The (run) Ups and Downs of Cyclocross

My cyclocross career is off to an ignominious start. As promised, I built up the old Bianchi. I watched a couple of races and figured I was good to go. My debut was a desultory DNF on November 30th up at Bellefontaine Park. After a couple of practice rounds, I could not get the bike to function right at all. Compounding the sketchy condition of my bike, I started with the hardcore SS racers. I threw the chain twice in the 1st lap and never could get it back on.

Emboldened by that dismal effort, I straightened out the mechanical issues and headed down to Hermann for the State Championships yesterday morning. I once again made the mistake of starting with the hardcore SS types. They lost me like a bad habit the first time I had to dismount and I was quickly overtaken by the women and juniors as well. My last place finish was disappointing, but (and I mean this) there is nowhere to go but up. It was a very fun morning: I did not cause any wrecks and I stayed upright on a very slick course - on the whole it was a positive experience.

I see I need to practice some of the finer skills of the sport, like dismounting and remounting at a trot. And some interval work would not hurt. Although, I cannot understand why honking up hills in 20 F weather, in the dark of night hasn't conferred upon me some fitness. Cyclocross is pretty much anaerobic. But latching onto another rider does take one's mind off the oxygen debt. Maybe I can develop the technical skills to at least stay in the mix. Nevertheless, it has been terrific visiting with Boz and Keith and I think I almost have Uncle Bob ready to discover his inner Belgian.