WTF: It's September Already - ShortTrack Mountain Bike Racing - 2012 Cyclocross

The season is upon us already.
Cross is Boss.
Can't say it enough. Maybe when December 20 rolls around I won't be so psyched.

<<This is how cyclocross pro's ride their bikes in a road race. Mad skills. If it was a requirement for all road racers to race cross and mountain bikes before entering a road race, there might not be wrecks every spring.





Let's see - what have I been up to...
Short Track Mountain Bike Racing -
3 out of the 4 events I attended. Quite fun, much like cross, 110% effort, full throttle only shorter in time. Still hard, and challenging. Short-track is about finding the best line you can pedal through, finding the right place to sit out of any wind, finding the right gear and mashing it around in a circle.

The last two races of the series, I focused on doing one race, the 1/2/3 race. 30 min plus one lap. Plenty.
The first race I did in the series, race #2, I did the 3's or "B" event then thought I could go out and race the 1/2/3 race and be competitive - um nope.
The Third race, I was doing well, sitting third place and had a mishap with a poorly judged turn, waited too long to lean and brake and removed my rear tubeless tire from one side of the rim - certainly it was the driver's fault (>this guy<). I got to borrow a bike, team mate fixed my tire, pumped me back up and received a nice cyclocross style bike swap and finished the race. However my mechanical and driving error, and third place was quickly dashed, since there are no "Pits" in short track - DNF for me - thank you very much.

My Team mates are crushing it this year.

The 'Rents - my dad the ex Coach giving me tips.

Last Sunday - my parents arrive to watch me win back their love, from a disappointing mechanical at previous race, and support me in the last short track of the season.
I got in a great warm up and toe the line with Garth, Phil Noble, Spencer, Joe Hall, and a bunch of other fast guys. 2 laps in, I am still hanging on to Spencer, Phil and Garth, gap starting to happen, Joe and I battle it out like two monkeys in a cage. We are hanging on to the 3 guys in front, barely, four laps in, Phil does a "look back" and just rides off the front of the race. Bam - I stand up to go and keep up with it - and um nope, not ready for prime time playah quite yet. Joe and I continue to battle and bury each other into the dirt and try to keep SupahSpencer and Dreadhead  Garth in sight. I waited till the bell to try and make a move and get in front of Joe to get at least 4th and made it happen. Good day out there to watch a 1/2/3 race for friends and fans. I had to congratulate Joe after, that's racing and fun racing for sure.
I won a Sufferfest Video for 4th and got to stand on the grass near 3rd place for the podiums. Good day on the old 650b wheel'd mountain bike.


    2012 Cyclocross Racing Schedule - (through September)

• Sept 9 - Lionharts CX 'Benefit' Race
• Sept 9 - NEOCX - Cleveland Cascade Park Race
• Sept 9 - Driving over to watch my good friend Judy finish her first Cedar Point IRONMAN "Rev3" after my Cleveland CX Race is over.
• Sept 16 - NEOCX - Cleveland Cross - @Wendy Park (love this place)
• >>  For sure CapCity - Sunday is a Maybe
• Sept 22 - CapCityCross - Infirmary Mound Park (Newark/Granville Area)
• Sept 23 - NEOCX - Cleveland Cross @Brooklyn
• Sept 30 - St. Mary’s Cyclocross, Indianapolis, IN (Maybe if I can share a ride)