Race Report: Riverside 'Cross Festival

[SheFly]

Nice job! Good for you to go and race two races and do so well in both! Welcome to the addictive world of 'cross racing .

SheFly

[velogirl]

And are you racing single speed?

[sydney_b]

And are you racing single speed?

Yes. For now, anyway. I had this custom Waterford touring bike built for a Rohloff hub, but the hub is proving difficult to come by, so I'm running it single-speed and using it for 'cross.

It's working pretty well since it's light and fits me exactly. But, I do wish the bottom bracket was a little higher to help me pedal more into the turns.

[velogirl]

You're a stud.

I raced ss last season. We have a separate ss race (with the men's b's). I was usually the only woman. This year ss is racing with the men's a's and it's right before the women's race so I opted out. But I think I'm going to race my ss mtb in the regular (not ss) xc races next season. We'll see how fit I'm feeling come January.

[sydney_b]

You're a stud.

I raced ss last season. We have a separate ss race (with the men's b's). I was usually the only woman. This year ss is racing with the men's a's and it's right before the women's race so I opted out. But I think I'm going to race my ss mtb in the regular (not ss) xc races next season. We'll see how fit I'm feeling come January.

Lol. Part of me thinks using the SS forces me to crank a higher gear than I might opt for if I had the option. Consequently, I go faster. I do find myself running sections that others ride, but so far this has not been a disadvantage b/c running a little keeps me from going anaerobic and actually gives me a little rest and momentum when I top the hill. That's not to say I'd turn down a fully geared 'cross bike - i'm not totally nuts. I only ride SS 'cuz that's the lightest bike I own suitable for 'cross.

I did have a Surly Karate Monkey built up geared for 'cross, but it's so dang heavy and doesn't fit as well, so I'm using the SS.

Those back-to-back races do take it out of ya. I did it for the first time last weekend. Raced with the men, then had 20-30 min till the women's race. Legs felt like lead for the first lap, then the body kicked in and it was Ok. But there were no solids for me till much later in the day, stuck to water and endurox.

[velogirl]

Recovery when you run? I'm such not the runner (grammar police come get me). I die wherever there's running on a course. See, you are a stud.

[SheFly]

Recovery when you run? I'm such not the runner (grammar police come get me). I die wherever there's running on a course. See, you are a stud.

I have to agree on this one - running for me does NOT equal recovery. This is usually where my HR is at its highest!!! Good for you for a) recovering while running, and b) racing on a SS.

You are a stud!

SheFly