CX Races 4 + 5

4 - Hillbilly

Friday pre-race was a bit hectic. I think I got home from work around 6.30, and we were scheduled to leave around 8. My stuff was half packed, but my bike was still dirty from riding on Thursday night. So, it was a quick turn-around, a take out dinner of with D & P, and we were off to stay with my non-cross-racing teammate in Collingwood. It was a long drive, but I was glad to not have to wake up super early to do it the next day!

The course was little changed from 2007, although the conditions were much, much drier. It was still muddy in parts, but last year had so much rain, Saturday's mud was minor in comparison. We had heard rumours of an American couple who were going to take part in the Hustle, and it was awesome to see a beautiful Rock Lobster just before the start. (I am suffering from new-bike lust so bad these days, it's not even funny. Seeing the RL in person did not help!).

Off the start, we went hard up the first hill, and into the muddy back sections. The front group of Miss USA, Anita, cb and I stayed together for about the first lap, but it didn't take long for Miss USA and Anita to slowly pull away. I had been instructed to focus on the second half of the race, so I stuck with cb for a few laps, feeling like I was working, but was keeping myself out of the red. I was feeling really good about how well I was riding some of the back section, so I tried to make move #1 on the double track leading out to it. No go - I was not getting around her without a fight. My second move stuck, and I basically worked to extend my lead without blowing up.

On the goals front, I again had success finishing within 10% of Miss USA (who quite handily won). Consistent lap times were not so hot, with my fastest lap at 8.31, my slowest at 9.20, and each lap progressively slower than the previous. No major dips in lap times, just 10 seconds here, 20 seconds there, but not hyper-consistent, either.

The rest of the day was hanging out in Collingwood, having lunch, and heading back to Toronto. I got to feel pretty close to pro (at least, that is how I am rationalizing a night spent in being anti-social) - D cleaned my bike for me, I got home around 8.30, and got in a quick spin to keep the legs loose, ate dinner & packed for racing on Sunday.

5 - Oktoberfest

Hometown race, if you count anything north of Eglinton as being "in the City" (which, for the record, I don't). I missed this one last year because I was in Portland, and was looking forward to seeing the course. I had heard much about it - including many criticisms of a concrete dismount leading to a staircase. Seeing it in person, um, yeah - the run up to it is between a brick wall and a series of metal posts. Not looking so good. Luckily, this year, we were on grass right up until the base of the stairs. This lack of sketch was made up for by a high speed gravel path at the back, complete with barriers you would hit pretty damn fast without trying too hard.

I managed to lose my sunglasses in warm up, and while it wasn't the end of the world, I wasn't looking forward to racing without them. Luckily, cross is awesome and full of awesome, helpful people. I asked a few people to keep an eye out, and was reunited with them on the start line!

Because the organizer is, well, insistent on always doing things a bit differently, we had a running start. This shook things up a little bit, and was a real test of the remounting skills, but the Women's field got through without any pile ups (the same cannot be said for the boys!). This race was another good, steady effort, with another third place finish. I am so excited to be finishing on the podium with some consistency this season! I don't think I managed a podium finish once all year! As another bonus, I get to put little check marks next to my goals from this reason. In fact, my lap times were wicked consistent, all within 7 seconds!