I have once again strayed away from the fold of alt.mtb. In this time I have discovered the
wonderful punishing fun of singlespeed and now cyclocross racing. Where have these jolly activities
been hiding?
r.r.
Two weekends ago I found myself on the starting line of my first cyclocross race. There were 15 of
us there on a damp, briskly cold morning giving it our first try. I had only moments before tried my
first dismount hurdle in a quick warm-up run.
The race started and we quickly fell into a wild pace of running flailing beginners. Settling into
our places we rode lap after lap. The evil Trailbert, that laid out the course, decided that running
through sand was a good quality for cyclocross. We thanked him later. On my seventh lap I could no
longer hold off being lapped by a 62 year old master rider, Ed. In my defense he was the 2002 world
XC champion (60-64 age). Oh well, one less lap I would have to finish.
It was a high intensity event that we all enjoyed very much. I ended with a fifth place finish. I
find it to be a great cross training regiment for the winter. Maybe I will not suck as much as usual
when the spring comes around. One can only hope.
Peace and Merry Christmas,
OzarkMtbr