Forest Park CX

[jraguin]

Since I am probably the first MRC member to do a CX race this season, I thought I would give a brief race report.

Forest Park is the replacement for Monson. They said they had complaints about the Monson course. This course was fun but definitely challenging. The most vertical I had ever seen in a CX course (albeit my limited experience). Lots of technical off camber turns, riding over mounds of wood chips, blind turns, riding turns on full grass, and even a fast pavement descent. I went to this race since it was my first real CX race in 3 years and my points on Cross Results say 999. I need some race results so I am not in the last row at bigger races.

Cat 4/5 race, about 30 started the race. My son watching was there so his placing of me per lap tells it all. 7, 6, 7, 7, 11. Lined up, probably 20th after the first 200 meters due to lining up late and getting stuck behind a guy that couldn't clip in. Move up throughout the first lap. Fell from 6th to 7th during the 3rd lap due to a pretty bad wipeout on gravel that turned my seat sideways with a lot of lost time trying to fix it. Just before the last lap my front wheel is getting really soft and I can't hold a wheel as I am doing everything I can to stay upright. I go right by the pit as a realize I should stop to change the wheel. Knowing I am not supposed to go backwards on the course and needing a result, I end up riding what turns out to be almost 1 1/4 laps on a flat. I slide out a few times, go slowly, etc. but somehow only lose 4 places. Objective accomplished, I will have at least some sort of point rating.

[JeremyC]

I grew up in Forest Park. I hope you enjoyed my old stomping grounds.

[jraguin]

That is why I felt compelled to pull a "Sterling" on people's lawns... No seriously, it looked like a nice area. The park was fantastic. My son couldn't believe how big it was.