Hit up my first cross race of the season this morning down near Ithaca, NY, and had a great time! Having only raced a handful of cross races last year when (when I was living in Boulder and had zero form from just moving there), I really had no expectations of what was to come.
It rained heavily overnight and cool fall weather would bring a classic cyclocross course for sure. It managed to stop raining for the Master’s race, but the skies re-opened for the Men’s open race. The course was a lightly rolling course with some super tight corners, a triple barrier run-up, long road/gravel road section and some singletrack with a few roots and deep mud in the mix.
I somehow managed to get the holeshot, through the first set of barriers, into the twisties and out onto the road with a pretty good gap. I got a good chuckle out of it, cause all my cross races last season I was always dead last off the line. I got picked up quick by 1st who shotgunned away and was never to be seen again. 2nd pulled up and I jumped on his wheel, as he slipped slightly away I got picked up again and now into 4th. Heading into the woods 3rd bobbled and crashed hard in the mud, unfortunately preventing me from getting past. We regrouped and gave chase to 2nd. Back out onto the road we took turns pulling and I dropped the rider and managed to keep a solid 10-15 second gap for the remainder of the race and pulled off a 3rd place!!
It was super fun to hit the cross scene and looking forward to it again this next coming weekend. Alas though, my mountain bike season is far from over!! October 7th I head to Guatemala to represent the 29er Crew internationally! I’ll be hitting up the El Reto de Quetzal Stage Race! If I have net access I plan on updating here daily os stay tuned!
