Baaaaaahhhhhhh I’m HOOKED. My first hit was far from free, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll be back for more smack!
I did my first cyclocross race at the 2nd day of the Tailwind Michigan Double Cross. I got there way early and nervously signed up. My mind was all atwitter about barriers, that big ass orange crush stair ramp thing, run ups, all the new stuff I didn’t know about. I waited for my friend Jeff to show up so I could follow him around the course like a scared little duckling and follow his every move.
We suited up, numbered up, and warmed up. My shoulders and neck had been extremely sore and tight that week so that added to my flabby nerves of anti-steel. We did three laps and I realized some important things during the warm-up: barriers are easy, the orange crush is easy, and cyclocross as a whole is hard. I was excited to start!
I lined up with the 39 and under C group. I hopped right up front so I could get in the mix right away and see what it was like. They blew the whistle and I settled in to roughly 8th place, about mid-pack. The pace was high but not yet lung busting.
The first lap went great. The lead group gapped me but I cleaned the lap without issues. I was told after the race that my transitions were super smooth, which made me happy. I have some work to do on remounts but my dismounts and run-ups/hop-overs were easy and clean. I dig it! During this race I left my compact road rings up front, 50/34. I left it in the 34 but really felt the need for lower gearing. I can see how a 1×9 setup would be very useful in this type of race. I like dirt road randonneuring too much to drop the versatility of a double chainring setup, however.
My second lap had me zoning out. At one point I ran through some tape and had to back up. I lost at least one spot which I made up later in the race. THAT felt good. I really enjoyed the technical nature of this style of racing. While I have been steering away from shorter cross country mountain bike racing, this style of sprint/balls out for 30 minutes was very rewarding. It was fun, interesting and the spectators are very motivating. It was a blast. The 30 minutes FLEW by. It really is a sufferfest, but Jeff put it best: you can do anything for 30 minutes. Afterward I didn’t quite puke but I did heave a couple of times. Success. I can’t wait to do my next race.
I finished where I started, 8th out of 15. Mid-pack. I’ll take it!