Race: Norcross Cyclocross
Date: 11-14-2002
Place: Best Friend Park, Norcross, GA
Distance: 5.7 miles
Speed: 9.1 mph
Time: 36 minutes
The coldest day of the fall greeted riders. Highs were in the lower 40's with the wind chill make it feel like it was in the upper 20's. Racers pondered what clothing to choose for that delicate balance between freezing and frying once they were racing. The course was rather short, with the average lap times around 4-4.5 minutes. The course started off with a road start up a grassy hill that was very wet and boggy. The first obstacle was a single barrier. The course then went straight down a gravel road for about 100 feet then to a sharp left hand turn, one barrier, and a flying downhill on the other side of the gravel road. A curb jump took riders onto a sidewalk jaunt and a short, steep downhill with another sharp left hand turn. The course crossed the road into the parking lot, went through another boggy section ending with a run up in an amphitheater. The steps were almost half as tall as some of the women and nearly as tall as a few of the Juniors. A short dirt road brought riders to the final set of 3 barriers.
The Women lined up with the Juniors and Cat. C men with over 30 combined entries. I got a starting position on the second row because I did not want to fight it out with the big boys in the first turn. There was going to be enough traffic without me in the way. I got off to a good start and got passed by about 80% of the field as we hit the wet bogs. One of the reasons I hate my Airborne and stopped racing it two years ago? The rear sinks in bogs or any wet/muddy/anythinglessthanperfectlydry conditions. I was at a disadvantage less than 30 seconds into the race. I sat down and spun through the bog, settling in with two of the men. The first two dismounts went perfectly. I tried to focus on my technique and making time up at the barriers because I was not going to be flying around this wet course. I popped up into the big ring and flew down the gravel road. The steep drop off was remincent of a mountain bike race, and I had no problems handling it. The next boggy section was a real challenge. The ground began to turn to peanut butter like dirt in several places. I tried to scope out a line to ride as close to the base of the amphitheater as I could, but I did not see one. I dismounted about 7 feet before the first step and lumbered up the rows of seats. I kept my eye out and saw a huge hole that I spotted on the warm up lap. I stepped to the side of it. There was no easy way up the amphitheater. Several of the steps were 3/4 the way up to my waist. I fluidly got back on and tried to recover, but the first half of the course was uphill. I got off and jogged over the next set of barriers. The first three laps, the two men and I changed places. They would pass me on the boggy parts, and I would pass them at the barriers. On the third lap, I dropped one of them. The second man and I rode together most of the fourth lap, when he dropped the hammer on the gravel downhill. By this time, I was really feeling the effects of the boggy sections on my lower back. I struggled to maintain 6-7 mph on the uphill section. I attacked in the barriers on the far side of the course again and passed one man. I had to use the downhill to recover. About 20 minutes into the race, I discovered that I could stay out of the mud on the second section if I stayed all the way to the left. The primary line was through the middle and slightly to the right. The left line was longer, but the ground was somewhat solid under the grass. I had a good lead on my teammate, Kim Budde, and was not concerned about her catching me. Lisa was so far ahead that I could not chase her down. I decided to go with the longer line the rest of the race. The fourth time up the amphitheater started to make my back hurt. I noticed that I was slower mounting and through the next barrier section. Another lap of agony, and the official called three to go. By this time, I'd been lapped by the leaders and was on my way to getting lapped twice by eventual winner Tim Barrett. I knew that Lisa was close to lapping me, and that my record would not stand much longer. I was not feeling well and did not care. The barriers were beginning to feel like trying to hop over brick walls. I got passed by Lisa on her final lap, so I was spared one more lap. If I felt better, I probably could have prevented her from passing me, but I had nothing in my legs. The bogs took a lot of me because I had to fight so hard with my bike. I took second place again, which I was happy with.
With the impending house closing combined with the terrible weather we have had the last 10 days, I have been doing much less riding than normal. I felt it. I had nothing in my legs the last two laps. I resented my Airborne throughout the race. I cannot wait until I have a proper cyclocross bike next year.
Andy Johnston handily won the Men's A race. In the Master's 30+, Tony Scott (Genesis) battled Chris Wiley (Peachtree Bikes) for the title. In what was the most exciting race of the day, the two stayed together most of the race until the last run up when Tony put a slight Gap on Chris and crossed the line for the win. It's great to see Chris back in action! (For those that don't know, Chris owns Oz Pizza in Decatur and East Point, some of the best pizza in the city!) Tim Barrett (Nalley Automotive) continued his winning streak in the Cat. C race. Lisa Ropke (IF) dominated the competition in the Women's race with Trish Albert (Nalley Automotive) coming in 2nd. Lamar Mauney had a Top 4 placing in the Master's 40+ race.