Saturday, December 14, 2013


End of the 'Cross Season 2013


Well I just noticed on the Cap City Cross site that tomorrow's final race of the series is canceled due to flooding. Kind of surprising since I met riders this season who would have looked forward to racing in axle deep water just a few degrees above the freezing point and loved and excelled in it. I have to admit that I would have probably loved it too (Excelled? That's questionable.). As it is, I am delighted to have season one with all of its lessons in tire tread patterns, recommended tire pressures and an array of bruises and aches in the books. (And I will have a greater appreciation for riding on smooth pavement this upcoming Spring.) Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the experience and learned that road riding skills have little, if anything to do with cross. It forced me to grow as a rider.

I am the most unlikely cross racer to have lined up at the start line. Since the age of 19, I have been a dedicated roadie who resisted any sort of off road riding. Then two years ago, I was enticed into the Battenkill gravel road race and started to be drawn to the non-tarmac dark arts. I finally broke last winter when possessed by a mad fit of cabin fever, I assembled a single speed Niner. "At least I can ride it on a snow covered bike path," I thought. -Have yet to do that but as soon as I could, I hit Alum Creek's P1 course, thinking "P1" meant a more basic experience than the P2 course. That first MTB ride was a harrowing and frustrating jaunt over tree roots, rocks and through closely spaced tree trunks. I was expected to somehow navigate over a narrow bridge after being thrown around by a descent into a heavily tree rooted ravine and then immediately climb up the other side. Must have been entertaining to watch. Next, I found myself racing the "Amish Country Roubaix." This event is unsanctioned. USAC would be crazy to ensure this one. As a roadie you know you are in trouble when the race course forces folks to decide whether to race with a cross bike or a mountain bike. Let me just say that the winner's medal is a horse shoe dangling from a loop of barbed wire. A horse would have been a better choice. -Can't wait for next year's event.

After these experiences I figured that cyclo-cross would be a relatively civilized discipline. While my fledgling mtb skills were a great asset, I learned that cross is painful, exhausting, frustrating and the most humbling best damn time anyone can have on bike. Cross says,"Give me your young, your old, men, women, experienced or inexperienced, I have a race for you." I particularly enjoyed watching fathers warming up with their sons and daughters in tow around the course (I wonder if Mom knew where they were). To begin, you can spend over $5,000.00 on a Sven Nys inspired rig, or do as I did and put together a sub $1,000.00 ebay and old parts bin project. (Great way to burn up all of those old Shimano parts collecting dust in the garage.) Your bike handling skills and appropriate tires are the most important pieces of technology. Plus, cross is a great spectator sport. I believe my support crew and official photographer enjoyed her weekend excursions. And I earned money! Yes, I was given a $1.00 hand up at one event for shouldering the bike correctly.

So, I can't wait until next Autumn. I know where and how to practice, will be ready for the explosive sprint at the start of each race and hopefully, after more mtb rides, be ready to glide through and over sand, mud, snow, ice and perhaps axle deep water.