USGP New Belgium Cup: Day 2; Elevation is killer

I have decided I need to add two pieces of equipment to my arsenal in order to be competitive:  a mountain bike and an altitude tent.

definitely a better pick than yesterday's 72

Today was a totally different course than yesterday.  The promoters didn't even need to change the tape, the weather shift was enough.  Instead of the slip-n-slide we encountered yesterday today presented the perfect traction situation for me, tacky corners with a few rutted sections but just enough give to give your tires that little bit of extra traction.  While I could ride through all the corners and power up the hills without slipping I forgot about one thing:  the course is faster for everyone, not just me.

on the start line

Everything seemed to be going my way, I'd slept better, gotten the lowest number I could possibly draw for the callup and my head was in the game for this race.  That should have been my first warning sign.

When I rolled up to the start I was a little overwhelmed.  Chris Sheppard, the Canadian national cx champ, was to my right, the U23 leader was to my left and I was in the 4th row, not the 12th like yesterday.  I managed to survive the first lap without any crashes or sliding out but even given my awesome (for me) starting position I was still sliding back.  I was riding the corners great but people were still slipping past me.  Then I got murdered on the hills.  I rode a really steady race and hit even splits but that still saw me drifting towards the back of the pack.  I finished 61st on the day.  I feel that I rode a better race than yesterday but would have liked to have just a little snap in my legs and get a least another lap or two in.  Oh well, this weekend was about experience and I definitely got it.  

working my way (backwards) through a group

As far as fitness it's time to start another big block and try and kick up the diesel another notch.  From there I'm going to work on the twitchy stuff.  Yeah, I can go out and hold a certain pace for 3 hours but cross is only an hour.  I learned a ton just by watching Powers' late move in the race and seeing how he slowly reeled Trebon in before spitting him out.  I want that kind of power and I'm going to go get it.