Race Report Monday

Arizona ‘Cross

Today I’ve got a double whammy of cyclocross race reports.  First off will be this past weekend’s AZ ‘Cross number 4 followed by a couple of week old report from AZ ‘Cross number 3 (I know it’s late, but midterms caused my devotion to the Church of the Big Ring to falter slightly, but I have repented).
So anyway, back to the important parts of this post…the cyclocross!  This past Saturday saw the forth race of the AZ ‘Cross Series come to the City of Phoenix’s Cave Creek-Cactus Park.  The course started off with a short, wide straightaway that very quickly bottlenecked from being 10 riders wide, down to 2 riders wide as it curved around the back side of a backstop.  It then continued on with some small rollers and sweeping turns into the first section of two barriers.  From there it was into four consecutive switchbacks, then into another straightaway that was broken up by some small chicanes.  After the straightaway, it was through a muddy irrigation ditch, up a small hill, then down an asphalt driveway that ended in a very loose 180 degree turn that caused more than a few casualties throughout the races.  The course then continued along an off camber section along the side of a hill and swept into the lone run up on the course, complete with a barrier at the bottom and then another at the top. Following another straightaway and sweeping turns, was the sand pit.  The pit was not just a straight shot, it curved to the right, so one couldn’t just power straight through it.  The pit was almost un-ride able for those (myself included) in the early races but the majority of those in the open race were able to navigate it while still staying on their steeds.  After the sand pit, it was on through a couple more sweeping turns and then back through the start/finish straightaway.
This race was also the first race for my new steed, and first real cyclocross bike, a new Felt F15X, dubbed “The Green Machine.”  Having never really ridden a ‘cross bike before, it was like night and day when compared to the 27 pound mountain bike that I had been riding for the past three races.  Mainly, it was much easier lifting it over the barriers and shouldering it for the run up, as it weighs about 9 pounds less than the mountain bike.
I was again racing in the Category 4/Masters 35+ race.  The race started off well, with me being in the middle of the pack.  But as the race went on, I faded to near the back.  I guess I may have slightly angered the races gods by riding a bike that I was not used to yet.  Even with my personal difficulties, I was still able to finish a decent 8th place.  My teammate Niko went on to take the win in his 3rd win in as many races (all while rocking a single speed); the gods are most definitely smiling upon him!
The men’s open race was a good one, with two riders, my buddy Tim “The Future” Allen and Scott Keller, breaking away off the front almost immediately and the playing cat and mouse with each other throughout the entire 55 minute race.  They were pursued by a Team Procon rider for the whole race who during the last 3 laps was almost able to close the gap.  The race finished with a sprint, with Scott edging out Tim by less than a bike length.  So far, Scott has swept the series, winning ever race so far.
Hail Eddy!!!
-Brother Lee
AZ ‘Cross #3:
Two weeks ago, on October 12 saw the third race of the AZ ‘Cross Series come to Freestone Park, located in the city of Gilbert.  This race was the home race for my Arizona State University Cycling team as we were the designed and ran the race.  The course was long and brutal.
The course started off on a flat straightaway and led immediately into a tight right hand 180 degree turn and then immediately into the first set of two barriers.  From the barriers, the course continued up over a little roller and along the side of and then down a hill into a basin.  Then it was up and down again on the side of the hill and into the section of the course known as “Sparky’s Run Up;” which consisted of a tight left hand turn, with a barrier at the end of the turn, then a run up the hill with another barrier at the top.  Once at the top of the hill, there was a short straightaway along a canal.  The course dropped off of the canal into a couple of off camber chicanes and then back up onto the canal for another short straightaway.  After dropping down the hill from the canal, there was a series of three repetitions off up and then down the side of the hill below the canal.  The course then continued into a short straightaway that included another named feature of the course called “Bullman’s Air Zone,” which consisted of a small rise that was very easy to catch air off of.  From the “Air Zone” the course proceeded through a long sweeping left hand bend and then into a series of two climbing 180 degree turns with short straight-aways between them.  After rounding the second of the switchbacks, it was back onto the start/finish straight away and that was a lap of the Sun Devil Cyclocross course!
I raced in the category 4/masters 35+ men’s race.  The start of the race was chaotic into the first turn which saw me running into Scooby’s rear derailleur, but caused no damage, going into the first turn and into the barriers.  Each lap was long and tiring while humping around the lap on my 27 pound mountain bike, but it was still fun.  The race finished with my team mate Niko winning his second race in a row; my team mate Tim finished 8th, I finished 9th, and my other team mate Keegan finished 11th in his first ever ‘cross race while rocking a single speed mountain bike.
For the men’s open race, I got a group together to go form a rowdy row by “Sparky’s Run Up” and proceeded to heckle, cheer, and make a grand old ruckus.  By the end of the race, the majority of the field had “earned” nicknames that included: “Maverick” (because he had a fighter jet on his jersey) and “Snot Rocket” (snot always hanging from his face).  My buddy Paul came down from Flagstaff to race this race, and while attempting to bunny hop the first barrier of the run up, crashed into it and literally broke it in half…heckling ensued.  After a few more laps, the rowdy row moved back to the start finish line to see the sprint finish.  Scott Keller out sprinted Kyle Colavito to take his third win in a row in the series.
Hail Eddy!!!
-Brother Lee

Amen Brother.  Looks like some mighty fine racing down in the desert.  Check out the pics HERE