Things went a little better Sunday at Sailboat Cove! I psyched myself up to ride hard for the whole 50 minutes, especially with having the MTB race cut short. Off the start I didn't get into to my pedal right away and lost the hole shot. I slotted in 3rd behind Travis who got the hole shot, and another rider I didn't recognize. I was going for the hole because that first turn off the pavement into the grass is always a little sketchy. On the start line, Britton predicted trouble and he was right.The rider in front of me lost his front wheel right as we left the pavement and basically blocked up the best line. Out of caution, I had given him a little space entering the corner and as a result I was able to squeeze around him on the outside. I don't think anyone else got through clean. Travis had a little gap on me and I set about to closing it up. He held the lead through the roller coaster turns after the start and then the second set of turns by the parking lot. Once we got on the bike trail heading to the beach I put down the power and was able to pass for the lead before we got back on the grass.
The next interesting section was the beach. This year the sand was basically packed down and the exit was a pretty easy ride up. I gassed it hard from there and made sure I was accelerating hard out of every corner. Over the course of the first lap I had built up an 18 sec lead over Travis with Brian Jensen at 25sec (mostly due to the first corner crash). Somewhere on the second lap the lead had grown to 25sec and 32sec. Brian overtook Travis on the 3rd or 4th lap. Somewhere close to halfway I think I was told the gap was over a minute. We were doing 10 laps and the finish seemed pretty far away when I saw 5 laps to go.
Basically, I just tried to continue to give it my all on the straight sections and be smooth and fast in the corners. I started to get into lapped traffic pretty quick, I think around half way. Everyone was great and let me by without much delay. I especially have to thank Tyler Henson who took the slow line on the beach (caught on film even!) to let me hit the exit with a clear run, muchas gracias! Unlike Saturday, I had no equipment issues. I rode which Challenge clinchers--Fango up front and Grifo XS in the rear--and they worked great. I had the pressure just right and I didn't have any issues.
I got another time check on the penultimate lap, and it was 2:05. I managed to stretch it out to 2:15 as I hit the last lap. This is great because it means I stayed on the gas and the power didn't fade too much late in the race. I don't know what our lap times were but I suspect we raced close to 55min.
As usual the Smithville course was awesome with the classic elements from years past, as well as some new elements. On the whole I think this year's course was an improvement over last year.
Last, but not least, a big thanks to Chris Locke and all the other people and sponsors who made this race happen.
Sorry to hear about the bad mtn bike mojo.
ReplyDeleteThat CX-course looks amazing...any other top-notch courses in KC between now and Decmeber?
We've got races Nov. 13-14 that are on cool courses. The 13th is in Topeka and uses a banked dirt oval (car race track), it's infield and some sections outside the track (very unique course). The 14th is in Leaveworth at St. Mary's University. It's got a little of everything with some nice elevation changes. Jeff Yielding did this race last year. We raced there twice last year, once dry and once a total mudfest.
ReplyDeleteOur races the next two weekends I have never ridden. Manions 2.0 is 11/20 or 11/21. Then it's Jingle Cross in Iowa, then State Champs. They haven't announced the venue for State yet. I am hoping for Parkville, which is similar to Riverside (Boss Cross #1 & 2).
Congrats on your wins this past weekend!
Glad to hear things went better for your Sunday!
ReplyDeleteHey jeff, that unfamiliar face in front of you into turn 1 was me, Josh Taylor. Never really intended to challenge for 'hole shot'...didn't seem that anyone other than travis was making a big effort, to get to the grass first, so i just kind of cruised to his wheel. I normally am comfortable going to front for the 'hole shot' in races with Lucas and Songer. However with the Open race I kind of felt like a 'fish out of water'. 2nd wheel into the grass and I started to feel a little pressure:) I really didnt think I 'overcooked' that first turn, but obviously I was wrong. Definately a learning experience. When i raced the Open race at Boss Cx with the big fields and the first 2 rows packed with 'fast' guys, i didnt even think about mixing it up with you guys at the start. I just took my place in the 3rd or 4th row and raced my 'contemporaries'. Just trying to stay out of the 'big boys' way. With the small field, I found myself in new territory. There is a pecking order out there, i know, but I felt like it was a good oppurtunity to mix it up...i guess:) Your 'feeling' or premonition was spot on though. Too bad it was me who caused the chaos. So, Sorry for the delay I caused and thanks for not running my rear-end over.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Josh. This happens all the time, just part of the deal. You didn't mess me up, arguably it was to my advantage given that a gap developed behind me. Of course, that's not the way I'd like to get a gap.
ReplyDeleteThere is no reason not to do what you did (challenge for the hole shot). That's what Travis did and he had a great race because of it. Also, if you never do it, you'll never get comfortable up at the front.
Actually, I don't think you have to "stay out of the way" in any local race. If you line up for an Open race you've got every right to try to have your best race. Of course, it is classy to make way for someone who is clearly going a lot faster than you and you're holding them up. But, if you are holding the wheel in front of you, you don't have to give it up based on some sort of "pecking order."
As for overcooking the corner, I think it was more line choice than a speed problem. You turned too much, you should have probably gone straight through more of the turn and used the banking on the outside to help you get around. At least that's my perception, although it all happened pretty fast.