Saturday, November 26, 2011

Psycho Cross Day 1: Good Result, Crap Legs


It was a week of essentially no training and I was loosing motivation.  Fast.  As I type this I have 15 days and 4 races left in my season.  I had to race this weekend, if for no other reason than to remind myself I can still ride a bike somewhat fast.
We really couldn't have asked for a nicer day.  While I race better in the mud and slop I won't turn down an opportunity to race in 60o and sunny weather, especially at the end of November.  That was today and it was as close to perfect as it could get.

Our race had 8 people in it.  4 of them on single speeds.  2 of them masters.  While this was by no means a Cross Crusade turnout I was looking forward to the opportunity to ride a tactical race, rather than just one of survival.  I abandoned last week's strategy of racing from the back and figured I'd give it a shot at the front.  I headed through the single track section riding second wheel with the intention of following any wheel that came around me.  I knew it was only a matter of time before Ross Brody made his move so I wanted to be there.  Two laps in Brody made his move and I didn't jump quick enough to grab his wheel.  He led through a section of single track and I got gapped off.  I'm still unclear whether my hesitation was mental, physical or just smart tactics on Brody's part but I'm pretty sure I was unwilling to follow a wheel I knew I couldn't hold.  Nope, not proud of it but now I know what to watch for next time.  

After watching Brody ride away I rode steady and just got the workout in I needed.  I netted 2nd on the day. Tomorrow I'm aiming for that top spot, let's see what I can do.

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