Boulder CX #3

I put 90% of it together today and man was it fun. It was a funky weather day out at Louisville. The wind was blowing and when the sun was out it was warm. When the clouds rolled in, downright chilly. The course was bumpy and dry, but with long straights and 2 run ups, I was feeling good about.

Warmup was strange. First we had to move the car to avoid a parking ticket. That was fun. Then as I was warming up I saw Breeze running up across the start/finish line pushing her bike with one hand and it's chain in the other. I yelled over and gave her my bike in the pit. With the Wizard, Pete Webber, wondering aloud about the legality of such a move, I took Breeze's bike to the Boulder Cycle Sport boys and they slapped on a new chain. Two laps later I traded Breeze back her bike and ventured out to warm up again.

I like the dust bowl of death over there at Louisville Rec. It is always rough and as Dubba says, requires and extra layer of chamois cream, but the long straights and run ups suit my power style.

I had a great start. One of the best of the year. the call up helps, but it was a good start. As the race settled in the scene was set. Ariel Brown just up ahead. Shawn Harshman, Josh Whitney and Courtney Gregory all around. With about 5 to go, and coach Neal Henderson screaming in my ear, I decided to make a move. It was very short lived. Josh laid it down and in the chaos I dropped my chain. 3 guys went by and I was back to chasing. I made good work of it though and with 2 to go I was with a group of four, closing in on another. Ariel was way ahead, he was on it this weekend, so we got at it only to have me butcher the sand the penultimate time through and split us up. I came across the line in the middle of that group to one of my best finishes of the year. Great effort for the second day of the weekend.

I have no idea my place as we left straight away for family obligations, but I guessing right around 20th. Real happy with that. Keep getting better. Next up the UCI race at Boulder Cup. Time for a real baptism by fire.