First Cyclocross Race

Well I decided to do my first cross race this past Sunday in Lenexa, KS. I was a bit nervous since I was new to the whole thing, I have raced several MTB races and figured the venue would be familiar to me (which it was) but I was really nervous about the race itself. Denny and I did a couple preride laps together and the course had several very tight switchbacks throughout the 1.99 mile lap, it seemed like once you got through a turn and tried to accelerate you were into the next turn. There were a few places where you could really crank up the amps and make a move which proved effective during the race. There were two sets of barriers on the course, the first was on a run up, this was an area that really put a hurt on me, the second set was just before the end of the lap. There was also a sand pit that most everyone ran through, I heard that a couple people were able to ride it but it was deep sand that just grabbed ahold of your wheels and wouldn't let go.

The start of the race was a bit chaotic with 57 starters in the Men's Cat 4 class, Denny and I were on the front of the start which helped us get ahead of many riders although there were several that shot past us on the start. It took about half a lap to start getting away from the bunched up groups but I was riding with someone the whole race. The first lap took a while to get a feel for the turns since the first half was so bunched up. The second lap was a blast, I was able to make up some ground on some riders and was getting a feel for the turns. The third lap was one of the most painful things I can remember, climbing past the start line on that lap all I could think was I have to keep this up for 2 more laps......ouch!!!! I think I slowed a bit during this lap and gave up a couple spots. The fourth lap was painful and refreshing, I think since I knew the faster I got done with the lap the faster I would be done with the race. There was 5 of us going at it the whole last lap, I was the fourth in the group and dropped to fifth at one point but was able to get back to fourth and drop the other rider. With 3 turns to go I made my move on the turn but the other rider made a great move to cut me off which forced me outside on the next turn and took away the better line. He made to and through the last set of barriers before I did and I sprinted to the finish and came up about 1-2 ft off his back wheel. I finished 11th out of 57, I was very pleased with the race and the results. It was a great learning experience as well.