This begins what's called Holy Week in New England Cyclocross. Two world cup-level courses. The first weekend in Gloucester, the second in Providence.
Gloucester always seems to be a rainy mudfest. Perfect fall weather all week made for a very dry and dusty course — I've actually never seen this course dry.
Here's the report.
At staging we played Brad groupies — Patrick, Billy, Freddy, Stan, Lewis, Jeff, me — all wanted to check out what the front row actually looks like.
They talk race stuff up there — not like the back of the pack. Back there we talk about how many doughnuts and beers we're looking forward to post race.
We fist-bumped Brad and headed to our rows. I started 54th in the grid, right across from Patrick. Note to self: race more, race faster, get a better starting spot (duh)!
From the gun I got on Patrick's wheel along with Billy and we picked a ton of people off. Despite 2 crashes by me in the first two laps, we'd moved up into the 30s.
On the 3rd lap, I felt great — Patrick must have too because we picked off even more guys and moved into the 20's. Things were looking great. I passed a bunch of guys on the hill up to the finish line on the way to the last lap. About a 1/4 of the lap in, Patrick slowed at the top of the stair run-up. This headed right into a 180 degree turn. I turned and said, "let's go buddy – get on!"
Turning back and talking -- not a good technique for a 180 degree turn.
I hit the inside wooden stake hard, and I did an endo. Managed to clip my knuckle on a nail and it bled like crazy. Brad had flatted, ran most of a lap and was chugging back through the entire field said, "Jon, you lost your watch" as he went by. I looked down — he was right. No watch on the wrist.
(Not so) luckily for me, Brad has an on-board camera that captured King Klutz in action:
Brad: "See that dark thing going past your front wheel? That's your watch :)"
What happens when you are a _____ :
So I did some quick ROI analysis – lose my backcountry watch or gun it for 30th place?
The watch won, so I went on a search in the dust. And amongst the riders flying by. It took a few minutes and I lost about 30 places. Found it got back on the bike and discovered I'd manage to lose the chain in the crash. Off the bike again, another 5-10 places.
Great — 3/4 of a lap to go and I'm now in the 70s. Went from being the windshield to the bug. Took off like a banchee / mad Irishman and clawed my way back up to 53rd.
Still fun.
Now headed to the watch repair man (and a bottle of Advil) ;).
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