Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Race Report- Winston-Salem

We (myself and the family) made the drive to Winston over the weekend to race the All Hallows Eve race presented by Mock Orange Bikes. It was pretty cold when we arrived but warmed up nicely by the start of the 10 O'Clock race. I did my usual warm up, and got the to start early and positioned myself in the middle on the left side. The whistle blew and we took off, we all sprinted up a paved road and then some switch backs where I was either in the weeds or the tape on every turn. Then it really bottled up and had to dab a foot. Once again the best thing about racing CX is even if you are in the back there are still people to race. This race was no different, myself a 2 others guys were changing places on the first 2 laps. I'd get a lead then they would catch me on the 1 long climb.

The end of the second lap I noticed I was pulling a guy around the course, and was taking some very bad lines through the turns. As we approached the end of the lap he was behind me as we started down a short downhill with a hard right hand turn with a climb after the turn. I set myself for the turn, hit the apex and turned on the jets. I stood up and powered my way up the hill. I kept on the power, and was all by myself for the entire last lap. Approaching the finish line some of the leaders were passing me. The last turn into the finish and someone behind me yells "Left". Thinking it was another leader and not wanting to get in the way of the leaders I moved over. As he passed me at the finish Line I realized it was the guy I had been racing the entire race. I was disappointed that he passed me at the finish- That won't happen again!

The last lap approaching the finish- you can see the guy that passed me at the finish in the background.

I loved the course- some sections were a little rough but the fast, flat and smooth sections made up for it. My favorite part was a section around the soccer fields- you entered the field on a downhill with 2 18" jumps, and the field was flat, hard, and short grass. I could fly on this surface, and the corners held up well. I also loved all of the Off-Camber turns. As we headed back to Charlotte I couldn't wait until the next race in Boone. See you there.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Race Report: Queen City Cyclocross

My first Cross race of the season was this past weekend. Here's how the race went:

I spent the week leading up to the race watching the weather closely to see if I needed to put on the mud tires or keep the Racing Ralphs. I went to help Luna Cycles/ Fiets Maan racing to help set up the course up Friday. The course was dry even though it rained the day before- I decided against switching tires and stick with what I had. The morning of the race was cool and damp/ a slight drizzle but no mud.  I went to get my number and the guy apologized and said "this is no reflection on you as a person". I looked at it and read 666! I'm not a superstitious person and thought BEAST MODE! I did my warm up laps, then saw some friends and talked with them for awhile and then headed to the start line. I lined up right in the middle of the pack. I was a little nervous it being my first race of the season, but once the whistle blew I was in race mode. About 100 feet into the race and at full speed the mountain bike in front of me started skidding the rear tire- he threw his chain into the rear wheel spokes. I hit the brakes and then went around him, I stayed with the pack until the finish line climb. I was pretty focused so I don't remember a lot of details. I do remember racing a few guys, back and forth changing positions.

On the 3rd lap I was following a guy around the course but didn't have a great place to pass. We rode through the bottom of the course near the start line, I wanted to put a little pressure on him so I positioned myself on his hip. We up the small hill, he went wide and I cut inside. We were side by side on the short steep descent. I pedaled hard to the run up, took the inside line and ran as hard as I could to the top. Got back on the Van Dessel and pushed as hard as I could, I was trying to put as much distance as I could between us. In my opinion this was the hardest part of the course- most of the elevation changed happened in between the run-up and finish line. The rest of the race I was pretty much by myself the rest of the race until the finish line. As much as I was glad it was over, I couldn't wait for the next one in Winston.

The rest of the day was spent cheering on Kevin and friends, and taking lots of pictures. By the way, the team (Kevin and myself) did great this weekend, lots of compliments on the jerseys, and we had a lot of fun! Looking forward to have the other guys with us soon.
 
-Mike
 There was this too- Doughnut Hand-ups!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Kit Design

Here's what the new jerseys will look like.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Velominati states " Rule#17 Team Kits are for team members". We agree, but if you aren't a member but still you want to fly the colors of the Slippery Sasquatch team we are working on getting some T-Shirts made up soon. If you want a T-Shirt either message us or find us at the races.
 
With any luck we might have them for the Charlotte Race October 19.