I can hear you

This past sunday was the Westwood Velo Cyclocross event at Campgaw Mountain, which, for me, was the race that almost didn't happen. I had gotten a little mixed up to say the least regarding my race schedule. I thought I had pre-registered for this race, but in actuality it was for a race two weeks later and what happened was basically I found myself at the right place at the wrong time. When I approached the registration tent and answered the attendant's question of "What category?" he then pointed to the race currently underway and said, "There they go." My heart sank under the weight of the realization of my error. Since there was no other race that day that I could "legally" participate in, I settled into my role as a spectator and cheered for my friends. It looked like a really fun course that only got better as the day went on and I was seriously bummed that I couldn't ride it.

About an hour before the Cat 2/3 race, my friend Jdog rolled up and asked why I wasn't racing. I explained what happened and how I couldn't race with the B-men. When he asked, "Why not?" I really didn't have a good answer. He said he was going to, so why couldn't I? Good point. He marched me over to the registration tent to not ask, but tell the guy I was going to race as a Cat 2/3, even though my license permits me to only race Cat 4. I needed $30 for the day-of race fee and I didn't have it. Thank you, Art for spotting me and yes I DID get your money's worth! I learned later that it's allowed to race up, but not down. In either case, the guy said if I podium they wouldn't be able to count my points. I said if I'm in 3rd at the end of the race, I'll hit the brakes before the finish line. We laughed and he handed me my number.

I was super excited and I ran all the way to my van, passing Laura in the parking lot waving my number over my head yelling, "I'm going to race!" A quick change into my Superman uniform and a short warmup later, I was lined up at the back of the pack just in time for the 30 second warning. Moments later we were off! My friend describes 'cross racing as having nowhere on the course to win, but only places where you can lose. I'm reminded of motorcycle racing in the respect that the riders are pushing their tireless machines to the absolute edge from the start of the race to the bitter end, and only when an opponent makes an error does he get overtaken. Cross racing is as close to motorcycle racing as I've ever experienced. When I raced XC, the field was so spread out that oftentimes I would ride entire laps without seeing another racer. With cross, the course is much tighter and no sooner do you overtake someone, you can immediately set your sights on the next guy. Whoever can push their bikes harder into the corners, use their brakes less, accelerate faster, and negotiate the barriers better will find themselves moving up through the field.

The first two laps, the pack was still bunched up and passing was a little tricky. Once things spread out a bit more, I was able to take the best lines and carry more speed through the corners allowing me to close gaps on the guys in front of me. My favorite thing about cross racing is how involved the spectators are and how awesome it is to hear them cheering your name. My friends were littered throughout the course and were cheering for me each time I went by. With every time I heard my name, I got a surge of energy that carried me until I passed my next cheering fan. I had a mantra going through my head as I rode faster and faster and passed more riders; "I can hear you. I can hear you." I thought as their voices fueled each attack. It's one of the best feelings in the world. Thank you. "Thank you."

Overtaking a rider on the staircase.

The best place to be cheered for, at the top of the hillclimb of pain!

I can hear you.