Lake Rebecca CX race report
From: Bill Connell
Date: Oct 7, 2007 9:45 PM
The lesson learned at Lake Rebecca for me this year was ‘don’t take
the small stuff for granted’. In particular, that *#&#(* log barrier.
It was easily rideable, but ruled at the start line that the C racers
must dismount for it. I understand that *some* C racers maybe
shouldn’t have ridden it, but i think we should have had the option.
Anyway, so it was a tiny barrier, not even a big step over it,
shouldn’t have been a big deal. On the first lap, i spun my cranks
back and dropped the chain. I recovered practically on the fly, losing
2-3 spots and gaining a “nice recovery” from someone as they went by.
Great! On the second lap, my left cleat didn’t come loose, and i
somehow got myself tangled up and ran for about 20 feet that way
before going bum over teakettle, scraping up both legs, cutting my
knee and hitting my ankle on something really really hard. After that,
i was much more careful over that damn log.
Other than that, it was way too hot, but a friend helped with
invaluable water handups. I have no idea how i placed, but was pretty
happy with how i moved up through the pack after a start near the back
(late warm-up lap). No other crashes, though it was a near thing at
the end. I was beat and eased off on the long straight until 2 (two!)
guys passed me with 100′ to go. I stood up and hammered and caught
them both, though the second guy and i leaned on each other a bit
(more like me muscling my way past, from his perspective) and i got a
little out of shape right before the line but held it up ok. I think i
got him by about 1/2 a wheel, but i didn’t get his name or race number
to confirm. A gratifying finish to an otherwise tough race.