10/28 - Boulder Cup

The Boulder Cup was the 2nd race at Valmont this year, this time it was a bigger race and UCI sanctioned.  There were many costumes in the race, I really should dress up next year.  Anyway there was a large cat 3 group and a huge crowd watching as well since we went off close to the pro race in the afternoon.  From the start this race was not going well, I did not get the call up I was supposed to, but started around 5th or 6th row.  After the start at about 200 meters out there was a crash with 3 guys right in front of me, I could not go right as there were guys there I could not go left which was the barriers.  So only one choice left, I ran right into them all and joined the crash.  It is not like I had any time to make the decision, it was going to happen.  Anyway I went over my bars and my bike when over my head.  It was somewhat graceful, if a crash can be as I turned around and my left arm found my bike and I was back on and riding again.  Everything seemed okay, I was just in last place now.  The course was a little slick and muddy from the recent snow.  I felt okay in the race as I have not been riding as much a usual in the last 2 weeks with the trip to Moab.  I went down again in a muddy 180 degree turn which left my left side all muddy and once again in the sand.  Other than those 3 crashes the race went well, I felt like the last lap I only passed a few guys and was passed as well.  I made it to 16th place, which I guess is okay for all those setbacks.  It was a fun race and I had more than a few folks cheering for me which is always nice to hear.  The only injury from the first crash, was a bloody elbow, some scrapes on my knee, and a little road rash on my rear.  Better than Phil, who ended up with a real bloody leg and a broken shifter, hope he heals up fast and is back out there soon.

10/14 - USGP

The USGP is the biggest cyclocross event in CO each year bringing out the best US riders in the sport.  I knew the Cat 3 race was going to be fast considering we were combined with the cat 2 field as well, a tough course, and a large group to start.  This was a two day event but on sat. I have a kids swim meet to attend, but I did make it over to watch the pro race.  It was great to see these guys race and clear some of the barriers riding.  Walter made the trip up with me Sunday to the race, warmed up a little bit and made it to the start.  We were both towards the very end of the 70 plus group.  The start was good with no crashes, but the entire first 2 laps was just trying to get around guys.  The last few laps I did not have more then one guy pass me and I continued to make my way up.  I did not feel all that good in this race, but managed to finish in 25th place.  Craig was yelling at me at the end and I was passed in the last 200 meters by a very young kid, Craig finished right behind me.  Walter finished a few more back, overall a great venue, weather, and race.

10/6 - Frisco CX

I was not planning on doing this race, but the colder weather in Boulder cancelled Riley's swim meet on Saturday morning.  It has been cold here in Louisville a few days of cold, dusting or snow, and 30 degree rain when Phil and I left to head up to Frisco.  I just figured it was going to be a cold muddy race, but to my surprise it was sunny and beautiful above the clouds in Frisco at 9K'.  Still a little cold, the bikes had a nice coating of ice from the ride up through the freezing rain.  It was getting warmer with the sun and it did not feel all that bad.  Phil and I did two warm up laps and headed to the starting line.  The start of this race is all uphill until the first turn, then it heads down by the XC country ski trails, a short run up hill, and a few high barriers.  I found my self around 12th in the first lap, but this big hill was going to be my advantage each lap.  I made my way through the course slowly passing guys each lap till I was in what I thought was 3rd by the start of the final lap.  I passed the last two up the hill and continued on my way, about 1/2 way through that lap I was passed by on guy I had not seen up front the entire race.  I tried to keep with him as I thought at the time he was in my category, I kept pace with him till near the end and he slowly put about 2 seconds into me.  I thought I was 2nd only to find out he was a single speed, but had a rear derailleur fooling me.  So I won right? Ahh still no there was one other guy way out front that no one ever saw, he won by almost a minute over me.  Well 2nd place was not bad, it was a fun course, I did not even get cold, and I won beer from Left Hand brewery.  I did wear super high socks though only because they look so cool.  Racing at 9k' though definitely made it harder.  Phil and I took a nice little ride around Frisco afterwards with the great fall weather.  On the drive down we went from almost 50 degrees and sunny to 30 and rain/snow in Louisville, above the storm was the place to race bikes yesterday.

 

9/30 - Adrenalin CX

After a flat tire the day prior taking me out of the Saturday race I was ready for Sunday.  The race was in Highlands Ranch about an hour away, it was a good course with 4 sets of barriers, one up hill, and 2 sets that were easy enough to hop, a little sand, gravel, and lots of bumps.  I am trying to find the right air pressure again this year, last weekend I ran 40 psi and crashed a lot, sat I tried 32 and flatted, today was about 37.  There were about 25 in the CAT3 field, I started 2nd row and took it easy at the start.  I passed people for the first 2 laps without any major issues and took the lead at the end of the 2nd lap.  All I had to do was not crash and keep pulling away.  One trip up over the uphill barrier hitting my elbow on something, it was a little bloody by the end. I felt good the whole race, though I did get passed by one single speed who started 2 minutes back.  I hit the rear rim a few times on the sand pit, but never flatted.  There were a few guys right behind to keep me honest, but I managed to take the win by 7 seconds in the end.  My first CAT 3 win. Walter Zitz from Sonic Boom took 2nd in the 4s as well, it was a good day for the team.