Race #5: Tacchino Ciclicross...

With Daylight Savings coming to an end, I was able to score an extra hour of sleep to get set for the Tacchino...which by the way is Italian for "Turkey". Eryka and I made our way to Leesburg, VA...the weather was in our favor...sunny skies...zero to no wind...get my number...got dressed and got on the bike and got started on the warmup...

With MABRA's new set up...the women's 3/4 race was pushed from 10 am to 9 am...this makes warming up on the course a no go...so I had to stick to the streets. Got to start grid a little later than usual...straight to the back for this guy...91 riders lined up to start...biggest grid yet. Around 2 minutes from the start and official notified me that my number was on the wrong side of my jersey...whoops. Got it fixed just in time for the whistle...boom...we're off...

The pack quickly split from the start...2 riders broke off...then a chase group of around 12...then me in the mix with about a dozen guys...the course was a cool set up...uphill barrier section...a technical up-down-up-down section dubbed "The Keyhole"...a long climb with some false flats...a quick downhill...all in all a fast course. Felt good off the start and tried to settle into a solid pace...


The pace was quick...I was feeling good on the barriers and keyhole...the climbs felt strong as well...but my cardio is hurting...and I could really feel it as the laps drew on...


Bell lap...final lap...was totally ready for the end of this race...I was sucking wind something fierce. On the final decent I put it into the big ring and put the hammer down...decent turns sharply into a short steep climb...you would have to time your down shift from the big ring just right to carry your speed up...got to the uphill and the bike wasn't shifting down...by the time it finally did I was 1/2 way up the hill trying...took one hard pedal stroke...PING...dropped the chain...

Carried the bike up the hill to look over the bike...pulled the chain off the bike...slung the bike over the shoulder and started running to the finish...

Things I do not want to do again: Finish a race by running my bike across the finish. It was harder than you would think. But the most important fact is that every race I am learning something new about the sport and how to race. Plus I am having a blast!

The week is looking busy at school and on the homefront...my mom returns from Switzerland on Thursday...second marking period just began at school and I have intramurals after school...plus the daylight is fading super quick.

Next race is on Sunday..."Race Pace" up in Sykesville, MD...supposed to be a SUPER fast course...with a pavement finish...cool. All in all, life is good...no complaints!

Hope all is well with everyone everywhere...drop me a line if you get the chance...

...johnny