-crush-flyover

10 lbs heavier in 2009

Guess I got a little carried away during the holidays. It's tough to turn down all the food and other goodies layed out in front of you. If anything, it gave me some motivation to hit the snowy roads on New Years Day. The toughest part of the ride was trying to keep the water bottle from freezing up. It was a brisk 19 degrees when I left the house that morning. After a few miles, I had warmed up and stayed fairly comfortable for the whole ride. Layering can make or break these rides this time of year. I am getting better at the whole layering game. I tried to ride some of the local rail to trails, but there was just too much snow drifted over them. I rode a few miles before turning off on some of the local back roads. Not much of a route planned for the day. I just pedaled around Oxford exploring some roads I've never been down.

Bloomer CX

2nd Place today...

John Osgood took first by a fraction of a second. I was able to keep on John's coat tails for the full 30 minutes. ...but that's all I could handle today. I wanted to attack on the second and third laps, but just didn't have the energy today. We were side by side giving it our all in the final stretch. We ended up rolling through the finish side by side. Definately a photo finish. I have to say it was the most exciting finish I have had all year.

Another notch in the CX belt

It turned out to be a good day for me out at Stony today. I arrived early so I could do a pre-ride of the CX course. I'm definitely not use to the ribbons marking out where you need to go. Especially on the 180 degree turns. The whole course wrapped around itself several times. It looked much like one of those maze puzzles my kids do. I'm glad I did a pre-ride. There were a few areas where I almost went straight when I needed to do a 180. Another new obstacle for me today was the sandy sections. Some of the sand was easily rideable while I had to run the other rutted up sections. It was an odd feeling to have to run with the bike. Maybe I should describe it as a full on sprint with the bike. The competition was unrelenting today. All in all, I can definitely tell that I am getting more comfortable on the CX bike. Even though it hurts like H@ll, I'm having fun out there.

After the race, Osgood told me that he wasn't going to give me any more pointers. "No more pointers!"... ...come on John. I have so much more to learn. (O;
Thanks to everyone out there that cheered us on! Definitely adds to the rush.

Not enough hours in the day

That's my exuse for not posting sooner...

So my first crack at CX racing occured last weekend at Springfield Oaks. It was the "Double Cross" weekend. What a trip! I ended up racing both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday turned out to be an eye opener for me. I didn’t do much for training, so I had no clue on how the bike was going to handle. I am use to railing the corners on a mtn bike. This approach resulting in multiple slide outs in the corners. I had the bike slide out on me three or four times in the dew covered grassy corners Saturday morning. In the end, I finished a respectable 12th. Not bad for my first time.
Sunday turned out even better. Almost ended up going to Addison Oaks for an XC race that morning. I decided that I'd make a few adjustments to the cross bike before loading it up for another try. Didn't really know how I'd do since I was kinda soar from Saturdays race. The course layout changed slightly. During my warm up lap, I noticed that the changes I had made to the bike made a big difference in handling. I lined up near the back that day since I didn't know how I was going to do as soar as I was. It took me one lap to shake that feeling. I was able to push a little stronger the last two laps of the race with a sprint finish that hurt. The better handling and extra effort landed me fith place that day! Looks like I have some potential.
Another key concept of cross racing that I picked up over the race weekend, is that you really don’t get a break. I was red-lined for the full race on both days. No place to coast and catch your breath. Just 110% + effort during the entire time you’re out there. … if your not pushing hard on the bike, you're keeping your balance on off camber hills, or climbing, or running with your bike over barriers, or carrying your bike uphill over logs. I have a few things I need to work on. (Thanks for the Pointers Osgood!)
If you haven’t tried this discipline of racing, you’re missing out on some good times. This past weekend was my first cross ever. Never really practiced all that much. Just went out to check it out. It’ll be one of the craziest things you ever do on a bicycle. At least legally. (o; Your fitness and bike handling will be pushed to the limits. The course layout combines both road and off-road disciplines. The combination of the two disciplines along with a few obstacles and cow bells makes this event very exciting.


...I'll be back for more....

....COW BELL!!!........

CROSS EYE'D

That's how I feel after the "Double-Cross" weekend. These cyclo-cross guys are nuts!... (O;
More info once I can see straight.