Cheshire CX
Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 4:08 pm
I went to Cheshire today for the double: 45+ and Singlespeed. This is a fun race, with about 1/2 the course in the woods on MTB trails and the other half in a park on grass. There's a big run up going into the woods with lots of rocks and logs, and a long drag coming out of the woods that's ride-able, but really hurts. In other words, lots of elevation. But, a very well run, low-key race with modest turnout.
The good news: My ribs don't hurt anymore, and I finished both races without any pain.
The bad news: I've been eating too much Halloween candy and drinking too much beer, and not riding my bike enough.
I had a good start in the 45+ race, and went into the woods in 5th. I came out of the woods in 2nd, and was comfortable in the lead group of 6 for the first 2 laps. Probably because they weren't going too hard. I took a dig and the lead going into the woods on lap 2, liking my handling skills better than others. I came out of the woods with a gap of a few seconds, but quickly lost that in the grass. I stayed in the group for a while, then came detached at the end of lap 3. Drifting backwards on lap 5 (bell lap) due to lack of fitness, I lost sight of the top 5, but luckily 7th was making up ground and was eventually there to keep me company. He got on my wheel with 1/4 lap to go, and out sprinted me.
Not bad, but somewhat disappointing.
I nearly didn't start the singlespeed race, simply because I was pretty gassed and dejected from losing the sprint for 6th (which honestly wasn't much of a sprint on my part). I'm glad I did, though. Matt Myette got the hole shot, with me chasing. By the end of the first lap, Myette had a huge gap, though, with Rowell was chasing. I was with Scott Rosenthall and some other guy for a while in groupetto looking for the final podium spot, but then I got dropped and rode the rest of the race alone in 5th. Rowell ended up winning, with Myette in 2nd. 6th was nearby, but I kept the pressure on a built a bigger lead by the finish. Small victory...
I actually enjoyed the SS race and felt like I rode a lot smarter. My fitness is anything but peak, though.
The good news: My ribs don't hurt anymore, and I finished both races without any pain.
The bad news: I've been eating too much Halloween candy and drinking too much beer, and not riding my bike enough.
I had a good start in the 45+ race, and went into the woods in 5th. I came out of the woods in 2nd, and was comfortable in the lead group of 6 for the first 2 laps. Probably because they weren't going too hard. I took a dig and the lead going into the woods on lap 2, liking my handling skills better than others. I came out of the woods with a gap of a few seconds, but quickly lost that in the grass. I stayed in the group for a while, then came detached at the end of lap 3. Drifting backwards on lap 5 (bell lap) due to lack of fitness, I lost sight of the top 5, but luckily 7th was making up ground and was eventually there to keep me company. He got on my wheel with 1/4 lap to go, and out sprinted me.
Not bad, but somewhat disappointing.
I nearly didn't start the singlespeed race, simply because I was pretty gassed and dejected from losing the sprint for 6th (which honestly wasn't much of a sprint on my part). I'm glad I did, though. Matt Myette got the hole shot, with me chasing. By the end of the first lap, Myette had a huge gap, though, with Rowell was chasing. I was with Scott Rosenthall and some other guy for a while in groupetto looking for the final podium spot, but then I got dropped and rode the rest of the race alone in 5th. Rowell ended up winning, with Myette in 2nd. 6th was nearby, but I kept the pressure on a built a bigger lead by the finish. Small victory...
I actually enjoyed the SS race and felt like I rode a lot smarter. My fitness is anything but peak, though.