Two cyclocross races were held this weekend in my home state of New Hampshire. Saturday was the Nor’easter held at Loon ski resort in Lincoln, NH. The course was awesome and I really hope that Adam can hold it again. He described it as a half pipe, with hard climbs on either side to get you down a series of off camber mountainside turns that made for some hilarious moments as you had your bike pointed in one direction but you slid down the slope in another. Also had a gloucester-like runup and another small stair step runup. I could go on and on about the course- two great fast paved sections to get you to either climb, and a prime heckling spot on a bridge which afforded an opportunity for 360 degree 3-dimensional heckling, above and under said bridge. This was one of the most technical courses I’ve seen in the area and I think any competent cyclist on a 29er mtb would have been able to really rip this course.
I lined up in 3rd row based on crossresults points and fought for space on the first ascent. Unfortunately the ThreshCam was not recording the action for the first lap. At race pace the downhill sections were very choppy and required good smooth lines in order to stay off the ropes. The half way point of each lap was marked by the runup. Cat 3 lap one runup clip:
Nor’easter runup, cat3 from Threshold Cycling on Vimeo.
On the second downhill section of the first lap I realized I had a soft front tire. This was not good considering that on my inspection lap I could barely stay upright with 2 inflated tires. So I rode a flat front on the pave power section to the pit. On the second lap the same thing happened to my rear tire and I had to run the pave to the pit. I’ll save you the running and pitting and show lap #3.
loon cx cat 3 lap 3 from Threshold Cycling on Vimeo.
The remainder of the race was similar; me riding mostly solo and then getting lapped just before the finish by the top 3 riders.
After the race I had lunch with the guys of Newbury Comics and headed south to Concord, NH for a round of golf (9 holes only). I had a few pars, a few 6′s, and only one 8….oh right, bike blog.
Day 2, Sucker Brook ‘Cross, Auburn NH
Usually with bike racing since I train somewhat consistently I am not sore the day after races. Loon was the first exception this year. It must have been the grueling climbs lap after lap and the full body clenching descents.
Sucker Brook is a great course for me because it lacks hills. I can get up to speed and maintain on what some may call a ‘grass crit’. I lined up really early and found myself front row next to Rosey’s World. With Dick Ring announcing, we were off. The below video shows the first lap. Here you will learn how not to pace yourself and then bleed 40 some odd slots over the next 5 laps.
Sucker Brook ‘Cross cat 3 lap 1 from Threshold Cycling on Vimeo.
As you can see I was not able to get the hang of the sand pit. No matter how much pace I pushed into the sand, big gear, weight waaaay back, I still got bogged down half way to the turn. I was definitely slower than most during this section.
On one of the first few laps I noticed Bramhaul in the pit. But the next thing I know he’s right behind me. Go BHaul, you’re on camera, man!
BHaul at SBC from Threshold Cycling on Vimeo.
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LOOOL The video starts for the 3rd lap of Loon and I’m like “great, the first climb, I’m totally going to be in this video getting owned”. CHECK.