Beban Cross

The first cross race of the season was on Sunday.
I was going to ride up to Nanaimo and just hang around and take photos and stuff, and Hilary wanted to come too.
On Saturday I was planning on going mountain biking - I haven't been in about a month - but really wasn't motivated (still angry about missing the Whistler/North Shore trip?), so I dug to the bottom of the tire pile for the cross tires that Dale had given me, and a dented palm and broken nail later I was at the bike shop for a bigger cassette - but they didn't have one. The bike felt completely different with the big tires on. It felt like a mountain bike. I rode around town a bit, and had a scary moment when making a sharp right. The tires have side-to-side ridges down the center, but lengthwise knobs on the edges. When I rolled onto the knobs, I felt the bike squirm as the knobs moved, which is a bit scary when you're not expecting it. I rode with Hilary home from the market, then we went on a ride along the trail that goes to Lake Cowichan. We got as far as Tansor, then came back. After I left Hilary's I did the same trail but a bit faster. The faster you ride, the less you feel the bumps, and you realize that a cross bike will take a lot of stick.
The plan for Sunday changed and Hilary and I were going to drive up in her car, then she decided not to go. Katie and Roland had very kindly offered me a ride, so I rode up with them.
I got to the race to find that I couldn't shift through my gears - which Kurt fixed (temporarily?) with some lube on the shifter cables - thanks Kurt!I entered the "Open Women's" rather than the beginner class. There was 11 of us on the start line, and we were on the track with the Masters. The course was a good one for the start of the season: very flat - which I was glad about as I'd been in the bike shop to get a 12-27 cassette, but they didn't have a 9-speed, and I'd thought I had a 11-25, but it's a 11-23, and I've got a road double in the front. My lowest is 39-23, where most others seemed to have 36-27. The race organizers had taken out the run-up by the tennis courts, and replaced it with a sandpit followed by a log, which was the first dismount of the course (the other two being a set of stairs, and the barriers). The only place I would have liked a lower gear is the ramp up at the beginning of the BMX track, but I made it up each time.
I noticed at the start that my rear tire was very squishy - but it was too late to fix. I felt the rim hit the ground on every bump on the entire course. I've no idea how I didn't actually pinch flat. My back wheel was stepping out on the tight corners (were there any corners that weren't tight?), and it felt like the tire was rolling off on the off-camber bit before the bleachers.
And if there was an award for the slowest barriers, I'd be the champion.
My time was 59:11 according to the time sheet emailed out, but it didn't feel like an hour.
I spent the rest of the taking photos and videos of the other races. I'm really getting the hang of the video thing - and cyclocross races are great practise, because you can set up a shot and film one ride flying through the frame, play it back, and make changes, then film the next rider. I got some really good clips: I set the camera up on the ground on the outside of the corner where the gravel turns to grass on the intermediate first lap, where all the riders were bunched up, and got a clip of them all taking the corner, including Louis taking out half the cones and nearly the camera. I wrapped my GorillaPod around the railing on the bleachers and filmed the off-camber swoopy bit. I set the camera up in the flower bed by the little bridge, and got riders riding through the frame over the humped-back bridge, including reflection in the pond. I got the big banked corner on the BMX track. I got riders re-mounting after the barriers one after the other. I got the stairs. I got lots of good wheel shots. And loads of good photos too.
By the middle of the whirly-whirl time trial my first memory card was full, so I stuck the second one in.
Got home. Nothing's coming off the first card.
I'm a little miffed.
It wasn't even one of them cheap no name cards.

Beban Park Cross Race

Well, I'm only one week late...

The pics are at Flickr.
(For the people that keep saying "I read your blog, but didn't couldn't find any pictures (translated as: "I scrolled down the post and didn't see any pics, and can't be bothered with reading), you have to click on the link to see them)

Last Saturday's race was a great day. The weather was very nice, and we had no rain all day. We rode in jerseys (jersies?), but needed more layers while standing around.
Amy and I arrived a little late, both needing to pee, but having little time to pre-ride the course, so we thought we'd multi-task and ride the course, and stop at the bathroom when we got there. We got lost as the course hadn't been completely marked out. A gentleman pointed us in the right direction, and we went the wrong way around the BMX track, and again got lost, so only did about half the course.
The course was great. It started on a rough road, then did a bit of weaving about on a field, through some trees, around the BMX track, grass, steep "run-up", steep "downhill", off camber grassy bit, up some steps, grass, rough road, spiral "sand pit" (horse ring), grass/puddles/mud, hurdles and grass.
Amy and I rode in the beginner race. I was second, until the second corner where I didn't know which way to go, so braked and followed the others. There was an "interesting" moment on the first lap at the ramp at the beginning of the BMX track:
Me (behind Amy): "Are you going to ride this, Amy?"
Amy: "I don't know."
Me: "We're right behind you."
Amy starts to ride up the slope (with no room to pass) - and stops. I hit her back tire. Someone runs into the back of me. The person behind her stops and gets off. The person behind him shouts "Isn't this ridable?"

Unfortunately, Amy got a flat on the second lap. I didn't realize this, and was stood at the finish line for quite a while waiting for her to finish.
Dave and Derek rode the intermediate race, and were joined by Sean on his first cross race. Dave did really well (though I'm not sure where he placed), Derek broke his chain, and Sean rode the whole race with a smile.


Trevor rode the expert class, and also flatted, and ran the course from the BMX track to the sandpit. Dave rode a second race in the expert class, this time in Everti kit. He looked knackered, but finished.

I can't really remember much else. I should've written this earlier.
However, everyone had heaps of fun throughout the series, and I think Norm and Wendy did an excellent job with organizing the whole thing.
As Amy would say, "GOOD WORK!"

Three of my favourite pictures were ones I took of the reflections in Derek's and Trevor's glasses. It occurred to me afterwards while going through the photos that it would have been soooo cool to have a group of riders reflected in Derek's mud-splattered glasses (in the photo at the top).

They're all good rides

... aren't they? Well, nearly all - I've had one or two bad ones, but none I regret going on (note to self: write post about this).

I was going to title this post "Good Ride".
I went mountain biking with Julia and Patricia yesterday on "The Tzou". It was raining on and off all morning, and windy, but was really nice up on the mountain. Them trees really do provide shelter.
It started raining as soon as we got back to the "water tower" (which isn't there any more, Patricia). I rode along the trail that goes off from the far end of the parking lot (where Dead Balls ends up) to the Providence Farm trail. It's really cool riding along on a carpet of massive yellow leaves, but they cover up all the roots and rocks, so you've got no idea what you're riding on. The roots are getting slippery with this rain, as Julia demonstrated, and I got splattered up with mud. I started the ride with a jacket over my jersey, but soon took it off, and didn't get cold.

It was "Double Cross" this weekend. Trevor, Dave, Derek and Amy went, but I had to work Saturday, and had no way of getting up there on Sunday, so I'm a bit jelous of them, but I got a cool mountain ridfe instead, so there (is there a smiley for sticking out a tongue?)!

With Patricia and Julia:
Distance: 6.8 km, Time: 1:28

Down to Providence Farm:
Distance: 3.7 km, Time: 31 mins (took a wrong turn and had to walk down some steep slick rock covered in slimey leaves!)

Duncan Cyclocross Race

If you don't like reading, pictures at Flikr.

Sunday was the cyclocross race at Providence Farm. I wanted to help setup on Saturday, but was working.
When I got there on Sunday morning it was misty and cold, but it soon cleared and warmed up. It was sunny for the remainder of the day. Hilary, Amy, Tara and Norm had started to get things organized. Brian showed up shortly after. More people arrived, signs were put up, vans unloaded, and jelly beans eaten until it was about 11:o0, when people started to register. Hilary, Evan and I did registration until Amy and I set off to pre-ride the course. Amy was having trouble with her cracked rib on the bumpy course, but battled on and rode the race.

Julia and Mallory stopped by to say hello:The course started in the front field, crossed the driveway, a bit of downhill through the trees, across another grass field, u-turn onto an uphill double-track, through (or not!) a patch of sticky mud, and (my favourite bit - I wish it was longer) in and out of the trees on some floopy (I hope you know that "floopy" is "flowy and swoopy combined" by now) singletrack. There was a fallen log to get over. I dismounted for each lap, but I think I could have rode over it if I'd have tried. Then back into the field for a bit of bumpy zig-zagging back to the start/finish line.
I was at the back of the 6 women beginners until we reached the climb, where I made it past Amy, Kerri, and Crystal. Kerri passed me in the sticky mud where I think skinny tires were of advantage. I rode close behind her for the entire lap, and I passed her again on the climb. Mountain bike gearing is of definite advantage on the climbs! Kerri had a new cross bike, and wasn't quite used to the gearing I think. Sean was stood at the top of the climb to take photos of us looking knackered. Why couldn't he have taken photos of us flying down the downhill smiling?! The rest of the ride went by uneventfully for me. I made it through the muddy patch for the remaining laps, finding it easier to shift down and spin in the saddle to keep weight on the back wheel. I caught sight of Jen a couple of times, but carried on at my own (leisurely) pace. When I crossed the line and heard the cowbell, it occurred to me that I hadn't been passed by the leader. I spent most of the lap glancing behind me, expecting to see him asking me to move over to let him pass, but because it was a long course I never caught sight of him. Third! Podium! There were no dismounts, other than the log. I loose a LOT of time on the dismounts/running. I hate running.
After the race I went to relieve Hilary at registration, as she had a meeting to go to. Apparently everyone had already registered, because between 12:45 and 3:15, only three people registered. I got a bit bored, especially because registration was set up away from the course, so I couldn't watch or take pictures or anything. So I started taking pictures of everything I could find, including the bottom bracket of one of Kurt's Everti's:

Oh look, here comes Brian:
Unfortunately, when the last race (experts) began and I could go and watch, my batteries were dead and the spares I'd brought apparently hadn't be recharged from my last night ride when I used them for my headlight, so my apologies for the lack of pictures of people actually riding.
Dave predicted that Trevor would win this one. He DNFed with cramping. Simon finished in the middle of the pack somewhere. We saw three people running with flats in the first couple of laps. It was a pretty bumpy course!


Dave, Brian and Derek rode in the intermediate class. I think Dave came fifth, Brian DNFed, and Derek said he didn't do well.
Matt showed up to help with take down, which went very quickly. There was a bit of an awards ceremony, and I headed home.
It was a great day. Everyone really looked to be having fun, and you get to meet so many people at these "events" (as Amy calls them - the word "race" makes her nervous). Attendance was really good. The intermediate men's class had over 30 registered. Hilary and I were quite surprised when she counted up the cash box!
Tara, Kurt, Norm, and everyone did a really good job with the race. It really couldn't have gone better.
Next week Amy wants to go to a cross clinic somewhere or something. The week after is Double Cross (a race on both Saturday and Sunday), and the final race at Beban Park is a Saturday. I work Saturdays, so it looks like my cross season is over for the year.
Already.
Sigh.

PS - My phone's working now.
PPS - My theory about cyclists and jelly beans was further supported by the race. My theory goes as follows: On offering a cyclist candy that's in one's pack, he will always refuse (Amy seems to be the exception here). When one removes the candy from the aforementioned pack and begins to chew on a piece, the cyclist extends his thumb and index finger, takes a step forward and begins his sentence with "Actually, ...". I brought a tupperware tub full of jelly beans, wine gums and taffy to the race. No one wanted any until I got it out. I left the tub on the registration table and it was all gone by the end of the day.


Other people's pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/davenoisy
http://sports.webshots.com/album/567750680VVaIIt
(under "Albums" on the left):
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn169/h-gunn/

Here's me:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/fullsize/2516648170016246455kILwdE
And Amy on the start line:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/fullsize/2080075120016246455igkmOH
And here: (Jen, Kerri, Amy, me, Amanda, Crystal) (I think - correct me if I'm wrong)

Cameron Cross

Sunday was the second race in the "Cross on the Rock" series. This time it was at Juan de Fuca recreation grounds in Colwood (West Victoria).
The track was great: gravel path, hurdles, hill, BMX track, grass, BMX track, more BMX track, a boggy corner, into the woods (the non-beginners had a sleeper hill to run up, and ride down), down a loamy hill, along some bark path, across some grass, dismount over a big cub-stone-like thing to the finish line. It had rained over night, and a bit on the way, so the ground was wet. It wasn't too bad for Amy and I, as beginners ride first, but it started everything started to get very sticky and slidey for us, so it must have been fun for the pros ho raced last!
Amy came crashed on a practise lap. Apparently (I didn't see it), she grabbed the front brake too hard and endo-ed. She thinks she may have broken a rib, but she rode the race anyway.
I had some pedal/cleat issues. Everytime I'd put my foot down in the mud, the sole of my shoe (including cleat) would get covered in sticky mud, thatwouldn't budge to let me clip in, no matter how much I'd kick the pedals. Don't buy cheap SPDs. Apparently (thanks for the info, Brian) they don't have the holes in the pedals for the mud to get through. So, I need new pedals. What kind? Should I just get better Shimanos, or try Crank Brothers, Time, Look, PowerPlay, Ritchey? Too many choices.
One guy in the beginner class snapped a carbon seat post, and carried on riding. Apparently it wasn't even his bike, as he broke his derailleur on a practise lap. Another guy sheared his stearer tube off at the head tube. FigBug's got pictures on his blog: BustedCarbon

Pictures on Flikr.

(and thanks for the ride again Brian - I owe you some gas money)

Diver Lake Cyclocross Videos

Someone has uploaded some videos to Youtube.
EDIT: Thanks FigBug.
The first is the beginners' race. you can see Amy and I leaving the start line last:

Diver Lake Cyclocross Race

So... I finally made a blog. I've thought about it a few times, but always decided I don't like blogs. Whatever.

Sometime last fall (before I'd met her), Amy decided that this year she was going to do some cyclocross (apparently "cyclocross" isn't in the dictionary for Blogger's spell checker. Tut tut.) races. She wanted me to come with her. Why not? "It'll be a good laugh!"
Cross on the Rock Race #1 was at Diver Lake, Nanaimo on September 15th, so Amy picked me up at my place at 9:20 on Sunday morning (well, she was early), and we balanced our bikes on the rack, knowing that Brian would sort them out when we got to his place.
Julia had been baking, and sent the three of us off with warm banana muffins. Here's a photo of Amy demonstrating their deliciousness:

Sean wanted to come, but had to work, and was apparently a little bitter :( Next time Sean.
Somewhere around Chemainus we were passed by Derek in his mum's car. This pleased Amy, as she's got a bit of a crush on him (LOL).

After registration Amy started to turn a little white from nervousness (though the blue tongue is from Gatorade).I was worried she was going to either bail out or throw up, but we pinned on each other's numbers and made our way to the start line.
Since it was the first 'cross race of the season, Wendy (Kona-sponsored, pro racer) and a gentleman (whose name I forget - Sean?) did a pre-race beginners' clinic. We rode the course twice, stopping at the tricky bits. Amy and I were picked out as stragglers on the second lap and Wendy rode at the back with us.
There were about 8 men and 6 women in the beginner's class. Only one lady had ridden a cross race before. She was riding a bright green Jake the Snake - Amy's dream bike (because of the colour of course). The women left 30 seconds after the men. Amy and I stayed at the line for a few seconds to let everyone else leave.
The course started in the wood and then wove around on a small grass field, crossed the road, rounded the corner to three hurdles in front of the tennis courts, went up a hill and along a gravel path to a (wide - to Amy's agreement) bridge, then onto a small BMX track. Up an (unridable, for me) hill, down the other side, through some deep gravel by the climbing frame (mandatory dismount!), wove around some shady trees, up another hill, along the side of the lake and back across the road (over some bumpy roots) and onto the field again (not nearly as smooth as it looks!), and back into the trees to the start line again.
I spent most of the first two laps one the wheel of the lady in blue (Kerry? - sorry I forgot names). I was riding faster than her, but she'd clearly been practicing dismounts and remounts - very graceful. And I'm crap at running. Thanks to Ted's coaching I was able to dismount properly (if with considerable loss of momentum!), but apparently on the wrong side of my bike.



Amy going so fast that she's blurry:

Amy feeling a little better now that she's achieved her goal, "One lap and I'll be happy!":
After the hurdles:

I've no idea how many laps we ended up doing, but the bell lap seemed to come a lot earlier than I expected. My bike started clicking just before the last lap, and since the rear hub has been clunking for a week anyway I thought that was the issue, but as I passed the registration tent, Trevor shouted "There's a stick in your deralleur". It wasn't until the last lap that I tried to ride up a couple of the hills, and realised they were easily ridable. It would have saved me a lot of time if I'd realised that earlier. I think I saw everyone dismounting for them hills during the practise and assumed I would need to as well.
Thanks Brian and Julia for taking some photos.

A nice photo of Julia and Mallory:
Brian and Derek rode in the intermediate class.
Derek on his borrowed LeMond Poprad:

Brian taking the hurdles "like a gazelle", and Derek dismounting behind:
The organisers changed the course to include a couple more hills, which Brian was worried about with sub-par brakes, but he looked in control throughout.
A nice "action" shot:

Derek looking relaxed:
An out-of-focus Brian:
Some lady checking out Brian's legs:
Amy wanted me to take a photo of this pink motorbike we saw:
Julia, Mallory and Simone:
The "Master's" class was next up, which Trevor was riding in.

While that race was going on Derek, Amy and I decided to go and find some lunch. We ended up in a "confusing" restaurant in Zellers that had no till and reminded Derek of a hospital. We came back with lunch and a liter of milk each. We'd hoped to get back for the end of the Master's race, but Trevor was already lying on the grass when we got back, and the last few riders were finishing up their bell lap. I think Trevor finished fifth.
Derek and his chicken club:

Amy and a burrito:
Trevor animatedly telling the story of how he tore another jersey: The "Expert" class was last, which was fun to watch. Wendy tripped on a hurdle and landed in a pile on the ground, and rode the rest of the race with a bloody leg.
I tried to get a photo of Simone racing, but as soon as we saw him coming, he was gone and I ended up with a photo of the tree he'd disappeared behind.

We had a great day - it was hot and sunny with a nice breeze, and everyone was smiling and having fun. The race was really well organised and the course was excellent. All the first-time riders we spoke to said they would definitely be riding 'cross again. The next race is in Victoria in three weeks, so Amy and I are practicing "getting on and getting off" in preparation for Cross on the Rock #2.