Texas State 'Cross Championships

The above photo was ripped of the Texas Bicycle Racing Association website,

http://www.txbra.org/home/index.asp

Photo is of Will Black (Moots) and Bryan Fawley, shot by Richard Bonner during the Texas State Cross Championship Men's A race. Will tore the field up and lapped the fourth place rider, Craig Virr. I race with Craig out at the Dirt Dirby and he's hella fast. From what I've been told, Will came in 3rd in the Cyclocross Worlds a few years back in the Master's Division. It was a treat watching him race. Look at that form, absolutely textbook.

Raced the B's myself on a cross check, outfitted with a freewheel and rear brake. Decided to go for the single speed cause I just think I am faster on it. Don't have to think about my cadence, which I suck at, and the bike just fits me a lot better. My dismounts and mounts are a lot smoother on the surly over the jake, too. The setup is a little more stretched out which makes it easier to do the flying mount. Nice having the jake in the pit in case of a mechanical though.

Got a good start and was near the front. It was a wierd start cause the official was explaining some rules and then all the sudden blew the wistle. Although the course was a bit on the short side, it was a fun loop. Had a good battle with a few guys. They would pass me on the pavement section and then I would make up some time through the first double barrier which had a quick little downhill to a barrier and runup. Was nailiing that section and usually putting a few seconds on the guys I was battling with. After that it went into a downhill through some wooded double track. This is were I would usually retake the lead from the guys I was duking it out with. The b's were the on the course second after the jrs so the wooded section had a lot of leaves and there was no clear trail. This caused a lot of riders to take the downhill cautiously, whereas I would hammer it, no brakes. It was sweet. Finished in 7th place which I thought was pretty cool.

http://www.txbra.org/results07/

Another race on Saturday out at Moya Park. The above Mr. Black, dominated the Master's riding a Kona Paddy Wagon set up as a freewheeled singlespeed. He also took the A's lapping a good portion of riders.

Raced the B's again, which had us starting off with the women A's and B's. Kinda lame cause there was no staggered start. I showed up to the line a little late and was forced to be in the back. At the first double barriers there was a bit of a pile up. Caused in part by the woman who dominated the A's in the State Championship. She is fast as hell and was off the front. When she got to the barrier she actually stopped, lifted her bike over the first barrier, stepped over the barrier, trotted to the second, and did the same thing! Kind of amusing, but it didn't help that I was stuck behind her and my field was taking off. There was this awesome off camber section with a big root that about half the master's field was dismounting for. Had it pretty dialed during my pre-ride, so I knew it wasn't going to be a problem. Well on the first lap, being at the back some dude went down right in front of me. No problem, quick dismount and remount. Shit, my front wheel wont turn. My front canti got pushed under the rim. So while I fixed that the field again left me and I was dead last. Didn't stress, felt really good about my result the day before so I just hopped back on the bike and rode. Well, rode pretty well because in a couple laps worked myself into 6th place position. Started battling it out with this guy Rob Sisk from Houston. He'd pass me on the end of a lap where it got flat and allowed for a big gear. I would then usually pass him through the double barriers or right after and maintain a lead through the off camber section, run-up, and then an off camber, switchback climb. He'd then pass me on the flats after. We passed a rider from San Antonio and battled it out for 4th and 5th lap after lap. Not really making anytime on the leaders, but not loosing any either. With 2 or 3 to go he pulled ahead and I couldn't catch his wheel. Was starting to feel some pain and cramps. Got strong on the bell lap and started to close, but he was still a few hundered feet ahead at the line. He was far enough at the final sprint it looked like he was riding easy where I was giving it everything I got. 5th place in the B's on a single speed. Not bad considering down here B's are Cat 3/4 roadies. Cross is sweet!

Wonder how I would have done if I'd been able to get out with that lead group cause once I got back into the race they never really put more distance on me.

More cross in Houston this weekend, but I am going to sit them out. Gotta keep the wife happy and spend some time with her. Also got to get the house further dialed in after all the remodeling we've been doing lately for family visits during the Holidays.