Competitive Edge/Northfield Cyclocross, John Laupheimer, 9-10
I rode my first cyclocross race today in Northfield. I didn’t see any other NEBCer’s there so I guess I get to do a race report only time I get to do race reports is when I’m the only NEBCer.)
I rode the men’s C race. It was a fun course for me because of a 1k+ climb that started the loop and played well to good road climbing skills. Since it was my first race I really can’t say how technical it was, I was told it was moderately technical. Went out easier than, in retrospect, I should have. It became clear on the second lap that I had the legs and the technical ability to move up so I started to. Made good ground on the second lap climb and kept at it through to the end. Finished 12th, feel I could have easily gotten 11th—missed it by literally an inch. My cross bike is Shimano and my road bike is Campy so I messed up the down shift on the sprint. I think I’ll go out harder next time. Nevertheless its a solid 1/2 hour at threshold and above. Great fun.
I did the Cycle Smart Cross camp the day before. It was great.
Steve Weller spent the whole day with those of us with no experience. It was a tremendous advantage. Both getting on and off the bike, which you actually don’t do nearly as much as you ride, and learning counter-steering which I used a lot and off-camber riding (they set up a wicked off camber 90 degree turn on a steep, wet grassy bank, couldn’t believe I could ride it, good instruction.) If you are thinking about cross, do the club clinic.