State Cross Champs Wrap Up
Saturday, November 15th, 2008
Photo: Linda Sone - Women’s 2008 Minnesota State Cyclocross Champion
Best course of the year, worst luck of the year.
The course was fantastic. I had begged Baba to get a sand pit and he served as lobbyist to Hollywood who made it happen. The railroad tie stairs were employed. A triple barrier section and long flat sections into the headwinds all made for a long and tuff day. There was only one single thing I would change on the course but otherwise it was the best course of the year as far as I was concerned.
I had been sick some the previous week and yesterday I was thinking that I might have to take a pass on today. But I woke up this morning feeling OK so I made with the racing.
Ped, the Funkster and I set out for some warm up action when my problems started. Up the climb to the stairs my chain broke which launched me over the handlebars and to the dirt. I was immediately super pissed. There was less than 15 minutes before the start of the race, both my brake levers were twisted, my handlebars were turned down and my HUP jacket was now all muddy. Ray knows how much I like to keep clean.
Ped and Funkster pushed me back to my car where I had a spare chain ready. Ped broke his chain at Green Acres and I have kept a spare on hand ever since just in case someone needed it. I slapped the chain on, adjusted the brake levers and bars and got a quick lap in on the course to check things out. I did not realize it at the time but my rear derailleur hanger was also bent which kept me out of the smaller rear cogs for the whole race.
Everyone was lined up when I got back to the starting line but I found my usual spot at the back. The gun went off and I started to move up in preparation for the first pass through the sand pit. I knew that some other riders would not be able to make it through without a dismount and I did not want to get slowed up too much. I went to the right a bit when we hit the sand and cruised through with no problems. So far so good.
Over the triple barrier section and then a hard left turn where the trouble began. My tire burped around the corner. I had just seconds to decide if I should make a change before we went past the wheel pit but there were no signs of trouble until I was well past the wheels. On the approach to the climb I started to hear the familiar thump from the rear wheel that told me that the bead was working its way off the rim. I backed off and babied the wheel up to the stair climb in the hopes that I would be able to get to the pit before the tire blew. No such luck. Down the hill it gave up and I had to lump it all the way around the flat section until I got back to the wheels.
By the time I got my spare rear wheel in the frame I was over a half lap down. I was really tempted to hang up the race but I just could not bring myself to quit. Last race of the year and a fantastic course. So I just kept at it. The crowd at the sand pit was fun each lap, the crowd on the stair climb was incredible. Lots of cheers and encouragement, totally awesome.
I was able to catch back some guys so I did not have to finish last, but I am still a bit bummed at the bad luck on what could have been a really good day for me.
So, the question is after 2 rolled tires this year (today and Hudson 2) do I go with tubulars for next year or do I need to learn how to corner more carefully in order to prevent the tire from burping off the rim? I got advice to do both today so I am not sure.
Congrats to the 2008 State Champions on what was a cold and fast day.
