Monthly Archives: January 2013

Cross Off the Old Year Cyclocross

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What I like most about watching the Belgian crosses on the internet is appreciating that there is virtually no indecision ever by any of the leaders. Indecision in cyclocross costs you time. They’ve all raced so, so many cross races that they innately know how to go the fastest under ever changing conditions.

I’m pretty good with this, I have to admit. I’m a little under raced, mildly rusty, so my decisions might be a tad slow. But, under normal circumstances, I think I have the ability to ride fast in most conditions in cross. I’m not too good on sand, but sometimes I surprise myself.

Monday’s race in Kansas City was slick and tight. I’m a little sick, ear ache, headaches, etc., but am surprised that it hasn’t gotten any worse, which is a very good sign. So, the course being less fitness, and more skill related ability, suited me fine. I was so bummed I couldn’t race on Sunday after hearing the course was slick with a fine layer of mud. Monday, there was the same mud, but covered by a couple inches of new snow.

I can’t really complain about my race. I rode pretty well for all but a few costly corners. I got a good start and got into the lead after a couple turns. I slowly got up to about 10 seconds ahead of a trio of friends, good cross riders, Joseph Schmalz, Shadd Smith and Aaron Elwell. And that is how it stayed most of the race. I rode pretty flawless the first 40 minutes. Aaron rode up to me after 3 or 4 laps, but got gassed and dropped back to Shadd and Joseph. Finally, with a couple laps to go, I got up to 15 or 20 seconds ahead.

But, I was having a terrible time getting my feet back into the pedals after dismounting. It is only the second time I can remember that I’ve had any issue with Shimano SPD pedals. Sometimes on the pavement, after the barriers, it would take me a couple hundred meters to clip in. I know the guys riding Crankbrothers pedals were having some problems, but nothing like I was. It rattled me.

Joseph made a big effort to shell those guys and try to bridge up to me with two laps to go. I made a very costly mistake sliding out on a corner before a short climb. I knew I wouldn’t be able to clip back in, so I ran the hill. Joseph made up a ton of time on me here. So, with a lap and a half to go, we were together. I was okay with that, the 2nd half of the course, before the finish, suited me better. But, I never got there. Joseph gapped me, riding away on the concrete. I came back on early, but slid out again and finally fell doing a U-turn on the pavement. I pulled the plug there. Shadd and Aaron raced to the line, with Shadd nipping Aaron in the end.

I think it would be so cool if I could get everyone’s take on what they did wrong, or right, during this race. I only fell once, but it was at the completely wrong time. I know that Shadd and Aaron each fell at least once. Joseph, maybe twice, but I’m not sure.

My issue for not winning wasn’t a lack of ability. The fitness part didn’t come so much into play. I started getting frustrated by not being able to get my shoes attached to the pedals. I never had that big of a lead, so I didn’t think that I had much time to clean the bottom of my shoes after each dismount. That was a mistake. So, I tried to go faster through the corners and started making other mistakes. Each time I slid out, I’d plant my inside foot on the ground and it would get clogged full of icy mud, so I’d lose more time.

I’m sure that Joseph, Shadd and Aaron all have their own thoughts on why they went fast or not. I’m normally a lot better in those conditions than I was on Monday. But, I’m super stoked that I got to race a slick race so close to Madison Nationals. I can’t image that it is not going to be a technical affair up in Wisconsin next week. Last report I heard was that there was 22 inches of snow in Verona and they had plowed the whole course, but were having issues with blowing snow.

It is bad weather here in Kansas now. High’s under 20 yesterday and slushy roads. I rode inside. I’m trying to decide whether to race a local race here in Kansas on Saturday, and then head up to Madison, or go up to Chicago and race the UCI race on Sunday and just stay. There are only 25 guys registered in Chicago as of now. I was hoping for a much bigger field.

We don’t do any stinkin’ 8 across here in Kansas. Nearly everyone gets a front row start.

Joseph got the hole shot, but I passed him after a couple corners. Shadd and Aaron are 3rd and 4th.

I was riding a Dugast Rhino in the rear and FMB with Michelin Mud 2 tread in the front. They were hooking up pretty good.

We spent New Years Eve at Tellers in Lawrence. It’s good food in an old bank building in downtown. There were 14 of us at dinner.

The bathrooms at Tellers are in the old vault.

Prices are Out of Control

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I forgot to mention that on Monday, the last day of 2012, when I was picking Bill up to go to the race, I backed out of his driveway and into the back of a Honda Accord that was parked on the street. I have no excuse. It was snowing, but I didn’t see the car at all.

Anyway, I jumped out of my van, went up to the door, left my name and number with the girlfriend of the car’s owner and drove off to the race. The guy called and I asked him if he would just go get an estimate and if it wasn’t too much, I’d just pay him. He said that would be fine.

I’ve had four accidents in my life. 2 times now, I’ve hit a parked car. The first time I was a teenager, and was delivering newspapers. I was folding and throwing papers simultaneous and clipped a parked car. And now this one. I’ve had two other accidents, not my fault. Both times were driving team vans. One time in Dallas, I was on US 75 and got rear ended when there was a big slowing of traffic. The other time, I was driving the Schwinn van up in Canada and the same thing. A slowing of traffic and the guy behind me smashed into me.

Anyway, the picture below is of the “destruction” of the vehicle. The guy called and it is nearly a 2 grand estimate. That is nuts. It’s absolutely the best place on the car I could have hit. One small rear quarter panel. I couldn’t believe it. And this was just pulling out the dent and fixing it, no parts.

If you earn the minimum wage here in Kansas, that is 35 days of work, 8 hours a day, at $7.25 an hour. I have no idea what this body shop is charging, but even if it takes the guy 20 hours, that is nearly $100 an hour. It doesn’t seem right. Anyway, I’m just going to turn it into my insurance. I’ve never made a claim, so I’ll cross my fingers on my rates skyrocketing.

I’m not sure why everything seems so expensive nowadays. A plumber, car mechanic, dentist, even razor blades, everything seems out of proportion to what a normal person earns. They all want to vacation in the Mediterranean I guess. People can’t be without their cars, and their cars have to look nice, so I guess that explains it somewhat. It’s stupid.

Click to enlarge.

Here are a couple photos of the Cross Nationals course from yesterday.

crossnationalscourse

crosscourse

Why do these things cost $4 a blade?

Why do these things cost $4 a blade?