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Always Something to Race For |
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Written by Erik Osborn
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Sunday, 15 November 2009 |
Bikeman.com - Casco Bay Sports
First Annual Casco Bay Cyclocross Race
Portland, ME
10/17/2009
 I love cyclocross, but with lots else going on this fall Ihaven’t devoted as much time to training as in past years. Still, I was pretty excited when I rolled up to the line for my first race last month. I knew that even though I probably wasn’t looking at a podium spot, there would still be plenty of action. This is one of the things I like most about cyclocross. There are always someone infront of you to chase, and always someone just behind to make you nervous. There is always the quest for the fastest line through the mud and the perfect spot to dismount on the runup. This race was no exception.
The gun went off and I had a great start. I thought for ½ a lap that maybe by magic my legs would be in top form I would be able to hang with the leaders, but this illusion ended when the folks who actually had been training began to roll past despite my best efforts. There is no free lunch in cycling: if you don’t put in the training time you aren’t gonna win. I found myself near the back, a couple lengths behind one rider and a couple ahead of another. Time to settle in and plan a strategy. I focused on being smooth, staying off the brakes, keeping speed through corners, and putting the hammer down on the straightaways. I kept an eye on the riders around me. I noticed that I put a bit of distance on the guy behind me in every technical section, so I focused even harder on these to try to open the gap. I put on some extra juice just before we turned into the wind to keep the guy behind me from catching a draft. His legs were stronger, though, and with each lap he got a bit closer. When it was obvious I wasn’t going to stay ahead, I let him pass just as we turned into the wind, and drafted for ½ a lap. A clever move, but despite my best effort I didn’t catch him back by the finish line. A bit frustrating, but I knew I hadn’t left anything on the course. My legs were toast and I feel like I raced as hard and smart. As predicted, I wasn’t anywhere near the podium, but it was another exciting race nonetheless. Another reminder that no mater where you are in the pack, cyclocross always gives you something to race for.
Erik
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