If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my racing career it’s that there will always be someone faster than you. In the case of Sunday’s Pikes Peak Velo Cyclocross Race, ’someone’ equalled ‘many.’
World Cup/Olympic Track racer and multi-time National Champion Colby Pearce (l) and winner of 7 National Mountain Bike Championships JHK (r) showing everybody how it’s done in the Pro race…
Going against better judgement I decided it would be a good idea to go out as hard as I could on lap 1 and then hang on for dear life. So, jumping off the start line like a caged monkey on ritalin, I got a little bit of noteriety and won the premium for the fastest first lap.
‘Captain Levity…’
After sealing that deal, and with the lungs screaming bloody murder, it didn’t take long to get reeled back in like a little fish on a big hook.
One…two…three……JUMP…
For those who don’t know, cyclocross is a 45-or-so minute all-out race on a short 1-2 mile off-road circuit. Barriers litter the course forcing the rider to dismount, jump over, remount, and power back up.
My valient (read: desperate) efforts would yield me 8th place and a trip straight to the pain cave – DO not pass go, DO not collect $200. I felt like I’d been bucked in the chest by a clydesdale- and that’s one large horse.
The pain was only slightly dulled by the large contingent of friends cheering me on (thank you!) complete with a cooler of Budweiser which was made short work of.
Jess, feeling the love from former World Mountain Bike Champion, Alison Dunlap…
So, will I race cyclocross again? Absolutely – but I will say one thing: it’s a good thing I’m a good mountain bike racer~
Strong work M-Stick! Did you race A’s or did you sandbag in B’s?
Congratulations! 8th is good for your first cross race in a tough group! I really would have liked to see you race but I had late lunch plans. I did come back later with my girls but our paths didn’t cross.
Move over Matsel Adams, here comes Jessel. Yes I take full credit for snapping most of these photos (obviously not the ones that I am in – that would be a neat trick though). They are available for $10 each or sets of 3 for the special price of $25.