Crossasaurus Awesome

This was the fourth race of the PACX Series. Coming off back to back wins last weekend at Star Rock and West Chester, I was nervous, especially because the woman who won the second day of Nittany CX was in the field. The course was a bit different than last year. Gone were the straightaway hammer sections, replaced by technical stuff. I had my best start of the season and went into the steep dirt ride up in second place. After a few off camber twists and turns we headed onto a gravel straightaway and I passed the lead rider. My lead grew as the race progressed and I did my best to keep pushing because in CX, you never know what can happen. I crossed the line for my third win in a row.  

Many times, I'll arrive at a race and hear people say that the course is flat and suited for roadies or it's technical and the mountain bikers will do well...or (my favorite) it's really hilly, hope you brought your climbing legs. 

I'm not a sprinter, in fact I'm still uncomfortable sprinting in the drops. I'm not a mountain biker, my technical skills aren't great. I 'm not really a climber, because there are no hills in South Jersey. I'm not particularly good at any of these things but I'm decent enough to get by. I think that versatility has played a key role in my success this season. I still have a lot to learn. I worked hard from January to August in anticipation of this season. My intention is to enjoy it because I know that next year, I'll get my ass handed to me.

Crossasaurus Awesome 
Post Race Beer: Southern Tier Pumking with a side of Edy's Grand Pumpkin Ice Cream

I was feeling a little Belgian after this race, but a friend showed up with a special delivery and I couldn't say no to the best pumpkin beer ever. The ice cream was pretty decent too...a handful of Nestle Toll House Morsels make an excellent topping.

in the absence of clutter

the bond that i am the most proud of was formed in the absence of clutter

there was no tv 

there was no internet

it was in a time before the smart phone could remove you from the present moment with the touch of a button

without distraction, our intentions were focused solely on each other

it was stronger than ones formed in any other fashion, 

but that's not to say that the bond could not be broken (which it was)

but it is to say that it had more value 

and i took that lesson with me from the pieces that were left

and i have tried to use them to replicate it

but it hasn't worked

because every time we're in the car, someone turns on the radio

because every time we're having coffee, the phone is on the table

silence must be frightening

i prefer to live without the clutter

nonessential personnel

I'm not too important and I'm ok with that. I don't say that to suggest that I lack self-esteem or think my life has no value. I've embraced the fact that, in the world of work, my position is not essential. 

No one depends on me the way that students depend on a teacher or patients depend on a doctor. If I want to sleep in one morning, no one will be without breakfast or a ride to school. On a sunny day, I can juggle a few things around so I can ride my bike and no one will care. If I wake up in a bad mood, I can clear my schedule and take a ride to the beach in the jeep.

Many people derive happiness from the pursuit of career goals. I'd rather attain success in other areas, which is something I am able to do in my position as nonessential personnel.

West Chester Cross Classic

I probably should play the lottery tomorrow...either that or we'll be getting a foot of snow some time this week.

Last weekend I raced a double...Saturday was early and Sunday was late (and shorter). This weekend, Saturday was late and Sunday was early. I arrived at Bayard Rustin High School to preview the course before the 9AM race. After doing more climbing in 8 miles than on a 40 mile ride in South Jersey at Star Rock CX, my legs were not happy...but they had no other choice.

When we lined up, I noticed that a few of the ladies that I usually battle with had moved into the 1/2/3 field. This increased my chances of doing well, but there was still some strong competition in the 3/4 race. 

I got a decent start (for me) which meant that ten people didn't fly past me and stayed in the lead group for the first lap. Mid-way through the second lap I took the lead, but there were still two ladies close by...too close for my comfort. On the third lap I got some breathing room thanks to smooth transitions and a few short, hard efforts on the straightaways.  One last technical section through a rock bed and I was home free for my second win of the weekend. I still can't believe it.

We waited around for a long time, but they finally called us up for the podium and I was handed a bag of goodies...so much stuff that I still haven't finished sorting through it. The best part of all of this was sharing the podium with four other great ladies. I look forward to seeing them every weekend from September to November. I love CX.

West Chester Cross Classic Post Race Beer: Southern Tier Pumking

Hell yeah! I bought two bottles of this last month and was saving it for a special occasion.  It is my favorite pumpkin beer...cheers!

Star Rock CX

When the race calendar came out in August, I was left with two options for the 19th of October. I could drive an hour and a half up the NJ Turnpike for a NJ Cup Race. I could drive two hours West for a PACX race. After racing CRCX last weekend, I decided that $35 for 24 minutes of racing just wasn't worth it. Instead, I fired up the Jeep and headed West to Washington Boro for Star Rock CX. My plan was to arrive at the course early enough to get in a few laps and relax. After two hours in the car, things tend to stiffen up on this 39 year old body. 

A 1:47pm start time was tricky as far as food was concerned. I didn't want to eat a full lunch, but enough time would elapse between breakfast and the race that I had to eat something. I elected to eat coffee.  

As the day went on it go more and more cloudy, windy and cold. By the time we lined up, I wanted to get moving just to warm up. The start was on a paved incline, at least a 4% grade, which is what we call a hill in my part of NJ. We took off and I entered the grass portion of the course in 4th because I suck at starts. Shortly thereafter, I narrowly avoided a rider in front of me who went down and settled in to a race pace effort. By the third lap I was in the lead and thought to myself "holy shit, you might actually win." I crossed the line for the fourth lap, disappointed when I din't hear the bell ring and realized that this would be a five lap race...but I stuck it out...and I opened the gap on my closest competitor...and I won. It was the first time I had won anything in my life, aside from $75 on a scratch off lottery ticket a few years ago.

There was no podium, but I have this to prove it...

Bypassing the post race beer at Lancaster Brewing Company (which would have put me in the direction of the PA Turnpike), I drove home on quiet farm roads, past horse and buggies (shout out to my people, the Amish) and the scent of methane. 

I...unpacked my bag, did a 20 minute yoga podcast, ate dinner, took a bath and went to bed...just another glamorous Saturday night in the life of a Cat 4 racer.

The Tumbleweave Diaries

camo-weave...

the moral of the story is...

I'm sure there is one, just can't think of it right now.

Two summers ago I vacationed in Montana and enjoyed one of my favorite beers every day. It is not available here, so I brought some home. Not knowing the next time I'd be able to have it, I carefully rationed my supply. The remainder has gone bad and I cannot drink it.

The moral of the story is...

CRCX

Photo Credit: Will Rivas

Last month when I attempted racing on back to back days it was an epic fail. Heading into this weekend I tried to be realistic. I picked one race (WhirlyBird) to focus on and would give whatever was left in the tank my second day at CRCX. This race was also the NJ State Championship. While it would be nice to win a State Championship, the Cat 4 field is small and I find it more of a challenge to keep up with the stronger women in the the 3/4 MAC Races. 

I arrived several hours prior to the start of my race to watch some friends in other races. This gave me an opportunity to spectate at the trickiest section of the course. I watched what worked and what didn't, then I practiced it several times. 

The course was flat. The weather was windy. I had a decent startand remained in contact with the lead group of three for the first lap. On the second lap I moved into third place. On the third lap the bell rang...(shortest race ever)...I started to gain on the second place rider, but there was also a familiar face gaining ground on me. I knew if I rode cleanly through the last technical section I could get separation and a spot on the podium. I nailed it...second in the State and third

overall...complete with the most banging prizes! Thanks Peanut Butter & Co. 

CRCX Post Race Beer: Terrapin Pumpkinfest


One thumb down, one thumb half-way up...I was slightly disappointed because I've had some good Terrapin Beers in the past. They missed the mark on this pumpkin one...way too much spice!

WhirlyBird CX

Today was my one year CX anniversary. I remember that nervous feeling at WhirlyBird last year. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, nor how much I would enjoy it. 

I opted not to take the first row start my bib number entitled me to. Instead, I lined up in the second row behind a wheel that I trusted. Starts are a work in progress…there's the tension at the starting line, your heart rate going from 88 to 188 in 10 seconds, all while trying to clip in with thirty people around you...not to mention trying to find the proper line. I lost contact with the lead group shortly after the start, but kept them in sight the entire race. 

My coach explained a race as a series of "if, then" scenarios. Today was the best example of that statement I've seen thus far. It's hard enough to keep your legs moving when your heart rate is pegged and your lungs feel like they're bleeding...having to incorporate anything cerebral into the equation seems too taxing...but if you don't stay mentally sharp, you're going to go down with that girl who just toppled over in the mud...you're going to get passed on the inside by that girl who's on your wheel.

I rode a smart race today, made two big moves in the last lap and finished 8th. I also attained a season goal of finishing in the top 10 at a MAC Race...Happy CX Anniversary to me!

WhirlyBird Post Race Beer: I picked something up at Canal's on the way home and had every intention of drinking it, then it was 7:30pm and I was in my pajamas. There's always tomorrow!