Bull in a China Shop

Long Story Short: 8th out of 45 or so in the 35+ 3/4 race.

Lowdown: This race was a bona-fide mud fest. It was in the 60s and still drizzling Sunday morning, the mosquitoes were also out in full force. My Mad Alchemy warm weather embrocation did not double as a repellent (note to self, suggest a new and improved seasonal version "Now with Deet!"). The 3/4 Masters were the 3rd race of the day, and now the course would really turn into a slopfest. This one rivaled the other really muddy race I had done in 2006, the UNH Campus Cross where it was 70 and sunny.

I was able to get a nice spot in the front row. My HUP teammate Chip "Shake 'n" Baker got the hole shot. I was probably somewhere between 12 and 15 as we went past the pits. The first lap of this one was tight with racers, moreso than normal, and it was difficult to pass.

One of my peers said to me as we remounted over the first set of barriers that were slightly uphill, "You're like a bull in a China shop". For the rest of the race this comment confounded me. But was he saying I was like Richard Moll aka Bull from '80s TV show Night Court, geesh I hope not? And since when does a cyclocross race become a metaphor for a China Shop? Were all my peers delicate tea cups and saucers that I was destroying (cool)? Or was it the course that was the China shop? It did get wrecked, but that destruction was not from this lone bull.

Ok, I admit I did go through the barriers a bit too aggressive, meaning i squeezed through two riders while running. I will be more considerate on future barriers but he should get the mud out of his thong and race! :-b

Shake and Bake!

One of the highlights was on the 2nd lap where I was able to get into the lead after the long and windy run up. I felt a sense of pride in my long legs, and excitement in my "move" but it quickly wore off after my heart rate spiked and I got dropped halfway through that next lap. The next 30 minutes or so was tough, mud in the eyes, ghost shifting, staying upright, the slight but gradual climb right by the pits was spirit crushing, and the single barrier slash run-up hurt so bad with two to go.

Woulda,Shoulda,Coulda: Going into the last lap I was 7th position. It looked like 6th was a ways ahead, so I told myself, "okay just try to ride everything clean now and don't lose your place". On the first muddy turn, my front tire washed out and I went down. That relegated me back to 8th, where I ended up finishing. Maybe I would've been caught anyway. There were only about 27 other places where I could have potentially stacked it. Focus was in the right place, the execution was way off. Chalk it up to fatigue I guess.

One to Grow On: If there was ever a time to throw on the gnarliest mud treads yesterday was one of them. I put my green Michelin Mud on in the back but decided to leave my Grifo tubular on in the front. Had I the chance to make the decision 100 times over, I would've gone with the Mich.mud in the front by a land(mud)slide.

Bull, S.Robbins, and R.Hale

Post-Race: Hosed my bike and self off, tried to clean up a bit. Snacked on some pastry that Chip kindly shared with us. Stuck around and watched Justin C. and Zoo in the B race. CCC had another solid race, he overcame some mechanicals and reclaimed a bunch of spots to finish in 2nd.

I did not have any celebratory brews after this race. I made up for it the night before at the The Publick House and their accompanying BBQ joint, the Roadhouse in Brookline. A good friend was visiting from LA so we all met up for some good brews and some BBQ. Beers I enjoyed: La Chouffe, Smutty Pumpkin, Ommegang Rouge, and a Lagunitas IPA. Not the ideal race prep, but a real good time.

On Tap: Eco-Cross at Coonamesset Farms, Cape Cod

Backside to Mudslide

Back in the Saddle

The Long story Short: 7th place in the Masters 3/4

Lowdown: I kicked off my 'cross season this past weekend. I'll start with yesterday's Sucker Brook race since it is fresher, I have pics and had a much better result.

I had most of my gear ready to go because I had done the Londonderry VeloCross race the day before. However, Gretchen and I had to pack up our little girl Esmé, it would be her first 'cross race at the expense of our older girl and 'cross veteran Beulah dane. Needless to say, we were running late, which meant less pre-laps /warm up. At least I had done SBCX previously , and it looked pretty much the same on the flyer as it had last year. I was able to get my number and a 1 lap pre-ride in. On my way around for another pre-lap I saw that the B masters had already started lining up a good 15-20 minutes before the start. I got myself into the 2nd row and chatted with the rest of the guys.

The start was sketchy as a rider next to me went down on the first turn of the race. There was some shoulder and wheel contact but I managed to get onto the gravel/rocky section and then the grass where the race unfolded. I had a very fun time racing with my Hup teammate Chip Baker, as well as one of the nicest guys I've met in 'cross, Steven Robbins.

Smiling for the camera on the first lap

There were 2 sections that I had some trouble with the first being the little ride-up before the barriers. My left cleat kept popping out of my pedal when I got out of the saddle to power up the hill. It is time to put on a new Crank Bros. cleat, that one is just too worn down.

The other section was the 180 after the mini-sandpit. It is a quick 180 but you need to get up hill. I just never felt like I did that section clean. I did bobble once and got F Bombed twice by the rider behind me who I got in the way of in our B Master race for a top 15 place. I then pointed to the graveyard up the hill to our left... at that moment he understood that I would go Kimbo Slice on him during this psychocross deathrace if he wasn't careful. He did not F-bomb me a third time. Chip told me that he was actually a good guy after the race so I stopped looking for him and crossed him off my people to 'get' list. I'm not sure how many laps we did, but I felt pretty good overall with the exception of my lower back which was a bit sore/fatigued. Held on to my spot for the last lap, which was uneventful. Overall, I was satisfied with my result.

Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda: Get to that start line earlier, the race before the race!

One to Grow On: Hmmm, how about not wearing a long sleeved Black skinsuit when it is sunny and 70+ out! I look like Saturday Night fever with my skinny zipped down mid chest, though not a total Travolta as I just had my chest waxed (I kid, I'm just not that manly). Also, not dismounting too early when approaching the stairs (duh). Sometimes I have a tendency to clip out too early and take a couple extra steps. The few times I was able to cruise right up to them (less traffic helped) I really shortened up the gaps in front of me.

Where'd that smile go on lap 5?

Shout Outs: It was great to see the New England 'cross crew back at it. I watched the B race and cheered on friends. Originally I had pre-reg'd for this one, but I just wasn't feeling a 3rd 'cross race in 24 hours. Always seems like a good idea when you're at home in front of the computer, but when it is two to go it is so easily dismissed. eyeBob Tyzsko was able to do it though, but why can't he take pictures and race too?
Back after riding cross-country, Rosey had a top 10, and Yash got in the top 15. Ronnie wasn't feeling it from some a late night plus singlespeeding it on that dragstrip. Cort looked very strong and took the win. Mat Simpson set up the Hup base camp, which was great. Unfortunately he injured his shoulder and finger early on in the B race, but hopefully he'll be back soon. Always good to see Meg, and Chris Milliman and RAAM man Mark Soups too!

Post-Race: At home I cooked up a pulled pork sandwich with some baby dills and popped a St. Bernardus Pater 6 (dubbel) that my in-laws had gotten me for my birthday.

On Tap: Bedford Springs pb Quad Cycles. Last year's result was 7th in Cat 4s.

First CX weekend in the books