Boone Cross- NCCX #1
CROSS is HERE!!!
let me start by saying I have no idea what I’m doing. bought a cyclocross bike in 2020 hoping to get a few races in, for reasons, that never happened. 2021 cyclocross season is now upon us and the psych is high. I got one practice race under my belt a few weeks before hand. not know what to expect i learn heavily on the knowledge of my teammate David, who has a few seasons of jumping barriers.
this first race of a three month long series was held in the high country at the Fairgrounds in Boone, NC. Amanda and I roll up to the haunted fairgrounds early to preview the course and watch the masters racers (dudes over 40 ripping it). a first sight it was pretty clear the course was extremely long and had two main sections. the hills side with steep turns and descents. secondly the valley section with flat 90 degree switch backs and barriers.
before you knew it it was time for David and I to race in the CAT4/5 field (novices). we had the largest race of the day with 35 plus racers. the bell sounds and everyone fights for position going into the first turn. one thing that is different from road to cross racing is the first lap of cross is an all out battle for position and line choice. I’m still working on my bike handling skills in the grass and mud. as a result I loose a few positions the first 500 yards. halfway through the first lap I settle in and start using my crit racing fitness to pass riders on the short punchy straights. holding my line in the turns making them have to work twice as hard to comeback around me.
halfway though the race I see my teammate David off his bike and our of the race with an mechanical. I put my head down and focus on the little things. the leaders are way ahead of me. in the final lap I cash on the steep uphill. so tired I couldn’t get my foot unclipped. its was hilarious… I start laughing along with the spectators. managed a 16th place finish. stoked.
on to the next one
JRoc
