Two Mimsters showed up to do battle at the third race in the NYCROSS series Stephentown Cyclocross on Saturday -- myself and Tammy Lewis.  And it did not take long to find out that due to the course and weather conditions the "cyclo" part of the sport would be in short supply.   We were wondering why we even needed a bike!

 

Gary and Pamela Toth graciously opened up their home and their beautifully wooded yard to promote this race.  They laid out the course during Friday's sunshine, and although it had parts that were rather rocky, it looked to be a different but fun cyclocross race.  They swore it was completely rideable.

 

Mother Nature had other ideas.  Friday night it poured rain, and the rain and wind continued all day Saturday.  Races started at 9:15, with the C race, Master men's race and the B men's race all taking place before the Elite women and junior race started at 12:30.  The course was a rocky soupy holey mess by the time we got to the start line.

 

Tammy and I lined up with two other women -- CBRC's Jenny Ives, who was tied with me for second place in the series, and Hannah Walton, who won the bronze medal at the 2005 National Championships for the 17-18 women.  A small but strong field.  Jenny and I were tied for second place in the series, with series first place not present at the race.  My goal was to continue to amass good points in the NYCROSS series.

 

The gun went off and Tammy flew into the lead.  She had a mountain bike, and was hoping that its greater gear range would assist her up the long climbs that we with cyclocross bikes would have to run.  And it seemed to be working.  In her wake I was doing my best to ride everything, getting into my competitors' way in the process.  It did not take long for Jenny to run by Hannah and me, though, so Hannah and I got off our bikes and headed to the deep mud at the base of first long run-up.

 

Also at the base of the run-up was Tammy, trying to dig her dropped chain out of the narrow space between her chainring and her frame.  She was struggling.  Jenny took off up the hill with  Hannah not far behind.  I felt like I had leaden shoes and could only muster a determined walk as they scurried away. 

 

At the top of the hill was the only spot that was flat and without rocks.  Of course, it had two New England sized barriers, and by the time I got to them  Jenny was completely out of sight.  Hannah and I were going back and forth, but she got ahead of me in another sloppy section.   As I struggled to move forward, trying to remount, Tammy came up behind me and rode by as well.  Ugh, I was having a terrible time.  But at least I was able to ride down the greasy descent, and was keeping Tammy and Hannah in sight.  One cheering fan reminded  me that THIS was my game -- 'cross! -- but I felt like a fish out of water.

 

Things got worse for me.  In the second lap, as I tried to shoulder my bike at the foot of the longest run-up, I tripped and fell.  The bike, halfway onto my shoulder, somehow came around and chainringed me in the back.  How rude!  I scrambled up, totally dropped, and pushed forward hard. 

 

Over the barriers again, with hoards (it seemed like) of screaming fans.  Encouraging me to go on.  OK guys, I wanted to say, this is not as easy as it looks!  But I kept moving forward, hoping to at least narrow the distance between myself and my competitors. I got my act together, cleaned up what riding I was doing, and started running more and slogging less.  From my former vantage point behind the Tammy and Hannah, I could see that in certain places it was faster to run or walk than to ride. 

 

Before I knew it (ok, eventually...) I was catching up with Tammy and Hannah.  The three of us stayed close together and I remember crossing the barriers hearing one guy exclaim how exciting this race was to watch.  We were really pushing each other!

 

On the other side of the barriers was another greasy rocky climb that had dissolved into a run-up sometime during the day's first race.  On our second to last lap the three of us were now all next to each other.  I gave it all I was worth and got ahead on the rocky run-up.  By now I knew what lines I could ride at the section at the top and then down the greasy descent, but everyone would know what that was by now.  I rode as hard as I could at the top and let it all hang out on the descent.

 

But the going was not all smooth for me.  After I had established a gap I fell running over the big pile of rocks, and I could not figure out how to untangle myself and bike and stand back up to walk!  It seemed like an eternity, but when I looked back I still did not see anyone there. 

 

Last lap.  Ugh, my legs and lungs.  I was going hard in hopes of catching Jenny, but I never saw her.  But at least with a second place finish to her we would be assured of a duel royale at the series final.  Surprisingly, I did some of my best riding and running of the race on that last lap.  Maybe because I knew that the pain was almost over.  Crossing the line, I was relieved to be there.  About a minute and a half later Tammy crossed the line, and Hannah finished about a minute behind her.  We were all thrilled that the mud slog was over.  Everyone had raced so hard.

 

In retrospect, it was almost fun.  It was great training for any races coming up, because surely none of them would contain as much running as this one did.  Great mental training, just being able to sort out what would work the best for each part of an ever-changing course.  This will suit me well for Nationals!

 

As for Tammy, I am sure that if she had not had issues with her bicycle her early flier would have been something for all of us to reckon with.  She got such a gap right away, and having smaller gearing to ride up the long climb would have been great!  This was her first race and I know that she will be back.  Watch out everyone!

 

Another weekend of 'cross.  Time to get rested for next week.  I'm just hoping those courses will be more rideable :)