Whirlybird and DCCX

Bicycle Races Are Coming Your Way

Whirlybird and DCCX- Get to zee Choppa!
10/26/2008
photo by Anthony Skorochod

This weekend presented a bit of a Lull in terms of Big ‘cross races to go to, so we decided to double up on smaller races. Whirlybird was on Saturday, and DCCX was on Sunday.

I didn’t really know what to expect with Whirlybird- All i knew from the bikereg site was that that the town the race is held in is the site of where the original whirlybird took off (didn’t any of you see the Pippy Longstocking movie??). That, and the race was on Bryn Athyn College’s campus, and there was no alcohol aloud- dry campus. Dry campus? at a cross race? what?! I was beside myself.

Turned out that you didn’t really need alcohol to have fun at this race. We got there and it was about 45 and rainy. FINALLY- perfect ‘cross conditions! The course looked like fun- we couldn’t see most of it, but noticed some off-cambers, and they had set up a “circle of death” just like at Wissahickon. we got there a bit late, and by the time we embrocated and got our numbers pinned on, there wasn’t much time for a warm up. so we just lined up and went for it.

Doing a ‘cross race without pre-riding it is alot like a rest-stop glory hole- You don’t know what’s on the the other side of the hole (shot)… This course was a roller coaster ride- lots of turns, off cambers, and wet stuff. Frankly, going through it at race pace without having scoped it out was a bit scary and fun at the same time- my bike went through a ton of abuse in the first lap- slamming my wheel into holes and roots that i hadn’t initially noticed…. For the record, my Campy Eurus wheels have been rock solid- these wheels have become great ‘cross wheels- They spin up really well, are light, and only go out of true if you crash and snap some spokes. highly recommended.

There has also been a good bit of friendly competition amongst the NYCXers. Kyle, Myself, Ethan, Jed, and Tony, are out to best one another in the world of barriers, mud and off cambers. I think crossresults.net has made if even more concrete as it keeps score. Colin Doesn’t count as he’s in bagger of sand category, and frankly, me beating him in a cross race is a hilarious prospect, even though he’s only done 5 (and won 2).

Going into lap 2, Colin was ahead, bagging sand or whatever it is you do when you’re at the front of a race (I wouldn’t know). He was followed by Jed, myself, Ethan, and Peepo. Ethan and I were battling it out in the first two laps. but Ethan has been trying out a new riding style called “falling down”- i don’t know if he read too many Chris Charmichael articles or something, but hey- whatever works for him. at one point he gets in front of me and decides its the perfect time to make out with the lawn. sorry dude! the “HaHa!” sound effect from the bully on the Simpsons. and now its time for karma to kick in!

As i approach this wet downhill switchback before the barriers, i slide out. i hear a loud CRUNCH.

did i break my arm? mmmm nope. i keep going- i shoulder the bike and go over the barriers- as i get ready to jump back on, i realized what had happened- another set of broken carbon bars!

Su-weet.

I feel like the folks at cadence would give me more shit about this if it didn’t mean i kept going over there and spending money. So far this season I’ve trashed two pairs of carbon bars, two sets of brakes, and one campy shifter… God, I’m like the ideal customer! every time I call cadence, Mark Purdy picks up and says “what did you break now?”

Taking a break from talking about myself for 2 minutes, Big props to Colin for ripping everyone’s legs off and winning the B race, and big ups to Jed for snagging 6th place. That sixth place finish was a big one for Jed, and he was so overwhelmed with joy that he tried to hug his bicycle:
photo by Anthony Skorochod

He’s a sweet kid.

The race promoters also had a small Helicopter brought it to do fly-by’s of the race while it was going on. the helicopter was maybe 10-15 feet above the racers- i’m sure it made a couple of people poop themselves. all i could think of was “Get to zee Choppa!”

As i had to race in DC the next day, I drove to cadence in Philly and had the bars replaced with some great Aluminum 3T bars- shallow drops, traditional bend. i really like them so far. If i snap these I’m going to use a solid steel pipe as my next handlebars.

After putting on my 3rd set of handlebars this season, I headed over to DC with Caroline and Union Steve. The venue for the race was a huge, beautiful Veteran’s Retirement property- There was a ton of space, and the organizers definitely made good use of it. The weather had done a complete 180 from the prior day at Whirlybird- sunny and 70 degrees. It was going to be another beautiful, dry, painful course

This had to be one of the longest cross courses i’d seen yet. At over 3.8 km, the laps were going to drag on. The race organizer did a pretty good job of mixing up the course- there was a good amount of variable elevation and terrain- long, slightly uphill stretches (My speciality!) tight, swoopy turns, short, rideable steep sections, 2 sets of barriers (one natural, one man made), and a few off-cambers. that being said, the course wasn’t too technical, and the barriers were the only parts of the course that required a dismount.

photo by John Cutler

As per usual, I was met with a crappy starting position at staging. something like 10 rows back. I’m really starting to resent call ups that are done by pre-reg order. Union Steve and I weren’t too Happy…

It was Great racing with Steve and Caroline this weekend- Both of them are going through their first season of ‘Cross and loving it. I love having cool, new people get in on the ‘cross scene, and its great to have more friends at the races with you, racing, ringing cowbells, drinking beer, wearing spandex, and pinning each other (sometimes all at once)

Much like every cross race, this race was just plain hard. I was riding the pain train from start to finish, trying to pick people off one by one. I somehow managed to get through the ENTIRE race without crashing once! I was so proud of myself! I had actually purchased an extra set of handlebars at Cadence just in case!

As i got to the last lap, i had a guy on my wheel- we approached the finish line together, and like a good bunch of cat 4’s , sprinted for 38th place. I think i took him at the line… take that, 39th place loser! ha.

while it’s lame to sprint for 40th in a cat 4 road race, it’s expected in a ‘cross race. people cheer and scream for you to do it. I guess it’s more in line with the idea that in cross you’re going all out the entire time, till the very end. If you’re pack fodder and there’s no chance you’ll win the race, you don’t stop trying. Everyone in that race is going as hard as they can, whether they can win it or not. I think there’s somethign to be said about that. Some might call it an exercise in futility, but then again, isn’t all bike racing?

I would also like to take this opportunity to let you all know that I have broken my Bacon fast. “How could this be?” you ask? Well, i justify it in the following ways

1) bacon is too delicious not to eat
2) like, really delicious
3) My finishing time in the “B” Race on sunday was faster than the winner of the “C” race. therefore, by proxy, I WIN!

In case you’re wondering, I broke the bacon fast with Bacon wrapped dates that were stuffed with Blue Cheese. I could tell you how delicous it was, but every time i think of bacon i get a Lardon.