I had a lot of prep leading into today and was feeling really good. I felt like I finally was back on track with the training plan. Because I helped with course setup yesterday I had an idea as to what the "fun" areas were going to be and I think the course modifications that we made from our race were a HUGE improvement.
The weather was freak'in awesome. Are we sure it's November in Washington?!?
They announce the call for staging and I make my way over and get a good spot in the second row. Some guys start trying to edge there way in and get along the sides outside of the lanes when finally the official comes up and says "to the back guys!". Finally they were starting to regulate on that, their are no friends at staging. :)
I get a good start and I'm sitting in about 12th. Catch a place or two going into the barriers and I can quickly see a pace group developing. Nine of us are in line flying down the back straight. A gap starts developing and I bridge back on to the group but I'm quickly realizing I'm going to destroy myself trying to hang on and I ended up dragging two guys with me.
A group of 5 makes their way off, now it's me, and HB guy and an unattached guy. Lap 2 the HB guy cases it at the bottom of the hill before the run-up and then their were two.
This guy was faster than me in the corners so I just had to try and hang on and follow his line. I had a feeling I could get him on the straights but I needed to be patient.
On the last lap I made sure to be right on his wheel on the back section into the run-up. We hit the flat part by the bleachers and I get in the drops and hit the gas catching him by surprise and opening up about a 15 yard gap.
We're going into the final right bend and I take the turn wide think "Oh crap I blew it!" but got down in the power position and just didn't look up screaming towards the line and crossing in 6th. (best finish of the year! wahooo!) He finished about two bike lengths behind me.
Here is how it played out:
I celebrated with beer (Are you worthy?), beer and beer. It's important to get some variety in your diet!
Since man cannot live on beer alone I made my way over to the food cart to get a burger for myself and my lovely wife who was volunteering in registration. Toting my 32oz Arrogant Bastard ale she promptly ask, "Do you have any more beer?" Uh...is the Pope Catholic?
"If you bring us back a couple lunch is on us!" Nice! I think a cyclocross race is the only place where beer is actually considered currency.
I made my way back for Jill B's single speed race. Promptly after the start she coming running up with a broken chain right off the line! Not a good start.
The pits get her up and running again but she's two laps down. After a little convincing we get her back out there. Ed goes "hey man, crack a beer open for her on the back stretch".
About 7 minutes later she comes around to the back straight greeted by the Starbucks Crew holding out a nice microbrew like Gatorade and the NYC marathon. She promptly pulls through the pits, grabs the beer and DOWNS IT much to the cheers of the spectators. Now we're CX racing!
I also learned from the official monitoring the pit that it is technically illegal to pass liquids to racers. However, if the beer is mounted to the pit bike during an exchange then its OK. What!?!? Who writes these things? Needless to say he was very cool about the whole thing. :)
On to our podium finisher! In his first season as a cat 3 Vern took 3rd in the 45+ division! I only got a photo of him on the podium cuz he was going too fast on the course!
We had an AWESOME showing today from the Starbucks Crew.I believe the tally is:
Cat 4 35+:
Tim - 7th
Steve - 13th
Cat 4 Men:
Myself - 6th
Cat 3 45+:
Vern - 3rd
SS Women
Jill B - 4th (and that's after the beer!)
A few more action shots:
Tim looking strong:
Steve Z powering through the back stretch:
Can't wait to do it all over again next weekend. :)
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