First Year Curve.

Ahh Cross...so much to learn.

Yesterday the family and I headed down to Theo Wirth park for some cyclocross action.  Not that I've done a lot of these to be any kind of critic but I'm going to toss you my thoughts anyway.
First the directions linked off the race flyer just brings you to the park, which is easy to find.  The park is huge...where's the race?  No signs.  Thanks to Adam for texting Jen directions through the maze.
Where to you register?  Small sign pointing to the race, ok must be that way.  There's the start but I don't want to be on the course.  After a few back and forth trips on the trail I headed up the start chute.  Up top there was a mangled field and some tents.  I made it!  Number in hand I headed back to the parking lot...about a mile away!  Just seems some directions and people out telling others where to go would go a long way.  Our race at Riverside isn't looking so bad.  A parking lot at the race venue, a shelter, a place for kids to play...whoa.
Being that is was a "big city" race the hipsters were out in force heckling us on.  Always a good thing, until you round that corners breathing hard into a cloud of cigarette smoke...awesome.

Ok, ok...enough complaining...almost!  The course itself was great.  Much more technical than the previous races I've done.  They also included a monster stair run up that zapped your breathe away.  That start chute is at the bottom of a hill that acts only as the start.  People started lining up 20 minutes before the race.  I jumped in back of a bunch of riders.  I need to not be such a chicken about jumping up front and holding my spot.  Starts in these races are everything.  At the start it bottle necked asap and I was at an almost standstill while the front was gone.  Such a rookie.

The first lap or two everyone is fresh and not interested in giving up any spots.  Coming into the last barrier on the first lap my left foot didn't unclip and I slid into the barrier.  Noting hurt, just the ego!  On the course there weren't a ton of spots to pass but they were there and you had to take them when you had the chance.  I guess it's somewhat ok to cut people off going into your line, etc.  I keep apologizing to people about getting in their way!
The race is 45 minutes long.  I could tell I was gaining on the lead but ran out of time to get to where I wanted to be.  Part of me wants to do the 60 minute race but I know those guys are all that much stronger and skilled.
Not 100% sure on results but I think I was 6th single speed and 13th overall out of a bunch.  Appeared to be a big field.  The top 3-4 riders were on single speeds!

I had a blast but was disappointed a bit in my performance.  Oh well, still learning...starts are everything and don't be a pussy.  With work and other events I won't be able to race again till the 28th.  So far away!


Tonight is Monday Night Mountain Biking at the North Loop, 8:30.
Toying with the idea of a night gravel ride this Wednesday, 8:30 from the shop...details to follow.

Later.