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Written by Don Seib
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Monday, 21 September 2009 |
Sucker Brook Cross
Auburn, NH
September 20, 2009
 Super nice weather, fun course, and well run event. Lined up with the 45+ 1/2/3 category with 36 starters. I know many of these guys because they race off-road too and the others are pretty much the same crew you see at masters road races. New for this year is a separation of the 35+ 1/2/3 class from the 45+ class which is good for me. In the start area they didn't segregate the 35+, from the 45+, from the 55+, so it was kind of messy with 94 of us. I got to the start area early for the "race before the race" but ended up in the second row of our start. CX starts are super important especially on a course like Sucker Brook where the fast guys will separate themselves quickly. Took off from the gun and passed about ten riders in the first half mile and slotted in behind Brian McInnis from JRA cycles and Dave Belknap from MBRC. Coming through the first stair run-up we had already created a pretty good gap, and then over the hurdles established a lead group of seven.
Coming into the woods section I hit a rock pretty hard and all of the sudden heard a crunching noise coming from my transmission. Looked down and couldn't see anything wrong and was loosing ground to the leaders as I couldn't get full power. Pulled over to the side thinking that my freewheel had gone away as I had heard similar noise when the pawls self destructed on other bikes. Never looked at the front ring as I ride a single ring set-up with guards on both sides. Not finding the cause, got back on the bike and tried to go again hoping it would go away, silly thinking for sure. Got off the bike again and spotted that my inside chain guard had bent and my chain had come off and was running between the ring and guard. Not good for sure, but not terminal either, put my chain on and got going again. Now in last place, I just focused on getting as many spots back as possible. Passed a good dozen people in the next mile or so and could see the leaders had about 45 seconds on me in the grass section which chicaned back and forth. Was thinking, just be patient and smooth and I can get back in the top ten. Came through the stair run-up and put the bike down hard and threw the chain off again. So much for being smooth... Quickly put it back on and killed myself passing guys again. This time however, the guide bent so much that the chain guard was now grinding into the chain stay on my brand new Salsa Chili Con Crosso. Common sense overtook adrenaline and got off the bike again, and bent the guide back off the frame.
This process repeated itself the rest of the race at least eight more times. I passed the same guys so many times it almost got ridiculous and I started apologizing as I came by. I never gave up and kept it pegged the whole time and came in 12th out of 36. Not a bad result considering the amount of times I put my chain on. Those seconds are critical on a fast course like Sucker Brook.
So what did I learn... Last year when I went to a single ring set-up opted for the weight weenie chain guards to save 13g on each. Hindsight being 20-20 a poor choice. I ran a 39 tooth ring last year which probably kept the chain guard from flexing as the chain was pushing on the stronger inner portion of the guard. Now this season running a 42t ring I was pushing on the outer diameter which flexed/bent it and allowed the chain to come off. Another contributing factor is I could have taken links out of the chain which was sized for a big ring which I didn't have any longer. Tighter chains give you more consistent tension through bumpier sections and transitions after barriers/run-ups where you tend to throw the chain. Just ordered some stronger Salsa chain guards and will remove a couple links this week which should make my set-up bomber again.
Now that I've gotten through a shake down of the new bike I feel pretty good about the upcoming CX season. On a super positive note I love my new Salsa Chili Con Crosso. I bought the bike fully built with the Salsa spec components. Changes from stock included swapping for a Thomson post/stem, Durace crankset/single ring set-up, and Reynolds DV46T CX tubular wheels. With XTR pedals the bike weighs 17.1 pounds and feels/rides fantastic. A big step up from my prior ride. Can't say good enough things about tubular wheels in CX either. I was running 30 pounds pressure and was railing off-camber turns, 180 switchbacks and felt much smoother in the bumpy sections. Some of this is the Salsa frame too.
 A highlight of the day for me was both my kids racing the Junior CX race in their new Bikeman kits. They did awesome for their first race and really enjoyed it. Pretty cool and I look forward to racing as a family for many years to come. Can't say thank you enough for Bikeman's support. A top flight team and business to be associated with.
Don
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