Gloucester

[Eden]

Sounds like in all you still had a great weekend. Top 10 in such a large field is nothing to sniff at!

I finally did my first cross race this Sunday. I'm such a big chicken and after I did it someone told me that it is one of the more technical on the calendar...... it had a big, steep, (well at least it looked big and steep when you were staring down it) down hill on single track, that ended in a left hand turn that you had to either stop or make it or else crash into a tree! What everyone told me was soooo true. Roadies like me could kill on the straight sections and the mt bikers/crossers would do great on the technical ones. I played leapfrog with a few people for most of the race I'd fly past them on straights (and unfortunately on the run ups... which would put me ahead to go back down) and then they'd have to find a way around me as I panicked trying to go down the nasty sandy hill. The off camber stuff, which I was a bit worried about, wasn't too much of a bother. Dinky bike performs pretty well - I can still go fast enough on the road/track/flats and it flies uphill - when other people are struggling I can spin up almost anything as long as it isn't loose. I certainly won't make any claims to have done well, but I survived and did not crash during the race (I did warming up!), though I got stuck behind a crash in the second lap. I liked it enough that I'll do some more, though I can't see myself getting too serious about it. I like road too much. I do think that I'll get some bike handling benefits out of it.

My husband took a little video (me, one of my teammates and one of his teammates)
http://www.youtube.com/OneToGoCycling

[7rider]

Wow. You guys both did great. Sounds like a hoot - but hard as heck.
I wish the Gloucester races had been more established before I left town. I have a friend who was racing/perhaps volunteering there this past weekend (and the park is within an easy pedal from my old apartment!).
Pardon my ignorant question, but SheFly, you mentioned being passed by both Juniors (which, I take it you are not) and men. Are the races co-ed? Mixed "classes"? Or, do some groups overtake and lap earlier starting groups?

[Eden]

Pardon my ignorant question, but SheFly, you mentioned being passed by both Juniors (which, I take it you are not) and men. Are the races co-ed? Mixed "classes"? Or, do some groups overtake and lap earlier starting groups?

Our race was the similar - several groups of masters men, masters women and cat 4 women all started together (well they put about 30 sec between groups - starting with the groups they think will be fastesst). Ours was a long course so I didn't get lapped at all, even by the men.

[SheFly]

Wow. You guys both did great. Sounds like a hoot - but hard as heck.
I wish the Gloucester races had been more established before I left town. I have a friend who was racing/perhaps volunteering there this past weekend (and the park is within an easy pedal from my old apartment!).
Pardon my ignorant question, but SheFly, you mentioned being passed by both Juniors (which, I take it you are not) and men. Are the races co-ed? Mixed "classes"? Or, do some groups overtake and lap earlier starting groups?

Because there are so few juniors, and usually fewer women, they ran the two classes together, with the juniors going off first, followed 30 seconds later by us. This was a MUCH better scenario than last year when the women went off with the Cat 4 men .

The fields at Gloucester are huge. The Cat 4 men's field (think beginner here), was full and had a waiting list - that's 125 guys all riding the course at the same time!!!! The same was true for many of the other men's fields.

Next year I won't have to worry - I'll race with the Elite women and then there will only be Lyne Bessette lapping me to worry about .

Oh, and Regina - the Gloucester races are HUGE here, and are being referred to by some die hards as New Belgian Worlds...

SheFly

[SheFly]

Sounds like in all you still had a great weekend. Top 10 in such a large field is nothing to sniff at!

I finally did my first cross race this Sunday... I liked it enough that I'll do some more, though I can't see myself getting too serious about it. I like road too much. I do think that I'll get some bike handling benefits out of it.

Thanks, Eden, and congrats on your first race! Very exciting, and it sounds like you did well. Not sure about the sentiment around not getting too serious - it's addictive and can drag you totally into the culture

SheFly

[Juligirli]

I agree that cross is very addicting... I did my third race on Saturday at Gloucester and can't wait for the next one. So far I'm ok with being in the back of the field as I learn but hopefully next year this time I'll be stronger and move up a bit. Gloucester was fun there were so many people cheering on our beginner woman's race. It was nice to have the encouragement.

[SheFly]

Nice avatar! Congrats on finishing the race, and having a good time! You looked like you were having a great time when I saw you, but remember - NO STOPPING when people are passing you!

SheFly

[Sheesh]

Congrats on a good race at Gloucester!

Shefly - The next time a junior goes to pass you, just throw an elbow. Just kidding. They still have a lot to learn - they may be fast and have that youthful energy, but experience will teach them not to try and pass in such tight areas.

Eden - Congrats on finishing your first race! I was hooked after my first race, but that was almost a month ago. Some of my enthusiasm and excitement has tapered since then, but I'm sure it will be back after my race next weekend!

Juligirli - Welcome to TE!

[wavedancer]

Great racing Shefly!

I made it to Gloucester too for my 3rd race on Sunday. We finished my Frankenbike on Saturday and I planned on going to Gloucester to watch on Sunday, but Frank was already in the car...sooo...

The course was fast and longer than the other courses I have ridden. I was off the back the entire race and I think I got lapped twice by the 2 leaders! No matter, it still was a blast and hopefully I will get better as time and races go on. Yes, I'm hooked! And Frank loved it!

[Eden]

holy sand pits Batman!

[7rider]

I was off the back the entire race and I think I got lapped twice by the 2 leaders!

All right!!!! Now you are talkin' MY language!!

Seriously...great pix. It looked like a blast!
Congrats to each of you for an awesome day!