Deep inTO cross
Last weekend saw impressive competition in the TO International Cyclocross Races.
Cross has been getting bigger, and more competitive every year, every week it seems. Now we have top competition right here. That's great, right in our backyard.
The UCI cat 1 ranking meant that riders would come from all over to get valuable points, still it was not easy for anyone, except maybe the US champ and his team-mate. These guys we're flying, and showed the crowd a new level of speed.
Day 1 was a mud fest. I had a decent position on the start line, 3rd row... right along the barrier. That's at least what I thought until the gun went off. The rider directly in front of me unknowingly had his bars hooked on the fence. He went down immediately. I had to wait while mostly everyone passed by, then was able to get around. The first corner had a descending left hander which was too much for one guy, he overlapped wheels and down he went. This was good for moving me up a couple spots. The course was ridable in warm-up but was deteriorating to the point of running most of the hills. In my excitement before the race I forgot to screw my toe spikes into my shoes. This was annoying as I needed to side step the muddy hills to avoid slipping backward. Mid-race I crashed heavily on my front, on a muddy side slope. This would be no problem for this day, but I'm still feeling it in my ribs a week later as I write this. In the end I was 23rd, disappointing, but everyone had problems and it was fun anyway.
Results, pics and report... Day 1
Day 2 the course was a hill fest. The other side of Centennial park was used, and that meant riding up and down the ski hill. I wasn't sure I would start due to my rib pain, but once on the bike it's hard to resist. My start was good this time, no excuses. I rode as hard as I could. Deep breathing was difficult, maybe it kept me from going too hard and blowing up. I had a better result with 20th, had fun, and left wanting more.
Results, pics and report... Day 2
Cross has been getting bigger, and more competitive every year, every week it seems. Now we have top competition right here. That's great, right in our backyard.
The UCI cat 1 ranking meant that riders would come from all over to get valuable points, still it was not easy for anyone, except maybe the US champ and his team-mate. These guys we're flying, and showed the crowd a new level of speed.
Day 1 was a mud fest. I had a decent position on the start line, 3rd row... right along the barrier. That's at least what I thought until the gun went off. The rider directly in front of me unknowingly had his bars hooked on the fence. He went down immediately. I had to wait while mostly everyone passed by, then was able to get around. The first corner had a descending left hander which was too much for one guy, he overlapped wheels and down he went. This was good for moving me up a couple spots. The course was ridable in warm-up but was deteriorating to the point of running most of the hills. In my excitement before the race I forgot to screw my toe spikes into my shoes. This was annoying as I needed to side step the muddy hills to avoid slipping backward. Mid-race I crashed heavily on my front, on a muddy side slope. This would be no problem for this day, but I'm still feeling it in my ribs a week later as I write this. In the end I was 23rd, disappointing, but everyone had problems and it was fun anyway.
Results, pics and report... Day 1
Day 2 the course was a hill fest. The other side of Centennial park was used, and that meant riding up and down the ski hill. I wasn't sure I would start due to my rib pain, but once on the bike it's hard to resist. My start was good this time, no excuses. I rode as hard as I could. Deep breathing was difficult, maybe it kept me from going too hard and blowing up. I had a better result with 20th, had fun, and left wanting more.
Results, pics and report... Day 2
This weekend I'm nursing a cold, as well as my painful ribs. Racing will have to wait until next week at the Ontario Championships. I hope I'm good for that one, it should be the best event of the season. I hear there will even be a ride through beer tent. Jet Fuel Coffee, Octto Components, and Wellington Brewery are some of the sponsors of the race.
posted by P Morse at 11/15/2008 05:51:00 PM
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