Today we headed down to Steilacoom for the 4th round of the M.F.G. series and a race that touted Portland, Oregons 'crossers against Seattle's.
The course consisted of lots of fast paved roads, fast bumpy grass, and an actual dirt trail climb followed by a loose gravel road climb. Very fast course and tactics played a huge role. Things got off to a rough start with me getting edged to the outside into the first turn and ended up having to roll through the pits. There are some big rules about rolling through the pits without taking a bike and the ending result can be disqualification. With this in mind, I sat up and had to let the pack pass by, and then jump in on the tail end. Not good, going to dead last in the first 20 seconds of a race. Not long after a rider went down hard in front of me in a turn, and I was barely able to avoid going down myself. I now had my work cut out for me. After the first couple of laps, I realized that I had some decent legs and I had the chance to make up lost ground. Half way through the race I caught one of my teammates Tim and asked him to help pull me up to the chase group that was currently holding a fourth place position with 6 guys in the group. Tim, shredded himself for me in an effort to help, knowing that he wasn't going to have anything left. When I went by on the climb, he was even kind enough to give me a big sling shot push. That's a loyal teammate. Thanks Tim.
I finally caught the chase group at the top of the gravel road climb and needed to sit in for a bit after such a hard effort to get back on. Unfortunately, this was about the time, that they started to attack eachother and the pace picked up fast, and I started to see a distance forming. I continued to chase and picked off a couple of more guys by the end to get a 10th place for the day. I was content considering the start lap for sure. Congrats to one of my team leaders Todd Morse Tucker for snagging 3rd today in our race just losing out on a 3 man sprint for the win.
With the True North O.S.V. in tow, Kristi cooked us some spaghetti in the galley, and we took our time leaving the race course. I even got the chance to mount all of the sweet new bike mount trays that Northwood Mfg, and Thule just sent us. Thanks Lance, they showed up on Friday. You are a magic man. The bikes were loaded onto the roof, and we headed to Federal Way.
We stopped in at South King Fire & Rescue 62's firehouse. I got some brothers who work at this house, and to say, Kristi, Holden, and I were treated with top hospitality. We got a shower and tour and a good safe spot to park the truck/trailer and sleep for the night. In the morning we will be headed to Beverly Park in Seattle for Seattle Cyclo-cross Series #2 (SCX). I look forward to letting you know how the race goes. For now, I'm gonna get some sleep in here with the family. Thanks for reading
The course consisted of lots of fast paved roads, fast bumpy grass, and an actual dirt trail climb followed by a loose gravel road climb. Very fast course and tactics played a huge role. Things got off to a rough start with me getting edged to the outside into the first turn and ended up having to roll through the pits. There are some big rules about rolling through the pits without taking a bike and the ending result can be disqualification. With this in mind, I sat up and had to let the pack pass by, and then jump in on the tail end. Not good, going to dead last in the first 20 seconds of a race. Not long after a rider went down hard in front of me in a turn, and I was barely able to avoid going down myself. I now had my work cut out for me. After the first couple of laps, I realized that I had some decent legs and I had the chance to make up lost ground. Half way through the race I caught one of my teammates Tim and asked him to help pull me up to the chase group that was currently holding a fourth place position with 6 guys in the group. Tim, shredded himself for me in an effort to help, knowing that he wasn't going to have anything left. When I went by on the climb, he was even kind enough to give me a big sling shot push. That's a loyal teammate. Thanks Tim.
I finally caught the chase group at the top of the gravel road climb and needed to sit in for a bit after such a hard effort to get back on. Unfortunately, this was about the time, that they started to attack eachother and the pace picked up fast, and I started to see a distance forming. I continued to chase and picked off a couple of more guys by the end to get a 10th place for the day. I was content considering the start lap for sure. Congrats to one of my team leaders Todd Morse Tucker for snagging 3rd today in our race just losing out on a 3 man sprint for the win.
With the True North O.S.V. in tow, Kristi cooked us some spaghetti in the galley, and we took our time leaving the race course. I even got the chance to mount all of the sweet new bike mount trays that Northwood Mfg, and Thule just sent us. Thanks Lance, they showed up on Friday. You are a magic man. The bikes were loaded onto the roof, and we headed to Federal Way.
We stopped in at South King Fire & Rescue 62's firehouse. I got some brothers who work at this house, and to say, Kristi, Holden, and I were treated with top hospitality. We got a shower and tour and a good safe spot to park the truck/trailer and sleep for the night. In the morning we will be headed to Beverly Park in Seattle for Seattle Cyclo-cross Series #2 (SCX). I look forward to letting you know how the race goes. For now, I'm gonna get some sleep in here with the family. Thanks for reading
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