Nutcase Intercontinental Single Speed Cross Championships of the Universe
The cycling event of the season that was not to be missed, but you missed it.
Fletchers Farm was the most hated cyclocross venue on Vancouver Island, so it was completely reinvented for this year, as a single speed race.
There were two races, beginner/intermediate were allowed to use gears, the expert race was single speed. Men and women together.
We started braveheart style in a wide line. On the gun, we sprinted 750m to our front wheels, grabbed (hopefully) our front wheel and continued another 250m meters to our bikes, installed the wheel and started riding. Immediately into the first set of 10 barriers, yes 10. The course was a lot easier than in previous years, which was good since we only had one gear. I chose 36-19 which seemed like a good choice.
The terrain was quite varied, a cow pasture, through a barn, around some trees, back into the cow pastures. Two fire pits that had to be jumped. Into a corn field, back into the trees for some muddy single track, back into the corn field and the cow pasture and the 10 evil barriers.
I did well in the run, but took too long getting my wheel on. On the first two laps I was in a group of about 4 or 5, but quickly pulled away from them, but I never could open up too much ground. Every straightaway I could see them, never more than 50m back. Over the next few laps, I picked off one or two more. With two laps to go, I could see single speed world champ Drew coming for me. I knew if he lapped me, then this was to be my last lap. I gave it everything to stay ahead of him, but it was no use, I got lapped on the last 500m of the lap, so I finished one lap down in 11 place.
There was tons of swag at this race. I won a Nutcase Helmet for finishing 11th (1st, 4th and 11th got prizes) Katie also won a Nutcase Helmet for best costume as a figure skater. I won a seat bag as I was dressed as pro cyclocrosser Wendy Simms and my bike was dressed as her Kona Queen Ann. Everybody had to bring a prize to enter the race, so everybody got a prize. I also got a set of cross brake levers and Katie got sun glasses. Somebody went home happy with our stem and cowbell.
This was the funnest, wackiest race I've ever done. Mark it on your calendar for next year.
GPS stats:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/17648271
