Dahlonega

Last race of the year and did not know what to expect from my waning fitness and a new course that no one knew and I didn't get a chance to pre-ride on Sat. Lucky for me the weather wouldn't be a factor as it had been warm with spring like temps all week with race morning cool and foggy.
This week I had cameras mounted on the front and back and was able to get good footage that I could combine for a nice video, the video is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MncA4nwg3uA
Now for the race, I had no expectations on my finish just wanted to enjoy myself and attack the course which I thought was the best of the year, I really liked the steps and the downhill leading to the run up the steep bank. Not going into a lot of detail I started off slowly and moved into 4th place on the 2nd lap with Lamar and Torre hot on my wheel, I bridged up to Dan and Gerard and for a while we rode together but they eventually pulled away and I began to think that I would be happy just to finish on the podium and was checking back to see where Torre was, going up the first set of steps was a good place to see if I was loosing or gaining ground and for 2-3 laps the gaps stayed the same but I was putting out near max effort and didn't know how long that could last, finally I saw a little more breathing room and realized that 3rd was in the bag, whew it was hard well earned podium.
I got what I think is the best race photo in several years taken by Trish so I had to buy it thanks.

A hillbilly in Blue Ridge?

Like Wendell I hadn't ridden much in a couple of weeks (when it gets cold I gets lazy) so I wasn't expecting much for the race. I did go down to the course on Sat. evening to pre-ride and got there just as they were finishing the set up.
On the pre-ride I rode the hill each lap but not at speed so it was questionable if I could do that in the race after a couple of laps. The ditch didn't seem too bad so I rode it also but thinking back on it I would have been faster to run the ditch, jump back on and power up the hill. The last lap of my pre-ride I timed myself at about 80% effort and came in at 7:42, well I should have aimed for that in the race the next day and would have probably finished better.
Race day morning was better than I expected, nice temps and good humidity, choose to wear the battle flag jersey but an interesting note if you go to the Veterans Memorial Park in Blue Ridge you will notice that most of the veterans in the Civil War from the area fought for the North, you will probably find that in the mountains that was not unusual.

Ok back to the race, the whistle sounded and Dan took off like a shot out of a Yankee cannon! Torre and Lamar were not far behind and I took a spot behind Lamar up the first hill to the pavement. I managed to pass Lamar and then Gerard passed me and Torre up the paved climb, I passed Torre about half way up the paved section and caught Gerard at the ditch, I noticed Dan got off and ran the ditch, smart move. Getting across the ditch I would then pedal the down hill hard to hit the loose up hill dirt section with as much speed as possible, this worked to get me about half way up with just a little effort to go over the top. Doing this I passed Gerard and then Dan at the crest of the hill and took the next turns wide almost getting into the tape, again! I managed to avoid taking myself out and screamed down the hill, hitting close to 30 mph, down in the low lands I took a peek back and didn't see anyone and was thinking, damn a big ole lead so I tried to settle down and just ride a good pace not looking back to see if anyone was catching me. At the mulch run section I thought I heard someone behind me but still didn't look back, when I hit the paved section before the start line big Dan comes by like he had just started the race, so fast I couldn't respond. So up the paved ascent for the 2nd lap and Greg T. passes but he has to get off and run the hill so I repass him, back down in the flats we pass and repass each other some more then Torre comes by an then moments later Gerard and Greg do the same. I stayed there as best I could letting them get a little gap up the paved section thinking I could get the gap back on the hill, no didn't work I hit the ditch and let the front wheel dive in too hard and a tumble I took, that was it as far as racing for a podium, 5th place.
I may have went too hard on the first lap but it didn't seem like the effort was that much but I guess no training = no endurance. I reckon if my fitness level was the same as earlier in the year I would have had a good shot at a podium or even a win.

Wendell's World Race # 6, Blue Ridge

Race # 6 (45+ Category), Blue Ridge- A return to racing after two weeks off for Thanksgiving, two weeks in which I rode my bike a grand total of one time. I did manage to go on a couple of runs while at the in-laws for the holiday but was not feeling primed and ready to "turn the pedals in anger" on Sunday morning in Blue Ridge. I decided I was just going to take this race easy and see how I felt so I lined up at the very back of the field on a row by myself at the start. After the start it didn't take long for the competitive juices to start flowing as I got frustrated at being stuck behind everyone as they came to a standstill on the left hairpin leading onto the lower ramp of the climb. I worked on the hill to pass people and got by a number of folks by the time we hit the ditch. I settled into a little duel with Bobby and Randy on the first couple of laps as we swapped positions a few times around the course. I think the long climb was a good feature for me and I was eventually able to get a bit of a gap on those guys there. I could see Jim and another rider not to far ahead of me (50 yds??) at this point but that was as close as I would get, they opened up this gap as the race progressed. So for a couple of laps I was just dancing with myself as the guys behind me weren't coming back and the guys in front of me were going away. Then I caught sight of orange (series leader jersey) behind me and had renewed incentive to ride hard as I was in the sights of the 35+ leader. I tried, but fell about a half lap short and got lapped. On the bright side the leader was the only one who lapped me, in weeks past the first three or four guys came by me. I wound up in 9th place.

Some thoughts on Blue Ridge:
- I thought the course was an interesting balance; a long (at least for cyclocross) sustained climb for the little Spanish climbers and the rest of the course downhill or dead flat for the big Belgians. I really liked this coure.
- In practice I decided the ditch was an endo waiting to happen for me so I ran it and re-mounted and rode part way up the hill before dismounting and running it. I also re-mounted after the first railroad ties in the mulch pit and dismounted again for the second set of railroad ties so I was dismounting/re-mounting 5 times per lap. I'm not complaining that's just what I thought would work best for me on this course.
- Note to self for next year: "Learn to bunny hop"; at least a six inch high railroad tie, as that is about all the second set amounted to coming out of the mulch pit.
- The off camber turn on top of the hill felt like you were going to fall off the face of the earth if you screwed it up; it made me feel better to un-clip my right foot on that turn even though it probably made me slower.
- Having gotten lapped the last three races I've gotten an up close view of how guys who are substantially faster than me are riding different parts of the various courses in the race. The thing that has somewhat surprised me is that they aren't really taking the technical/skills portions of the course much, if any, faster than I am. This sort of blows part of my excuse for being slower i.e. those guys are just better bike handlers or have better CX skills. Guess I'll just have to come up with a new way to rationalize my poor performance; they're probably all on drugs, yes, that's it, they're all on drugs!!!

One more race in the series for this season, I think I may double up this weekend and try doing the CX4 race after the Masters just to see what that second race feels like!

Wendell's World Race # 5, Augusta

Race # 5 (45+ Category), Augusta- In contrast to last year in Augusta when it was rainy and sloppy, this year's course was dry, hard and fast. We had the smallest field of the year toeing the starting line. We hit the first set of barriers in a pretty tight group and a rider went down in front of me coming out of the barriers. I was able to squeeze through against the tape along with John Johnson so didn't really loose any time but this sorted the field out a bit. I quickly slotted into a position behind Jim B and was able to stay pretty close to him for several laps; not right on his wheel but closer than I have been able to maintain in the past and I could see Lamar not to far in front of Jim. Marshal and I swapped places this week and he chased me pretty much the entire race just as I had chased him in Macon. After a lap or so I saw Wojtek hook up with Marshal behind me and then I experienced one of those Monty Python Holy Grail moments when I looked back and Wojtek was about 50yds behind, looked back again-he's 50yds behind, looked back again-he's 50 yds behind, looked ahead for 2 seconds and heard him on my wheel. He must have closed the gap really fast on the soccer field section. He stayed with me for about half a lap and then rode away on the paved section, I couldn't stay with him; strong ride by Wojtek! The leaders in the 35+ field lapped me as I expected on this short fast course and I didn't realize it till the results were posted but a 45+ rider passed me along with the 35+ leaders; guess I need to work on my situational awareness there and start looking at bib numbers. I don't think I could have done anything even if I had realized he was in my age group as he came around fast with the 35+ guys and I was fading at the end so I wound up in 7th place. Not sure but this may have been the rider who fell after the first barriers, that might explain the strong come from behind???
Some thoughts on Augusta-
- The uphill barriers on the front side seemed to get higher every lap; about the 4th lap I didn't get my foot over that second barrier and gave the crowd a little show.
- The grassy on camber descending turn on the back side was just FUN to ride, nice feature!!!
- I'm not sure if it was lactic acid induced dementia or an optical illusion with the course tape but on the zig zag section after the steep climb coming up to the VIP area I simply turned one post to soon and rode into the tape about mid-race. I was going so slow setting up for the turn that I didn't break the tape it just stretched out until I came to my senses and was able to stop and un-gracefully extract myself and get pointed in the right direction to ride on to the actual turn. Talked with Bobby T after the race and he said he did the same thing. Anyone else see the mirage there in that turn?
- After 5 races I am sold on the single front ring setup, its all ya need.
- I think I had one re-mount where I stutter stepped so a positive day in that regard.

Not Quite DFL

The course was the best that Augusta has ever been run! It was run backwards from the previous years. We started on the pavement, to the dirt, a right hand turn up a steep hill with two barriers. Then it turned and made a long parade around a soccer field. There were three 180 degree turns up and down a hill. A short flat section was followed by the turn into a very steep but ridable hill. The course came back out on the pavement, which was slightly downhill and then went down by the rentention pond to a double set of uphill barriers. It finished with a
slight uphill the the road start/finish.

What a difference 24 hours makes! My legs felt good preriding the course. I took it nice and easy on my 3 warm up laps. It was a good course with a few places to really open up the throttle and some technical elements for those of us that like them. There were only 4 of us as some of the A Women opted to stay in Hendersonville, NC for the second day of the NC Grand Prix UCI Cyclocross races. I lined up with Holly Longley, Ellen Carroll, and Kari Linder. At the start Holly took the holeshot with Ellen and I right on her wheel. We stayed together through the barriers, and then they poured on the speed. I pushed myself around the soccer field and through the turns. The steep hill was no match for me, and it felt like I was dancing on the pedals for the first time all cyclocross season. I put my head down and got into tt position on the road and pushed the largest gear I could. I flew through the grass and up the barriers. I never let up on the pavement each time I came around. I would recover a little bit after the barriers and push the road. After the first two laps, I could barely hop over the uphill barriers even with my bike shouldered. Being short and having 40 cm high barriers makes it difficult to get over. I looked at my speed each time through the soccer field and never let it get below 13.6. If I saw it
wavering, I clicked down a gear and pushed myself harder. The one place I kept bobbling was the first 180 degree turn. I kept taking an outside line when I should have been staying in the middle. I rode the steep hill each time. I had a great race and felt really strong. I was very happy with third place although I know it would have been lower if we'd had a full field. Still, a great race where I felt fantastic!

Macon Photos

The Women's 1/2/3 Podium. 3rd: Ellen Carroll (Team Cycleworks), 1st: Kim Sawyer (BMW-Bianchi), 2nd: Kristin Smart (Atomic Racing)





A tricky entrance into the sandy beach as this Aaron's rider demostrates.

Consistency in the Women's 1/2/3

The course was run differently than the last few years. The dirt road was gone. We started on the road and turn right to a grassy area with 2 180 degree turns. A quick jaunt back on the road and then a right turn onto more grass. The first set of barriers was on a fast, flat section. I love being able to come into barriers at speed. The downhill was next to a gravel road climb and some pavement. The entrance to the sand was tricky with an off camber section. Part of the sandy beach was ridable, but most people ran it as it took more energy to ride than run. Cereal Bowl hill was next. This year they had us go up several 180 degree turns before hitting the steep top.

I got a good start, right behind Holly, Ellen, Kim, and Kristin, but they soon rode away. I settled in to ride my own race. I did not have my nutrition right this morning and started to get the shakes half way into the first lap. Thankfully, I'd remembered a Gu and had a friend feeding me. I felt much better after the gel. I pushed myself on the sandy beach and Cereal Bowl hill. I ran both of them each lap, which I was happy with. I rode as hard was I could the entire race and was very consistent, which is what I’ve struggled with since getting sick over three weeks ago. At the end, I saw Kristin about the lap me as she was coming down the road. I dug deeply into my last reserves, sped up, and was able to hold her off. I think I’m finally getting back on track.

Wendell's World Race # 4, Macon

Race # 4 (45+ Category), Macon- Yet another beautiful day for a cross race, maybe we haven't had classic Belgian cross weather thus far here in GA but I'm sure not complaining. I would call this year’s course in Macon a tough one. The one-two punch of the long beach run followed by the climb up cereal bowl hill took it's toll each lap.
The start this week seemed moderate compared to last week, maybe the front runners were pacing themselves a bit for the tough course?? I stayed with the lead pack fairly comfortably for a good part of the first lap. Things really seemed to break up when we hit the sand for the first time, gaps opened and the front runners started pulling away; though in general it seems like the race didn't really blow apart quickly, just gaps slowly/steadily growing as I was able to keep sight of the leaders for a while at various points.
Before the first lap was over I had settled into a position between two GTC riders (imagine that in the 45+ category). Marshall was ahead of me and not sure who was behind. The second time through the sand I went left and my bike went straight, I didn't fall but I dropped my bike in the sand, derailleur side down, shifting was a little crunchy after that but it worked! The chasing GTC rider caught me there and eventually linked up with Marshall ahead. I was afraid the two teammates might be able to work together on some parts of the course and open the gap but it seemed like I was able to hold it pretty steady, I just couldn't close it. The other GTC guy eventually went backwards (mechanical??) up the gravel road hill and so it was just Marshall I was chasing; I spent most of the race dangling 40-50 yds behind him. I could also see Bobby Thrash coming up behind me closing the gap. Just after passing the 2 laps to go sign I was lapped by the 35+ leaders. I didn't think I was going that slow and I thought the course was fairly long and hard so those guys must have been motoring. So instantly I was on the last lap, mentally I was bummed to have been lapped but my legs and lungs were happy that the suffering would end sooner. I could not get any closer to Marshall on the last lap and Bobby disappeared from behind me (learned later he dropped a chain) so I finished where I stayed for most of the race in 8th place.
Some thoughts on the race:
- In years past I had always dismounted and run up cereal bowl hill so that is what I did this year in practice and the race; not sure that was the best call. Marshall rode it and rode it strongly so each lap he opened the gap a bit there. I was hesitant to try riding it for the first time in the race so I continued to run it.
- My quest to eliminate my stutter step on re-mounts took a step backward this week. I find that the time I really want to stutter step is on slower speed remounts, like say after the beach run and at the top of cereal bowl hill. I kept telling myself mentally not to do it but my muscle memory kept doing it anyway.
- Years ago I would have loved having the long beach run as I was a stronger runner then but now I just survive it. However, I really like the variety in the series courses and this one gave the strong runners a spot to shine. I decided in practice I would try to ride the sand in a straight line to the hardened ditch and dismount right before it; that seemed to work okay. My bike drop was just me fumbling it as I went to shoulder it.

Trish on the ditch dismount




Sorella volunteers were out in force cheering on the riders. Paula and her K9 companion Madison.



Sunday's course in Monroe was a lot of fun, very roadie with a two technical sections thrown in for the mountain bikers. The start was on a paved road that led to the Monroe Gravel Road that is used every year. After a jaunt through a field, the first set of barriers was on a slight uphill, straight approach. The next section was very fast into the first technical section, several sharp turns through the pine straw. The double ditch jump was back; most chose to dismount over it. Another fast section with some pavement and grass followed into the second set of barriers. The second twisty section was next to a paved downhill, a sharp left hand turn, a little pavement, and a 180 around a steep hill. Ten Women 1/2/3 lined up, which was our largest field of the year so far. I knew that I was not going to do well because of all of the fast ladies on the line. I simply am not as fast as everyone else.


At the start, I stayed at my own pace and was already off the back. By the gravel road, I'd caught back up to Susie, Theresa, and another rider. I was with them through most of the first lap. I'd gain a little on them through the barriers, and they would gain time on the other sections. By the start of the second lap, I had to back off or risk a breathing attack, and they rode away from me. I was still a bit ahead of Kari; having her back there made me push myself harder than I would have otherwise. I could hear her cheers for the other women throughout the race. I was breathing too hard to respond. The third and fourth laps I held my position and worked on keeping my pace hard but consistent. I was happy to not be getting nauseated and not coughing the entire race as I've been sick the last two races. I picked up my speed on the e5th lap because Kari was getting closer. I came within a few seconds of catching the rider in front of me. If I'd had just a little more reserves in the tank, I might have been able to do it. I felt good about my race. I was very consistent, which I haven't been since Cincinnati.

Wendell's World Race # 3

Race # 3, Monroe/Criswell Park - Another gorgeous day for a cross race. Being the 155lb weakling that I am, windswept grassy plains are not my preferred venue, but the course was 'fun' in a twisted cyclocross kind of way. I remember Bob posting last year that his highest average power rating (or some term close to that) of the season was on the Monroe course. This course is one that you need to keep pressure on the pedals all the time, there are very few spots to get any rest.
I have no excuse at the start this week, I was un-impeded and had lots of space that would have allowed me to move up, I'll just have to blame those damn guys at the front who were going to fast. From my vantage point it seems like the heads of state up front came to race and things got strung out pretty quickly. Before the first lap was over I had pretty much sorted into the position with those around me that I would be racing against. We had a pretty good race between myself, Lyle and Marshall for 10th place (though I had no clue at the time what place we were in). I think it was on the 4th lap Marshall and I were together and Lyle blew by us on the paved section at the start/finish; he got a nice gap but slid out and went down on the transition onto the gravel road and we re-passed him; I think that took a little wind out of his sails and he kind of dangled around behind us from that point on. On the next to last lap Marshall attacked on the lower paved section; it was a good move as it surprised me and he came by quickly so I couldn't get his wheel but I had a little gas left in the tank and was able to pull him back by the time we passed the restrooms. I stayed behind him from that point on going into the last lap as I wanted him to lead across the windy upper plain. My plan was to attack on the hill leading up to the second set of barriers but when we hit the first barriers Marshall went left so I went right to get a clear line and I came out of the barriers in front, not sure if this was Marshall's plan or he just had trouble on the re-mount or clipping in but I saw the chance to open a little gap so I went hard up the little incline afterwards and just kept the pressure on. I was able to hold this little gap to the finish for 10th.
Some thoughts on Monroe:
- One of my season goals was to eliminate my double hop on re-mounts, I think I only did it once (old habits die hard) Sunday and so am happy with my progress there. I've even noticed that I seem to gain an advantage through the barriers over a number of other riders and so I look at improvements there as free speed, since better technique doesn't cost you any more effort!
- I think I finished as well as I could for this race. There is quite a difference between me and the next highest placed rider right now. I don't think I can make that up this year; I'll have to get more serious next year to hang with any of those guys. That said I may pick one of the coming races and just blow myself up at the start and see how long I can hang with some of them.
- If you had asked me to describe the start and who I was behind for the first couple of turns I would have been wrong. Looking at the video of the start the camera shows me in a position different than I recalled. Funny how the mind works, or doesn't work.

Criswell Park Race #3

This was a fast technical course with no area to rest, the first lap went real well as I started off slowly and gradually made my way to the front 3 and into 2nd position. Shortly afterwards my chain started coming off my 42 single ring setup and onto the chain guard and spin like a transmission slipping. I once reached down while on a fast pavement section and with my finger put it back on the chainring, Dan was on me at this point watchng my mechanical expertise while racing. So, after this happened a couple more times with me having to stop to replace it and then getting the course marking tape wrapped into my handlebar and causing a fall I slipped back out of contention and just rode the last lap for video shots.
Even though I was not on the podium this week it was still a blast! The course was set up well and really suited me as I seem to be better in the corners.
Here is a video of the first lap on you tube


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWG-ewEfajM

Hillbilly's report race #1 and #2

Race #1

Conyers GA. Horse Park Oct 21st 07 Arrived the day before and pre-rode the course enough to get the turns and barriers in my mind. Next morning got to the venue, did a couple laps of warm up, got the camera ready and lined up on the front row with the usual suspects and some new faces to the 45 + crowd.The whistle blew and off we went, was not anxious to go hard from the gun and was happy to see that everyone else must have felt the same, Gerard and Dan were up in front setting the pace with the others in tow, about 1/2 lap into the race I moved up to Dans wheel just behind Gerard and settled in to see how long I could hang. It was going well, heartrate was not skying and it seemed easy enuff to stay in contact but of course it was still the first lap, and then it happened, I felt the rim hit something hard and then moments later I could feel it on the ground, done, race over, flatted a 100.00 tire. I made my way back to the pits and put my spare wheel on and waited for the leaders to come around just so I could ride and see if I could keep pace. I jumped back in just as Dan, in 2nd, went by and followed him for a while then passed and rode up to Gerard and followed him for a lap. Didn't seem too hard but again I was much fresher since I was on the sidelines for a while. Here's the video I took.http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2496556249650700986

Race # 2 Fort Yargo, Winder Ga Oct 28th 07 Having flatted at the previous weeks race I was pumped for this race, I arrived the day before and went to the course and spent 1 hour riding the course, learning the lines and practicing the barriers and the sand. I was able to ride about half way thru the beach but then my dismount was not too pretty but I decided to ride as much as I could during the race, I just hated to waste all that speed going onto the beach. Race morning and I was feeling really anxious, I didn't sleep that well the night before, I just kept going over the course in my head and playing out how I thought the race would go.

The masters lined up and this weeks field was about 10 short of the previous week and no Gerard, but Dan, Torre, Lamar, David, Brad, Jim, Wojtec and other strong riders were there to take up the slack. Brad was kind enough to give me a spot on the front row for the start and off we flew. For the first 1/2 mile we were on a fast paved road section and the big guns all grabbed their place near the front, I choose not to get caught up in the holeshot action and was about 8 back from the front but moved up several places as we went off road the first time. Brad, Lamar and David were setting the pace up front and I noticed that Dan was a few places behind me, which suprised me a little. At 3/4 of the way thru the 1st lap I had moved to 3rd behind Lamar and Brad and went past in the single track section somewhere around the headless GTC rider. At this point Dan was behind me, I didn't know it at the time, and I kept going my same pace which kept putting time between me and the field. Looking at my video afterwards I see that at some points during the race I had pulled out a lead where that no one can be seen chasing on the road after you make the left turn at the top of the hill. I never let up the pace though and kept riding onto the sandy beach and actually fell twice in the sand which let Dan catch sight of me and he pulled me in on the last lap. Now I didn't fall on the last lap but Dan was really charging and he caught and passed me just past the finish line of the last lap, I figured I could save a little energy right then and re-pass him in the fast woods section, so I got on Dan's wheel and we went off the pavement into the woods pretty damn fast, the 3rd left hand sweeper I made my move and passed Dan taking his line and causing him to overrreact and hitting the course marking tape wrapping it in his wheel, this gave me about a 30 second advantage which I held till the end and my first ever cross win.

My first ride back in hell....

Man, it's been a while since you've been here. Are you ready? These guys are going to whoop your can.. No, you can do this, stay focused and you'll be fine.. Okay, we're off. Manage your heart rate, don't be stupid. Okay you idiot, you're already at 90%, back off. They're leaving you pick it up! You are so toasted, your gonna get killed by these guys.. Stay calm it's okay, just focus. Focus.. 102%!! You idiot, you've gone too deep, you're gonna blow! Calm down, pace your self, you're doing good, it's your first race back, your doing good. Wow, you did it, you finished and you didn't get lapped! Good job! You suck!

Robert Woldring and I were riding back home Sunday and were talking about our worst enemy when we're in the race.. our minds.. It's funny, I thought I was the only one that talked to myself, but as it seems, I'm not the only one who faces the demons of the mind.

My goal for my first race back after missing almost two seasons, or at least being very limited, was to not get lapped and have a top 20 finish. I succeeded in both, and am there for happy with my return to "hell". See you guys in Macon..

Update on Jay's Crash

From his email to me...

I am doing fine thanks to the help of Shey and Kari. I guess I landed on a sharp rock or something. I am not exactly sure. I crashed in front of Nate as we were transitioning from the road back to the trail at the sharp right hand turn. I had noticed gravel on the road and thought I made a mental note of it. Apparantly not.

Nate was a really good sport. He stopped short of me sprawled across the ground and yelled at me to get up and rejoin him. He hesitated, waiting for me, as I tried to unclip my foot that was still attached to the pedal after I crashed. I finally got my foot loose, picked up my bike, and then started to chase. Immediately, I heard the sound of my derailleur hanger sitting in my spokes. I jumped back off, bent it back, remounted, and started to chase again. At that point I knew I had a problem.

My glove was already significantly soaked with blood. My handlebar tape was covered and it had already started to drip over my bike and shoes. Having my heart rate pegged did not help matters. I was still in the mindset of winning this thing and was honestly trying to do the math of heart rate needed minus blood rate lost times laps left to go. In the end, I realized the equation was not working out my way and I needed to pull out. I eased up and rode tempo back to the start.

I jumped off my bike, lay down on my back, and started compression on my arm.
Kari and Shey helped me clean up and wrap the wound. I spent 5 hours at the ER, got an updated tetanus shot, and had my arm stitched up. My road rash is not too bad.
I was a little sore throughout the night, but what night after a cross race am I not?
I plan to ride tonight on the trainer and see how it goes.

I should be at Monroe.

Wendell's World Race 1 & 2

Race # 1 Conyers - The first race of the season and my first in the Masters 45+ category. I thought the course was fantastic and flowed much better than last year's. The week prior to the race I converted my bike from an 8spd double ring setup to a 10spd single ring setup with 42x12-27 gearing so I was anxious to see how I would do with this in a race. I was surprised at how large the field (26) was; and did not have a good position at the start line. At the start I took a wide outside line on the first right hander and held my speed longer into the first barriers, this set me up well coming out of the barriers as I passed a number of people and came out in about 8th position. I held this comfortably until exiting the wooded section after the log run-up. I took a bad line over some roots there and dropped my chain; I was pretty disappointed in this since that was one of the reasons for the single ring setup and I had a third eye on the inside as well as a guard ring on the outside. Hopped off and got the chain back on pretty quickly but still got passed by a number of riders as everyone was still pretty close together at that point. Not sure if it was the fact that I had to dismount, stop and bend down to get the chain on or just that point in the course leading into the grass climb but after that my legs felt like they were swimming in latic acid so I immediately lost contact with the front of the race and felt like crap for a half lap. Still on the first lap coming down the grassy zig zag descent my rear tire slid out and I fell on the second zig; I was overly slow and cautious on that turn for the rest of the race. By the second lap the field had thinned out pretty much and it was me and a couple of GTC guys and another rider having our own little race, by the 4th lap I had a pretty good rhythm going and was able to distance myself from our little pack and then I could see another rider up ahead (Bobby Thrash) to try and chase down. I worked the last couple of laps and was finally able to get on his back wheel at the top of the grassy zig zag descent but he gapped me on that descent and I could not bring him back. I wound up in 11th place at the end.

Race # 2 Ft Yargo - Another beautiful day and another great course. I got my patented poor starting position and the rider in front of me had trouble clipping in at the start so I was stuck even further back. I have decided that starts are something I definitely need to work on; I tend to be conservative at the starts as I like to start slower physically and don't like jostling for position but poor starts consistently hurt me. I was able to pass a few riders on the pavement before we hit the twisty back section where things stayed pretty much single file and then I passed a couple more on the wooded section below the mini-golf course. I could see the guys in front just gradually distance themselves at the various points on the course where I could gauge my position. I settled into a pace I could hold and raced with those around me (Wojtek and another rider) for a while. On the 5th lap I was able to distance those guys as we seemed to be working our way through a steady trickle of the 35+ guys. Going into the last lap I saw Bobby Thrash ahead of me again so I worked to try and bring him back; close but no cigar, I finished about 10yds behind him in 8th place. Some thoughts from the Yargo race:
- I had decided to dismount early in the sand rather than later and risk loosing all momentum or falling I think this was the right choice for me as I don't trust my bike handling skills in sand.
- I think I did a surprised double take of the headless GTC rider on every lap not because he was headless but because I kept thinking it was a stopped rider.
- I had never had my triceps hurt like they did in this race; I know I'm just a little girly man but that was something new to me. Looking at the course there was a lot of re-accelerating from very slow speeds up an incline; more pulling on the bars than I'm used to.
- This course kind of scared me with my new single ring setup as I thought I might want my old bail out gears but I didn't miss them at all. The first lap I could have used a bigger gear on the paved descent but it was not really a factor and in general I am really happy with the single ring setup it just seems to make things simpler and no chain drop this race! I did adjust my third eye in closer and higher after the last race.
- The off camber turns kicked my butt; I just felt really sketchy in both of them and I came acorss a number of people taking them slower than I was.
- I felt pretty strong at the finish which makes me think that going out harder might help my placing, we'll see at Monroe.

New Masters 45+ Goals

This year is my first racing in the Masters 45+ category. I have raced the C/Cx4 category the past couple of years and though I wasn't burning up the competition in CX4 I decided this year I wanted to try the longer races. Some things I wanted to improve this year in my CX season:

- Endurance for the longer races, the jump up in category is a 50% longer race. I was usually able to finish strong last year but knew that would be tough this year.

- Work on eliminating my double hop on re-mounts; my dismount/re-mount technique has been improving a bit each year and I want to continue that by getting rid of the momentum killing extra hop.

- Turn a bigger gear; this is another way of saying "go faster". I tend to be someone who spins rather than mashes a bigger gear. I think this tendancy causes me to bail to a lower gear and spin in instances when I would be faster staying in a bigger gear, so I have been working on this in training and hope to see some increases in leg strength and more importantly speed.

- At least one top 5 finish for the season. I figure the main players will be the same this years as in years past in the Masters 45+. I don't think I am going to be dueling with the GTC trifecta of Dan, Gerard, and Torre; throw in Lamar, Jim and the other usual suspects and I'm not sure how realistic this goal is but I'm gonna try!

Still Sick in Women's 1/2/3

"Think there is a coffee shop anywhere around here?"

The course is one of my favorites despite a fair amount of climbing. The start/finish is on uphill pavement. The first turn is left down the paved hill to a twisty section in dirt and grass. A short jaunt down the pavement leads to uphill dirt and then around the mini-golf course. The next few turns are very loose, and they come out on a gravel road. The famous "Beach Run" is next. It is difficult to ride because of the depth of the sand and squirrely lines that get formed during the race. After passing the bathhouse, the barriers await after a right hand turn. The gravel uphill leads back to the start/finish.

I have been very sick all week and was out of work and in bed with a fever for 3 days. I only got back on the bike on Saturday, and it was a very slow, pitiful ride. I knew today's race was not going to be fast for me. I got a poor start and was nearly last off the starting line. My least favorite kind of start--uphill pavement. I caught back on going down the hill and stayed in the mix until the beach. Teresa ran away, literally, from me and Alison. I'd later learn she spent 6 years living at and running on the beach. Experience counts. After the barreirs, I had a VCD (breathing) attack and had to sit up to recover. I watched Teresa and Alison ride away frmo me up the hill. At this point, I settled in to ride my own race. I kept it steady and rode as hard as I could while coughing up my sick lungs and trying to breathe. DFL once again. Hopefully, I will not be sick for Monroe. I've been very disappointed with my last two races. Then again, what can you do when you are sick but try your best?

The barriers were bigger than some of the Juniors.

Fort Yargo Cyclocross Race

How did everyone do? The masters race had some nasty crashes and some new podium placers. Great job everyone and hopefully Jay Wansley is alright.

Everyone tell us YOUR story...

Masters 45+ Video!

The Badger's Perspective --Masters 35+

I must say that today was interesting at the very least, with highs and lows in equal measure. I showed up with high hopes, but realistic expectations. I was on vacation last week in Albuquerque, NM, had some good rides and a good showing in their first series race, but Tuesday was all travel and the rest of the week has been one of little sleep (I'm still on Western time) and no time to ride what with the panic and anarchy of being out of work for six days (maybe now would be a good time to ask for that raise). Anyway, the warm-up / course familiarization was demoralizing with labored breathing, heavy legs and an unusually low heart rate, and it didn't get much better at the race start. I got a good start and was top five to the barriers, but I still have a long way to go with my running skills. I think I was probably out of the top 10 by the log run-up, and the hill was labored and slow. But I just kept it steady and by lap 3 things had turned around. Finally... My pedaling got smoother and I started passing some riders which gave me the motivation to keep pushing. Gerard caught up to me going into the final lap, but I was able to glue myself to his wheel, only losing it in the tight turns when I nearly washed my front wheel out. I could feel another racer close behind so I dug deep and hammered the rest of the way in.

This is season #2 for me in Cyclocross, and every race is a learning experience. I still watch with envy as the leaders leap the barriers with ease and lope up the steep run-ups, but it lets me know what I need to work on. I'm beginning to understand my strengths as well and am learning how to use them to my advantage. Best of all though - this is still the most fun I have ever had on two wheels. I am a lifelong 'Cross convert. There is still a long way to go in the series, and maybe I will have one of those magical days and reach the podium, but even if I don't, I already am planning on how to make myself stronger and faster for next year. Now if I could just solve that work/commute/family/yard/bills conundrum and ride full time!!

See you at Ft. Yargo!


Theron "Badger" Colucci, GTC RacingLawrenceville, GAtkcolucci@bellsouth.netelaart@bellsouth.net

The Need to Stop

Shey and company laid out a very nice course today. It had a little bit of everything that makes Cyclocross fun, including the famous Conyers run up on the back side of the course. I’ve had 3 good races so far this season. It was time for a bad one. I had a decent warm up and really liked the course when I prerode.

I got a good start and was 3^{rd or 4th} going over the first set of barriers. I had 4^th-6th position through most of the first lap. I felt really good and was flying along the course. By the second lap, I’d settled into my race rhythm and was just behind Alison, Theresa, and a new rider. I was able to make up a little time in the woods and nearly caught them coming into the third lap. Unfortunately, after the first barrier set, I got really sick. I think it was from something I ate earlier in the morning. I barely made it up the run up. The nausea was too much, and I had to stop in the woods to relieve it. I still felt sick, and my legs were dead. I sat up but managed to hold off the two riders behind me until the last two laps. I barely finished in one piece. I sat down for over 15 minutes afterwards before I could get up. Maybe next weekend will be better.

Bob Kuhn in the Masters 35+ race.

Masters 35+

Bob Kuhn, HUP United
What a splendid day for any kind of outdoor activity. It was a chilly 50 degrees during warm up but at race start it was well into the 60s. The course was laid out very nicely. Gone was the large loop around the parade grounds but instead the race stayed close to the spectator area. There were 2 wooden forced dismounts and 1 sandy forced dismount up a hill. Other than that, a slight hill after the run-up was very hard for me each lap. I tried to get the start off fast and soon Nate had taken the lead and I decided to try and follow. After a brief gap on the first lap, Jay Wansley joined us and soon both of them had gapped me on the little hill. It was only a 7-10 second gap but that is where they rode the rest of the race, finally figuring out that it was better to work together than battle. Coming into the last 180 degree grass turn, they sat up just a bit and looked over their shoulder. I was charging hard so they did not screw around and got right into the sprint. It was a great place for a sprint, short grass made it a fast run in and it was dead flat with folks cheering. From the back it was hard to tell who won but in the end it was Nate who won it and took over the coveted series leader jersey. With Brady also riding strong and Gerard probably riding the 35+ in the future, it is going to be a very tough series this year!

Others, please post your experience and if you want to author it onto the site, email me at bobkuhn3@netzero.net and I will add you. Please add posts to this post under the correct race category, with your name and team affiliation.

Conyers International Horse Park Cyclocross Race

How did you do? What did you think?

Leave your comments here or if you would like to post a race report, email me and I will add you as an author.

Cross Season Goals

At the beginning of the year, my goals for the season were to not race with a broken bone, not to have to have surgery right before the season, not to race the entire season sick, and to have fun. The last several CX seasons have been hard on me between racing the first 4 races in 2006 with a broken hand and being sick for the entire 2005 season, which ultimately resulted in 2 surgeries. Unfortunately, I've already missed my goals with having to go under the knife a few weeks ago when I found out that I had early stage cervical cancer. Now, I want to come back as strongly as I can the second half of the season and not be last in at least one race in Georgia. A Top 30 at the National Championships in Women's B and a Top 20 in Master Women 30-34 would be nice, too.

Pre-Series Question

What are your goals, hopes and/or dreams for this year's cyclocross season?

GA Cyclocross Interviews, Polls, and Contributions

This blog has been set up for the 2007 GA Cyclocross Series and is intended to be used as a way to get reactions to racing in the series. If you would like to contribute via interview, race report, or in another way, please email me at bobkuhn3@netzero.net



The Georgia Cyclocross series can be found at www.georgia-cross.com