I arrived around 8:20am in Woodstock, 10 minutes before registration opened. After paying my $10, race fee, since I pre-registered ($30), Ace found me. Ace is a friend mine who I ride with, his real name is Tom. Great guy, and he talked me into riding cyclocross.
While Tom was in the registration line, I rode the 2 mile course (as recon), and to be honest, I knew I had no chance. Anyone who says it’s not the bike is kidding. When it comes to racing, the bike really matters. I rode my Kona Jake which weighs around 25 lbs +, and sucks for racing. Saying that, I have a lot to learn about CX. You just can’t expect to be good at something you have no experience with. Five years on the road, doesn’t make one a CX rider or a MTB rider. Different skill sets.
Anyway, once Ace was ready to ride the course, again recon, I rode with him. The course was very hilly (one very fast descent), some mud, sharp turns, trees, and some paved trail riding. Only two barricades, which was good - since I’m new to this cycling sport, I don’t know how to dismount, then jump back on my bike - in one fluid motion. Bunny hopping would not be possible, on this course.
Once the race started I was riding near Ace, then passed him, until I took out the tape marking one section of the course (the corn maze section). It got stuck in my bike. Oh well. What a dork.
We both completed four two mile laps, and given the fact the judge/marshal before the start suggested our 50+ age group would only be able to do five laps - I was good with the four. Which was pretty much the case for all. I was pretty tired after four, on that crappy bike. Ace said he could taste blood after the ride, stud!
I found Ace after the ride, and this gal walks up to us, and says hey boys. Well sort of. Heather came out to see us, another friend. Unfortunately, she missed our awesome day on the course. We took some pics, then since there was no beer at the event, the three of us went to Pizza Hut (nearby) for some beer, before heading back.
Note: about 400 riders rode today, if you add up all the different races. Some “very” expensive CX bikes, and some “very” serious riders/racers. But, these folks are like MTB’ers, very nice, on and off the course.
Finally, this was Ace’s second CX race, this year, my first. And for both of us, we didn’t care about where we placed. Rather, it was just fun to be out there doing it!
