Iron Cross V

Perfect weather and the course conditions were awesome. What a great day. This was my third time racing here and far and away the best set of conditions.

After almost missing the start of my last CX race I wasn't going to manage to do that for this one. The group that organizes and puts on this event do a super job. They really want to make it a great event. We asked if the women could have a separate start with a good time gap off from the men's fields. Done deal. It was great. Made the opening trip around the CX course the most fun it has ever been. Left that section of the course in the front trio. Stayed there for most of the lower section of the long climb before my traditional slide back into the field got started.

Mixed it up with the TriPower gals, Liz and Carol as well as one of the YBR riders off and on. Separated a bit and then rejoined Carol after WigWam (powerline hike). On the fly down the fast road Carol wisely stopped to check out what she thought was the turn. Um...it was. I was down the road a mile in a hurry only to have to climb back up. My fault as the course was really marked the best it ever has been. Had to get my head 'settled' after that 'tactical' error.

Powered up the seemingly endless climb after CP3 and very thankful I'd swapped out my drivetrain for some lower gears. Paula had a dark patch of riding in here and walked a bit. After the nastiest of the gravel 'road' descents it was blast by CP4 and into the singletrack again. Pushed on to try to make up more lost time in here. Ended up riding with a group, cleaning most all the track in this section. One more short hike and it was upward toward the gravel road that would soon hit the fast pavement.

Frustrated that I was here with all these riders rather than slightly up ahead (due to my course extension) I was determined to make a break for it. One by one each rider started to get off and walk. One rider remained ahead of me. She was slowing on this singletrack hill. I encouraged her to stick with it (as well as wanting to let her know I was right on her wheel). She dabbed just a few seconds later. I veered left to avoid her, over a small log, and back on up the rest of this track. Onto the gravel. It was time to motor with what was left.


Soon it was the turn onto pavement and a super downhill run. 40+ mph a left at the T-intersection. This left two large rollers and one small between me and the finishing circuit of the CX course.

As I blasted up the drive into the Y, Josh from DC was there, having finished just a few minutes earlier. It was almost too much fun to go through the 'death spiral' one final time to get to the finishing set of barriers. As I came off the bike to run them my legs cramped and I almost ended up ON the barriers rather than going over them. A quick turn of the legs and it was over the barriers and the finish line. What a great way to spend a day.

It was super, I took huge amounts of time off my last race there and slotted in tenth for the day. Paula came in just a few more minutes. Jason....well, he was hurting a bit and rolled in a bit later. Danielle had super race as well. The terrain is great, scenery beautiful and the folks at the event are superb.

Excellent fall day, lots of fun and a very well run and supported event. It's a ride/race you need to put on your calendar for next year.