The season opener for Arctic Cross was 9th September 2017. It was a new location for the cross crew to race at. The course was fast.
Course description
The start was on ski trails with a downhill section into a fast right hand turn, followed by a short climb into a section of singletrack before returning to ski trails. Due to moose on the course during the womens race the course was shortened to avoid interactions with the moose. The course then had another fast downhill section into a slippery right hand hairpin turn before a long straight into barriers. This was fun as normally we don't approach barriers flat out, this time we did and they were scary. After the barriers it was a hairpin left then back onto a little singletrack before crossing a road and dropping onto second breakfast for a short section. Second breakfast is a fun trail on a mountain bike but riding on a cross bike makes you realise how bumpy the trail is. Turning off second breakfast there was a ride/run up then a short gravel road section into a singletrack descent then a steep uphill run up. After the run up we rejoined the ski trails to cross over the start finish line and complete the lap.
How did my race go?
It went really well, just like last season myself, Clint, Chris and Jared were all battling it out for the first few laps, we also had the addition of Brad who got a cross bike this year. The race started off really fast and basically continued like this throughout the race. I spent a couple of laps being chased down by Chris and Brad then we worked hard to chase down Jack during the final four laps.
Towards the end of the race we also started to catch up with Jamie who had a mechanical during the race. It was interesting to see how close we were to his speed. If the season continues like the first race it's going to be a lot of fun.
Will won the race, he lapped me most of the rest of the field, he once again crushed us all of as he has been doing all season. I was fortunate that Josh who took second didn't pass me also at the then of the race.
I finished in 9th Place which is a great way to start the season off and I also realised how close a season it is going to be when I look at the lap times.
Lap analysis
Lap Number
|
Race lap time
|
Strava Lap Times
|
Strava Back half of lap
|
1
|
4:40
|
4:38
|
2:50
|
2
|
4:50
|
4:50
|
3:01
|
3
|
4:53
|
4:50
|
3:02
|
4
|
4:53
|
4:51
|
2:59
|
5
|
4:57
|
4:56
|
2:33
|
6
|
4:58
|
4:55
|
3:08
|
7
|
4:53
|
4:51
|
2:59
|
8
|
4:52
|
4:51
|
2:30
|
9
|
4:54
|
4:52
|
2:31
|
10
|
4:49
|
4:47
|
2:31
|
11
|
4:38
|
4:37
|
2:50
|
A few things I take from my lap times. My laps were fairly consistent and I actually managed my fastest lap at the end of the race which is really unusual for me.
The back half of the lap contained the barriers and two run ups. I think laps 8 - 10 were where Brad, Chris and I were chasing down Jack. As such we were really pushing the pace and had our lines figured out compared to earlier in the race.
I really should have practiced lines a little more before I raced especially the first run/ride up off of second breakfast.
Photos from the race
Photos were taken by Jana, Amber and Megan, thanks for capturing the mens race and all the heckling was fantastic too.
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| Mens Start |
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| Myself, Brad and Chris mid race |
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| Water splash. |
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| Short run up |
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| Top of the run up |
Fiona's race
Arctic Cross does a great job of getting kids racing, they have a Junior race where the kids race the full course but for a shorter time and a kiddo race where younger kids race on a shortened course for 1 lap. All under 18 year olds race for free too, in whatever category they want!
Fiona took part in the kiddo race and did amazing. She pedalled really strongly to finish in 3rd place overall and 1st girl. To say I am proud is an understatement.
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| Kiddo start |
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| Kiddo race |
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| Fiona finishing |
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