Notes
First cyclocross race on a bike I've only ridden three times...
Got up at 5 and got to race at 6:30. Did race-day registration which meant I was starting at the back row. Rode the course two laps, had some gu and water, and was ready to go. I lined up on the back row, listened to the directions and go!
The race started with plenty of climbing so being at the back of the pack ensured the riders at the front got a huge advantage. On the climb I started picking off riders. I usually passed on the inside of technical parts. The first lap went well and I started bridging across from group to group.
The race had no flat parts. It was either up or down, mostly on grass, and it was soaking wet from the morning dew which made it seem like riding on ice at times. During the second lap I was heading down a steep off camber section of grass with a sharp left at the bottom and I locked the front brakes causing me to go down and slide a good bit on my ass. Fortunately it seemed like a smooth landing but later my ass had a good welt like someone took a belt to my ass. 5 riders passed me but I quickly got them back due to the extra dose of adrenaline. Just as soon as I had my garmin came apart and fell off my wrist. I laid my bike down and ran back and stuffed it in my zippered jersey pocket. I only wanted it for record keeping, not for live data. It took another couple minutes to catch all those riders back.
The third and fourth laps were uneventful. I had learned the course and was working my way through it. Unfortunately I thought the race would be only for laps. Towards the end of the fourth lap I burned several matches surging past a bunch of guys only to see 2 laps to go!!
The first half of the fifth lap was spent recovering. I thought I would have been passed due to my earlier efforts but I stayed steady. During the second half of the lap I started picking off more riders. I couldn't tell if I was passing lapped riders or riders in front of me.
The final lap went well I picked off even more riders and had my fastest lap of the day. I surged in for 29th place. Just two minutes faster would have had me knocking on the door of the top 10 I think. If I didn't start at the back and drop my Garmin I would have been half way there.
In the end I was surprised at how my bike handing skills were better than expected for a beginner and think I'd have done better from more bike fitness than bike skills. Now I know and have something to work from. Time to find another race and keep spinning the trainer at night.
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Started in last row. Passed riders the entire race. Would have done better if it were longer.
Cat 4
6 laps
West Newbury, MA
1 Manual 1.87 mi 8:31.4 8:31.4 13.16 mi / hr
2 Manual 1.87 mi 9:08.09 17:39.49 12.28 mi / hr
3 Manual 1.87 mi 8:45.05 26:24.54 12.82 mi / hr
4 Manual 1.87 mi 8:22.44 34:46.98 13.4 mi / hr
5 Manual 1.87 mi 8:56.39 43:43.37 12.55 mi / hr
6 Manual 1.87 mi 8:34.61 52:17.98 13.08 mi / hr
7 Manual 0.2 mi 2:18.02 54:36 5.22 mi / hr