The 2013 Cross season wrapped up this past weekend with the muddy race down at Enumclaw's King County Fairgrounds. This race always tends to be a muddy one, but with the dry and cold lead-up to the weekend, I was wondering if we were in for a cold and dry course instead. Mother Nature had a change of heart mid-week and the moisture came in to restore the thick mud.
After the mud race at Steilacoom for SCX #5, I figured one more muddy race couldn't hurt, and prepared to get dirty. The course was a similar layout to previous years, utilizing the grassy field for some looping corners before sending riders across a muddy stretch and into the large run-up. Once at the top, you then worked through some single-track corners and into the upper section of grooved mud, before a short downhill/180 to uphill/180 to downhill that took you back to the lower level. Here we crossed through the deeper mud field before emerging back into the grass field for some more corners, a set of barriers, and a little muddy section before swinging back to the start and doing it all again. As usual, the course was nicely torn up for our race, and over the hour it would get a little more slick in some spots as riders wore down the last remaining grass sections into the mud.
Due to my decent finishes over the season, I was sitting nicely in 8th overall for the series. This meant front-row call-up! I didn't have a great start, so I hit the first corner at roughly 12th, but worked through some riders and was hanging onto the tail of the leaders as we worked through the infield and toward the run-up for the first time. For the majority of the first lap I stayed with this group as they worked to catch Russell (who had shot off the front from the gun). By the second time up the hill, myself and a few others from this group had fallen back a ways, but continued to work along, sometimes gaining ground on the riders ahead. On the third lap, a pair of riders crashed in one of the corners and I managed to roll past by pushing the course tape out of the way. This bought me some space behind, but cemented a gap to the riders ahead.
For the final 3 or 4 laps I worked with the pair of Dougvascas riders as we worked through the course. We managed to pass a rider who ran out of steam, but otherwise we just maintained the gap behind us for the rest of the race. Shortly before hitting the start line on the last 2 laps, Russell managed to shoot past us, meaning that we would only do one more lap instead of 2. At this point I was definitely getting worn down from the muddy slop, so I wasn't too upset. In the end, we were not passed by any other riders, so I feel like the race was done pretty well. My final race ended with a respectable 15th place, good enough to move up to 7th in the series! Not a bad result for my first season in the 1/2 field.
Now it is time for a little relaxing before the 2014 season begins. 2014 will be a big year, and I expect some good results both on and offroad. See you out there!
Bike Racing, Fit Science, and Physical Therapy
December 17, 2013
November 30, 2013
2013 WSBA Cyclocross State Championships
The WSBA Cyclocross state championship races were held up in Arlington again this year on a course situated on the airport grounds. Last year the rain turned the field into a soupy quagmire, and the course design featured multiple tight spirals through the energy-sapping mud. This year's race was a much different story however. The ground had frozen from the week of cold temperature, so the course designers were forced to resort to different strategies to whittle the field.
From the gun, the course shot into a right angle turn and then doubled back on itself toward the center of the course. Popping over a log, we then navigated a few corners before quickly jumping over the barriers and then into the only section of mud on the course. Shooting through the mud allowed for easy passage before navigating back into another series of tight turns.
Exiting onto a small chunk of pavement, we then shot up a short embankment and into a steep and rutted descent. A quick turn at the bottom and we then raced into the slick run-up. At this point, racers worked through some rutted corners before a long drag along the back of the course and toward the starting line.
I managed to get a decent start and work forward for the first half lap before a small bump caused my chain to stick. I was moving again almost immediately, but was now fighting from further back. Fueled by the frustration of the mechanical I flew back up the course, passing riders as I carved through the corners. Within a lap I found myself behind the same group of riders I had initially been combating. I put on the pressure as we entered a tighter corner and two of the riders wiped out. I snaked through the inside line and then turned up the throttle to gain some distance.
I was maintaining a good pace, and even passed a few more riders as we quickly approached the half-way point of the race. I could see my new targets ahead, and was slowly reeling them in. With 3 laps to go, one of the racers behind me had managed to latch on, and I could feel him breathing down my back. I held my lines and kept him contained for half the lap, but he managed to squeeze by on a wider section. I was on his wheel immediately, and we both raced ahead. As we hit a section of straight, I increased the pace and was back in the lead. I managed to hold this position until shortly after the barriers when he overtook me again.
As we entered the final lap, my opponent was just ahead and we were still gaining on the leading racers. I started increasing the pressure, hoping that he would make a mistake and I could capitalize on the situation. Unfortunately he was able to hold strong, and as we made the final corners I knew the positions weren't changing. We rolled through the line with a few seconds between us and started to cool off.
I was very happy to learn that I claimed 10th in the open Elite race - my best finish this year! We only have two SCX races left this year, so I only have a few left before the season wraps up. If I can continue to score some great finishes like this, I will be very pleased. Time to do a little work in preparation for Steilacoom next weekend and make sure I do well. See you out there, and keep on racing.
From the gun, the course shot into a right angle turn and then doubled back on itself toward the center of the course. Popping over a log, we then navigated a few corners before quickly jumping over the barriers and then into the only section of mud on the course. Shooting through the mud allowed for easy passage before navigating back into another series of tight turns.
Exiting onto a small chunk of pavement, we then shot up a short embankment and into a steep and rutted descent. A quick turn at the bottom and we then raced into the slick run-up. At this point, racers worked through some rutted corners before a long drag along the back of the course and toward the starting line.
I managed to get a decent start and work forward for the first half lap before a small bump caused my chain to stick. I was moving again almost immediately, but was now fighting from further back. Fueled by the frustration of the mechanical I flew back up the course, passing riders as I carved through the corners. Within a lap I found myself behind the same group of riders I had initially been combating. I put on the pressure as we entered a tighter corner and two of the riders wiped out. I snaked through the inside line and then turned up the throttle to gain some distance.
I was maintaining a good pace, and even passed a few more riders as we quickly approached the half-way point of the race. I could see my new targets ahead, and was slowly reeling them in. With 3 laps to go, one of the racers behind me had managed to latch on, and I could feel him breathing down my back. I held my lines and kept him contained for half the lap, but he managed to squeeze by on a wider section. I was on his wheel immediately, and we both raced ahead. As we hit a section of straight, I increased the pace and was back in the lead. I managed to hold this position until shortly after the barriers when he overtook me again.
As we entered the final lap, my opponent was just ahead and we were still gaining on the leading racers. I started increasing the pressure, hoping that he would make a mistake and I could capitalize on the situation. Unfortunately he was able to hold strong, and as we made the final corners I knew the positions weren't changing. We rolled through the line with a few seconds between us and started to cool off.
I was very happy to learn that I claimed 10th in the open Elite race - my best finish this year! We only have two SCX races left this year, so I only have a few left before the season wraps up. If I can continue to score some great finishes like this, I will be very pleased. Time to do a little work in preparation for Steilacoom next weekend and make sure I do well. See you out there, and keep on racing.
November 24, 2013
Seattle CX #4 - Sprinkler Park
Here we are, hitting the latter half of the WA state CX season. Temperatures have dropped, the weather is generally getting more 'Cross style (with mud), and the diehards are out in full force. Since the MFG season has ended, most of the casual racers (even in the Elite field) have hung up their boots and packed it in for next year. The remaining racers tend to come in at the end, covered in mud and with a smile on their faces.
Sprinkler Park tends to be a course I do well at - areas where the Road fitness can play a part coupled with some corners to slow it up. Temperatures were on the cooler side, and to make things even better the clouds opened up during the earlier races, sprinkling a chilling rain for the rest of the afternoon. As a culmination of my increasing performances, as well as the dwindling field, I received a call-up and was in the second line for the start. As the whistle was blown, we shot off the line and attacked the course in full-force. The field moved through the first sweeping corner without much slowing. However, in the sharp 180-degree turn before the barriers, the pinching point occurred. Some riders got caught up in the loose turn, and I managed to sneak by on the outside, making for a top 10 position. I hung on to the tail of the lead group as we hit the first hill and swung back into the woods.
By this point, the leaders had broken the elastic and I was now hanging on the back of the chasing group as we worked through the tight BMX-style inner section of the course. We then flew through the sand-mud and into the second run-up. A few corners later, and I was onto the longest section of the course: a narrow and high-speed path back to the start line. As we started the second lap, I was still hanging with the chase group. We continued to push the pace to try to get to the leaders, but after about half a lap I was now in the no-man's-land behind the chase group.
I was caught by a few other riders and we worked together, gaining on the chase group ahead. After a lap on the tail, I made my move and was now leading the pack. We continued to hustle through the course at our pace and working toward the leaders. I definitely started to feel the work and with the other riders breathing down my neck, I soon found myself making small errors. These caught up with me a lap later and now I was off the back of this group
I managed to get my second wind and start peeling in the pack, and was shortly joined by another racer who had fallen back from the racers ahead. We traded off pulling, and worked our way toward the racers ahead. At this point we only had 2 laps to go. We continued racing along and I could see the racers ahead of us - we were nearly there! I now really put on the pressure, and my companion went too wide in a corner and I jumped past. This was the final lap, and I now had less than half a lap to cement my position and see if I could catch the others. I laid down all the power I had left and raced along the back section of the course and into the final stretch. Topping out my gearing, I raced toward the finish and ended up a solid 13th, just seconds off the tail of the group I was trying to catch.
There were only 22 starters, but I am definitely happy with my 13th place finish, especially when I was only about 3:30 behind local super-star Russell Stevenson.
Next weekend is the WA State championships, so lets see what I can achieve there.
See you out there and keep on racing!
Sprinkler Park tends to be a course I do well at - areas where the Road fitness can play a part coupled with some corners to slow it up. Temperatures were on the cooler side, and to make things even better the clouds opened up during the earlier races, sprinkling a chilling rain for the rest of the afternoon. As a culmination of my increasing performances, as well as the dwindling field, I received a call-up and was in the second line for the start. As the whistle was blown, we shot off the line and attacked the course in full-force. The field moved through the first sweeping corner without much slowing. However, in the sharp 180-degree turn before the barriers, the pinching point occurred. Some riders got caught up in the loose turn, and I managed to sneak by on the outside, making for a top 10 position. I hung on to the tail of the lead group as we hit the first hill and swung back into the woods.
By this point, the leaders had broken the elastic and I was now hanging on the back of the chasing group as we worked through the tight BMX-style inner section of the course. We then flew through the sand-mud and into the second run-up. A few corners later, and I was onto the longest section of the course: a narrow and high-speed path back to the start line. As we started the second lap, I was still hanging with the chase group. We continued to push the pace to try to get to the leaders, but after about half a lap I was now in the no-man's-land behind the chase group.
I was caught by a few other riders and we worked together, gaining on the chase group ahead. After a lap on the tail, I made my move and was now leading the pack. We continued to hustle through the course at our pace and working toward the leaders. I definitely started to feel the work and with the other riders breathing down my neck, I soon found myself making small errors. These caught up with me a lap later and now I was off the back of this group
I managed to get my second wind and start peeling in the pack, and was shortly joined by another racer who had fallen back from the racers ahead. We traded off pulling, and worked our way toward the racers ahead. At this point we only had 2 laps to go. We continued racing along and I could see the racers ahead of us - we were nearly there! I now really put on the pressure, and my companion went too wide in a corner and I jumped past. This was the final lap, and I now had less than half a lap to cement my position and see if I could catch the others. I laid down all the power I had left and raced along the back section of the course and into the final stretch. Topping out my gearing, I raced toward the finish and ended up a solid 13th, just seconds off the tail of the group I was trying to catch.
There were only 22 starters, but I am definitely happy with my 13th place finish, especially when I was only about 3:30 behind local super-star Russell Stevenson.
Next weekend is the WA State championships, so lets see what I can achieve there.
See you out there and keep on racing!
November 17, 2013
MFG #6 - Woodland Park
With that, the 2013 MFG Cyclocross season was wrapped up. As has been the case for the past few years, the season wraps up with the iconic Woodland Park race. This race tends to have ridiculous turn-out due to the great location and fun track. This year was no different, and MFG says that over 1300 racers turned out to compete across the day!
The weather was chilly, but the rain was no-where to be seen. There had been some moisture over the week, so the course did develop a few muddier sections, but it was generally tacky and fast. Zac and the MFG crew developed a new course for the race this year, and it was a big improvement on an already great race. A few little changes throughout, including some winding descents and a longer run-up really made the race a new challenge and had the racers pushing the limits.
As tends to be the case with these races, the early races had delayed the starts, and the 1/2 Elite race started about 15 minutes late. The new starting chute was on the paved loop around the park, so the starting speed was fast. As we transitioned into the grass and the first corner, the pandemonium started as racers struggled to keep upright and heading forward. I managed to keep a good line, and made it through unscathed.
The first lap was an experience, not only moving forward through the field, but also racing the new course with other riders for the first time. Seeing how the lines changed with the other racers was enlightening, and I picked up some little tricks from the faster racers that I would use for the rest of the race to make myself faster. Cutting through a gap between the tape and tree, rather than riding around the tree. Cutting across some loam instead of winding through a muddier section. These little changes were made to pass other riders and keep my pace up.
For the majority of the race I was part of the big chase for the leaders. The fast group that was racing for the win was up the course by a decent amount, but our group of 6 riders were battling it out as the fast 2s. There were a few sections that I was hanging on the back, but I was happy that when we hit the tighter turns I was right back at the front. I finally made my move heading into the starting line, and managed to make a small break with two others on the asphalt. We turned up the gas and managed to gap the rest of the group as we headed toward the run-up. The other two riders both opted to ride up the hill and I transitioned to run. Unfortunately, as we neared 3/4 of the way up, the lead rider bobbled and we were all slowed down to get up the remaining way. Lead gone. As we got to the top, the others were back on our wheels again and all that work was lost.
For the last 3 laps, we continued to push along, until another bobble separated me from the group. I spent the last two laps duking it out with the other rider who fell off the back. We traded punches and actually started reducing the gap to the other riders. Unfortunately, the race would end before we reconnected, but it was good to know we were making positive progress. As we neared the finish, I knew the place to move was the final hill. The other rider was in front as we worked around some other riders. My plan was to watch his attack and stick to his wheel, and then counter-attack at the top of the hill and make it to the line in front. He attacked earlier than I anticipated, but it worked well as I was still moving around the other riders. I did grab his wheel, but we were already into the decent when I was ready to move around him. I did make the inside line in the corner, but he managed to hold the lead into the final corners. I stayed on the wheel, seeing if I could get another attack in, but today was not the day for me. I ended up rolling across the line in 25th of the 37 finishers (and 47 starters). Not my best result, but a good race and a nice end to the MFG races.
Now it is time to regroup for the remaining 3 races of the SCX series and finish up my first Cat2 season well. See you out there!
The weather was chilly, but the rain was no-where to be seen. There had been some moisture over the week, so the course did develop a few muddier sections, but it was generally tacky and fast. Zac and the MFG crew developed a new course for the race this year, and it was a big improvement on an already great race. A few little changes throughout, including some winding descents and a longer run-up really made the race a new challenge and had the racers pushing the limits.
As tends to be the case with these races, the early races had delayed the starts, and the 1/2 Elite race started about 15 minutes late. The new starting chute was on the paved loop around the park, so the starting speed was fast. As we transitioned into the grass and the first corner, the pandemonium started as racers struggled to keep upright and heading forward. I managed to keep a good line, and made it through unscathed.
For the majority of the race I was part of the big chase for the leaders. The fast group that was racing for the win was up the course by a decent amount, but our group of 6 riders were battling it out as the fast 2s. There were a few sections that I was hanging on the back, but I was happy that when we hit the tighter turns I was right back at the front. I finally made my move heading into the starting line, and managed to make a small break with two others on the asphalt. We turned up the gas and managed to gap the rest of the group as we headed toward the run-up. The other two riders both opted to ride up the hill and I transitioned to run. Unfortunately, as we neared 3/4 of the way up, the lead rider bobbled and we were all slowed down to get up the remaining way. Lead gone. As we got to the top, the others were back on our wheels again and all that work was lost.
Now it is time to regroup for the remaining 3 races of the SCX series and finish up my first Cat2 season well. See you out there!
November 6, 2013
Seattle CX #3 - Silver Lake
For the second time this season, we made the trip to Silver Lake in Everett, this time for the 3rd round of the Seattle Cyclocross series. Despite some crazy weather on Saturday, Sunday was relatively mild with only a little chill to alter the otherwise sunny Autumn day.
Since we had already raced at Silver Lake this year in the MFG cyclocross series, the Seattle CX team really upped the ante and modified the course to feature some additional single-track sections to pair with the sand and hills. The initial runs through the course showed that it would definitely be a lot of climbing, but I did feel like things were running well.
As we lined up, I was surprised to actually be part of the call-up (even if it was at the end). Just goes to show that my continued efforts are paying off. I had a decent start and managed to stay with the lead group until we hit the first hill, when the leaders split the group and turned up the gas. From then on, it was about metering out the gas and moving forward as possible through the field.
At the top of the first climb, we turned around the small concrete building at the top of the park before shooting into some single-track corners and a small uphill before cutting to a set of barriers. After the barrier it was full gas before flying down a hill and into a tight corner before the first blast across the sand. Climbing up through the hill on the other side of the course, we then hit another section of single-track before hitting the sand for the second, longer stretch. At the end of the sand straight, there was a choppy sand corner before another section of hills and some challenging off-camber descending before flying to the start-finish again.
After just the first lap, the challenging course began taking casualties in the form of mechanical troubles. Although, unlike the first time through (when Silver Lake took 11 riders out of the race), many racers were able to get going again and only 2 were DNF'd from the course. I continued my run of clean races, and made my way past racers who suffered from the course.
At the end of the race, I managed to finish a very nice 17th of the 25 starters. I did unfortunately get passed by the 4 leaders of the race, so I finished a lap down, however I did manage to finish well and even passed a rider on the last lap.
Seattle Cyclocross will resume at Sprinkler Park in two weeks, but this coming weekend will be the big series-finale of the MFG series at my local Woodland Park course. It should be a great race, so it is time to really gear up and finish that series with a big result.
See you out there!
Since we had already raced at Silver Lake this year in the MFG cyclocross series, the Seattle CX team really upped the ante and modified the course to feature some additional single-track sections to pair with the sand and hills. The initial runs through the course showed that it would definitely be a lot of climbing, but I did feel like things were running well.
At the top of the first climb, we turned around the small concrete building at the top of the park before shooting into some single-track corners and a small uphill before cutting to a set of barriers. After the barrier it was full gas before flying down a hill and into a tight corner before the first blast across the sand. Climbing up through the hill on the other side of the course, we then hit another section of single-track before hitting the sand for the second, longer stretch. At the end of the sand straight, there was a choppy sand corner before another section of hills and some challenging off-camber descending before flying to the start-finish again.
After just the first lap, the challenging course began taking casualties in the form of mechanical troubles. Although, unlike the first time through (when Silver Lake took 11 riders out of the race), many racers were able to get going again and only 2 were DNF'd from the course. I continued my run of clean races, and made my way past racers who suffered from the course.
Seattle Cyclocross will resume at Sprinkler Park in two weeks, but this coming weekend will be the big series-finale of the MFG series at my local Woodland Park course. It should be a great race, so it is time to really gear up and finish that series with a big result.
See you out there!
October 29, 2013
MFG 2013 #5 - SCCA/Starbucks GP at Marymoor Velodrome
Boom, and I am back! After my recent re-fit, I am definitely putting down the power and showing the form I have been missing this season.
SCCA/Starbucks GP is typically toward the tail of the MFG series, and was the 5th race this year. Unlike when we race Marymoor for Starcrossed (which is generally warm and dusty), the GP is generally a more Cross-like affair with mud and cold. This year did not disappoint, with the day starting in rain. By the afternoon it had stopped raining and the afternoon races were held across a tacky mud track, with only a few sections containing the slicker mud from the morning. It was a cool fall day, but as the sun came out, it was definitely a nice day for Cross. A few pre-race laps showed that everything was running well, and I was ready to hit the course at full-speed.
The Elite field lined up for our race a bit delayed. This was due to course modifications made before the Elite women (they modified a smaller chicane into a much more abrupt chicane for increased challenge). On the gun, we shot down the front straight and along the paved trail before a turn onto gravel and then into the first pass of the pits across the bumpy grass. We then rolled around the front and then up a short hill with barriers before a off-camber downhill (I am sure this was rougher in the morning while it was more slick). It was then a short blast into the infield and along another stretch of bumpy grass.
I was quite happy with how the course was riding and how I racing as well. The newly revised fitment on the bike was definitely working, as I was able to efficiently power along and keep the bike tracking where I needed it. As I mentioned above, the course had dried out and provided excellent hook-up for the tires. This resulted in high speeds and made for exciting racing as we were constantly battling each other for placing.
As the race wore on, the course began to take its toll on the racers. A younger racer suffered a loose crank bolt and soon I saw him abandon as he only had one crank arm. Other riders ran out of gas or had wipe-outs in the corners. On the last lap a rider from Rock Lobster managed to blow his chain and had to run in the rest of the lap to finish the race.
As I shot into the finish, I raced in with a Masters racer and ended up 21st of 41 starters of the Elite race. Definitely a pick up from the last few races, and a good sign of the progress I have been working on. Now it is time to carry this momentum for the rest of the season and hit up Silver Lake this weekend for Seattle CX #3. See you out there, and keep on racing!
Thanks again Woodinville Bicycle for the great photos.
SCCA/Starbucks GP is typically toward the tail of the MFG series, and was the 5th race this year. Unlike when we race Marymoor for Starcrossed (which is generally warm and dusty), the GP is generally a more Cross-like affair with mud and cold. This year did not disappoint, with the day starting in rain. By the afternoon it had stopped raining and the afternoon races were held across a tacky mud track, with only a few sections containing the slicker mud from the morning. It was a cool fall day, but as the sun came out, it was definitely a nice day for Cross. A few pre-race laps showed that everything was running well, and I was ready to hit the course at full-speed.
While we continued to navigate the infield, I continued to move forward through the competitors. We then shot out to the back half of the course and into a short hill and decent before hitting the harder chicane. After the chicane it was straight into a long off-camber as we rode along the side of the hill and into the the second pass of the pits. Along the back road, it was high-speed and full-gas before a few short hill corners and then into the front again.
As the race wore on, the course began to take its toll on the racers. A younger racer suffered a loose crank bolt and soon I saw him abandon as he only had one crank arm. Other riders ran out of gas or had wipe-outs in the corners. On the last lap a rider from Rock Lobster managed to blow his chain and had to run in the rest of the lap to finish the race.
Thanks again Woodinville Bicycle for the great photos.
October 24, 2013
MFG 2013 #4 at Magnuson Park
Last weekend was round 4 of the 2013 MFG Cyclocross series. Weather has been a bit light the past few days, so it going to be a pretty dry course, and Magnuson park tends to be a fast course with long straights separating the locations of the park. After great warm-up work this week, I was feeling good (and winning here last year as a Cat 3 didn't hurt either) and excited for the race. A short lap of the course showed that it was definitely running fast, with the majority of the track being dirt.
When they called us up, the field was definitely large - 44 racers starting in the 1-2 field. Since I still have not had a good finish this year, I ended up in the 3rd/4th row. On the whistle we hit the gas and flew up toward the start/finish and onto the first lap. Hitting the first corner, I squeezed past a few racers, making up ground as possible. We kept up the pace through the entirety of the front section of grass corners and through the barriers. At this point we were back onto pavement and heading out to the tennis courts at full speed. A few quick corners later and we were navigating a series of short hill corners and then jumped onto the gravel. After a short stretch on the gravel, the road pitched upward for the tough hill section of the course. At this point, the leaders had raced off ahead and I was battling with the back of the field, making up places where I could. At the top of the hill, you then plunged back down the other side and into a 180-degree corner before shooting back to the finish-line.
After a few laps, I was effectively fighting with the few others hanging on at the back of the field. Despite the good lead-in to the event, I just felt out of gas after the first lap. I continued putting down the power as I could, and eventually fell into a good rhythm on the course. As I started the final lap, I was still ahead of the leaders, so I finally finished a race in the same lap this year. Not the result I was hoping for, but still a sign of progress. I ended up finishing in 34th of the 44 starters. Again, not great (no call-up yet...), but a decent finish.
Since the race, I have had my bike re-fit and definitely feel like I am able to put down the power without feeling out of juice. Now it is time to get settled in and ready for the next MFG race at Marymoor park. Lets see how things go; it sure would be fun to finally get some good races done this season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)