First 'cross race

Today was my first cyclocross race ever and I have to say I'm totally addicted! The race took place next to the Saratoga race track. The course was fun and fast with a huge, long sandpit. It tripped everyone up. People were falling and some went over the bars. It was a spectator's dream, but not so fun when you're pedaling through the thick of it. I ended up half running and half riding. Still a great time, though. I need to work on my mounts/dismounts, but I'll get there. Hoping to do another race by the end of the season.

Isn't it a blast?! Mounts/dismounts are really what do me in, too. I get passed by a lot of people at these points. I can nearly catch these people on the flats, then lose it again when I have to get off the bike.

I also had trouble with my saddle/seatpost. It's a single bolt and I hit two particularly nasty bumps which caused my saddle to jerk upward. I was barely perched on the thing by the end. Live and learn...

Another thing that tripped me up was that they combined citizens cat 4 men and women, along with juniors and I couldn't tell how many laps I had left, since we all had staggered starts. I saved a little too much in my second lap, thinking I had a third to go (they were long laps), but then they said I was done. Confusing.

It can be surprisingly difficult to know how far one's gone in a CX race. I rely on my Garmin to help me know where I am on the course. Today's course was about 1.25mi/lap, so I knew when I was at 3.75 that I still had a lap to go.

I'm still trying to get the hang of this...Using the example you just gave, how did you know, based on the mileage, that you had one lap to go? I thought it was based on time?

congrats on your first race! welcome to the addiction :)

i still get messed up with that too. yesterday, i came through the finish area for the 3rd time and heard the announcer say "two to go", so i figured i'd hold a little back for the last lap and not go all out just yet. but then i must've been passed by the lead B ladies because at the end of lap 4, they were waving the checkered flags. drat!

i should've trusted my instincts which told me that i was doing 10 minute laps and that i'd do 4. oh well. a solid mid-pack finish (44 out of 86) is never a bad thing, i just hoped i'd do a bit better. next week, no saving anything for the end! and i need to work on being more agressive and getting around people. i'm chicken and wait too long for the "perfect" opportunities to pass, and those rarely present themselves!