Mead Cyclocross

Last night was Thursday night cyclocross at the Mead Mountain View Motor Sport Park.

They’ve added two more off-road sections to the course and two new barrier sections since the first race on September 8th. The first barrier addition was shortly after were the first barrier section was in the first race. It was just to the right of where the bridge on the lower left-hand side of the picture. You had to jump over a barrier and then climb up the side of the hill. The dirt was very loose and you just sunk in and slide backwards with every step. The next change was after the second barrier section . Instead of going back on the road, you stayed in the grass/dirt section adjacent to it for about 100 yards. Then back onto the road for a short distance and then back off and down the off-road section before the turn back to the start/finish area. Before you got to the start/finish area, you turned back into the grass/dirt and rode about 100 or so yards before a barrier and then back onto the road. Next week they said the course would go through the famous “rock quarry.” Not sure where that is but he said you’d be running through it as there’s no way to ride it.

The race played out fairly well for me until the last lap. I didn’t start as fast as I’d like, but was able to move up fairly quickly over the first couple of laps. After bridging up to three other SM4 riders, we stuck together for a couple of laps. Then one guy attacked and gapped us. I was pretty maxed out and didn’t try to respond. I sucked off the other guy’s wheels for a lap and then decided that I needed to at least try and bridge to the other SM4. I gave it a little extra gas and left the others behind. After about another lap I was able to catch up with the guy who had gapped us. We rode together for a little while and I asked if he knew if there was any other 4’s ahead. He said he didn’t know. Shortly after that we spotted what turned out to the leader of the 4’s. I suggested that work together and we bridged up to him with two laps to go. Everything was going well until just before the new barrier section right before the start/finish area. I was in the third position going into the barrier. The guy in front didn’t clip out in time and ran into the barrier. I was unclipped and ready to jump off my bike when this happened but I lost my concentration for a split second when he hit the barrier and for some reason I fell down. No big deal. I get up, jump over the barrier and get back on my bike and start to pedal. Nothing! The chain came off. I had to jump off, get my chain back on, and then get back on the bike. By this time the two other riders had gapped me. I tried to catch back up, but I didn't have enough left . I finished the final lap disgruntled about my chain, but finished the race in 3rd place.

Overall I was pretty happy with the race. My dismounting/mounting skill are improving and I was able to put myself into the lead group.