|   Racing cyclocross can make you horny | Pirate Girl
Dec 16, 2002 8:23 AM | | Ok, so they're reindeer antlers, but that didn't sound as good in the topic line ;-)
Yesterday was the second race in the Tucson cyclocross series and was held at Reid Park. The course was a bit shorter and much more technical than the first race that was a week ago at Himmel Park. If you weren't climbing or descending a hill you were jumping over barriers. Very little spots to rest and just spin. Maybe it was getting more sleep the night before, or the experience of the first race, but this race I did much better. I flew over the barriers much more gracefully, jumping higher and carrying the bike better. Now I just need to get the jumping back into the saddle part down.
Craig (the dad-in-law) thought the first race looked fun, and decided to enter this race. It was his first cyclocross race, and being 49, he got stuck in the 35+ men's group. We kept joking that they needed a Formula 40 class for him to race in. Judging from the pics, it looks like he had fun.
Craig starting the race.
10 women raced this time, and it was a much better turnout.
Craig quickly figured out how to go over barriers.
Reindeer really CAN fly!
Winding around a tree.
Followed by a bridge crossing.
Craig's sprint to the end.
Overall, it was a great race. I was happy with how I did this time around, and ended up in 5th in the women's category. They had a great turnout of racers, with the kid's category being the biggest.
I believe New Year's decorations will be in store for the next race :-)
P-)
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| I can see your erect... | Paul B
Dec 16, 2002 9:25 AM | | ...barriers aren't slowing you down much any more. How's that fast mount/dismount technique working out?
This is the goofiest biking competition I've ever seen anyone take seriously. When are you going to learn to bunnyhop that thing so you don't have to dismount?
I was pleased to see a little kid on a street bike participating. How awesome is that? Heck, if it takes making kids climb over wood barriers to get them to want to bike, then I say bring on the CX racing!
I've got some sparklers around here you could light up for your New Year's decorations.
Great job on the race!
p. |
| I'm just an exhibitionist... | Pirate Girl
Dec 16, 2002 9:48 AM | | ...trying to draw more fun and "goofiness" to the sport. Out of all the types of racing I've tried so far, CX is by far the most fun.
I've got the dismount and running with the bike down. I just need to figure out how to get back on the bike without hurting myself. I'll probably figure it all out by the last race ;-)
Yeah, there was like 15 kids in the race on all sorts of bikes. Each kid I passed by I yelled "Great job! Keep going! You're almost there!" Some of the serious racers weren't too nice to the youngsters. One poor kid got braided by two guys trying to pass each other. The kid was 7 or so and freaked out and yelled, "Hey, what the heck was that all about?!" I think if the # of participants get any bigger they should probably split the kids out and have them do their own race.
One kid's dad was taking it waaay to seriously...worse than a soccer mom. The kid was 12 or so, wearing a sponsor jersey, and was not having fun. He kept yelling "I hate this sport!" and throwing his bike. When he got a flat and wanted to stop, his dad yelled "Ride on the rim!" Sheesh...what a d!ckhead. The best part was when a cute little girl passed by the kid after the race and said, "You didn't get first place! Ha ha!" Oh man, that was a great burn! Maybe the dad will eventually learn to lighten up and let his kid have some fun.
I don't think they allow pyrotechnic effects in the city parks without a permit or something, so I'll have to forgo the sparklers. Besides, it takes a long time to grow long hair.
P-) |
| Yin and yang. | Pete.
Dec 16, 2002 9:33 AM | | Yesterday at the CX Nats.
Same type of bikes, clothes, etc. different conditions. |
| Thanks! | Steve-O
Dec 16, 2002 10:36 AM | | Nice pict Pete...
Any more picts from the CX National? With conditions like that I'm sure there has to be some good photo opportunities...
Steve-O (already looked at all the CX photos on cyclingnews.com and now hungry for more!) |
| about those barriers... | Sofa
Dec 16, 2002 9:46 AM | | I never gave much thought about Cyclocross, but I have a question...
can you bunnyhop over the barriers, or do you HAVE TO dismount and run over them? |
| Whatever floats your boat | Pirate Girl
Dec 16, 2002 9:53 AM | | Some choose to bunnyhop, others prefer to dismount and jump. Whatever it takes to get over the barriers. Though I've seen people dismount, jump over barriers, then get back on the bike faster than those bunnyhopping. Saw some excellent crashes yesterday from the bunnyhoppers. One guy took a good 1 ft chunk out of a barrier when he screwed up on the timing. Another guy did a beautiful face-plant.
P-) |
| Depends on the organizer | K'Endo
Dec 16, 2002 9:56 AM | | CX races will often have 'mandatory dismount' sections. These sections will benefit those who've mastered the skill of jumping off the bike, running, jumping back on in minimum time. It CAN make the difference in a close race!
Kn. |
| WHITE shorts???? | fut
Dec 16, 2002 10:42 AM | | ugh |
| That's her dad, and rides well | pedalAZ
Dec 16, 2002 10:56 AM | | Did you see the pics of him rippin' it up on Milagrosa?
The fashion rule is that guys can wear white shorts if they can ride as well as or better than anyone else in the group. Girls can wear 'em whenever they want. Check IMBA 317.27 (A)(2). |
| Yeah | Pirate Girl
Dec 16, 2002 11:18 AM | | Anyone that is 49 and can pull this off with a HT that has an old, broken front fork can wear any color shorts they want to.
P-)
Since when do GUYS care about fashion? |
| Since when do guy care about fashion?nm. | rudy
Dec 16, 2002 12:10 PM | | |
| Hah! Good one, Rudy (nm) | pedalAZ
Dec 16, 2002 12:14 PM | | |
| and can outsprint little kids! | -nm-
Dec 16, 2002 1:03 PM | | |
| Rebuttal from the guy in the shorts | Pirate Girl
Dec 16, 2002 3:47 PM | | I gave Craig (the guy in the controversial colored shorts) a link to this post, and here's his reply from the e-mail:
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From Dad-in-law: I ride year round in Tucson. The air temp is above 100 most of the summer (and close to that spring and fall). Anything black in the summer sun must get to somewhere around 180 degrees. There is a reason if you ever see a car in this town with a black paint job it is from out of state or a hearse (the dead don't seem to mind the temp as much). So I will stick to buying light gray bicycle shorts (they aren't white). By the way I had a blast on the CX. I just wish they had an age group a little older so I didn't seem so slow (at least I lapped that reindeer).
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And from the reindeer: You had a 30 sec head start on me! You were in the 1st wave, and I was in the 2nd, which started 30 seconds later! Sheesh!
P-) |
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