I only raced Day 1, so my race report only reflects Day 1. I was in the Cat 4 35+ field which was sold out with 125 riders and had a 9 AM start. Lots of guys on the team in it including Smudger, Stefan, Chris P, Scott, etc.
As you know, Friday day and night it was pouring rain. I got to the race and some parts of the course were slick, but surprisingly it had drained well and there were really no puddles on the course. People told me it was a long lap, and that we would do 4 or 5 laps, but probably 4. I still was thinking 5 laps, which came back to bite me later.
I got to the line and ended up put in the 3rd row (something is screwed up in me getting placed there). I got off to a rough start as I didn't get my cleats in right away. But I got through the first set of turns and major sand staying upright and managed to go around a few wipeouts occurred in front of me (and thus passed people). It was hard to navigate with that many people in the field and we were really elbow to elbow during the first lap. I passed a few guys but also was getting passed by a number of guys, who were likely better riders than I was but were lined up behind me at the start (or wiped). I settled myself because I wanted to save energy so I could picking it up as the race went on, so I let a few guys pass me that I wouldn't have in my last race. Somewhere in near the end of the first lap I was right behind a guy and both of us were going hard into a turn. He leaned clipped the inside post and it pulled him down. I did an endo yet wasn't hurt and got right up. Lost 4-5 places, but settled right back into riding.
The next 2 laps were strong for me. I got into a groove and kept passing people. I settled into more of a rest pace when going through the turning sections where I am not good enough to pass people, then hammered any straightaway or uphill and passed people there. So for the middle 2 laps I stayed upright (no slide outs) and navigated the turns pretty well (albeit probably slowly compared to the leaders). The only thing that happened is that somewhere in there, I did drop a chain (like my last race). I lost only 2-3 places though, which reflects that we were getting more spread out. I passed those guys shortly after because I was mad about losing my chain.
At the beginning of the 4th lap, I was thinking: "OK, 2 laps to go, stay steady through this 4th lap and then hammer the last lap". I went through the 4th lap staying steady but I was a bit more tired than I had been in earlier laps. This caused a few errors. I dropped a chain (again!), this time because I slammed my bike down to hard after going over the barriers, and lost a couple of places. I slid out on the turn & uphill section near the finish and had to run through it before getting back on my bike. I could see my legs were still strong as I ran up the hill no problem. I jumped on my bike, passed another guy and started to pass another, but then the guy sprinted. I didn't know why he was sprinting, but then I saw ahead that everyone was pulled up after the line. We crossed the line with him just in front of me and I finally realized that we were done a lap earlier than I expected. We weren't lapped (not by a long shot) but with all the cowbells on the course, I couldn't tell when I came by on the previous lap that it was the bell lap. So that was a real bummer as I did feel I had plenty of energy left.
I don't know where I finished. Regardless, I am happy with the race. I am certainly learning and getting better every race, but have so much improvement yet to make.
On the others, congrats to Chris and John S as they were 3rd and 5th. I know Scott had a mechanical issue and was out.
John
Gloucester CX
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michaelcole
- Tête de la course
- Posts: 1888
- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:08 pm
- Location: Hopkinton. Hanging out with my boys.
Re: Gloucester CX
John,
Here's a bit of "technique coaching" from someone in the Has-Been category. Take it with a grain of salt or just ignore it if you choose.
I talked to a guy in the beer tent who said that an MRC guy who was near to him in the race had dropped his chain repeatedly. He even mentioned that the cause was the hard put-down and not anything mechanical. I asked who it was so that I could slap him around a little... I mean, so that I could help him with his technique. Now I know.
Sounds like you have already learned that lesson. Now you just need to practice setting the bike down as gently as possible. I know it's easier said than done but it's a skill that is even more important than getting over the barriers quickly.
The other lesson... Starting with the end of lap 2, look for the lap cards each time you come across the line. If you can't see them, ask. Ask loudly, "How many left?" as you come through the line.
Practicing starts is important as well. Try a bunch of starts at full intensity. (You can turn it into a sprint workout if you like) Figure out which foot you are better at clipping in quickly. That's your support leg. The other one (your start leg) should be clipped in already before the start. All your practice starts should be exactly the same: One hard pedal stroke with the start leg, then clip in the support leg while you are making the second pedal stroke. If it doesn't clip in on the first attempt, just keep pedaling. The cleat will find its way in all by itself within a few pedal strokes. Do not look down and start feeling around for the right spot. That's the guy everyone runs into and curses at for creating chaos at the start line.
Here's a bit of "technique coaching" from someone in the Has-Been category. Take it with a grain of salt or just ignore it if you choose.
I talked to a guy in the beer tent who said that an MRC guy who was near to him in the race had dropped his chain repeatedly. He even mentioned that the cause was the hard put-down and not anything mechanical. I asked who it was so that I could slap him around a little... I mean, so that I could help him with his technique. Now I know.
Sounds like you have already learned that lesson. Now you just need to practice setting the bike down as gently as possible. I know it's easier said than done but it's a skill that is even more important than getting over the barriers quickly.
The other lesson... Starting with the end of lap 2, look for the lap cards each time you come across the line. If you can't see them, ask. Ask loudly, "How many left?" as you come through the line.
Practicing starts is important as well. Try a bunch of starts at full intensity. (You can turn it into a sprint workout if you like) Figure out which foot you are better at clipping in quickly. That's your support leg. The other one (your start leg) should be clipped in already before the start. All your practice starts should be exactly the same: One hard pedal stroke with the start leg, then clip in the support leg while you are making the second pedal stroke. If it doesn't clip in on the first attempt, just keep pedaling. The cleat will find its way in all by itself within a few pedal strokes. Do not look down and start feeling around for the right spot. That's the guy everyone runs into and curses at for creating chaos at the start line.
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onegeardoug
- Chasseur
- Posts: 973
- Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:01 am
- Location: Marlboro, MA
Re: Gloucester CX
Two totally different days for me. Unlike my weekend, I'm going to end on a high note...so Sunday's race report first. Front row call-up, uphill sprint start, 5th onto the grass and up the run-up. Sitting nicely on laps 1 & 2 between 6th & 8th. Not feeling a lot of snap, but I'm doing okay. Lap 2, along the seawall rocky road section, I flatted my tubular. Road it through the twisties and changed my wheel at the pit. Lost at least 30 places in the process. 2 laps of hard chasing, but not making up many places. Just cuz I was now in the middle of the 3 field didn't make life any easier! After the barriers, by the industry tents, I looked over my shoulder to see who was with me...and ran straight into a stake & course tape. Ass over tea-kettle. It must have been a spectacular crash. I'm such a dumbass. I'm up and totally pissed at myself. The pedaling is even harder now and I'm demoralized and wondering why I don't just DNF. David Deitch is yelling at me that my race isn't over, but it sure felt like it. All the way around again, up the run-up and I finally realize that my rear canti is totally bent, the spring is out and the pad is pushing against the rim. I did almost a whole lap with the brakes on. No wonder it felt like I was pedalling in sand. Augh. Needless to say...I didn't finish so good. 59th.
Day 1. Front-row call-up, downhill sprint, second wheel into the hole shot. Racing with Syngin and Nate; I turn a lap with them. I'm in 3rd, but on the rivet. Start of lap 2, I crashed in the rocky, crappy, off-camber right past the finish line. This probably helped me. As I'm shaking out the cobwebs and chasing the birds from around my head, 4th and 5th catch me. Hunter and Dobie. We raced the rest of the race together, but I was mostly sucking wheel. When I saw 6th making up ground, I took a dig, but otherwise was riding very selfishly, and they were apparently happy to pull. Over halfway through the bell lap, I attacked into 3rd. Hunter was slightly gapped and Dobie was on my wheel. I'm drilling it, racing as hard as I can to the barriers and sprinting to the line, with a bike throw...just in case. 3rd at Gloucester in a stacked Men's 3 field; the pinnacle of my relatively long, but not so glorious racing career.
Thanks to all who cheered & supported both days. I think I returned the favor for most, if not all of you. It's great to be on a team with such high level of participation, support and commeraderie.
Day 1. Front-row call-up, downhill sprint, second wheel into the hole shot. Racing with Syngin and Nate; I turn a lap with them. I'm in 3rd, but on the rivet. Start of lap 2, I crashed in the rocky, crappy, off-camber right past the finish line. This probably helped me. As I'm shaking out the cobwebs and chasing the birds from around my head, 4th and 5th catch me. Hunter and Dobie. We raced the rest of the race together, but I was mostly sucking wheel. When I saw 6th making up ground, I took a dig, but otherwise was riding very selfishly, and they were apparently happy to pull. Over halfway through the bell lap, I attacked into 3rd. Hunter was slightly gapped and Dobie was on my wheel. I'm drilling it, racing as hard as I can to the barriers and sprinting to the line, with a bike throw...just in case. 3rd at Gloucester in a stacked Men's 3 field; the pinnacle of my relatively long, but not so glorious racing career.
Thanks to all who cheered & supported both days. I think I returned the favor for most, if not all of you. It's great to be on a team with such high level of participation, support and commeraderie.
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gcdavid
- Chasseur
- Posts: 879
- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 2:00 pm
- Location: Where the cool kids aren't
- Contact:
Re: Gloucester CX
I raced my arse off today, and finished 42nd. *sigh* 
Re: Gloucester CX
My theme for the weekend: ARRRRRGH!
Day 1: Bounced around like a pinball at the start, and smacked my knee HARD, but stayed upright. Was pretty successful at moving up, but everytime I made some progress, I seemed to end up on my back coming out of a turn. I felt tentative and slow on the turns, and just couldn't get any traction. While checking my bike last night, I realized that I'd put a bunch of air in my tires for pre-ride, but never took it out, so I was probably running 50 psi (my pump's pressure guage is lousy, so I go by feel). Probably not the only reason for my lack of turning ability, but it sure couldn't have helped.
Day 2: Felt like I did pretty well at the start, despite my poor position. Got a "parting of the seas" to sprint up the middle and avoided the crashes behind me. Felt great on the swoopy downhills, sticking on Todd P's wheel until the bottom, where I made a big move up the opposite side. My (properly inflated) tires seemed to be hooking up, and I got some confidence back. Todd and I made good progress until the barrier turns, where bodies were flying, so I dismounted and ran. Got back on to find my chain unshipped. Fixed that and got going again, making up good ground (though frustrated that it was ground I'd already made up once). Second lap was similar to the first. Unfortunately, this included dropping the chain in the barriers - I think in all the running through those turns, I whomped my bike up and down alot and bounced the chain off. So I went back to making up more already made up ground. Third lap, made it though the barriers without loosing my chain, continued to pass guys until the off cambers, where I stood up to climb, only to get that "dropped chain" feeling again. Only this time the chain was still on, but my freehub was not connecting (later inspection shows that the pawl spring on the freehub body broke - I'm hoping Neuvation can send me a replacement spring or body before PVD). Since I was just past the pits, I'd have had to run most of the lap, so I DNF'd.
Hopefully, I got my stupid mistakes and sundry mechanical mishaps out of the way for the season. I did have fun heckling MRC'ers, and watching Chris, Doug, and Smudger on the podium, as well as some great racing by the big boys and girls.
Day 1: Bounced around like a pinball at the start, and smacked my knee HARD, but stayed upright. Was pretty successful at moving up, but everytime I made some progress, I seemed to end up on my back coming out of a turn. I felt tentative and slow on the turns, and just couldn't get any traction. While checking my bike last night, I realized that I'd put a bunch of air in my tires for pre-ride, but never took it out, so I was probably running 50 psi (my pump's pressure guage is lousy, so I go by feel). Probably not the only reason for my lack of turning ability, but it sure couldn't have helped.
Day 2: Felt like I did pretty well at the start, despite my poor position. Got a "parting of the seas" to sprint up the middle and avoided the crashes behind me. Felt great on the swoopy downhills, sticking on Todd P's wheel until the bottom, where I made a big move up the opposite side. My (properly inflated) tires seemed to be hooking up, and I got some confidence back. Todd and I made good progress until the barrier turns, where bodies were flying, so I dismounted and ran. Got back on to find my chain unshipped. Fixed that and got going again, making up good ground (though frustrated that it was ground I'd already made up once). Second lap was similar to the first. Unfortunately, this included dropping the chain in the barriers - I think in all the running through those turns, I whomped my bike up and down alot and bounced the chain off. So I went back to making up more already made up ground. Third lap, made it though the barriers without loosing my chain, continued to pass guys until the off cambers, where I stood up to climb, only to get that "dropped chain" feeling again. Only this time the chain was still on, but my freehub was not connecting (later inspection shows that the pawl spring on the freehub body broke - I'm hoping Neuvation can send me a replacement spring or body before PVD). Since I was just past the pits, I'd have had to run most of the lap, so I DNF'd.
Hopefully, I got my stupid mistakes and sundry mechanical mishaps out of the way for the season. I did have fun heckling MRC'ers, and watching Chris, Doug, and Smudger on the podium, as well as some great racing by the big boys and girls.
Re: Gloucester CX
Some video of Smudger on the podium:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH-K3MU7-fA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH-K3MU7-fA
Re: Gloucester CX
Day 1
Mistake, Mistake, Mistake. Found the course pretty tricky especially one of the off-camber S's and got fixated on it in the pre-ride with about 10 attempts to pick a good line. At least there were a good few power sections to make up for all the trickery. Was apprehensive about the down hill start into the loose off camber but with a front row start I thought I should be OK. Mistake #1: As we were being called up to our start slots I didn't rush to staging. They shout out the front row and as I start moving through from the back they call up the 2nd row and my slot on the front is gone. This shouldn't have been a problem for me, I was in the 2nd row after all. However it really got inside my head. The guy in front of me looked like he was out for a recreational ride and all I could think of was what will I do when he fails to clip in? Mistake #2:I decide I'm going to make a move and jump to the left and with the downhill start I decide to drop it into my 12 on the back!!!! (can't believe just how rooky a mistake this was. Especially when Chris said to me "do you know what gear you are in"). Inevitably the guy in front gets off the line well and I can't turn the gear going backwards all the time. Get caught up in traffic and come out towards the sand somewhere in the 20's. Having expected to be somewhere in the top 10 I was immediately thinking what do I do now. Not panicing but concerned as I can see groups and gaps forming with Chris messing it up in the lead. The thing I didn't want to do was fall and loose more time and places. I'm working my way through a few spots, catch up with Paul who's riding strong, pull past and go into a open grassy right hander that I was railing in pre-ride. Mistake3: push it too hard and just as I'm about to exit the bike goes out from under me I go down hard onto my hip and am concerned that my rear mech took a good hit. Jump up and get going, picking grass out my shorts, Paul and I start trading falls for half a lap. Coming into the barriers I change up and I hear that tell tale ping, ping, ping sound of the rear mech hitting the spokes and panic thinking my race might be over. I jump off immediately, pull the mech out and run through the barriers. Nervously change gear but everything seemed OK. Got through the rest of the 1st lap OK. 2nd lap I was able to move up on the power sections but was riding tentatively in the corners. Got to the tricky corner and of course I go down. Lap 3 goes well. I make up a load of places as others start to get tired. I'm amazed counting the bikes in front that I am in 7th. I push hard and manage to jump into 5th place just before we descend down onto the sea wall. I thought I would have dropped the guy but he stuck on my wheel all the way back to the final time through the tricky section. I make it through without mishap and hear Chris's name being called out for his great 3rd place finish as I get to the final turn onto the finish straight. I thought I had finally shaken off the guy that was in 6th. Fortunately Doug was working the corer and told me he was right on my wheel. Final dig and I got the 5th place. Last mistake was boring everyone by recounting my screw ups and not being happy with what after all is a pretty good finish. Sorry to everyone that had to listen to that.
Day 2
Loved the course. Nothing to tricky. Lots of flowing corners and plenty of opportunity to use my power. Other than a poor start and not being in the lead group on the 1st lap and having to play catch up again I had NOTHING to complain about. I kept it the right way up all race!!!!! Chris raced fantastically again but caught some of my problems, dropping the bike on a grassy corner, and letting me move through from 5th to 3rd heading towards the bell lap. I traded places back and forwards with 4th on the last lap and we were gaining on 1&2. I thought I could gap him on the run up and did but spent my matches and let him pass and get away from me heading toward the barriers. Managed to keep the gap reasonable through the flowing section and bridged on a straight to get close going into the S's. Got caught up lapping a rider at the slowest corner and thought that my chance for 3rd had gone but the guy who had led the race the whole way rolled his tub on the off camber. I passed and moved into 3rd. Semi sprint up the hill just to make sure nobody was sneaking up and crossed the line. Happy to get the podium. Felt bad for Rob, the guy that had led the race until the end, but that's racing.
Mistake, Mistake, Mistake. Found the course pretty tricky especially one of the off-camber S's and got fixated on it in the pre-ride with about 10 attempts to pick a good line. At least there were a good few power sections to make up for all the trickery. Was apprehensive about the down hill start into the loose off camber but with a front row start I thought I should be OK. Mistake #1: As we were being called up to our start slots I didn't rush to staging. They shout out the front row and as I start moving through from the back they call up the 2nd row and my slot on the front is gone. This shouldn't have been a problem for me, I was in the 2nd row after all. However it really got inside my head. The guy in front of me looked like he was out for a recreational ride and all I could think of was what will I do when he fails to clip in? Mistake #2:I decide I'm going to make a move and jump to the left and with the downhill start I decide to drop it into my 12 on the back!!!! (can't believe just how rooky a mistake this was. Especially when Chris said to me "do you know what gear you are in"). Inevitably the guy in front gets off the line well and I can't turn the gear going backwards all the time. Get caught up in traffic and come out towards the sand somewhere in the 20's. Having expected to be somewhere in the top 10 I was immediately thinking what do I do now. Not panicing but concerned as I can see groups and gaps forming with Chris messing it up in the lead. The thing I didn't want to do was fall and loose more time and places. I'm working my way through a few spots, catch up with Paul who's riding strong, pull past and go into a open grassy right hander that I was railing in pre-ride. Mistake3: push it too hard and just as I'm about to exit the bike goes out from under me I go down hard onto my hip and am concerned that my rear mech took a good hit. Jump up and get going, picking grass out my shorts, Paul and I start trading falls for half a lap. Coming into the barriers I change up and I hear that tell tale ping, ping, ping sound of the rear mech hitting the spokes and panic thinking my race might be over. I jump off immediately, pull the mech out and run through the barriers. Nervously change gear but everything seemed OK. Got through the rest of the 1st lap OK. 2nd lap I was able to move up on the power sections but was riding tentatively in the corners. Got to the tricky corner and of course I go down. Lap 3 goes well. I make up a load of places as others start to get tired. I'm amazed counting the bikes in front that I am in 7th. I push hard and manage to jump into 5th place just before we descend down onto the sea wall. I thought I would have dropped the guy but he stuck on my wheel all the way back to the final time through the tricky section. I make it through without mishap and hear Chris's name being called out for his great 3rd place finish as I get to the final turn onto the finish straight. I thought I had finally shaken off the guy that was in 6th. Fortunately Doug was working the corer and told me he was right on my wheel. Final dig and I got the 5th place. Last mistake was boring everyone by recounting my screw ups and not being happy with what after all is a pretty good finish. Sorry to everyone that had to listen to that.
Day 2
Loved the course. Nothing to tricky. Lots of flowing corners and plenty of opportunity to use my power. Other than a poor start and not being in the lead group on the 1st lap and having to play catch up again I had NOTHING to complain about. I kept it the right way up all race!!!!! Chris raced fantastically again but caught some of my problems, dropping the bike on a grassy corner, and letting me move through from 5th to 3rd heading towards the bell lap. I traded places back and forwards with 4th on the last lap and we were gaining on 1&2. I thought I could gap him on the run up and did but spent my matches and let him pass and get away from me heading toward the barriers. Managed to keep the gap reasonable through the flowing section and bridged on a straight to get close going into the S's. Got caught up lapping a rider at the slowest corner and thought that my chance for 3rd had gone but the guy who had led the race the whole way rolled his tub on the off camber. I passed and moved into 3rd. Semi sprint up the hill just to make sure nobody was sneaking up and crossed the line. Happy to get the podium. Felt bad for Rob, the guy that had led the race until the end, but that's racing.
Re: Gloucester CX
[quote="ddeitch"]Some video of Smudger on the podium:
Yeah you should listen to the way I talk to my wife on the phone as well!
Yeah you should listen to the way I talk to my wife on the phone as well!
Re: Gloucester CX
OK, for your comedic pleasure: Some guy had a helmet cam for the Cat 4 35+ race on Day 1. The funny part is early in the first lap race you see a lot of me, and finally the helmet cam guy, some other guy, and I crash!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2iRhHyamgA
My # is 825 and of course the MRC gear.
1:03 you see me on the right in the sand away from everyone. I hit one of the posts coming into the sand pit and had to get off my bike and start running.
You see me running with my silver bike on the right of the sand pretty much from 1:03 - 1:17.
1:17 you can see me coming out of the sand on the right at the end of the sand seeing that my chain is off and trying to put it back on my bike.
2:40 I seem to re-enter the screen as I am passing him on his right.
I am right in front of the camera guy for a while between 2:40 and 3:50. I seem to be coasting a lot and the camera guy is itching to pass me.
3:50 WE CRASH! I think I am vindicated as the "other guy", 868 in a black helmet, seemed to come to a virtual complete stop for no reason. You do hear my voice say "Arrgh, sorry!!!" so at least I was polite!
4:12 I enter back in the scene as I pass helmet cam guy back. I seem to drop the helmet cam guy after that.
So this shows me at least two things:
1) My memory of the race is not exactly correct (or even close) if you compare to what I wrote above. Although I did say I dropped the chain twice above, I forgot I dropped it in the sand pit. Note that it wasn't because I put my bike down hard although that was at fault my second time.
2) I lost a lot of places in both the dropped chain and the crash in the first lap (17-20 places by my count). I have to find a way to stay upright and mechanically sound in that first lap.
John
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2iRhHyamgA
My # is 825 and of course the MRC gear.
1:03 you see me on the right in the sand away from everyone. I hit one of the posts coming into the sand pit and had to get off my bike and start running.
You see me running with my silver bike on the right of the sand pretty much from 1:03 - 1:17.
1:17 you can see me coming out of the sand on the right at the end of the sand seeing that my chain is off and trying to put it back on my bike.
2:40 I seem to re-enter the screen as I am passing him on his right.
I am right in front of the camera guy for a while between 2:40 and 3:50. I seem to be coasting a lot and the camera guy is itching to pass me.
3:50 WE CRASH! I think I am vindicated as the "other guy", 868 in a black helmet, seemed to come to a virtual complete stop for no reason. You do hear my voice say "Arrgh, sorry!!!" so at least I was polite!
4:12 I enter back in the scene as I pass helmet cam guy back. I seem to drop the helmet cam guy after that.
So this shows me at least two things:
1) My memory of the race is not exactly correct (or even close) if you compare to what I wrote above. Although I did say I dropped the chain twice above, I forgot I dropped it in the sand pit. Note that it wasn't because I put my bike down hard although that was at fault my second time.
2) I lost a lot of places in both the dropped chain and the crash in the first lap (17-20 places by my count). I have to find a way to stay upright and mechanically sound in that first lap.
John
Re: Gloucester CX
I don't have much of an exciting race report for Saturday (I only raced that day), other than Gloucester IS NOT Quad. Quad being my first race and Gloucester my second, there were huge differences... much longer laps and varied terrain at Gloucester, which made it a lot of fun and a lot of hurt!! My legs felt like blocks trying to get over the barriers!
Thanks to all the MRC guys that I heard cheering on Katie (this was Katie's first cross race and she did it on a mtb!) and I especially appreciate John letting me know it was the last lap as I came around to the finish line!
Congrats to Chris, John and Doug for showing their MRC colors on the podium. See you at Night Weasels!
Thanks to all the MRC guys that I heard cheering on Katie (this was Katie's first cross race and she did it on a mtb!) and I especially appreciate John letting me know it was the last lap as I came around to the finish line!
Congrats to Chris, John and Doug for showing their MRC colors on the podium. See you at Night Weasels!
Re: Gloucester CX
Day 1: Gridded in the 70's somewhere for the start. I calmly fall in line to the first corner, then shove my way through the mayhem like a Christmas sale shopper. It was the first time on my new tubies, so I was having a lot of trouble staying upright. I moved into the 40's and stayed there until the bell. Pat Flaherty from Landry's kept throwing big attacks, blowing up, then attacking again. I countered an attack and blasted down into the corner right below the big rock. I hit the bottom of the turn at mach schnell, locked the rear brake, ran out of talent, and augered in. Upon standing, I discovered that both of my shifter paddles were now croquet wickets. DNF
Day 2: My stomach is so full of anger that it overflows into my legs. Again, started in the 70's. Lots of shoving through the run up, shutting down corners, and throwing elbows to defend my line. I was on FIRE! I'd grab a wheel on the straights, pass about 3/4 of the way to a corner, open a gap, then attack out of the corner and shut down the gap to my next victim. I quickly clawed my way to 35th and held it there, attacking whoever I could get close to, but got nipped at the line by a Threshold rider and finished 36/114. Special thanks goes to Doug for shouting at me to go faster every time I passed the barriers.
Day 2: My stomach is so full of anger that it overflows into my legs. Again, started in the 70's. Lots of shoving through the run up, shutting down corners, and throwing elbows to defend my line. I was on FIRE! I'd grab a wheel on the straights, pass about 3/4 of the way to a corner, open a gap, then attack out of the corner and shut down the gap to my next victim. I quickly clawed my way to 35th and held it there, attacking whoever I could get close to, but got nipped at the line by a Threshold rider and finished 36/114. Special thanks goes to Doug for shouting at me to go faster every time I passed the barriers.
Re: Gloucester CX
http://www.bikereg.com/Results/2010/10/ ... -Day-1.asp
Check the finishing photo for the 10-14 juniors: Bungy's bound and determined to get into a winning "finish line" shot!
Check the finishing photo for the 10-14 juniors: Bungy's bound and determined to get into a winning "finish line" shot!
Re: Gloucester CX
Day 1:
I was impressed with how technical the course was on my course inspection, and had high hopes that my handling skills would help me out. I staged in the 8th row, on the far left side, which worked to my advantage coming into the off camber. As I expected, there was a large tangle of bodies, which I was able to slip through on the outside of the turn. I rode the first half of the sand, and as people in front of me forgot how to pedal in sand and crashed, I did a quick dismount and ran through quickly picking up about 7 spots. I stuck with my plan of being steady, and trying to pass whenever I saw an opening. This worked really well until coming up on one rider who was fast in the straightaways, but couldn't seem to handle any off cambers or tight turns, and would "run" with his bike way too often. Everytime I tried to get around him, he would swerve over, and do his best to impede. I'm not quick to anger, but it did elicit a bit of yelling on my part. I took advantage of the barrier section to dust him, and used that anger to push myself a little faster. On the last lap I made a point not to leave anything on the course, and closed a large gap to the guy in front of me before the last technical section near the gazebo. I caught his wheel just as we crested the hill before hitting the pavement, and was able to just edge him out at the line. I finished 48/114, and was pretty happy with my results.
Day 2:
I was a little apprehensive about dealing with more of a "power" course, and figured that I would probably place a little lower on the day. I staged even further back than Day 1, and was really surprised at how far up the pack I was able to move, as we charged up the pavement. I probably passed about 25 guys, and tucked in right behind Rob as we hit the grass. I mostly concentrated on staying upright, and avoiding getting tangled up as we moved down to the seawall. I gassed it down to the run-up, and literally pushed the guy in front of me up the hill because he wasn't moving fast enough for me, but it was too crowded to get around him. At the top I saw the same rider from day 1 who had caused me such frustration, was basically doing the same thing, and just running with his bike rather than remounting. I quickly rubbed past him, and never saw him again. Once we got strung out a bit, I employed 3 basic tactics. 1-find a wheel on the straightaways and hide from the wind; 2-pass that wheel 15-20 yards before a turn; 3-Pass as many as I could on the run-up and barriers. Once I again, I closed my last gap, right before hitting the pavement. I attacked maybe a little too early, but he had even less left than I did, and sat up. I finished even higher than Day 1 41/114. I'd like to thank everyone, all the yelling from team to keep moving up was a big help.
I was impressed with how technical the course was on my course inspection, and had high hopes that my handling skills would help me out. I staged in the 8th row, on the far left side, which worked to my advantage coming into the off camber. As I expected, there was a large tangle of bodies, which I was able to slip through on the outside of the turn. I rode the first half of the sand, and as people in front of me forgot how to pedal in sand and crashed, I did a quick dismount and ran through quickly picking up about 7 spots. I stuck with my plan of being steady, and trying to pass whenever I saw an opening. This worked really well until coming up on one rider who was fast in the straightaways, but couldn't seem to handle any off cambers or tight turns, and would "run" with his bike way too often. Everytime I tried to get around him, he would swerve over, and do his best to impede. I'm not quick to anger, but it did elicit a bit of yelling on my part. I took advantage of the barrier section to dust him, and used that anger to push myself a little faster. On the last lap I made a point not to leave anything on the course, and closed a large gap to the guy in front of me before the last technical section near the gazebo. I caught his wheel just as we crested the hill before hitting the pavement, and was able to just edge him out at the line. I finished 48/114, and was pretty happy with my results.
Day 2:
I was a little apprehensive about dealing with more of a "power" course, and figured that I would probably place a little lower on the day. I staged even further back than Day 1, and was really surprised at how far up the pack I was able to move, as we charged up the pavement. I probably passed about 25 guys, and tucked in right behind Rob as we hit the grass. I mostly concentrated on staying upright, and avoiding getting tangled up as we moved down to the seawall. I gassed it down to the run-up, and literally pushed the guy in front of me up the hill because he wasn't moving fast enough for me, but it was too crowded to get around him. At the top I saw the same rider from day 1 who had caused me such frustration, was basically doing the same thing, and just running with his bike rather than remounting. I quickly rubbed past him, and never saw him again. Once we got strung out a bit, I employed 3 basic tactics. 1-find a wheel on the straightaways and hide from the wind; 2-pass that wheel 15-20 yards before a turn; 3-Pass as many as I could on the run-up and barriers. Once I again, I closed my last gap, right before hitting the pavement. I attacked maybe a little too early, but he had even less left than I did, and sat up. I finished even higher than Day 1 41/114. I'd like to thank everyone, all the yelling from team to keep moving up was a big help.