Bedford Springs Cyclocross

[Sheesh]

Now that looks like a difficult course. I don't think I've seen any run ups like that in the Chicago cross scene (it must help that Chicago-land is relatively flat anyways!).

Shefly - you're a true inspiration!

[trigirlpink]

Oh.. I am very impressed with those pictures. Did you know there were ah humm.. men rolling their bikes down that run up? Nice!

Here's my view:
It was not a very technical course at all. ( Good for me) but lots of hay-like grassy open field sections that seemed to wear me down by lap 3. The course loop seemed long and usually when the first male catches me at other races, I know I'm on my last lap. Not Sunday. He passed me, along with a couple of other guys before the finish area but we still had another lap to go. I think they (the men) did 5 laps and we did 4. On the first lap,I looked over through the trees and saw the other women rolling their bikes down that steep section so I decided, me too!!!
I let 2 women pass me on the run up at the top on the second or 3rd lap thinking I should go ahead and give it a try and ride down that hill. I wasted too much time trying to reclip and get enough nerve to go down it! This is a limiter for me. As a triathlete, I'm hardwired to go AROUND sticks and rocks, not go over them! Cross is so different and challenging I just enjoy that part. Forcing myself to do something that scares me a bit and forces me out of my comfort zone.

[SheFly]

Oh.. I am very impressed with those pictures. Did you know there were ah humm.. men rolling their bikes down that run up? Nice!

But I used to be a downhiller, so I have no excuse NOT to ride....

Good for you, on a great race! You looked strong out there racing. Most important, it looked like you were having FUN, and that's what it is really all about.

I'll keep you posted if I am running rides, etc, where we can help you with some of your skills. Do you have lights to be able to ride after work????

SheFly

[Voodoo Sally]

Hey SheFly, good job anyway, and thank you for cheering for me. I hope I didn't look too casual this time . 'Cross is just too much fun to not smile and look around . I'm sorry we didn't catch your race. DH & I had to get to a BMX race right after DH's "B" Masters race, which he did OK in.

And trigirlpink, nice work. I think I saw you. You had the socks! I had the pink shirt. It was you, I think, who I passed at the top of the run-up that time.

I thought the course was too grassy (a slog). More hot weather and dusty condiditons. I liked the woods run up & ride down. I saw a lady eat it pretty hard in the barriers on an early lap. I kept it steady and I don't know what place I got, probably the back half or last quarter.

[trigirlpink]

Yes! I remember you! You got me at the top! I just got all flustered and didn't like how there was only about a inch of flat space at the top to try and clip back in and go down! Nice race! Are you doing Amesbury?

..and yes Shefly, I would love any help so keep me in the loop! We must cure my Wussitis!

[Voodoo Sally]

Yep, looks like I'll be doing Amesbury. C ya there.

[trigirlpink]

Bedford results are up. Boy.. took 'em all week. I am an alias in the beginner women line up! Must be because they let me sign up on a waitlist and they just gave me someone's number that preregistered but didn't show.
Sorry, Courtney Waal. I'll try and move "us" up the ranks next race!