Road to 2024 CX Nationals

Thinking that it's about time to provide an update on this year's CX racing season. I've been (sorta) on a training plan, hoping to peak for CX Nats in Louisville. This year will be my first in the 65-69's, so I'll be a "Baby Vet" in that age group...;-)

I've been running the biz remotely (www.oceanplanetenergy.com) from out west, in roughly one month stretches this year. So have been training out west as well. There are great trails in Anacortes, WA for MTB'g & running, although have been doing more and more on the CX bike on the road as the season approaches. Out west my only CX bike is an old Jake the Snake with rim brakes, however I do have some nice wheels on it. This season I've switched to 160mm cranks, which I LOVE.

Got things rolling with a low-key fun weeknight CX race in Bellingham on Sept 12th. Good to shock the legs into racing again, as training just isn't the same.

Then did my first "real" race at "Cross Revolution" in Burien, WA on Sept 15th, where I actually won the 60+ (out of 7x 60+). First race I've won in a while!

There there was a new race in Bellingham, the "NWGP Squalicum" at a park not far from the Bellingham waterfront. I was able to visit my old sailing friend Arne Hammer on his sailboat, a short ride from the park. In the race I wound up "winning" the Cat 3 60+, largely because I was the only 60+ entered! Although I finished in front of several of the 40+ & 50+...:-)

Finally, just a few days before flying back to Maine, I did one of the "MFG CX" series, called the "Barnburner at Steilacoom". Which was at the same venue for for the 2019 CX Nationals (right before Covid, remember?). Great course...if you like long, hard, & steep run-ups! Actually quite fun. The MFG series is quite popular, and we had 15 finishers in the 60+. I was leading for the first halt, then faded a bit into 2nd. I thought I had 2nd nailed down, however on the last lap I made some technical errors, allowing a chaser to get by. Doh! Thought he was catchable, however just couldn't quite catch him and had to settle for 3rd. Lessons learned (as often happens in CX races!).

Now I'm back in Maine, will be doing some training, before jumping back into the racing scene. Was thinking of doing Minuteman CX tomorrow, however will stay in Maine and do a training ride instead. Then probably will do the "Really Rad Festival of CX" on the 26/27th, which will likely be quite competitive. No long after that will be Northampton, then it's only a month before the CX Nationals! My 65-69 group race will be on Dec. 12th.

Wish me luck.

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