Cincy3 Weekend; Devou Park the new Standard

Never been to Cincy3 in Cincinnati OH before, but now that I've experienced it I can't imagine not going every year from now on.  Big quality fields and well layed out courses very unique to the other every day.

So Thursday evening I hooked up with Jay Strothman in STL and we made the 7hr cruise to Cincy.  Temps were a little chilly, but nothing too bad when we arrived.  That all changes the following day as by my 1pm start time at Harbin Park the core temp was low 40's (feels like mid-30's) and raining... 

Got in a couple laps pre-ride before finishing out warming up on the trainer under the roof of a dry pavilion.  Course was constantly rolling and turny.  Ran low psi in the PDX's and headed to the start line.  In my race start (intermingled and not staggered) were the 45+, 55+, SS, and U19 (there are some freaking studs in this).  Needless to say it was wall to wall racing early on.  I started 2nd row and got off to an OK start and immediately concentrated on staying upright and punching it in the few places available.  By the end of the 45 minute effort I had only hit the deck once and felt pretty good about my 6th place finish in the 45+ (no idea placing overall).  I froze during this race and my fingers felt horrible for the rest of the weekend.  At one point mid-race we were pelted by sleet and that actually hurt.  Course ended up being crazy slick, but not muddy if that makes sense.



All weekend long I chased the guy behind
me in this pic; no idea who he is



Right gloves for grip, wrong
protection and density



J Card is quite the card and stupid fast.  Missed his call up
and started DFL and finished 4th

After warming up (actually never warmed up until I hit the bed that night) it was time to work the pits for Jay in the Elite race.  Crazy fast kids in that event and the bike control is awesome

Hit the bed kind of late as there was no hurry as Saturday's race didn't start until 3pm.

Well 3pm showed up way too quick and this time we were at Kings Park for a dry tough pedaling course.  Even though it was dry the temps were in the mid-30s (feels like mid-20's) with high winds.  Got in several laps on the course and it would be full gas the entire time with zero places to recover.  Same mix of categories for my race, but each field was way bigger and deeper quality as several opted not to race Friday.  Still a 2nd row start and 45 minutes of pain ensued.  Legs felt pretty good and was handling the technical aspects of the course (long sandpit, low stairs, double barriers, big freaking ditch, and two short, but crazy tough climbs back to back) but for the life of me couldn't grab a deep breath and felt like I was gasping way more than normal.  By the end I was 9th in the 45+ and that was probably where I belonged (maybe up or down a couple).  For how I felt I was fine with that. 

It was the coldest of all days but at least dry

So many fast juniors in our race; impressive numbers and skill

This is a small slice of the 'lump' at Kings, but after going up it four
different times each lap (two of which went straight up) it took its
 toll early especially with so many on course at once

Changed up and got to the pits for Jay's Elite race (started at 8pm) and like always - stupid fast.  Late to bed and an earlier rise as Sunday my race was at 11am.

Arrived at the Devou Park course a couple hours early and got in several laps on what we all though was the course...  Dry conditions and chilly, but not cold.  As I was finishing up some trainer time Jay zipped in and asked about a couple sections of the course and I had no idea what he was talking about.  Turns out we all were pre-riding the juniors course and there were significant sections opened after I was done previewing.  Did make it to one significant section of downhill, technical climb/run up/and steep run up before it was start time.  Today was the same mix of racers with the addition of the 35+ group who have a ton of fast guys aboard.  This game me a 5th row start but by the end of the pavement I had moved through several and was well placed heading onto the never ending climbing course.  Well, that didn't last too long as another 'newly opened' section was right away (a crazy off-camber long section that was pretty wet from dew) and I was totally unprepared.  I got tangled up with several others and before I could get clear I was way in the back.  It was so early in the race, but mentally I lost it a bit.  My legs were feeling the days of racing, but I kept going at a decent clip really enjoying the crazy technical aspects of each lap.  By 25 minutes in I sort of shut down the racing inside me as I didn't feel like I was 'on it' and decided to ride out the rest of the race.  I know better than this and hardly ever have shut down so I was absolutely frustrated to find out I actually was well placed finishing 7th in the 45+ (argggg!!!)  Turns out I was riding better than I thought and I know of at least 2 in my category who were just ahead of me and racing till the finish might have moved me up at least a couple.  Oh well, live (race) and learn... 

If you read or watch interviews of the pro's who raced Devou all will say the US needs more courses similar to this if our juniors want to compete on the Euro scene.  Very technical aspects (not mountain biking types like local events think is cool), but cross specific sections requiring great handling skills and focus (vertically, horizontally, and descending).  It is hands down the best (and super tough) cross course I have ever raced.  Find it on youtube or somewhere but check it out.

I do have to say I was cooked by the end and was happy to have those races in the books.  Each one was uniquely challenging far apart for the other.  I'll be back for sure.

Watched Jay's Elite race then we hit the road for home.  Got into STL late so I crashed for the night and drove the rest of the way home Monday morning. 

On the drive Sunday night I noticed a slight head cold settling in and here it is Thursday and I finally got out on the bike for an easy 2hr spin after being destroyed by a massive cold that settled in my sinuses and chest.  Zero energy and constant sniffling and coughing (on a side note great ab work).  Laying low from racing this weekend as the following is Jingle Cross in IA and a 10 day forecast showed a 'wintery mix' on Saturday and a high in the 30's; it is Jingle Cross after all in mid-November...

Wedding Weekend and Timely Sickness



This past weekend the plan was to attend my niece's wedding Saturday evening then high tail it to STL for Sunday's Gateway Cross Cup (masters and open).  Plans are necessary and good, but being flexible when plans go sideways is the key to keeping sain; this said my plans changed...

 

After Sunday's Joules Cross race I woke late at night with an odd stomach pain (and regular stuff that accompanies a bug) and it didn't stop until Thursday afternoon.  During this I lost a good amount of weight (dehydrated and zero appetite) and had no energy.  Made the quick decision to skip Gateway no matter how I ended up feeling Sunday and focus on getting fully healthy for Cincy3 (this weekend).  Flexible.

 

Hopped on the trainer a little Friday along with played some ball at noon; felt better but weakfish.

 

Saturday I rolled three hours on the mtb at Sac River and by the end I was back to feeling regular.

 

Saturday afternoon we headed to my brother's daughter's wedding which was a great evening.  Lots of fun and a beautiful event for two youngsters who love each other very much.  Jake and Ian were ushers and Darion was the ring bearer (all did a great job).  Once the reception was over it was clean up time and after a lot of friends and family pitching in it went pretty quickly and was home a little after midnight.  

 

I love this girl

Jake and Ian were ushers and Darion was the Ring Bearer

Jake and Marisa had a fun evening

My older boys with my wonderful Grandma Smith

Sunday morning Jim (my brother) and I headed back to the wedding site to finish the clean up.  It was a clear warmish morning and it was just he and I.  It was a great morning and one that made me not miss racing my bike one bit.  Hard to explain enjoying cleaning up and working, but I love my brother like a brother and a friend and I liked it being just he and I.  Got home around noon, picked up tons of walnuts with the boys then got on the bike for a solid high effort workout for a couple hours.  Totally recovered and looking forward to Cincy.

The timing of the stomach bug was pretty good and didn't really impact much so dodged a good one (knock on wood) unlike last year when I got sick and off the bike for 10 days smack in the prime of the season. 

Heading out Thursday with Jay Strothman and his crew for three solid days of racing. 

Joules Cross and my Sesaon's 'midway point'

So it's no secret that Joules Cross in Lawrence, KS has never been a favorite of mine and in fact all week I was looking for an excuse not to go.  KBARCX (or whatever they call it) points were on the line along with the KS State Champs (on Sunday) and neither of those had impact on me, but it was a chance to race local (slightly under three hour drive one way) and Deb was game for joining me for the weekend; how could I pass that up.

After taking the prior weekend off from racing and knocking out tons of family time I was looking forward to toeing the line again.  The week had heavy solid training and for some reason Tuesday night I just couldn't sleep (no biggie), but the monster jumped on me when me and a couple other dads grabbed the boys from school early Thursday morning and drove to Des Moines, IA to catch a 7pm Golden State vs Denver Nuggets game.  Steph Curry and crew are Ian and I's favs so how could we pass this up.  Got there super early and got on the floor after the game and the boys loaded up on autographs and photos.  It was a blast, but then reality set in at 5am when we pulled back into Bolivar and work was 2 hours away.  I say all this because Saturday morning I was looking for a bed way more than I was a start line.

Klay Thompson after the game with the boys - great evening

Saturday morning and after a good warm up it was go time.  Temps were cool, but not cold and the course was pretty non-technical with one 10 meter section of mud between a quick descent and a short punchy climb.  It was going to be fast.  20 guys in just the 40+ field and no telling how many more in the 50+ and 60+; cool to see good numbers finally.  No pre-reg for me so to the second row I go...  Whistle blows and so do I; three attempts (see second pic below) and I cannot get clipped in.  Dead last and the front going away.  Took about a lap to catch up to the leaders and when I did I was feeling pretty good so I moved straight through them to get a gap.  It held to the end and I took the win with my teammate Rick Mosley taking second.

Good group of guys on Saturday (and Sunday) and I especially enjoy Eric
Burch as that knucklehead always has me laughing before and after the race



Missed my pedal three times and actually laughed out loud a bit
at my position once I got clipped in (yep, that's me DFL looking for a pedal)...

One muddy section on the course, which made it fun

Rick and I on the podium; not sure where the 3rd placed guy was

Cleaned up and spent a great day goofing about Lawrence (mostly on Mass Ave) with Deb.  Stayed up way too late before hitting the hay.

Sunday morning I was beat tired and I mean in a serious bad way.  Got over to the course late and with little warm up it was time to race.  The course changed directions which made for longer climbing and that's not what I wanted to see.

Second row start again and I only goofed my pedal once before getting it going.  Took me about 1/8 lap to catch the leaders.  Bill Marshall was in the race (wasn't there Saturday) and was pushing the pace early on.  Made a little move in the muddy lower section of the course only to have it fall apart as I blew a steep run (I tried to ride) up and couldn't unclip watching several places go by.  Got back going an had a lot of work to do as Rick had opened a gap on Bill and they were both far ahead of me.  Pressed the pace too much on a couple of turns in pursuit and crashed twice before I settled into a good rhythm catching and gapping Bill on my way to Rick.  Not quite half way into the race I see Rick just ahead of me jump off his rig and start messing with it.  As I pass he says his shifter is broke; no pit bike meant the end of his race.  That stunk for several reasons: 1) he is a Kansas guy and the race was their Championships, 2) he was chasing the KBARCX points and would have been in the lead if he had finished and now with two races to go he is pretty much done, and 3) he was on a really good ride on Sunday.  Now in the lead and Bill breathing down my neck I kept the gas on to take the win with not much to spare. 

Bill pushing the pace over the barriers early on

Teammate Rick Mosley was on a good day until a mechanical took him out

Yep, its a hay field...

Colorful fall day

Bill, myself, and Doug Stone made the podium
 

With Joules done and 17 races completed I find myself mid-way through the 'cross season with the biggies on the horizon (Cincy3, Jingle, Ruts, and Nationals).  Looked over the schedule and I roughly have 17 races to go.  Time to breath deep and get to work... or so I thought. 

Woke up late Sunday night (early Monday morning) with a hurting belly and all the fun that goes with it.  Thought it might be food poisoning, but once the fever set in I dismissed that idea.  Now it's mid-Wednesday and I am still in discomfort (no longer painful) and super weak from losing quite a bit of weight (that I don't have to spare).  Was planning to race Sunday at Gateway Cross (Saturday I have a wedding to attend), but now I am scrapping that in order to full recover and get going again.  The following weekend is Cincy3 and I am looking forward to this as I've never been.

360 Cup (Our Team's Race) Weekend

I have to openly say it:  I'm glad this past weekend is done!  The team I race with, 360 Racing, hosted this past weekend of racing in Lawrence, KS at Centennial Park and while I figured it would take a bit of time and energy to set up the venue I had no idea how draining it would be. 

The team met at noon on Friday (I got there at 1:30pm) and we worked our butts off until 7pm.  I was hoping somewhere in the afternoon I could get in some laps and openers, but that did not happen as there was simply no time.  Great group of teammates for the day go great and the course/venue really came together.  Finished up the evening with us all chowing down at Free State Brewery while swapping war stories.  A teammate who lives in Lawrence put Dale and I up for the weekend (which was awesome) in his Air Stream.  That thing was super comfy. 

Slept hard and early Saturday we were back at the venue putting the finishing touches on everything.  On a side note: it was pretty chilly Saturday morning at 37 degrees at 7am.  Got in a whopping 30 minutes of warm up before the masters race at 11am and felt not fresh at all.  Smallish sized group, but a couple of fast guys present.  Got a good start and first couple laps as a teammate and I cruised the course.  Legs opened up with 3 to go (20+ minutes left) so I upped the pace and established a solid gap that lasted to the finish.  Glad for the win as it was a fast non-technical course which does not suit my abilities at all (similar to Gateway of past).


360 Racing well represented I the small field



With a bit of a chill in the air the Giro Air Attack was the lid of choice



 

 

Rick and Paul are some good guys with which to share a podium

After the race there was little time to hang out as the team continued monitor/service of the course as other races went on.  After a bit it was decision time (to race another or not) which didn't take too long to decide so I kitted up for a bit of a warm up before hitting the line in the Open race.  13 or 14 racers in a solid field got off to a fast start; well they did and it took a couple laps before I came around.  This is a recurring theme in the '2nd races of the day' and not anything that bugs me too much as it's bonus racing.  Legs started opening up and gained on more and more racers and by end I finished 7th; about where I should be with these guys.  It was fun and tough, but more importantly another deposit in the race bank for later down the road.

 

I excel at any 'off the bike' aspects of 'cross and am looking forward to several
 tougher and more 'dismounted friendly' courses coming up

One of my favorite pics

Sunday morning came way to quickly and before you know it we were all out setting up the venue again.  Did go quicker than day one, but long enough...  Decided early on to help with the races early and jump in the Open later in the day.  Hopped on the course for 45 minutes early before all the racing started.  The day whizzed along and all of a sudden it was 2:30pm and I guess time to kit up and race in 30 minutes (motivation was not at it's highest). 

 

Toed the line with 12 others and after a horrible start and opening laps started to come around a bit.  Had made myself such a hole that progress was hardly unnoticeable.  Ended up 7th and never felt like I was racing (more like trying to ride at a brisk pace).  One frustrating thing was on the last lap I made contact with (what turns out to be 5th and 6th) a couple guys, but couldn't match their finishing attacks and watched them ride off.

Way behind from the whistle

Course had a good mix of elevation changes

After the race immediately changed up and jumped in with the other 360 crew breaking down the venue.  That went way faster than anticipated and a little over an hour later I was heading home.  Walked in to get hugs all around and see fresh chocolate chip cookies (Deb rocks!) and a gooseberry pie waiting (my brother does also).

 

So that concludes my early season objective:  race was much as possible and simply get back in the flow of racing - (check) this past weekend got me 15 'cross races in six weekends.  Feel pretty good about the endurance of the engine and physical strength and now looking to add some speed during October.  Plenty of hard work in store!

 

Taking this coming weekend off from the race scene and will get back to it either at Joules Cross (another non-technical crit style course which I don't care for) in Lawrence the following weekend or head to STL for a taste of Bubba; will decide later.

Oakley Night Cap Cross Weekend - Quick Triple

Finished out a great three week block of heavy training/racing with the Oakley Night Cap event in Des Moines, IA this past weekend.  Historically it's just been a Saturday evening event, but with it's popularity and growing turnouts they extended it to a two day event.  Perfect way to load up the body before a recovery week.

There were other races much closer than the 5+hr drive up north, but it was by far the most competitive fields, the courses are legit, and worth the trip for the atmosphere. 

Saturday was a long day as Darion had a soccer game at 8am in SGF (opposite direction as Des Moines) so up and at 'em early to get him to his game.  Headed out immediately after his team's win, picked up Ira (temporarily back in Bolivar for a bit) back in Bolivar, and 5 hrs later we pulled up to Mullets (race site).  Had just enough time to grab my number and grab a couple laps before the Masters race at 4pm.

Must have rained recently was the course was super damp making the grass thick and slow and the corners just a tad dicey.  Course had a ton of turning (which is great as I need constant practice at this) with enough power sections to open the legs, and three dismounts per lap (well, three for most of us).  The temps were climbing and it was hot and humid at the start.

35+ headed out 15 seconds ahead of my group with the 55+ (meaning Tom Price) with the same gap behind us.  Solid group of racers as Jim Cochran (5th at Nationals last year) was present and he is a hammer.  Race got off to a clean start and 45 minutes later Cochran took the win with me coming in 2nd.  His gap was pretty good back to me; after me was a huge gap to 3rd.  Felt good, but would have liked to have arrived earlier and got more of a warm up, but it was what it was.

 

Jim Cochran has my number and is legit fast

 

Kicked back a bit, watched Ira warm up for his race, consoled him a bit after he crashed out of his race (busted his helmet in the mess), and before you know it it was time to line up for the 1hr Open race. 

Temps were much better, but the heavy dew made for a slick course (I switched from MXP to PDX's).  Got in a good warm up and toed the start line in a 39 racer quality field.  2nd row start was result of USAC points (which I wish all events would do) and off we went.  Slotted in to 5th spot right off the start and then a bit of chaos insured as someone in front of my went down in a 180 off camber turn causing me to slide out; the field behind was stacked up.  By the time things got sorted out I had lost a ton of places, but after riding well and pressing all the way to the end was able to snag a top 10 spot (I was 10th).  Very satisfied with that effort, but one the last lap I slid out on a corner and jammed my ankle into chain rings (it freaking hurt). 



Start of Saturday's Open race

***Edited photo from Ken Sherman***

 

I always have trouble sleeping after a late race and with my ankle throbbing it was 4am before I dozed off.  3.5hrs later it was time to get up and get ready for the Sunday Masters race (at 10:50am).  Was barely able to walk on the ankle as it swelled pretty good, but after a light spin to grab breakfast and a good warm up at the race site I was ready to go.

The course was basically the same concept, but ran in reverse and shortened.  I thought it made for a harder course with less places to recover, but that just might be me.  Cochran opted not to race, but a couple fast guys from Omaha (who didn't race masters the day prior) were in my race.  Whistle blows and I pegged it pretty good and after 45 minutes took the win with a manageable gap to 2nd and 3rd. 

 

 

Greg and Brady kept the pressure on the entire race

That made for three races in a 19hr period.  I was cooked afterwards!

Ira opted to not race (I actually encouraged him to skip it) as he had some slight nausea from his Saturday wreck.  Loaded up with car with the weekend's winning swag and 5hrs later pulled in at home. 

Deb had fresh banana bread waiting (she rocks) along with smiles and hugs from the she and the boys.

So up this weekend is my team's 360 Cup weekend in Lawrence, KS.  I love this course/venue and hope we have a solid turnout.   So far I've gotten 12 'cross races in (and it's not even October yet); I love it so!
 

Buffalo Bill 'Cross Daily Double

With a much disappointed skipping of Trek CXC weekend in WISCO and nothing local (for me that means 3 hrs or less) on Saturday it was a double up day in Leavenworth, KS at Buffalo Bill Cross on Sunday.  Never been to this course/event before so had no idea what to expect from attendance to layout, but its a race and lets get it on.

Left the casa around 6:15am and pulled up to the venue 2hrs 45min later to find the 360 Racing crew had our compound dialed in and ready for the day.  Great support from this group.  Unloaded, pre-rode a couple laps, and found the course short, non-technical, with only one dismount, (double barriers), and two significant climbs (and descents) with a couple short punchy climbs thrown on top.  It was going to be a day of hill repeats which would make for a great workout.

Good warm up done and toed the line with most of the usual KC Masters field (minus a couple notables).  Although there were only 10 in my 40+ field turns out the whole masters group was 32 strong (that's pretty cool).  The race started with a straight climb up asphalt then down then back straight up a grassy climb before leveling out a tad and at the start I go into 3rd or 4th up the two climbs to get a feel of the field and found I was feeling pretty good.  So I went to the front and pushed the pace and 45 minutes later finished with a win and a pretty decent gap to 2nd.  The only real interest of the race was with 2 to go I was passing a lapped rider and thought I had a ton of room on the right so I made the mistake of passing without saying anything.  This startled the rider who immediately steered into me and we both went down in a heap (almost comical if you were watching I am sure).  I apologized, got our bikes separated (luckily no damage), and went on our way.

 

 

 

 

 

Kicked back under the 360 roof with legs up until the Open race a couple hours later.  Good turnout for this field considering CXC was going on as 25 racers lined up but the duration was only 50 minutes and not the typical 60.  Not sure how my legs would do in a 2nd race (especially one with climbing) I jumped in mid-pack at the start and after a couple laps noticed I was feeling pretty good and moving through some of the field.  By mid-race I was in 6th battling with 4th and 5th place.  Weird thing in a good way was I felt better and better as the race progressed and by 2 to go I was in 5th duking it out with 4th place, but it wasn't to be as he rode away on the last 1/2 of the lap and I rolled in 5th.  That was a good result for me. 

 

 

 

Loaded up, cheered for a 360 rider in the women open, then headed home.  Great racing/training day at the end of two solid thick weeks of bike work (with one more to go before a recovery week). 

Next weekend there are lots of events from which to pick: COMO in Columbia, Cliff Drive in KC, but the one I am heading to is Oakley Night Cap (and following day) in Des Moines.  This event is thick with great competition and atmosphere - crazy!  Support/attend which ever you want but Oakley is a bucket list type of event. 

Dogfish Cross in Hermann - A MO Staple

This past weekend was the 'Missouri Cross Opener' in Hermann at Jeff Yielding's Dogfish 'Cross weekend.  Haven't miss this weekend for several years and don't plan to for years to come.

Darion had a soccer game in SGF at 2pm on Saturday so it wouldn't give me time to jump in the masters race so I opted for the Saturday 'under the light' in the Open race.  So upon arrival in Hermann I joined up with several 360 teammates at 'the compound'.  They were getting ready to race while I unloaded and warmed up a bit.  Chilly (not really, but compared to recent days it was) and lots of dew on the course had it a tad slippery; opted for the PDX setup.

360 guys all raced solid and before you know it it was go time for me.  Course was a typical Yielding layout with 1,000,000 turns, the stairs (bottom half), and a sandpit with a turn (ridable, but faster to run).  Toed the line in a 30 racer field (and tons of these guys are really fast) and started on the 2nd row.  First lap was lap and after that it just got faster and faster.  I felt ok, but made three stupid mistakes in the first 2 laps that had me off a group moving quickly; I was pretty much on my own.  An hour later I finished 14th (top half of field - barely).  That's about right for my ability and fitness; I'll take it.

Strung up the hammock and off to sleep. 

Solid field in the Open event Saturday night

Sand was ridable, but faster for me to run.  Shortly after this pic I dumped it

 

Riding solo for 80% of the race - boring...

Woke up to a beautiful morning and Nate, Dale, and I headed of for a 1:15hr cruise around town and on the Katy to loosen the legs.  Got back, cruised the course to find a couple changes (course backwards on Sunday and the upper stairs were used which are tougher and longer - good for me).

Decided to move my race to the 45 minute masters race as it would get me home 2 hours earlier (not a tough decision).  Couple of solid racers lined up in the 40+ and 50+ (started 30 seconds back).  Dry course for went with the MXPs for the day.

Had one of the worst starts I've ever had as I missed the pedal three times and finally got going (way off the back) after laughing out loud.  Quickly moved through the group and slotted into 4th for most of the first lap.  After that I moved forward and before soon Jose and I had a gap on the rest.  He and I swapped some pulls and then I increased the pace with 3 to go and opened a sizable gap.  Kept the pace solid until the last lap where I let off the pressure and soon after Tom Price of Trek Collective (50+ category) caught up and we rode out the last lap pretty much together.  Snagged another win.

Take a look at the below picture: Jose knows what he's doing on the stairs.  Sunday's stairs were a bit tougher/steeper/longer than Saturday and the biggest 'assistance' on getting up these quickly was the use of my free hand pulling on the rail.  Always took the right side allowing the rail to come into play.

This might have been lap 2 when I put a little effort in the
stairs and pushed the pace for 1/2 lap to see who was where









 

 









Good guys sharing this podium (Tim and Jose)

Ira Brown, long time friend, was back in MO visiting some family and showed up to race the 3's.  I hung around and caught his race (7th), chit chatted during part of the open then headed home.  It was a good weekend of racing.

Got home with enough daylight for D and I to take on Ian and a friend in some backyard football (we won by 1 TD is what we tell D).  From there it was a quick unpack, put D to bed with a story, grab a bite, and then crash in bed catching the last of the Bears vs 49ers - awesome weekend!

Up next is a little open, but Oakley Night Cap weekend in Des Moines is the next good one in two weeks

***Most photos from Nate Bethell, with some from Dan Singer Photography***