Fast and Furriest CX

Picked up my boy Chris  Farney (No link, he still has a flip phone if you can believe it)  and headed down south to race at a new venue at the Grater KC Humane Society. 

The course was well laid out with some long sections (hurt me bad) and then had a run up and some off camber, turns, and some elevation gain on the back side. 

Cat 3's had a little better turn out than the last couple races exceeding 10 racers. Got a front row start and hit the hole shot about 4 back. Some of these U23 kids take off like little rocketships. 

Britton has a video of it on Instagram. 

Immediately I saw a guy who looked like a gazelle (Rocky Remy) make a move and knew I had better get up with him. So here I am red lined already and not even a minute into the race, well that's cross for you. I have a hard time pacing myself, so I just settled in behind him for a couple laps, making sure I had his wheel on the pavement and some of the other longer flat sections. 

Each time during these flat sections we would drop Chris a little but he would be right back rubbing my back tire on the back half of the course. 

One more lap of Chris catching back up. "rubbin is racin"!!
ALL PICS ARE ROGERS. THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO!!!

About 3-4 laps into it, I was unable to get clipped back in and bobbled a bit on one section. That gave Rocky enough room to get me out of his draft and he maintained the gap for the duration of the race. Good work man!

Next problem is I am fading rather quick. Second to last lap was my slowest and one of Chris's fastest. Bad combo for me. He caught me and quickly opened up about a 2 second (ish) gap that I found rather hard to close. Coming in last lap, the game plan was attempt to catch Chris by the final pavement section to the finish, hopefully draft and out sprint him. 

This is the way it wen't for the majority of the race. Rocky, me and then Chris. Patrick Orrick was close to joining our group on a couple occasions but never quite made it.  

Coming into the last section of 180's Chris had a laps of focus and did this little endo/bobble/almost fall but catch himself/but lost his chain thing and took himself out of the finish. He had that same 2 seconds on me and I doubt I would have been able to close it if he had a clean lap. He was hitting that particular section of the course pretty well all race.  

So there you have it! RESULTS HERE

Rogers Pics HERE

Hug out and watched the Cat 1/2's again. Another great race. Evan Fast I thought had a great race with a strong second behind a stupid fast Jensen. 

Next up, Boss Cross and it will be my last as a Cat 3. Going to request an upgrade to Cat 2 and start getting my butt handed to me.  

I hope I have some more Cat 3s do the same, I know its late season, but its time. I know several that have enough points to do so. 

Lets make it a huge field and race to not get lapped!!!

Lost Trail CX

Holidays has got be a little behind. I had intentions of driving to either Iowa or the other side of the state last weekend to race, but when it came down to it, just couldn't force myself to drive 4 hours to race 40 min. Same way I skipped out on Jingle Cross this year.

BUT..... Was able to race the weekend before down at the Lost Trail CX. I made it out to day two with a pretty small turnout. Not sure whats the deal with the Cat 3's, last two local races you could not add up both days and get 20 different guys. Its kind of strange when the Cat 1/2's have a bigger field.

Anyway, I have never raced there before but got the scoop from Travis who was there the day before. After a pre ride, it was for sure going to be an interesting race to say the least. Lots of turns and some decent technical turns, etc. The start finish was a long out and back, long and flat enough to get a good draft if you could, so some strategy could take place.

I do not normally like to be out front of the race from the start, however after my pre ride, I did not want to get behind someone and then have them crash in front of me. There is not much worse of a feeling in a cross race than watching the leaders gain a half a lap lead on your while your stuck behind a crash or slower riders.

Start line, I knew what needed to be done (nice when you only have two rows) got in front and took the hole shot. Led the lap and we quickly had a 3 man race. Tim Herre, Matthew Gilhousen and myself.

No shave November did not intimidate anyone, that's for sure. 

After a couple laps in it was just Tim and myself. I was leading out each lap but just could not get a gap on him. I led the majority of the race. Twice, Tim got close to getting on my wheel when his front wheel wen't out on him. Both times I took off the best I could but ole Tim had some fight in him this day and clawed his way back each time.

Two laps to go I found myself running out of steam and Tim took off on me and I really could hold his wheel for 30 seconds or so until I just did not have any legs left. Game over. Tim earned that one for sure! Good job dude!

I ended up enjoying the course a lot more than I thought I was going to. I just could not find any sort of groove on my pre-laps, but once racing I think I settled in. Sort of anyway...

Stuck around for a little had some beer with PotPie and watched Cat 1/2 race. That was a damn good race to watch.

As December is here I am pretty sure I am going to upgrade after Boss Cross so hopefully some other 3's will do the same. Would hate for it to be just me, Keck and John racing to not be in last place in the Cat 1/2's!!!!

Links

Cat 1/2's showing us how its done!

Rogers Pics

Results

I know there was a handful of guys taking pics. Let me know if you run across any.

HPT Grand Prix CX!!

Wow what a night! I have not done a night cross race since I first started racing many years ago. It was a blast!!

I had herd good things about this course, I had not yet made this race and kind of kicking myself in the butt now. So with the Singlespeed race later than the Cat 3, I am in for two races on the night!!

The course was laid out at Heartland Park in Topeka KS. I could not do a better job in explaining it so here is the course description from the horses mouth. "Come check out the areas’ only “avondcross”, Flemish for evening ‘cross, at the  Heartland Park Topeka dirt track (think earthen velodrome!). Racing starts at dusk and will finish under the lights with the Men Cat 4, and Singlespeed. This race will feature mainly hardpack dirt, a grass infield and some gravel. As always there will be some cyclocross type obstacles to challenge a racers quiver of skills."

Lined up in the Cat 3 race behind the Cat 1/2's and it seemed to have a roll reversal as far as numbers. We only had 10 (I think) in the Cat 3's but 20 or so in the Cat 1/2 race.

I recognized pretty much everyone there so was able to pretty easily pick out who I needed to keep an eye on. I ended up accidentally leading out everyone onto the dirt track where drafting played a key role in the race. I tried to create a gap to not let everyone take my wheel but I could see the shadows behind me and knew that was not in the cards this early in the race.

Soon after there was a split and for the rest of the race it was me, Tim Herre and Nathan Shay. Each lap I was able to stay really comfortable on any of the grass sections but once we hit the dirt Tim and Nathan both had some decent high end and was tough at times holding their wheel. So basically from this point it was who can make the fewest mistakes and who had the best timing for an attack.

I think it was two laps to go Tim hit the deck and I know that takes a bit of energy out of you, he was also leading out the majority of the dirt track. Last lap Nathan put in a good attack just before the same dirt track and I decided to follow Tim as he was putting in a decent chase. My game plan was to conserve as much energy I could till after the dirt section. Once we got back to the infield grass section, I see Nathan wipe out on the loose gravel (bummer man) which allowed us to hook right back up to him. I knew this was the time to get after it. I took off a little sooner than I originally wanted but pulled a Jens and never looked back.

Ended up taking my first Cat 3 win of the season.

Switch bikes, drink some water, take a gel, almost puke, off to the Singlespeed race.

I got a front row start here and the feild was a bit larger. The entire goal here was to get a good start and just hang on for as long as I can.

Joe Fox put in a great move to take the hole shot, then I proceeded to follow him and Britton the best I could. Half a lap later they were gone.

Go over and check out the start on Instigram, Britton's wife has some good videos.

After about a lap or so, I see Britton is having issues with his 5 lb bike and DNF'd. So now its Joe, then me, and then a couple guys back.

The entire race I kept waiting for a bum rush from behind from some guys but it never came. To my surprise I was still holding second with two laps to go. Further to my surprise I see Joe fading a bit. Last lap he hit a wall and I caught up with him on the infield grass and gave it my all. I wanted the race a lot more than he did and don't think he even put in a effort to chase. But I will take it. Took the win.

Two wins in one night is pretty crazy for me. Probably the last time also...

RESULTS

No pics that I have found...

Did find an awesome one of my boy Travis. He and Eric had quite the battle in masters and ended up 1 and 2 by a wheels length. Great job!!

How awesome is this pic!?!?!?! Courtesy of Joe H. 

Boulevard Cup CX!

Headed on down for Boulevard Cup CX with the family on Sunday. I have raced at Herman Laird Park many times so I knew what was ahead of me. This course is pretty flat, always has that gravel loop in it and usually some additional pavement. In years past being primary a MTB guy in the spring summer, I have never done very well out on this course. Last couple of summers I have been getting my roadie on so I was pretty sure I was going to fair a bit better than usual.

Signed up for the Cat 3 race and had a perfect warm-up, took a couple laps to check out the course and actually brought my trainer out to look like I know what I am doing. 20 min before race time as I was keeping warm, I noticed my front break rotor was rubbing just enough to annoy me so I headed to the truck for some last min adjustments.

Then it happened......

So I leaned my bike against my truck to adjust my break. Got it to quit rubbing, went to go put my tools back in the truck bed and wouldn't you flippen know it... Wind blew over my bike and bent the crap out of my rear hanger!!! My pristine Boone, Zipp wheel rocket ship, out of commission. AND 15 min before the race is supposed to start.

Luckily I had enough time to go get my single speed pit bike and go change numbers and get into the single speed race. So the day was salvaged.

Lined up behind the 3's and the game plan just got really simple. Hold Britton's wheel for as long as possible, then once dropped, have fun and catch as many Cat 3's as possible.

Holding strong here! Why is it Britton even looks faster... Huh.... Anyway- Yes, this is only about 45 seconds into the race. And yes, I was dropped  shortly thereafter. 

I had pretty decent legs today and think I am finally getting back into cross shape and ended up 2nd on the day in Single Speed. First time I had this much fun on such a flat course. Sure would have loved all those corners on my new Challenge tires though. 

Most important aspect of the day by far was that my wife and little guy came out to watch. This is the first year he kinda knows what is going on. 

Let me tell you, there is no greater feeling than your little boy studying every move you make and cheering you on like your some sort of super hero!

He wanted to get on Dad's bike!

My escort to the Start Line. No training wheels.

RESULTS

ROGERS PICS

Carbon CX Disc Wheelset for Sale.

Carbon DISC Tubulars... Ready to CX rock and roll! 

Britton built them for me a couple seasons ago, normal wear and tear (I only raced them, no gravel/commuting etc) Light and fast, look great on your bike. Freehub has your normal grooves in it, should last another season or so before you should probably just switch it out. 

Tires are new this season, only has two races on them and a handful of training rides on grass. Tread is still mint. They are Vittoria Cross EVO XM 32. 

Bolt on disc. I use 140s and put them on my new weelset, if you want I can put some 160 Avids on it. I have a drawer full. Also, I can put some Shimano skewers if you want. $500.

Joules Cross

I think I have hit this race up the past 4 years. It has been an up and down affair, I have had some podiums and have gotten my arse handed to me.

Most of the time I can only squeeze in one day of racing each weekend, so I opted for Sundays course. Joules is always challenging for me because I have more of a difficult time keeping up on the flat straights than I do hills. Sundays course had a bit of everything. The start/finish is always a nice straightway that leads into some turns in a field over to where the fun part is usually. Around the pond had a nice 15 yard mud section, also had Rogers usual spiral and about two moderate climbs out on course.

KC Cyclocross Blog has a good video of the mud section. 

I decided on Sunday to do something I have not done in a season or two.... Ride Singlespeed! It was everything I remembered, fun as crap! It was a blast to go out racing against guys I have not raced with in a while.

Race wen't pretty well, started the race second row but was able to find a hole and sneak in behind Britton and Roger W and held that for about a half of a lap until those two and one or two more slowly gapped me and off they went. Andrew S came by and for a moment I thought to myself, hey we can work together and catch up to Roger sitting 3rd. Then 20 seconds later I found myself not being able to hold his wheel and tossed that grand idea.

It stayed that way for the rest of the race, came in 5th. Those boys are pretty fast. One day I'll keep up! Till next time... Hermen Laird I think.

Thanks to Roger for the pics!

RESULTS

ROGERS PICS

Owe, and one thing. CX just got serious!!! Boom. Zipp + Challange = Awesomeness

Hit me up if you want first dibs on my old set of Volkler specials. They are carbon and disc and have fresh ready to race Vittoira tubluars glued to them. All you need is disc's and a cassette and your racing carbon tubulars next weekend!!!

They can be seen on my cover photo from Cliff Drive CX. Those be the ones.... Just some training rides and two races on them (tires). Tread is still mint, corners on rails. 

Robidoux Roundup CX!

Head on over to the race blog to get the full scoop!!! Robidoux Roundup CX

Personally I had to DNF on my home turf!! Had some drive train issues and dropped my chain 3 times on the first lap. Done.....

Real bummer to DNF a course you could ride though with your eyes closed.

The course was as soft as it had ever been, which is probably a good thing or the stupid fast guys would be putting in low 4 min laps...

Only one thing better than being on the podium, your son on the podium!!!

Till next time..