I'm in there somewhere...

Race 2 went much better. I placed 36th. Just 6 positions away from winning a point.

A very fun course. Mostly flat, but real flat. Not the kind of flat that looks flat, but is really uphill. Lots of zigging and switch backs. This time I replaced my rear mountain bike tire with a narrower cyclocross tire that I can ride on with a higher PSI. The tread on the tire is also shallower. The idea is to decrease rolling resistance while not compromising grip in the corners.


Unfortunately I started this race rather far in the back of the pack. There is a straight away at the start so every one up front sprints, but us in the back have to wait, and hope there aren't any crashes. Then by the first, second and third corner, things really grind down. But if you're clever and confident you can over take people if there is room. There was room after a few corners and so I did over take quite a few people. Its very difficult not to give it your all and burn everything you've got because you're so excited and there really isn't any sense of urgency or speed in this giant monster.

"Pace yourself" "breathe" "breathe" "you're doing great" "you can pass this guy, then hang on to that guy" "why are you going so slow? Let me by!"

Through several zig-zag like corners I was holding someones wheel, but because of the nature of riding in a group, the caboose (me) ends up having to slow down much more than the guy up front. And then work even harder coming out of the corner to catch up. Quite a few times I came very close to rubbing my front wheel on the rear wheel ahead of me. Not a big deal since I'm the one likely to be messed up by it, all his weight is on the rear wheel, its not going anywhere. But in the steeper climbs, I was actually finding myself being held back by people climbing too slowly.

Climbing too slowly on a single speed is really inconvenient. Momentum is everything. Having to slow down in the middle of the climb is much more difficult when you can't change gears!

I think so far my favorite part about the actual race is the off camber turns. Lots of people were washing out on the grass, but I felt like I was firmly planted and ripping it up.

36th place. I think I can do 29th or better.

It's tuesday and my lower back is still very sore. I can only assume its from riding so hard so soon on a new bike. My body wasn't used to the position. Although when I'm on the bike, I don't hurt.

Payday is not until Thursday, so I haven't been able to register for this Sunday's race. Hoping its not filled up by then.

Next year, maybe I'll buy a cyclocross bike. Until then I really enjoy what I've got. I'm glad I jumped into this sport, it'll help me stay fit in winter, and I'll make some new friends.