Gobble Cross - OKGPCX - 10th November 2019

The last cross race of the OKGPCX series was held in Stillwater this weekend. It was perfect racing conditions. Warm not to hot, a mostly dry course and a great atmosphere. 

The course 

Errrrm I didn't actually ride most of it, but it looked awesome. It was technical with a couple of run ups and a barrier. There were also what looked like some great descents, although I will fully admit I didn't actually ride any of them. Why? Read on and I shall tell you. 

Fiona's race

This week there were actually some girls for Fiona to race with and a really big field.

Juniors race 

The race started and Fiona was chugging along as everyone else rode away from her. She made it through the first couple of mud pits unscathed and rode the first descent. She did great around the rest of the course, I actually caught her running one section which she hasn't done before :) She finished the race with two laps and in 3rd place, with a huge smile on her face.

All smiles 

My race

Owing to watching Fiona's race I went into my race without a sighting lap, not to worry I had seen most of the course from the other side of the tapes and was wasn't worried. We set off and full gas as per usual, around the first hairpin and things were looking good for me. I was feeling strong and the course really seemed like it was going to be a good one. Then disaster I got a flat tyre. Sealant was spraying everywhere and my tyre was flat before I even managed to stop. I pulled over and checked the tyre, I had a slice through it around 10mm in length. Oh well race over. I had no spares with me, they were all in the car. 

After leaving the course and telling the officials I was out I headed over to find Fiona. She was waiting for me at the top of one of the little climbs ready to cheer me on, she was very confused that I was not still on course. 

After getting some food we headed over to the podiums for Fiona's podium.

Rocking 3rd Place

Then I took a walk over to see what I had run over. 

Can you see it? 

Not sure if it was this exact piece but
 I removed what I found from the course. 

Another tyre bites the dust 

Fuck you Strava no it wasn't :) 

The Strava for what it's worth

Amateur Cross - OKGPCX - 27th October 2019

Another week another cross race in the Tulsa area.

This week we ventured to Chandler Park in North West Tulsa. The park sits on top of a hill but fortunately the course was mostly flat. 

We had a significant amount of rain on Thursday and Friday. This for me is always a worry with regards to riding off road, as the ground here has lots of clay in it, so it doesn't drain well and as it starts to dry out it gets super tacky.

The course

The course was around 1 mile in length. The start was not part of the main course, we started on a paved section with a 90 degree left turn into a hill where we cut out a section of course on the first lap. 

From the finish line we headed into a 180 degree left hand turn and back slightly up hill to a 180 degree right which was squared off. There was then bumpy down hill section into a left and slightly uphill section. We then did some weaving in and around an open area before a drop down then climb back up. Next was the first wooded section with more twists and turns before we hit a little singletrack section then it was out across a long power sapping straight, through a chicane and ditch and into some more woods. We twisted and turned in the woods then popped out onto a paved section of trail before a short climb into an off camber section of the course before a big mud section and onto the finish straight.

Fiona's race 

Fiona was the only girl present in her age group and got to start with the boys in the Junior 9-14 age group. She got a good start but was at the back of that group by the first turn. 

Due to the drying nature of the course the juniors got the short end of the course, the mud was as tacky as it would get all day. 

The mud Fiona was dealing with. 

Fiona plugged away at the course but was having to walk a couple of sections, due to mud build up. 

Cheering her on whilst she rode the course. 

Maybe next year we will get her on a cross bike which should cut through the mud a little better. 

She completed one lap and was pulled, it had taken her 18min. 

Finish line and exhausted

On the plus side though, she did make the top step of the podium and at this race she actually won money. 

Podium :)

My Race

Once the call up's were out of the way, I was on the second row we were off. The charge down the course to the first corner was as frantic as ever and I hung back a little to avoid any pileups. We crossed up and over the little hillock and joined the main course, through the mud holes and across the finish line it was all pretty frantic for the first part of the lap as people jostled for position. I was sitting around 15th place I think but the guys on the front hadn't dropped us yet, that soon changed though. 

I got behind a guy and we rolled around the course, the guy wasn't going as quickly as I wanted to so I put a little effort in and passed him. Over the course of the next nine laps to the finish I proceeded to pick my way through the field ahead of me. My legs felt good throughout the race and I found the course fun to ride, it wasn't technical and there was no dismount to deal with. It was a lot easier than what Fiona had to race on that is for sure. 

In the end I was out sprinted and ended up in 8th place, which I am totally stoked with. 

Seth beating me into 8th Place

Unfortunately I can't make the next race but I am looking forward to the final round of the series in Stillwater. Hopefully my legs feel as good as today and I can get another top 10 position. 

Also Amanda filmed most of my race, here it is.

The Strava

Rock the Mohawk- OKGPCX - 20th October 2019

This weeks exciting cross race was held in Mohawk park in Tulsa. Read all about last weeks race here. 

The course

I really enjoyed the course, it reminded me of the courses I used to race in Alaska at Kincaid park.  We started partway around the course so I will do the course description from the finish line. 

From the finish line we had a couple of 180 degree turns then a run up with railway sleepers to force the run up. Next it was into a 90 degree right and then a 180 degree left onto an off camber section with sweeping turns onto a straight paved section (this was where we started). After the straight we turned back through some fast turns under some big trees. Next was a 180 degree turn into an off camber section with a few more 90 degree turns for good measure.
Following this there was a short flat section with some more 90 and 180degree turns into a short climb with a 180 degree turn before dropping into a sand pit. A few more sweeping turns, into another 180 turn, then onto a bridge and we hit some singletrack before heading into more tight turns up and down a small incline then it was through a couple of small ditches before a few more tight turns under trees and around to the finish line. 

Fiona's Race

Fiona didn't have a good day, I think that she overheated but she could also be fighting a bug of some sort. She wasn't feeling great before the race and toughed out one lap then called it a day. It was so sad to see how upset she was at the end. I'm just proud she started. 

My Race

I was not expecting much from this race, I have had a few heavy days of training on Thursday, Friday then on Saturday I rode the G3 race 3 (read about it here). I did manage to get a preride of the course in and I'm glad I did, at least knowing there was a singletrack section helped. They did the call ups for the riders with the most points so far in the series and we filled in the space after this. Then we were off. I was not trying for the wholeshot (who am I kidding I don't have the legs for that). But come the end of the first straight I was somewhere near the back. 

I spy pink socks

I think I am in 19th here

We hit the off camber section where someone ahead of me (Cody I think) hit the deck. We all managed to get past him ok and soon enough we were into the sand section. I had tried and failed to ride this in practice but thinking what a shit show it was likely to be in lap one I wasn't to worried about riding it. Coming into the sand I saw an opening, I chanced my luck at riding it and passed around 3 people, I was now feeling pretty good about riding the sand.

I was pushing pretty hard to stay ahead of the guys behind me and lost the wheel of the guy in front of me, oh well. Next was the singletrack section and as we left that I had lost the guys behind me but still not caught the guys in front. I was then passed by Cody, I guess don't leave any opening as people will take that gap. I chased hard but didn't want to go to deep to early. 

Chasing always chasing
this is the start of lap 2 I think

I chased hard and caught back up to people just after we went up the steps for the first time. I did almost hit the deck though going up the steps. 

Feeling good

Oh no miss step

Lets hope this works

Sometimes you get lucky

On lap two I was getting into my stride and passed a couple of people, I passed a couple more on lap three. When I passed Sheridan, I'd forgotten that there was a hole on the course on the side I was going to pass him on, fortunately I was able to bunnyhop it. My race seemed to go pretty well after this.

Sure my dismount technique is still terrible. 

Hand order Nick! 

but I at least still use my tongue to balance. 

Tongue balance is key!

I was able to ride the sand on all but the last two attempts and I loved the corners. I ended up in 12th place which is way better than I was expecting. I think on less tired legs I could have made the top 10. I will say that I was fortunate that Seth hit the deck on the last lap as I was unsure I was going to be able to catch him. 

It is horns up for Oklahoma isn't it?

Horns Up for Oklahoma right?

Go me 12th place

The Strava

Foster Cross - OKGPCX - 13th October 2019

I got to race my first Cyclocross race in Oklahoma!!!!! 

A little background

Cyclocross in Alaska was so easy, ok not the racing but the locations and access. It was and still is a seven race series mostly in town.... I didn't realise how lucky I was up there. Throwing back to 2018  in Oklahoma, unfortunately I didn't make any of the 2018 series. Why? Mostly due to not having a USA cycling licence.  But also having to take Fiona with me but not having a network of friends yet to look after her whilst I raced. 

This year I am going to try and get to a couple of the races, CX is about the most fun you can have on a bike, and all in a spectator friendly environment. 

Foster Cross 

This was the second round of the OKGPCX series, it was held in Stroud which is around 60min from where I live. 

The course was a fun one, I have been told by many people in Alaska, some of the courses we rode in Alaska for CX were not really true cross courses as they were more mountain bike courses. I was fine with this to be honest. 

The course today was flat and had some fun albeit short technical sections. The sand section was around a set of swings, it totalled 25' not 1/4 of a mile like Goose lake, or the dune of doom at Jodhpur  :) There was no river crossing and the course was dry and dusty, I'm sure if it had rained it would have been a totally different course. 

The course started off on a road/gravel section on the dam, then it was a slight uphill across the finish line before dropping onto grass and a sandy right hand off camber turn, next was a right around a tree then into the sand pit. We then crossed a ditch before some tighter turns under trees with a couple of roots thrown in for good measure. Through another little ditch then a fast section looping back around a couple of times before a set of barriers at a deeper ditch. Then there were the up and down sections around trees and back towards the lake. One of these turns I dismounted for as it was way easier to run over the roots and up the little incline than riding it. There was one more tight turn before we dropped down onto the dam. The lap was around 1 mile long and took me around 5:40 to complete. 

I race in the Cat 3, there are some really fast people in Cat 3, then there is me :) Some people should probably be Cat 1 looking at the lap times from that race and the Cat 3 race but, it is what it is. 

The munckin's race 

Fiona raced the 9-14 juniors race, she took last place but finished with smile and had a good time I believe. Her warmup was on the play area 

Warmup sure that'll work

As the 13 and 14 year olds tore up the course she just pedalled her way around mostly smiling. 

Lap 1

Lap 2 about 1/2 way around. 

The kid who won, put it lap times similar to mine, yes I'm that slow. 

Check out those lap times

My Race

The kids race finished and then it was my turn. The Cat 3 and 4 race. Due to looking after Fiona I had yet to ride any of the course. We set off at mach 1 and in a blink of an eye we were at the sand pit for the first time. I was pretty sure I could ride it, though on the first lap with so many people I decided to run would be safer, sure enough someone went down. I did mostly ride the sand for the remaining laps even though I am not sure it was faster. 

The pace was relentless, I had forgotten how at CX its full gas all the time. I did my best to cheer on my fellow teammates who were ahead of me as we passed by each other at different parts of the course. The grass felt so slow, yes i know it's the same for everyone but I am pretty sure I have less power than many on the course. 

I did have a lot of fun and really enjoyed the technical sections, especially once I had figured out some of the lines. I'm definitely out of practice with dismount/remount and barriers. I am sure that many here from Cat3 up jump the barriers but today that wasn't really an option due to the barriers being at a ditch. 

I finished in 18th place but didn't get lapped. My lap times were fairly consistent, I just ran out of gas on the last lap, especially when I realised I wasn't going to be lapped. I potentially could have caught/stayed ahead of Brandon but he was killing me on the fast sections but I was faster through the technical sections. 

Consistent for me lap times

All in all a fun race, I hope to make a few more of the series as we go through the season.  

Communication with photographers is key whilst racing.
- PC Kris Stephens

The Strava!

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.