Granogue CX

last rider on the left.

My first adventure into cyclocross began with the Granogue race in DE. I registered at the very last minute, so I started at the very back of the Cat 4 field as we were lined up by registration order. Seems fair and I didn't mind starting back for my first race. I set the Selma up with 700x35 Maxis Locust cx tires that I picked up cheap on ebay. I switched the rear cog and ran 33x16. That was it, my cx bike was set.

It started raining on Wednesday night and didn't stop until Sunday. The race was on Saturday morning with temps in the low 40s, it was cold and by lap 2 it was all slop. The tires gripped ok & I felt good about the gearing. I had to trudge up the run ups, but was able to ride for the most part and the SS didn't feel like a disadvantage. Damn, cx is hard, but it is also a hell of a lot of fun & I've already signed on for more. I'm all set for Fairhill and should get to start toward the front. I'll enjoy that view, if only for a few fleeting minutes.

my Chesapeake Cycle & Sport team mate Eric tearing through the mud on his Fuel:

thanks go out to Anthony Skorochod for photo use through cyclingcaptured.com

local night rides

We've been trying to make Wednesday night our regular weekly night ride on the local trails. So far, so good. The weather has been good, the trails dry, and the pace steady. This Wednesday, six of us were able to get in around 2 hours on the trail. I shot a short video of my solo descent down ricksrun - the camera & my DiNotte light both mounted on my bar (no helmet light):

Then I shot video of the other 5 riders descending the switchbacks:

return to white clay

Went back to White Clay just outside Newark DE with Eric, Jess, & Kirby. Shot a short video on the skills trail: