Bike #6

Today I did my first cyclocross race.  It was a humbling experience.  I got 20th in the women's cat 4 field out of about 35 riders.  The fields are so big here!  I borrowed my teammate's Jake the Snake, picked it up at 5 PM yesterday, threw a seat and pedals on it, and rode it for about 20 minutes.  Need I say: unprepared?

I am definitely lacking in the technical skill department.  I passed a ton of people on the flat sections, but I had some trouble in the other parts.  I can do flying mounts without any trouble on flat ground when I'm not tired.  But add in a run up, some hurdles, and fatigue, and I mess them up.  It was the same case for triathlons. No problem in practice, but when you are dizzy and fumbling around after swimming a mile, it's a lot more difficult.

I got better as the race went on.  I had some trouble with my mount after the run up.  There was a tricky descent after it, which didn't help.  Here are some pictures.  Did I mention that I finally joined a team?  Team Starbucks.  They are all so nice and helpful!  They make it so easy to race.  What kind of people lend their extra cross bikes to a dumb roadie like me?

I should also mention that there were 180 people on the course during our race!

Also, I just bought my 6th bike.  A Yeti cross bike with Rival components, an easton fork and a chris king headset for only $2000.  So pretty!  I know, I know, I have way too many bikes, but I use them all (2 road, 1 track, 1 mtn, 1 cx).  I would get rid of my Litespeed, but now I have to put fenders on it so I can use it as my rain bike (they are strict about that around here).  I might sell my TT bike, though.  I don't even have that with me in Seattle. .