More cross racin'!

Seem to be getting pretty into this cross thing. Don't know why I like it so much, maybe its the pain, maybe that its short, maybe that beer tastes a hell of a lot better afterwards, not that beer needs to taste any better. Having a good time and learning everytime.

Raced two Sundays ago out in the Hill Country at a place called Camp Eagle. Super fun course, rocky, a nice uphill and downhill section, downhill complete with rollers and a burm at the bottom, and a sand section. Lesson learned, fixed gear ain't so sweet for cross.

Almost forgot. Gotta give credit to the photo to a lady named sssaaa

Race was going well for the A/B's. My buddy Rey and I figured that it was one catagory since they were racing together, but it wasn't. They put us in the A's, super sweet seeing there were a handfull of riders there that sponsors actually pay them. Not a big race, only about 15 or so racers. Testing out the Jake the Snake. Doing pretty well, but wasn't use to the narrow bar. Got a great start, just behind the super fast guys and was falling into a good position, riding by myself with a good gap behind me. After the first few laps I beleive I was leading the B's and wasn't in last place of the A's. All going well till a mishift on the uphill climb and a broken chain! Had to run about a 1/4 of the course to grab the fixxie, whereby I was passed by the guy who won the B's. Back on the fixxie things felt good. Getting back into position and looking as though I'd be able to catch the dude who passed me while I was running. With 3 or 4 laps to go I proceeded to get lapped by the 1st and 2nd guy right before the downhill, where I could have passed them, but figured that would be a lame move since they had lapped me. Well after that boost of confidence and wanting to catch the B leader I decided to really go for it on the hill the next lap. Bad idea on a fixxie. Lost control prehopping the third roller and somehow ended in the air, backwards, above my bike. Landed hard and it felt like my dick had become a snake tounge. Sat on the side for a while considering dropping out, till my buddy Rey, who had an earlier flat when my chain broke. He came through the pit after I dropped off the Jake and he snaked the rear wheel so he could keep going. When Rey caught up I jumped back on and eventually passed him, finishing 6th (2nd to last) in the A's. Not sure how we would have done in the B's but I think we would have come in 3rd and 4th (3rd and 2nd to last). Well, the cross check now has a rear break and an the option of a freewheel. Both of us were just stoked to be able to finish this hour long race as the Tuesday nighters are only 30 minutes.

Two days later we had the Tuesday nighter. Still a bit run down and with a cold coming on I was nervous, but feeling more confident after having now raced twice. Got a great start (not too hard when there are about 18 riders)and was about 3rd for the first 1/4 lap where the track heads into a hard 90 degree turn before a table top. Have this turn wired so take the furthest inside line which puts me out front and instead of trying to chill and let someone pass me I hammer. Bad idea! I manage to lead the rest of the first lap and am second for lap 2 and 3 with Rey right behind me. There was no way to keep up the pace and some riders started to pass. Was dying the rest of the race. Rey and I pretty much rode together, me pulling most of the way, some reason I couldn't just suck his wheel. My legs and back were just aching. Then about 2 laps to go Rey pulled ahead on a runup he was nailing and that was killing me. Had a little left for the bell lap and gave chase. Got pretty close to catching Rey and another guy he was passing on the runup with about 200 yards to go. That is where Rey solidified his lead over me and the other guy furthered that gap on me. He was weak on the downhill though cause its sketchy and there is another uneven turn right at the finish table top, that I new I had dialed. Got on that dude's wheel and the right into the last turn passed him on the inside and sailed up the table top. Rey finished 5th and me 6th, his best finish in the Tuesday night and by far his strongest ride yet. It was sweet. He's in 5th in the point series and me 6th which is pretty good considering I've only done 2 of the 4 races.

Lesson 2: Don't attack within the first 1/4 of the first lap and if you have some sweet time saving lines or tactics, don't show 'em off to everybody at the start of the race.

Cross is fun. Get out and vote today! Its another Tuesday nighter tonight.


http://www.dirtderby.com/

Photo credit to a lady who posts as sssaaarrraah