It was the second race in the Georgia Cross series this morning. I raced the first one too, but never got around to a writeup as a result of a CAVALCADE of more important things to do. So I’m writing this one up while it’s still fresh in my mind, and while I’m still optimistic about how much I’ll be able to accomplish before the stress of the week sets in.
The course was fast and flowy– mostly grassy bits, one long-ish descent on hardpack, more grassy bits, and then an unrideable sandy section. After that, just a few switchbacks and that was it. In contrast to last week’s race, which was deliberately choppy (lots of 180 degree turns, barriers placed before steep sections so you had to run up, etc.), this one allowed you to generate some speed. I’ve been racing in the Women’s As (Cat 1/2/3), which I’m not thrilled about– these women are all in super-great shape, and are coming off of the road season. I, on the other hand, am coming off of a dissertation and a cross-country move, which does not seem fair. (Your cyclocross category is determined by some combination of your mountain and your road category, and even though I’m a lowly Cat 4 on the road, I’m a Cat 1 in cross-country mountain bike, so for whatever reason that translates to a Cat 3 in CX. Also, in this particular series, the 4s are separate while the 1s, 2s, and 3s all race together, so that’s why I’m stuck in Women’s A in my first season of cross).
That being said, one of the nice things about a fast yet technical course is that it allows me to take advantage of what few strengths I have– which are the cornering and general bike handling skills ingrained from years of mountain biking. So while anyone who’s in shape is certainly more explosive, and just generally stronger than I am at this point, if nothing else, I’m at least efficient. In this race, I really tried to make the most of this– picking the shortest lines through soft turns, trying not to brake through hard turns, and descending as fast as I possibly could. As it turns out, I’m also pretty decent at the rolling dismount, but I’m pretty hit-or-miss when it comes to the remount on the other side. I also tried to use some of my triathlon knowledge on the sandy run bit, taking short quick steps instead of longer, slower ones, knowing that high cadence on the run is much less physically taxing.
The result was a much more satisfying race than last week’s. Even though I finished last week’s race mid-pack (something like 13/21, iirc), I found last week’s race really frustrating. I totally spaced out at the start, so I began the race in absolute last place, and spent the first lap having to pick off the slower riders one by one. Also, it was my first time racing on my new cross bike, which, while it was certainly a very good deal, is not– how do you say– a very good bike. It’s quite heavy (probably heavier even than my mountain bike), and it doesn’t fit me that well. I think I’m going to try to swap out the stem for a shorter one, since I’m very stretched out when I ride, and it’s throwing off my steering. Also, it has the little top-mounted cross brakes, which I thought would be helpful, but in truth I never use. And having two sets of brakes diminishes the stopping power of each set individually, which, as someone who likes her brakes calibrated very tightly, is taking some getting used to. But enough complaining. Instead, this race.
I was under no illusion that I could keep up with the women who had been racing all summer, so I had two moderate goals for this morning’s race: 1) to not blow the start again, and instead to try to start– and stay– in the middle; and 2) to not get lapped. (Last week, I was lapped by the first woman, which, while not unsurprising, still made me feel pretty lame). I was able to meet both of these goals. I started in the second row of riders, but was the first in my row to clip in to my pedals, and as a result, was able to catch the back of the riders in the first row. I’m not sure when I’ll feel confident enough to start in the first row– probably not this season– so that kind of start is the kind I’ll try to replicate at future races. And I didn’t get lapped! In fact, I even passed a few people towards the end. (One advantage of the A race vs. the B is that it’s 45 minutes vs. 30, which gives me some time to get into a groove (and allows other people to get tired). So complain as I might about having to race with the As, longer races are always better than shorter races for me).
I’m guessing that, like last week, I finished middle of the pack. Which all things considered, is just fine. I’ll miss the next few races as a result of some work (and life) travel that I have planned, but I’m hoping that this will give me the push to start training during the week again. (Last week was a total wash– I didn’t ride my bike once!)
Life in Atlanta is constantly evolving, and I’m really struggling to find (and keep up) a routine. But each week that I cross another work task off the list, or that I even just show up for a bike thing, it’s one step closer to normalcy– or so I tell myself.
