I had been checking the weather all week...early on the outlook was 'partly sunny' mid to upper 40s. The snow hit quick...temps dropped...I could only guess what Sunday was going to have in store for me...I was on the phone with a good friend Chris on Wednesday night and let him know that I had one more race left...his only commment was "Have you looked out your window?" I did...I knew there was snow...I knew it was going to be a slogfest through mud and cold...but that is what I wanted...I have seen pictures and videos of 'cross racers covered in mud from head to toe...I wanted to see for myself.
Eryka and I got to the race with plenty of time for me to dress and warm up. Throughout my warm up laps I took special care to notice how wet and muddy this course really was...trust me when I say this: It was muddy...
Lined up for the start...actually got to the line a little earlier than usual and I was only about 3 rows back from the front. GU'ed up...took a long swig from the bottle...handed my jacket and leg warmers to Eryka...took a deep breath and waited for the whistle...
Had a pretty decent start and felt good throughout the "prologue" loop. Right off the bat riders were baling around corners...taking them too sharp and just casing into the mud. I did my best to tap the brakes on corners and rely heavily on the traction that my tires were going to offer me.
I found a nice groove and just pushed a large gear throughout the course...I was wearing my clear lensed shades...threw those on top of the helmet 1/2 way through the race due to the fact that they were fogging up and I was having trouble seeing...
Having Eryka there, again, was awesome. She is a trooper...this was a tough race to be a spectator at for sure...raining off and on...mud everywhere...cold...you name it...plain and simple it sucked. But she stuck it out and did her best to get around the course to take these awesome pics! Hats off to Eryka!
Around lap 2 I heard a couple of familiar voices...I had gotten word from my good friends Mike and Stephanie that they were going to try and make the race. They live in Columbia, MD with their newborn babygirl, Tessa. I was really hoping that they would make it...but the weather was not too promising for coming out to watch a race...especially when you have a 3 month old baby. But I heard the calls of "Go Johnny!"...looked up and sure enough Mike and Steph were standing behind the race tape...umbrella in hand...and baby Tessa in her bjorn around her mommy! Huge smile across my face...how awesome is that? Turns out Eryka was standing right by them...heard them cheering for me...asked if they were "Steph and Mike?"...then their answer was "You must be Eryka!"...boom instant friendship. My cheering section continues to grow...
This picture could be one of my favorites from the season...I was coming around a sharp right with a tree in the way...I looked down for a split second and see Eryka snapping away...you can actually see how much mud my bike was taking on throughout each lap...
Found myself again alone for a better part of the race...I guess that is something I need to work on for next season...staying with riders...
Last barrier section of the season...
Crossing the finish line...exhasuted but stoked out...overall 17th out of 51 racers...
No place on me or my bike was safe from the mud and grime from the course...
Here is an awesome shot of my bike post race. I know have an solid understanding of why elite level racers use 2 bikes during some races...not only as a backup in the event of a flat or mechanical breakdown...but also for muddy conditions...each lap swap out the bike and get a fresh and clean one while your mechanic cleans the dirty one. In my case...I only have the one 'cross bike...and I was lucky all season not too have super mud filled races. The final 2 laps of the race my bike felt like it weighed 100 pounds!
'Cross season numero uno in the books! Even as I am writing this post I am already excited and thinking about next year...new equipment...more races...tons of good times...
I am glad I made the decision to buy the Snake...it was way worth it. Plans for the remainder of the year are to get some rides in when I can and get my training plan set for 2008. Main goals: re-qualify for US Mountain Bike Nationals...race at US Mountain Bike Nationals...double the amount of both mountain and 'cross races...get some road racing experience...most of all, enjoy the time on the bike.
The holidays are right around the corner. My sister, Barbara Ann and her family are coming in from Switzerland next week to visit...the Glodek clan is STOKED! It is always awesome to spend the holidays with my family...I can't wait!
Thanks for reading my posts...
Have a great and Happy Holiday and a Merry New Year!
...johnny
