New Skins

One of the benefits of being short is that off the rack leathers don't really fit me, so I get to order really cool looking leathers cut to fit.  A little over a month ago I stopped in to see Carrie at Insurrection racing out at Thunderhill to get sized up for a new set of Pilot leathers.  Well, the final product was delivered about two weeks ago right to my door and I couldn't be happier.  (I would have reported on this earlier but I had some laser eye surgery.  More on that later)  The fit is spot on and I can tell already just how much more comfortable I'll be on the bike (=speed) over my old leathers.  And Carrie was super attentive to getting the size, details and design just right.  Turnaround was quicker than I expected for a full custom suit as well.  I highly recommend seeing her and getting a Pilot suit if you're in the market for new leathers.

http://www.insurrectionracing.com/

 

Surf City & Stafford Lake Cyclocross races

     2 more races are in the books.  First was the Surf City Halloween Race at Aptos High School on October 30th with warm temperatures and blue skies.  Last time I raced there was about 5 or 6 years ago and the course was very different but super fun.  Essentially it was an uphill section and a downhill section with a bunch of flat sand separating the two.  I realized a long time ago that I'm not a natural bike racer so I need to really focus on how hard I go out and gauge my effort throughout the race.  Knowing I won't be challenging for the win I lined up at the back and planned to pace the pack as best I could.  As usual I made up most of my spots on the downhill and technical parts (I used to race downhill bikes) and got passed back on the uphill parts.  With 2 laps to go I was lapped by the leader at the line but to give you some idea how difficult the race was I still managed to come in just about mid-pack; 22nd out of 39 while only about the top 3rd finished on the lead lap..
    
     The inaugural Stafford Lake Cyclocross Race went off November 7th in Novato.  Conditions were perfect for cyclocross racing as we just had rain the day before while race day saw cool conditions and partly cloudy skies.  With the leaves turning and the holidays closing in it truly felt like 'cross season.  I was even feeling pretty good despite missing some training rides after crashing my GSX-R 600 during a track day at Infineon earlier in the week.
     However....
     I thought the Surf City course was tough until I went out for some warm up laps on this nightmare of a course.  I have to admit that the organizer did a great job and it had fantastic flow but it was a true suffer fest for me.  The course consisted of 2 sections; a flat section of bumpy grass, smooth double track and some pavement and a section that started off with a big stair climb, followed by a traverse across a hillside with off camber sections and some fun downhills.  There were 3 transitions with one being some sort of weird monstrosity of a box/barrier that would have UCI officials pressing criminal charges.  For me this race was just a exercise in attrition with the only real highlights being my sloppy launches over the box and a running sprint of a pass at the finish line that netted me 43rd of 56.
    
     While I still enjoy the torture of bike racing from time to time these races seem more like a test of suffering then a proper race against opponents.  The AFM season can't start soon enough for me...

Bay Area Super Prestige, Race 1, October 23rd, 2011

     I’ve raced cyclocross on and off over the last 8 years or so but putting together a full season let alone being properly trained for one has proven quite elusive.  This year despite once again being under prepared and suffering a knee injury, I’m giving it my best shot at getting a whole season of racing in.  The Pilarcitos Bay Area Super Prestige has been one of my favorite series since I got into cyclocross and I was eager to get the season started with their Candlestick race.  Located behind the 49er’s home stadium this is a mostly flat dusty course through scrub land with a handful of small berms and a man made bridge.

     The first race of any cyclocross season is always the most painful.  I started on the back row of the 60 man 35+ B field (combined start with the 45+ Bs) with the plan of just pacing the main pack, but a ton of openings got the better of my ego and I shot up through the field to about 25^th.  It’s not uncommon for me to go out way to hard and this was no different.  By lap 2 I was cooked, by 4 I was thinking about giving up as  I moved backwards.  Finally with 2 to go I finally started to get my wind back and formulated a plan where I could make a move without blowing up again.  I started picking off a few spent racers and caught back up to a former teammate, Brian Rodgers who I tried to give a pull to no avail.  So I decided to shoot for a strong sprint finish and put on a little show for my girlfriend (thanks for the pics Michelle) who was witnessing her first cyclocross race and was a big help.  I latched onto a mixed group of 3-4 riders and followed them around the backside of the course onto the finish straight where I launched a sprint to pick up a couple more spots for a 44^th out of 57 finishers.

     While cyclocross might not be as exhilarating as motorcycle racing it was great to see some old teammates, riding buddies and racers who are still competing.  It's cool to see some of them are even running at the front.  It also makes for great training both mentally and physically.

     It was also nice to finally properly represent for Tam Bikes in Mill Valley.  Over the years Quoc, Bryce and the rest of the crew have taken great care of my bike needs so it was cool to return the favor and see some of the other guys representing.
     Next up, Surf City Halloween race.....