Sunday, 9 Oct, I stepped back into the cyclocross race scene at Sandy Beach on Lake Tobesofkee. I raced several races a few years ago and enjoyed the scene and suffered from the short (45 minute) intense effort after mostly training and competing in 6 hour mtb races. This year was no different, except that I helped set the course up on Saturday and pre-rode it as well.
Ga Neuro team was well represented with Robert, Trey, and Gabe in the "C" race, Jake and me in the "B" race and me in the masters 45+ race (glutton for punishment). There were also some other Macon-ites including Charlie Putnal , and Keven Roberts and Auston Sholly representing Mercer U. Cyclocross (cx) is a great spectator sport and cheering/heckling is a big part of it. Some races locations are also known for plenty of libations...probably to better keep the spectators (and racers) there, especially in regions with cold and nasty Fall/Winters. Things started out with 45+ race in which I raced Van Mixon's 29-er mtb. A mtb definitely corners a bit better in loose/rough terrain than a cx bike, but loses out in the grass or climbs. The course didn't have much rough/climbing but it had plenty of grass. I slipped to mid-pack pretty quickly, but through the rest of the race picked off riders coming in 5th. I felt pretty good to have beat the other two mtb bikes. I was debating whether to race again, but after watching the "c" race with Gabe taking 2nd, and my buddy Joey Stanley offering his "rocket ship" cx bike for me to race, I went for it. I got a pretty good start, entering the first turn in the top 25%. I didn't want to go too hard and wipe out on Joey's bike, so I didn't take chances while the pack was still together. After about a lap a small group had gotten about 30 seconds on another group of four which included Jake and me. We kept a good pace and passed a couple of riders that fell out of the group ahead. After a couple more laps Jake put in a good effort and the two of us dropped our companions. We picked off a couple more riders and the every present cheering/heckling spectators kept us pressing on. As circumstances would have it, I led most of the last couple of laps (each lap was a bit under 8 minutes), but I hoped that we would catch a glimpse of riders still ahead and Jake could come off my rear wheel and attack them. It was not to be, so I figured I would be sprinting against Jake on the short pavement section to the finish line (good luck Jeff!). So imagine my surprised when 2/3 the way up the last steep switchback climb up to the pavement, I heard a terrible racket and saw Jake pull up along side me and then promptly deposit himself on the ground. Nothing to do but pedal to the finish as Jake picked up his bike and gave chase. I'm not the greatest bike sprinter, but I can outsprint Jake running with his bike! I was pleased to find out that I'd taken 3rd, my first cyclocross podium.
