Capital 'Cross Classic - local cyclocross race in Reston

[Dirt]

Dirt, on his own CX ride today. It took him 3 crossings to get that stream right.

I need a little bigger set of cogs for rides like we did today. Lots of the creek crossings and technical sections were a lot harder with road gearing. I just don't have the legs to power up stuff like I used to. That was such a great ride.

TOTALLY inspires me to really do the Fairfax Epic. I need to get out to Riverbend with a saw and clippers and reclaim that loop. It will be easier/harder with the leaves all down. We did less than 1/4 of what is available at Riverbend.

[crysb]

Dirt, on his own CX ride today. It took him 3 crossings to get that stream right.

That photo is insanely cool. Not sure I'd even try that, though!

[GuyContinental]

Guy

Awesome! I look like I'm grimacing, but I think that I was actually yelling Peeeeettttteee!

Gotta say that CX racing could be a habit- after I survived the first 5 minutes it was all sorts of fun and I think that I was still somewhere in the top 25% before I flatted out on the third lap (also right in front of Pete)... I should have kept running, honestly I didn't realize that was Kosher.

Nice to meet Bilsko, ArlingtonRider, DCV and others. Special thanks to DCV for helping me flip my number around... newb mistake for sure. Oh and Sean, that tuck and roll was epic, the only plus of my flat was that I got to see it in person!

[crysb]

Awesome! I look like I'm grimacing, but I think that I was actually yelling Peeeeettttteee!

Gotta say that CX racing could be a habit- after I survived the first 5 minutes it was all sorts of fun and I think that I was still somewhere in the top 25% before I flatted out on the third lap (also right in front of Pete)... I should have kept running, honestly I didn't realize that was Kosher.

Nice to meet Bilko, ArlingtonRider, DCV and others. Special thanks to DCV for helping me flip my number around... newb mistake for sure. Oh and Shawn, that tuck and roll was epic, the only plus of my flat was that I got to see it in person!

I think running the rest of your race because of a mechanical makes you even tougher. Better than getting a DNF

Also, on the women's beginner starting line, the organizer who blew the starting whistle walked around as we were lining up to start pointing out who had their numbers on wrong. He said like half of us had our numbers on upside down, and mine was crooked. But I guess that's why it's a beginner's race!

[dcv]

I need a little bigger set of cogs for rides like we did today. Lots of the creek crossings and technical sections were a lot harder with road gearing. I just don't have the legs to power up stuff like I used to. That was such a great ride.

TOTALLY inspires me to really do the Fairfax Epic. I need to get out to Riverbend with a saw and clippers and reclaim that loop. It will be easier/harder with the leaves all down. We did less than 1/4 of what is available at Riverbend.

Difficult Run kicked my arse worse than the cat 4 race. I'm not sure if I need another bike for off-roading or if I need to HTFU.
Probably both

Big kudos to Bilsko who did it with road tires and road shoes / pedals.

[vvill]

Difficult Run kicked my arse worse than the cat 4 race. I'm not sure if I need another bike for off-roading or if I need to HTFU.
Probably both

HTFU and n + 1 solves everything!

But seriously, you were on a fixie @ ~70 gear inches right??

Gotta say that CX racing could be a habit- after I survived the first 5 minutes it was all sorts of fun and I think that I was still somewhere in the top 25% before I flatted out on the third lap (also right in front of Pete)... I should have kept running, honestly I didn't realize that was Kosher.

Nice to meet Bilsko, ArlingtonRider, DCV and others. Special thanks to DCV for helping me flip my number around... newb mistake for sure. Oh and Sean, that tuck and roll was epic, the only plus of my flat was that I got to see it in person!

CX racing is insanely fun. I'm not technically savvy/brave enough to ride fast so I'm happy to let the faster riders through and then make up places as I go. I think I would've placed somewhere around 50th if I hadn't broken my chain. I ran to the finish line from the break, and asked the officials how I could finish vs DNF, and they said I had to run another lap. After a couple mins of running, an official signalled to me and took pity on me - he said I could just run a half-lap to finish (short cut through the pits). I got a prime - Swiftwick socks! (thanks Mark) so it was all worth it although the running muscles of my legs don't agree today. I knew a bit about running in CX from watching one of the higher level DC CX races this year - one of the racers had to run most of a lap to get to the pit.

I also stupidly figured that MTB gloves would be warm enough and couldn't feel my fingers for a lot of the warm-up lap/race - making feedback on shifting/braking a little tough. Even more stupidly I assumed I had no other gloves, but when I got back to my gear bag in the car remembered I'd packed warmer ones as well.

Huge thanks to Pete for snapping pics, and helping organize the post-race ride. The Mavic vest is great for finding you in a crowd.
Here's dcv and myself:

[GuyContinental]

I ran to the finish line from the break, and asked the officials how I could finish vs DNF, and they said I had to run another lap. After a couple mins of running, an official signalled to me and took pity on me - he said I could just run a half-lap to finish (short cut through the pits).

Dang... now I feel ridiculous for not running- but I honestly thought that such silliness would be frowned upon in the tighter sections of the race... in cross, worried about silliness... yeah. Newb indeed.

Great job Will!

[Bilsko]

Umm - watching this makes me think that maybe the Capital CX race was doing it wrong:

[vvill]

I think the DC CX race was a *tiny* bit closer to that. Also mix in the Crystal City Diamond Derby.

[crysb]

I think the DC CX race was a *tiny* bit closer to that. Also mix in the Crystal City Diamond Derby.

Yeah, the run through the van reminded me of Diamond Derby! Except in the Diamond Derby you brought your bike through the van with you. Meaning we're more hardcore here. (Or our vans are more spacious.)