Nemo's first CX race or "More fun in a non-IM year"
Last year I vowed after IMWI that I would buy a Cyclocross bike and I WOULD race it during my non-IM year. Mission accomplished! The race was called "Frogs on the Farm" and it's run by the Fat Frogs Bike Shop VA Beach and held in Chesapeake, VA.
This was the first CX race for both myself and one of my girlfriends here. We have been practicing together along with some other more experienced friends so we had some idea what to expect, but we also knew our skills were not really tip top shape (I still haven't gotten that remount thing yet). We signed up for W 40+ thinking this was the "old lady" group, eh, no- it's the fast experienced chicks! I shoulda clued into that idea when I saw the W 40+ group race was 45 min and the W Cat4's was just 30! We tried switching to Cat4 at registration (mainly 'cause I didn't want to be "that chick" who was basically a roaming obstacle on the course for everyone else to have to navigate around) but they wouldn't let us without paying another registration fee. So we sucked it up and figured we'd just try to stay out of everyone's way!
We had one chance to ride a lap of the course before our race (in-between the race ahead of us). The course was flat with no "run-ups" but lots of ditches and dips. It's held on a tree farm so you have irrigation ditches to cross and lots of lumpy terrain from where the trees are pulled for sale, oh yes, and lots of trees to avoid! The obstacles consisted of a set of logs to bunny hop (or roll over, which is what I did), two big muddy ditches to cross which they lovingly placed right at a sharp turn, this thing they called the "spiral of death" where you rode clockwise in circle getting tighter and tighter until you reach the middle and then you have to make a sharp turn counterclockwise to get back out (that thing made me dizzy), and two different sets of barriers (one of which had you cross an irrigation ditch between the two). And of course lots of sharp crazy turns along the way as well. Here is a pic of the spiral of death, trust me, the pic doesn't do it justice!
Oh my- this was gonna be interesting!
The Cat 1,2,3 ladies went off 1 minute before us (more women who had to avoid me). I think it was my second or third time around the course when I fell trying to cross one of the ditches. I basically hit it strait on instead of going at an angle and just came to a dead stop trying to get up the other side and then fell over. When I tried to get back on the bike I saw my seat turned 90 degrees to the side. I tried straitening it out but it wouldn't budge (why didn't I have my multi tool with me!!!). So I figured I might as well run back to the start line to see if I could borrow a multi-tool. I ran with the bike through the back half of the course (and through the spiral of death- oh my), until a friend watching the race saw me and quickly man handled it back strait again. I'm sure that's not totally legal but I was gonna come in last anyway so who cares!
The rest of the ride I decided my main goal was to learn how to do every one of those skill sections without falling or unclipping (unless dismounting was required of course). I managed to get them all except that final counter-turn in the spiral of death and I consider that a huge success! Here's a pic of me practicing the barriers- technique needs lots of work!
Found a scratch on Oliver when it was all done and was far more sad about that than the bruises or bleeding of my own legs. But he's been christened now so maybe I won't worry about him so much anymore and will be willing to take a few more risks with him from now on. Anyway- it was a BLAST! We stuck around to watch the other races and I enjoyed just spectating, taking pics, cheering, and refuling. The atmosphere really is unique and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Kinda like a big tailgate party without the football. I'll be back for sure! Here are a few more pics where I show off my greatest skill- smiling!
And finally, the funniest thing (and most useful too) I saw yesterday had to be the guy using his iPhone for a cowbell! Yup, there's an app for that. Make a note next time you are spectating at a race and just forgot your cowbell!!!
Comments
If we all head out to dinner then I'll see you for sure. Otherwise I'll be pacing a friend through part of the marathon but will be up for drinks or ice cream after.
You looked like you were having a blast! Oh and that spiral thing made me dizzy just looking at it
Remember I am living my cx life through you, until I get my own bike....so keep making me proud 
Sounds like a great venue. This will clearly help anyone's bike handling skills...
Congrats on expanding your athletic horizons...and cool pics
Nemo,
These sound like such great events, perhaps I will get out to one some year. Your RR shows that a multi-tool is important in all races.
Gordon
it's good to have another different experience under your belt. great RR as usual