Still going in the DS
While I can’t quite compete with Jared’s reports and pictures from Belgium, I’m still racing here in the DS. If you read my last post, you will notice that I had been sick for awhile. So, I didn’t do the race weekend up in Tennesee, but I did do the Sunday race here in Georgia. The local shop and an interested land owner are doing a small mini-series during the month of January. Not a big turn out, but at least it is a start to keep cross going in Georgia during the month of January.
So, even though I wasn’t feeling too great I drove up on Sunday. We had a lot of rain for a day or so before and a chance of rain on Sunday, but at least it had warmed up a bit. The course was pretty cool. It was really muddy in parts, but still rideable. It also had a short run-up that seemed like a marathon. The run-up was on the dam on the low side of the pond. The dirt was already pretty soft, but the rain made it like quicksand. Every step up, you would sink back down about half a step. There was a decent paved section as well as some dismounts, including a double dismount over some big logs. i.e. You hit the logs going out and then again coming back in.
We only had about 13 guys in CX4, but a couple of them are fast. I got a good start and had the hole shot. Then I hit the first muddy section before the Dam(n) run-up. I hit it on the right side and by the time I regained control I had skidded all the way across to the left side of the course. I caused a pileup, but everyone was cool about it since we all were slipping and sliding through that section. I managed to stay in the lead the first lap, then 2 guys made a jump. I was stuck a few seconds back with another guy. We stayed together awhile and then he made a move and I just couldn’t follow. But luckly, one of the original leaders droped off the pace. I think he had a mechanical due to the mud. So, that left the top 3 all riding alone. We stayed that way. I managed to hold off 4th place and finished 3rd. Not bad considering my cough and my lack of breathing ability. But I paid the price on Monday as the bug seemed to take hold of my chest, stomach and head again. The doctor gave me a new antibiotic and made me stay out of work for 2 days. I was laid out at home. Not sure if I will be able to race this weekend, but it looks like less rain so I’m hoping to be able to give it a go. I’m just happy to still be riding cross. I have to say that I really feel like I am improving my mud skills. That can only help in the long run.
Also, we finally got the camera and the computer to work together, so check back soon for a few pictures from the UCI race and the bama race that I have been trying to get posted. Talk to ya’ll later.
DS
