Cross the Harpeth was next on the agenda after a tough day of racing in Hopkinsville the previous day. I have always liked the course at Harpeth. It just seems to suit me well with the short, punchy climbing and the technical aspects. This was the weekend just before Halloween so I was expecting some costumes to come out. While I didn't have a full costume ready (no Uncle Sam suit yet), I did find a Captain Crunch hat Shannon had made last year for a coworker and decided to have some fun with that. This hat is multifunctional. Turn it sideways and you feel like you're wearing an old patriot hat. You just need an American flag.
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| 'Merica! |
We had a beautiful day for Cross the Harpeth. The sky was clear and blue all day. It was a bit chilly in the morning, but in the low-70s for most of the day. This kind of weather is why I love fall in Tennessee so much. I got down there early to watch all the races and really make a full day of cross racing. I heckled and took photos for the early races which are posted below.
Cat. 3/4 Men
Captain Crunch shadow
Cat. 4/5 Men
This chicken was one of a couple of costumes on course today.
I took laps on both bikes today. Everybody told me the mountain bike was way too slow, but I felt it was faster the day before. After my pre-ride laps, I came to the same conclusion as yesterday. The mountain bike was super fast in the technical sections and I felt more powerful on the long stretches. The only disadvantage was carrying it up the narrow concrete stairs as it is heavy and awkward to hold. The frame shape offers few handholds and the 29er size is very long, making it almost too long to fit up those stairs in a running position. Even with all the reasons to justify taking the mountain bike, everyone still said it was a dumb decision, including my teammates. Only one way to find out.
Today's race was again a Pro/1/2/3 category and it was much bigger than the day before. This time we had 13 starters. I had to start on the second row and was stuck in the middle of the pack after the first couple of corners. The course was pretty much the same as every year where we have raced in a counter-clockwise direction around this high school. It featured long drags across the front of the school, several short climbs, the stairs and barriers. This year we had two sets of barriers. The usual tall set by the back door to the school just before the stairs, and a second set at the top of the longest climb on the course. This area is off-camber so it made the barriers very tricky to negotiate. I had tried to ride them, but felt off-balance and ended up just running them in the race as it was too big of a risk to ride them. I could, however, hop the tall set which meant one less dismount per lap.
Pro/1/2/3 start
The start was super fast and I just did my best to hang in the front group. Hart Robinson got to the front by the time we got around to the first set of barriers. He had a small gap already when we reached the stairs for the first time. There were nine of us in a line going up the stairs in pursuit of Robinson. I was in 8th at that time.
On the stairs for the first time
Hart Robinson with the lead on lap 1
The chasing group
I was actually quite comfortable the rest of lap 1, just kind of rolling in the line of riders, swapping positions between 7th and 8th. Gaps started to open in the long, power section starting lap 2 and I began to move up. I was in 5th after the next lap and riding right behind 3rd and 4th. It took me about two laps to pass and drop both of those riders. I had about 15 seconds to close down to get to the next rider in 2nd. It took me just one lap to get there and straight by I went. I was now in 2nd at the 30-minute mark. The leader was long gone, not even in sight anymore.
David Rush on the second set of barriers
These MOAB barriers were set on an awkward slope and came at the top of the longest climb when you were gassed.
Caught up to Rush
Caught 2nd place now
Alone in 2nd now
Dustin Weida
John Carr
On the next lap after halfway, I caught a glimpse of the leader. He was riding behind a teammate who was way off the back and about to be lapped. I was feeling great and riding hard so it was motivating to see him up ahead for the first time since I got to 2nd. Rick Harmon was watching the race and told me I was gaining on the leader. He gave me a time check of 40 seconds as we saw the cards come out with 4 laps to go. After another lap, Rick said the gap was just over 30 seconds now. All of a sudden, this felt like a possibility. Could I catch him? Robinson continued to ride around with his teammate. Every time I could see them the teammate was pulling Robinson along. Was he tired? Were they working together?
Pushing hard in pursuit of the leader
Thanks to whoever sent me this picture. Sorry, I can't remember where it came from (Tammy Richardson?)
At two laps to go, the gap was 20 seconds. I could see them on the long straights now, still riding together. Every glimpse I got Robinson was behind. I buried myself those last two laps. The effort dropped the gap to 12 seconds with one lap to go. Now Robinson passed his teammate to try to hold onto that gap. He picked up the pace. I kept chasing and had to pass his teammate during the second half of that last lap. I couldn't close the gap before the line and ended up coming in about 10 seconds back. We finished a full five minutes early after just 55 minutes of racing, which should have been one more lap in the race. I can't help but wonder what would have happened in one more lap as I still had some gas in the tank. Or what might have happened had Robinson not been with his teammate for over half of the race. I guess we will never know. But one thing is for sure: I chose the right bike! The mountain bike was a rocket ship on the main descent and in the "death spiral" feature this course always has. I could pedal where others had to coast. Blowing by people probably didn't look so dumb.
Hart Robinson and his teammate on the last lap
I closed a huge gap, but came up a little short of the win today.
Finishing up the Pro/1/2/3 race
I had to go change bikes quickly as the Singlespeed race was next. My big gear is always challenging here, but I usually hold my own in this race. We started just a few seconds ahead of the Junior group who looked to be foaming at the mouth in anticipation on the start line. They exploded off the line and were on top of us after just a few corners. I ended up settling into 2nd in Singlespeed behind Dustin Weida, yesterday's SS winner. He gapped me a little before the stairs, then smoked me up the main climb as my gear was just too big. I chased him the next lap, but wasn't making much inroads. My race turned into trying to make it up the main climb. Finally, on the fourth and final lap, I cleaned the hill. Success! I finished 2nd in the race, giving me a pair of silvers for the day.
Singlespeed start
Weida out front
I chased hard, but couldn't make up the time I was losing on the climbs.
Keyton Rush enjoying himself during the Junior race
Cool shot of Zach Lowe in the most technical corner on the course. He went on to win the Junior race.
Cat. 4/5 Women were also racing with SS and Juniors. This is Marsha Williams on her way to the win in that class.
Battling with one of the Juniors after the climb.
Thanks go out to my Mom for all the photos from the Pro/1/2/3 and SS/Juniors/Women 4/5 races. I was pretty excited after this race weekend as we had our MOAB team race coming up the next weekend. Cross season is on for sure! More on that weekend of racing in the next post!
Our Halloween jack-o-lantern for this year was Jack Skellington.
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