Austin and I rolled on over to the 3rd race of the MSG series this morning. We arrived to a totally frost covered course. It was a cold 30 degrees. We got all setup then the sun popped over the ridge and started to warm things up slowly. At the start of CX4 there was still some frost on the ground. Master Dwayne devised another good course laid out around the park. I was much tighter than last year though. I arrived late to the start (imagine that) legs cold and chicken skinned. We started out and I laid back as usual but kinda rolled up into the middle of the pack after the start straight with no effort it seemed. A couple turns later big pileup. Took out three or four really good riders in our class. I just pedaled on, soon it was just Mark and I again out by ourselves somewhere in the middle of the pack. I heckled him in a few of the turns to come on. I don't ride very well when I don't have anyone in my sights ahead of me. He caught me, passed me and we picked up the pace -a little. A couple of riders started reeling us in and I guess Mark got a little rushed in a turn and went over the bars. We all went around and rode to the finish. I got a 17th today. I put my Mavic ES wheels off my S-Works road bike on my Masi CX bike and it made a huge difference. It didn't help me win, but I was able to pedal the whole course in the "big ring". It was also "scary cross" day. You get 25 more points if you dress up in costume. Some go all out, some barely make an effort like myself. I was pretending to be a safety orange traffic cone in my orange Maxxis kit...lol. I had a small cone on the top of my helmet but it wouldn't stay attached.
Austin lined up with us in the SS class and he had a pretty big field to contend with, around 12 or so. He dressed as a tattoo artist thanks to Anet. I gave him some strategic advice before the race in which he actually followed. It netted him 4th. Go Austin!!!! He talked about some hard parts of the course and how he tried different things to get through them. He's getting better!
Before the SS class I noticed this new blonde chick on the SS scene. I heard that she attended the HOT last week. I wanted to say hi and welcome her to the MSG since she was new, but Rob was all up in her grill and gawking down her race jersey that she had zipped down to her size "double G" monster melon bra. I swear she could be Archer's sister! Its a wonder when she's running barriers she doesn't get a black eye. It had warmed to a nice SUNNY 68 deg now, NOT CX weather. But I like the warm. We started and I rolled out last. I don't put alot of effort in the SS class now since I'm not in as good as shape as I was last year. I just use it for exercise. It hurts though! 30 minutes with one dang gear, whew. I wasn't in last after a lap and was passing people. Then Bill B. (TCRC) took a hard spill on one of the fastest parts of the course. I thought he broke his collar bone. Larry Bishop and I stopped to assist because he did not get up. We got his bike and him out of the race course and he told us to go on. We refused but he insisted so we did. Larry and I rode around and then WE THOUGHT we were on our last lap. We raced over to the barriers and we both let it all hang out on the finish line straight. About 100yards of spin your brains out hell. Larry started passing me and I thought "what the heck I have a bigger gear" so I dug a little deeper and started to pull ahead. I spun for all I had, got to the line and they are smiling and said...... 1 more!!!! What????? you gotta be kidding me!!!!!!!!! Dang!!!!!!!! I'm done. I spent it all on the sprint. We rode slowly around and a couple dudes started catching us then Larry found a little somethin' extra and I did not care in the least. He rode on and away, I just rode on slowly. I think I managed a 22nd even after stopping for a minute to help Bill, Oh well I had fun. It hurt though. Tomorrow brings some more North Carolina CX in Lenoir N.C. Big classes and lotsa pain......... did I mention I don't like this pain thing?
Later G ....................................................................
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