The Good: I had to travel to Washington, D C for work so I decided to tote my CX bike with me to compete against some East Coast peeps at the annual DC CX race. The weather was sunny and in the mid 60s at an event that was sponsored by Dogfish Head Brewery (yummy!). I had no problems rebuilding my bike after I had boxed it for the trip. Everything was set...
The Bad: I had signed-up for the Masters Cat. 1/2/3 race, a week before, thinking that they would release the 1s, 2s, and 3s with broken intervals. Upon looking further at the event website the day before I realized that I had signed-up for a race that included anyone who normally raced in Masters Categories 1, 2, or 3 with no interval starts, ITS OPEN SEASON, brah! Once at registration I tried to sign-up for the Cat. 3/4 race but it was full (they have limits). I knew I was in trouble during line-ups when everyone's bike was way nicer then mine, there were lots of skin suits, fancy shoes/sunglasses and there were only 50 riders. Uh oh!!
The Ugly: I knew I was in deeper trouble when the starter blew his whistle and I was at the back within the first sprint section. I mean I did start in the back row already... I was in way over my head. My goal was not to get lapped. By lap four I had to pick a new goal as the top 5-6 riders flew past me like I was on a unicycle. Alas I found my target another guy who was in over his head but within my sights. By lap 5 I tracked him down and passed him ensuring that I did not DFL...lapped but not destroyed I basked in the post-race sun and enjoyed a few Dogfish brews very content that I got 5 laps in. Plus, I was looking forward to coming back home and re-uniting with my fellow Mongers and racing in Mster Cs again.
In the end I apparently raced in the Masters A race (DOH!) but I kept my kit clean. I just need to learn about other region's racing categories.
Yeah, BMCC representing on the east coast! Nice work TC. Now you're gonna get called a sandbagger when folks see you cat-ing back down to Master's C's after racing right-coast A's. Ha! Can't wait to have you back with the rest of the crew this weekend. Looking forward to good times in central OR.
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