Muddy Jefferson Barracks Bubba CX Report

After missing last weeks race then having to take a few more days off the bike due to illness I was itching to get back after it. Finally things cleared up and I was back on the bike Wednesday with a few solid workouts before race day on Sunday. 

The awesome 60 degree weather leading into the weekend was long gone as it rained all day Saturday followed by a cold front that brought 40 degree overcast to all us cross racers on Sunday. The rain softened up Jefferson Barracks treating us all to some fun in the mud. And by the 3pm  "A race" the turf had been successfully greased up by the previous races.

The mud was perfect. Not sloppy splatter stuff like what they saw up North in Iowa, but more a thick stick to your bike kind of mud with only a few tricky slippery spots.

One of the few slippery spots that about took me to the turf

The course was straight for the most part that included a long up hill in-to the wind section that was killer, a few u turns here and there and the hecklers/cheering section.

Enter and prepare to be entertained

I don't really know how many were there but they made it seem like 100. They had a great spot to see riders try to ride what was a down hill into a u-turn back up a slippery slope section. I rode it twice but kept loosing traction so I ran it the rest of the race which was quicker.

Here they are to greet the many who crossed their path lap after lap.

The best part was being cheered on to the name of  "JY Jelly" which cracked me up each time I passed.

The race had a good quality field that I'm sure will be confirmed when results are posted to USA cycling by how low the points go. All the fast guys in the area were there with the exception of Miller and Schottler.

I had a horrid start as Kurt who was in front of me did not hear the official say go, he sat there a few seconds after the whistle. Finally we moved forward then after a friendly "dammit Kurt" I quickly worked my way up to the front about 5th wheel before the high speed run up that was ride-able with speed.
However when you have 20+ racers coming into a momentum section and one of them looses momentum or does not judge the speed right, well it's like a train derailment; it backs up worse than the toilets at Froze Toes in Columbia. Yep, there was a crash.

Fortunately I made through unscathed along with Josh, Greg, Casey, Chris H and a few others.

The long head wind up hill section quickly separated riders, before I knew it it was down to Josh, Chris H and I leading the way. Soon after it was just Josh and I. So now I'm in unfamiliar territory racing Josh one on one. I figured I would be aggressive and keep the pressure on with a few attacks.  I'd pull away here and there but he would close the gap back.

After a full lap on my wheel Josh pulls around with an attack just after the gravel section, I match it, he throws down another on the small uphill next to the pit, I match it but now I'm near my limit. After the down hill he attacked again up the hill in to the wind; I snap and off he goes. Crap!

I recover a bit then began the task of trying  to close down the gap with the remaining laps, came close with two laps to go but did not have enough, Josh took the win and I crossed in 2nd. Chris H held on for third and after that I'm not sure.

That race ranks up there as one of the most enjoyable races I've done.

Next up Boss Cross 4 on Saturday and then MO State on Sunday in KC. See you there.

All photos by Dan Singer

The rest of the season

After Derby Cup I got nailed with 5 cold sores, ouch. I don't get them often and try hard to keep from getting ill, but this time I was not so lucky. And on top of that I can't shake a small amount of congestion in my chest.  Those two put together has forced me get some rest before the final leg of the cross season begins.

I skipped this past weekends events due to above info which leaves me with 8 races ending with a bang at Nationals and Worlds.



November 
11/27 Bubba CX

December
12/3 Boss Cross (KC) 40+
12/4 MO State CX Men123
12/11 Bubba CX
12/18 Veldrijden (Columbia, IL)
12/26 - No race Christmas
12/31 - Cross off the Old Year (KC)  

January
1/7 Nationals CX
1/14 Masters Worlds CX

USGP Derby City Cup Weekend Report

USGP Derby City Cup this past weekend was a blast all around. Lots of strong local MO riders there along with others from all over the Midwest and beyond.

Dawndi came along with me on this trip so I booked a really cool Bed and Breakfast, The Columbine, near the University in a super old neighborhood  known primarily for its magnificent Richardsonian Romanesque architecture.

The room and innkeepers were awesome, they had miniature schnauzers like we do so breakfast talk was dominated by how awesome and fun we think our dogs are. One of the best things about these places is the breafast part. Here is Saturday breakfast.

I also mapped out some of the best antiques malls Louisville had to offer before and after the Saturday race. They were cool to look at but not near what MO has to offer from a price perspective. They are more for decorators is the best way to put it. Did not find any deals but we did have fun looking.

Joe Leys Antiques had it all from bikes...

...to carnival mirrors

Race time is getting close so we head to the race site for day 1. Bib number 33 put me 4th row in the 35+ race.  My goal: top 20

Start was a long paved stretch, much like in Hermann, before we hit grass. We all got off the line ok and away we went an warp speed for lap 1. The first lap I felt like I hit my max and stayed that way for what was a 9min 45 sec lap, leaders did a 9:08 first lap. After the first lap I was in 24th place and felt flat. I did not have the power I normally expect and could not get on top of the pedals. Despite consistent lap times I was not passing anyone. Bottom line I was not going fast.
Lap 1 9:45
Lap 2 9:47
Lap 3 9:49
Lap 4 9:39
Lap 5 9:49

Overall 4 min 11 seconds off first place put me in 30th place. Not horrid by any means but I knew I could do better.

After the race we hit another few antique malls, drove around a lot and had a great dinner.

Sunday arrives, another great breakfast with more schnauzer talk and we got to meet the innkeepers dogs as we left for the race site. 

We get there in time to see the cat 2/3 race which had John Jones, Casey Saunders, Brett Heuring and a ton of STL and KC racers in what was a huge 140 field race. Casey and Brett put on a great race almost reaching the podium coming in 4th and 5th, great race guys.

Day 2 I felt much more relaxed and ready to go. 4th row again and away we go but not so clean off the line this time. Not more than 30 yards into the race a rider or two hit the fence, a bike goes flying  and the sound of bikes hitting stuff is in the air. I coast a bit to see where the flying bikes would land and just get by then peg it down the pavement still in good shape.

I could tell right away I was going to have a better day. I felt normal again, good power and this time on top of the gears pushing hard.

Few changes to the course made for short laps ,this time  I crossed the line in about 25th potion for a lap 1 time of 9:17, leaders at 8:48. Again it was a fast first lap but I played it more conservative this time, not so much red line this time. The remaining 4 laps I was feeling good catching and passing riders, a real race this time.

Lap 1 9:17
Lap 2 8:52
Lap 3 9:01
Lap 4 9:00
Lap 5 9:02

Ended up 18th, this time only 2min 1 second off first place. Much better.

Long drive home so we quickly loaded up and made our way back to Hermann.

Not a great 1st day but day 2 made up for it. Great event, super professional and a blast to race with so many fast riders. Big thanks to all that gave me shouts outs and position calls, that was cool!

One of the goals this weekend was to lower my USA Cycling Cross average for staging purposes at Nationals. Day two gave me a 247.05 which did help lower it by 10 points for a current average of 265.19. 

Event Name Race Race Date Place Points Cyclocross USGP Cyclocross-Derby City Cup 35-99 Master Cat 1/2/3 11/13/2011 18 247.05 USGP Cyclocross-Derby City Cup 35-99 Master Cat 1/2/3 11/12/2011 30 276.00 Boulevard Cup Cyclocross Master 40-99 Master 11/6/2011 1 275.54 360 Cup Master 40-99 Master 11/5/2011 1 273.08 Boss Cross Cyclocross #3 Master 40-99 Master 10/30/2011 2 283.32 Bubba Memorial Cylocross Series Cat1/2/3 10/23/2011 17 425.18 Bubba Memorial Cylocross Series Cat1/2/3 10/16/2011 5 305.41 Bubba Memorial Cylocross Series Cat1/2/3 10/16/2011 5 313.07 Cross Out Cancer Cat1/2/3 10/9/2011 6 310.53 Boss Cross Cyclocross #1 and #2 Master 40-99 Cat1/2/3/4 10/2/2011 2 287.39 Boss Cross Cyclocross #1 and #2 40-99 Master 10/1/2011 2 284.03 PICX #2 Masters 40+ 9/25/2011 1 319.53 Gateway Cross Cup Cat 1/2/3/4 9/21/2011 8 275.44 Gateway Cross Cup 40-99 Master 9/21/2011 1 277.22 Dogfish Cross Hermann MO Masters 40+ 9/18/2011 1 278.11 Dogfish Cross Hermann MO Masters 40+ 9/17/2011 1 278.11 PICX #1 Masters 40+ 9/11/2011 1 381.59 Epic Holiday Cyclocross Cat 1/2/3/4 1/2/2011 3 288.53 Boss Cross #4 Missouri State Championships Master 40-99 Cat 4 12/4/2010 2 283.61 Boss Cross #4 Missouri State Championships Cat 1/2/3/4/5 12/4/2010 6 343.23 Current Rank Points 265.19
Next up Mt. Pleasant Winery Bubba Cross in Augusta. Great for spectators!

360/ Blvd Cup in KC Race Report

Really good time in KC this weekend. Dawndi and both made the trip with a stay over at her Mom's place which made it easy for me to race and her to visit. And the dogs got to come along with us.

360 racing designed a challenging hilly course that I thought suited me well on Saturday with Boulevard Brewery team setting up a flat technical challenging course Sunday. Both courses in the same park but totally different. Both teams did an outstanding job with the course design, atmosphere and over cross vibe!

Masters 40+ was the category of choice for the weekend. 11:15am start time was perfect and there was a payout for the top 3. I had a good weekend of racing taking the top step both Saturday and Sunday.

Up next USGP in Louisville.....