First Cyclocross Race

Being that more of my time is spent biking and a 'cross race was being held 2 miles from my house at Bond park, I decided to enter my first race. Going from spectator to participant can be a motivating and humbling experience. Cyclocross is a race that is a multi-lap format based on time. The faster you go, the more laps you get to do. My division was a 30 minute time frame. The race officials determine how much time is is taking the riders per lap and then determine when to ring the last lap bell. The race may be 30 plus minutes.

  I took my spot at the back of the race not knowing what to expect. The racers took off and clogged up at the first turn. It was at this point about 30 seconds into the race that it decided to rain. I mean hard, driving rain. I followed along, limited more by bike handling skills than pain. The race consisits of jumping barriers with your bike on your shoulder, riding through sand pits with turns and going up and down very short, steep hills. Think cross country running with a road bike. Sure enough on the first slippery lap I went down hard on my right arm. Mud is slippery with thin wheels! Charlene was out taking pics and laughing at my skills. DFL. That is what I was at this point. Dead Freaking Last. I was having fun but, could not really see because my glasses were wet. Who knew 30 minutes could last so long. It was a good experience and I was impressed by the other riders. Next time I will do better. I learned more about handling my bike in 30 minutes than I have a year of riding on my own. We should all try something new. Life is about living and experiencing things with vigor. Have fun.