Arctic Cross Race 1 - 2017

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. 

Race 1 results

Race 1 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. 

Mens Start

Myself, Brad and Chris mid race

Water splash. 

Short run up

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. 

Kiddo start 

Kiddo race

Fiona finishing 

2016 Arctic Cross season - this one went really well

With the end of our Arctic Cross season, just as the lower 48 gears up for theirs I am glad to write that mine was a great success.
This years Arctic Cross courses have been really really great, if not the greatest. The last four races each adding on the previous race's greatness. Thanks Arctic Cross for all that you do, mini barriers are a great addition.

For me personally with the way the competition is up here I don't expect to win or even podium however I am glad to say I managed to make a few top tens this year and was battling for 7th place at more than one race. This is a huge improvement over the previous years.

To quote Greg LeMond - "It doesn't get any easier, you just get faster." which could sum up this seasons racing for me.
I am fitter than last year, my technique is better (although still has room for improvement), both of these factors mean I'm definitely faster than last year.  The thing is, so are guys I am racing against.

The battles each race between, Clint, Chris, Erik, Jared and Ryan have been fantastic fun and we have all been so close to each other all season.

Me, Ryan and Clint battling for 7th place at this time -
Photo Credit Patrick McGownd

A huge thanks at this point must go out to, Megan, Mara, Amber and Bria who enabled me to go out and race these events when Amanda was working. Thanks ladies for all the assistance, Amanda and I really appreciate it.  

Race positions 

Race #1 - 11th Place. Due to not checking tyre pressure I fought from the back of the field after stopping on lap one to put air into my tyre. - lesson learnt pump up tyres and have a pump in the pit.

Race #2 - 10th Place. Girdwood hill climb, this was my least favourite event and the only one where I was lapped.... I was lapped twice, much respect out to Will and Josh who lapped the whole field.

Race #3 - Didn't race as I was working, I did hear that this course was much better than the previous day's course though.

Race #4 - 10th place, my mountain biking skills got me through where some others were struggling the grass fields crushed me, there was a lot of grass fields :-)

Race #5 - 10th Place. I had a really good race here, battling with a strong group of guys for most of the race.  Probably went out a little to early but loved every minute of it.

Race #6 - 11th Place. Through lap one and two my legs felt great, I had nothing when Chris said to me we should pick up the pace and split the group.

Race #7 - 10th Place. Without a doubt my best race start ever, should have changed lines sooner on the sand and kicked harder to catch Clint who I thought would have faded on his last lap. Well done Clint, Jared and Chris who picked up the pace a little at the end.

So that was my season - I finished 12th overall
Full season points here (to be updated)

So what else?

Well even more important than me, is the fact that Fiona has finally started to enjoy riding again. She decided to ride the last four kiddo cross races. There may be a plus bike coming from Santa if she continues at this rate. 

Fiona crushing the last Cross course... 

And finally 

The Blades family Anchorage have added another member to the family. 

Everyone meet Mort. He is named after the Terry Pratchett character. At this early stage we can safely say he likes to sleep, almost gets on with the cat (they tolerate each other) and he likes to bark at other dogs.  We are all super excited to see what other character traits come out. I am really hoping I can train him to be an awesome trail dog :-)

Mort the little dog who thinks he is a big dog. 

Cyclocross round #7

Round #7 and the final round of the season took us out to the Jodhpur trailhead at Kincaid park.

This part of the park is very sandy and as with a lot of Kincaid has a mixture of singletrack, ski trials and social trails.  The course took in a mixture of all of these trail types and also included the always fun sand dune (may not be seen as fun after lap one).  This year the race directors and course planners managed to secure the use of a new section of flow singletrack at the edge of the motocross track. 

Course description

The course started off on a grass field and made its way over a set of barriers and through a couple of hairpin bends, we then headed out onto some ski trails with a couple of short climbs.  After negotiating a small hummock into some singletrack we continued on singletrack past the motorcross track and into the sand dune. This was a run up this year and for me a run down.  We then hit singletrack again and through some great bermed corners out onto another ski trail.  The ski trail had a few undulations and more hairpin turns before a short section of singletrack back onto ski trails and around to the start finish straight.

Christina managed to put together a short video which covers most of the course so you can get an idea of what we ride.  I even appear in it a couple of times.  Thanks Christina, great tunes too!


Last Race Arctic Cross from Christina Grande on Vimeo.

The kids race

Once again the kids race was split into balance bikes and pedal bikes.  Fiona had a great race, her best of the season so far.  She rode more than she has done in any of the other races. The course was mostly on ski trails and was a really long one with a couple of longer downhill sections which she managed to negotiate without drama.  I was very proud of her today. 

Fiona coming out of the final singletrack - photo credit Bria Johnston

The open race

Following the kids race it was time for the grownups to race, today I managed to get much better start however someone ahead of me going into the first singletrack section got held up and fell off effectively blocking me and many others, frustrating but all part of racing.  Once I had managed to pass this person (in the first dune run) I had a really good race and for my first time ever in a cross race I didn't get lapped. 

The course today was a fast one and I was battling it out for the whole race with my usual cross racing friends.  I managed to finally pass David after he thought it would be funny to brake check me at the top of the rise into the first section of singletrack.  I had also been chasing Ryan hard from the start of the race when I was held up, once again and lucky for me Ryan misjudged a corner allowing me to get really close to him.  I passed him then he took back over me and I finally passed him almost within sight of the finish line where we had a great sprint for the line.

I was pretty tired at the end. - photo credit Nathan Able

Race data from Strava

Lap data, 1st lap is not a full lap so time is way faster than it should be

Season round up

With a seven race series (only 5 of 7 races count) spread over 5 weeks there really isn't much time to change anything as you go along.  If you get sick and you race there is a good chance you will not be able to recover for the following weekend especially if you keep racing, this is exaggerated even more so with double header weekends.  I was lucky this year I had no mechanicals and only a minor cold which didn't seem to affect my racing.  

I came into this season on a cross bike rather than a mountain bike and I am still learning how the bike handles and where I can push it.  My technique on tight slippery corners and over barriers (dismount/remount) definitely needs some work but I am improving.  I was faster this year compared to last year, (looking back at who I have been racing against) however it would seem everyone else also got faster too.  My early season goal was to manage one race where I didn't get  lapped.  I think if i had not had issues with my lights battery at round one I may have managed it there but today on the final round I did manage it.

Points going into the final round

Going into this race I was sitting in 17th place in the points, as I write this I have no idea if I will have moved up or down but I do know I have had a lot of fun racing against Chris Jung, Erik Mundahl, Kevin Postma, Oscar Lage and David Henke (he has been making it harder for himself by choosing to race a singlespeed bike).  See you all next year for a fun packed season.

Finally I want to say what a great community we get to race in, I would not have been able to race as much as did this season without the support of a great bunch of racers and friends who helped me manage Fiona whilst I raced when Amanda was away or working.  Thank you all, you know who you are.

Finally, finally,  a huge THANKYOU to all the course designers, timers and great people who are Arctic Cross, you really make the season and all the events fun. Even when it was cold and wet you were all there with a smile and a cheer for seasoned racers or the person out there trying this sport for the first time. I don't think we can say thanks enough for that. 

Cyclocross rounds #5 & #6

Arctic Cross Round #5 

Round #5 brought us to Goose Lake, this course usually features a good amount of sand and the course designers this year didn't disappoint in this regard.  Fortunately due to the "wonderful" amount of rain we have been having recently the  sand was very well consolidated, so didn't cause as much carnage as usual, I have also been told one of the turns was moved from the sand which helped.

The course started out with a flat grass field which we did a loop around doubling back to come back the way we had come.  The field was soft wet grass with a good amount of mud thrown in and a set of barriers. We exited onto a short tarmac section, next was single track onto the beach where we looped around through some power sapping mud back along the beach and into more grass through trees.

pick a line any line... - photo credit Laura Fox

Following this we hit the beach for the third pass then it was muddy single track, into a short paved section followed with a slippery bump into more single track, thanks for the video Andrew.

The course then looped back towards the beach before more grass and then pavement to cross the parking lot and with one last slippery bump it was pavement followed by wet grass to the finish.

This round due to the wonderful weather I was the only Blades at the event.  After a pretty bad start I actually seemed to have a pretty good race, the course was fun and fast although I think I need to work on my sand riding as this is where people passed me, I did take a few places back on the grass and had a pretty good race. I was in a good battle with Ryan Greeff for a lot of the race and was lucky to get past him after he slipped out on the final grass hill.

Round #5 results

Arctic Cross Round #6

As we all know Sunday follows Saturday and this weekend that meant a double cross header.  We returned to Kincaid park and a course with lots of hills.
This week Amanda decided she wanted to race.
Amanda has taken part in three bike races since we arrived in Alaska, a tough winter bike course at APU with a lot of unconsolidated snow, the 24hours of Kincaid (MTB race) in 2013 and now race #6 of the 2015 Arctic Cross series.  All of these races have been tough courses (harder than we usually race) and I am proud of her for trying them especially given the lack of riding experience she has, I really should highlight some easier races for her :-)
The Kincaid course started in the stadium with a flat section into barriers and a run up. 

Amanda riding the first descent

We then descended and climbed again over a bridge. Next there was a tricky off camber traverse into an off camber downhill right back under the bridge.  

high line or the low line

heading to the corner

Fred's high line worked well

this guys low line not so much.

We climbed a little more then it was a fast downhill on gravel into yet another climb. We crossed the stadium area again and climbed up to the gong, (past a beer handout if you were silly).  

if you look closely you can see I am having a beer :D

more climbing towards the gong

Descending from the gong

At the gong, it was another tricky downhill with a right turn back into the stadium area through some wiggles, around the score board and back through some more wiggles and over a set of barriers (hardest set this season) then loop back around to the start finish straight. 

barriers that were more awkward than usual. 

Strava lap - 75ft of climbing.... felt like a lot more than that.  

So how did our races go?  Mine went pretty well I got a reasonable start and managed to pass a few people on the way, I crashed on the off camber under the bridge on lap #2 I think, I even managed to have a beer which was great for the crowd but no so great for my stomach on the next lap :D

Amanda managed 3 laps and rocked the course, I am hopeful she will race again if not next week due to work commitments then next year.

Finally Fiona had a great race too.  Whilst Amanda raced she rode her bike all over the place and concurred some of her hill fears.  All in all an awesome day for the Blades family.

Round #6 Results

Cyclocross round #4

This weeks race was at Taku lake, last year I really enjoyed this race as I found it technical but with enough other bits to make having a mountain bike not a sensible option, last year I was on a mountain bike and really struggled on some sections but loved other sections...
This year I can safely say I suffered a lot during my race.  I will say my legs felt empty on the ride over to the race which is never a good sign.  Then I once again fuelled badly for the race just like round two in the rain.
The course is based around Taku Lake and consists of some big flat or false flat sections inter-spaced with wet off camber grass and roots.  The sand pit this year was down to one line imho and they added a tricky turn back onto the gravel path which I totally failed to ride every stinking lap.  I also failed to ride the tricky off camber hairpin where the largest crowd was every lap aside from the last one, I guess this was just peer pressure :D.

How not to corner - photo credit George Stransky

How did my race go... pretty badly.  I was frustrated with Fiona before I even started due to her unwillingness to even attempt to ride sections of the course during her race, yes I know she is 5 and yes I am supposed to let things go but sometimes its just arrrghhhhhhhh!!!!

My race started fast as ever and I once again positioned myself badly and got held up, in previous rounds I have been able to pass people following this but alas today that just didn't happen I felt like I faded about 30min into the race, looking at my laptimes it  this was the case although I did slow a little it was not as bad as I thought, probably helped a little by getting faster on the technical sections as the race went on... I also forgot to start my GPS until lap 2 which was a bit of an ooophs.

Smile  you are on camera - Photo credit George Stransky

Once again the crowds were awesome so thanks to everyone who stood out in the rain and cheered us on, we all really appreciate it.  Finally yes I was lapped again this time by Will, Jeff and Jason.
Roll on next weekend for the double header, Goose lake where I have never raced and Kincaid park.
Results.

Cyclocross round #3

Another week and another race, although this time the weather was fantastic.

Race #3 was held at Harvard Park in Mountain View.  This week we arrived early and managed to watch all the races.
See here for Race 2 and Race 1 reports.

Course description 

The course starts with a descent and then a climb followed by another descent which brought you into a small ditch crossing.  Pre ride discussion was if it was better to ride or dismount.  Thinking it could potentially end up looking something like this.

Go on Dean....... But watch your foehead next time lol
Posted by Simon Lagier on Sunday, 26 February 2012

We all came to the conclusion that a dismount would be the fastest way across.

Josh proving it could be jumped on a mountain bike

Following this we descended again and took a short forced run up due to barrier placement.  We then descended again before climbing up to the flat section of the course.  After negotiating a tricky left hand bend then a switch back on roots around a couple of trees the course was a flat out grass ride to the far end of the course, aside from a quick descent on gravel with a awkward right turn at the bottom.

We climbed up then hit the pavement back to the start/finish area.  Two more hairpin turns and a pair of barriers separating us from the lap/finish line. 

The Junior race

Fiona's race went really well, the Juniors rode a modified course and seemed to have a lot of fun whilst doing it, it probably helped that It was sunny and they didn't have to negotiate any steep descents which are not really Fiona's strong points. In fact I would go as far as to say if it was slightly downhill she will be off and walking and crying at me, we may have to ride some Hillside trails to get her confidence back up.

Juniors start

Waling the descent though I think she is capable of riding this. 

Running up the descent. 

slowing down some people on their warm up lap

full speed ahead!

My race

Due to the real lap starting with a descent, when racing we negotiate the second half of the course first before we go into real laps.  I had a pretty good race, although I was stung by a bee on lap two which really put me off my game for that lap, although crunching the data afterwards it didn't really slow me down.
I also managed to land on my seat badly and knock it out of alignment (nose up) on lap two as well I think, this is not my first time with this type of seat bolt failing on me in the same way though I don't think I can do much about it aside from over-tightening it.  Its not like I have any weight left to lose.
Overall a good race and a lot less fading towards the end of the race this time, although I was still lapped.  I am again happy with my riding, still loving my bike although need to work out the seat issue. I also need to practice my remounts this week as again that extra step just won't go away, time to break out a video camera and analyse what I am doing wrong.

Here are a couple of shots of me racing thanks to Megan for taking them and looking after Fiona whilst I raced!
Full album of all the fun can be found here

leaping over the grand canyon

remounted before more descending

getting lapped by Jeff and Josh

Trying to hang on to the finish. 

And here is the Strava data, I think if you look at my heart rate you will see I was working perhaps a little to hard.

Results, if you don't like clicking on links.... I got 11th place surpassing all my expectations for this years season... still working on not getting lapped though.
And finally here is a short edit of the race put together by Christina Grande,

Arctic Cross from Christina Grande on Vimeo.

Cyclocross round #2

After last nights race we all headed out this morning to APU for a fast and frantic race with the killer run walk up.  The weather would be called perfect cross weather for enthusiasts.  Normal people would describe it like this; 50F and rain or very heavy rain, probably best to stay indoors and try to avoid any potential flooding.

The course at APU is mostly flat with the exception of a Denali of a climb where you either push or shoulder your bike for the length of the climb. There are two descents on the rest of the lap are best described as sketchy, especially with the conditions we were riding in today.  This is not a course I would attempt on a single speed bike as the speed on the paved section and the rest of the flats is very high, kudos to those who did.

Fiona again rocked the kids race which thankfully avoids the mountainous climb and consisted of riding around the soft wet grass.  This type of riding is tough on a cross bike, hard on a mountain bike and I can only imagine almost impossible on a 16" or 14" wheeled bike which some of the kids are riding.   Not only that but they have to negotiate the same barriers that we do, a 10" barrier for me is just a little step, for her its almost 1/4 of her height.

Ready to race

Barrier negotiation

Power sucking mud/wet grass

Today my race went a lot better than yesterday (round 1 report), firstly there was no light requirement so my battery was safely in my garage instead of trying to fall off my bike.  I felt fast on the climbs and aside from a few heart racing WTF moments on the descents I was very happy with my race performance.
I am a lot closer to the front of the field compared to last year.  On the other hand once again I was lapped, one of these days I will manage to complete a cross race without being lapped, though I will say compared to last year I am doing much better.   I still enjoying riding my new bike though I will have to clean it tomorrow, the brakes and drive train took a beating today.
Here are a few photos of me and others racing all taken by Paul, thanks buddy!

1st lap second set of barriers 

Slippery flat corner (one of many)

Another slippery flat turn 

how not to cross the barriers WTF was I doing?

Oscar, who was sick and having a bad race/weekend normally he is snapping at my heals or me his. 

course was wet and fast along here

Post race picture, it almost looks like I have not been racing I have so little mud on me.  Whist racing I couldn't understand why people were shouting "how is your jersey so clean?"
I can only put it down to one of two things, I drafted very few people during the race choosing to pass if I had the power or just wasn't close enough and two I think the bike is stopping a lot of the spray, it has a very wide downtube.  What ever it is I am happy :D

Team mate - photo credit Jordy

And finally, Fiona was given the choice after her race if she wanted to go and have hot chocolate with Jana and family or stay and watch, she stayed and later told me it was because she wanted to cheer on her dad.  So proud of this girl!

Awesome cheering squad one of many out there but this one is mine :D
Photo credit Jordy

Results