SuperPro CX Vallejo - "this ain't no fooling around"

Since my mountain bike race season is now officially over I decided it’s time to really focus on this whole cyclocross racing thing. Desperate to get out there to get some CX racing experience I signed up for the first race on the calendar that I wasn’t working. It just happened to be SuperProRacing's Vallejo CX race at Dan Foley Park. I had no idea what to expect other than it sounded fun on the very brief description – “Short, steep ups and fast, curvy downs are in the mix” – great, I’m in!!!

While arriving  we could see little glimpses of the course on our way to park…”oohh, ahhh” came to mind when I saw the swooping downhills and off camber turns taped off for the  course. I was anxious to get in a low key pre-ride lap before the racing began so I hopped on the course as soon as we got there. It took no time to figure out that this wasn’t just another CX course. Crazy climbs. Murky mud crossings. Steep sketchy descents. Even a mini rat maze-like sand pit. I’m not gonna lie, I was a bit concerned. My tire selection was not one for such mixed terrain and it was quite the workout just doing an easy recon lap.

One of several mud crossings and right behind first place. Still clean!

Enough prelude, on to the race! Seeing that this was my first SuperPro race I was assigned to the back row of the start. I knew to have a chance of doing well I had to get up front in a very short amount of time. So when the race started I charged, bobbed, and weaved my way as much to the front as possible before the sharp right-hander into a curb followed by the first mud crossing. I was toward the front already and the girl in first place wiped out in the mud. The rest of us had to take measures to avoid her as we slide around the slippery turn into the next mud crossing. Somehow I ended up just behind the lead rider as we continued to cross through more mud followed by the sand trap and a steep climb.

Still feeling motivated and strong through the barriers.

For the rest of the lap I was able to keep first place in sight and still within reach. About halfway into the second lap I was motoring down a steep loose off-camber hill when my foot somehow unclipped from the pedal and sent my hurtling through deep wood chips that left me balled up on the ground. Even though I popped up fairly quickly I was a bit discombobulated and lost some of my mojo for a while. 1st place managed to pull ahead of me and I had no sense of who was behind me.

Made it safe down this "steeper than it looks" hill this time, but she had her way with me on the next go around.

Between pushing my physical limits and crashing I was becoming a bit sloppy. Another crash ensued going up a hill and I started to feel a bit worn at this point. After another mistake, I was passed. For much of the remainder of the race the two of us would battle back and forth taking turns leading the way. In the end she had a bit more power that allowed her to pull away at the end of the final lap. 

The on going battle for second place. Feeling (and looking) quite rubber legged at this point.

When it was all said and done I ended up in 3rd place out of 13 women. That'll do!

Another good showing for a newbie! However, I feel like I have so much more to learn and room to improve. Looking forward to my next race and learning experience. 

2015 Bidwell Bump XC race report - getting gnarly!

The Bidwell Bump was my “welcome back to California” race last year. I had no idea what I was getting into when I signed up for the race.  This year however I knew full well what I was getting myself into: gnar, gnar, gnar  - and don’t forget the climbing in-between.  

The day started out way too early with a 3am wake up call to make the trip north to Chico.  The sun was just rising as we pulled into town. It was a glorious morning with clear skies and crisp air. I went out to warm up a bit before the start and realized I wasn’t feel very motivated to give it my all. The combination of lack of sleep the days leading up to the race and the memories of “lava rash” that I received on the previous year were getting the best of me.

 

Everyone lining up together before the 2015 Bidwell Bump XC
Photo by Soul id

The XC race is a mass start so I was able to line up next to my hubby.  Before I knew it we were charging down the paved road toward the lava clad climb that would last for about 4 miles. I was slow getting going and I felt like everyone and their mom was going faster than me.  After about 10-15 minutes of climbing my body started waking up and I was able to pick up the pace and started picking off riders one by one.  At the top of the climb the trail takes a sharp right onto a rocky loose 1-1/2 mile singletrack descent that is full of surprises for those unfamiliar with the trail (like me).  I found myself flirting with disaster on more than one occasion but managed to keep things in check.  The B-trail singletrack ended at a dirt road where feisty spectators awaited to offer beer hand ups. Despite their generosity I refrained from the brewskis and proceeded to keep the pedal on the gas for the 1 mile gradual descent to the creek crossing. At this point I was shocked that my husband had yet to catch me and I started to wonder if something went wrong. 





Dropping the hammer on Guardian
Photo by Soul id

I’m pretty sure the creek wading portion of the race is about the halfway point and it felt like I got there pretty fast. At the same time I knew the rest of the course was pretty demanding from what little I could remember. Sure enough after turning my feet and legs into popsicles it was time for a nice loose climb for about a mile. The climb was the least of my worries. I knew there was some crazy stuff coming up and I didn’t want to have a repeat from the previous year.  Before things got crazy there was a real fun flowy section of trail that made me forget about everything except having fun. Wheeee!!! Then things got cra-cra on Bloody Pin Trail but I managed to keep the rubber side down this time. I knew I was losing a lot of time being extra cautious but I didn’t feel like donating more blood to this appropriately named trail.  I sighed in relief when I made it to the next trail junction and continued on with more confidence.

The trail continued downhill for a bit more dancing playfully through the rocks. I was having fun and started to forget that I was actually in a race when I heard a familiar sound behind me: my husband! Just when I thought I might finally beat him (oh well, one day!).  More downhill and then came the brutal hike-a-bike.  I had the hubby in sight so I charged up the hill. I just about caught him again when it was time for some more technical descending (his specialty).  Before I knew it I heard crazy cowbells and cheering spectators at the bottom of a steep rock feature.  Peer pressure won and I went for it, success! Shortly afterward I crossed the finish line. I had no idea how I did compared to the other women but I knew my time was significantly faster than the previous year. The end result was 1^st place in the women’s open expert. Hooray!!!

1st across the finish line but failed to make it to the awards ceremony on time...feeling awkward.

 

I recommend the Bidwell Bump to anyone looking for a “real” mountain bike race -the trails are very unique and challenging. It's not the longest course but there are no "empty" boring miles.



Photo by Soul id

Lessons learned: My little Ellsworth got it done once again, however a bike with more travel would be welcome on this course. Also, what a difference a year makes: over the last year my skills, fitness, and confidence have increased.  Today was proof. My race results were approximately 8 minutes faster than the previous year without truly pushing myself.  Hard work really does pay off over time.

 

It was awesome to end the MTB race season on a good note. I am movtivated and look forward to doing great things next year. :)