I won a cyclocross race!!!

[zoom-zoom]

Ok, so only the women's C race and there were only 5 of us, but only 3 of us completed all 4 laps and I was 23+ seconds ahead of 2nd place. Wine will flow tonight! Man, I friggin' love this sport! And to think it was <2 years ago that I said I'd NEVER do cyclocross. I said that about mountain biking, too. Gah, I am getting fat eating my words! :p

The woman who won last week got moved up to Bs...she races in a skinsuit, FFS. Last week I was 4th, the week before that I was 5th (would have been 4th, but somehow my rear wheel worked its way out of the dropout and I had to pull off to fix it. It actually took me a bit to figure out what was wonky with my bike).

I'd love to someday race B Master's. If I dropped that nagging 20#s and upgraded a few things on my bike (the wheels are really low-rent, heavy, and won't stay true and the brakes are almost worthless--I have to start braking really early to keep control and steer at the bottom of hills if there is any turn) I think I could make it happen. The little bit of mountain biking I've done this year has been really good for my CX skills.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/285709_4675945224459_32593096_n.jpg

[thekarens]

Congrats, well done!

[Giulianna23]

Wow...Congrats!...Nice picture!...I hope by next summer be ready to do a mountain bike race....

[Owlie]

Well done! Awesome picture, and I love the socks. What are they?

[Wahine]

Yay!! Well done!!

I don't know how it works where you are but I just cat'd myself up to Masters B 35+. I never win anymore but I love racing in that group.

Yes, mtn biking seriously improves your cyclocross skills. The only chance I have of being on the podium is in the more technical races, then I have the advantage of my time on the mtn bike to help me. In the cardio hammerfests, I am sunk.

I got beat this weekend by a friend who for years I've known has the potential to beat me but she just didn't have the bike handling skills... well, on a not so technical course, she can beat me now. I've still got her on the more technical stuff. Maybe to need to actually train a bit.:rolleyes:

Congratulations again! Keep having fun. That's what it's all about.

ETA: I *always* race in knee highs, no matter how hot it is. Just another reason to love cross.

[OakLeaf]

Woot! Very nice, congrats! (And you look fabulous.)

[zoom-zoom]

Well done! Awesome picture, and I love the socks. What are they?

Smartwool! I also have a pair of Darn Tough knee-highs that I like. I need to get more...lucky socks!

[zoom-zoom]

ETA: I *always* race in knee highs, no matter how hot it is. Just another reason to love cross.

You know, I may start doing that. I always seem to get chain grease on my legs during CX races.

Maybe next year I will just do Masters B races. If I committed to doing that it would force me to work my *** off to not get lapped (too many times/race) and to have the endurance to do more laps/race.

My technical skills are still not great, but mostly in terms of mounts/dismounts. I can't do a rolling mount at all. My rolling dismounts are OK, but slow--mostly because I run slow and if I go into them too fast my legs can't catch up and down I go...learned this the hard way, heh. I am still far faster than I was a year ago, so that is good.

[zoom-zoom]

Woot! Very nice, congrats! (And you look fabulous.)

Thanks! I figure if I can't be superfast I can be superfly! :cool:

[tealtreak]

Congratulations!!!!! awesome fun :D

[indysteel]

That is so cool, Zoom!!! Congrats!

[azfiddle]

congrats! Very cool

[DebSP]

Congratulations! It sounds like so much fun!

[lovelygamer]

I am so excited for you. What an accomplishment and you looked great out there getting it!!!!!

[tulip]

That's great! I watched a local cross race yesterday. It looked like a muddy, messy load of fun. But cold! I was glad to be warm and dry.

[zoom-zoom]

That's great! I watched a local cross race yesterday. It looked like a muddy, messy load of fun. But cold! I was glad to be warm and dry.

It was cool and damp, yesterday, but not windy...perfect CX conditions. Though we've yet to have a muddy race, this season. I think the next race (in 2 weeks) could change all that. Once we hit later Oct. we seem to have at least one good patch of mud at every race. Some of those later races are really miserable for spectators. We always seem to get one race when it's a mix of snow and rain and horribly cold to be standing and watching without shelter.

The photog snapped a really good shot of me right at the start (http://www.jhkunnenphoto.com/p717698912/h463125BC#h463125bc). Still smiling...before the feelings of dread and terror and inadequacy and second thoughts hit. I always get that a minute or two into every race, but they don't last long once I hit the first hill or obstacle and have to concentrate on not crashing.

[Trek-chick]

Congrats!!!

[SheFly]

Congrats! Winning is AWESOME. I took this past weekend off, but have already done 9 races this season, so was ready for a break. It will be both days every weekend from now until Christmas, though.

And LOVE the socks. I have a reputation here in the NE. Last weekend I was at registration and someone asked "What socks are you wearing today?" :D Anyone I meet knows me as the woman with the socks. You can find some awesome ones here: http://www.sockdreams.com/products/socks/knee-highs. My favorites are red, and say Bacon on the side.

SheFly

[zoom-zoom]

Oh, that sock site is DANGEROUS!!!

[gnat23]

SWEET! Nice work!

-- gnat! (Now for the upgrade!)

[jdubble]

Woot! Awesome work! What a great feeling that is! (I've only ever had it happen once, and I had to go all the way to Kansas City for it as the fields are just too huge here in Portland)

[Catrin]

I just saw this for some reason, but woooot! Congratulations - this is pretty darn awesome!

[zoom-zoom]

Thanks, ladies!

[Megustalaplaya]

Congratulations on your first win!

Your pics look great, love the socks!

[Artista]

I just saw this thread. Way to go, Zoom Zoom!!! I'm sure those socks helped you ride faster:D

[Wahine]

http://www.sockdreams.com/products/socks/knee-highs. My favorites are red, and say Bacon on the side.

SheFly

SheFly, I'm not sure if I should curse you or thank you profusely . ;)

[limewave]

Zoom--I cannot believe I missed this post! Congrats on your race!!!! Sounds like you had an awesome day. I hope I can get out and cheer you on at one of these races this season. Keep up the awesome work!

[zoom-zoom]

Ha, it's because you've been busy kicking @ss and taking names, yourself. :D

You really should check out a Kisscross race. They are a total blast to spectate. Usually they are at parks with playgrounds, too, so bring the kids!

[Biciclista]

congrats! was that on your slow bike?
I love your socks. girl after my own heart. I ride mostly in wool kneesocks too

[zoom-zoom]

congrats! was that on your slow bike?
I love your socks. girl after my own heart. I ride mostly in wool kneesocks too

Well, my CX bike is not fast (it's a lower-end aluminum Redline with heavy wheels that don't like to stay true), but it's still a FAR faster/better bike than my Cannondale F5 that makes me kinda hate life, heh. Eventually I'd like to upgrade the wheels on my road bike and put the Aksiums on the CX bike. Better brakes would help a lot, too. I can't build up a head of steam if I have to turn...or I won't make the turn. I've gone through the tape many times when trying to slow for turns. We've talked about trying mini-Vs on this bike.

[SheFly]

SheFly, I'm not sure if I should curse you or thank you profusely . ;)

:D My name is SheFly, and I am an enabler. And I am going to buy more bacon socks - mine just bit the bullet this weekend...

SheFly

[SheFly]

We've talked about trying mini-Vs on this bike.

Do it. You will LOVE it. I've gone to discs on my race bike this season, but the mini-Vs are still on my SSCX bike (moved from last year's race bike). They are SO MUCH better at stopping/slowing than cantilever brakes. The downside is that there is quite a bit less mud clearance with them, so be sure to take that into account. For me, the stopping power out-weighed the clearance.

SheFly

[zoom-zoom]

Do it. You will LOVE it. I've gone to discs on my race bike this season, but the mini-Vs are still on my SSCX bike (moved from last year's race bike). They are SO MUCH better at stopping/slowing than cantilever brakes. The downside is that there is quite a bit less mud clearance with them, so be sure to take that into account. For me, the stopping power out-weighed the clearance.

SheFly

Good to know! We don't generally get a TON of mud here...mostly wet sand, but it doesn't build-up like heavy mud does. And this year we've not had any wet races at all (we didn't race this past weekend, though...which was very wet).

[spindizzy]

Congrats! I too love the awesome socks!

[Anelia]

Awesome!

[roo4]

Love the photo! Ride with joy!