I have to say this has been the most fun season of them all with some great new venues, some wonderful competition and as always I started slow and got less slow as the season wore on.
Race #1 - Fort Langley September 6
Place - 20th
It was hard to believe that i had never done this race. It always seemed to collide with my trade show back east. I has happy to be on the start line so early in the season,but of course I knew there wasn't much hope for a top spot with the lack of riding or running over the last month. The new schedule had us start behind the Elite men, for this race we started too far behind the Elite men as they quickly caught us on the second lap causing some confusion in their race as well as ours. But wait, this was after my first lap incident in which I ended up with a pair of handlebars in my rear Ultimate Carbone...ouch. Once I got it untangled and took my place at the back of the field i had no where to go but up.
Some great shots here: http://briangoldstoneimages.com/H&R_BLOCK-KONA_Cross/
Race #2 - New Brighton Park Oct 3
Place - N/A
This being my event with the Wedgewood Cycling Team, I have never raced it. Something about being up at 5am with only coffee in my stomach. I did decide to at least ride a couple of laps to get a feel for the course. I liked it...a little short but fun and harder then I expected.
Thanks to John Irvine for these shots: www.johnirvinephotography.com/CXnewbrighton
Race #3 - Vanier Park Oct 4
Place - 16
This is the longest standing venue in BC cross. I first put on an event here back in 2002 I think. The gang at westcoast racing took it over and have been doing a great job. The new course was open and fun. I had a decent start from the back and made up some places. I spent the bulk of the race trying to close a gap to a group of 4. I'd make up ground on the twisty section and then lose it all trying to break the wind by myself on the front straight. Eventually I caught on to a couple of guys and we dueled it out for the final points spot. I ended up one spot out of a BC Cup point.
Race #4 - Cross'quitlam Oct 24
Place - 11
I really like this course! It is tight and twisty, a fair amount of running and lots of little decisions to make. The course was in good condition and if it weren't for one poorly judged corner I may have been higher up, but again there was some great racing with the guys around me and I was happy with the result.
Race #5 - Pumpkin Cross Oct 25
Place - 16
This is a great venue! The horse course had it all, a little sand, several dismounts and a long straight. I had a amazing start! Made a little move at the first slow turn and got myself into the top ten. Rode well for most of the race. With 3 laps to go I washed out on a corner and lost my chain as well as my front wheel. By the time I got going I was back in 20th spot. Reeled in a few guys to finish 16th.
Race #6 - Aldergrove Cross Nov 1
Place - 17
Another nice new venue with loads of potential. I played around to tire pressure a bit too much before the start and forgot to tighten my valve. The result was a slow loss of pressure which ended with me taking a spectacular spill on the greasy backside of the course. A lap later I realized what the issue was and I changed bikes to my SS. The gear was too big for me on this course and I decided to take the pity cheers and finish it off with ease.
Race #7 - South Surrey Cross Nov 15
Place - 11
Wind...wind and more wind! This course is always windy and challenging with some great side hill action and fun in the BMX track. I started slow and worked my way through the field with some strong running and no mistakes. Again it was a greatly competitive race amongst us Masters and I almost got a top ten spot.
Race #8 - Escape GP of Cross Nov 21
Place - 6
Nothing like a front row call up! Thanks to the elite spot I got off to a good start and managed to gap a good number of guys. This is a great course for me with lots of dismounts and tight turns. I only made a few small mistakes and managed to hold a decent result in the end.
John Irvine continues to make me look good!
Race #9 - BC Cup Finals Nov 28
Place - 10
Wholly mother of all off-camber! This was a survival test, we all went down a number of times, some self induced, others by others. I decided to take it easy and see what happened. Shit happened and before i knew it I was moving up everywhere. The course was full of greasy off camber sections that just begged you to try to ride it fast, you couldn't. I was taken out dramaticly early in the race and managed to recover and move up and away. Tryed to get another spot but I played it safe instead and settled for a top 10.
Race #10 - BC Champs Nov 29
Place - 8
We finally got a race on the North Shore. When Kevin Calhoun suggested he could get a venue on the shore i quickly gave him Mahon Park and sent him a map I had done up a couple of years ago. He and his crew did a great job modifying the course and put on a good show. Once again I made a good decision to run the first turn and muddy side hill. This had me in second place early on. I knew I'd have a few guys coming by me soon but I managed to hold off many and ended up in a sprint for seventh only to lose by a tire width!
Here is some footage of the Elite men and Women.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rZ7lLiKV1I
Here is hoping for more of the same next year!
CrossBoy
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