A blog for and by a group of certifiable and committed cyclists (aka, Cyclopaths) from the Puyallup, Tacoma, and Seattle area. Follow The Puyallup Cyclopaths' adventures as they ride in the mountains of the Northwest and beyond.
After a month of pondering on my Reno CX Nationals adventure I’m
feeling quite content. The big picture summary is that I created and
refined a game plan, executed that plan with intentionality and focus,
and brought home some wisdom and experience.
Additional introspection required me to weigh my gains against my costs. My costs included some dollar... Continue reading
By Thursday of Reno CX Nationals week I was accustomed to a
routine. Sleep a little long, walk from my hotel to the TA travel center
for mediocre coffee, and then slowly pack my bike and gear for another
day of racing at Rancho San Rafael Park.
To prevent my nerves from getting the better of me I jotted down a
time line of tasks between arrival and race start. I’ve done these lists
in the past and they help me remember what to do and when to do it as
the clock winds down to race time and my anxiety winds up.
In today’s post I’ll fill in a few details regarding ranking
points and describe how I spent the Wednesday rest day. This post will
be short so I can resume writing about the main event.
Ranking points
The previous post mentioned USA cycling ranking points. Continue reading
My first Cyclocross Nationals is in the bag. My experience in
Reno was an overwhelming success and I’ll be sharing what was seen, the
events that unfolded, and what was learned over a few posts starting
today. Reno’s Rancho San Rafael Park held host to the 2017 USA Cycling
Cyclocross Nationals. The course designers utilized …
My cyclocross racing season is still in motion. The end of the
Cross Revolution series usually signals the beginning of rest season.
But, as of today, just one more event separates my legs from some well
deserved rest. Let me elaborate.
Cyclocross Nationals, which comes to town in December of 2019, uses a
ranking system to determine call up order. Acquiring ranking points
requires competing in USA Cycling sanctioned events. This year I
extended my season to include four sanctioned events in the timespan of
just fifteen days.
December 3rd 2017 – Fort Steilacoom Park
Fort Steilacoom Park _did_ have a short but seriously deep mud section.
Going into this event I was optimistic. The course designers cut a
new longer run up, a treacherous descent, and rerouted the previous run
up as a short-n-steep descent. My course preview proved these sections
were tough but certainly within my wheelhouse. The remainder of the
course used familiar sections of the park.
This was my first USA Cycling sanctioned event and I started near the
back of a 25 rider field. The more difficult descent came just two
minutes into the first lap and it was in my best interest to avoid
traffic on that first go down. I worked really hard for two minutes and
cleaned the descent clear of traffic and in fourth position. At this
point my plan was to settle to my own pace for the remaining 43 minutes
of racing.
The very next corner was a simple right hander that required no
special attention. I let my mind wander, washed the front tire, and hit
the deck hard. I was able to quickly scramble back onto my bike and then
take inventory of my situation as I continued to pedal.
This
descent started off camber and then transitioned to a steep left
hander. Running wide guaranteed meeting a small tree or two.
Blood ran from my elbow but not in enough quantity to reach my hand. I
felt contusions on my forearm, rib cage, and hip. I was still
functional and pedaled on.
After about one full lap I had collected myself and had dropped to
about tenth. But I wasn’t racing at my full potential and slowly slid
backwards to finish, without further drama, in 12th.
This
is a proper run up. Long enough. Soft soil. After remounted racers got
to climb some more. If you didn’t see max heart rate you might be blind.
December 10th 2017 – Kayak Point Golf Course
No, we did not race on the golf course proper. Instead the race
course utilized the perimeter of the driving range, a few unpaved
maintenance paths, and some of the paved golf cart paths. Yes, there
were a couple descents, a little mud, etc. But those features all paled
when measured against the long, steep, paved climb.
After previewing the course my hopes were not high. That paved climb
was tough even at preview pace. My goal was to finish in one piece.
The start went well enough and, when we dropped down the first
descent I found myself immediately near the front. The second descent of
lap one found me at the front as we hit the paved climb. That climb
hurt me more than the others. I lost positions. My 38/28 gearing wasn’t
even close to low enough and I was forced out of the saddle for most of
the climb.
Lap after lap I’d gain time on the two descents only to give up even
more time on the paved climb. I finished 6th out of 15. This turned out
to be a much better result than I anticipated.
Plenty
steep. Some roots. And a FAT tree at the bottom of this descent. This
is the run up turned short-n-steep descent at Fort Steilacoom Park.
December 16th and 17th – Fort Nugent Park
This double header weekend just outside Oak Harbor included the WSBA
(Washington State Bicycle Association) CX Championship on Sunday. This
may be a championship in name only but it did bring in a few more riders
from a wider geographic area. It also presented an opportunity for me
and my family to turn a cyclocross weekend into a family road trip and
our vintage travel trailer was enlisted as our base camp.
Every rider faced the choice of riding one or both days. Every two
day rider faced the dilemma of trying to save energy during Saturday’s
event to be used for Sunday’s event. I hoped to swim opposite the
current by burning all available matches during Saturday’s non
championship race which might sabotage my chances on Sunday.
Fort Nugent Park is nearly flat. There course included a little bit
of everything. It didn’t favor my technical riding style. The ground was
wet but no rain was falling and the course didn’t look to turn too
sloppy.
Just ten riders lined up for Saturday’s start. It was not my
intention to charge towards the front but the inside line was wide open
going into the first corner and I slid into third.
Over the next 45 minutes I put in a solid ride avoiding major
mistakes and making just a couple tiny ones. The riders around me seemed
to be stronger than the week before and there were few technical
sections where I might shine. I finished 6th of 10. The gap between the
winner and me was just under two minutes as is usual. But the strength
of this field meant that a two minute gap put me behind mid pack.
Saturday night was spent refueling, hanging out in our tiny travel
trailer at Deception Pass State Park, and listening to the rain showers
come and go.
On Sunday morning the rain stopped but the damage was already done.
The promoter reversed the course direction. The additional rain along
with a second day of racing changed the character of the course. A
nearly unrideable mud section evolved. The three off camber sections
became slick and much tougher to ride. In short, the course came to me a
bit. Too bad I brought rubber legs.
The field grew to 18 riders and, as I was to find out shortly, it
didn’t grow by adding weak riders. Right from the whistle my lesson
started. Riders on both sides bounced me around for the length of the
start straight. My first corner technique was ugly. Foot down and
dabbing to get around the corner stake while most riders rode the
faster, but clogged, racing line. I was mid pack and surrounded by
really strong riders.
I immediately set my focus on a proper 45 minute pace and staying
clean amongst the traffic. By the end of the first lap I had dropped
many positions and had found my pace. I focused on hitting my marks in
the technical sections.
The course was changing quickly as each passing tire chewed up the
course. Most riders where altering their lines lap to lap to avoid the
increasing number of tricky sections. I also started to gain time on a
few riders.
Looks like it’s time for some bottom bracket maintenance
First up was a singlespeed racer who had finished well the day
before. He picked perfect lines and I resolved to stay on his wheel.
After a lap or two he bobbled, I slid past, and didn’t see him again.
Second was a local rider named Jeff. Jeff had soundly beat me on
Saturday. I was surprised to catch him and as we raced we were slowly
closing on a rider ahead. Again, I resolved to stay on this wheel.
Surprisingly, after following for half a lap, he waved the white flag
and motioned me to pass.
Once clear I put in a little extra to close the small gap to Rodney, a
rider from Bend, Oregon. We traded positions a few times. He bested me
on the off camber a couple times. Three corners from the finish I sailed
my bike through a slick corner, erased any gap, but could not close the
deal. Rodney kept 10th position.
After four races in fifteen days I was spent. My legs were barely
adequate for walking at slow pace. It felt like everything I owned was
caked in mud. It seemed a natural point in time to end my racing season.
I didn’t. Over the next day or two I resolved to racing one more event.
January 9th to 14th brings the 2017/2018 season Cyclocross Nationals to
Reno Nevada.
That decision set the stage for where I am today.
The Present
Unlike Nationals in December 2019 I won’t be in top form for this
event. I don’t expect a good finish result. I’ll be attending this event
to gain a few more ranking points, get an insight to the way a
Nationals level event is run, and see firsthand what it’s like to rub
bars with 149 other racers. Let’s call this a test race for when the
show comes to town in 2019.
In Reno, on Sunday January 14th, the best men and women cyclocross
racers in the country will race for top honors. It will be a spectacular
event. Don’t look for me on the course.
Amateur ‘Masters’ riders race earlier in the week and are broken down
(pun intended) by age category. On Tuesday I’ll race a ‘preview’ race
of just thirty minutes. My final race of the year will be on Thursday
where I’ll race for the Masters Men 45-49 championship.
Between now and January 14th I’ve got some work to do. After January
14th I’m looking forward to a glass or red wine, some rest, and writing a
bit about my adventure.
Evidence of bicycle racing gone awry and how the racer in questions feels about it
(The content and images in this blog are syndicated from trummert.com)
North Seatac Park lies right under the path of southbound jets landing
on runway 16C34C at Seatac International airport. Every two minutes the
jingle of cow bells was drowned out by a four engined monster descending
directly over the venue. While the jet setters carried on overhead this
year's participants jockeyed hard for the Cross Revolution series
season podium positions in what I called the 'Seatac Slog'.
The Cross Revolution season champions are based on a racer's best
five out of six finishes. Going in my best mathematical outcome was
third if I had my best day and almost every other competitor did not.
The course at North Seatac park consists primarily of trails. Some
are probably narrow enough to be called mountain bike trails. There is a
variety of soils and most of them create slippery or slimy mud with
adequate moisture and mixing. The previous days of rain and previous
races provided the necessary ingredients and the course was categorized
as hard and tough and tricky and challenging by racers who had seen the
mud first hand.
Every flavor of mud including 'soup'.
I was only able to get two course preview laps. There were different
types of mud in different sections of the course. There was an
unfamiliar trail with some roots. There were three run ups with the
longest being the traditional North Seatac staircase. There were also a
number of places where the course went up then down. I've learned these
are sections where I can give some extra effort on the up knowing I'll
get a short rest on the down.
This isn't Dwaine's start. Even if it were Dwaine's
start he would be invisible behind the front row
of riders.
My first lap was uneventful but only due to luck. On the uphill paved
start I was boxed in and entered the first corner in heavy traffic. The
third corner of the course was a slick off camber 180 degree lefty and I
was lucky to get through cleanly. I finished the first lap without
incident and by the beginning of the second lap I was following the well
respected Craig Undem and content to hold his wheel.
This is the third corner. First lap mayhem often ensued right here.
By the end of the fourth lap I had learned a bit about my situation.
Craig was leading so I concluded I was second. We each excelled in
different sections of the course and he repeatedly opened small gaps on
me. People cheered for Craig constantly so I always knew where he was. I
was able to close any gap before the finish line on every lap.
Here's a slippery corner leading to a rutted mud section. Racers just needed to go fast, not fall, and
then repeat and repeat and repeat.
A few times I felt like Craig slowed a bit to see if I might come
around. I did not. Craig has a lot of racing experience and I was
content to let him choose our pace. Just to keep us on our toes the
announcer asked, over the PA system, if a sprint finish might be in the
making.
The course designers used a hillside to good effect in their course
layout. The mud was slick and maintaining forward momentum was a
challenge. Craig got crossed up in a rut and was forced to dismount. I
rode the section and when I doubled back at the next 180 degree corner I
could see a small gap in my favor. We were about to enter the rooted
trail section where I felt strong and I stretched my legs out a bit.
My camera can only show the scale of this staircase. The suffer is invisible.
I expected to be caught between the second and third run up but was
not. For the remainder of the lap I gave extra effort at every little
'up' knowing I could get a little rest on the 'down'.
As I started the last lap my gap was over ten seconds. I rode strong
and smart. At half a lap to go I was well clear and uncorked any and all
energy reserves. I was not challenged from behind and took my first Cat
1/2 win.
The CX pranksters were at work again. This time it was stale cheese ball offerings for hungry racers.
My win surprised some of my fellow racers and it also surprised me.
The North Seatac course was about as near perfect for me as it could
have been. I probably started the race at my best fitness level of the
year.
My win did not have much affect on my season points position. Other
riders who have been strong all year continued to be strong on Sunday.
I'll be in the top ten but not on the podium. But it still felt good to
know that I did my part, brought my 'A' game, and had my best day of
racing this year.
Bicycle jewelry on display in the pits.
During casual conversation in the cyclocross crowd I claim Fort
Steilacoom Park as my 'home course'. I've discovered a mostly car free
route from my home to the park and regularly ride to the park to train.
This past Sunday the Cross Revolution crew brought the show to Fort
Steilacoom Park for a great day of Cyclocross.
The ground was wet. Rain was threatening. It was perfect CX weather.
My pre race routine went as usual including bumping in to Adam and
Mario who had already finished their races. After receiving an excellent
verbal description of the course from Adam I set out to preview it in
person.
My first impression was that there was a good balance of sections
that included a soft soil run up, a multi stage climb, a technical grass
section, some flatter and faster grass sections, a bombing descent with
a wide open sweeper, and two sets of barriers.
Short, sweet, and steep.
At my start I received a second row call up. To avoid any early race
mayhem I prefer to get near the front and stay near the front for the
first half lap. This is tougher from the second row. The first few
corners were tight but after about a minute of racing I was up to 5th
and content with this position.
At the end of that first lap I was still in the top five. In previous
races I've gotten a little excited when near the front and raced a
little too hard. On Sunday I concentrated on finding my just right pace.
During much of the race when I checked over my should I saw a freight
train of hungry racers right on my wheel. On a number of occasions a
follower passed wherein I would hold that wheel until the rider waved me
through by way of suboptimal line selection.
As the laps dwindled the following group started to string out a bit.
I wasn't being threatened and felt I was near my maximum sustainable
effort. Basically, I was doing my part without letting my emotions
control my pace.
Most of the race I made ground in this corner and the others in this section. By mid race the soil
was becoming slimy and I was lucky to not find the ground in this corner.
As my final lap started I was caught by Craig Undem, the usual winner
of my class and a racer with a formidable palmarès. I believe he had a
mechanical issue early and had been working his way forward the entire
race. I held his wheel for about half of the final lap and thought I had
a chance as we entered the technical grass section. I was wrong.
Earlier in the race I had picked up positions but Craig brought a higher
level of game. At the end of this technical section he had a five
second gap and I did not get any of those seconds back.
Sunday's race was my best performance this year and I was rewarded with a 4th place finish in 45+ Masters Mens Category 1/2.
After the race I grabbed my camera, strolled the venue, and snapping
photos while I thought back on my race. Compared to previous events I
did nothing new, different, or special. Instead I refined my game just
enough to shave a few seconds per lap and squeak out a great finish
among a strong group of racers.
Yes, those fans did move their fire pit into the course for the final lap of the final race. Yes, the racers
did find as much humor in this move as the pranksters.
For those not already aware, the 2019 Cyclocross National
Championships will be hosted at Fort Steilacoom park in December of
2019. Local racers such as myself are already preparing for this event.
Amateurs will race the same course (but on a different day) as the pros.
For cross racers it will be a 'big deal'. Expect many more words and
photos from me in regards to 2019 Nationals over the next 24 months.
