CX Season is Here and Gone...............

Hey gang this is my one big BLOG update to cover Cyclocross Season. 11 races in the books and overall a great season with only a few days of terrible weather.

First race of the year BCA Cross in Fort Ritchie, MD--cold and pouring rain

This video was taken by teammate Michael..too much mud to manage these corners...

https://picasaweb.google.com/106627851219331479472/BCACXOct2011#5663477738310259410

This race I was 3rd in my category but it was likely because the weather was so bad no one else wanted to show-up. I did have one wreck and my brake lever caught in a competitors wheel and it broke off. Thus, I was racing with only a front brake so I had to apply a lot of strategy when coming in to any  braking situations.
 
The below video is from Granogue. A BIG east coast race when a lot of top amateurs and occasional pro show-up for the 2 days of racing. I did not feel that great on Day 1 and at this race I compete with the Cat 1-3 (I am Cat 4) so my goal is to not be lapped and subsequently pulled. I hung-on and made top 50% and was 4 min behind the podium guys. BUT.........on Day 2 I felt great and was lapped 30 min in to the race and pulled. VERY disappointing.

This is not me but some great riders at Granogue--the Dupont Family Estate

The below pics are from the Ed Sander CX in Maryland. This is one of my favorite races in and amongst a series of ponds. The course is technical with a lot of tight turns and mud so it catered to my strengths and MTB skills.

Ed Sander CX--Started with 70 riders in front of me and finished 30 of 96

Teammate Bridget at Ed Sander CX

For this race I rode really well and even though 30th was a far cry from the podium I was really happy with the race and it is 10 places higher than my position in this race in 2009.

Teammates Michael and Jim at the DC CX

 The DCCX is only 30 min from the house and a great race with music, food stands, frites, and adult beverages. I was really pumped to race after my Ed Sander experience but my chain had other ideas.

I put on a new chain several weeks prior and cut it too short so had to add a few links back-in.......................I knew then that I had a weak chain but went with it anyway. During the first lap I heard a few clunks under duress and on a short steep hill I was out of the saddle and "snap" I was done after 2 laps. My only DNF of the season. 

Broken Chain at DC CX--DNF after 2 laps

 Anyway...................this chain served a great purpose as it was in great shape and not too greasy so parts of it were recycled to make gifts for Liza and Becky for my Chile trip (see other blog posts).

I don't have any pics but my last race of the season was the Capitol Cross Classic in early December. I submitted my request to upgrade to Cat 3 to USA Cycling because I wanted to try racing in a cat with fewer riders. For Cat 3-4 it was always a challenge to race with 100 riders and try to pick your way through the traffic but in Cat 1-3 there are usually 30 riders. For this race it is about position and tactics and I wanted to give it a go.

Well..................i was in the back row and had my work cut out for me. My start was mediocre and I was DFL on first lap. I was able to work my way past a few riders and was 19 of 27 and NOT lapped by the Cat 1 guys. The big thing in this category is the other riders do not get out of the way for you like in Cat 3-4. I had to work to pass people!!

JOCMO: CX is just a great vibe.............the total scene is about riding, racing, bike kit, and talking about tire pressure!!

Savageman Tri Festival

So sorry to fall off the BLOG planet after so long so thought I would update my literature crazed followers with some pics and commentary....

Waaaayyyyy back in September I volunteered at the Savageman Tri Festival (http://www.savagemantri.org/ ) as the Run Course coordinator............translation: the guy that schleps around a lot of heavy jugs of water, puts up signs, and helps herd other volunteers. Like the last few years my partner in schlepping was longtime cycling and tri pal Haig Colter. 

Reaching for Breakfast compliments of Team Z

The race this year was attended by Ironman Legend Dave Scott (http://www.savagemantri.org/ ) and now retired Olympic Bronze Medalist Susan Williams. Dave came out of the water in 3rd, pretty darn fast for a guy who is 57 and was 6th overall and Susan won the woman's division.

Dave Scott (on right)  at the Finish Line

Susan Williams coming down Tower Hill

Like other years I had the pleasure to be the "lead cyclist" to pave the way for the 1st Place male runner. On this day I was leading for John Kenny (http://www.pacificfit.net/trainer-JohnKenny.php ) who was seconds from a course record and a $1500 bonus. Needless to say he was a joy to watch run!

John Kenny coming down Tower Hill

Like my other experiences at S-Man the days were long and by the time the run course is taken down and everything stowed me and the land yacht are covered in Coke.

Zach Ruble (2nd in Mens Pro)  and Amanda

 

Land Yacht after taking down last aid stations

Saw this on the run course during take down

JOCMO: Being the lead cyclist for John Kenney while on the run course. His cadence was a joy to watch because you couldn't hear a step he took...more like a Born to Run Moment!!