My 1st "real" CX race

So this has been a great Mt. Bike season (its not over yet), and I've been enjoying it immencely. Needless to say this CX season has snuck up on me. Mid last week I casually heard someone say "1st Harlow race is next Tuesday"...... Mixed emotions followed that statement. Mostly excitement but I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a bit of nervousness (never ridden a CX bike before) and some sadness (sign of the end of summer).

There was only one thing to do and that was to head to the Stoemper Compound and start getting my bike ready. About a year ago I'd started helping Stoemper with some machining and small part design and I'd worked enough hours to justify them giving me one of Ben Berdens retired frames from last season (it even came with a BB full of Belgium mud for good luck). Just so happens we have a few things in common. None of those things happen to be fitness or bike handling skills sadly but we like the same bike geometry and also classic monster tattoos.

So late Wednesday afternoon Todd and I started assembling my newish 'cross bike. Some parts were donated, some were purchased, some were pillaged from my road bike. All I know is that at 1:00am after consuming an infant sized burrito and a few beers I had a complete bike (minus some nobbys that I got from a teamate the next day).



Last minute Fankenbuild

On the way home I realized how snappy and quick the bike was and some of the nervousness went away. The next day I got in about 30min of practice with the team and got to show off my new ride. It hooked up pretty good in the turns and the only thing that seemed to make me hesitant were how bad the brakes are (Im getting used to it). Some more of the nervousness went away. Over the weekend I was guiding Mt Bike Tours for Oregon Adventures and didn't get a chance to touch the 'cross bike. I logged nearly 95 miles of singletrack and on Monday my legs felt like Jello. That night I though about crashing, cramping, and suffering. The nervousness came back.

Tuesday's workday couldn't go by fast enough and when I got to Camp Harlow I got registered and did a couple slow laps on the course. I was able to hold my lines in the turns, the tires seemed predictable, my legs weren't great but the jello feeling had gone away, and there was a sprinkler to ride through that was creating a bit of a bog. The nervousness was gone and I was STOKED! I toed the line toward the back of my category but I was ready to ride fast and take chances.



Looking for a hole to shoot passed Spencer

I rode aggresive and held my lines into the singltrack. I avoided a few roots and rocks that ended up flatting a couple people. Although my form is poor I managed to clear the barriers quickly (with only a few stutter steps). Coming into the bog I was right where I wanted to be, mid pack 6th of 14 and ready to move up a few spots on the next lap. I chose a line through the bog that I'd ridden fast in my practice laps ..... WHOOOAAHHH! Irrigation sprinklers lay down a good amount of water in a short amount of time. Before I new it I was sliding on my left side for 20ft or so and right off the side of the course like I was on a slip n slide. I managed to keep my right hand on the bars and my bike stayed with me so when I stopped sliding I hopped up, I had to unjam my front brake from under the rim and then I rode as fast as I could to catch the 3-4 people that just passed me. I managed to ride good lines on the technical sections and not lose to much time on the open flats and even though my legs were shot I caught a few riders to finish 7th. All in all it was a good time and I'm now officially addicted to Cross..... and I'm definately looking forward to my visit to my favorite Massage Therapist.