Blog

Last race of the season

Two weeks after Iceman Cometh was state cyclocross championships. I’d entered knowing I hadn’t raced CX at all this year, had no USAC points, I’d probably have a poor call up but hoped for a fun day on the track rubbing shoulders with some old buddies.

The Fish Hatchery Park in Hastings was a new location for me and I didn’t know what to expect. I’d been in Hastings earlier this year for Barry Roubaix and was a very bike friendly town. We made it a family event and left early in the morning to drive across the state. The forecast was cold, potential of snow but most likely dry underfoot after a week without any rain.

Pre-ride was uneventful, mostly trying to keep warm. The course was expectedly dry for the most part yet around the ponds the wet ground was heavy. There was a steep berm that we climbed multiple times a lap - correct line choice here was essential. If it snowed, everything will change.

Amazingly, my call up wasn’t so bad, I wasn’t the only one with a reduced racing schedule: not at the front obviously but I got to choose a decent position and one I could get a good start from. The past two weeks I’d spent all my time working on cornering and skills. I knew I’d have decent aerobic conditioning after a summer of long rides but the continual sprints and accelerations, I had no idea how I’d handle it.

I chose the far right side on the grid a couple of rows back. After a hundred yards or so the track turned left and I knew everyone would dive for the corner. I planned to carry my speed and go wide setting up for a quick right turn that followed. And that’s how it happened after the whistle, I passed half the field on the corner and used my size to block off a few more by turning wide at the right corner. This irritated a few and words were exchanged but this was racing and I needed the front - I was in the top four.

A wind from the west meant trying to hide was an important aspect for the race but being the big guy, hiding was difficult because everyone wanted my wheel. The race stretched out quickly and we were keeping the pressure on and building a gap. Sleet started making lines a little slippery on the berm and before long a slip of a wheel and one of the favorites was out of contention - and then there was three!

I was really starting to feel it. The accelerations were hurting and if the bathrooms we passed on the course were open, I would’ve stopped for a visit. I was in pain. I couldn’t match the pace, the bathrooms were closed and I decided to sit up and recover. I thought that my fitness may help me recover quickly, so I let the two ahead go and rested a little. As the stars in my vision started to fade I got back into the groove. Second place was a hundred yards ahead - your mine!!

It was all about clean lines smooth dismounts and remounts and gaining seconds at every opportunity. Before long I was on the wheel and sat in to recover - again?! With three to go, I jumped to separate myself for second on the track. I gained a gap quickly and the family had spread themselves around the course to give me time checks - 23 seconds.

I was making time, had my head down and felt that I could catch the leader but only two laps of the nine lap race remained. He was looking back and was clearly nervous. At the bell I was down to under ten seconds but was feeling 50 minute race. This high intensity was hard and I was running out of time - I really needed another lap. Finally with half a lap remaining the results were set. I sat up to keep it clean and defended my position. I came to win the elite masters but fell a little short. I’d had no ‘cross intensity and found myself being unable to recover from the repeated accelerations but raced clean, kept my head in the game and gave it my all. My Kona Major Jake was exceptional again for the umpteenth time this year. My racing was done for 2021. A pretty decent year over all, some good results and some definite fun times. It’s not about winning but enjoying the adventure - that summed up 2021.