October was a busy month with three double race weekends. A win at Keene, podiums at BOSSCROSS and Tree House, and a pair of top-six finishes at Really Rad on the Cape.
BossCross
BossCross in Westford is a race that suits me — pretty technical with lots of corners, roots, and nice short power sections. My friends Alexa and daughter Mirabelle came out to cheer me on.
I won the holeshot, but during the start sprint realized I still had my huge water bottle in my jersey pocket. After the first corner I tossed it to the side of the course — or so I thought. Turned out I threw it on the course. Oops. Found it back after the race. After the second turn I eased up to let someone else take the lead, and the eventual number two took the opportunity. I sat on his wheel through the first lap.
In the second lap I dropped to fourth after a mistake on the technical ride-up where I had to tap a foot down, then fumbled the same section again in lap three and dropped to sixth. Lap four I gained a position back but fumbled again on the technical section when the rider in front lost momentum. Riders behind me were not happy, but what can you do — it is a race. There was now a big gap in front of me, but with some smooth cornering.
I worked my way back onto number four's wheel. In the fifth lap I moved to third as the others tired and number three stumbled on the ride-up. In the last lap I closed the gap to second, overtook him just after the barriers, and finished in second place.
https://www.crossresults.com/race/13216#r116643
Keene Pumpkin Cross
The next day I had a race at Pumpkin Cross in Keene, NH. I have had some good races there before, but the sand section is always challenging.
I started with a holeshot and shortly after the barriers eased up for other riders to take the lead. I hit the sand in third place and made the mistake of looking at a bucket marker — promptly rode into it and had to dismount. In the second lap I worked my way back to the leading two, but again the sand section was not ideal and I had a gap. I moved to second in the third lap and kept yo-yoing back to number one, losing time in the sand and making it up on the uphill. In the last lap I was close to getting back on the uphill when number one made a mistake and I jumped ahead. Another mistake in the sand — but fortunately I was not the only one — and I won the race with just over 10 seconds to spare.
https://www.crossresults.com/race/13225#r116643
Tree House CX
After a weekend off, it was time for Tree House CX in South Deerfield, MA. Tree House Brewing is a great venue — their huge flyover bridge and the beer garden off course.
Saturday — NE Championship
Saturday was the New England Championship, which drew a big field of 35 racers in the Men Master 60+ category. After a bad start, where my left pedal unclipped still ended up in a reasonable spot. After one lap I settled in and tried to stay in Rusty's wheel for a top 10 place, but it was too much and I had to let go of his wheel. I then tried to ride within my limits, but kept having to give up positions. Not sure what the issue was, perhaps I trained too much. Anyway, finished a disappointing 16th. What was cool was getting passed by former National Champion Jeremy Powers, who had jumped in the race for fun.
https://www.crossresults.com/race/13301#r116643
Sunday — RVCX Series Finale
Sunday was the River Valley CX Series finale, and I was looking to bounce back from Saturday's result. The field was smaller at 20 racers but still competitive.
Definitely had a much better start than the day before, and I was following Michael Parent for a while, until I couldn't. Ended up third and basically rode the race mainly by myself, securing a podium spot and 2nd place for the overall RVCX Series.
https://www.crossresults.com/race/13303#r116643
Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross
The last weekend of October took us to the Cape for the Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross in Fallmouth, MA. We drove down with the camper van, and stayed for two nights.
The Really Rad course is known for its sandy sections, and the long straightaway finish. Main differences from last year were the extended sand sections and the hotdog turns up a bank.
Day 1
Day 1 drew a big field of 32 in the Master Men 60+ category. My start was good went 2nd through the first corner after Michael. In the sand section we got overtaken by Harry, who ran the whole section. I kept my 3rd place until I made an error in the sand section in the 2nd lap, and dropped to seventh position, got back to fifth during the race, but lost the sprint for fourth place from Kevin. I finished 5th, a respectable result in a deep field.
Day 2
Day 2 had 27 starters. I was feeling a little tired, the reverse flow of the course felt a little better. The sand section continued to give me issues, but did win my battle for 6th. Althought was disappointed as we were being pulled after the 2nd last lap when I had number four, and five in my sights and gaining on them.
Overall a pretty good racing weekend, although slightly disappointed about the results, as last year I finished fifth and fourth.
October Wrap-Up
October was a strong month — six races, a win at Keene, podiums at Bosscross (2nd) and Tree House Sunday (3rd), and consistent top-six finishes at Really Rad. The NE Championship at Tree House was disappointing with 16th, but the 2nd place in the RVCX overall was very cool.