2008 New England Velocross Challenge - Women's Team Report
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Conditions:
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The day was bright and sunny, with temps quickly warming as the day progressed.
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The Course:
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Despite the pre-race speculation calling this course “jungle-cross”, the crew did a FANTASTIC job creating a very fun and interesting course in a small space. We started out with a half lap on the velodrome, and then up a small dirt kicker that took us into a bigger run-up (some of the men were able to ride this section, but most/all of the women chose to run). Then onto some really nice, SMOOTH singletrack in the woods that brought you to a sttep downhill with a sharp, round-a-tree-and-back-uphill off-camber turn. This section was entirely rideable, but I saw a lot of racers opting to run here. More twists and turns in the woods, and then up into a higher speed grass section with some awesome corners. Another dirt run-up brought us back onto the velodrome and down into the infield for some more turns and two sets of barriers. There was literally something for everyone on this course, and it may just have become one of my favorites.
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Results:
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This was a fairly small race in both the beginner and open women’s field, with just three NEBC women – one in each race.
- Jean Cunningham – Beginner Women – 6th
- Victoria Gates – Junior Women 10-14 – 1st
- Cathy Rowell – Open Women – 5th
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Reports:
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[Victoria Gates]
Saturday, I did my first cyclo-cross race. I was proud to be wearing my NEBC kit for the first time. I knew the race course since I had been doing cyclo-cross practice there over the past few weeks with Coach Patrick Goguen. Tony Eberhardt, owner of the Velodrome, was calling the junior 10-14 racers to the starting line over the speakers. The start of the race was surprisingly fast. I sprinted up the tabletop hill and ran my bike through the run up into the woods. I jumped back on and pedaled as hard as I could. The bike racers in the woods were cheering me on. I ran my bike down the hairpin decent and entered the first switchbacks with the field in sight. While going around a corner a rider from the field went down. I quickly passed wasting no time. Soon after, the rider caught me. I tried to dash up the loose dirt run up but slipped in my haste. Safely making my way through the infield, I was in for another lap. After completing my second lap, I sprinted for first place. Not only did I make it through the race safely, I did my first cyclo-cross race ever! (-:
[Jean Cunningham]
I decided to give cyclocross another try this year, despite being inept on two key dimensions: I can’t remount, and I’m a complete chicken on technical stuff. But my hope is to do more mountain biking and cross overall, and cross seems like a good way to build some confidence and skill (as well as fitness). The Velocross course was challenging for me. We got there early enough that I went out for a few laps and scouted out areas that I wanted to pre-ride a few times. It was a pretty small turnout. The whistle blew and off we went. I started at the back of the pack, uncertain about whether I’d make it up the quick rise as we turned off the track (nope—off the bike).Through the woods, off the bike, back on, settled into a bit of a groove. I’d pass a woman or two on the longer grass and dirt sections, only to get passed by them again when we hit hurdles and/or remounts. Back and forth we went. I was able to move up two spots on the last lap, and worked hard to open up enough of a gap that I could stay ahead through the finish line. Yippee! Small victories count, especially as you’re getting lapped by the leader of the field as you approach the end. (-:
Thanks to all who yelled encouragement.
[Cathy Rowell]
Well, after much prodding by Mark B. for the past two years, I finally made it up to the track ;). Of course, it took a ‘cross race to get me there …
Despite a TERRIBLE start (I somehow managed to be unclipped from both pedals and watched the field ride away from me…), I actually felt generally good about my performance at this race. My fitness helped me through all of the power sections of the course, but my challenge came in the skills area – every time I had to dismount, I lost time. In fact, on at least two laps, I ended up dismounting on the wrong side of my bike as I came into the first run-up. I quickly recognized that this was costing me, and managed the final laps with clean dismounts at least in that section.
I was also really happy with my cornering in the race. Looking through and not at the corners let me carry a lot of speed. I also practiced what I preach, and sprinted out of each corner on the course. I did manage at one point to pass Michelle K. after she got a stick in her wheel, but my poor technique on the barriers allowed her to catch and make up time on me. I would then make up a bit of time on her as I rode the downhill into the sharp uphill turn section, while Michelle chose to run (the MTB skills came in handy here!). In the end, she managed to best me, but I was making up some time.
After the race, one of the officials came over and told Michelle she was being relegated! On one of the laps, as we crested the run-up back onto the velodrome, Michelle somehow managed to get herself outside of the cones, and the official cited her for cutting the course. I didn’t think it was fair (she did it right in front of me – it wasn’t intentional and she didn’t advance because of it), and was glad to later find out that the decision was reversed. The lesson everyone should take away, however, is to be very aware of the course.
I certainly hope that this race becomes a regular! I loved the course, and had a blast.