Boss CX 3 BMX Style

Boss Cross 3 in KC on Sunday was a treat. Word came down from BC HQ that we would be racing at Raytown BMX park. I thought, cool, we might get to use some of the BMX track but was disappointed after reading no go on that one as there would be a BMX race there that day. Then come race day things changed and we did indeed get to use a section of the track!

BMX

Two races into the series David leads the way with 22 points, a win today would help in my quest for the General Lee Jersey.

Series totals after two races

Had a slow start after John Jones and I almost hooked bars putting me back about 5th wheel. Here you can see David, John, Kelly, Shea then me out side the frame on the first lap.

Notice the General Lee Jersey
Photo courtesy Mark Breeding

It did not take long before David hit it and was off the front. I moved my way up behind Shea and John then had to make a move to cover the gap David created. I was off  and the battle to catch was on.

The back section of the course was wide open, nothing very techical which suited David well. The BMX section was technical, which included a log jump on top of a dirt pile you either ran up or rode up with a hop to get over it, some cool off camber stuff leading into the BMX track followed by a high speed off camber sweeping turn before a short hill then back to the wide open fields on the back side.

Photo courtesy Mark Breeding

 I did well to cut into the lead David had through the BMX section but lost it on the back side. The gap settled in at 8 seconds where it remained to the end. Just did not have enough mustered to close those last few seconds crossing the line 2nd again in a fast well fought race. Shea kept the pressure on crossing 3rd and John had a nice race holding on to 4th. He soft pedaled the last few laps so he could  pamper his legs for the open race later that day :)  Full Results

One Boss Cross race left Dec 3rd with David at 33 points then me at 27. Anything can happen in the last race, as they say, it's never over till its over.

Next up are two weekends I've been looking forward to for some time. This coming weekend is the 360 Racing/ BLVD Brewing CO double header then it's off to Louisville for the USGP Derby Cup.

Bubba CX 3 Race Report

Imagine you're on the highway for a one hour drive. Get in the right lane...... now veer over just at tad and ride the rumble strip for then next 60 min. Toss in some hills and you have a taste of what Bubba CX 3 was like. It was a bumpy hilly affair.

Two laps into the A race sitting in 2nd place the chain quick release tabs worked them selves loose from all the banging and aggressive abuse it was taking from the bumps.  I get out of the way of those behind me then begin a long run to the pit. Not a bad run really, the hills were nice as I was able hop on the bike a few times and coast until the next uphill.

I get to the pit, grab my pit bike then look around to see where the leaders are. They are not that far from the pit entrance; Josh is out in front, close behind are Dan, Mike and Anthony in the chase group. I figured I would wait then  slot my self back in where I was when I lost my chain, even though I was a lap down I was still racing like I was on the same lap. I did not drive all this way for two laps and no workout. Too bad there is not a free lap rule in CX :)

In the end Dan rode away, caught Josh and took the win. Josh held on for 2nd. Took me a while but I shook off Mike and Anthony seemed to fade near the end. I took virtual 3rd or you could say imaginary 3rd, but not really as I was a lap down.

Not sure how many started but I think it's a good guess that nearly half did not finish from a mix of how tough the course was and mechanical issues.

Chain is back on the bike and ready to rock this coming Sunday at Boss Cross 3 where I try to get back some points in the 40+ jersey contest.

Bubba CX 2

Things are looking good for Bubba CX in STL this year. Seems like the Gateway Cross Cup equipment has found it's way into the series which resulted in some major course creation tool upgrades. New stakes for one, gone are the 2 foot tall back breaker wood stakes, nice white iron fence and other small details here and there that make things look pro.  It's a ton of work putting on a cross race; Mike with his crew do it 12 times a year which deserves a ton of thanks!

It was bumpy and dusty but I really like the course. The lanes were wide and consistent with a creative use of the elevation which included some super fast sections and good uphill climbs.

The typical STL A racers were there at 3 to get things started; Devin, Dan, Mike, Josh, Brett, Jay and more. Like last year Devin and Dan were off the front setting the pace. Kurt Fletcher was in good form as he broke off in chase of the Hub Duo followed by Casey who also is showing good form and strong results.

After several laps the pecking order  and gaps had been established. I was sitting in 5th place with Casey up on me by about 30 seconds. I found my rhythm finding places I could put in hard efforts then recover. Three spots on course favored me well; the gravel section leading up to the barriers and two climbs after the pavement. I was able to gain ground on Casey here but it took me about 4 or 5 laps to finally bridge up.

Once there we had 4 laps to go, my plan was to watch him for a lap to find a good place to attack which would hopefully put me in 4th.  I guess the chase took alot out of me, as we started lap three he upped the pace a bit and put me on the defense just trying to hold on. I had my troubles holding and he got the gap back I worked so hard to cover.

Ended the day 5th after what was a fun hard day at the races.

Top 6

1. Dan
2. Kurt
3. Casey
4. Devin
5. Me
6. Mike

Cross out Cancer Race Report

A day spent in KC that I would describe as windy, bumpy, dusty, twisty, fast and hot.

Cat 1/2/3 field was small but large on talent. I'll start with results first so you can see who raced. These guys made for an hour of action that saw allot of lead changes.

Off we go with Tilford taking the lead never looking back as he was clear after the first lap.

• I hung with Tilford for a lap then off he went never to be seen again.
• Mills was on fire as he patiently moved his way up over the hour long race to end up 2nd on the day.
• Britton did the same coming from what seemed like nowear to pass through the group I was with, drop us and finish 3rd.
•  Hejduk was riding strong but a slide out and chain issue put a damper on his day.
• Larry, Ryan, Michael and I spent alot of the day trading places. Micheal eventually lost the gap he created with a chain issue, Larry had some tough times with the corners and Ryan put in  two lap dig that eventually caught me at the end of the last lap.

Overall a hard race, did all I could to get 6th on the day.

Next up Bubba CX series starts with Sat and Sun races.

  

Boss Cross 1 and 2 Race Reports

Good times in KC was had this weekend at Boss Cross.  The weather was just about as good as you can get in October; sunny skies, cool temps and no wind... awesome.

It was good to see all the KC racers whom I've gotten to know better through the Hermann and Gateway Cross races this  year, always friendly ready to serve out a high dose of competitive racing.

Goal for Boss Cross is to take home that crazy orange 40+ leaders jersey at the end of this 4 race series. Saturday I saw David Hejduk, Bill Marshall and almost Tom Price lining it up in the 40+ group among many other strong 40+ plus racers.

Day one started  with David off the front fast followed by Bill and a few others. I had a crappy clip in which set me further back from David and Bill than I would have liked.

David killing it on the front

I pushed a solid pace passing those between Bill and I then settled into 3rd place with Bill up the road a bit and David way up the road out of sight.

Chasing Bill

Still Chasing Bill

From my vantage point I could tell Bill was faster on the straight power sections but I had him on the technical stuff.  Going into the last lap I covered the gap and was finally on his wheel. Just past the barriers before the technical stuff I attacked taking over 2nd, got a gap and kept it to the finish line. David of course held on for the win.

Day 1 Results

Day two arrived treating us to another awesome day.  I knew I would need to get on Davids wheel from the start then try to hold on if I had any shot of winning the race. 

Start of day 2

Had a great start right on David wheel as we quickly got a  gap on the field. I held on to a manageable 5 second gap for about 3 laps. I lost ground in the marathon sand sections and the straights, the technical sections I would pull back some time.

Fun uphill technical section

At the start of lap 4 he opened a gap I could not bring back. With 3 to go we would yo yo between 13 and 24 seconds all the way to the end. It was a good hard race from start to finish, one I'm sure will aid in making us both faster down the road.

Day 2 results

David leads the 4 race series by 10 points with two races left. Boss Cross 3 is October 30th followed by BS4 Dec 3rd. You never know what will happen over the next two races. This is what makes cross so much fun!

Next up this Sunday  Cross out Cancer, will be racing M1/2/3 this time.