Eco-Cross at Coonamessett Farms, Falmouth MA

Still waiting on results from this race, and work is busy this week, so this will be a shorter report. I did the Masters 1-3 race and am guessing I finished in the back third or hind quarter(s).

This race turned into another mud challenge, but nothing like the previous week in Bedford. It rained lightly most of the morning and after 2 or 3 races some of the sections started getting muddy, that greasy type where you need to get some weight back or the back wheel spins free, and on the tight 180 corners where you need to put some weight on the front tire to avoid it washing out.

One must have a strong starting position because there were limited areas to pass on this course. I took my place about 5th row from the start, though veteral superstar Frank McCormack was only one row ahead of me. He seemed like a laid back guy, just out there having some fun while brother Mark and the other Master Blasters like Jonny Bold, and Kevin Hines lined up in front.

Readers will be happy to know that there were no "F-Bombs" or "Bull in a China Shop" comments leveled my way. Earlier last week I did watch this VeloNews.tv clip where Brandon Dwight answers some questions about "Cross Etiquete".

I did have one fall in the back of the course on the singletrack between a tree and the fence. I wasn't able to get around the tree trunk in time and went down on my left side with my shoe still clipped in. Took a while to get myself out of that mess all wedged up on the course holding a racer up whom I had just worked hard to pass. Reminded me of that commercial "I've fallen and I can't get up". I mentally checked out for the next half a lap, telling myself just to get a solid workout in for Gloucester. But as soon as I came to the winding downhill before the pavillon and barriers I was racing again. Can't look like a total chump in front of the wife, baby girl and friends.

I do recall getting lapped by Mark McCormack, he said "perfect" when I gave him the line as he passed by me. That was my proudest moment of that race. I crossed the line thinking I still had one more lap to go, but I didn't, that's what happens when you get lapped. I didn't feel bad, I was still blushing from Mark's praise for getting out of his way.

On Tap: Gloustahh in the Master Bs. Last year I finished 9th and 21st (pinch flatted on that one) in the Cat 4s.