Sunday team ride

Sunday I went for a ride with a few from my team. I haven't seen most of these guys since Cross season ended. We put in a great 75 miles in some epic fog, and got back just in time to watch Cyclocross Nationals while we killed some pizza and beer. Perfect day.

Kutztown CX, PA (2 day)

Staten CX and Supercross were the only races I did before this year. I was really looking forward to doing both of them this year and both were postponed or cancelled. In place of Supercross I did Kutztown CX in PA.

Thursday night I was looking at the rest of my season. Since super cross wasn't going to happen for me, I didn't have anything left that I considered an important race. I had more than enough upgrade points and races to upgrade. I put in for my Cat 3 upgrade that day, and by the time I got home that night I had already got a confirmation email. That was the quickest upgrade ever. I spent the night thinking about my season and became sort of nostalgic about everyone I was leaving in the 4's. I know that sounds cheesy, but I have been with these guys all season. I've learned with them, learned about them, and thrown everything I had into getting to every race with them.

Saturday was my first Cat 3 "B" race at Kutztown. This was a 2/3/4 race. I went into it not feeling much pressure. I just wanted to guage what I was up against and see what I could do. I've had a good run in the 4's this season. I've built up my confidence as a 4, but when I hit the starting grid in this race, my confidence went out the window. I felt like it was my first cross race as we left the gate. I just followed the flow of everyone else instead of creating my own. I just wasn't riding with the same attitude as I have been riding with all season.

I held my ground around 10th position. On the last lap I went to unclip for the barriers and my foot was stuck in my pedal. After finally getting unclipped, I realized that I had broke my cleat. Wilis was standing right next to the barriers and he yelled out "what size shoe do you wear?". Before I could mutter out "44" he was throwing his right shoe at me. Luckily we both ride time pedals. I put the shoe on and finished my race. I was riding pissed at this point as I had lost quite a few positions from the incident. I passed a couple more and finished in 16th place with 2 different shoes. I'm sure I would have been DQ'd if an official had seen the exchange, but whatever...At least I finished the race. I'm sure I'll always remember my first "B" race. I wish someone got some photos.

Day 2 I felt like shit before and during. No excuses except that I just wasn't feeling it. I ended up 11th. The course was honestly pretty boring. It was a great weekend simply because there were a lot of us there and we had fun together. The course left something to be desired.

Jen Nordhem took some photos of our race with my camera, and I took photos of the other races. Here are a few, and the rest are HERE on my flickr (definitely not my best photos of the season):

Bubble Cross, NJ 11/11

Staten CX was cancelled this year because of the destruction in Staten Island. We made last minute plans to Race out in NJ at Bubble Cross last Sunday.

The course was very technical. I would say that 1/8th of it was on sand. From the sand you exited to a singletrack climb that entered a whole twisty, dirt back section. There was some good climbing on the front section, a small kicker that you could catch some air off of, and a short set of stairs. Weather was in the 60's so all of this made for a really awesome, challenging race.

Our team did really well in the Cat 3's taking 1st and 2nd. I took 5th in the Cat 4's behind Wilis (king kog) who took 4th and Keith Garrison (pink rhino racing) took 1st.

We were just notified today that this weekends upcoming races at Super Cross Cup were postponed, so we are currently trying to find a game plan. I really want to race this weekend. My season is nearing a close. I have more than enough upgrade points and I think I'm about ready to make the jump up. I plan on upgrading right before my last race of this season so I can get a taste of what things will be like next year.

Enough from me, heres some photos from the day... Jen was nice enough to shoot some photos of the cat 4 race while I was racing. The rest are mine:

Full gallery HERE

K-tel and Brian Quinn post race

Catchin a little air during my race

Marty Cross days 1&2, Chester, NJ

This weekend we headed to Chester, NJ for Marty Cross thrown by Marty's reliable cycle.

The course was strung out on a hill with a really scenic view. Most of it was off camber. On day 1 there was a big climb that most people ran up. It had the stickiest, clay-like mud that I've seen all season. I had some serious trouble clipping back in after the run up as the mud was so thick that it wouldn't come off my shoes and pedals. There was also a paved downhill section that went right into a muddy, rutty section with a tight turn at the end. You could easily trash hard if you took it with too much speed. I took it really fast on one lap and nearly lost it.

On day 1 I was in 5th place most of the race. I dropped my chain twice. The first time I lost 4 positions because I couldn't get it back on. The 2nd time I lost even more ground. I ended up 12th despite the issues. Thats the first (and 2nd) time I've dropped a chain all season.

Day 2 the course was much faster, but with a lot more climbing. Most of the time was spent on the bike as there was only 1 set of barriers. Day 2 was much better. I ended up in 6th place.

I have zero complaints with how I rode,  and zero issues. I'll take it. We had most of the consistent racers in Brooklyn at this race, so it was cool to just race with a bunch of friends. Keith from Pink Rhino Racing and Jun from Chari and Co ended up on the podium.

:Marty Cross Gallery of days 1&2 (click me):

A few randoms (click to enlarge):