#CrossisHere Everyone's favourite part of Autumn (or more accurately, September til November). My spoken goal at last year's cyclocross races was not to be last. But my secret goal was to be a mediocre middle of the pack. I know, lofty, right. This year, my road racing season went much better than 2015 and thus I thought to myself "Self, you should have a few better CX results this year".
With that, my season started with consecutive 9th place finishes at the Natural High CX in Okotoks. Previously I hadn't even flirted with a top-10 (that includes my wife...I had no game in 1995 and since we've been together since 1995, I never had to develop game. I'm not sure why she even started dating me. Anyway, I digress...). So I was happy to pull out consecutive top-10 results and the corresponding upgrade points. I could have been more aggressive, but a good start to the season nonetheless.
After limited training asides from racing the speedy guys at Midweek Mayhem, I was pumped for Synergy's Pumphouse and Bici Park Cross races this weekend. I did a clinic with HotSauce (for those not in the know, suffice it to say if you are gonna get some course tips from someone, HotSauce is a pretty legit dude to provide said tips). Saturday morning my big ring decided to act up, so I got the Velofix guys to take a quick look. They dropped it off to me as I stood in the starting line, which meant I was about 6 rows deep and ready to pass a few people. The race was pretty well suited to my style - not too technical with some flowing power sections. I made my way up the line with only one small crash (potholes affect cyclocross racing too) and by the last lap I was up to about 8th spot (I didn't know that until the end). But about 250-300m from the finish line I dropped a chain. Jump off and fix it or shoulder the bike and run. I opted to put it back on, but got passed by a couple of guys. Final result - 11th place. One place out of the points. Last year I'd have been stoked with that placing. This year...not so much. No worries, I had my game plan for Sunday's Bici Park Cross.
And then it started raining. And raining. And raining. By 7:30am on Sunday I stood in Stanley park with Brent and Simon and the Bici crew, and we all agreed the race would have to be cancelled. Cool and wet is perfect cross conditions if you live in Belgium and have dedicated cyclocross courses. In Calgary, however, 200 racers riding in a waterlogged inner-city park will not do much to win you favour with the city parks department for future races. But the calendar still has a lot of racing left to be done. There will be lots of run-ups and even more downs. Which is good....it helps me go faster.
With that, my season started with consecutive 9th place finishes at the Natural High CX in Okotoks. Previously I hadn't even flirted with a top-10 (that includes my wife...I had no game in 1995 and since we've been together since 1995, I never had to develop game. I'm not sure why she even started dating me. Anyway, I digress...). So I was happy to pull out consecutive top-10 results and the corresponding upgrade points. I could have been more aggressive, but a good start to the season nonetheless.
After limited training asides from racing the speedy guys at Midweek Mayhem, I was pumped for Synergy's Pumphouse and Bici Park Cross races this weekend. I did a clinic with HotSauce (for those not in the know, suffice it to say if you are gonna get some course tips from someone, HotSauce is a pretty legit dude to provide said tips). Saturday morning my big ring decided to act up, so I got the Velofix guys to take a quick look. They dropped it off to me as I stood in the starting line, which meant I was about 6 rows deep and ready to pass a few people. The race was pretty well suited to my style - not too technical with some flowing power sections. I made my way up the line with only one small crash (potholes affect cyclocross racing too) and by the last lap I was up to about 8th spot (I didn't know that until the end). But about 250-300m from the finish line I dropped a chain. Jump off and fix it or shoulder the bike and run. I opted to put it back on, but got passed by a couple of guys. Final result - 11th place. One place out of the points. Last year I'd have been stoked with that placing. This year...not so much. No worries, I had my game plan for Sunday's Bici Park Cross.
And then it started raining. And raining. And raining. By 7:30am on Sunday I stood in Stanley park with Brent and Simon and the Bici crew, and we all agreed the race would have to be cancelled. Cool and wet is perfect cross conditions if you live in Belgium and have dedicated cyclocross courses. In Calgary, however, 200 racers riding in a waterlogged inner-city park will not do much to win you favour with the city parks department for future races. But the calendar still has a lot of racing left to be done. There will be lots of run-ups and even more downs. Which is good....it helps me go faster.
