Race 3
Sunday November 11
Manzanita Park, Prundale, CA
Overall Standings are now available
Full results are up
Cat A Men/Single Speed
Master Men 35+/45+
Women A and B
Category B Men
Category C & Juniors
Overall Standings are now available
Full results are up
Cat A Men/Single Speed
Master Men 35+/45+
Women A and B
Category B Men
Category C & Juniors
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till next time
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What follows is my hazy reconstruction my Senior B’s race. Details are
somewhat shaky, but I believe this to be at least a halfway reliable
account.
Despite not getting my left foot into the pedal until a third of the way up
the first climb, I got a good start and found myself well within the top ten
on the first lap. Realizing this was a great opportunity, I pushed hard the
first couple of laps and, much to my surprise, found myself in third place,
leading a bloodthirsty pack of cyclocross hounds as they pacelined over the
hill behind me to keep out of the gusting wind. Rounding the top corner in
near oxygen debt, I opted not to push too hard and risk crashing on the
downhill. Chomping at the bit, three of the rabid beasts behind me charged
around from both sides, brushing elbows and gnashing teeth. Made nervous by
their brazenness and wanton lack of caution, I let them go with a grimace
and sense of foreboding. Sure enough, coming out of the second sweeper, two
of these brave souls locked bars and went down in the soft sand. I had left
just enough room to correct and went left around them, barely missing a
beat, and resuming my spot near the front. Alas, in the last two laps I
began to fade and the skinsuited Specialized Twins were able to cement their
lead over me along with a couple of other guys, so I finished in 6th place,
a little disappointed for not holding on, but exhilarated from the chase and
my second top ten finish ever.
Thanks for another great race, Cross Demigods of the Central Coast!
Heath Maddox
BASTARDS!
By Aaron O'Dell
Category A race
Well let me tell ya,
So I kept trying to win right, and all these guys kept going faster than me
(bastards!) Next time I'll have to ask them more nicely to slow the hell
down. I mean come on, what's the big idea kickin my ass like that. I didn't
ask for that kind of abuse. I thought I gave Kieth that twenty bucks to make
me a sure thing for the #1 spot across the line. To my dismay 8 other
freakin people had already finished in front of me, dude come on, that's
lame. I guess they paid more money or something, I don't know, I haven't got
the inside scoop on the others strategies yet. There is a rumor floating
around that the guys that whooped my ass are fast
but I think its a conspiracy, they must have gotten to the promoters before
me. Next year I'll start bribing during pre-season to make a more fitting
arrangement for myself and my team mates, it pays to plan ahead I hear.
Aaron & the buycell.com groupies
BLOODTHIRSTY PACK OF CYCLOCROSS HOUNDS
By Heath Maddox
Category B race
In my opinion, one of the best courses of the season so far. Unfortunately,
the rain didn't make lots of mud, but it did make the sandy soil of
Manzanita Park super fast and grippy. Winding, giant slalom descents with
perfect traction (and soft landings for the overzealous), a short, steep
pushing-the-borders-of-ridable ride-up, a gut-splitting run-up, and a paved
climb like at the 7th Day Adventists’ good for passing, blowing up, and
generally putting the hurt on all made for a fun ride.
Santa Cruz County Cycling Club