First MAC Weekend

This past weekend was the first weekend of back to back Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross Series events. It was also my first weekend racing in the Elite Men's category.

Saturday was Nittany Lion Cross which was a UCI level race. This would be my first true "International" Elite race. I went to bad pretty early the night before which is not easy to do in a college dorm. My mom came to pick me up at 9:00 on Saturday morning to drive me out to the race. Once at the venue I signed in and started to try and get ready. As I'm rolling around the course I'm seeing riders that I idolized all over the place, and today I'm racing against them. I was definitely feeling a bit nervous as I tried to get warmed up and get a feel for the course. I was not feeling overly confident with the course though. Either way it was game time.

I make my way to the start and take my place in the back. My hands were shaking, my heart was thumping, this was for real. The whistle blows and off we go. I had a solid start quickly moving my way up. After the scrum of the start I found myself sitting on Bobby Lea's wheel. I'm sitting on the wheel of a 2008 Olympian. I think I was a bit starstruck. I tried to settle into an even pace and was doing pretty well, sitting in and around the top 20. However things took a turn for the worse on the third lap. I dove into a corner perhaps a bit too fast and went down hard. I pop up and my bike would not move; I had rolled my tubular tire. Great, so I begin a nice long run to the pits that were at least half a mile away.

I swap bikes and find I have a new problem, my tire pressure on the spare was way too low. I had around 10 pounds in the front tire. Basically my race was over. Very disappointing. After the race my mom drove me back home and I would get to sleep in my nice big comfy bed. (School bed is a bit smaller, and not quite as comfy) Tomorrow would be a new day.

Sunday was Charm City Cross, which was not a UCI event and some of the real big guns did not show up to race. Never the less the field was still very talented. After arriving to the race I learn my teammates from Cape Atlantic Racing/Team Beacon had a great day of racing including a win in the Masters 3/4 race by Mike Lynch.

My first pre-ride lap went well, I really was feeling the course. The conditions were dry, dusty, and hot. Just like the year before at Charm City. I did not warm up for my race today nearly as much as the day before which I think really helped. I was also a lot more relaxed at the start than the day before. The start was very fast but I was able to stay calm and just settle into my rhythm. I knew it was a long race and I would need to be conservative. I worked hard and began to pick riders off one-by-one. I was riding strong up until 3 laps to go. At this point I began to crack a little and had to let off the gas some. However I was still saving some for the last lap which I knew could be a difference maker. During my "bad lap" I was passed a another U23 rider from Haymarket Cycles. He jumped on the opportunity and got a gap on me. The bell lap finally came and as we hit the dirt the U23 rider flatted. I put in a huge effort to make catch back up to him and try and put some time in knowing that after he pitted he would be chasing hard. That effort brought me within around 20-25 seconds of Matt Kraus from RGM/Richard Sachs Bicycles. I had my last lap reserve left and so I put in down. Heading into the natural barrier section Kraus still had around 10 seconds on me. I floored it up the hill and into the barrier, my dismount was quick as was my remount. I had closed the gap down to around 20 yards. We hit the next set of barriers and again I make quick work of it. However this time coming out of the barriers I ended up on his wheel. Into the narrow 90 degree right turn at the bottom of the hill at 200 meters to go, Kraus pinched in the corner and jumped me out of it. I knew what he was doing and was able to respond. I came around the last corner at 100 meters to go and punched it through the outside. I won the sprint for 10th place. I was stoked!

All in all it was an awesome weekend of racing. Major Props go out to my teammates from Cape Atlantic Racing/Team Beacon for their efforts this weekend and for cheering me on. My coach Wade Hess from Hightidetrainingsystems.com for all his help and advice this weekend. Last but not least my Mom who drove me all over the place on Saturday and was with me all day Sunday at the race and also my Dad who drove me back up to school last night at 10:30. I really appreciate all the support I had this weekend.

Peace and Love,
Patrick