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Team Bikeman -
Race Reports
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Written by C. McDowell
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Tuesday, 23 October 2007 |
Lower Huron CX
Belleville, MI
October 21, 2007
Two weeks ago, Michigan’s Tailwind Cyclocross series saw record temps in October with the afternoon’s elite racers experiencing a high of 90 with air so humid we could have chewed it. As my vision started to narrow— and not in a fashion indicative of athletic focus and determination— I deemed it best to wait another two weeks for proper cyclocross weather.
Cut to Lower Huron: A gorgeous sunny day with a riot of fall colors igniting the trees. I was elated to see that this course stepped it up a notch with the season’s first run-up and an uphill sweep into the first set of barriers. After a more than generous warm-up, as much for leaf-peeping as for loose muscles, I drew up to the start to join the crew of customary competitors from Michigan and Ohio.
The course began wide-open on a paved, flat straight, and wound gently counterclockwise toward the first feature: a sand pit. Our race composed of elite women and 45+ masters men, immediately fractured into two groups and a few stray women fell off the back within the first minute. After an aggressive start and a good crack at the sand pit, I fell into a rhythm with the first men’s chase pack, pumping away through the first lap and honing my best TT position on the bars as I came through the start/finish alone at the end. Eventually, I began keeping tempo with one particular gentleman who was kind enough to keep me sheltered on the long straights. With veteran champ Ann Schwartz ahead with the lead group, I was happy to be sitting in second, breathing steady, and feeling well.
In the second lap I apparently became too comfortable and was passed by a strong rider from Ohio, and— true to women’s racing as I know it— we exchanged encouragement between breaths, but she gapped me just before approaching the next round of barriers. She continued to stand and sprint out of each section, building a larger distance. The remaining laps were blessedly uneventful and rhythmic, my mind knowing the corners better with each pass, the Chili con Crosso both responsive and forgiving, yet with fatigue insidiously creeping upon me. I could feel my mouth becoming dry and salty in the corners as I made my final effort for a third place finish.
Next up: Will it be the Kentucky USGP weekend? Canton Cup in Mass? Or just a weekend of training in Michigan? Either way, it’s bound to be good!
‘til next time, Happy Trails!
Cal
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