2008 Coonamessett Eco-Cross Masters Team Race Report
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Conditions:
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Cool, and rainy with temps in the low 50’s. Overall, cold, wet, slick and miserable; classic cross weather.
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The Course:
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The course was old school narrow, tight and twisty with lots of sandy soil as well as sand and a helping of crushed rock, a couple run ups and the scariest barriers every. Certainly not UCI legal but lots of fun. The wet conditions made the grass and soil switchbacks slick and the sand stuck to everything. Add in some narrow singletrack and there you have it.
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Results:
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NEBC had a solid Master’s 35+ presence and good coverage throughout the field.
- Mike Rowell – 12th
- Todd Rowell – 17th
- Wayne Cunningham – 22nd
- Chris Smith – 34th
- John Gibbons –
http://www.bikereg.com/Results/2008/10/05-Corner-Cycle-Coonamessett-Eco-Cross.asp
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Reports:
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[Mike Rowell]
I’d done the Eco-cross race a couple of times before and knew that the course suited my offroad background. Unfortunately, there had been a crash that needed medical attention in the race before ours so our already delayed start was delayed another 30 minutes or so, as we all stood shivering in the rain and cool temps.
Finally we started and it was mayhem. We flew straight and wide for 30 meters into a hard left then to a hairpin as the trail narrowed to near single file. Those not on the front at that point had a passing challenge on their hands. I got a terrible start and was fighting my way forward. It was a tough battle as you were forced to pass in places that you normally wouldn’t pass, like corners, or really technical sections, or through the bushes, Guerilla cross style.
After a few incidents of getting jammed up by other riders I was making progress coming into the barriers. In an attempt to gain ground I was a little sloppy and didn’t clear the barrier with my front foot which catapulted me head first into the all too close 2nd barrier. I got my left arm in front of my face and it connected solidly with the barrier. As I struggled to get back up I realized that I was stuck; my elbow and forearm had gone between the gap in the barrier boards and was pinched. I felt like a trapped animal desperately trying to free itself with no success. Finally I’m told, someone was able to pry the boards apart and I was able to flee.
From there I got my head back into the race and started making good progress moving forward, passing mainly on the up by the finish and in the uphill part of the cucumber field. By this point the corners were slick and many were fumbling but I was able to carve through making sure I used grass or any natural berm to aid the turn. I was desparate to advance so took chances and passed on the downhill to the cucumber field, going over the rocks before the sand and anywhere else I could squeeze by.
A lap or so later I toppled over on the sand run up when my pedal wouldn’t release. After that I noted issues with my left pedal cleat but assumed it was the sand that was packed into the cleats and kept moving and steadily picking people off right up to the finish. Relatively successful day given the issues. After the race I noticed that my cleat issue was actually an issue with the carbon fiber sole of my spiffy shoes being totally destroyed and the cleat free floating and being barely attached to the shoe. Not sure if the bolts loosened and caused the problem or if the carbon shredded first.
[Wayne Cunningham]
I got to the start line a little late because I was trying to get in a good warm up. I took up a spot in the third row, which was not too bad, but with the limited passing spots I knew it would string out quickly and would have liked a more forward start. We were held at the line for so long that I got cold and started to shiver any way. So much for that warm up. Things go well enough off the start I did not get swamped like I have been in past races. We hit the sand for the first time and a stick pointing in to the sand pit goes in to my front wheel I jump off my bike and run from there. During warm up I could ride the pit but had to run the rise after so I just ran the whole thing after that first lap. On the third lap I had passed a rider on the down hill to the cucumber field and he yelled at me for dangerous passing. I felt that it was a clean pass and I would not have been bothered by it if it was the other way around. Then as we go up by the pits someone from behind me starts yelling that I’m a cheater. I don’t know what they are talking about. Then Chris B. comes up on me and tells me I’m going the wrong way. I said what are you talking about we are headed in the same direction? At this point I get to where Jean is standing and she tells me I missed a turn. I stop and it all starts to make sense now. I just waited till I saw the last guy I passed and jumped out behind him. I figured I would sort it out later and I only gained a short rest. I may have lost time since I was on a roll. So now I am getting a half lap lecture on passing etiquette from the guy I passed on the down hill. As we are reaching the very same down hill I think to my self do I dare to pass him there again? I asked him if he felt it would be OK for me to go by before the hill and he pulled to the side and I went by. I wondered if I asked nicely how many people would let me ride past? I got up to Bo (NBX rider) and tried to work with him to case down a orange and black kit ahead. In the last laps
I got by and held them both off. It was a fun last three laps of back and forth but to long in details. I did talk to the official about my mishaps and they said they got the call that I missed the turn and could see me stop and jump back in so they said no harm and a lot of people missed that turn. I did not see any results so I don’t know where I finished. It was a fun race but could have used more taping to keep you (me) on the course.