Hudson cyclocross

Went up to Hudson, WI for one of the Minnesota cyclocross series races. Saw Nathan Cuka, old teammate from KC who was doing a rotation at the Mayo clinic. Course was fairly crappy. Too many 180's and a mowed path out in some overgrown field. The field section was by far the most uneven terrain I've ever seen on a cross course. It eventually became my demise.

Started second row and had a great start. Settled in about 5th place and was feeling good. By the second lap I had passed a few and gotten passed by some. Was probably about 7th or 8th and the guy in front of me bit it hard on the bumpy field section and I plowed into him going full bore. I went over the bars and laid on the ground for about 15 seconds while I gathered my thoughts and did a system check. Got up and my rear wheel had completely came free from the bike, and it wasn't like I didn't tighten my skewer either. It blew through the brakes as well. The derailleur hanger was bent way out. I started to run back to the pits and as was well in last place. I eventually just stopped and bent it back by hand and was able to get going again. I was far enough back that everytime I came through start/finish that they had to add a lap because they thought the leader was going to lap me - but my victory was that the leader never got me and maybe only put 5-10 seconds into me over 3 laps. I was gaining on Nathan Cuka but never caught him.

So I finished dead last but I finished. TCPC did not represent well. Last place and second to last. My fitness is coming along. There are still some races I'm going to hit up and get some revenge.

On a sadder note, we had to put one of our cats down. Mittens was almost 17 years old and she developed cancer in her throat. She had been losing a bunch of weight and hasn't had much energy of late. It was pretty tough. she was a great pet and a great friend. Easily one of the friendliest cats who loved being next to us. Putting her to sleep was the right thing to do and it would have only gotten worse. She will be missed and the house won't be the same without her.

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carson park cross

decided to skip saturday's cross race and do the sunday race which wasn't as far to drive. this was a first year race and a non sanctioned one at that. no course tape anywhere. just little flags stuck in the ground. this wouldn't have been that bad if it was only in the straightaways or where it was obvious you had to turn. but when you're going fast early in the race it was easy to get off course.

lined up in the "b" race with 20 others. course was a bit weird, some parts were good but some not so good. Defintely too many barriers - one set of 3 barriers and then 4 other individual barriers. That wouldn't have flown in a usac event. The huge amount of barriers really took away from the flow of riding. But what do you expect from a non sanctioned fred cx race. It was still fun in the end and a great workout too.

took off and settled 2nd wheel. I made the pass for first as I wanted to get to the run up which I was riding. rode the run up and put some good time into the chasers. Was joined by one other halfway into the course and we stuck together for the next lap. We had about a 10 second gap until I crashed in the single-track descent. I lost contact from there and he was pretty much gone. I tried to chase back on but was soon caught and had a pretty bad lap where I was suffering and slipped back a few spots. Chased back to a group of two and by the last lap passed one of them. Pretty sure I finished 4th but they have me listed as 5th. Regardless it was good get out and get the legs moving.

Next weekend is the wirth park cross race in minneapolis. there is something like a 80 stair run up. should be interesting. I'm going to run the bluff trails this evening to prepare for that one. should be a good race with big numbers. Fitness is coming along. every race I feel stronger and stronger after a relatively inactive summer of racing. Still looking for that cat 3 podium.