I didn’t race this weekend. Seems kind of weird. Decided maybe I should train some more before I make which seems like another foray into the cyclo-x scene. But, I haven’t done very much cyclo-x bike riding since my bike is still disassembled in my bike bag in my garage.

But, I did go over to Kansas City this morning and meet up with Bill Marshall and the other cross guys to help dial in the Nationals course.

I soon realized that I didn’t have much experience designing courses. We rode around the park for an hour or so and I was trying to prioritize what is the most important features. And, in the United States, I think one of the most important parts is being spectator friendly. If I’m watching a cross race, I want to see as much of the action as possible first hand. I thought the race in Las Vegas was kind of a drag riding, but it was a blast watching. I think the races in Portland and Providence were pretty spectator friendly. A cloverleaf designed course with the riders passing the central point multiple times a lap. With the UCI rules mandating a 3 km course, the laps get pretty long, time wise, and spectators watching can tend to loose track of the race.

Hopefully, if anything, this course will be spectator friendly. And, be fun to race. And challenging. Bill is drawing up a map from the GPS and is posting it at the KCX Nationals website this week.

Thinking of heading over to Cincinnati next weekend for the two UCI races. Til then…

Short post from Cincinnati. The course was good. Lots of U-turns and switchbacks. Some open riding and a sand section. Barry Wicks won. Danish Champion 2nd. Brent Prenslow 3rd, Brandon Dwight 4th, ect. I was 8th. Got an OK start and then moved up to 3rd toward the end of the first lap. A guy ran into me from behind and I backpedaled and dropped my chain. It got stuck between the “big(44)” ring and the crank arm. I had to sit there a while and yank it out. By the time I got going, I was back in the late 20’s. Made up a ton of places the next lap, but it got slower. Ended up riding around in a group of 3 with Tristan Schoutan and Ryan Leach going for 7th. Got mixed up with Tristan right at the of the last lap and ended up 8th. I felt like I could of been riding at the front, but you know how that goes. Anyway, I kind of get a do over tomorrow and hopefully I’ll have better results.