Cross Crusade #7 @ Hillsboro: A Matter Of Mud

Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 in 2007 Races

Cross Crusade #7 Results, Beginners
Final Series Standings, Beginners

Posted by Ken:

Today was the Cross Crusade series finale at Hillsboro Stadium. People kept calling the conditions “epic,” but I prefer to think of them more as “traditional.” Whining about the weather and the course can make you stop racing, but it’ll do nothing to make it stop raining. The beginners had comparatively easy course relative to what we saw later.

I received a call-up to the front row as I half wanted and half feared. I leapt from 28th to 13th in the series among the beginners after last week’s strong finish. The start was a solid quarter mile of pavement before the first dirt section, which suits my power profile. I got a great start and was leading the field with two other riders when we transitioned from pavement to dirt. I decided after pre-riding to run all of the difficult muddy sections and I was still among the leaders after running faster than others were riding. I lost touch at the ensuing technical sections where I lacked confidence and riders from the field caught me.

I went fast when I could, but was tentative through the voluminous mud. One muddy section was especially long and exhausting, so my running strategy fell apart. I still ran faster than most other riders. I ultimately completed three laps, probably finishing in the top 30 or 40 out of a group of 60 or more. [Editor: He finished in the top 20.]

Jim rolled in a couple of minutes behind me. He had bike trouble again, but kept his head in the race for a solid finish.

Both of us were soaked and cold. We rode through rain the entire race. I ate a celebratory waffle with Cassie. We stayed to watch the Masters B race.

Despite my struggles with the mud, I stayed upright, kept a good attitude, and smiled most of the day. A fitting end to a successful season. [Editor: He also finished in the top 20 for the season series.]

Photos:

The gauntlet is down