DCCX -- 7/5 & 5

Oct 26, 2008 -- Jake & I packed up the CR-V and drove into DC for today's DCCX.  Last year this race wasn't MABRA series, and I got 14th in the "B" race.  It rained all day yesterday, but as I suspected the course had drained pretty well.  Mostly dry, but some turns for my 10AM race were still a bit sloppy.  they had changed the course a little from last year.  I didn't think the course flowed as well as last year, and it was bumpy as hell.  Like worse than Hagerstown.  It is fair to say I wasn't feeling it during warm up. 

I didn't get a call up and my registration wasn't apparently good enough so I was lined up by number in the 4th row.  Nonetheless I got my first good start of the year and after some elbow bumping was quickly in the top 10 leaving the starting pavement.  The front of the race was a line and I slotted into top 10.  I was able to pretty comfortably stay there through the entire first 3/4 of the first lap, and then moved up when Matt Michel of NCVC cracked a little.  I was sitting on the back of the front group in 7th.  The group split at some point late in the 2nd lap and I was in the second group (4th thru 8th).  Then Jon Seibold and I were gapped off the second group.  We rode together during the 3d lap.  We knew we were 7th and 8th.  Jon was on a single speed and he was getting spun out on the fast rode section, but would catch me with some expert MTB'er cornering in the turns at the end of the lap.  I actually picked up his line, watching him on the penultimate lap. 

On the bell lap we were caught mid-lap at the end of the road section by some guy (didn't recognize his jersey or him).  He passed but I was able to crank it up to catch on.  Jon wasn't because of his gearing.  I chased and stayed on him the rest of the lap.  He got a little gap on me at times, but I was able to close.  He was clearly going all out to drop me.  He hit the last 200 meter pavement section ahead of me.  I dropped several cogs and sprinted all out. He was staying in the middle of the road, which curved gently to the right and I cut a straighter line.  I passed him with like 30 meters to go and beat him by a bikelength.  I was 7th.  I let out a little whoop.

so then he comes by and says "way to suck wheel on the last lap."  I retorted "dude, it's called racing."  There were some further words exchanged.  I'm not sure what this guy thought the race was about, but great, you caught us, but you weren't up there to begin with and you weren't able to drop me on the last 1/2 lap, so you'd better be ready to sprint.  I've gotten caught and lost 3 sprints this year, but you didn't hear me complain.  In fact, I recognized that I had erred strategically (for example in Richmond).

So I was back at the car and getting my bike from the pit, when apparently, I missed my podium.  I saw that I was 7th, but they did a separate podium for the 35+ and I was 5th when they separated out the 45+ guys.  Damn. 

Jake had a typical Jake race.  It was a really long lap and they do 2 laps in the 16 and under.  Jake got a so-so start, possibly as bad as 10th of 18.  The top 3 or 4 were all much bigger boys (maybe 13-14 yrs old).  On the first lap, he apparently had a problem when a kid crashed in front of him. 

Going into the 2nd lap, Jake was about 30 seconds behind 2 boys.  One on a mountain bike and the other on a cross bike.  They both were about Jake's age.  I yelled for him to reel in the boy on the MTB on the long road sections were Jake's cross bike would be faster.  Jake did just that, catching him at the end of the road on the back of the course.  By the time he came back down toward the pits, he was only 5 seconds behind the next boy.  He had to pass a B woman (who had started a minute ahead).  Jake caught the boy by the time they came around to the start line.  Last year, the finish was at the starting road, but this year, they made you do another 1/4 lap to the second stretch of pavement.  Jake was clearly hurting and the other boy was digging hard to catch Jake.  Jake had maybe a 20-30 yard lead.  I was screaming to Jake that the other boy was coming hard.  Jake sprinted and even though the other boy was closing, Jake held him off.  Super impressive.  He was collapsed on the ground by the time I got to him.  I gave him gatorade and a coke.

He was 5th.

It was a fun day.  Joel Gwadz (aka Gwadzilla) was wearing a cheerleader costume and I chatted with him a bit.  His youngest had woken up with a fever.  Chris Nystrom had a nasty saddle problem at the very opening of the first lap.

Jean got 2nd in her race and Lindsey got 5th.  David Battan got a nice 12th in the 100 deep Cat 4 race.

Pictures to come; I'll have to find one of my empty space on the 3/4 35+ podium and digitally insert myself ;-)

Monday update:

Photos are starting to appear see http://flickr.com/photos/bmpskier/sets/72157608391287869/?page=6

Comments

[Grandpa Jack]

Great rides to both of you.............

[Grandpa Tommy]

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU!!!

5TH & 5th FANTISTIC!!!

That's my boys!

Wish I could have been there. Maybe in Leesburg again.

Love to all!

[Jonathan]

Nice race today. Was nice having someone to ride with once I got spit out the back of that front group. Glad that you were able to beat that guy to the line.
Jonathan

[JeffA]

As I said...great job...you looked very comfortable out there.....not under pressure. That next group just gained too much on you guys to get back.....Rockburn next ....

[Sven]

super race. you looked strong and confident...just a small step away from being up there with the leading duo.

[Greg]

Pfff, wheelsucking in cross is kinda overrated. You just as easily could have shot back that he was simply in your way and there was no safe area to pass him.