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What Eugene saw:
Category: M35+
Result: Mid-pack
Rolled around the course with Jason before his race and it was reminiscent of courses I used to ride back East, fast and no zigzags other than the corral. The triple barrier was a twist forcing a bit more running, good for me. My race went off at 12 and it looked like pretty much the usual field minus a few guys. Got my usual less than lightning start but got rolling after the stadium and seemed to keep some one in my sights almost the whole race. Had fun with a couple single speed guys in the dirt and grass but they had no top end for the road section and I got a gap and was on to the next guy.
Had a couple close calls at the barriers as I kept pushing closer and closer before dismount and seem to have the ‘right foot on left side hop’ down pretty good as I avoided a face plant when my left foot stuck just before a barrier. Brought it home in one piece feeling good. Placed 17th!
Thanks to Richard and Brian Z for riding out and cheering, the support was nice. It’s been a hard but fun cyclocross season, thanks to Jason and Andy for sharing the ride when possible and Coach Matt for encouraging me out of 43rd place. I look forward to next year and more NorCal cross.
HR data: avg 172, 47:25 above LT, race was 48 minutes.
This was my last race in FFBC colors and I like to say thank you all for a fun year. I’m leaving in the hopes of having a bunch of 35+ and 45 + teammates at ICCC. As I still live in the area I will probably hook up for a ride occasionally, I’m looking forward to Tuesday night sprints when it gets lighter.
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What Jason saw:
Category: C
Result: Top ten
The race was held at a Rodeo Park and was a very fun course. EB and I pre rode the
coarse. It was more Euro style, meaning a very fast coarse. Three barriers, two mud
sections, an "S" curve through the rodeo area, nice long flat section, one quick
steep descent into a right hand turn, and one nice long staircase up the grand
stands. Great day for racing, nice and clear.
At the start I did something unusual, I was in the top half rather than the bottom
half! We had Eric Riggs in our field, an well he kicked everybody's butt, but he
was a junior and raced worlds so not feeling too bad there.
I started moving up
right from the get go. By the time I had hit the first flat section I was holding
middle of the pack. Get through the second barriers to the flat section and just
hit the gas. I powered my way past 8-10 guys and put myself in the top 10. For
about two laps I had this junior that was sucking my wheel. At times we'd switch
but by the third lap I had dropped him at a barrier. I bridged another gap where
the guy just stuck on my wheel for the last two laps. While he was on my wheel I
spent chasing a Penn Velo guy and almost caught him.
On the last lap to the finish
the guy that sucked my wheel and I sprinted in and I took him for 8th place. Not
bad for a guy on 4 hours of sleep because he was too excited. I'm also happy I got
muddy. Nice way to end the season. Pretty bummed that the season came to an end.
Oh well, at least I found a new passion...to my wife's dismay. Oh and when I get a
lighter bike set up I am so going to bunny hop in a race.
I'd like to thank Zig and Richard for showing up. Great to have you guys out there
in support. Larry for the BBQ after the race. Beer does help with the soreness.
Eugene and Andy for all their help in getting me going and having me feel
comfortable with CX racing. You guys made it a lot of fun. Coach John for his help
and support. To my wife for letting go out and play when we were in the middle of a
move and for Sunday. Thank you.
P.S. Please donate to the Jason Sage New Cyclocross Bike Fund. It is not tax deductible.
But you'd get the satisfaction of helping a cool guy get his dream cross bike and
for your assistance he'll bunny hop the new lighter bike in a race for you! Please
one hop per donor.
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What Richard saw:
Category: Spectator
Ziggy and I had a nice ride out to watch the NCNCA District Champs in
Livermore. We turned up in time to see the end of Jason's race and give
him some vocal encouragement.
We then watched the B race and were impressed by the single-speed MtB
who was riding. Then in Eugene's Masters race, straight after the B's,
the single speed guy was there again! It was really cool watching the
starting charge up the rise through the finish with everyone jockeying
for first corner position - I got the desire to race again - cool!
Eugene rode a consistent, smooth race, especially when remounting. He
gave everything and looked absolutely spent afterwards. A good effort
despite Ziggy's "helpful" comments.
The highlight for the spectators was another guy on a single speed who
was bunny-hopping the uphill barriers close to the finish: AbbiOrca's pictures.
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