ChiCrossCup - Montrose Harbor

Today had to be the worst race I’ve ever raced in and still enjoyed myself. That includes the Spring Prairie road race where I got dropped from the pack, stopped to throw up, and barely managed to finish.

So far this year we’ve played in the sand, ridden in the snow, dodged roots & rocks, and suffered all sorts of types of mud. Say hello to ice. Ice is a tricky beast Simon Burney wrote the book on cyclocross and this is what he has to say about ice: “Lack of confidence is the biggest problem to overcome on ice.” Thank you Simon, but no the biggest problem with ice is it is fucking slippery. Oh and sneaking in at number two on the size chart is ice is very hard.

This one-two punch presents a tough situation when it comes to tire pressure. On one hand you want your pressure low for maximum grip, but too low and your liable to get a flat from your wheel banging against the hard ice. That’s what happened to me today. After two laps of the 2 mile course I noticed I got a flat just as I passed the mechanical pit where my spare wheels sat. Rule is one cannot go backward on the course so yes I was stuck running the entire 2 mile course with my bike on my back. I’ll repeat 2 miles on a snow & ice covered 15 degree winds off the lake course. The idea of quitting crept in every quarter mile or so, but usually got chased away by hearing teammates or friends yelling at me to keep it up or simply “Go Jeff!” So I ran and ran until I got back to the wheel pit my heart exploding and my legs & back cramping up. On the plus side I was really hot at this point. and actually after all of that running my last lap on the bike felt really good.

Thanks to John, Anna, Derrek, Caroline, Laurie, Tony, Tim, Julie, Nick, El Duke, Naz and all the Triple X-ers for watching & cheering. Especially Bob, Brian B., Brian P., and Greg who all came out to race & watch in not only the Chicago races, but also Wisconsin too.

Next on my schedule is my fourth Tour Da Chicago, then it’ll be time to get ready for another season of racing.

Almost over…

Tomorrow is the last stage of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup at Montrose Harbor right off the lake. Last year I watched Allan, Jason, and various members of Triple X-ers, and Killjoy from the sidelines cowbell in one hand, the other in a sling.

Thursday night Chicago got hit with enough snow to close schools (and Allstate!) and this morning I rode the lakefront path and was happy to still see a blanket of snow. I’m really excited about this race even though I’m also dreading it equally. Other than this morning’s ride I haven’t ridden in two weeks since Jackson Park. I don’t really have any good excuses for my lack of training just the usual travel, changes in work, and the usual drama with the new place. Still I’m pretty confident that I’ll do as well as I’ve been doing throughout the season. I’m already looking at what I need to change for next year. I really can’t believe the season is really almost over.

A couple people have asked if I was really going to race in 25 degree weather with snow & ice on the ground. My answer is from a great ‘cross documentary:

“Why do people choose to do something like that in the middle of winter…that sort of pain, and those sort of conditions? Because. that’s why you do it you wouldn’t want to do it if it was really nice weather or idyllic circuits or these easy courses or not much competition its because its hard its because it sucks the most.” - Pure Sweet Hell