Rookie Tries His Hand at Cycle Cross

Sunday, while most TRW members were recovering from the Kansas experience I had the opportunity to try my first cycle cross race at the Ballwin Days - Blues and Bike Experience. I'd heard all sorts of tales about CX, but had never seen one much less ridden in an event.

Nick set me up with the proper tires for my Tri-Cross bike and Jeff Yielding provided plenty of good fodder for studying the week before so I was as prepared as possible. I got there early and watched the Cat A riders go. I was impressed with the fluidity and speed they displayed throughout the course.

It was time to sign up. I was planning on running Cat C beginner, but was told they were going to put all the kids in there and they said Cat B was my only option because I sport a good shock of silver hair and my youth days are behind me.

I had time for a sighting lap in between races so up the hill I pedaled onto the grassy course. Off camber turns with roots, a slalom downhill that emptied into a sand pit that required three crossings per lap, a killer fast downhill section, a toilet bowl on the lower ball field that made you dizzy, a slight uphill, about 20 stairs, down a short chute to the Green Monster a man-made ball busting carpeted unit, a couple sharp turns and empty back onto the street and through the super soaker finish line.

It was a LeMans start so I laid my bike down in the back of the pack (I have problems with leg and foot races) where I could find it after everyone left. The whistle sounded and something came over me. I sprinted (kind of) to my bike, jumper over some others with my bike on my shoulder and found myself in about fifth spot as we climbed the asphalt hill and curb jumped onto the course.

I went pretty good through the first sections until the sand pit where a couple riders got by, then a couple more. I think I was in about 10th spot when I settled in to try and catch the guy in front of me. I worked hard for a lap, but didn't. Meanwhile, we caught a slim little female racer in pink. She was going along pretty well and had coaches on every corner giving her encouragement. (She was either really well-liked or cute as hell - I could only read her backside and I was focused on that) I'd brought a few fans as well. They were armed with cowbells and plenty of enthusiasm. It really made me go a little harder and it was cool to have fans.

It took me three laps to run her down. I caught her on the fast downhill and entered the toilet bowl a few bike lengths in front. I stretched out my lead and was feeling good when I noticed two things. Somehow Pete Henry had crashed in the toilet bowl (unhealthy) and my shoe was untied. I screeched to a halt and retied as I watched Pinky Tuscadero ride by, along with another rider. I was pissed.

Off I went to run them down. I worked hard, caught the guy on the uphill asphalt section, nearly crashed going a little fast through the downhill slalom, rode two of the three sand sections instead of carrying the last and ran up to Pinky's rear wheel on the long downhill of the last lap. I entered the toilet bowl side by side and took a wide line, pedaled hard and beat her out of the maze. Up the stairs one last time to the green monster where she was one step behind me. I remounted a little fast on top and jammed one of my boys almost to my chest when I hit the bottom. I made two tight corners and sprinted to the shower finish just in front of this week's main competitor. I had beater her to the coveted non-podium seventh place finish. What a thrill.

It was a good time. I'm anxious to try some more CX this fall. I love riding my cross bike and some of the stuff I learned racing motorcycles will help me in these events. I just need to work harder on my power unit.

Thanks to the folks from TTS who made the trip over to watch. Chrysa, Mike, Lisa, Daniel and Alyssa - you guys rocked the cowbells.

Finished the day listening to Blues Music and pouring some cold adult refreshment down my gullet. Not a bad day.

Comments

[barry]

Good start Randy on what should be a long and illustrious career as a premier CX racer. You'll like the races come fall. But for now, it's on to mtb'n.

[Bob]

That big green ramp is a real pill-shrinker. I seem to recall several racers shattering seatposts on that thing.

Top ten finish is no joke, good job.

[Randyb]

Thanks Bob. Had a great time. Taking the weekend off for some motorcycle trials and then try the Luau in St Charles next weekend. See you soon.
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