Cross has been getting bigger, and more competitive every year, every week it seems. Now we have top competition right here. That’s great, right in our backyard.
The UCI cat 1 ranking meant that riders would come from all over to get valuable points, still it was not easy for anyone, except maybe the US champ and his team-mate. These guys we’re flying, and showed the crowd a new level of speed.
Day 1 was a mud fest. I had a decent position on the start line, 3rd row… right along the barrier. That’s at least what I thought until the gun went off. The rider directly in front of me unknowingly had his bars hooked on the fence. He went down immediately. I had to wait while mostly everyone passed by, then was able to get around. The first corner had a descending left hander which was too much for one guy, he overlapped wheels and down he went. This was good for moving me up a couple spots. The course was ridable in warm-up but was deteriorating to the point of running most of the hills. In my excitement before the race I forgot to screw my toe spikes into my shoes. This was annoying as I needed to side step the muddy hills to avoid slipping backward. Mid-race I crashed heavily on my front, on a muddy side slope. This would be no problem for this day, but I’m still feeling it in my ribs a week later as I write this. In the end I was 23rd, disappointing, but everyone had problems and it was fun anyway.
Results, pics and report… Day 1
Day 2 the course was a hill fest. The other side of Centennial park was used, and that meant riding up and down the ski hill. I wasn’t sure I would start due to my rib pain, but once on the bike it’s hard to resist. My start was good this time, no excuses. I rode as hard as I could. Deep breathing was difficult, maybe it kept me from going too hard and blowing up. I had a better result with 20th, had fun, and left wanting more.
This weekend I’m nursing a cold, as well as my painful ribs. Racing will have to wait until next week at the Ontario Championships. I hope I’m good for that one, it should be the best event of the season. I hear there will even be a ride through beer tent. Jet Fuel Coffee, Octto Components, and Wellington Brewery are some of the sponsors of the race.