Reports by Ryan Bosio, Outdoor Chattanooga / Scenic City Velo
I plan to do a bit more cross racing today in the coming weeks. There is a local series here in Lakeland (eastern suburb of Memphis).
http://www.smellslikecross.blogspot.com/http://www.smellslikecross.blogspot.com/
Well nothing much to report. Did the B-race with the intention to compete, planned to do the A-race for more training. The course was a good, but tough course (they all are, aren't they?). My cross-bike brakes are the not the best, but that typically is not an issue... however, this race featured a mod. fast downhill into a off-camber hairpin then up a hill.
On lap one, before we thinned out, I was on the inside line...I could not brake as well as the lighter rider alongside me and rubbed wheels a bit. After that, I got clear but broke through the barrier tape (going off course...) Anyway, after running my bike up the hill I was 30 seconds back from the get-go. I rode it out and ended up around mid-field (not sure of the breakdown due to the race containing B, C, S/S, and women).
Despite being whipped from the 40 minutes of racing, I lined up for the 50 minute A race... This race was dominated by two rider that lapped everyone (there was only 3 others in the race...). Well, definitely no glory, but then again I have never had any results of note in cross anyway... Just fun!
Another week, and again I doubled up to get some good riding in. I did the B race for a result, and gutted out the A race. Despite all of this, I ended up with another pair of 4th's. Although I lost out on 3rd in the B race in an uphill sprint....
The course today contained a bunch more single-track, which concerned me since I am *not* a moutain biker. Anyway, all in all I got a decent start and settled in and reeled in several riders on the fast part of the course. The single-track involved some tight turns and uphill sections...but I managed to clean all of it. I only went down on the 1st lap of the A race on the slippery off-camber section...
They have posted up the results from last week and some photos as well:
results - http://www.smellslikecross.blogspot.com/
photos - http://rickcarpenter.com/05slc1/index.html
SLC#4. I couldn't make the Saturday race, but it was still enough today to clinch a 2nd place in the B standings. Sunday's race was more wide open in parts, but also featured a few mud bogs and some technical riding (for this roadie anyway).
The race played out a usual in that I got a descent, but not great start and pulled back a few riders in the first couple laps. Around halfway though the 40 minute race, I caught up with three riders, two of which would be my competition for the finish (we lost one). On the flat/downhill/mudbogs I made up ground on each lap and lost an equal amount on the uphill section/barrier runs... Anyway, we would fan and come together on each lap until the last when the eventual B-race winner sprinted up the long grassy hill and openned up a huge gap that spread us out by 5 seconds or so each. Despite powering through my strong sections, it was not enough and I ended up 3rd. After such a lively race, I opted out of the A-race.... My 4th, 4th, and 3rd places were good enough to get me 2nd overall in the series. This series was a blast to do and it was also very convienent for me (about 10 miles from my apt here). The racing was great, but the beer/party after each race was even better....
I plan on hitting some of the races in Columbia in January (two weekends: 7th-8th, 21st-22nd). Maybe I will see some of you there? Especially if we plan on doing something next year, we need some more converts to the sport.... try it once and you will probably be hooked.
Photos from Sunday are up: [http://rickcarpenter.com/05slc4/index.html]