I’m not ready.
My first ‘cross race is this weekend at the Rapha Super Wonder Amazing Cross in Gloucester. I’m pretty sure that’s the exact name of it, if you want to check me on it.
Joking aside it’s the current iteration of a race that’s been around for a while. I think I last raced there in…maybe 2008. Wow. The bike is still not race-ready, and I’m personally in even worse shape. I guess my fitness is OK, but I have done zero high intensity work recently and no ‘cross specific skills since 2012. Definitely a recipe for success if ever there was one.
Work has been downright nuts, and we’re launching a huge project that has been years in the making. I expect it to be total bedlam for the next couple weeks so racing will not be in the cards. I’ll be riding as much as I can for sanity’s sake and building up my volume again for this last push.
Realistically I’ll be starting in the back, and it’s training if nothing else. Training on a grand stage, in a huge race where people are really out for blood and gunning for a result. My goal is to finish on the lead lap and stay upright- that’s it. From there it’ll be some skill work, training and whatnot to get ready for another round of ‘cross later this fall.
My next target is the Circumburke. Last year was a bit of a dick show and I was too mad to really write about it, but I realize I have an axe to grind with that race and want to do it again. I know what I’m in for- and I know how long I’ll be out there. It’s a little more of an adventure, and even though I’m only planning on doing one 25 mile lap I know it’s going to be tough. The course has one big climb early but there are really no recovery sections- it’s all on, all day, with not even fire roads to catch your breath. The track is pretty soft- downright soggy in spots, and last year it was in the low 40′s with light hail.
So after Circumburke I’ll be digging into ‘cross for a few races. Not all serious like, but just to avoid getting too fat in November.