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Team Bikeman -
Race Reports
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Written by Josh West
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Friday, 20 October 2006 |
Granogue Cross UCI C1
Mid Atlantic Cross Series #1
Wilmington, DE
 | | Photo by Dennis Smith |
Granogue is a private estate located outside of Wilmington, DE and is host to both an annual Mtn. bike and cross race. The CX race consistently attracts some of the best national talent and makes for a great day to race the "B's" and watch the Pros (Trebon, Wicks, Johnson, Kabush, and others) beat each other up.
The weather for the weekend was great; the cool air (probably around 65F) and bright sun left just a hint of mud behind from the storm a couple of days prior. The only real mud to speak of was about a 30 yard stretch approaching the run-up. The run up itself was only muddy through the main-line, either side was dry enough to ride if you had it in you (I did not).
I raced the "Bs". There were 90 of us at the start. The race starts on a nicely paved macadam road that probably stretches about 0.2 miles. From there it was your usual twisty and windy. This year the barriers were placed on a sharp left turn directly after a rooty section. They were actually pretty early in the course and saw a bottleneck because of some leading roots. The run-up was quick to follow after a downhill switchback. Then more of the usual twisty and windy. I handled the course pretty well and was able to ride some of the tight switchbacks where some the faster guys were having trouble. I did lose my chain twice. That is, it came off the ring in an outboard fashion and got stuck between the rock- and chainring. Yes, I was using a rockring as a last minute chain guard. It worked to keep the chain from dragging on the ground but I still had to stop and place the chain back on track - kind of a bummer when the race is only 45 minutes. I've got it straight now and will have a Salsa Crossing Guard keeping my chain in place for the next weekend's Mid-Atalntic cross race. (There's one excuse burned.) My final result on the day was 58th out of 90 starters which is a liittle less than the 50% mark I was expecting.
Josh West
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; "Photo by Dennis Smith")
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