Today was day 2 (day 1 for me) of Vets Park in Ann Arbor and I had some questions going into the race. Would missing yesterday have a negative affect on me? Would I be flat or rested? Would coming home at 2 am from my neighbor's Halloween party and getting up with the kids at 7 am hurt? The short answer to all these questions is NO. I wasn't 100%, but the 85 or so was.
I arrived in plenty of time and was able to have about 20 minutes of warm up. It mainly consisted of riding the coarse and putting in a few attacks. To the start line and get positioned in the second row. Going into the first left hander I'm in 4th or 5th and feeling a bit nervous. I don't feel great and my thighs feel like their loading up. I settle in and choose a lighter gear to try and spin them out. I hold 5th position for half a lab before I make my first pass. The next pass comes shortly after through the first set of barriers and now I'm sitting 3rd, marking Brian and Mark. We ride together for half of lap 2 until we reach the short uphill, past the first set of barriers. On the climb Brian slows and Mark starts pulling away, so I pass Brian and close up to Mark. Mark leads into the second set of barriers, but has trouble remounting and clipping in. I hesitate for a second then realize now is the time to attack. I stand and put in an effort for almost the whole third lap and it paid off. By the end of lap 3 I have a 15 second lead.
My plan for laps 4 and 5 was to keep the pressure on and build the gap. My lap times were 5:58.7 and 5:58.8. I gained another 17 seconds.
On laps 6 and 7 I could see that I was holding my lead so I was able to back it off a bit. I crossed the line with my 2nd CX win and 1st of the series. I was very happy with today's result and thank everyone who cheered me on and congratulated me.
Congratulations to my teammates Keith and Clint for their strong races and too J Osgood for his strong weekend. I'm looking forward to racing with you soon.
Sunday, October 31
Saturday, October 30
It was over before it started
It was over before it even started today. I blew an oil line on M14 while heading to day 1 of the Ann Arbor Cx races. So while I'm sitting in the auto repair shop instead of racing, I thought I would update the blog. I will be back tomorrow for day 2 and continue the charge towards moving up in the series.
Friday, October 29
Stop Bitching About Races and Coarses
One day the soft folks in Michigan will understand that it can always be 'different'. You might encounter rain, wind, mud, more than 15-20 guys on the line. If you're fortunate enough to race in other states be thankful and learn from the experience. If you're getting lapped, maybe you should stay home next time or fight harder to pass someone. I don't know what the answer is. Whether you race, ride or both remember that you are in a very small pond. So enjoy the ride no matter what the conditions. You can't please all the people all the time. With that said, here is a video from the Oregon scene.
Cross Crusade Race #4 PIR from Burk Webb on Vimeo.
Cross Crusade Race #4 PIR from Burk Webb on Vimeo.
Monday, October 25
It's GO TIME!
I'd like to start by saying "Thank You" to The Michigan Scene for listing me. It's nice to know that people notice. I love what you do, even if you hurt some feelings along the way. Actually, I like when you hurt someone's feelings. There's nothing wrong with being honest or irreverent. Keep it going and give my best to T and Gary. Henry, I'll see you this weekend and thanks again.
After this Saturday we'll have reached the midpoint for this years Tailwind Series. I have some work to put in having missed the Linden CX, but after the win at Mad Anthony this weekend I feel confident. My lap times were strong and I tried not to soft pedal the last couple laps because I knew the training would help. I will be at the 'Ice Ice Baby' again this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be dirt roads, the Saturday and Sunday are Vet's Park CX. My goals for Vet's are no secret- I'm going for back-to-back wins. Lofty goals given the competition from the young guns (Ryan and Ben) and Brian of Recycled. There's also the unknowns who show to test there form for the day. Anyway you need to have goals and things to work for.
When this weekend is over it's the final week for 'Ice Ice Baby' then on to Traverse City for the 21st running of THE ICEMAN COMETH. More to come next week on this, but here's a teaser-I might be starting with the 2:05:00-2:10:00 group? Whenever that is?
Received my rewards today from last weekend- Pretty sweet, chicks in New York are paying top dollar for this.
After this Saturday we'll have reached the midpoint for this years Tailwind Series. I have some work to put in having missed the Linden CX, but after the win at Mad Anthony this weekend I feel confident. My lap times were strong and I tried not to soft pedal the last couple laps because I knew the training would help. I will be at the 'Ice Ice Baby' again this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be dirt roads, the Saturday and Sunday are Vet's Park CX. My goals for Vet's are no secret- I'm going for back-to-back wins. Lofty goals given the competition from the young guns (Ryan and Ben) and Brian of Recycled. There's also the unknowns who show to test there form for the day. Anyway you need to have goals and things to work for.
When this weekend is over it's the final week for 'Ice Ice Baby' then on to Traverse City for the 21st running of THE ICEMAN COMETH. More to come next week on this, but here's a teaser-I might be starting with the 2:05:00-2:10:00 group? Whenever that is?
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