Yesterday marked one full week with the Star Chart. How'd I do? Place your bets now. No scrolling down and cheating!! Let's do some analysis, shall we??
On first glance, not bad!!
It was a perfect 7-star week for "water the plants" and "help with the dishes" (didn't expect that on the latter). Good thing "put the laundry away" isn't on here......yet!
Looks like I hit 6/7 stars for "drink enough water". I was super busy on Thurs and definitely didn't drink enough at work.
I slept really well 5/7 nights - and by that I mean 7+ hours of sleep (trying for 8). I felt great this week because of the sheer increase in sleep over multiple days.
I also had 5/7 stars for "do your PT exercises. This would have been 4, except that I got out of bed Sunday night and did them, all of them, just to get another star on the board. See, this silly thing works!
Eat your veggies was surprisingly the hardest one, at only 4/7 stars. It's really hard to eat enough veggies. Think about it, do you? Not fruit......would be easy if you counted fruit. Nope, veggies. I am trying to add them in to breakfast or at least mid-morning snack. It's weird though, guys! I'm trying.
So, I ended the week with a total of 34/42 stars. That's an 81% achievement level. What's that in school kid grades, a B-?
It's not terrible! But I think I have some easy ones in there that will come off so I can put more relevant things on. Anyway this continues to amuse me and motivate me in a weird way so I will continue to put up my velcro stars until I get bored with it.
I've been having trouble sleeping. That's not quite true, I have no problem sleeping. I love sleep. Sleep is wonderful. I want to sleep all the time. All I want to do once I get home, get done rushing around with dinner (because I get home around 5 and Jim goes to bed by 7, it's a frenzy), is lie on the couch with a blanket & invite Kona to come curl up on my feet and snooze with me. Problem is, I fall asleep on the comfy couch & don't wake up until late. Then I drag myself to bed for some broken sleep. Maybe 5-6.5 hrs. Put a few of those in a row with early and/or late workouts, and I am nodding off during the day or at least aware of a constant nagging eyelid twitch.
So I can sleep just fine if I get myself in bed. How do I get myself to go to bed on time? I have no supervision as Jim is asleep and the puppy is an enabler to my bad habits. Sometimes she even goes up the stairs and puts herself to bed! The jerk.
I was thinking about buying some foil star stickers. You know, the ones you used to get on your homework? You don't know if you're younger than me I suppose. "Back in my day, we used to write on PAPER with PENS! We didn't have these newfangled lap top computers!" This weekend I decided I was going to make myself a star chart and pick up some foil star stickers. I jumped on Amazon prime after deciding there was no way I was going on a physical hunt in stores for these suckers. So, "star chart" was what I ended up searching for. But guys, this didn't just return hits on star stickers. Oh no, I found all sorts of crazy things. This included the magnetic "I can do it" Star Chart for kids.
Oh yes, "buy it now"!
What really had me sold was the picture that read "go to bed and stay in bed". Yup, that's what I need!! I take that to mean "don't fall asleep on the couch, go to bed and get 8 hrs of sleep!"
The star chart came in the mail today! I set to work sticking velcro sticky tabs on the back of the goal photos, and made a few write ins. I may switch em up but here's my first pass. Full stars for Monday!!!
Seriously! Water the plants, help with the dishes......eventually I'm going to have to make one that says "put the clean laundry on the guest bed away - that is not a permanent storage location".
What is my goal? 42 stars! Obv. Why should you not be striving for at least 100 %?? Why is this even a write-in?
What is my reward? Let's zoom in on that one:
Seriously, you don't get a reward for doing what you're supposed to.
Side note, there were kids double dipping in some apps at a party I was at on Saturday, and I seriously considered marketing the Wasabi peas to them as a new flavour M&M. I didn't but I was *this close* to trying it with the next brazen little crumbsnatcher. Kids gotta learn.
So there's the star chart, which is brilliant. You can copy my idea and manage your life, search "I can do it star chart" on Amazon. Less than 20 bucks and you can be in control of your life. You're welcome.
On to food. What did I make tonight??
Leftovers bowl! Nomnom cumin/garlic flank steak over some veggie pasta (I rarely have pasta but totally craving it!), cilantro/garlic/lime juice/sea salt/olive oil, red bell pepper, grape tomatoes, baby spinach, feta crumbles, pistacios (to add a bit of crunch).
I made a quick salsa for tomorrow night with tomatoes, vidalia onion, garlic, 2 chipotle peppers in a drizzle of adobo, fresh squeezed lime juice, sea salt and cilantro from my garden. Buzz buzz done!
Then I went on to experiment with Tulsi, because I have 6 plants growing outside and have decided this is my new favorite thing. Was going to make a hot tea then shut the water off. Decided to make a cool water infusion instead. The first one is holy basil (tulsi) - gotta get some of the flower spikes too. Usually i rip these off as the plant puts energy into the flowers instead of the leaves, but they are pretty special in the tea/infused water.
The next was a combo chocolate mint & orange mint. So I'm expecting chocolate orange goodness. Mmm. The chocolate mint is my next favorite thing. I love to go graze on my planter boxes.
That's about it. I am posting this and headed to bed by 9 so I can get up at stupid-o-clock and do my workout at the beach. More importantly, I'm gonna earn my "go to bed and stay in bed" star. See ya!
Here's a thing I started as a draft and didn't post in 2018. I'm going to stop thinking so much and just post anecdotes even if they're not finished.
Hello, internet! Hello, 2019!
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Set the stage - it's approximately 4:30 pm on a weekday in the summer. I'm leaving the locker room at work & headed out the side door to grab my bike from the rack to commute home. I'm wearing a particularly bright Vanderkitten shave ice kit. It's fluorescent yellow, pink & blue. I like being seen in traffic, and between this and an obnoxious random pattern blinky light, they get the job done.
Usually I get out the back door unnoticed. But not today. I've been spotted. It's kinda hard not to get a comment when you're wearing fluorescent rainbow spandex. At that point, you just have to own it. You are now a Zebra that has been spotted on safari by a jeep full of tourists.
Coworker: "Wowwww, you look so professional!"
Me: "Wait, what?"
Coworker: "Your outfit. You look like a professional."
Me: "Ummmm, I think you mean I look good, or maybe matchy?"
Coworker: "Can I take a picture with you?"
Me: "Yeah!" :::poses w/ coworker, throws peace sign and a big smile::: hops on bike to commute home.
I occasionally dazzle the non-cycling layperson whenever they see me or hear about my accomplishments. Accomplishments that I am extremely proud of, not to belittle anything here, but in very amateur level fields. Please don't call me a professional cyclist, that's just embarrassing for everyone involved.
On the other end of the spectrum, this conversation also took place:
Coworker: "Hey nice cat outfit!"
Me: "Uh...." get that elitist thought out of your brain. they were trying to be nice and have literally no idea what a cycling kit is. don't_you_dare....
Coworker: "You know - that cat shirt you were wearing the other day when you went biking, it was really bright!"
Me: "Thanks!"
now wave and smile! :::waves & smiles::: there, was that so hard? :::virtual face palm in my mind::: you did the right thing, good job.
I started thinking, I obviously don't have life sponsors, but if an advertisement for my life was subtitled, it would go something like this:
Jen's life 2018, made possible in part by:
Coffee Craving
Polar Seltzer
Run Fast Eat Slow / Run Fast Cook Fast Eat Slow (Cookbooks)
Robin Farina's Mad Coaching Skills (Actual Pro Cyclist)
Gordo's Fish Tacos (w/ jalapenos & a side of guac)
Colonial Bicycle Company
Susanne Delaney - Personal Advisor & Doppleganger
Tim Young - Amazon Personal Shopper
NH's 18 Miles of Scenic Coastline along Route 1A
NECX
Safety Pins
Lobster Rolls
Maple Syrup
Puppies
Alpaca Wool Socks
Clever Off-The-Cuff Puns
Hare Brained Schemes
Daydreams
Adventures
Naps on the Deck
Peanut Butter Sauce
The Internet
So my hands were cold in the last 1.5 hr meeting I was in. I had been sitting on them intermittently. I looked down in the last 10 mins or so and noticed my left hand looked BLUE. Like, dead grey blue. My first thought was “am I hypoxic/dying?! Should I go to the ER?” The contractors are still talking and trying to get us to agree on a turn around time for comments. I furiously rubbed my hands together trying to get the color to change. Nothing. I felt fine, but went into the restroom to run my hands under warm water and see if I could bring my zombie hand back to life. As I scrubbed them under the water with soap, white suds suddenly transformed into a bright blue foam that dripped into the sink. I laugh as I realize then that I was sitting on my hands AND I’m wearing brand new dark jeans. Yeah. True story from my life.
If I could title my drive home, it would be called "The off ramp is never an acceptable place to pull over".
Subtitle "Unless it's a true matter of life or death".
Sub-subtitle "You can go literally 100 feet further to look at google maps since you clearly missed your turn".
Sub-sub-subtitle "Seriously. There is nothing you can do at this point, dude. You gonna reverse back onto the highway?"
They're in my duffel bag, my kitbrix, on top of my dresser, wedged in between the seats of my car, the cupholders and floormats, in my washing machine, and shaken out of the clothes in the dryer....shiny little reminders of my 2016 cx season abound.
I need to gather these rogue fasteners together in one place - round them up and put them in a film container, Advil bottle or some such. Seal them up and keep them, the hundreds of little functional mementos that they are.
For our CXNats race, Sara Katz and I pinned each other with a combined 40 safety pins (2 back & 2 arm numbers each, 6 pins per back number, 4 per arm number). That was no joke, I don't think we would have been able to handle that much pinning day-of. Good thing we hit up the pre-reg!
You know, at the end of last year I said to myself, "self", I said..."you will be better at writing up reviews of your CX races next year as they happen. You will blog them real time so you can enjoy them later." Yet here we are, my season is done, including nationals, and I can only dig up one full-on timely review that I wrote up of my first of 16 cx races of 2016.
Buckle up, I'm about to ramble about bikes A LOT.
First off, lets start with CX camp. I went to the Cycle-Smart Cyclocross camp in August, out in Western MA (my homeland). There were many reasons I decided to go to camp - to shake off the cobwebs, because everyone I spoke to gave it great reviews, to sharpen my skills...but I can trace it all back to the #1 reason why I decided to sign up, the seed that was planted in my head in October of 2015 which got me thinking about it. As a super-newbie to the sport in Oct 2015, only a handful of races under my belt (single digits) and not knowing who anyone "was" in this sport, I watched Adam Myerson tear up the Orchard Cross pump track with a flippin' jack-o-lantern on his head. When I found out this was the dude who ran the organization that put on the CX camp, I thought to myself "yup, I want to learn CX skills from that guy". Done deal, take my money.
Day 1 of camp was fantastic. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts to stay hydrated / balance electrolytes, I did not fare well in prolonged direct exposure to sunlight. I remember sitting down on the air mattress in our Airbnb apartment after practice, feeling so seasick and wanting to curl up in a ball and die. I didn't feel well the next AM, couldn't make myself eat, and had to face the reality that day 2 was not going to happen for me. I hope to revisit the camp in 2017, we'll see if it works out. I recommend you go if you're thinking about it - you will get so much out of the experience at any level.
Beginning of the day - feeling good!
Also here's a pic of most of the core-team that put together the practice course at the Rye Airfield! Good times:
Aaaand on to the race-reviews!
Silk City CX:
First of all, right before the race I realized my brake rotor was rubbing and my rear wheel was not spinning freely. I tried to mess with it but was unsuccessful and had NO time left. I had not pre-ridden the course either, a first for me. Those two things were in my head before I was even on the line.
I underestimated this race. I was thinking of it as "a cute little CT race that no one would be at". Kind of imagined a Sucker Brook with some extra woodsy stuff. Starting this season a bit overconfident, I guess.
In all actuality, this was a technical dustbowl of a course with some steep grassy hills (one with a manhole cover on it!) and off cambers, and 7-8 times per lap that I was forced off my bike, including barriers, uphill stairs and two steep unpleasantly deep soft silty run ups where I was scrambling for dear life to grab whatever bit of root or branch I could to get myself up the last almost stair-like part of the climb. I felt the powdery mess sink into my shoes and socks and was instantly seething over the dirt in my toes. I felt it mingle with sweat and turn into a "fine grit" slime. Slimy, yet abrasive. Seriously invasive stuff. It was a little dusty through the woods on the first lap, and hard to see. The next few laps were just my own dust as my field was so strung out, and therefore not as bad. I had fun riding things in the woods that I skipped on lap 1 due to too many people running, and having a mini heart attack over not knowing what was coming up.
The oppressive 91 degree direct sun was my biggest and most formidable enemy in this race. Anyone who knows me knows that I whine and complain about the heat, but seriously, I have crappy genetics that don't do me any favors in regulating my heat in that kind of humid hellish weather. So from the start, I didn't want to race, but didn't want to be a DNS. So, I came to terms with getting on the start line and racing until I finished, or til they pulled me off the course dead. Luckily I finished, purple-faced and seeing spots, brain feeling like it was sealed inside a skull-shaped pressure cooker. Felt like I was going to throw up my maple syrup on the last steep climb, as I was yelling "AM I DONE?!" to the officials. Yep, done they said. Scrub speed, get off the course. Find shade, cool down, keel over in grass greedily drinking the last few sips out of my friend Sarah's boiling hot water bottle like it was the best thing on earth...and then remembering that this is exactly why I love the sport, if that makes any sense. I think my face was purple. Sarah must have been questioning if I was going to die, or why exactly I convinced her this was fun. But she is still talking to me, so that's good.
Huge kudos to Sarah for getting out on the line for her first race, playing off the motivation of another cx newbie to finish a full lap of the course in the hellish heat. I will not steal her story though (I need to find it so I can link!). You just can't describe this sport until you jump in and get on the line for yourself.
This race seemed log-scale tougher than last year's first race at Sucker Brook.
Result: 17/24 in Women's 3/4, with Pro 1/2/3 lapping us.
Check this one off the list, and let's bring the cooler weather, eh September?
Sucker Brook 'Cross:
I went to pre-ride this one the night before with Kathy. It seemed very similar to the previous year, so I wasn't too worried. This was my first race of the season / ever-of-life last year with Sara Katz, so it has a special place in my heart. Thank you for my addiction, Sucker Brook! I also love this race because it is close, only a 30 min drive. It is close to Mexican food too, not that I think about those things....
What do I remember about this day, back in September? Being SLOPPY! I remembered being better than this at the end of last year. However, I failed to remember what I felt like at the BEGINNING of last year. You can be in good shape, but not be in good "race" shape. The way to get into race shape is to race yourself into shape, and to remember what suffering really is. Lesson learned / remembered.
I pre-rode smarter and portioned my energy out smarter than last year on this same course. The pictures below give the highlights of what I remember from 2016's edition:
I am trying SO HARD, but this kid can't be bothered to look up. He is probs catching Pokemon. Hope I didn't ride over his Jigglypuff. j/k I hope I did.
That is my butt going by. The woman to my right is not interested.
So hard guys, so hard....this sport....I remember it all now. Piloting my little 2-wheeled fighter jet...
Did this bike get heavier? I think it did. Either that or the barriers got taller. Probably both.
Super awkward remount shot.
PASS on the outside line! Hey, this race had it's good moments.
Put this in the book for most stellar moment of the race. I snuck in SO uncomfortably close to the edge here, dismounted, and muscled my way past this girl, as my friends were there cheering me on & yelling to take her out. Ok, that last part was just Gary.
Result: 30/44, Women's Cat 3/4
Restroom review: there are REAL RESTROOMS inside the school, along with running water. There are SHOWERS IN THE GYM. You can use them. I did this year and I was a happy camper! Bring soap, flip flops, a towel, shampoo & a comb.
Food review: Stop at Gordos off of exit 5 (off 101) on the way home for some excellent fast Mexican cuisine (also great post FOMBA mtn biking). My recommendation? Try the Gordos plate with shrimp & pinto beans (they're cooked w/ bacon). Add guac. Get the fish tacos if they're on special. Hey, get the poutine too. Nobody's judging.
Otherwise, plan on bringing a cooler and some PB&Js because there ain't no taco truck at this race!
Midnight Ride of Cyclocross:
I had been to this venue before - but not for Midnight Ride. The Lancaster Fairgrounds are also the venue for Minuteman CX.
I was familiar with the main aspects of the course (sand, woodchips, etc), which helped. Sara, Nate and I also signed up for the pre-race clinic with Mo Bruno Roy. It was so immensely helpful to talk about tactics right before the race. I absolutely crushed as much as I am capable of crushing, with my best race result to date.
Photo ops!!! Mo asked if we had any more questions, and the only thing I could think to ask was "where can I get a decent cup of coffee around here?!" Answer - the Bolton Bean (I ended up not having time to stop. Next time, though).
Check out my lap 1 gopro footage here!
Result: 17/35, Women's Cat 4
Restroom review: Port-a-potties! Bring your hand sanitizer to this one! However, you can use the restroom at Bolton Orchards, on the left about a mile or two before the venue. If you go to the Subway just past the 495 ramp, be aware that there is no restroom inside - just directions to visit the port-a-potty behind the building. I was foiled there before, and I will be again, I'm sure.
Food review: BOLTON ORCHARDS. Stop here before/during/after - whatever you need to do to make this happen. There are so many delicious things - apple treats, pies, a bakery w/ all sorts of Italian cookies you can mix & match, birch sap, fresh pressed apple cider shots out of the wall for 5 cents a piece. This place has a veritable grocery store inside, and an ice_cream _stand (which may or may not be open). Like I mentioned above - come here before & after to use the restrooms - located around the back & you don't need a key! For coffee, stop at the Bolton Bean (I haven't yet but it's on my list).
I absolutely need to give props to the Sheherazad food truck here that fed us AFTER they had closed down. Having gone off as the second to last race, I didn't have an appetite until it was too late. Sara and I went to the side door like asking "do you still have food??" They asked us "are you really hungry?" to which I replied "yes!!!!" They gave us food, they tried to give it to us for free, but we insisted on paying them. They saved me from a late night Subway stop, or perhaps a gas station finding. I love them. Give them your business.
One more fun anecdote - don't ride to Bolton Orchards as a warm-up ride, unless you have some sort of deathwish. That is not a nice road. Ride out back behind the parking lots, on the fields. Good stuff back there.
KMC Cross Festival, Days 2 & 3 (Day 1 was Friday - the Madison etc. which I didn't do)
This'un was at the Thompson Motor Speedway in Thompson, CT. It was the first time at the new venue, after moving from Providence. I have never raced the venue in Providence so I can't make any comparisons between the two. The course wound around the speedway, and the start grid allowed for occasional views of race cars. Pretty unique here given that most cross races are held in parks.
Sara and I met very early Saturday at the Irving in Epping. Fresh off a long shift, I am not sure how she managed to drive at all, but she did a great job mindlessly following my tail lights down the highway in the dark, pouring rain through three states. One thing I will never forget about this venue - when you get close, there is no gas station / convenience store close by. Part of my routine is to stop at a gas station nearby the race venue (within 20 mins usually), change into kit / use real restroom & running water, and buy a gallon of water on the way out. We were unable to do that before entering this venue. I need to plan a better stop for next year! It was like crisis mode by the time we finally did find a rest room in the venue.
Upon entering the speedway, I was able to put my newfound skills from the pre-race clinic w/ Mo Bruno Roy @ Midnight Ride to good use. Not only did we talk about tactics, we were given advice on how to navigate venues and speak with authority to get to where you really want to go / best parking spaces. Needless to say, it worked and I found myself over the bridge and in a no-man's land of pavement where our team tent was set-up. Great. Excellent. Did I mention we were both desperate to pee? We ultimately ended up going back over the bridge to ditch our cars, but it was fun to see that if I spoke with enough authority I could get someone to let me through.
This was my first "back-to-back weekend" race experience, and my first really muddy race experience. Last year's weather was quite mild. I was thrilled to race in the mud and get my bike dirty. The technical aspect is something I enjoy most about racing. However, mud adds a level of complexity that makes it quite hard when you are far from home. I pre-rode in my brand new civilian muck-boots, but found it extremely nerve wracking as they were slick on the sole & had zero traction. They kept my feet dry but were fumbly on the bike, tough going on technical spots on the course & the flyovers. I went to grab a hose to blast the mud off my bike after my pre-ride, but technical difficulties at a new venue meant that there was no water to the hoses. Plus, for a reason I missed, the hose by the restrooms mysteriously disappeared when I needed it! By the time the hoses had water in the pit, there was an epic line. So, you can make all the routines you want, but be prepared that it isn't always going to work out the way you planned. Yet another reason to get to the races at least 3 hours in advance.
The course itself was challenging & fun. There were some big run ups, a couple of flyovers, a few fast straightaways, and plenty of mud mud mud! I was very grateful to have mechanical support from Erin Mace at this race. First, he installed spikes on our shoes - which helped immensely on the run-ups. This was the first and only race that I've used spikes on. Second, he took Sara & I's bikes measurements, set up his OWN bikes to these measurements and manned the pit for us during our races. Also, when I was pacing around belly-aching about my routine being thrown off and not being able to hose the mud off my bike, he was able to grab a bucket of water and give it a quick scrub down. I don't know what we would do at these races without him. Each time I passed the pit I got some calm tactical words of wisdom - plus I knew someone was watching me, which keeps me honest & trying harder.
Chris getting his number spray-glued on.
Bike covered in mud & Tim's still smiling!
During Sunday's race I ended up going back and forth with a woman named Sue from Team Spark who I had beaten on Sat by 24 seconds (note: I don't know any of these details til after on crossresults). It all came down to an all out sprint at the finish line where she took 24th and I took 25th. First time I tried a bike throw to nudge me across the line with the last ounce of energy I had left. This is the kind of moment that makes racing so exciting for me - even mid-pack there is a race wtihin the race. Afterwards we introduced ourselves and congratulated each other, both riding high off the adrenaline rush of our fierce battle!
Sara's trashed derailleur! She ended up realizing she had a mechanical just past the pit and was in for a loooong run. Since I'm in the same race - I don't hear about these things til after!
The absolutely indispensable Erin Mace giving our bikes some love after we played hard in the mud.
Exhausted from the mud & the cold, I headed back to my parents house an hour north in Western MA to wash my gear/bike and get a good night's sleep. Well, writing it like that, I don't think you get the full picture of how much of an ordeal this actually was. Being an amateur racer with limited gear - I had one bike, one pair of cx shoes, one longsleeve thermal jersey, one pair of race gloves, one mud-splattered helmet and one muddy pair of glasses. All of this needed to be clean & dry so that I could be out the door early the next morning to immediately get it muddy again.
Just looking at these pictures again gives me great anxiety. Get out the hose!
I made it to my parents house, immediately put all my gear into the washing machine and hosed/scrubbed the stuck on mud off my bike, bouncing as much water as I could off and wheeling it into the garage to dry off while I showered. I also blasted the mud off my cx shoes and wrung them out.
After showering, I had to go down to the local liquor/convenience store (yes, an odd combination) where I bought two newspapers. They asked me if I knew I had picked up multiple copies of the same newspaper. I explained that yes, I had meant to grab two. I did not bother explaining any more than that. Got home to my parents house and stuffed my hosed off shoes chock full of newspaper & put them in front of a fan near the pellet stove. Had to change out the newspaper 1-2 more times to expedite the drying process, but it worked a charm.
Ate pizza from Francesco's, which hit the spot! Always a favorite growing up in Brimfield. Then back to the dryer - retrieve clothes, fold and pack "after" clothes - lay out kit for the next morning. Back down to the garage to lube the drivetrain of my bike and attempt to deal with unraveling bar tape. Back upstairs to fill water bottles and my mom made me a PB&J sandwich so I wouldn't starve the next day! Off to bed early, absolutely beat. I honestly don't know WHAT I would have done if I tried to stay in a hotel room and deal with this nonsense. I know the Katz' did that, but I do not pretend to understand how they made it work!
In case you do not understand the sheer ridiculousness of transporting a Francesco's pizza...
Day 2!! Up bright and early to have a nice b-fast, pack the car, say bye to my parents & trek back down to Thompson, CT. We were in for another rainy / muddy day. My legs felt tired. It was still early in the season, and like I mentioned, my first back-to-back race experience. Finished the race, packed all my muddy gear up and headed back to NH to start the vicious cleaning cycle again. I tried to sleep but woke up several times, my metabolism was on overdrive and I had to get up several times during the night to graze (e.g. spoonful of maple syrup, pistachios, dried cherries and the like) just so my heart would stop pounding and I could get some rest. It was rough. Weds-Sat-Sun races back to back as races 3, 4 & 5 of the season.
Day 2 Result: 28/41, Women's Cat 4
Day 3 Result: 25/32, Women's Cat 4
Restroom Review: This one is important to remember - there are NO gas stations / fast food joints to stop at once you get off the exit for Thompson Motor Speedway! Make absolutely sure you get off an exit or two before, or you will be in for this same unpleasant surprise. As far at the venue itself - there were real restrooms with running water. There were also hot showers! My advice - find them, have an after bag packed so you can ride over the bridge, and beat everyone else over there. There were two stalls and a long-ish wait once folks figured out where they were. BRING FLIP FLOPS. They were muddy gross & full of wet grass after a few women had showered. It ws SO WORTH IT to be warm and clean.
Food Review: Maybe it was because this festival was in it's first year at the new venue - but the food and beer garden left much to be desired. Not many food choices - got a mediocre steak and cheese. The beer tent was off in a remote location at the edge of a parking lot, so I didn't hang out there. Will give it another chance next year, see if they figure things out from the feedback received. I'll be packing a cooler just in case.
OH MY GOSH THIS IS SO LONG!!! I may write the other 12 race reviews in two more parts, if for nothing else than my own posterity, and just get this up online now. If there is any interest in reading about the other 12, let me know cause that may spur on some motivation.
When I started this blog, I thought I would write all the time. I had a bit of momentum at first, then went through cycles of fizzling out and then being inspired again. Thankfully I'm not a journalist or an author - I'd never make a paycheck! And I'll certainly never be DC Rainmaker. Although I'd love to be!
I'm 5/17 (five seventeenths) of the way through my review of my 2016 cx season (and 2017 nats). Once I get that done and posted (likely March unless I get some snowstorm writing time), then maybe this writer's block will ease up.
Woah, I totally just got blogged at! How cool is that? If you missed the original link, please go here and read this blog post in it's entirety. It's so good, I was motivated to answer ASAP.
I'll try my best in my reply here to convince you that the answer is a resounding YES! You need to race cyclocross.
Blue sections below are from the original blog post by Jenna Wright:
Enter cyclocross. Really. Like I want to enter cyclocross events. It's perfect. The fun of charging toward deliberate obstacles smacks of the reckless joys of my childhood when I was never without my bike. Let's devise wild and wicked courses to test our bravery! Yes, let's! Let's push ourselves to the point of giddy, well-earned exhaustion. Let's race towards the mud like mad geniuses of physics. Wait--people still do this? I'll admit to being nervous about running, er--riding, with a field of fitter, fearless wonders, but I'm game. So how do I get started? That's exactly what I asked superbrain and wildly weird cyclocross maven (and complete enabler) Jen Murphy. (You must go read her blog, but not before you finish mine, because I eked it out while sick and kids were shouting at me for more gummie snacks) Per usual, I've joined forums and peeked at gear and prices. But I want more. I need the dirty details. How much is it going to cost to feed my soul? So here we go...
You might think this is what the sport is all about, but....ok, no seriously, this totally hits the nail on the head. I think you were meant to do this. Sometimes when I am suffering very badly mid-race, I ask myself "why am I doing this again?" Your description is exactly why! Also, don't assume everyone is fitter or more fearless than you. You can race yourself into shape, and a little fear is what makes this so addictive anyway.
I need a bike. How much should I have set aside for a decent starter bike? What type of frame? Any components I'll want to change out sooner rather than later? I'm also between sizes--my problem with bike number one--so do I want to size down for control? Give up and buy new trail-running shoes?
Put the trail running shoes down!
There are lots of "wants" that some of us think are "needs" in this sport, but in all actuality you only really NEED three things: bike, shoes, helmet. Heckin' heck - you don't even need fancy shoes either if that's gonna hold you back, just leave on the flat pedals and make sure your sneakers are double knotted. You don't want to eat it when you've dismounted - bike in the air - about to leap over a barrier. Mmmm...teeth embedded in the barriers, that's a nice mental picture. Are you supposed to put teeth in a cup of milk when you transport them to the dentist, or is that just an old wives tale? I am getting sidetracked. Anyway...that being said, you probs want to pick up some cx./trail shoes if you can. These are going to have aggressive tread on the bottom to allow you to get some traction, they are not like your husband's SIDI carbon road shoes. You can put on cleats and use them with clipless pedals. You can get what you need for $100-150, maybe less if you want to hunt for bargains. I have used the same pair in that price range for 2 seasons. I've replaced parts to keep them going.
You do need a bike! More important than what components the bike has, or what it is made of, you need to make sure the bike fits you. I opted for a slightly smaller frame for racing, as it it a bit snappier when I need to maneuver. I think you'd do well to try the same. You'll want to pick up a cyclocross specific frame, which has a higher bottom bracket (so you can clear obstacles and such) and burlier brakes (discs or cantilevers) than any road bike you've ever ridden. Aluminum w/ a carbon fork is a good start! That's what I am racing. If you have the $$$ and want to splurge, pick up a full carbon steed. They're lighter and you'll eventually want to go down that path like every other one of us addicts. I hope to get to there soon. Just know that a heavier aluminum bike goes downhill faster, so it does have one advantage at least. I gots downhill GAME. Plus I can crash it, scratch it etc and not feel as guilty.
I'd suggest you find something with mid-level Shimano or SRAM components. You're probably looking at Shimano 105 or SRAM Rival. Your husband likes SRAM stuff so will probably influence you in that regard. Shifting is mostly a preference thing - if you are not used to one or the other, you might not have a preference yet. It's worth trying to see what you like better. Also keep in mind that as you accumulate extra gear, you'll want it to be compatible. For example, if your bike has thru axles, you're going to eventually want at least a spare set of wheels and those must also be thru axle. Think about what gear your husband has that you could use. Does he have quick release wheels that you could use on the trainer for warm-up before a race? If you get a bike that is compatible, you can steal his stuff! Bonus!
Let's say I have this bike, see, and I want to know how to maintain it. When I rode horses, it was a source of pride how well-kept your horse was. I did everything. I'm not so mechanically-inclined. Actually, I have no idea. I actually think I could be. So how do I learn everything I need to know from flats to bar tape and when to call the shop? I'd ask my husband, but he's already 100 miles up the road...
There is a lot you can learn to do yourself, and it is easier than you think! You will get very far with keeping your bike clean, knowing how to inflate the tires, and cleaning/lubing the drivetrain. I would be more than happy to show you how to do the basics! I am on the Steering Committee for the She Rides Seacoast group, and we are putting multiple basic bike maintenance dates on the calendar, free for women to attend & learn. Check out our facebook page or google calendar to see when more events like these are coming up, either sponsored by us or our local bike shops! Also, here is a blog post on bike maintenance I wrote for the She Rides women's blog to get you started.
I like to shop, but my husband always jokes that I can't shop outside of clearance sections. He's right (don't tell him), so how will I know which equipment is okay to bargain-shop and on which gear I need to spend spend spend? Is my husband lying when he says the expensive Sidi's in his online shopping cart are better than the brand that was on sale and that he has to pay more for the helmet that matches his kit? I need to know. CX can cost as much as you want it to. You will find yourself getting sucked in and feeling like you "need" more things. Truth be told, these things you obtain will make your life easier and extra clothes (kit) will make you more comfortable especially in the cold wind, mud & snow. Spend money on comfortable shoes and a new helmet esp. if yours is more than 3-5 yrs old. Get the basic pieces of kit you'll need to stay comfortable. The season will start out on the warmer side, so you'll be out in short sleeves, but as soon as Fall roars in, you'll need those arm warmers, fleece lined longsleeve jersey, tights, wool socks, warmer gloves & wind/waterproof warm-up jacket. Not gonna lie, trying to buy this gear all at once can seem overwhelmingly expensive! If you make friends with folks already doing this crazy sport, you may be able to borrow some things or inherit hand-me-downs that work just great (my friend gave me 3 pairs of tights this year!) Also, check out our next She Rides Seacoast social event in February - a gear swap! The premise of this event is, bring your old gear and take some "new to you" gear that someone else isn't using. No money exchanged - and if you don't have anything to bring to the table, please still come! We want our old gear going to local women who will use it - we don't want to just put it in a donation bin. Make sure to save some money for the following: -Bikereg fees to register for races -Gas to drive to races -Food (you'll be hungry doing this sport) -Bike repairs @ your local bike shop
Do I need a license to be this cool? Are there some events that are just for kicks and some that are for points? Where should a gal start? I'm a big joiner! Just check out the "clubs and activities" section of my old yearbooks. It would be embarrassing if I wasn't proud. Oh, and what is the "season?" Actually....you DO need a license! You will need a racing license through USA Cycling (USAC). If you are wondering if you'll stick with the sport, you can buy a one day license at the venue or online for $10, and if you just want to jump on board and commit, buy a yearly racing license for $70. They'll let you apply the 1 day fee towards a yearly license, I believe, if you do get hooked after your first race. There are some events that are larger than others, all USAC sanctioned races offer upgrade points - which are dependent on how many people started in your race, and what place you finished in. I have never gotten any upgrade points so I'm not super concerned about this aspect of racing at this point in my life, but some basic guidelines for upgrade points awarded can be found here. You will have points assigned to you, depending on where you've finished in your last 5 races, and these are the points I'm concerned about. These points will govern which row you start in at the races. The better you do, the less points you are awarded. Think of it like golf! You can get a head start by signing up at crossresults.com. This is also where photographers will post links to rad photos that they take at the races. You will spend a lot of time on crossresults.com. I think the best way to get started is to come by and check out a cx practice session held by our local bike shops! These will likely start up in the August timeframe. Gus' Bike Shop has a great practice course at the Rye Airfield (just sign a waiver the first time you show up!) and Colonial Bicycle Company has put together a nice course at Stratham Hill Park. Those two are great local places to practice & to meet people! You can also sign up for camps held around New England. I would highly suggest the Cycle-Smart Cyclocross camp weekend out in Western MA in early August. No matter what skill level you are at, you will learn a lot about proper technique. The official season runs from September through December, with Nationals taking place in January. You won't want to miss the great local races we have here early in the season, including Sucker Brook (Auburn, NH) and White Park (Concord, NH). Don't miss Orchard Cross at Applecrest Farm Orchards!! If you go to bikereg.com and search the New England area for Cyclocross events, you'll see what's coming up. Some bigger events, where the pros come for UCI point, include KMC Cross Festival at the Thompson Motor Speedway in Thompson CT, Craft GP of Gloucester at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester MA, and the Northamption International Cyclocross Race at Look Park in Northampton, MA. These are biiiig races, food trucks, pros, and likely bigger starting fields for each category. My first race was Sucker Brook, and my second was Gloucester. I can't tell you how surprised I was at the difference in scale, not knowing how the two were any different when I signed up. My advice is experience everything you can and soak it all in your first year! I'm...a bit..less fit than I was prior to gestating all my perfect children, so how fit is fit enough? Is there a routine that's more beneficial than another? An area to target? (Please don't say core...please don't say core...please don't say core...) You are going to say core. I sensed a disturbance in the force. Okay, so core and what else? Pilates is the devil so I'm sure I need to do even more of it. Yoga is like candy, so please tell me I can have more of that. That's strength and flexibility, what about endurance? I'm sure you've done well when you feel like your lungs are exiting through your mouth because you were really really pushing yourself, but I want to have enough stamina to make it through the entire race before collapsing, triumphant that I survived. Smiling, even, because this is wicked amounts of fun. So what do you suggest? I'll start right away. Cyclocross is an explosive sport. You can be in great shape, but still not ready for the explosive bursts of sprinting and running up hills that you'll encounter in a race. Honestly, I ride a lot, and the first race of the season is still a shock to my system. Just use the races as practice for more races. You can race yourself into shape! Of course core is important, but that being said, it's always something I fail at doing enough of. Strength training in the winter, then lots of riding come springtime, will help you form the base you need. Yoga is great! Stretching / flexibility / mobility will help you stay limber with those dismounts / remounts and getting your legs high up over the barriers! No matter what I try, I still feel like my lungs are going to exit through my mouth every time. It doesn't get easier, you just get faster. I'd do some intervals - warm up and then do some sprint intervals where you go all out - recover, rinse repeat. It will get you to a good starting place for race season! This sport is wicked fun, but if you are racing your heart out, you will feel like you want to throw up at the end every time! What is the culture like? Every activity has it's own culture. I used to ride horses cross-country (alternate universe cyclocross for horses? Also, how you know I am brave as heck--go watch some videos on YouTube) and there were spoken and unspoken rules and traditions and even ways of showing your individuality within the cultural mores. So tell me what you know. These could be my people.
The New England Cyclocross (NECX) scene is friendly, weird & awesome - just like an alternate universe cyclocross for horses. People race hard, but also don't like to take themselves too seriously. I'll just reference this here blog post for a snapshot of everything that is great about cyclocross - specifically the single speed CX race (SSCX) at Ice Weasels (end-of-the-year unsanctioned race/party). No, the races aren't ALL like this one, but I can say I even started out the year chasing folks cheering them in an inflatable T-rex suit, and ringing a cowbell with a velociraptor hand puppet. Finally, what is the one thing you wish you knew before you started? Yeah, I want the secret stuff. Oooh this is a hard one! I guess I wish I had've known just how important the right tire pressure would be! I spent a lot of time practicing cornering and falling. I was never going to get it right, until someone physically took way more air out of my tires than I was prepared for. It made all the difference in the world. Listen to people, get advice, and don't take anyone's advice as the end-all-be-all answer. Everyone has opinions, and you will build a great knowledge base by asking the same questions of multiple people. Make a list & make a routine for your races. Knowing you are prepared on the equipment / gear end will take that factor out of the equation. Stop at a real restroom before you get to the race venue. Learn how to change quickly in your car. Never ride home in sweaty bike gear, change into dry clothes ASAP. Ummm, yeah, that was more than one thing. I hope I set the hook :)
