I still had a bit of a head cold lingering and the buzz from the previous night's medicine hadn't yet worn off. I hadn't done much actual training for the second half of the summer, so with only a couple weeks' hard riding in my legs I knew not to expect much fitness-wise. Lots of Chicago and Milwaukee friends were in attendance, as well as some 'cross racers from Madison (Brazen Dropouts and Planet Bike).
Surveying the 25-ish riders at the start of the cat 3 race, I knew that Ben Popper would be the rabbit to chase, though I was fairly sure I didn't have the legs to come close. The start went pretty well, and I settled into around 4th place for a couple of laps. Ben had a sizeable gap even before we hit the first barriers, and that's pretty much the last I would see of him.
I actually felt pretty good at first, but soon I felt myself having to back off little by little. No worries, I was treating this more or less as training, so I just hung in there and payed attention to how my knee was feeling. I dropped a couple of places and passed a rider or two who had crashed, and then basically settled into a rhythm, trying to fend off riders coming from behind. Adam Clark (XXX) came around me and I couldn't follow. For the rest of the race I was trading positions with David Greenblatt of Madison, and knowing him to be a competent 'crosser I was at least pleased by that. Cheering fans were strategically positioned around the course, and Simon's calls of "Madison sucks" and "you suck on the track" topped them all.
David got around me with a couple of laps ago and I faded back a bit, but surged on the last lap to grab his wheel. I waited until after the final barrier section to try to make the pass on him before the finish, but that was too late. 6th place. No cash but I won some earbuds. Good, the headphones I have keep falling out.
Considering how I didn't expect to do very well given my fitness, I think it was a very encouraging result. I'm looking forward to starting off the Wisconsin Cup series next weekend, and to seeing more great friends out at the races!
Results, my pics, Luke's excellent pics.
