Wintery Mix #2

Cross racing in February........apparently so!!  I raced the CAT3’s at the Wintery Mix #2. The starting line was a long wide paved straight away that gave plenty of room for the field to jockey for position before hitting the dirt. This was good since they decided to start the 1/2 field at the same time as the CAT3’s.  I hung in with the field for the first ½ to ¾ of a lap, then the 1/2 field started to open up a gap (need to get a little faster before I ever think about upgrading). I felt OK for most of the race, but regretted doing an LT test the day before, as I think if maybe I had been well rested that I might have possibly made the podium.  I had one mishap during the race, where I hit one of the dips a little hard while seated way back on my saddle and knocked the nose pointing almost straight up.  I rode as best I could on the saddle and grabbed my pit bike to finish out the race with 2 to go (I will be switching to a 2 bolt post before next season).  I ended up 6^th for the day and I am happy with the result.

 

I actually enjoyed the course, although the softer areas were tough to power your way through, as it was that thick hard, wheel grabbing mud.  The section with “the ditch” was a blast.  The mud was a little thinner and I was able to ride it both directions, although some decided to dismount and run it.  My props to Mark Thomas and crew with the course (I have to admit I had been talking the course down all week, due to how rough I had heard it was at previous races, but a little rain did wonders). I look forward to training hard over the Summer and making a run for the podium next Fall! 

I want to thank Roger Harrison again for giving me a jump start.  I had left my lights on and my battery was dead after my race.  Roger is a truly selfless person and has been an important part Kansas City bike racing for years. Thanks for all you do Roger!