'Crossing in the light

Photo by Andrew Franciosa
This is at the top of the steep descent
I enjoyed the improved course

Lest I be accused of being an illegitimate 'cross promoter, I figured I should do at least on 'cross race in 2010. I had a lot of fun at the Bethlehem Cup back in 2008 (when I was apparently faster than I am now, or maybe I was just better at 'cross back then), so I figured that would be a good one to hit.

Plus, with my move now imminent, I figured it would be a good chance to say good bye to folks I probably won't otherwise see before leaving. And if that wasn't enough, promoter Chuck Q comes to the table with a chili cook off and keg. So, a good time was ensured for all.

Photo by John Bulmer
Struggling for traction on the run up
I found it was all I could do not to fall over while running

Since this was my first race of the year, I figured I'd take things easy and race the 3/4 race. Jamie graciously let me borrow his bike for the occasion. Given where my 'cross skills are at these days, I think this was probably a good idea. However, it turned out that only six racers lined up for the elite men's race, which paid 10-deep, so perhaps I should have raced that as well. So it goes. The decision to not race came when it became apparent that there would be no chili or beer left at the end of the elite race. Clearly, those things were more important than a second race on the day. I'm sure you'll agree.

Photo by John Bulmer
Somewhere on the upper section of the course
By the last lap clipping in was a real challenge, as the pedals became clogged with mud

Anyhow, the race was pretty muddy, as a result of the Delmar town park's somewhat wet topography.

While I can occasionally muster bursts of fitness, I don't have the technical prowess needed to be a truly great 'cross racer, and it took me a while to get the hang of the course. The one practice lap I got in was fairly intimidating. Then, as a result of not having done any races at all this year, I was grided on the last row at the start, which was not a great situation.

I did my best to pass a lot of people on the wide, paved section at the start, before we hit the grass, which I think worked out fairly well for me. A steep but short descent proved challenging for some people, but I found that letting bike roll allowed me to carry lots of speed to the first run up. However, I really struggled to find traction on the greasy run up.

The upper section of the course was alternately muddy and fast. On the first lap, I put in a big burst of speed to pass a bunch of people over some roots, but bottomed out my tire hard. Fortunately, it didn't flat, but I figured I should take a it a little easier.

Eventually I settled into a rhythm somewhere in the middle of the pack. Some people who shouldn't have been able to pass me did, and there was lots of heckling. In the middle of the race I started going back and forth with a guy whose name I don't know, but who's a customer at Blue Sky Bicycles. So that was fun.

I was momentarily worried that I was going to have to try to sprint against him for a mid-pack result, but he took himself up on a gentle roller toward the end of the second-to-last lap, and I rode the last lap on my own, cruising in to a 16th-place finish, right in the middle of the 34-rider field.

Next year I'm going to dominate the B race!

In retrospect, I think I would have had fun racing the elite race, but it was also fun to drink beer and eat chili while Cody and Brad were battling in the single speed race (Brad won and Terry snaked Cody for second). Best of all, mere hours before making fun of my over at Spa:Cx, John provided numerous opportunities for heckling. Ah 'cross...